Now we’re in that downhill coast towards the summer break, it’s time to think about just how, exactly, to occupy the little darlings over the long holiday ahead. With that in mind, I’ve got a smart new activity app to save your sanity, a talk for expectant mums braving the sweaty summer ahead, and a fun family run to get everyone off the sofa – no excuses.
Colour Me Charitable
You may already have heard about The Crayon Society – a group of volunteers who collect and remould used crayons to raise funds for local children’s charities. Taking place on Saturday May 20 from 9-11:30am will be the organisation’s first ever Crayon Run, a fun family race along Discovery Bay’s Tai Pak Beach benefitting The Society For The Relief Of Disabled Children. Registration is “give what you can,” and events will include courses suitable for kids from toddler to teen. There will also be a collection of used kids’ running shoes on the day on behalf of local running club KipMovin, whose Shoes For Kenya programme donates much-needed footwear to some of the poorest communities in coach Thomas Kiprotich’s home country. That’s at least two great reasons to get everyone up and running.
Advance registration is required. Email [email protected]
Hop To It
If you’ve ever parted with a term’s worth of fees upfront for an activity that your child has subsequently decided they hate, you’re not alone. Aiming to ease the strain on parent-offspring relations, KidHop has teamed up with more than 50 activity providers across Hong Kong Island (they are currently working on Kowloon and beyond) to allow families to try commitment-free classes in subjects such as art, language, sports, dance and plenty more besides. There are three subscription plans available, each of which offers a number of class credits to redeem with no strings attached. If your kid falls in love with an activity, they can sign up for more. If not, simply move on to the next class, safe in the knowledge that you haven’t wasted a small fortune. Genius.
$298 to $998 per month, depending on subscription plan. For more information and to download the app, visit kidhop.com
Pregnant? No Sweat!
Pregnant in Hong Kong over the summer? You could spend the next few months sidling between every 7-Eleven in town to stand in the aircon. Or, you could head to Midwife Sofie Jacobs’ chat on how to cope during swelter season. The Surviving Summer: Pregnant And New Mumas talk tackles essentials such as how to avoid swelling up like a balloon, what to eat, drink and wear to avoid that fetching tomato-in-a-sauna look, and – every new mum’s biggest panic – how to get out and about with your baby without cooking them. This free event takes place on Wednesday May 17, 9:30-10:30am at Bumps to Babes’ Horizon Plaza store, and it’ll have you sailing through summer as cool as a cucumber.
Free of charge. To attend, register online via tinyurl.com/lzlbdyq, call 2552-5000 or email [email protected]
