Be Aware 
You have probably noticed how your child views the world with wide-eyed wonder.
From a child’s perspective, even a tiny grain of sand is a container of mysteries and secrets. With such sharp curiosity, would it not be worth the effort to make him a young explorer of the world? The photographs and memories captured will be ingrained in him forever. And, taking your family on a fun holiday can be within time and budget.
Five Tips for Family Holidays on a Budget
1. Go in a group and share in the costs
Take the initiative to plan holidays with family friends. Every parent goes through a similar experience. –once you have a child, you develop a fresh understanding. For example, now that you are a dad, you will not fault your friend if his child were to wheeze in your face. That makes you a great travel companion!
The added bonus is that you can share in the costs of transport and accommodation. Not to mention, your child will enjoy having playmates on the road.
2. Travel by land or by sea
If your family is able to travel by land or sea, and enjoy the ride, that is usually the cheaper option. Even when you have the foresight to book a zero-dollar airfare deal, costs of airport taxes and fuel surcharges add up.
3. Look for unique accommodation options
Bunk in with friends as much as possible. If not, try a Bed and Breakfast. They are rather charming and grant a different experience from the major hotel chains.
If travelling to Malaysia, try HomeStays to find private vacation homes inclusive of bedrooms, kitchen and living room at low, low prices.
4. Get off the beaten track
Are your friends going shopping in Bangkok or snorkelling in Langkawi? How about Sotong Fishing at Coconut Village Resort in Johor? It costs only RM150++ per night including scrumptious seafood meals. And, if you need to charter or hire a car or mini bus to get there, those are available too. Remember the first tip: get family friends to travel together and share in the transport costs.
Or, go bird-watching at Pulau Ubin and star gazing at Pulau Semakau. Both these are just a ferry ride away yet the experience is just as enriching.
5. Try out these cool travel ideas
- Beach "Resort"
For years, members of the The Astronomical Society of Singapore (TASOS) have been organising holidays at the only place in Singapore where one can view the Milky Way galaxy - our very own Pulau Semakau.
Facilities are spartan and buffet breakfast is not included at this “Thousand-Star Hotel”, but that has not stopped 7-year-old Mabel Soh from travelling there with her father, according to this AsiaOne report. That means, it has livable conditions for your family too.
Getting There: National Environmental Agency’s regulations state that you must travel with a special interest group. Find out about upcoming trips from TASOS.
Where to Stay: Bring your own sleeping bag. You can choose to sleep under the shelter but most sky-gazers prefer to be covered by the blanket of stars.
- City Sights
It is the nearest UNESCO World Heritage Site with recorded history that spans more than 600 years. Besides museums and artifacts, you will get delicious food and shopping opportunities.
While you are in Malacca, remember to pick-up a delicate Nyonya Kebaya for your wife at Ina Sadarina, Jalan Bunga Raya that is opposite the famous Orh Jian (Fried Oyster Omelette) stall.
Getting There: Take a bus from Queen Street, Beach Road Bus Terminal or Lavender Street Bus Terminal. Rates are:
- Singapore – Malacca: SG$22.00/seat
- Malacca – Singapore: RM22.00/seat (approximately SG$10.00)
Where to Stay: Apa Kaba Homestay (photo above) for a Kampung House experience. Rates are:
- Whole House: RM500 (approximatesly SG$200)
- Individual Rooms: RM 45 – RM90 (approximately SG$18 – SG$36)
If that is not available, try the Laksamana Townlodge. Both of these are within walking distance of city sights.
- Farm Stay
The spacious UK Agro Resort just two hours away is the largest halal-certified goat and sheep farm in Malaysia. It also houses a passion fruit farm, ostrich park, mushroom farm, herb sanctuary, mini zoo and Orang Asli (Malaysia’s indigenous tribe) village. You will get first-hand experience of farm life – herding sheep, milking goats, as well as feeding and petting the animals in the zoo!
Getting There: Take the KTMB train from Woodlands Train Checkpoint to Kluang, Johor for SG$12 onwards. Then, take a cab for less than RM50 (approximately SG$20) to UK Agro Resort.
Where to Stay: A 3D/2N Tour Package goes from RM220 - RM340/pax (approximately SG$90 – SG$140). For a free-and-easy day tour, entrance fee is just RM35 – RM40/pax (approximately SG$14 – SG$16).
Enjoy your stay!
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With the pressures of examinations out of the way, the year-end holidays make for a great opportunity to spend extended time with your children. Plan your schedule well, so that you make time to bond over activities and get to know them better. Share with your children the joy of giving by sharing your time or resources to loved ones and worthy causes.
Quick Reads
Dads for Life compiles a snapshot of fathers and their holiday plans, activities, and reflections.
Show your children how to choose suitable presents to express what they think or feel about a person or occasion. Here are eight great nuggets of wisdom on giving.
How does a dad choose a gift project to do with his kids? Here are five fabulous tips.
Unearths eight great gift projects that will get you bonding with your kids. In the process, store up a decent stash of presents for friends and family.
Taking your family to an exciting destination for a fun vacation stay is possible with less than SG$150/pax. Here is how we do it!
In an e-mail interview, Fandi Ahmad shares with Dads for Life about his roles as Singapore’s favourite football son, player, coach and now dad. He also talks about holiday activities with his children.
Mr Viswa Sadasivan, Vice-President of SINDA, Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Moves and Former Nominated Member of Parliament, shares about how his family reinforces their bonds through holidays.
Hungry Monkey, a Food-loving Father’s Quest to Raise an Adventurous Eater, makes eating fun. Author, Matthew Amster-Burton, a restaurant critic and food writer, did not put aside his self-identity as a bona-fide foodie once he became a dad. Rather, he embarked on an amazing adventure which he called a “second honeymoon with food.”
Whatever you think of the word “geek”, this book is for you. Packed with projects that will suit any timeframe and budget, Ken Denmead’s book will surely convert you into one -a Geekdad, at least. With your kids, find interesting solutions for problems that can be solved in a more mundane fashion. Play, build and learn together.
Have a thought or insight? Read more and talk on this Theme here! |
About the Author: The Dads for Life Resource Team comprises local content writers and experts, including psychologists, counsellors, educators and social service professionals, dedicated to developing useful resources for dads.
