What’s Worth Doing When You Travel To Singapore As A Family Holiday Maker With Kids

What’s Worth Doing When You Travel To Singapore As A Family Holiday Maker With Kids
by: Jaffa Matt

You chose to travel to Southeast Asia as your next holiday getaway. You decided Singapore as your next travel destination. However, you have few problems that bothering your mind. You are going there with your kids. In addition, you have not been in Singapore before. But, your friends or other relatives have told you how great Singapore is as holiday destination. You believed them and that you decided to go to Singapore no matter what.

Are you in that situation? Relax, that a deep breath. This article will tell you what is worth doing when you are in Singapore with your kids. Which attractions kids enjoy most? Which places kids would love going to? Below are my suggestions…

Singapore Zoological Garden ( Singapore Zoological Garden )

The Singapore Zoological Garden or simply the zoo adapts the “open zoo” concept. Which means, no oppressive cage are in sight. Instead, animals are separated from visitors by means of wet or dry moats concealed with vegetation. Landscaped glass-fronted enclosures are used for certain animals such as jaguars and leopards. You should not miss this one place when you visit Singapore with kids.

Do come in the morning and have breakfast with the most celebrated orang utan in Jungle Breakfast with Wildlife at Jungle Flavours. I am sure you will get your family amused to start the day. Take memorable photographs with the orang utan or snake to add more fun.

After that, catch the Wonders of The Wild Show at 10:30 AM. Let the spider monkeys, macaques, humongous pythons and splashing sea lions be the stars of that morning.

Then, you can roam around the zoo to visit other animal exhibits namely the Orang Utan, White Tiger, Wild Africa, Cat Country, Elephants of Asia, Primate Kingdom, Hamadryas Baboons, Polar Bear, Reptile Garden, Fragile Forest and Australian Outback. In addition, do not forget to go for the elephant or pony rides before you leave.

Night Safari ( Night Safari )

Night Safari is next to the Zoo but operated from 06:30PM onwards. It is the world’s first wildlife park built for visits at night. Yes, explore wildlife in the tropical jungle at night! Superb lighting technique create a moonlight effect and recreated the jungle atmosphere in this 40 hectares of lush secondary forest, which houses over 1000 nocturnal animals of 100 species in vast, naturalistic habitats.

The tram-stop-walk-tram like tour will bring you to various stops and trails where you can view animals that you sometimes do not think they exist.

Have you ever seen a screw goat? This is makhor, which is the largest goat in the world and considered “King of Wild Goats”. Why screw? Because, its horns twist into a spiral resembling a corkscrew. Look out for them at Himalayan Foothills. Other animal exhibits are Nepalese River Valley (Otter, Wolf, Greater Asian Rhino, Jackal and Sambar Deer), Indian Subcontinent (Striped Hyena, Gir Lion and the Sloth Bear), Equatorial Africa (Giraffe, Serval, Spotted Hyena, Bongo and the Hippo ), Indo-Malayan Region (Hog Deer, Bearded Pig and Tiger ), Asian Riverine Forest (Tapir, Red Dhole, Asian Elephant and Banteng), South American Pampas (Maned Wolf, Capybara and Giant Anteater) and Burmese Hillside (Guar and Thamin).

To add the thrills there are also animal trails namely Fishing Cat Trail, The Leopard Trail and Forest Giants Trail. And not forgetting, the Creatures of Night Show where the star casts includes otters, binturongs, raccoons, owls, wolves, hyenas and servals. Well, this place is a must for added kids’ excitements.

Jurong Bird Park ( Jurong Bird Park )

Jurong Bird Park is the next place you should not miss. Its 20.2-hectare open-concept park is the largest in the Asia Pacific and probably the best in the world. It has more than 9000 birds from 600 species in its collection. It specialises birds from Southeast Asia.

The African Wetlands:- Shoebill, Storks, Egyptian Goose, the Blue Crane, White-faced Tree Duck, White-breasted Cormorant, Crested Guinea Fowl, Great White Pelican.

Birds Of Paradise: - Red Bird of Paradise, Lesser Bird of Paradise, 12-Wired Bird of Paradise.

Hornbills and Toucans Exhibit: - Toco Toucan, Black Hornbill, Southern Pied Hornbill, Great Pied Hornbill.

Parrot Paradise: - Dusky Lory, Hawk-Headed Parrot, Blue and Gold Macaw, Eclectus Parrot.

World of Darkness: - The Night Herons, Fish Owls, Snowy Owls, Barn Owls

And many more. Also, do not forget to experience the world’s largest walk-in aviary with the tallest man-made waterfall where you can enjoy a close-up view of free-flying birds from Africa and South America.Not forgetting the bird shows, Birds ‘n Buddies Show and Birds of Prey Show.

Sentosa Island ( Sentosa Island )

This 500-hectare island is where you and your family will experience a unique mixture of leisure and recreational events. It has loads of attractions, water sports, sandy beaches, golf courses and hotel resorts. In fact, you can spend the whole day here if you have the time. However, for family with kids, here are my suggestions…

Carlsberg Sky Tower: - Have a scenic and breathtaking experience as you go atop Singapore’s tallest observatory tower where you can enjoy panoramic views of Singapore, Sentosa, Southern Islands and Malaysia and Indonesian islands.

Underwater World: - This oceanarium housed more than 2500 fishes from 250 different species. Have a ‘hands on’ experience with starfish, stingrays and baby sharks. Then, venture into the ocean depths via a moving travellator, which spread through 83 metre long with fishes such as sharks, stingrays, eels all around you.

Dolphin Lagoon: - Included in your ticket price is the entrance to Dolphin Lagoon. Catch the “Meet the Dolphin” sessions at 11am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm & 5.30pm daily.

Sentosa 4D Magix: - Do not miss this spectacular and mind-blowing interactive experience. Enjoy the visual effects, surround sound, individually controlled motion seats and get wet with special “live” environmental effects water spray and many surprises.

The Flying Trapeze: - Fear of height? Try this. This fantastic entertainment let you experience as a flying trapeze. It helps develop one’s mind, body and coordination. For kids 4 years and above but not for pregnant women.

Sijori Wondergolf: - You do not need to have Tiger Woods talent to play this golf. Because, this is a miniature golf park. Fifty-four creative landscaped green set in three different 18-hole courses will put your kids’ fun and excitement to become the next Tiger Woods.

Escape Theme Park ( Escape Theme Park )

Keep your kids occupied in this amusement park. There are rides for kids, big kids and families. Lookout for the Daytona Go-Kart, it’s exciting. Other attractions you can find there are Bumper Boats, Central Pavilion, Coca Cola Pirate Ship, Family Coaster, Ferris Wheel, Inverter, Revolution and many more.

Wild Wild Wet ( Wild Wild Wet )

This waterpark located just next to the Escape Theme Park. You can even buy combo ticket for both entrances together. Here, you and your family can get wet with flumes, twisty slide, wave pool namely Ular-Lah, The Waterworks, Wall’s Tsunami and many others. In fact, you can spend the whole afternoon here.

Well, of course there are much more to explore with your kids in Singapore. These are my personal suggestions so that your mind is not blank once you step on our beautiful Changi International Airport (Changi Airport ).

Copyright © 2006 Jaffa Matt

About The Author
Jaffa Matt is an independent Freelance writer who was born and lives in Singapore. His website My Singapore provides ideas & informative articles about his country, Singapore.