There are few things as fun as poring over the public holidays schedule across the year, and planning your vacations and days off to recharge with the people you love most.

From the upcoming Chinese New Year and Good Friday to Hari Raya Haji and National Day, there are four remaining long weekends for you to maximise your annual leave (and family bonding opportunities).

If you’re looking for ideas to spend the five long weekends in 2024, try these ways to make your family time count.

1. Check out the newly revamped Central Public Library

You might need a full day to fully experience the recently reopened Central Public Library. Adults and children alike will enjoy the new marine biodiversity learning area—which includes books, captivating infographics and marine specimens—and visitors can also expect upcycling workshops, storytelling sessions and the opportunity to meet divers and aquarists. Also, a new Immersive Room, powered by artificial intelligence and augmented reality technologies, will allow you to create your own interactive stories. Check out the library’s events line-up here.

2. Take a walk on the wild side

Okay, not that wild. But if you and the kids are in need of a respite from the urban concrete jungle, consider a nature day out. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve at Kranji, for instance, includes mangroves, mudflats, ponds and forests and multiple trails for the entire family to explore and enjoy. You can expect to catch native inhabitants like mudskippers, crabs, monitor lizards and resident birds like herons and kingfishers.

Coney Island Park is yet another tranquil location that can be explored on foot or bicycles. Pack a picnic, feel the breeze and be inspired by the park’s ecologically-sustainable features including park signages, benches and a boardwalk made from uprooted Casuarina trees.

3. Learn a new skill

Ever wanted to learn how to read music? Pick up a new language? Or try your hand at pottery? You can do that with your children in wallet-friendly ways. For instance, apps like Duolingo offers languages like Japanese, Spanish and many more that you and junior can have fun practising conversing in together, at your own pace and time. And several pottery places, such as Goodman Ceramic Studio, give you the opportunity create your very own keepsake as a family.

4. Be a tourist in Singapore

From the Skyline Luge to KidZania (set to open in early 2024), Universal Studios Singapore, the Wings of Time majestic light water show and so many more attractions, there is no lack of activities for the entire family at the ever-evolving Sentosa. Got adrenalin junkies at home? Take a spin at HyperDrive’s three-level indoor racing track. Prefer quieter pursuits?

Grab your sand toys and a good book and spend a morning frolicking in the calm waters at any of Sentosa’s beaches.

5. Stay in and slow down the pace

If your family’s regular week looks like a furious flurry of work, obligatory events, school and enrichment activities, the long weekends are opportune for winding down. Rather than rack your brain for places to go, you can connect with your children at home with boardgames, a good movie or cooking your meals together. After all, quality family time can happen anywhere, anytime.