Happening Parents

 Botanic Gardens

•  Jacob Ballas Garden – Asia’s first children’s garden

This is a kid’s paradise!  Adults have to be accompanied by children in order to gain entry.  It is very well maintained as park rangers ensure the safety of equipment and premises for the children.

Highlights for my kids:  The Photosynthesis tree, The Suspension Bridge, The Treehouse with slides, The Floating Platform, the Log, The Sandplay area, The Waterplay area, The Maze. Unfortunately, the learning corners don’t seem to entice them as much as the play areas.

There’s even a function area for you to hold parties and gatherings both inside and outside the Jacob Ballas Garden itself.  The food kiosk at the entrance has kid sized tables and chairs for the children’s convenience.

Best for Children between 1-6 years of age.

For more information, visit the website:

http://www.sbg.org.sg/bukittimahcore/ChildrenGarden.asp

•  Eco-Lake side

The black swans here are able to get out of the pond easily, and tend to be more aggressive than the white ones in Swan Lake.  Do watch out of them chasing the smaller kids to get the bread.  You can leave a trail of bread and they will let you come up with 1 or 2 feet of them to observe.

•  Visitor Centre & Symphony Garden 

We generally attend the FREE concerts in the park, which is absolutely fantastic when you pack a picnic basket along.  It’s a good place to spread a mat and introduce the children to performing arts in a more informal setting.  If they are restless, it really doesn’t matter, they just go to the back and run off their excess energy.  In Singapore, people tend to be very child tolerant in such environments.  It really helps to have like-minded parents around.  You will invariably find someone with a bubble machine, balls and the occasional balloon to throw or kick.

• Exploring the Park

Raphael is fairly determined to do everything he can in one outing.  We generally start with feeding the sparrows, koi fish, catfish, (and that huge school of silver-blue fish whose name I’ve yet to determine) snapping turtles and terrapins.  During certain months of the year, we get to see the mandarin and wood ducks.  We’ve counted up to 43 ducklings during breeding season before.  If one is patient enough, you may spot the giant catfish which is more than 1m long in size, its mouth is about 30cm across.  When this giant comes by, all the other fish scatter.

Arielle loves flowers.  The sight of many varieties of cascading orchids in a brilliant flash of rainbow colours absolutely thrills her.  Follow the Ginger Garden path to the man-made tunnel under the waterfall.  It never fails to excite my kids when they are allowed to touch the water from inside, sing their hearts out to hear their own echo and this picturesque spot makes a good photo.  We’ve got some good photos of them inside the tunnel, peeking through the waterfall. 

Just outside the Orchid Garden, you will see many groups of people line dancing, practicing tai chi, both with the Chinese fans as well as the swords.  It’s quite hilarious seeing the kids emulate them.  It also reinforces the healthy lifestyle message we want to put across to our kids when some of the more elderly tai chi practitioners gracefully balance and execute their very precise moves.

On the other side of the Orchid Garden, there is the Evolution Garden.  With its distinctive flora, it is a stark change from the lush greenery of the rest of the park.

Try feeding the swans, koi, and terrapins at the Swan Lake.  We go armed with (A LOT MORE) bread if we decide to try and get a glimpse of the giant turtles living in the pond.  Do note that these turtles are able to climb out of the pond if the water level is high.  Young children may be scared as the size of the largest turtle’s head (the one I saw) is about the size of an adult’s fist.  It is an experience not to be missed.  The swans are a tad picky and if given a choice, will always eat the wholemeal offerings before they eat plain bread.  They also eat cereal.

My kids love climbing the big Tembusu tree near the Swan Lake and the large space in front of the tree with its gentle slope is great for catching bubbles and ball games.

Further up, at the Swiss Ball Fountain, my kids love to show me how strong they are (tapping on the power of water,) and that they can change the direction of a rolling granite ball that is so much bigger and heavier than them.  Watch out for wet shoes and clothes when they get too close in their enthusiasm though.

There are many sculptures (many are of children playing) hidden amongst the flora on this side of the Botanic Gardens.  So we play games with them to see how many they can spot.  This is a good way to get them to explore the garden.

• Tanglin Gate

The Taman Serasi foodcourt is very child friendly with high chairs and a changing table in the handicapped toilet.  My kids tend to eat a lot whenever we go there.  The open concept helps me keep an eye on the kids when I’m getting food for them.  The helpful staff bring the food over whenever they can.  What I like about it is its cleanliness.

At the reception area above, children can feed the koi with fish food purchased from the vending machine.  You will be able to spot fish fry during breeding season.