@thebottomsupblog thank you! Haven’t been to Pip’s Playbox before - indoor and air-conditioned definitely beats hunting for shade on afternoons like these. Will bring the kids down to try it, appreciate the tip!

Hi all, I’m a retired dad who got tired of arriving at playgrounds right after the rain, so I built a free map: https://playgrounds.alyoechosys.dev Filter by age / shade / water play, and there’s a “Good now” toggle using live NEA weather. Also shows nearby toilets and parking. No ads or sign-up — just a hobby project for fellow parents. If you try it, I’d love to know what’s missing or which playgrounds I should add. Thanks!

Hey Kiasuparents, We’re Bit by Bit Coding, a groundup that teaches Python for free. No catch, no fees, no experience prerequisites, and no “premium track” hidden behind paywalls. Our mission is to remove financial barriers to deep technical literacy. BbB acts as the zero-cost capstone bridge for passionate students, teaching them data structures, object-oriented programming, and foundational AI/ML at zero cost. We are recognised under the BAGUS Together ecosystem (an initiative by NVPC, Temasek Foundation, and Tote Board), supported by the Singapore Government Partnerships Office (under MCCY), and currently run our main cohorts out of *SCAPE Singapore. We’re also an official programme under Temasek Foundation’s OSCAR Fund. Our work is supported by partners like MSF ComLink+ and Club Rainbow. Term 2 starts mid-July Taster: 4-weeks, no selection tests, no commitment! (Try out the BbB pedagogy, build bonds with like-minded youth, tackle interesting problems, and build the foundation for the next step.) After the four weeks, we’ll ask you if you want to continue. We select the cohort for the 12-weeks from our taster. Slots are highly limited to keep the student-to-tutor ratio low, so that every student can get the best support. Beginner -> Intermediate: 12-weeks, handpicked group of highly-motivated students who want to learn to code and benefit the community. (Our flagship Python programme designed by our highly experienced tutors and industry experts. Highly beginner-friendly, yet rigorous enough for you to build things for the causes you care about.) DON’T MISS OUT: Students who finish our Python core will be offered placements in our future AI/ML and robotics courses, developed and delivered in conjunction with highly experienced industry experts. What you’ll actually learn: Weeks 1–4 (Taster): Python basics — variables, control flow, loops Weeks 5–16 (Beginner→Intermediate): Lists, dicts, functions, File I/O, recursion, sorting algorithms, OOP, linked lists, binary trees — and a 3-week hackathon with prizes Who’s this for? Anyone aged 13–22. Sec 1, sec 4, JC, Poly, ITE or Homeschool. If you’ve never touched code or you’ve been messing around in Scratch and want something real, this is it. Our past cohorts had >75% first-time coders. You don’t need prior experience! What you need: A laptop (or Chromebook/iPad + keyboard) Curiosity Commitment to show up for the lessons Willingness to uplift your community What you don’t need: Money (it’s free) Good grades Experience with coding Why we exist: We filled the gap between free intro programmes (Code for Fun, Code in the Community — mostly Scratch) and private enrichment that costs hundreds a month. We’re recognised under BAGUS Together (NVPC, Temasek Foundation, Tote Board), supported by the Singapore Government Partnerships Office (SGPO, MCCY) and an official programme of the OSCAR fund by the Temasek Foundation. Our tutor team boasts volunteer tutors from NUS, NTU, SP, NYP, HCI and VJC, as well as industry experts. We’re building a community of inspiring students, professionals and changemakers looking to create a space for youths to explore, to learn, to grow, and then to love. For far too long, coding has been locked behind stereotypes (of what it is, and who gets to learn it) and expensive programmes. Bit by Bit aims to shatter those misconceptions and build a community of like-minded youths and mentors who believe that coding is not just a hobby, but a tool for tangible social change. We believe that Bit by Bit is, in some tangible, meaningful way, a revolution in the way that we think about coding, and about who gets to learn it. Come learn a new skill! Register: https://www.bbbcoding.org/apply IG: @bbbcoding Questions: DM us, comment below, or through www.bbbcoding.org/contact

Hello parents! Strike For Care 2026 is a charity futsal tournament organised by the Caregiving Welfare Association (CWA) to raise awareness and support for seniors and their caregivers in Singapore. ️ Date: 19 July 2026 Venue: Delta Outdoor Courts Registration closes 30 June Here’s what you can expect: • Competitive futsal matches for all skill levels • Team bonding while supporting a meaningful cause • Carnival-style activities & community vibes • Goodie bags and prizes to be won ️ Funds raised will support programmes such as: • Home-based care for seniors • Caregiver support services • Respite care • Community engagement initiatives ‍️ Can’t join physically? You can still participate through our Virtual Challenge! More details & registration: https://www.strikeforcare.sg Have questions? Drop a comment below or email us at janelle.teo@cwa.org.sg

NUS PSYCHOLINGUISTICS STUDY by NUS Psycholinguistics Lab[image: 1781860476017-recruitment-flyer_resized.png] Description: An NUS Psycholinguistics Study conducted on English-Chinese Teenage Speakers of Singapore Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes , In-person eye-tracking study Requirements: Singaporean bilingual speaker (Chinese is your Mother Tongue)  Aged between 13 to 17, Completed Primary School Education in Singapore Compensation: SGD$15.00 (via Paynow) Participate: https://nus.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eM0E5HqRg7KBloq Contact information: sy.yeo@u.nus.edu Open till 30 Jun 2026 [IRB Approved]

Hi everyone, I have been exploring some brain training games for kids and came across Mahjong Solitaire. It is the single player version where you match tiles until the board clears. I am wondering if this is actually useful for children’s cognitive development or just another way to pass time. Some positive points I noticed: It trains pattern recognition and visual memory. Kids need to remember where tiles are and plan moves ahead. It encourages patience and strategy. You cannot just pick random pairs, some moves open up the game while others block progress. It is easy to learn. No complicated rules, so children can start quickly. Many versions are free online and can be played in short sessions. On the other hand, there are also limitations: It can be addictive if not monitored, so screen time limits are still needed. For some children it may be too simple or too difficult, which reduces the benefit. It mainly exercises one type of skill, so variety with other games is still important. My view is that Mahjong Solitaire can be one good option among many, but not the only tool. It works best when combined with puzzles, memory card games, logic riddles or even Sudoku for kids. Keeping playtime short and discussing strategies with the child may make it more valuable. Has anyone here tried Mahjong Solitaire with their children? Did you see any benefits in focus or memory? And what other games would you recommend for brain training?

Hi fellow parents Looking for an educational yet super fun event for your kids? ASCares 2025: Family Science Carnival is happening soon! This free event, organised by Temasek Polytechnic’s School of Applied Science, offers a day of interactive learning, hands-on experiments, and exciting activities designed for young minds. 15 March 2025 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Punggol Oasis Terraces Event Highlights: Science Workshops & Experiments – Inspire a love for STEM through hands-on learning. Fitness Through Science – Fun physical challenges promoting active lifestyles. Carnival Attractions – Bouncy castle, carnival games, and exciting prizes. Free Popcorn & Candy Floss – A treat for the whole family. Live Performances & Interactive Sessions – Bringing science to life in an engaging way. Register now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ascares-2025-family-science-carnival-tickets-1244310007729?aff=oddtdtcreator Spots are limited, so secure your place today!