Flower of Banana Tree at Jacob Ballas Children's Garden

I took my son to Jacob Ballas Children's Garden a few days ago. This is really a fun and educational place for young kids. We saw a banana tree with a flower and a bunch of bananas. Many kiddos in Singapore are probably not familiar with the flower of a banana tree. Here's a picture to share with all:

Places to take the kids to during the holidays!

The year-end holidays are just round the corner. Here are some suggestions of places in Singapore to take the kids to.

(1) Singapore Science Centre
The kids will be thrilled to embark on a journey 250 million years back in time for a prehistoric adventure at the "Dinosaurs-Live" exhibition. There are 50 life-sized dinosaurs on display. The kids can also learn more about Science when they view other exhibits. Click on the weblink below to find out more about the other exhibitions.
http://www.science.edu.sg/exhibitions/Pages/SCSExhibitionsHome.aspx

Venue:
Singapore Science Centre, Annexe Building

Date:
21 October 2011 to 26 February 2012

Admission Charges:
Adult                              $23*
Child (3 to 16 years old) $18*
* Includes Science Centre Admission

Opening Hours: Daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

(2) Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
The kids can look at the interesting and rare mangrove species and find out why mangroves are important, their uses and benefits. Those in the upper primary can also learn how mangroves have adapted to their surroundings. There is also a free wireless trail. It uses ColourCode to enable visitors holding mobile devices with cameras and internet connection such as smartphones to learn about the flora and fauna there. Click on the weblink below to find out more about the wireless learning trail.
http://www.sbwr.org.sg/events/wirelesslearningtrail/

Homepage of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve:
http://www.sbwr.org.sg/aboutus/ourhistory/

Admission: Free entry
                  except on Saturdays, Sundays, Public Holidays and School Holidays
                  (Adult : $1; Child/ Student / Senior citizen $0.50)

Opening Hours: 7.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. on Monday to Saturday
                         7.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. on Sunday and public holidays

(3) Farms in Singapore
The kids will enjoy a trip to the farms in Kranji. Hop on the Kranji Express and explore the countryside.
Click on the weblink below to find out about the farms that you can visit via the Kranji Express.
http://www.kranjicountryside.com/

Here are some of the farms that I have visited with my nephews and niece.
(a) Bollywood Veggies
You can lead the kids on a free and easy self-guided farm tour or a 30-minute farm tour on some uses and interesting uses and facts of the fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices and other medicinal plants grown there. Tehre are also other activities that are organised by Bollywood Veggies. Click on the webllink to find out more.
http://www.bollywoodveggies.com/pdf/Bollywood%20Farm%20Tours%20and%20Activities.pdf

(b) Hay Dairies
The kids can get to view the goats and observe how milking is done between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Click on the weblink to find out more about Hay Dairies.
http://www.haydairies.com.sg/

(c) Jurong Frog Farm
The kids get to see bullfrogs up close. If they join the Frog Fun tour, they will be able to  hand-feed the bullfrogs, differentiate between a male and a female frog and observe how a frog camouflages in its natural environment.
Click on the weblink below to find out more about Jurong Frog Farm.
http://www.jurongfrogfarm.com.sg/main.htm

~ Serena's Greenhouse

Voyage Night Festival 2011

Where can you take your child to today and on Tuesday when they do not need to go to school? Well, you can visit some museums in Singapore free. 

I attended the Night Festival organised by the National Museum of Singapore on 27 August (Saturday).   There were special events at the National Museum of Singapore, Singapore Art Museum, the Peranakan Museum and others. We took advantage of the free admission and visited the Peranakan Museum and the National Museum of Singapore. 

(A) Night Ride at Peranakan Museum

There were many families at the Peranakan Museum, a favourite among children. We learnt more about the Peranakans through the exhibits. There is one exhibit, the Sarong Kebaya exhibit, that captures the interest of many girls. Many of us were enthralled by the sand art performance by Ms Stacey Lee. The sand art performance was amazing! I recorded part of the performance.

Visitors to the Peranakan Museum could also watch a Chinese shadow puppet show or create sand and paper crafts.

(B) National Museum of Singapore

I viewed an exhibit, "Transforming Landscapes, Improving Lives: 50 years of Economic Development". The Economic Development Board (EDB) celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Hence I thought it is timely for us to understand and reflect on our economic development through this exhibition.


If you are a photography lover, you would love the Abbas, 45 years in Photography exhibition. This exhibition showcases black and white photographs based on theme such as war, day-to-day life and religion. 


If you have missed the event, you can still visit most museums free within the month of August. On 2 September (Friday) and 3 September (Saturday), you can visit the National Museum of Singapore, Singapore Art Museum free from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.


~ Serena's Greenhouse