Jumble House Creativity, entertainment, Families, Holidays, Singapore

Haw Par Villa 


We visited the Haw Par Villa theme park in the Pasir Panjang District (MRT Circle Line) for the second time today. 

The park in the middle of massive renovation works and so many of the areas were ‘out of bounds’ and it was very noisy. . 

However, I would definitely recommend this place once the works are completed as it is going to be really beautiful. 

This theme park is named after the ‘Aw Brothers’ who invented the Tiger Balm ointment and, as expected, the gardens contain many tiger statues

Haw Par is best known for its gruesome depiction of the ‘Ten Gates of Hell’ but, with over 1.000 statues and tableaux it is a magical journey into Chinese Mythology. To really appreciate it fully I would recommend acquiring a basic knowledge of some of the stories.

Children will love the animal statues and the numerous turtles and terrapins and will enjoy clambering up the steps and exploring the many tunnels that meander through the tableuxs. 

I definitely would NOT recommend taking them to see the ten gates of hell! 

Below is a very short video I took today of the restricted area. 

After our previous visit a couple of years ago I made a pre-visit video for children.  To view please use this link: 

       Haw Par Villla for Kids

     

​

​

.

Jumble House celebrations, Chinese New Year, Creativity, Festivals, Singapore

The Lion Dance. Chinese New Year 

Above:  The Lions visit the  Plaza Singapura Shopping Centre in Dhoby Gaut, Singapore. 

Why? 

In a nutshell, to chase away evil spirits and monsters like Nian and to bring good luck and fortune during the coming year. 

There are two men inside each Lion. One at the head and one at the tail. The music follows the move of the Lion. The Lion has a mirror attached to its head and this is believed to expel negative energy. 

The businesses hang a string of green vegetables outside the door. To this is attached a lucky red packet. Usually the businesses have prepaid for the visit by the lions. The dance culminates with the lions ‘eating’ the green vegetables and packet accompanied by a crescendo of drums and cymbals. Then they spit out the chewed up remains. This is a symbolic gesture. The lions are blessing the business with good luck and lots of customers during the new year! In return the lions are rewarded with oranges or tangerines which again symbolise good good luck. 

Often the lions leave a Year Date spelt out in orange segments on the floor. 


In the video below you can see the climax of the lion dance at Plaza Singapura

         LION DANCE. PLAZA SINGAPURA

Come back tomorrow for more fun when we will be participating in the ‘Yu Sheng’. This is a traditional noodle tossing and great fun. Tastes great too! There’s also a DRAGON! 

​​

Jumble House Creativity

New! We have a newspaper. 

‘The Creative Child’ newspaper. Out now!  

It is full of links to interesting articles covering all aspects of creativity. 

Click on the link at the bottom of the page for a sample edition. 

Out every Saturday, I will post the link to each new edition here on the website. 

                     The Creative Child Newspaper

Jumble House Kids, Lizzy Witch, Science

Make a fun Cloud Lamp


Don’t pack all those Christmas Lights away! 

The small battery powered type can be used to make fun Cloud Lamps.

It’s an easy and fun craft activity your children will enjoy sharing with you. 

             Click on this link for the instruction video

Questions often asked by young children are ‘What are clouds?  How are they made?  What do they feel like?’ 

Well, Lizzie Witch is very good at catching clouds!  

She is also very good at answering those tricky questions.


       Click on this link to watch the programme: Catch a Cloud in a Jar

Watch more fun Science programmes on the ‘Fun Science for young children with Lizzie Witch’ playlist on the Jumble Fun channel 

                Click on this link to be taken to the Jumble FUN Channel
I hope you enjoy the programmes. If you do please subscribe to the channel. 

Jumble House Creativity, Early Learning, Education

What’s new with Jumble Fun? 


Happy New Year and welcome to a new year of Jumble Fun and lots more exciting Art, Craft, Science and Creative projects. 

See what’s new by watching this short trailer: 

                      What’s new in Jumble Fun

Jumble House Art, painting, Printmaking, Modelling for young children, Crafts for kids, Lizzy Witch, Science

Crayon Melt Pictures 

These are really fun to make and introduce the concept of ‘melting’ to children. 

The technique also improves coordination. 

All you need is a small Canvas board, a pack of crayons. Some glue and a hairdryer. 

The fun video featuring Lizzie Witch attempting to melt the crayons is sure to motivate children to ‘have a go!’ 

Adult supervision and help is needed . 

Click on this link to watch the video 

For lots more art and science activities visit our channel: 

The Jumble Fun Channel of Videos 

Jumble House Creativity

Make a snowman

 

This is a fun activity that  all the family can enjoy.

All you require is a couple of balloons, some string and white glue plus scraps for the hat, scarf , buttons and eyes.

The balloons are slippery so it’s much easier with two people.

Watch the video below.

MAKE A STRING SNOWMAN

 

Jumble House celebrations, Christmas

Make your own String Baubles 

​

​

FUN. EFFECTIVE. CHEAP!! 

The kids will love helping especially when it comes to popping the balloons! 

Click here for the instructional video

Jumble House Art, painting, Printmaking, Modelling for young children, Children, Creativity, Jumbles, Sculpture, Singapore

Flower Power

 

Photo-20160205093448820.jpg

Play dough, bought or homemade, is a great creative medium. Modelling with the dough also strengthens little muscles thus improving fine motor skills. 


Introduce different skills like: 

  • Kneading
  • Squeezing
  • Rolling a long sausage on the table first with one hand and then both 
  • Rolling into a ball between the palms of both hands.
  • Breaking the play dough-pulling it apart using a tripod grip. 
  • Squashing balls on the table with the thumb and then each finger in turn. 
  • Building a tower or balls starting with the largest at the bottom. 

I drew patterns and pictures in indelible marker on clear plastic to encourage my kids to use different skills to make different shapes with the playdough. (See above) 

Follow the link below to see Maisie Jumble , inspired by the fibreglass sculptures by Ana Tzaievi , making her own from play dough.

Video link below: 

        FLOWER POWER

Jumble House cooking, Food, Recipes, Uncategorized

COUNTRY CHICKEN

 


A lovely hearty dish for cooler days. 

Let’s the kids roll the sausage balls for you. They love the sticky jobs that us adults hate! 

This recipe works  really well in the slow cooker or on top of the cooker or can be casseroled on a low heat in the oven. 

Ingredients: 


I know it doesn’t look very appetising but it REALLY does taste delicious when cooked!’

For 4 people: 

4 CHICKEN joints 

3/4 thick good butchers sausages . Preferably with herbs. Linconshire sausages would work well.  Umbrian sausages are SUPERB!   

Two wine glasses of red wine.

One stock cube. Two big Cloves  of garlic. One red onion. 

A pack of back olives with stones. 

Two tins of good chunky tinned tomatoes.

Two teaspoons of oregano. 

Peperoncino or chilli pepper to taste 

One thinly sliced red pepper. 



METHOD: 

First skin the sausage and roll into balls using four . You should get two/ three good sized balls from each. 

Rub the chicken joints with flour. 

Put a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a deep pan. Add the chicken and sausage. Toss on medium heat for just four/five minutes then remove to a plate. 



Add onions and garlic to the pan and cook gently for five minutes. 

Replace chicken and sausage and Pour in the wine. 

Simmer for five minutes then add everything else .

Stir well and then turn down heat and cook with lid on very gently for an hour.  ( or put in the slow cooker or casserole it in the oven).

Taste and adjust seasoning. 

Serve with crispy sauté potatoes and tiny tender peas.