COVID-19 has changed life for all of us, including children. The outlook is improving, and that is encouraging. With more people being vaccinated both in Singapore and the entire world, hopefully we can get a handle on this pandemic soon. Even so, it is going to be some time before most people are traveling too far from home again. That isn’t likely to happen for the majority by this summer.

The good news is, Singapore has plenty to offer. You may not be able to travel to a distant destination, but you will find plenty to keep yourself and the family entertained close to home. It is a time to make memories, to spend time with each other, and to appreciate being healthy! Your family may enjoy time at the beach, especially on the warmer days. Consider going bowling or learning to ice skate. Bicycling is fun and a great form of exercise. The possibilities are endless!

Most parents living in Singapore wish they had more free time to take the family to do activities in the summer. In reality though, they have to work to pay bills and take care of the family needs. Parents often worry about their kids getting bored or spending too much time watching TV. They also worry about screen time with electronics. There is a wonderful alternative to keep everyone happy this summer!

Check out the fun summer camps for children offered in Singapore. There is plenty of variety to ensure a good match for your children. Select a summer camp with their age and interests in mind. Such camps allow kids to meet new friends, expand their knowledge, and find new interests. It gives them a chance to gain confidence and to become more independent. Some of the activities they do alone and others they do as part of a team. Such skills help them for a lifetime because they have to problem solve and communicate with their peers. With this ultimate guide to camps in Singapore for your kids, the summer of 2021 is going to be a blast for them!

Select the Right Camp for a Child

As a parent, you have to feel confident about where your child spends their time. They need to be happy there and enjoy their surroundings. Take your time to select the right camp for each child. It will pay off in the end as they will be eager to tell you all about their experiences! In the past decade, the variety of children’s camps has grown. The diversity ensures each child can have the best possible experience!

There are traditional camps you may remember from your own childhood in Singapore. They offer games, crafts, outdoor activities, games, and playing. If your child enjoys such a mix that may be ideal for them. However, there are also summer camps with specializes focus on particular concepts. Some of them focus on various sports and improving skills. Others focus on STEM topics including science, technology, engineering, and math.

Evaluate summer camps early to find the best fit. Take your time to ask questions. Ask your child what they would like to spend time doing or learning about. Find a camp that fits your budget and meets your needs. Many of the top camps in Singapore fill up fast. There are a limited number of slots available. Searching early and selecting the right camp for a child means it isn’t going to be full by the time you consider it. Here are some of the top categories to look at.

Art and Theatre

Creative children thrive at art and theatre camps. This gives them a chance to express themselves. They can learn new methods or they can continue to improve their skills with what they already know. There is an opportunity to share what they create as well as to connect with others sharing a similar passion.

Some of the concepts involved with different art and theatre camps in Singapore include:

• Acting
• Arts and crafts
• Drama
• Drawing
• Painting
• Plays and productions
• Pottery
• Sculpting
• Sketching

Coding

Technology may be fascinating for your child. They may be curious about how computer systems work behind the scenes. Other children are more interested in gaming, but all of them can benefit from coding camps. They will have fun, they will learn plenty of information, and they may decide to pursue a career in coding when they get older. The learning is conducted in a fun environment and the children take away plenty of information at the end of summer. Some of the topics included in a coding camp are:

• Engineering
• Gaming
• Modelling (both circuit and 3-D)
• Programming
• Robotics

Language

Learning a new language is a challenge, but is also exciting. A child with such a desire can benefit from attending a language camp. Such skills can help them communicate with others and even assist them with a job as an adult. There are several languages offered at such camps in Singapore. The most popular include:

• Chinese
• English
• French
• Spanish

Science and Technology

There are plenty of concepts that fall under the umbrella of science and technology. Children with an interest in such areas will be thrilled to go to such a summer camp in Singapore! They learn an abundance of information while having a great time. They get to explore, experiment, and engage in their curiosity.

The best science and technology camps for kids give them plenty of activities to select from. They also have hands-on learning so they are taking part in what they discover! There is plenty of balance so they don’t feel overwhelmed. There may be guest speakers that help them learn more about given topics too. Some of the common concepts in such a camp include:

• Games
• Dinosaurs
• Recreational activities
• Science experiments
• Space

Sports

Many children love sports. It keeps them active and they challenge themselves to improve their skills. Sports camps are fun and exciting while helping them to hone in on the rules of a particular sport. It can help them to play better and to build their confidence. There are quite a few sports camps for kids in Singapore. Some of the options include:

• Basketball
• Football
• Rugby
• Swimming
• Tae Kwando

Your child may not have just one sport they are interested in. Some summer camps that offer several sports rather than focusing on just one. This can help your child to decide where their passion is. It can also keep them from getting bored with just one sport. You will be asked to make sure they have what they need to do well in the summer heat of Singapore. This includes sunscreen, a bottle for water, and a hat. They may need certain equipment to safely engage in certain sports. The camp, like Newtonshowcamp,can help you identify what your child will need.

Your Child will Love it!

When you select the right camp for your child and their interests, they are going to have a remarkable summer of 2021! Please check out our information about the best tips to get your child ready to enjoy their summer camp!

The 1950s and the 1960s first witnessed the birth and development of video games and simulations, beginning with the famous MIT’s Spacewar, a space combat video game in 1962, the first one to be played with a video display. Come the 1980s and the improvements in video games have skyrocketed. Games were made for personal computers as much as for consoles, and Sega and Nintendo were fighting for supremacy on the US market. So, what brought about these rapid developments? Well, technology, of course. 

The incessant growth of tech trends has ignited the imagination of game developers and we have seen extensive progress from the simplest games to the ones in virtual and augmented realities. Read on to find out more about exciting tech trends in games we will have the pleasure to enjoy in 2021. 

Cloud gaming

Let us start with a relatively new concept in the gaming industry – cloud gaming. You may already be familiar with cloud computing, something most of us use while completing online daily tasks. However, how is this incorporated into the gaming industry? Much like cloud computing, cloud gaming enables the user to engage in (or stream) video games without having to download them. The action happens exclusively online, and big names like Nintendo and Facebook have already started offering this service to their users. Google, on the other hand, has also tried its luck in this niche, but their streaming platform Stadia is currently altering its course and getting out of the game-making business. 

This approach to gaming is looking at a very bright future, especially because game enthusiasts no longer have to invest in game cards and stronger machines in order to play new releases. Thus, besides being innovative and exciting, cloud gaming is bound to save a considerable amount of money to its users. 

The payment options

At the very beginning of online payments, we have to admit there was a certain shadow of a doubt cast on the safety of online transactions. There were many concerns at play, from financial to identity theft. Today, we can proudly say that the payment options have evolved and become as secure as they are fast and efficient. This is particularly important for the new-age gamer who now makes purchases online instead of buying CDs in a local store. 

Investments, however, are not a one-time thing anymore and those who play make purchases after buying the game itself. These usually involve expansion packs, various tools, and weapons for characters, attire, and the like. There are, of course, more serious investments mostly related to the gambling industry which hasn’t been exempt from the gaming revolution. Casino aficionados are rapidly transitioning to online options and need to have peace of mind when it comes to both deposits and winnings. Bitcoin and digital wallets have made major improvements when it comes to safety of online transactions, closely followed by PayPal and Neteller. Since gambling investments tend to be larger and more common, make sure to learn all you can about casino payment methods in order to have a truly care-free gaming experience. 

VR & AR

Although not a novelty, virtual and augmented reality games are well on their way to becoming more mainstream in 2021. Headsets can be found at very affordable prices these days, which means that there’s an increasing number of households worldwide getting to try out this latest craze in their living room. The appeal of VR lies in the fact that it provides gamers with appealing virtual objects and real-time gameplay. Besides the mere thrills of adventure while playing, virtual reality games have proven to enhance many walks of life. For instance, a VR headset enables movement which is a huge improvement compared to spending hours on end in front of a screen. These games have also proven to help overcome phobias (such as the fear of water o heights) and provide pain relief, reduce stress, and improve mental health by stimulating the brain to elicit positive and calming responses.

Augmented reality is slightly different than VR in the sense that it maneuvers spaces in the real world and makes them applicable to real-life situations. This enables you to play table hockey on your dining room table or solve puzzles mapped out via objects in your backyard. Imagine the possibilities! Although gaming is our main focus here, we cannot fail to mention other industries that are flourishing since the introduction of AR, like healthcare or education. 

Wearable gaming

Smartwatches, headsets, smart glasses – all portable devices invented for your pleasure. The majority of companies have started implementing this technology mainly for fitness applications, but those have since expanded to fun and games as well. Wearable devices are not only extensions of your own body, but also the ones of your favorite gaming consoles. 

One of the most innovative gadgets on the market is the full-body motion capture suit that uses 360-degree motion tracking sensors to make you really feel the virtual world by capturing the entire body movement. This is a true breakthrough since it provides exceptional usability in gaming, especially e-sports. With Oculus Quest and its four ultra-wide-angle sensors, you can dive deeply into the virtual realms since they can track everything around your head, your back included. 

Final thoughts

These are just some of the wonders of the gaming world at our disposal – for now. The industry is evolving at such speed that we can expect much but still be surprised at what the developers are ready to dream up. One thing is certain – many of the trends that seen almost sci-fi now will soon become a standard and there will come a time when we will not be able to imagine going shopping without our virtual headset, or playing games while sitting, for instance. Whatever the changes that await, we can be sure they will, above all, be absolutely exhilarating. 

Winters are not only punishing for you but also for your pipes and other belongings. Those living in colder regions have a lot to worry about during the winter months.

One common thing that most people worry about in the winters is that their pipes will freeze. With the dropping temperatures, there is always a risk of your pipes freezing and bursting. This can lead to numerous problems like plumbing damage, flooding, etc. Not to mention, it is quite troublesome to fix this issue, especially during the wintertime.

The most common question asked by people is “how long does it take pipes to freeze and burst?” We will be answering that for you in this post. If you want more information on the same, then go to Exactlyhowlong site.

How long does it take for pipes to freeze?

The winter months are already associated with a lot of challenges. The last thing you want is a damaged pipeline due to chilly weather.

There are no hard and fast rules about the duration it takes for pipes to freeze. It just happens with the dropping temperatures.

The duration your pipes can withstand the freezing temperatures depends on several different factors. To start with, insulation is extremely important to keep your pipes resistant to freezing. If you have a proper insulation system in your home, it will automatically take longer for your pipes to freeze. But in case of poor insulation, it won’t take much time for your pipelines to get damaged.

Pipes passing through basements and garages are more prone to freezing. If you ask why these are the unheated areas of your house. Due to lack of insulation, your pipes will give in more easily than normal. In case, you didn’t know the majority of frozen pipe issues occur in basements.

Many of the old houses don’t have any proper insulation. It’s because they were not designed to withstand the harshness of the cold climate. If your house falls in this category, you have a big problem coming your way during the winters.

Then some people knowingly ignore the need for proper insulation. That’s because they think their pipes can withstand the freezing temperatures. But it won’t take much longer for the truth to hit your face.

All that said, it takes around 3 to 6 hours for your pipes to freeze during extremely cold temperatures. Once the temperature reaches below a specific threshold, your pipes are at a high risk of freezing and breaking. This leads us to the question at what temperature do pipes freeze?

At what temperatures do pipes freeze?

To protect your pipes from freezing, you need to first know the temperature at which pipes freeze. Well, not all temperatures are bad for your pipes. You should be concerned only when the temperatures drop below 20 degrees. In this situation, your pipes will start to freeze within 3 to 4 hours, especially when your house is unheated.

But as explained in the previous section, various factors influence the freezing temperatures of a pipe. One of the biggest factors is insulation. If your house is well insulated, it can prevent your pipes from freezing for long. People living in colder climates should pay attention to the insulation level of their homes. This is not just important to keep your pipes from freezing, but it will also help you stay warm.

Another thing to keep in mind is that your pipes are prone to freezing even when the temperatures are above 20 degrees. This happens when cold air enters the location near the pipes. Chilly air entering the pipes can worsen the problem and even lead to the formation of solid ice in there. This may happen even if your house is properly heated. So you need to keep all these things in mind. 

How to unfreeze frozen pipes?

Now that you know the temperature at which your pipe freezes, it’s time to learn how to unfreeze them. 

Frozen pipes can break or burst suddenly. This is why you need to act first to prevent that from happening. Water has a unique property that causes it to expand as it freezes. This creates a lot of pressure and as a result, your pipes burst. But the good news is that there are full-proof methods to unfreeze your pipes.

Here you go with the details:

Your first step is to identify of locating the pipe that is frozen. The easiest way to find it is to turn on the tap and check the water flow. If water comes out trickling, you surely have a frozen pipe somewhere.

1. Turn on the closest tap

Once you locate the frozen pipe, turn on the tap that’s the closest. To remove the freezing, you need heat. As soon as you turn on the water, the ice will start to melt and release the pressure created by the ice.

2. Heat the affected area 

In the next step, you need to heat the section of the pipe that is frozen. In this case, you can a hairdryer. Alternatively, you can also use a heating pad. This will melt the ice. You need to apply heat until all the ice melts away and regular water pressure is restored. Just be careful while using an electric appliance near water.

3. Do it again

If there are multiple frozen pipes in your house, you need to repeat the same steps with each of the pipes. 

By following these simple steps, you can unfreeze your pipes without any professional help. This method is not only easy, but it will also save you a lot of money.

Frozen pipes are a big-time problem for homeowners, especially the ones who live in colder regions. To prevent it from happening, you should have proper insulation at home. Also, you should keep a check on the temperature and act as soon as you see your pipes freezing.