Volunteer servicing does not only instil positive values and attitudes in your kids, but also nurtures them to live with a caring heart. It allows children to view society from a new perspective. You may think only primary school children are old enough for that. But Mochy has recommended 3 volunteer programs that even 2-year-old kids can join. Scroll down for more!
Hong Kong Christian Service
Children studying in nurseries, kindergartens and primary schools (2-year-old or above)
From October each year to next September
Angel of Hope Program includes volunteering activities and free workshops.
For volunteering, it can be in the forms of visits, flag selling and handicraft making. If parents are worried about volunteering during the pandemic, at-home handicraft making might be the best volunteering choice. After gathering the handmade cards or handicrafts children and parents made at home, the centre will send them to the needy during festivals. Your kids can give warmth to the needy while sitting safely at home!
Hong Kong Christian Service also organises free workshops. It offers trainings on parent-child communications skills, child emotion management and “biliteracy and trilingualism” development.
1. Annual certificate of participation
2. Certificate of Merit for those who have completed volunteering services for 6 hours or above.
3. Angel of Hope badges for newly joined members
4. Acknowledgement in HKCS website and annual report with annual thank you letter/card
5. Tax deductible donation receipts
Volunteer Space
Any children aged between 6-13 years old, and are willing to actively participate in the program for not less than one year.
The program includes the following 5 subjects:
1. Volunteer Work
It encourages children to spend their spare time serving society and enriching themselves by participating in volunteer work, including school librarians or prefects, flag-raising, assisting in leading activities etc.
2. Skills and Interests
Children are prompted to learn new static skills, develop their potential and build interest in learning. For example, painting, musical instrument performance, chess, computer use, writing etc.
3. Recreation and Sports
Learning a new sports does more than building a sound body. Studies have shown that regular exercise helps the brain build more connections between nerves and therefore augments children’s concentration and memory. It actually boosts academic performance.
4. Group Activities
Teamwork exposes children to new perspectives, thinking styles and disagreement. In the process of debating and negotiating, students can improve their communication and collaboration skills. Any school group activities or programs organised by non-governmental organisations are considered as group activities by the program.
5. Academic Study
The reward program encourages children to study hard and acquire textbook knowledge during school. Participants can choose the first or second semester’s exam result for evaluation.
Volunkids Program holds an award ceremony annually for the effort paid by every participant. For instance, a gold Skills and Interests award will be presented if children have learnt new skills or interests for >12 hours.
Hong Kong Children Charity Foundation
Any children aged between 3-13 years old
All volunteer activities incorporate five significant elements – Confidence, Emotional Resilience, Persistence, Getting along and Organisation – to ensure all-round development.
Every volunteer will be distributed 6 “Little Volunteer Angel Handbooks”. By joining the volunteer activities launched regularly by the centre, children will be rewarded with stamps.
Children can get a small gift when they collect all the stamps in the first booklet; a Bronze Certificate after completing the second booklet; Silver for the fourth and Gold for the sixth.
A new school year is coming. Aside from academics, planting a seed to contribute to society in your kids’ heart is equally important. Let’s spend more time on cultivating your kids to be obliging and accommodating!
For more related post, click Mochy Instagram Page & Mochy Facebook Page
Summer Holiday is coming! No more school means your kids will be staying home all day. Racking your brain for places to take them to? Mochy has summarised the 9 best family-friendly summer holiday destinations in Hong Kong for you. Whether you prefer indoor static activities, indoor active activities or going outdoor, there must be something your children like.
To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR, the Hong Kong Science Museum is currently presenting an unrivalled dinosaur exhibition, “The Big Eight – Dinosaur Revelation”. It showcases eight of the most iconic fossil skeletons from the “Golden Age of Dinosaurs”, including Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, and Spinosaurus. The specimens are scarce and have a high level of completeness. The exhibition introduces the latest scientific discoveries in palaeontology with novel curating strategies. While marvelling at the world-class fossils, parents can lead children to reflect on challenges threatening our contemporary world: global warming, extreme weather events and biodiversity loss, and how to take appropriate action to help conserve our biodiversity and live sustainably.
Date
8 July to 16 November 2022
Time
Monday/ Tuesday/ Wednesday/ Friday: 10am – 7pm
Saturday/ Sunday/ Public holiday: 10am – 9pm
Closed on Thursdays (except public holidays)
Venue
2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East
Website
Perfect for family visits and snapping Instagrammable photos, Cube O Discovery Park is Hong Kong’s first marine experience park built in the city center. Curated by Cube Oceanarium – a world-renowned aquarium brand – Cube O has 16 different themed zones, showcasing an astounding variety of jellyfish. In the MR (Mixed Reality) Jellyfish Classroom, children will become “guardians of the ocean” and rescue stranded green sea turtles. A series of mysterious missions are completed before returning them to the ocean. The jellyfish Institute allows visitors to contact jellyfish from a safe zero-distance, a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity. While children are busy enchanted with the majesty of the ocean, parents can relish a selection of gourmet prepared by a team invited from a local five-star hotel.
Opening hour
10:30am – 6pm
Venue
Plaza 88, Tsuen Wan
Website
http://cubeodiscoverypark.com/home-en
Are your children getting bored of playing with toys? Pottery and ceramic making may bring some new excitement to them. There are a series of beginner-friendly studios, where your children can shape plain clay into everyday tableware, containers or even teapots. Instructors will lead you throughout the course, teaching different hand-building techniques, such as pinching, coiling, and slab-building. It is time for your kids to unleash their creativity and gain satisfaction from watching their one-and-only masterpiece, which is another thrilling element about ceramic – you never know how your ceramic turns out, until all colours are blended in the firing process.
Below are some 2022 pottery & ceramic class recommendations. Can’t wait to see what kinds of artefacts your children are capable of making!
Website
https://www.ohmycourse.net/news/20203
Thought escape rooms are only for adults? LOST Junior – standing for Learn Observe Solve Think – is specially designed for children aged 6 – 14. Putting children in an unfamiliar environment with peers means they must devise innovative approaches to escape. There are 4 themed escape rooms, each is based on real historic events, with STREAM elements integrated. Do not underestimate the difficulty! Even adults may have to seek help. Certificates – medals if completing all 4 rooms – will be presented upon completion.
Opening hour
Monday – Friday: 1pm – 10pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public holidays: 11am – 10pm
Venue
Shop 304, D2 Place Phase 2, 15 Cheung Shun Street, Lai Chi Kok
Website
E Cube Club Playland – Hong Kong’s largest indoor playland – consists of 2 floors, covering an area of over 11,000 feet. 12/F is more suitable for younger kids, who will scream with thrill while sliding down the long or swirling slides, or jumping up and down in the foam-block pool. If 12/F does not satisfy your excitement-seeking children, 13/F would be the best place to release their energy. Trampoline. Bumper car. Basketball zone. Zipline. There must be something that your kids like.
Opening hour
Monday – Sunday: 11am – 9pm
Venue
Shop 1, 12/F and 13/F, Megabox, Kowloon Bay
Website
EpicLand creates an immersive adventure for all ages, including parents. Located in Discovery Bay, Epicland is Hong Kong’s tallest indoor family entertainment center. It mesmerizes both toddlers and elder children, with its mini-golf, rainbow slide and foam factory. The ball pit, zipline, trampoline and VR arena cannot be missed as well. Grown-ups can also challenge your bravery in the leap of faith, where you climb up the central pole onto the jumping platform and then leap out to try and get hold of the sandbag. Airtrek is definitely another great challenge, where you get to walk along wires hung in mid-air.
Opening hour
Monday – Sunday: 9:30am – 1:30pm and 2:20pm – 6:30pm
Venue
Shop 31 Ground Floor, Family Recreation Centre, 96 Siena Avenue, Discovery Bay North Plaza, Lantau Island
Website
Time to embark on an exciting adventure in the Water World! All kinds of thrill levels are available, from relaxing fun, adventurous fun to fearless fun. Big Wave Bay is a good family attraction, where even kids can relax with different wave patterns. In Lazy Cruise, adventurers will leisurely ride on an inflatable tube and meander along the rainforest. If your children are over 120cm tall, Vortex! is another must-try attraction, where adventures will swirl and spin in an open, outdoor bowl, before being funneled into a mega tube and accelerate. Simply playing is too monotonous? Learn how to surf then! There is a first-ever indoor surfing simulator in Water World, where trainers standby to teach you surf.
Opening hour
Monday – Friday: 10:00am – 7:00pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10:00pm – 8:00pm
Venue
33 Ocean Drive, Wong Chuk Hang
Website
https://waterworld.oceanpark.com.hk/en
Cheung Po Tsai sailboat is the last hand-built traditional Chinese sailboat in Hong Kong. In the 45-minute cruise trip, the boat sails around the waters of Victoria Harbour, and guests can roam freely on the 2-storey high cabin and open deck, which covers an area of over 1500 square feet. While you are marvelling at the stunning skyline with a glass of refreshing drink in hand, the sun sets and “Symphony of Lights” illuminates the cityview. Remember to snap Instagrammable photos as the sky fades into a gorgeous crimson orange.
Time
Various plans to choose from
Website
https://aqualuna.com.hk/reservation/booking
On a carefully tended lawn, children have the perfect chance to escape from the concrete forest and embrace nature. In Bunny Wonderland, children get in touch and feed not only rabbits but other animals. Outdoor facilities, like swings, rope net and grass skating boards, and 30-min handicraft workshops will keep your children entertained. At the same time, it offers a breathing space for parents to let go of the stressful daily pace and relish a leisurely and relaxing day with their kiddos. You don’t only bring home your tired but fully contented children, but also a little rabbit souvenir!
Opening hour
Monday – Sunday: 11:00am – 6:00pm
Closes on 1/2/3/4/8/9/15/16/22/23/29/30/31 of August, for lawn tendering
Venue
1 Chi Ma Leng, Wang Toi Shan, Pat Heung, Yuen Long
Website
https://www.bunnywonderland.com/p/m
For more related post, click Mochy Instagram Page & Mochy Facebook Page
Being a mom is never easy. It is more than challenging to strike the delicate balance between work and family. Miss work at home, and miss home at work? Mochy listed a few struggles a working mama may be encountering. If you are still torn between full-time work or being a full-time mom, this article may shed some lights on which path suits you more.
Financial burden is probably every working mama’s top concern. Household expenses, like rent and bills, a few ten thousands. Interest class or playgroup fees, another few thousands. Money keeps rolling out if you are sending your princes and princesses to a better private school, or even to study aboard. Most HKers even give back to their parents monthly once they start working — another considerable expense. For most families, if mama doesn’t work, it will become choosing between paying rent, or paying your kid’s fees.
It’s true that not every family is tight on money. Still, some working mama may prefer to earn their own living. It may not be as extreme as splurging at will, but at least you can feel justified in buying your own handbag, instead of sheepishly asking husband for money. Money doesn’t grow on trees. So, some moms would instead work full-time and hire a domestic helper to take care of their kids.
One side is more time with your kids, another is providing a better living environment for the whole family. Which option delights you more the instant you hear about it?
Even after having kids, some moms would still love to continue pursuing their jobs, and retaining their passion. You may enjoy the satisfaction your work offers, relish a whole team striving towards a common goal, and love your shimmering self when doing work you like and are good at. At the same time, you may fear that once family becomes your whole world, you will disconnect from society and become behind the time, unable to keep up with the latest trend, not as quick-witted, and end up transforming entirely into a “housewife”. While you enjoy every second spent with children, you may not want your world to be confined within the tiny house. Therefore, many would rather try harder to find a job with better work benefits and more annual leaves, and continue with the unfinished career path where they left off.
A full-time mama can participate in her kids’ every “first-time”, while a full-time working mama can remain to be a stylish, smart and independent woman. Which side does your heart tilt towards?
Even if moms choose to work full-time, that doesn’t mean they don’t miss their kids. You still always think about your children at work. 9:00am, have they arrived at school safely? 10:00am, are they performing well at school? Getting along with their fellows? 12:00pm, should be lunchtime now. Does he/she like the jelly? Thinking about your sweetheart, you perhaps no longer work as efficiently and whole-heartedly as before. The most challenging moments should be re-adapting the OT culture. It’s already midnight when you get home, and it’s been a whole day since you last saw him/her. Witnessing and participating in your kids’ every growth, building relationships with them bit by bit, it’s a connection and satisfaction that others can’t imagine. It’s just a huge sacrifice for moms to return to the workplace.
It’s again the choice between the satisfaction your work brings, and wholeheartedly taking care of your little one.
Nothing worries parents more than their kids being sick. Well… if there’s one, it probably is your kids being sick on weekdays! You are lucky if you have got the kids’ grandparents to look after them. If not, the only options are to take a leave or take your kids to work. First, you will have to pass through your boss. Even after your boss has approved, some colleagues are bound to be casting sidelong glances at you both, or “tut-tut” in front of you as protest, or gossip behind you, thinking it affects the working efficiency and working atmosphere. But of course, , some colleagues understand and welcome your kids, playing with them even. However, one sidelong glance is already enough to make you feel bitter.
But to be fair, there’re risks of being judged whether you are a working mama or a full-time mama, unless you either have very understanding colleagues or family. Either way you take, you may inevitably be facing criticism. But well, who are they to judge? You be your own boss in life.
Spending a few years at home does more than leaving just a window in your CV. There’s a high chance that you have lost your business or market sense, and lost track of what customers value these days. It may be hard for you to re-adapt the fast-paced working environment in HK. It is hard enough to find a job in HK nowadays – even slimmer chance after the COVID outbreak – it is only even more challenging to get hired after “resting” for a few years.
Whenever facing two-way alternatives, we may unconsciously be overwhelmed by the downsides. It seems like either side you pick, it leads to discouraging result. So, stop pondering only on the drawbacks. Stay positive! Keep in mind the benefits both ways bring. Then you will realise both options are blessings. Your heart will tell you which side you tilt towards, which side you’re happier with. Then simply take strides towards that path and clear all hurdles along the way!
For more related post, click Mochy Instagram Page & Mochy Facebook Page
Exercise your body and brain in one camp? Join us for the experience.
Members and guests of Hong Kong Country Club, enrol with the club to reserve your spot this summer. Catch you later there.
A Japanese ninja history student who handed in a blank paper was given a top mark after her professor realized her essay was written in invisible ink, the BBC reported 😱. What a neat way to pass on secret spy messages😎.
Next week, we will teach you on IG how to make invisible ink and turn your family into super-secret agents. This easy recipe creates an ink that only those who know the secret will be able to read.
Stick with us on Facebook or Instagram to see the details next week!
Credit: arianka ibarra on Unsplash
Thank you Microsoft, University of Warwick, and Monash University for lining up this dream team with us. Gratitude and inheritance: STEM focus with a liberal art approach - we are team Mochy.
Knowledge is the best language across the globe despite restricted borders in this pandemic. Say cheese! Hope our smiles can brighten up your day.
A summer of family fun and discovery awaits at Island ShangriLa, Hong Kong this year as the legendary hotel launches a selection of staycation packages that are sure to delight kids and adults alike. Presented through Shangri-La’s new Fam.ily™ brand, the packages offer a variety of curated experiences that celebrate the very best Hong Kong has to offer, from arts and culture, nature and adventure, and health and comfort, to signature treats with a true Shangri-La wow factor.
Specially designed to give families the opportunity to spend quality time together—as well as individually—the new collection of summer staycation packages unlocks memorable experiences throughout the city for guests of all ages. These range from insider tours and one-of-a-kind journeys to outdoor adventures and much-loved cultural traditions, creating magical moments that will last a lifetime.
In particular, parents can look forward to some ‘me time’ at the hotel while their kids take part in interactive activities and learning experiences curated by Shangri-La’s education partners, such as Mochy Group and Baker & Bloom. As well as being lively and fun, these activities inspire children to develop their independence, confidence, and become more sociable through team-building exercises.
The newly launched Fam-tabulous staycation offer allows parents and their little ones to enjoy a relaxing stay in one of the hotel’s spacious guest rooms, while participating in one of the kids’ activities at the hotel. Activities include a gymnastics class for children aged 3 to 14 by ProActiv Sports, STEM workshops for children aged 3 to 11 organized by Mochy Group and creative academic courses led by Baker & Bloom.
One of the highlights of the new staycation series is the Shangri-La Family Summer Camp: “Best-kept Secrets and Natural Wonders”, a four-day package that combines a luxurious stay at Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong with a nature-focused outdoor adventure programme for children aged 4 to 12.
While parents have an option to either relax and unwind in style at the hotel and join in on the fun on the second and third day, children will have the chance to discover some of the territory’s most remarkable natural wonders, from intriguing hidden creatures to towering rock formations. Each activity has been thoughtfully curated by Shangri-La together with ATeam Edventures to encourage children to disconnect from the digital world and focus on appreciating and enjoying the outdoor environment. These range from nature walks in Hong Kong Park and nocturnal wildlife encounters in Braemar Hill to visiting the Hakka village, historic ruins and mangrove forests of Yim Tin Tsai island, near Sai Kung.
Children can also embark on a Story World adventure, led by the Game Masters of Press Start Academy Hong Kong, where children create their own adventure, design their own characters and live their imaginative story at Island Shangri-La.
In addition to entry to the Family Summer Camp programme for one child, the offer includes a three- or four-night stay at the Island Shangri-La, daily breakfast for two adults and one child, hotel credit of HK$1,000 per night, and afternoon tea at the Lobby Lounge for two guests. The package also includes lunch at cafe TOO for one child, a family picnic, round-trip transfers to Yim Tin Tsai, Sai Kung, round-trip transfers to Braemar Hill (parents and kids), and a 30% discount on wellness treatments. The Family Summer Camp offer is priced from HK$ 20,800 plus 10% service charge for a three-night stay and from HK$ 24,050 plus 10% service charge for a four-night stay.
A supplement charge of HK$ 5,800 plus 10% service charge will be applied for the participation of an additional child. Guests who make a booking on or before 25 June 2021 can enjoy a special early-bird discount of 10%, while Golden Circle members can enjoy a complimentary upgrade to the next room category (subject to availability).
The Summer Staycation Packages are available for booking from now until 29 August 2021. For more information or reservations, guests can contact our Reservations Team via e-mail at reservations.isl@shangri-la.com, call (852) 2252 5131 or visit our website at www.familybyshangrila-hk.com/.
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, an iconic flagship brand of the Shangri-La Group, currently operates over 80 deluxe hotels and resorts with a room inventory of over 35,000. Renowned for its distinctive Asian hospitality, the Company has properties in destinations of Australia, Canada, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan, Fiji, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sultanate of Oman, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. The group’s award-winning Golden Circle loyalty programme extends to all properties of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts worldwide. For more information, visit www.shangri-la.com.
Source: http://www.shangri-la.com/hongkong/islandshangrila/press-room/press-releases/family-staycation-packages-2021/
https://prod-ektron.shangri-la.com/uploadedFiles/Shangri-la_Hotels/Hong_Kong,_Island_Shangri-La/rooms-suites/offers/ISL00648_RM_famex_weekly_activities_calendar_ENG_19_forOct.pdf
Highlights:
"In the coming Halloween, The Arcade ‘STEM Academy’ will break the tradition of trick-or-treating, pumpkins, candies and spiders, and instead will introduce children into a digital world, where they can apply imagination with logic, and celebrate Halloween like they have never before.
Following the ‘Moon Rover Challenge’, The Arcade will team up with Moinàrchy, Children’s Science Academy, and host the ‘Halloween Fun Digital Workshop’ on 30th of October. Combining art and technology, it aims to inspire children to use their imagination and build their own Halloween robot. Furthermore, the workshop will also feature the ‘Mensa Myth & Tricks’, where members of the high IQ society Mensa will unveil their mathematical secrets by teaching children a fun way of learning math. If the children managed to pass the 30 minutes in-house test, they’ll even receive an assessment chart, paving the way for future studying. Moreover, an interactive zone will also be included, where through augmented reality (AR) and hologram technologies, can transport you to a secret village, and tackle the many challenges presented to you."
Registration details (First-come first-served!)
Date & time: Oct 30, 2016 | 1-6pm (1 hour per session)
Venue: Ocean View Court, The Arcade (100 Cyberport Road)
Enquiries: (852) 3166 3111
Registration form for doodling ghost robot workshop (age 8 up): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1k4oxqI7fdfqgkLI9FeJObMufqG5ZO0X8CDHTPMZw1ns/viewform?edit_requested=true
Registration form for Mensa IQ class (age 6 up): https://www.cyberport.hk/en/arcade/events_promotions/3921 (registration to open Oct 14 by Cyberport)
Source: https://www.playtimes.com.hk/events/the-arcade-stem-academy-october-fest/
