A free two-day event at Fernvale Community Club will encourage parents to slow down, join their children’s play and connect through open-ended activities.
A free family play event in Singapore is aiming to remind parents that meaningful time with young children does not need to be expensive, planned to the minute or structured around a full agenda. Born To Play: A Family Playdate will be held on October 10 and 11 at Fernvale Community Club, with organisers saying the focus is on slowing down, joining in and letting children take the lead.
Yu Jiarong, who is co-organising the event in his personal capacity with non-profit Playeum, said parents often spend their time thinking about what they should do for their children. What children may want instead, he said, is simply an adult who is present, interested and willing to enter their world. Yu, who has two children aged 10 and 13, hopes the event will encourage families to see play as an everyday way to connect, not a special occasion.
Across four sessions, the event will welcome children aged six and below, along with parents and caregivers. Older siblings up to the age of eight may also take part. The activities are built around open-ended materials rather than fixed instructions, so children can shape the experience themselves. Families will be able to build imaginative structures from recycled cardboard, create art from leaves, twigs and bark, and make textured prints with paint and household items. For children who need a quieter moment, a dedicated calm space called The Whispering Tent is designed as a place to pause and reset.
Playeum executive director Charlotte Goh said play is one of the most natural ways for children to learn, communicate and discover what they can do. Child development resources from the US government’s Childcare.gov and the American Academy of Pediatrics similarly say play helps young children build physical, social, language, planning and problem-solving skills, while also supporting creativity, emotional growth and mental health. That broader research helps explain why the event’s organisers are placing so much emphasis on unstructured play rather than polished outcomes.
Yu said he hopes the gathering will inspire more neighbourhood-based playdates in Singapore, giving families a low-pressure setting in which to meet other parents and feel less alone. The event is free, but advance registration is required because the first 600 tickets have already been claimed. Organisers said another 80 tickets will be released on September 28 at 5pm.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
