SINGAPORE \u2013 This March school break, Singapore\u2019s green spaces are being transformed into playgrounds, art studios and wildlife arcades. <\/p>\n
At the Singapore Botanic Gardens under the National Parks Board (NParks), children can go bird-spotting, hunt for historic plant specimens or swop their cameras for sketchbooks in nature-drawing sessions. <\/p>\n
At Jurong Lake Gardens, families can roll up their sleeves for edible gardening, composting and plant-care workshops that show how to grow herbs and veggies at home, and cut food waste. Would-be adventurers can camp out by the sea or under the stars at East Coast Park, West Coast Park, Pasir Ris Park or Pulau Ubin. <\/p>\n
Up north at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, highlights include meeting a rare Grevy\u2019s zebra foal at Singapore Zoo, tucking into the revived Breakfast in the Wild and diving into Exploria, a sprawling new indoor multi-sensory attraction. <\/p>\n
Rounding it off is Easter Eggs-travaganza, a precinct-wide celebration with egg hunts, giant art eggs and themed animal enrichment sessions across Mandai\u2019s wildlife parks.<\/p>\n
The Straits Times scopes out outings for a memorable mid-term break.<\/p>\n A White-collared Kingfisher.<\/p>\n PHOTO: NATIONAL PARKS BOARD<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Young participants, get your binoculars ready for this four-hour Fabulous Birds of Singapore workshop, which turns the Singapore Botanic Gardens into an outdoor aviary.<\/p>\n Primary school-aged children will head out on a guided walk to spot some of Singapore\u2019s most charismatic residents \u2013 from tiny sunbirds to doves, raptors, kingfishers and herons \u2013 plus visiting migratory species, if they are in town. <\/p>\n A Yellow-vented Bulbul.<\/p>\n PHOTO: NATIONAL PARKS BOARD<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Back indoors, kids can examine real nests and feathers up close, while learning how birds help pollinate plants, spread seeds and keep ecosystems in balance. <\/p>\n Info:<\/b> The session, only for children from Primary 1 to 6, runs on March 17 from 9am to 1pm at the Centre for Education and Outreach. Admission is $72 a person (inclusive of GST)<\/p>\n Forget garden-variety flora tours. The National Parks Board\u2019s Great Plant Hunt turns the Singapore Botanic Gardens into a mini field expedition for families. <\/p>\n Starting at Botanical Art Gallery in the lush Gallop Extension, parents and children follow a trail of clues through the Pressing Plant Matters exhibition and its surrounding greenery, learning how botanists have collected and studied plants in Singapore since the 19th century.<\/p>\n The National Parks Board\u2019s Great Plant Hunt turns the Singapore Botanic Gardens into a mini-field expedition for families. <\/p>\n PHOTO: NATIONAL PARKS BOARD<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Along the way, participants get to uncover fun facts about the 151-year-old Singapore Herbarium, which houses about 800,000 preserved plant specimens. <\/p>\n The Singapore Herbarium is the gardens\u2019 research heart, where dried plant and fungi specimens are carefully pressed, mounted and archived.<\/p>\n Established in 1875 by the gardens\u2019 then superintendent Henry James Murton, it has grown into a key reference centre for botanists working on South-east Asia\u2019s forests, rare species and changing landscapes. <\/p>\n Parents and children follow a trail of clues through the Pressing Plant Matters exhibition.<\/p>\n PHOTO: NATIONAL PARKS BOARD<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Each specimen in its vaults is like a time-stamped snapshot of a plant. <\/p>\n Researchers, conservationists and artists draw on its collections for field guides, restoration projects and exhibitions, making the herbarium a crucial resource across many disciplines.<\/p>\n The Great Plant Hunt is a chance to learn how botanists have studied plants in Singapore since the 19th century.<\/p>\n PHOTO: NATIONAL PARKS BOARD<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The hunt is designed for Primary 1 children and above, with adults able to join as potential teammates. Those who complete the challenge win a limited-edition enamel pin featuring local plants and animals.<\/p>\n Info: <\/b>Sessions take place on March 16 from 10am. Admission is free<\/p>\n Put your smartphone away, grab a sketchbook and let the Singapore Botanic Gardens be your muse.<\/p>\n Instead of snapping photos, this session teaches participants to slow down with a sketchbook and pencil, and visually record nature.<\/p>\n Veteran volunteer artist Tham Pui San teaches small groups at the Botanic Gardens. <\/p>\n PHOTO: THAM PUI SAN<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Veteran volunteer artist Tham Pui San teaches small groups at the Botanic Gardens, showing them how to capture twisting trunks, leafy textures and shifting light with simple lines and shading.<\/p>\n He starts each session with an easy, step-by-step demonstration for beginners and children. Those more experienced with sketching will get tips on composition and observation. <\/p>\n Learn how to capture twisting trunks, leafy textures and shifting light with simple lines and shading.<\/p>\n PHOTO: THAM PUI SAN<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The free, beginner-friendly activity is open to all ages and held on the first Saturday of alternate months in the year. Upcoming sessions are in May, July, September and November.<\/p>\n Info:<\/b> Participants will need to take along their own drawing materials and register at the Tanglin Visitor Centre Service Desk at least 15 minutes before the class starts. Each session is capped at 20 participants. Go to <\/p>\n str.sg\/kLon<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n You do not need fancy tools to get started at Jurong Lake Gardens \u2013 just curiosity and a willingness to roll up your sleeves and dig into the soil.<\/p>\n Edible Gardening at the Kitchen Garden takes place every Wednesday.<\/p>\n PHOTO: NATIONAL PARKS BOARD<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n At the Edible Demonstration Garden, volunteers learn simple ways to grow herbs and vegetables, from preparing soil to harvesting fresh leaves for the kitchen. <\/p>\n And at the Community Compost Corner, they will find out how fruit peels and garden trimmings can be turned into rich compost instead of rubbish. <\/p>\n Community Composting at the Jurong Lake Gardens takes place every Saturday morning.<\/p>\n PHOTO: NATIONAL PARKS BOARD<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Those keen to go deeper can join horticulture and propagation sessions at the nursery. Staff will discuss the finer points of potting, pruning and plant growth so they stay healthy and lush over the long term. <\/p>\n Together, the sessions give families and residents confidence to green their homes, cut waste and care for a garden.<\/p>\n Horticulture Works and Propagation sessions are held every last Monday of the month.<\/p>\n PHOTO: NATIONAL PARKS BOARD<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Info:<\/b> Weekly sessions of Edible Gardening At The Kitchen Garden are held on Wednesdays from 4 to 6pm. Edible Gardening At The Edible Demonstration Garden is held on Thursdays from 9 to 11am. Community Composting sessions are held on Saturdays from 9 to 10am. There are also monthly Horticulture Works And Propagation sessions, held every last Monday of the month, from 4 to 5.30pm at Jurong Lake Gardens. For the full schedule of workshops and volunteer opportunities, go to <\/p>\n str.sg\/6qNgH<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Camping always feels special because it bundles a range of thrills into a night where everyone shares the same tiny, cosy space.<\/p>\n Zipping up a tent, whispering by torchlight, cooking by an open fire and falling asleep to the sound of ocean waves are core camping memories. <\/p>\n The March break is a good time to book a pitch and spend a night with the family under the stars at East Coast Park or West Coast Park, where designated beachfront zones allow easy access to amenities such as toilets, barbecue pits and playgrounds.<\/p>\n For a taste of the wilderness, camp out at Jelutong on Pulau Ubin.<\/p>\n PHOTO: NATIONAL PARKS BOARD<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Families can also opt for quieter, more evocative corners at Pasir Ris Park near the mangroves. <\/p>\n For something wilder, hop on a bumboat to Pulau Ubin and camp at rustic Jelutong or Mamam Beach to relive Singapore\u2019s good old kampung days. <\/p>\n While tents, torches and insect repellent are essential, the sea breeze and dramatic sunrise are worth the effort.<\/p>\n Info: <\/b>A valid permit is required to camp at the four designated campsite locations: East Coast Park, West Coast Park, Pasir Ris Park and Pulau Ubin. Permits are free, but charges apply for barbecue pits. For details, go to <\/p>\n go.gov.sg\/camping-in-parks<\/p>\n <\/a> and <\/p>\n go.gov.sg\/nparks-barbecuing<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Grevy\u2019s zebras are having a moment at the Singapore Zoo, and they are in no hurry to leave. <\/p>\n Visitors may spot these striking black-and-white residents \u2013 the largest and most threatened of all zebra species \u2013 at Wild Africa, the zoo\u2019s immersive zone showcasing African savannah animals including lions, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, white rhinos and African painted dogs.<\/p>\n The Grevy\u2019s three-month-old zebra foal and her mother are in the exhibit till 2.30pm\u00a0daily, while the\u00a0other zebras\u00a0are\u00a0in the exhibit throughout the day.<\/p>\n Grevy\u2019s zebras are among the world\u2019s endangered animals.<\/p>\n ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Visitors can catch them working through enrichment set-ups that tap their keen senses and encourage natural foraging, from sniffing out treats to investigating novel objects. <\/p>\n Billed as a \u201cstripe of good fortune\u201d, the foal is a living symbol of fresh starts, balance and harmony \u2013 and a gentle reminder of why conserving her endangered species is of the utmost urgency.<\/p>\n Info: <\/b>Standard admission to the Singapore Zoo is $49 for adults and $34 for children aged three to 12. Singapore residents pay $39.20 (adults) and $27.20 (children). To book, go to <\/p>\n mandai.com<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The Singapore Zoo\u2019s Breakfast in the Wild is a novel way to start the day: a hearty breakfast and wildlife encounter that encourages sustainable living.<\/p>\n It is also the modern iteration of the zoo\u2019s signature \u201cBreakfast with Ah Meng\u201d series, which was launched in 1982. <\/p>\n Breakfast in the Wild was launched in October 2022.<\/p>\n PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n In the past, visitors sat down to a buffet meal and joined Ah Meng, the zoo\u2019s star Sumatran orang utan, nearby for photos and interaction. This not only turned Ah Meng into a global star of both tourism and conservation, but also gave tourists the opportunity for a close encounter with orang utans that raised awareness of the primates\u2019 endangered status. <\/p>\n After a two-year hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic, the dining format was relaunched as Breakfast in the Wild in October 2022.<\/p>\n \u201cAnimal ambassadors\u201d such as a Bengal eagle owl will appear with their keepers.<\/p>\n PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Today, at Ah Meng Restaurant (Terrace), guests tuck into a planet-friendly buffet spread of local and international fare, all prepared with sustainably sourced palm oil. Drinks from conservation-focused Indonesian brand Owa Coffee will be served, while beef has been left off the menu due to its heavy environmental footprint.<\/p>\n Midway through, \u201canimal ambassadors\u201d such as orang utans, African penguins and a Bengal eagle owl will appear with their keepers, who will tell stories about the creatures\u2019 behaviour, habitats and how the zoo cares for them. Until April, the zoo\u2019s falabellas (miniature horses) will also appear at Breakfast in the Wild on weekends and public holidays.\u00a0<\/p>\n Until April, the zoo\u2019s falabellas will also appear at Breakfast in the Wild on weekends and public holidays.<\/p>\n PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n There will be plenty of photo opportunities and chances to get up close to the animals without feeding or disturbing them. <\/p>\n Info: <\/b>Admission is $47 for adults and $37 for children aged six to 12 years. Bundles with Singapore Zoo tickets are available at $76.80 for adults and $56.80 for children. To book, go to <\/p>\n str.sg\/93ff<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Easter at Mandai is going big in 2026 \u2013 think giant eggs, digital quests and penguins enjoying festive treats. <\/p>\n From March 14 to April 12, the \u201cEaster Eggs-travaganza\u201d takes over the precinct with a mix of real-world and digital egg hunts, including the Ranger Buddies Eggs-citing Stamp Rally at Curiosity Cove and Singapore Zoo\u2019s KidzWorld, plus Easter Eggs-ploration trails at Bird Paradise and Mandai Wildlife West. <\/p>\n The Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s Easter Eggs-travaganza returns with a bigger celebration in 2026.<\/p>\n PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Visitors who complete the challenges earn a spin at the Hot Egg Balloon Gachapon, with prizes such as overnight stays at Colugo Camp and Mandai Rainforest Treehouse at Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree. <\/p>\n Also new in 2026 are Easter-themed animal enrichment sessions, where guests watch Gentoo penguins, scarlet macaws and Papuan hornbills tackle specially designed snacks and toys. <\/p>\n Gentoo penguins at Ocean Network Express Penguin Cove interacting with an ice bunny and frozen water balloons. <\/p>\n PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Bird Paradise will also have 100 larger-than-life egg installations showcasing artwork by local social enterprise The Animal Project. <\/p>\n In a final sweetener, children enjoy free entry to Bird Paradise with every full-paying adult from March 14 to April 12 for tickets bought between March 9 and April 12, with $10 worth of retail and food and beverage vouchers as part of the promotion.<\/p>\n Guests who complete the Ranger Buddies Eggs-pedition bingo card earn a Ranger Buddies sticker sheet and a spin at the Hot-Egg Balloon Gachapon. <\/p>\n PHOTO: MANDAI WILDLIFE GROUP<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Info: <\/b>Activities are free. Singapore residents enjoy discounted admission to Bird Paradise and Singapore Zoo at $39.20 for adults and $27.20 for children and students. Admission to Curiosity Cove starts at $43.20 for one adult and one child. To book, go to <\/p>\n str.sg\/M892<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Exploria is a 10,000 sq m immersive indoor attraction that turns science and nature into a full-on adventure, blending interactive tech, dramatic environments and wildlife stories across five themed worlds.<\/p>\n Realm of the Giants sends one back to the age of dinosaurs with towering sculptures and a 4D show.<\/p>\n ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n In the Micro Worlds zone, visitors meet magnified worms, ants, bees, slime mould and microscopic plankton. <\/p>\n Realm of the Giants sends one back to the age of dinosaurs with towering sculptures that are built to scale, with a 360-degree 4D show.<\/p>\n World of Darkness lets visitors feel their way through caves, tunnels and the ocean floor.<\/p>\n ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Infinite Wonderland takes visitors from rainforest canopy to coral reef, while World of Darkness lets them feel their way through caves, tunnels and the ocean floor lit up by bioluminescence. <\/p>\n The Bitdeer AI Extreme Frontiers zone throws visitors into simulated deserts, Arctic chill, high-altitude winds and a busy urban environment, paired with footage of animals surviving these extremes.<\/p>\n The Planet Awakens, Exploria’s light show, welcomes visitors as they begin their journey through the exhibits.<\/p>\n ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Info: <\/b>Standard admission is $38 for adults and $28 for children and students. Singapore residents pay $34.20 for adults and $25.20 for children and students. To book, go to <\/p>\n str.sg\/MHQs<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/picture><\/div>
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