From 9-19 March 2023, Esplanade presents its annual children's festival which will see 11 days of exciting and fun-filled activities that explore important issues for the young.
This year's theme revolves around identity and how children navigate their environment and come to understand themselves.
Be sure to catch the three commissioned works (The Beginning of Anything, Changeling, and Come Back Home) which will bring the theme to life in unique ways.
There will also be a wide range of ticketed and free programmes from dance and theatre, to storytelling activities and parent-child workshops.
There's something for everyone!
Shan, the adventurous 6-year-old explorer is ready to discover a brand new world. With her trusty torchlight and creative imagination full of stories, she's prepared for anything that comes her way!
No need to fear - with an abundance of love and light in Shan’s heart there won’t be any obstacles too difficult on this exciting journey.
Growing up can be an exciting yet daunting journey, but The Beginning of Anything helps to provide young adventurers with the courage they need.
Through a creative combination of music, story, and animation based on drawings by children in Singapore, this play offers both kids and adults alike a chance to have a conversation about their own experiences facing change.
At its heart is hope - that even when leaving our homes for new adventures we will still find love and support in familiar as well as unfamiliar places.
Recommended age: 6 and above
Admission age: 4 and above
Date:
Duration: 1 hour 15 mins with no intermission
Location: Esplanade Theatre
Tickets:
Get ready for an exciting adventure into the realm of magical fairies!
In Changeling, a theatrical roleplaying game created specifically with children in mind, you'll take on mysterious quests through fantastical worlds to find Nadim, a runaway boy who vanished 20 years ago.
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Uncover clues by solving puzzles and meet unforgettable characters along your journey.
You'll even have to face off against living nightmares as you attempt to save Nadim from his harrowing past.
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It's like living your own real-life adventure - anything can happen!
Changeling is created by Void Deck Games, an immersive theatre company that utilizes gamified storytelling and user-driven narratives to deliver interactive theatre experiences.
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Recommended age: 8-12 years old
Admission age: 8 and above
Date:
Time: 11am & 3pm
Duration: 1 hour 30mins with no intermission
Location: Esplanade Annexe Studio
Tickets:
All children (Players) must be accompanied by an adult (Supporter) and tickets are required for all attendees.
There must be a Player in the game, and the Player has to be a child.
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Come Back Home transports families back in time to unravel the mystery of a lost child.
Through an immersive theatrical experience, children and adults alike can relive childhood memories while being part of the action.
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When booking your ticket, choose between sitting in the auditorium (Observer) or participating (Participant) in all of the interactive fun onstage with other audience members.
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Recommended age:
Admission age:
Date:
Duration: 1 hour with no intermission
Location: Singtel Waterfront Theatre at Esplanade
Tickets:
Weave is a children's workshop designed to help kids explore the important stories behind their dreams and fears.
Through fun activities like games, therapeutic art projects, and mindful movement exercises, this program provides children with an opportunity to take control of how they see themselves in challenging times - transforming fear into courage!
Sign your kids up and start weaving hopes and dreams into their stories today!
Recommended age: 7 - 12 years old
Admission age: 7 and above. This workshop is for children only and parents can drop off your kids at Level 4 outside Theatre Studio.
Date: 11 and 12 Mar, 10am
Duration: 2 hours with no intermission
Location: Esplanade Rehearsal Studio
Tickets:
Intertwined is a family workshop that helps families start an inspiring journey together, unlocking stories and experiences that are passed down through generations.
This isn't your average bonding experience, parents and children have the opportunity to explore their dreams and fears in a safe space with light-hearted games, therapeutic art activities, and somatic movements.
It's a wonderful chance for parents and caregivers to come together with their kids to forge meaningful connections!
Recommended age: 6-12 years old
Admission age: 6 and above
Date: 11 Mar (Sat), 2pm
Duration: 2 hours with no intermission
Location: Esplanade Rehearsal Studio
Tickets:
Come join the fun and be enchanted by We Touch, We Play, We Dance, an engaging and fun performance for children under 3 by Second Hand Dance Company from UK.
With a live DJ spinning music in the background, the audience is invited to join four dancers as they move around the space, creating magical moments through hugs, high fives, and dancing that will delight babies and children.
Whether it's participating or just listening and watching, families are sure to have a lovely time together at this show that is filled with surprises and joys.
Recommended age: Under 3 years old
Admission age:
Date:
Duration: 50 mins with no intermission
Location: Esplanade Theatre Studio
Tickets: $25
Caregivers and educators have a unique role in helping children cope with life’s big changes.
PASSAGE is a workshop designed specifically for them, providing reflections and group sharing through therapeutic art and somatic activities to help better understand the struggles kids experience when facing transitions.
Participants will also discover ways of nurturing their young ones as they transition through each phase of life's journey.
Admission age: 16 and above
Date: 17 Mar, Fri, 5:30pm
Duration: 2 hours with no intermission
Location: Esplanade Rehearsal Studio
Tickets:
Esplanade&Me Specials
Apart from the ticketed events, there are also tons of free programmes happening.
Here are some of the free programmes you can look forward to.
With more programmes launching by end February make sure you check back to see all of what's in store for March On 2023.
You can check out the full programme lineup here.
The Rattle King invites you on a musical journey around Esplanade!
Starting from the Esplanade Forecourt Garden, this participative performance will move through various areas around Esplanade in an outdoor procession.
Join the Rattle King and his merry band of followers as they go on the lookout to turn the hustle and bustle of city life into music.
Along the way, they will make music, rediscover the beauty of sounds, and learn how to live harmoniously with the urban aural distractions.
Rattle King 2 includes a pre-show workshop activity before the performance.
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Recommended age: All ages
Admission age: Date: 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 Mar 2023
Time:
Duration: 1 hour 15 mins with no intermission
Location: Esplanade Forecourt Garden
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Tak Takut Kids Club (TTKC), a child-centric community arts centre, often receives donations of toys and dolls that the kids don't really need.
That is why Visual artist Jimmy Ong responded during his residency by dedicating time to deconstruct these items with children and reconstruct them into something new.
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Kids and adults are invited to this participatory art showcase to re-imagine and re-connect with the larger community.
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Recommended age: All ages
Date: 9-12 Mar and 17-19 Mar, 5pm
Duration: 4 hours (free and easy)
Location: Esplanade Courtyard
Is there something special about the items in your home? From furniture to appliances, artifacts to antiques - each item has a story that is waiting to be told.
Step into a world of stories with the Collector.
His signature horn can be heard from blocks away, beckoning people to approach to give away their old and unwanted items.
The Collector moves from place to place, collecting these cherished possessions that no longer have a home, but might spark joy in someone else, never growing weary as he listens carefully to each tale they tell.
Come listen to the Collector as he retells these stories using familiar items.
You can even share your own story in this interactive activity that invites participation from everyone.
Collector of Stories is inspired by Singapore's karang guni uncles and aunties who make their living collecting recyclables that are then resold.
In Collector of Stories, creator Jeremy seeks to uncover the stories behind the items we throw away.
His mission is to offer young audiences a platform for their stories, bringing the power of listening and uplifting their voices.
Recommended age:
Date: 11, 12, 18, 19 Mar
Time: 2pm, 4pm
Duration: 45 mins with no intermission
Location:
Location: Esplanade Concourse
PIP's Club members are in for a treat: from 9-19 Mar 2023, spend $20 at any participating outlet of Esplanade Mall and you'll get your hands on a limited-edition kids PIP mask worth $12!*
Not a PIP's Club member yet? Sign up for free here.
PIP's Club is Esplanade's free arts membership for children 12 and under that offers exclusive ticket specials on children's programmes.
Be creative and help PIP make new friends!
Draw PIP a friend, snap a photo of it, and send it over to family@esplanade.com
The top 3 entries will win $50, $30, and $20 Esplanade Mall vouchers respectively as well as some awesome PIP merchandise!
Submission deadline: 31 Mar 2023
Visit Esplanade's website for more information on the contest rules.
This article was brought to you by Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay
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Date: 9-19 Mar 2023
Location: Various locations around Esplanade
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