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Summer Fun with Baby, Rain or Shine

on Tuesday, 26 May 2015. Posted in Out & About

With all this summertime fun, who cares about the weather?

Summer Fun with Baby, Rain or Shine

It's getting hot and sticky, our woolly socks and sweaters have been stored away and air-cons everywhere are on full blast - in other words, another Hong Kong summer has officially arrived. As we all know, summertime in Hong Kong means inconsistent weather - we’ve all witnessed the blue skies and shimmery sunshine disappear, only to be replaced by grey clouds and dark, angry skies at the drop of a hat!

 

So Mamas, you best be prepared for those sudden, unpredictable weather changes. Keep a few ideas up your sleeve for fun activities to keep your little ones chipper throughout the summer days, wet or dry...

 

WET: grey, damp & slippery

Just ‘cause it’s pouring buckets outside, it doesn’t mean you have to sit at home all day while your tot gets restless. Even when it’s raining cats and dogs, there are so many fun activities on offer in this crazy city. Keep reading for ideas that will keep your bairn dry, warm and entertained on those wet and miserable days.

 

 

Get Ma to take you to the spa

Give your mini-me their first taste of a heavenly pampering experience at one of the recently-opened baby spas. They offer soothing massages and baby swimming - or hydrotherapy - treatments, both which come with an endless list of developmental benefits from strengthened immune systems and improved sleep, to rapid reductions of colic or constipation symptoms and so on. The babies are given little floating rings to wear around their necks, so they can wade in the warm pools while bobbin up and dow - a familiar feeling that reminds them of their time in the mother's womb. So, the next time you see torrential rain on the weather forecast, book an appointment at one of these:

 

 

Stay Dry & Play Inside...

Indoor playrooms are a true godsend on those wet, sticky and icky days, especially when Mum just feels like lazing around!

Let your bundle run wild and get busy at play while you relax and supervise. Want to know where the best indoor playrooms in town are? Click here for GeoBaby's top 5 round-up!

Make a fluffy friend...

Does your little one adore dogs and pups? If so, take them to the Hong Kong Dog Rescue’s homing centres at Ap Lei Chau or Tai Po, and let them enjoy an afternoon of puppy love. Even if you’re not looking to adopt a pooch, the homing centres always have their doors open to anybody who’d like to spend time with and play with their mutts.

 

 

Get artsy!

Pop your smocks on, get your hands dirty and channel your inner Picasso with your bub for a rainy day arts 'n' crafts session. What could be more perfect than getting creative to the pitter patter of the rain outside? Head to artjamming for an afternoon of "paintertainment" or choose a ceramic plate or bowl to colour up at My Happy Sunflower. Interested in checking out more artsy activities on offer? Click here to see GeoBaby's directory for an extensive list of kid's art studios in Hong Kong.

 

 

 

DRY: clear skies & warm rays

After a long and cold (at least by Hong Kong standards) winter in their tiny boots and mittens, we bet our tots are super thrilled to see Mum bring out their summer shorts, hats and floaties out of storage. Mamas, it may be hard not to succumb to the heavenly air-conditioned indoors, but save those activities for a rainy day. When the weather is gorgeous, let your little ones run wild and soak up the sun with these fun, outdoorsy activities.

 

 

Make a splash at the pool!

Don’t have a pool or clubhouse in your building? No biggie - there are a whopping 43 public pools scattered across Hong Kong! Some are designed for laps and fitness training, but others are wet, watery wonderlands that will have your bambinos splish-splashing and shrieking excitedly. Featuring toddlers’ and leisure pools, family changing rooms and facilities, twisty waterslides, water cannons, pirate ships, cascading fountains and much more, the Chai Wan,  Jordan Valley (Ngau Tau Kok) and Hammer Hill (Wong Tai Sin) pools stand out as the most tot-friendly complexes.

 

All public pools are open daily in three sessions, but make sure you don’t turn up during the weekly cleaning service from 10am to the end of the second session. Mums, don’t forget to bring a little cash for the admission fees ($17-19 for adults, $8-9 for kids aged 3-13, and free admission for tots under 3.)

 

 

Pool & Beach Essentials
Find a large canvas tote & pack the following items:

  • Swimsuits
  • Towels (bring an extra one)
  • Waterproof sunscreen (at least SPF 30) & aloe vera after-sun gel
  • A few plastic bags for sandy or wet towels; large ziplock bags for wet swimsuits
  • Swimming diapers & full diaper kit
  • Spare change of clothes
  • Sunglasses & hats
  • Goggles, arm floats & toys (spades, buckets, pool noodles etc.)
  • Flip-flops or water sandals
  • Shampoo, comb, cotton wool
  • Large bottle of water & some snacks
  • Plastic-backed mat or blanket (for the beach)
  • Basic First-Aid kit (mosquito repellent, Band-Aids, Panadol...)
  • Tissues & wet wipes
  • Spare change for lockers, vending machines etc.
  • Baby powder (to get rid of sand)

Have a peachy beach day

Hong Kong is home to more than 200 islands and 41 accessible beaches, so you certainly won’t be stuck for options when you decide on your first play-day of the year by the seashore! But where are the most baby-friendly ones hiding? Well, if you’d rather avoid the huge crowds, your best options are:

  • Chung Hum Kok Beach (near Stanley) - quiet, close to Stanley, standard facilities including lifeguards, changing rooms, toilets and picnic tables available, plus a playground for the youngsters.
  • Turtle Cove (near Red Hill / Tai Tam) - clean, quiet and lesser-known beach with clear, calm waters, BBQ pits, a children’s playground, changing facilities and more...
  • Cheung Sha Beach (Lantau Island) - one of HK’s longest beaches a ferry ride away on the southern coast of Lantau, and surrounded by a range of beachside, family-friendly eateries like The Stoep, Mavericks and High Tide
  • Clearwater Bay Second Beach (Sai Kung) - a scenic and cozy beach equipped with all your basic needs from changing / shower facilities,  picnic tables, lifeguards and a snack shack too...

 

If you’re not that bothered about crowds and would rather go where all the noise and action’s at, give these a go:

  • Repulse Bay Beach - easily accessible by bus / taxi / car, offers vendors with everything you need (umbrellas, toys etc.), not far from The Repulse Bay shopping centre, Stanley or town.
  • Shek O Beach- considered the “best beach” on HK island, large carpark, and a row of swimwear, toys, flip flops etc.
  • Pui O Beach (Lantau Island) - calm and shallow waters, family-friendly alfresco dining at Ooh La La, which serves up refreshing smoothies, kid’s burgers and more...

 

So, pack your shovels, spades and pails, slap on the SPF, don your sunnies, and head to the beach for an afternoon of building castles, shrieking and running before the tide gets you, burying dad in the sand!

 

 

Cool off with a scoop

After a couple hours in the sunshine, why not take your little button for a yummy treat to wind down? You can either stay safe and go for one of the usual culprits like Haagen-Daaz, Holly Brown, XTC, or Yo Mama for “froyo”! And for the gelatoholics, you’ve got ⅔ Dolci, COVA or Primo Artisan Gelato. Or, you could try one of these new airy soft-serves topped with honeycomb, cotton candy, sauces and more, whipped up from one of the many ice-creameries that have been popping up around town, like I Cremeria, Honey Creme, and Eyescream & Churros.

 

 

Go wild at the zoo

It doesn’t matter where you’re from, animals and wildlife never fail to put youngsters in a state of jaw-dropping awe and fascination. So, why don't you and your bub make the most of the fair weather, stretch your legs and enjoy a little excursion to the Zoological & Biological Gardens? Stroll by the elegant cranes, study the colourful birds, chuckle at the funny orangutans and spot the bubble-gum-pink flamingos as they sleep while standing on one leg. If your cherub is the adventurous type, lead them to the reptile house to see the Chinese alligator, or the colossal Burmese python…SSSssssss…

 

 

 

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