Most children are natural nature lovers. They love to be surrounded by sand, stones and grass, trees and flowers. They have no qualms about getting hot, sticky and dirty, about “taking a bath in their sweat”. They get a kick from having a huge space to just run and jump, with no expensive toys to occupy their attention.

To be very honest, it’s us adults who shy away from extensive trips to places outdoors because of the humidity that is Singapore, plus all the recent scares of dengue fever on the rise. And, of course, we much prefer the comfort and cleanliness of air-conditioned malls and restaurants to the mud and grime of being outdoors.

We try, though, for the sake of our kids, to venture to parks and playgrounds, gardens and trail walks. Kudos to you, dads and mums, for trying!

Image credit to http:www.sbg.org.sg

The Singapore Botanic Gardens is a great place to visit if you’re planning a nature outing for the first time – or even if you regularly spend time around nature. It’s centrally located, beautifully landscaped and laid out, and has all the necessary amenities and conveniences (parking, restrooms, sheltered spots, public transport). Here are a few activities you can do with your toddler or young child at the Gardens.

Do some art outdoors

Image credit to http://www.mommy-labs.com

Pack a palette of water colours, some brushes and a wad of paper, and let your child paint the beauty that surrounds her. Collect a variety of leaves and do leaf printing with paints or create leaf impressions with crayons.

Swan gazing

Visit the swan gazebo and admire the beautiful white birds, that glide up gracefully right up to the water’s edge and readily pose for photographs. Do note, however, that the Gardens prohibits visitors from feeding the swans. You can, however, purchase packets of fish food from the Visitor’s Centre and feed the fish.

Scoot through the garden

Scooters are all the rage these days, and easy to cart around on public transport. The Gardens offer many pathways to explore, and your child will have a field day doing it on his scooter. The only problem will be catching up with him!

Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden

Tucked away on the Bukit Timah side, the Children’s Garden is a really lovely place to introduce children to fruit trees and some basic life science in a fun and interactive way! Entrance is free, but children need to be accompanied by an adult at all times. There’s also a simple water play area that’s great for even babies to enjoy a cooling down from the hot sun. Find out more here.

Food For Thought

Image credit to www.foodforthought.com.sg

For some respite from the hot sun, take refuge in this spacious café located on the ground floor of the Botany Centre, inside the Tanglin Gate entrance to the Botanic Gardens. There are big tables which are very useful if you’re in a big group with lots of friends and their kids, and an inordinately large number of high chairs! Just outside is a small playground where your kids can work off more steam while you eat or enjoy a cuppa (you can see them from inside the restaurant).

This weekend, why not make a trip down to the Gardens? Visitor information and more details on the Gardens here: http://www.sbg.org.sg/

By Dorothea Chow