Our guide to exploring Singapore with the kids

NATURE TRIPS

DESPITE A Singapore is one of the most urbanized countries in the world and offers plenty of opportunities for you and your children to get close to nature. Here are quick and easy escapes from (and within) the concrete jungle.

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Located on the northern edge of Singapore, this protected area is a pristine mangrove forest and habitat for migratory birds, just a 30-minute drive from the city. The Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve features environmentally sensitive infrastructure that allows children to experience the wilderness without sacrificing their safety. Clearly marked trails and scenic boardwalks meander through the 130-acre site, while strategically placed observation huts offer the chance for a closer view of the local hornbills, egrets, monkeys and otters, among many other species of fauna. Stay here long enough and you might even spot some of the reserve’s main attractions: the saltwater crocodiles sunning themselves at the water’s edge.

nparks.gov.sg; free entrance.

Hay dairy farm

This organic goat farm is just like a petting zoo, but bigger, more informative and much more fun. On most days (except Tuesdays), Hay Dairies welcomes visitors from 9am who want to experience a rare slice of rural life in Singapore. Arrive early to see the goat milking process, then buy a $5 bundle of hay (or lots of bundles) for these surprisingly tame creatures to feast on. Feeding is done by hand, and yes, your children can pet the bleating, bearded animals as much as they want. It’s an activity that’s guaranteed to have little ones squealing with delight.

Haydairies.sg; 250 Neo Tiew Crescent; free entrance.

The Untamed Paths intertidal exploration walk

Turn a simple beach walk into a breathtaking seaside safari. Run by a group of local marine animal enthusiasts, this two-hour expedition will introduce you to the intertidal coastal zone (the area where the sea meets the land at low tide) and its fascinating biological diversity. Animal sightings include jellyfish, shrimp, seahorses, frogfish and even octopuses. These are carefully explained and combined with many interesting facts that your budding naturalist can easily absorb. Depending on the tides, the tours can take place early in the morning or late in the day.

Find the latest timetables at theuntamedpaths.com; €92 per person.

A DOSE OF CULTURE

BRING THE CHILDREN ON imagination with a strong dose of history, pop culture and visual arts.

Singapore time tunnel

Collector David Wee has so much Singapore memorabilia that he has turned his home in the historic Katong district into a private museum. His pieces are not in a cramped old gallery; they are arranged in life-size arrangements of classic neighborhood luminaires from a bygone era. These include an old-fashioned kopitiam eatery, a traditional Chinese medicine hall and a vintage one mamak diverse shop with a range of nostalgic toys. David’s vivid stories bring them all to life in an hour-long tour that beautifully answers your child’s question: What did you do before smartphones and tablets?

Book in advance with David Wee on +65 9173 7915; 512 Changi Rd.; SG$20/person (minimum 5).

Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience

Set amid an eerie recreation of the mystical Forbidden Forest, this gripping exhibition from Warner Brothers Studios features memorable scenes and situations inspired by the hugely popular film series. Harry Potter fans will undoubtedly see fantastic beasts from the wizarding world come to life. And here even muggles (ordinary people) have the chance to cast spells, thanks to dazzling special effects that look and sound truly magical. This lifelike Hollywood experience takes place at night, in a real tropical forest on Sentosa Island.

hpforbiddenforestexperiment.com/singapore; 5 Siloso Beach Walk, Sentosa; SG$39/child, SG$53/adult.

Movement art space

You can use a paintbrush, of course, but this art workshop also offers a whole host of really cool tools to create dazzling pieces. Motion Art Space’s exciting art jam sessions feature a pendulum painting that spins the canvas under a swinging container of paint. These are combined with an arsenal of other tools that let you splash, brush, smear and draw for a wall-mounted masterpiece. An hour-long session comes with canvas and paint… and a fun, anything-goes atmosphere that brings out your inner Michaelangelo (the painter, not the ninja turtle). Sessions are by reservation only.

motionartspace.com; 36A Arab St., Level 2; SG$59/child, SG$69/adult

JOYRIDING

SIT BACK AND RELAX while these hassle-free rides show you and your kids a new perspective on Singapore.

Singapore sidecars

Take a tour of the Lion City in the coolest vehicle of them all: an open-top sidecar mated to a vintage Vespa engine. Singapore Sidecars’ stylish trikes keep the wind in your face as you travel through some of the most interesting areas of this island. Depending on your preference, a one-hour tour can take you to the traditional Katong district in the east, or to the historic district in the heart of downtown. The trikes naturally come with driver-guides, and they eagerly share facts and personal experiences, along with their extensive knowledge of perfect spots. Suitable for children aged 10 years and older.

sideways.sg; €198 per person.

Singapore Duck Tours

If you can’t choose between seeing Singapore from land or sea, why not do both? Ducktours features a huge World War II US Army amphibious truck that has been converted into the island’s most unusual tour bus. Tours start near the center and roll through the city district before heading off-road and offshore to the waters of Marina Bay. And seen from the sea, the view of Singapore’s ultra-modern skyline is truly at its most beautiful. This unique activity combines history with local colors and many sensations on the water, fun for everyone. Tours take place every hour from 10am to 6pm

ducktours.com.sg; 3 Temasek Blvd. #01-K8, Tower 2 Suntec City; SG$35/child, SG$45/adult.

PLA, PLAY, PLAY!

SKIP THE HOTEL playground and kids’ club, in favor of romping through these imaginative, energy-hungry outdoor adventure areas spread across Singapore.

Forest adventure

On the banks of the Bedok Reservoir, this treetop adventure park will get you going (and your adrenaline flowing) through challenging physical obstacles. There is an easy children’s course for the little ones and a slightly more difficult junior course for those over 10. The formidable Grand Course has 44 wobbly climbs and crossings, plus a thrilling 300-metre zipline over the water. A safety briefing precedes each tour and safety harnesses are used at all times. Athletic or not, every family will bond here for a day.

forestadventure.com.sg; 825 Bedok Reservoir Park; SG$40.90/person for children and junior courses, SG$50.90/person for Grand Course.

Changi Jurassic Mile

Kids love a good dinosaur hunt, and this fun outdoor hiking and biking trail takes them straight to these enormous creatures. Jurassic Mile starts right outside Changi Airport Terminal 4 and stretches for almost a kilometer towards Singapore’s east coast. The dino recreations may be static, but they’re realistic (not to mention huge), right down to their fearsome claws and cold, reptilian eyes. Moreover, they are in a setting reminiscent of the famous Hollywood storyline of dinosaurs escaping from a theme park. The best time to visit here is early in the morning, when there are no more crowds.

changiairport.com; free entrance.

Photos by Lester V. Ledesma, unless otherwise noted.