6 Amazingly Affordable Toys That Can Make Your Child Happier And Smarter

I smiled when I saw the definition of the word “toy” at dictionary.com. According to it, toys are supposed to serve as a diversion rather than practicality. It is also an object that typically represents something familiar for children or others to play with. As a children’s teacher I can vouch for that meaning. Sometimes, we use toys to divert the kids’ attention while we prepare for the class. I am sure some moms use toys as a distraction for them to do chores too!

If toys are so helpful and pervasive, are there cheaper alternatives? Fortunately, there are. You can use your imagination and creativity to make handmade toys. Not only can you save more money but you can also increase the toys’ safety.

Two types of toys are mainly in the market today namely: educational toys and entertaining toys. Let us start with the latter…

FUN TOYS

1. MADE OF MILK CARTON

It is vital for kids to consume more milk in order for their bones to grow stronger. And, after they finished the whole carton, do not throw it just yet. You can transform an empty milk carton into a sailboat that can survive sizable splashes of water.

Full instructions – here.

2. MADE OF SPONGES

Have you ever played Jenga or Tumbling Towers? It is a fun game that you and your little ones can get addicted to. But, a new box can cost over S$19. Save more money while retaining its structure by making block pieces out of sponges.

Image Credits: facebook.com/pages/Toddler-Approved/179029702145360?fref=photo

Image Credits: facebook.com/pages/Toddler-Approved/179029702145360?fref=photo

Alternatively, you can practice making patterns or letters out of it. Full instructions – here.

3. MADE OF SHOEBOX

Have you saved up old newspapers, shoeboxes, and rubber bands? Well, you can turn those things into an old-fashioned toy guitar. Browse here for full instructions.

SMART TOYS

1. IMPROVE THE CHILD’S TOUCHING SENSATIONS

Various childcare and preschool centers include sensory tables to improve the fine motor skills and touching sensations of the young minds. Make your own by taking a simple wooden base out of a plastic bin. Then, you can fill it with colorful beads, dried beans, handful of rice, and so much more. This set toy will keep your child occupied for hours!

Full instructions – here.

2. IMPROVE THE CHILD’S VISUO-SPATIAL AND PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS

Say the weather is not friendly enough to go to the nearby playground, what you can do is to round-up your kids, take a large sheet of paper, and several shaped blocks. Then, challenge them into a giant block puzzle. Let them figure it out on their own. Full instructions – here.

3. IMPROVE THE CHILD’S PHONETICS

A toy made out of inexpensive materials can go a long way in terms of improving your child’s language abilities. Repeat the letters and add sounds as you read along the alphabet board (full instructions – here).

Image Credits: nicandkate09.blogspot.com

Image Credits: nicandkate09.blogspot.com

Also, you can incorporate magnetic letters for your child to match it with the alphabet board accordingly. This activity is both educational and enjoyable! 🙂

Reminder: Although the ingredients and materials used are safe, it is still essential to look after your child from time to time to avoid any unforeseen events.

Sources: 1 & 2

Read More...

Shops That Sell Fabulously Affordable Hair Products & Accessories In Singapore

There are a lot of expensive hair items that may look great but are not necessary. You are bound to lose those thin hair ties anyway. Am I right women? Then, perhaps the S$2 pack of 200-pieces Daiso hair ties would interest you!

If you are searching for fashionable yet affordable hair products and accessories to make you stand out then, look no further! When you are on a budget and are prioritizing your shopping essentials, these shops prove that you do not have to spend loads just to look fabulous:

1. H&M

Shop here.

H&M or Hennes & Mauritz was originally founded in Sweden and has now become one of the fastest growing fashion clothing for children, men, and women. It comes as no surprise that this mega brand carries its own hair products. Their hair ties, hair clips, hair bands, and hair claws are priced at S$2.90-19.90.

And, my favorite items in their stores are the 10-Pack hair elastics or hair ties and the Patterned hair bands. The 10-Pack hair elastics retails for only S$2.90, which includes assorted colored elastics that are made with 60% elastane and 40% polyester.

Image Credits: http://www.hm.com/sg

Image Credits: http://www.hm.com/sg

While the versatile hair bands are woven with printed patterns and have twisted detailing. Do not worry about the size because it is elastic at the back.

2. COTTON ON

Shop here.

Cotton On hails from Australia. Also one of the fastest growing fashion clothing worldwide, Cotton On proves that their company specializes with kids (Cotton On Kids) and even stationary (Typo). Cotton On Kids has a wide range of lively hair accessories for girls that are priced from S$1-6.95. Who can argue with that?

Among these inexpensive items, my favorite is the S$4.95 KNOT MESSY HAIR TIES (10 pieces) because it is multi-purpose. Aside from colorful hair ties, girls can mix and match it as colorful bracelets.

Screen-grabbed from http://cottonon.com/SG

Image Credits: Screen-grabbed from http://cottonon.com/SG

3. WATSONS

Shop here.

Who is not familiar with Watsons? Watsons or Watsons Personal Care Stores is the largest health and beauty care shop in Asia. This big brand is complete with hair accessories and hair products such as shampoo, conditioners, hair dyes, and hair styling items.

A few of the Watsons’ stunners are the GIOVANNI Brazilian Keratin & Argan Oil Blow Out Styling Mist and the GATSBY Set & Keep Spray. The GATSBY Set & Keep Spray for men helps to style your hair and make it last for the whole day. It is priced at S$9.20 only.

While, the GIOVANNI Brazilian Keratin & Argan Oil Blow Out Styling Mist comes in 118 ml for S$13.90. It is supposed to de-tangle your tresses and protect it from the mighty heat of the blow dryer. Furthermore, Argan oil is proven to make your hair silkier, softer, and shinier.

 

 

 

Read More...

Local Companies That Offer Space-Saving Furniture For Your Small Flat

In response to the admiration that the “5 Simple Ways To Maximize Your Small Flat Without Spending Too Much” got, here is the list of the companies you can buy space-saving furniture from. This way, you can store more and keep more of your beloved items while maximizing the space. Interestingly, most of these companies are on a mission of decreasing the constraints of living on small space as our population continues to boom.

1. HWB Concept Pte Ltd (click for official website)

HWB, short for Hidden Wall Bed, is a company that specializes on wall-affixed beds that come in basic or designer style. What is amazing about their beds is that it can hold up to 70 KG with a mattress as thick as 5-11 inches. Furthermore, it can open at any angle even at 30 degrees without slamming down. They claim that their products can also endure the mounting of a 42″ LED TV. Such strength for a product that saves space!

If you have a style in mind, their beds are fully customizable to any ceiling height and you are free to choose from a myriad of finishes.

Here is a sneak peek at their iCON@CHANGI Small Home Office Showroom:

2. Space-Saving Furniture Systems 

Established in 2012, Space-Saving Furniture Systems offers beds that are designed and imported from the United Kingdom. To assess the safety of the beds, they were tested for thousands of cycles and were verified by the UK wall bed manufacturer itself. They guarantee highest standards that do not harm the price. For instance the Cosy Beds collection follow these prices…

Cosy vertical wall-bed with hanger at the back: S$1,500-2,100

Cosy vertical wall-bed: S$1,450

Cosy horizontal twin wall-beds: $2,600

What separates them from most is that, beds are super customizable! You can add features such as cupboards, bookshelves, and mattress. The wall-beds have 3-year warranty while the mattress have 5-15-year warranty. The two different brands of UK beds they carry are Next and Alpha.  Lastly, they sell wardrobe closets too! The wardrobe closet is priced at S$900-1,200.

3. Spaceman

Last but certainly not the least is the media acclaimed company called Spaceman. Spaceman delivers innovative and stylish space-saving furniture to beautify your place and meet your needs. Featured on The Straits Times, Expat Living, The Business Times, and Home & Decor among others, Spaceman strives to sell affordable products which is why their prices are fixed and displayed on their website.

From hidden beds or wall-beds to kitchen furniture, they have it all for you. Their economical hidden bed starts at S$1,100. While the bigger sizes cost S$3,170-3,552. You may fold it vertically or horizontally, to blend within your walls.

Currently, they are having a sale on this Rise Coffee Table + Dining Table (S$1,988):

Source: 1

Read More...

Exciting Places To Explore At Bugis Area With S$30 In Your Pocket

The Bugis Area, spanning from Bras Basah to Fort Canning, is not only rich in business establishments but is also abundant in cafes, bookstores, museums, and activities that you and your companions can enjoy. Even with a budget of only S$30!

1. FOR DELECTABLE DESSERTS

In 2014, a Japanese dessert shop called Tai-Parfait graced Singapore at the Bugis Junction. Brought by Dining Innovation Singapore, Tai-Parfait boasts its Taiyaki – a Japanese original fish-shaped pancake filled with sweet red bean paste…for only S$2.20. What’s more? You can also put ice cream, fruits, and other toppings on your dessert.

For example, you may try the Matcha Azuki Tai-Parfait for S$5.50. It is a chocolate-filled Taiyaki topped with Matcha cream, Green Tea ice cream, and Azuki. Sounds delicious, doesn’t it?

Go ahead and get your very own Tai-Parfait desserts at Bugis Junction, #B1-03A.

2. FOR BODY TONING AND MUSCLE STRENGTH

Have you wanted to burn more calories without having extreme muscle stress? Then, try water exercises, especially the Aqua Spin. Aqua Spin, suited for all levels, is believed to fight diabetes and obesity. Aside from this, your blood circulation, muscle strength, and cardiovascular fitness will improve.

A session will not cost you a fortune as a one-time trial is priced at S$25. Spin away at YWCA Fort Canning Lodge (Swimming Pool at Level 3), 6 Fort Canning Road, Singapore 179494!

3. FOR THE GENUINE BOOKWORM

The Bras Basah Complex is the one-stop-shop for budget printing services and cheap books. The bookstores here are filled with a myriad of non-fiction books, fiction books, magazines, textbooks, children’s books, graphic novels, and so much more! Support the Evernew Bookstore’s book fairs that offer second-hand books for as low as S$2-5!

With prices as low as that, how can a genuine bookworm ever leave?

4. FOR THE LOVE OF TOYS

A visit at the MINT (Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys) Museum of Toys will help you relive the treasured memories of your childhood. With its collection of over 50,000 vintage toys originating from over 40 countries as far as United Kingdom, Bulgaria, and Germany, it is no surprise that the value of the entire museum is over S$5 million.

Admission rates are as follows:

Children (Aged 2-12): $7.50

Senior Citizens (Aged 60 years and above): $7.50

Adults: $15.00

Interestingly, some of the toys that you may see are the 1903 Steiff Teddy Bear and the 1953 Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Set.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8epZlJ73GVY

For more information about the MINT Museum, check out emint.com.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

Read More...

Excellent Places To Find Low-Cost Uniquely Singaporean Souvenirs

If you are traveling Singapore for the first time or if you are visiting relatives overseas, it is great to have a uniquely Singaporean keepsake with you. Looking for the keepsake or souvenir can be a challenge when your budget and time are constricted. But, not anymore! The key is to find the famous bargain shopping places that can be easily accessed. Thus, your shopping trip will only take a few hours of your day.

With that in mind, here are places where you can find affordable Singapore souvenirs:

1. LUCKY PLAZA

There is no doubt in my mind that bargaining is widely acceptable in mostly all the shops at Lucky Plaza. This shopping center is conveniently located at Orchard Road so, you can simply drop by while you are cruising along the huge stretch of malls. The varieties of souvenirs that you can buy are abundant with a price starting from S$2.

2. PENINSULA PLAZA

Nearby the tourist spots such as Asian Civilisations Museum, the Esplanade Theatres, St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Parliament House, and Funan DigitalLife Mall, Peninsula Plaza proves to be a go-to shopping center for cheap keepsakes such as magnets, postcards, bags, and key chains. The prices of these keepsakes range from about S$3-25.

Image Credits: Riza Nugraha via Flickr with Creative Commons License

Image Credits: Riza Nugraha via Flickr with Creative Commons License

3. BUGIS STREET

A well-known bargain hub located opposite Bugis Junction is called Bugis Street. It houses a variety of shops that sell souvenirs such as clothing, bags, accessories, cups, magnets, chocolates, stamps, and so much more. The prices of these items range from about S$3-30. You may freely bargain with some stall owners.

Now, if you have no idea what to get for your friends and family, you may try to shop for these items:

1. SINGAPORE PRESSED PENNIES

Almost all the popular tourist attractions have automatic pressed penny machines where it is priced at about S$2 per penny. The engraved design of the coin features the name of the place where the souvenir was taken. For example, it is available at Universal Studios Singapore, National Museum of Singapore, Singapore Zoo, and Gardens By The Bay.

2. ANYTHING WITH THE MERLION

The Merlion represents the roots of Singapore being a “Lion City” with its lion head while the body of a fish represents Singapore’s dawn as a fishing village. With a souvenir featuring the national icon – the Merlion, your gift recipient will surely appreciate where it came from. Prices of Merlion merchandise such as chocolates, key chains, magnets, snow globes, mugs, and picture frames range from S$2-20.

These Merlion-based are available at all souvenir shops.

Read More...