What’s New Mama? New Mama & Kid-Friendly Stuff in Singapore this May

If it’s a new business, product, or service for mamas and kids in Singapore, we want to tell you about it!

We’re back with the latest fab finds in What’s New, Mama? From news of membership deals at one of our fave indoor playgrounds to our review of the perfect travel stroller, local skincare and beauty picks, eco-friendly LEGO and a new kids’ bookstore in town, check out our gallery for all things new this month!

Lead image by Lina Kivaka via Pexels

It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of dedicated interactive play space Buds by Shangri-La! Which is why we’re so psyched to hear about their new buds memberships, launched in celebration of their first anniversary. Three membership tiers are offered, allowing families to select the option that best suits their needs. In addition to entry access to Buds by Shangri-La and themed activity classes, members can also take part in the Grow with Us at buds activity, and enjoy hotel credit for dining and stays!

Grow with Us at buds is an interactive “Plant to Plate” concept activity designed for children, where they learn how to be little gardeners and nurture their own little potted plant in the hotel’s gardens. After harvesting their herbs, kiddos can learn how to prepare tasty creations including dishes such as Mac and Cheese, Kueh Pie Tee, Thai basil Chicken Wrap and a refreshing wellness drink.

Membership Tiers and Pricing

The buds Membership offers three tiers:

• Discoverer: $988, inclusive of 20 buds entries and 10 activity classes
• Explorer $2,288 inclusive of unlimited entries to buds, 20 activity classes, the Grow with Us at buds activity and hotel credit for dining and hotel stays at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore; valid for one year from date of purchase
• Family Buds (for 2 children): $3,388 inclusive of unlimited entries to buds, 20 activity classes, the Grow with Us at buds activity and hotel credit for dining and hotel stays at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore; valid for one year from date of purchase.

Register for the buds membership programme at bit.ly/budsmemberships!
[email protected], Tel: (+65) 6213 4833/44

Any mama who loves to travel will always have any eye out for new lightweight travel stroller options. The brand new Ergobaby Metro Compact City Stroller (yes, the fab folks behind the amazing baby carriers) offers the same ergonomic support for babies and kids that they’re so well-known for, including soft and supportive multi-zone padding (40% more padding than other ultra-compact strollers, in fact!). Metro also features a true one-hand, easy fold, and weighs in at just 13.9 pounds (6.3kg). Other key features include gentle suspension and large shock-absorbing, durable, puncture-free rubber back tires that make for a truly smooth ride. We also really like the large UV-50 sun canopy (another feature that sets it apart from other travel strollers we’ve tried), the deep recline and adjustable leg rest (great if bub wants to nap), and a coverable mesh panel for extra ventilation on hot days (which we tend to have every now and then here in Singapore)! I was also able to carry it onto an airplane to stash in the overhead compartment, which is key!

-Kate

Ergobaby Metro retails for $599 and is available at wowmom.com.sg, Pupsik Studio and Motherswork

You can never have enough swimsuits living here in hot, hot Singapore! Our newest obsession is August Society, Singapore’s first sustainable swimwear brand, and now they’ve hopped right out of the pool with a cool new collection of activewear that can be worn both in and out of the water, taking you from the beach right to the yoga mat (or the other way around if you need to cool off!).

Ethically produced in Bali, the mix-and-match activewear pieces are also reversible, and made from nylon regenerated from recycled plastic waste like fish nets, plastic bottles and carpeting. How cool is that?

Swimwear is made of top-quality Italian-made fabric containing XtraLife Lycar to help retain its shape, and offers UPF 50+ sun protection. The collection of mix-and-match bikinis and reversible one-piece swimsuits are also helpfully resistant to chlorine, sun cream, oil, and sand. Sweet!

Enter promo code SASSYMAMA to get 10% off your first online order. Free delivery and returns on orders over $50, too!

www.augustsociety.com

Anyone else obsessed with kombucha? Suddenly it’s everywhere, and with good reason – it’s packed with probiotics, enzymes, amino acids and B-vitamins, and makes for a great substitute to sugary drinks.

Our newest find is Wild Boocha, which is locally made in small batches and focuses on six unique flavours like Strawberry Hibiscus, Yuzu Lavender, and Pineapple, Mango & Ginger (mmmmm!). Wild Boocha is the brainchild of two Singapore mamas, Michele and Summer, the latter of whom comes from a wine background and therefore knows a thing or two about blending fruit flavours to ensure they taste good. Wild Boocha has proven a big hit with kiddos, as it’s slightly sweet, tart and fizzy!

Wanna know where to score some for yourself? You can get home delivery straight to your doorstep when you order online, or you can try for yourself at Jones the Grocer at Dempsey, Maggie & Rose, and the Drunken Farmer. You’ll also spot ‘em at various farmers’ markets around town!

www.wildboocha.com

We’d be lying if we said our kids weren’t LEGO fans, but we can’t help but feel a little guilty with how much plastic is in their toys. Good news – LEGO is now allowing us to play a little more guilt-free with their new collection of sustainable LEGOs made from sugarcane! It’s not just what makes your favourite hawker centre drink anymore, but is one of the main biodegradable components in the new bioplastic material which feels just like regular oil-based plastic LEGO. The new collection is made up of botanical elements, including leaves, bushes, and trees to dress up any LEGO creation.

In other exciting news, LEGO has also just released a special-edition Dragon Boat Race Set this week, in perfect time for the Dragon Boat Festival on 7 June. It’s priced at $84.90 and includes 15 colourful figures. Paddle fast if you want one, mamas — it’s expected to fly off shelves (and online stores)!

Finally, LEGO Group has just announced Braille customised LEGO® bricks to help boost the level of interest in learning Braille, which fewer kids are learning due to audiobooks and computer programs now available. Braille users are more independent and have better employment opportunities so this is a big initiative. LEGO Braille Bricks will be moulded with the same number of studs used for individual letters and numbers in the Braille alphabet (with a printed letter or character for sighted kids to use as well) and will be fully compatible with the LEGO System in Play.

www.lego.com/en-sg

Times Junior now has its own store in Jewel Changi Airport! After first being introduced in 2016 within Times at Waterway Point, the homegrown, family-oriented lifestyle book retailer has decided to build a stronger focus on children to open the new standalone children’s concept store. Spanning a floor area of about 1,400 sq ft, Times Junior welcomes both locals and travellers with a curation of products dedicated to young children up to age 12. Times Junior is a fun multi- category children-centric store with a variety of the latest toys and games, educational products, activity packs, books, novelty stationery and gifts for children. There’s also a “Singapore Collection” section, which highlights Singapore stories to travellers and allows little ones to develop an appreciation of local works. Expect a line-up of activities and events on weekends and school holidays like character appearances, storytelling sessions and arts and crafts demos!

Times Junior, Jewel Changi Airport #04-220/221, Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819666, www.timesbookstores.com.sg, www.facebook.com/Timesbookstoressg

Read more: 10 Jewel @ Changi Restaurants We Can’t Wait to Try

In today’s day and age, we can’t deny that there’s no shortage of liquid lipsticks in the beauty market. But a local label making liquid lipsticks that are also free of nasties, is vegan and cruelty-free? Now that’s gotten our attention! Kuby Beauty recently sent us their full range of Matte Love Liquid Lipsticks and we’re mattely in love. Made with VedaCalm Complex and Evening Primrose Oil, these nourishing lippies are fast replacing our everyday faves and taking us from day to night with their versatile shades! With its comfortable, long-wearing formula, every mama will look perfectly made-up any time of the day.

Quote NSYZ to get 10% off!

Find it: Matte Love Liquid Lipsticks available online in six shades, $22 each. Free shipping within Singapore and Malaysia for orders over $50!

In celebration of both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day in May and June respectively, Crystal Jade has brought back their annual Parents’ Day promotion! The promotion presents a lineup of specially-created dishes and curated set menus from casual and fine-dining restaurants under the restaurant group, together with complimentary treats in stored for mamas and dads.

Highlights include three exclusive dishes that will be available at Crystal Jade Palace (re-launching in early June), Crystal Jade Golden Palace and Crystal Jade Dining IN.

Tuck into Chargrilled Iberico pork rib ($26.80/portion), which is marinated simply with garlic and served with a piquant mala dip; or try the inventive Crème Brûlée ginger egg tart topped with bird’s nest ($6.80/piece), a chilled decadent bite-sized delight! There’s also the Lychee begonia flower-shaped pastry ($11.80/3 pieces), a testament to the chefs’ culinary prowess with its fine flaky pastry encasing a smooth lotus paste – each piece literally blooms into a begonia flower when fried!

Crystal Jade, multiple locations

Read more: Ultimate Mother’s Day Dining Guide 2019