Events

This Children’s Festival Makes Learning Chinese Actually Fun This June School Holidays

Written by Jon Phay

The Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre is launching its first Mandarin-led children’s festival for kids aged 12 and below. The three-day festival runs from 19 to 21 June 2026, with storytelling, theatre, music and hands-on workshops.

The idea is simple. Instead of making Mandarin feel like homework, the festival turns Chinese language and culture into something children can see, hear, sing along to and play with.

Watch Nezha Come Alive Through Traditional Chinese Puppetry

One major highlight is Myth Trilogy: Nezha by Monkey Paper Theatre. The show retells the legendary story of Nezha through traditional Chinese rod puppetry, handcrafted puppets and live storytelling.

Families can also catch dragon dance performances, martial arts showcases and original music by local fusion ensemble Flame of the Forest and composer Chen Guojun.

There will also be parent-child workshops linked to the performances. Children can learn how traditional rod puppets work and see how performers bring them to life on stage.

Even Babies Can Join The Festival Experience

Parents with babies can join a multi-sensory music workshop for infants aged 0 to 18 months.

The workshop uses sound, storytelling and focused listening activities to create a calm early learning experience. It also helps babies connect with language, rhythm and their surroundings through play.

Family Friendly Workshops For Parents And Children To Join Together

Beyond the performances, families can join storytelling and dessert-making workshops. Parents and children can listen to stories, make sweet treats and share memories about family traditions.

There will also be picture book storytelling workshops. These sessions introduce local Chinese culture through guided games and interactive parent-child activities.

Free Parenting Workshops To Make Mandarin Learning Easier At Home

The festival will also feature two free parenting workshops.

Education specialists will show parents simple ways to bring Mandarin into daily life at home. The sessions aim to make language learning feel less stressful and more natural.

The People’s Association will also run free storytelling sessions about the history of Chingay. Visitors can also enjoy complimentary face painting and temporary tattoo activities.

All The Programs At a Glance

With 16 activities across three days, Playful Wonderland offers a mix of fun, learning and family bonding for the June holidays.

Programme Date Time What Is It About Price
Nezha Trilogy 19–21 Jun 2026 19 Jun: 2PM
20 Jun: 11AM & 3PM
21 Jun: 11AM
Traditional puppet show of Nezha with dragon dance and martial arts From S$28
Traditional Chinese Rod Puppet Parent-Child Workshop 21 Jun 2026 2PM Learn rod puppetry and perform myth characters together From S$40
Nursery Rhymes Reimagined Project 4 Launch 20–21 Jun 2026 10AM & 2PM Classic Chinese nursery rhymes with music and storytelling From S$35
Happy Strumming and Singing (Children’s Songs Edition) 20 Jun 2026 1:30PM & 4PM Learn smart guitar and sing familiar children’s songs From S$100
Little White Boat, Big Silver Moon (0–10 Months) 21 Jun 2026 10:30AM Multi-sensory music workshop for babies and parents From S$50
Little White Boat, Big Silver Moon (11–18 Months) 20 Jun 2026 10:30AM Multi-sensory music workshop for toddlers and parents From S$50
“Sweet Dessert Talk” Storytelling + Cendol Workshop 20–21 Jun 2026 10:30AM Storytelling session followed by making your own cendol From S$35
“Grandma’s Provision Shop” Storytelling + Biscuit Workshop 21 Jun 2026 2PM Storytelling session followed by biscuit making workshop From S$60
“Layer By Layer Sweetness” Storytelling + Kueh Lapis Workshop 20 Jun 2026 2PM Storytelling session followed by kueh lapis making From S$60
Play Magic: Big Adventure In Stories 20 Jun 2026 2PM Storytelling and traditional games for toddlers From S$25
Culture Magic: Learning Chinese Through Culture 20 Jun 2026 4PM Parent workshop on learning Chinese through culture From S$10
Story Magic: Transforming A Book 21 Jun 2026 10AM Parent workshop on turning books into fun stories From S$10

Details and registration: singaporen.sg/cp-zh