Puzzle Pieces For Kids

Puzzle Pieces For Kids

We played with these simple but engaging puzzle pieces for kids on a recent visit to Changi Airport T3.

These puzzle pieces for kids could be found at basement 3 of terminal 3. At the time of our visit, a good crowd of kids and their parents were engrossed in playing them.

Shift the 8-piece puzzle pieces for kids and try to form a complete picture. Sounds easy but until when you try it gets a bit tricky. Certainly worth exercising some grey matter to solve the puzzle.

Photograph of Puzzle Pieces For Kids:

The puzzle pieces for kids are a great idea to attract children's and parents' attention to the mini-exhibition provided by the National Heritage Board. Items were drawn from Peranakan Museum and The Asian Civilisations Museum.

However, I think my kids were more focused on trying their hand at solving the puzzle pieces for kids, then reading about the history of those necklaces and other museum exhibits.

Have you played these puzzle pieces for kids?

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Playground On A Cruise

Playground On A Cruise

Photograph: Playground On A Cruise

This was the destination that took me close to Resorts World Sentosa during the June school holidays.

If you visit this playground on a cruise early enough, there will not be many other visitors. You will need to board the cruise early in order to get this playground all to yourself. Imagine having all these playground on a cruise to yourself and family.

Have you seen this playground on a cruise ship in Singapore?

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Photograph: Resorts World Sentosa

Photograph: Resorts World Sentosa

Here is a photograph of Resorts World Sentosa taken on a recent visit to an unrelated destination.

Photograph of Resorts World Sentosa.

As a destination without its Gaming component, I think Resorts World Sentosa has enough family-friendly sights and sounds to interest everyone in my family.

With attractions like Universal Studios Singapore, Festive Walk, Marine Life Park (opening after 2010) and Maritime Xperiential Museum (opening after 2010), Resorts World Sentosa ought to generate enough buzz for the entire family.

I will likely wait for the all attractions to be ready, and for the crowds to thin out before visiting Resorts World Sentosa.

Have you paid a visit to Resorts World Sentosa?

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Water Works, Singapore Science Centre

Water Works, Singapore Science Centre

This is a photograph of Water Works, Singapore Science Centre. It is a water-themed park and fun playground for kids to get creative at play.

Picture of Water Works, Singapore Science Centre:

If you make a visit to the Water Works, Singapore Science Centre for a half-day of fun, bring spare clothes. Be prepared to get wet for a splashing good time.

Have you or your kids played at Water Works, Singapore Science Centre?

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Singapore Farm Visit For Kids

Singapore Farm Visit For Kids

My search for a Singapore farm visit for kids brought me to a child-friendly place in Pasir Ris, Singapore. Earlier last year, I made a visit to try its popular 'longkang' fishing amenities. On my second visit with my kids this recent school holiday, I discovered more of its farming fauna and farm charms.

Singapore Farm Visit For Kids Photograph 1:

Before you get different ideas about this farm, let me share that this place is more of a prawn fishing and fish rearing farm. Other farm creatures that appear here at this farm site are not the primary reason most visitors congregate here.

However, to farm-starved kids (and adults) in Singapore, this is as close to live animals and live creatures that residents on our little island can get to, short of visiting the Zoo or Bird Park or a pet shop or wet markets of the past.

For a sampling of these farm creatures and farm animals, take a look at the photographs taken at this Singapore farm that kids will enjoy on any visit.


Singapore Farm Visit For Kids Photograph 2:

Singapore Farm Visit For Kids Photograph 3:

This Singapore farm is suitable for a  visit by kids and their families. It is located at Mainland Tropical Fish Farm, No. 1 Pasir Ris Farmway1 at the eastern corner of  Singapore in Pasir Ris.


Do you have any Singapore farm to recommend for kids and families to visit? Share with Seen This Scene That in the comments section below.


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Places To Visit In Singapore

Image: Heading towards places to visit in Singapore.

Places To Visit In Singapore

Where are the good places to visit in Singapore? Before I can recommend the places to visit in Singapore, I would need to consider many factors relating to you, my reader.

The most important consideration will be your personal interests. What kind of places to visit in Singapore can make your heart flutter? What kind of places to visit in Singapore would elevate your spiritsn?

Are you looking for places related to Arts and Culture, Music and Entertainment, Sightseeing and Attractions, Business and Trade, Nightlife and Pub Crawl, Food and Drinking, Shopping, the Outdoors or even more?

As all of you have diverse interests, I shall write based on my own personal viewpoints and interests.

My approach to answer this question on the places to visit in Singapore will be to assume that I have an overseas couple with young kids who are coming to town for a week-long stay. Assuming this family has a reasonable travel budget, shares my interests as chronicled in Seen This Scene That and have never stepped onto our shores, I will make these recommendations on the places to visit in Singapore.

The Touristy Places To Visit In Singapore

Pick one or more from this list of places to visit in Singapore. These are the well-conceived, well-maintained, big-budget, blockbuster attractions that many tourists want to see, and many good hosts want to showcase, before our guests leave our shores.

The gloss and glamour may be blinding but these top-class places to visit in Singapore are made-in-Singapore and have become a binding fabric of our heritage. I offer them here as an option for our overseas visitors to decide on how many of these places they would like to visit and see.

Sentosa Island
Singapore Zoological Gardens
Singapore Bird Park
Heritage & Museums
Singapore Science Centre
Singapore Discovery Centre
Orchard Road Shopping


The Heartland Places To Visit In Singapore

Here’s a list of places to visit in Singapore that are found in the heartlands and outlying areas of Singapore. These places to visit in Singapore will show our visitors how residents on this Little Red Dot live their lives, beyond the concrete jungle in down-to-earth reality.

Singapore Parks and Gardens
Park Connector Networks
Reservoir Parks
Coastal Walks & Beaches
Nature Trails & Reserves
Animal& Vegetable Farms
Pulau Tekong and Island Hopping
Mall or Neighbourhood Shopping


I am sure you will have your own personal preferences that are not listed on my list. Where were the places that you brought your overseas guests to visit? Would you like to share some of your preferred places to visit in Singapore?

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Fun Places In Singapore

Photo: Does this look like a fun place in Singapore to you?

Fun Places In Singapore

Singapore offers many fun places for citizens, permanent residents and foreigners to visit. On Seen This Scene That, I have written up on many of these fun places that I've seen during my travel around Singapore. New readers are encouraged to browse through my site for an idea of the fun places that I've shared so far.

Where are the fun places in Singapore to visit that really stir my heart? My list of fun places in Singapore depends on seasonal interest, prevailing mood, family members' preferences and the amount of available time to travel around the island.

Here is my list of fun places in Singapore:

Fun Places With Animals
My kids, as well as many other children, like to interact with animals. Whether parakeets, ponies, horses, guppies, prawn, terrapins, goats, cow and other animals, they love them. If possible, they want to bring them home into their bedrooms for keeps. Me? No difference from my kids except for the animal take-away idea: too much maintenance work to perform after the initial euphoria over the pets is long gone.

Fun Places With Open Spaces
Living in a concrete jungle trains one to adapt to confined spaces. But once in a while, I find a need to venture into wide spaces without low ceilings and recycled air-conditioning. Thus parks, park connectors, beaches, gardens and outdoor green places rank high on my list of fun places in Singapore. Most of these places also come with amenities like jogging tracks, cycling paths, roller-blading, in-line skating, BBQ pits and camping grounds.

Fun Places With Playgrounds
These fun places will have plenty of children friendly activities and amenities. The neighbourhood outdoor kids playground and fitness corner are the most convenient fun places in Singapore. Indoor playgrounds are also sprouting in many shopping centres and buildings nowadays. HDB residents, condominium dwellers and private estate residents should have little difficulty reaching out to such fun places with playgrounds for happy and fun family outings.

Fun Places With A Family-Friendly Focus
When looking for fun places in Singapore to visit, I often consider if these places come with activities and programmes that interest all family members, from the young to the elderly. Events in museums, monuments, stage shows, exhibitions or shopping centres that appeal to the family would attract my interest. These places need to be fun not just for me, but attractive for the entire family.

Fun Places With Me
What about the fun places in Singapore that appeal just to me? I would say those places would be all of the above plus the many other cool places in Singapore that I’ve yet to explore. When I see it, I will know if there’s a fun angle for appreciation. My passion for places of interest in Singapore, whether offbeat or mainstream, will lead me to uncover those fun places eventually.

While some of you who share the same interests with me would agree on my selection of fun places in Singapore, many others would prefer hip and happening places in Singapore to be fun, or sporty and rugged places to be fun, or old and nostalgic places to be fun.

My avid readers, regardless of your inclinations, I shall explore more fun places in Singapore on my travels to share with you on Seen This Scene That.

But before that, here are two questions. What are your favourite fun places in Singapore to hang out and why?

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Fun Things To Do

Fun Things To Do: Sentosa


This school holiday, bring your kids to Sentosa for a host of fun things to do.

During Sentosa Summerfest from 30 May 2009 to 28 June 2009, a family-friendly event filled with fun things to do will take place on the sandy shores of Palawan Beach, Sentosa.

What are the fun things to do at Sentosa that will keep children happy and leave parents without worry?

Looking through the Sentosa Summerfest programme, it looks like the many fun things to do will involve sand, sun, parents and lots of fun.

Children can look forward to Woof Ball, Super Soaker Shootout, Bubble Zone, Foam Pool, Dunk-a-Parent and many more fun things to do during the Splashing Good Times period (from May 2009).

During Sport Good Times from 20 May 2009, the family can enjoy fun things to do with Paddle Boats, Rock Climbing and Giant Pick-up Sticks.

During Sandy Good Times from 6 June 2009, its more hands-on fun thing to do for the kids at Sand Sculpturing, Sand Art, Sand Sculpture Displays and more.

From 13 June 2009 during Smarty Goot Times, skills testing will be the fun thing to do with activities like Music Explorer, Green Detective, Giant Puzzle, Fun with Butterflies & Insects, Young Mappers Drama Adventure and Sport Stacking.

For a grand finale on 27 June and 28 June 2009, the whole family look forward to Magic & Puppet Shows, Palawan Boogie Finals, lots of Carnival stalls with food / drinks and Stage performances like no other.

You can enjoy all these fun things to do for free (for most items) at Palawan Beach during these school holidays, except that Sentosa entry fees apply as usual.

You should familiarize yourself with the detailed programme and event timings for a list of all the fun things to do at Palawan Beach on Sentosa. Visit Sentosa web page for the fine print.

Wait no more. Go find some fun things to do now!

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Fun Free Places For Kids

Fun Free Places For Kids At International Museum Day 2009 Celebration

Image NHB's IMD 2009: No need to fly overseas to look for fun free places for kids.

Are you looking for fun and free places to bring your kids for a visit? Why not take a look at the various museums and activities around Singapore during International Museum Day (IMD) 2009 celebrations from 23 May 2009 to 31 May 2009.

This year's IMD 2009 theme is 'Holiday Fun at Home!'. With a strong emphasis on families and kids, IMD 2009 aims to instill a museum-going culture especially among families with young kids.

The list of fun and free places your kids can enjoy is impressive. During the 10-day long celebration, you can expect activities like puppet and storytelling performances, art and craft workshops (doll making, clay sculpture) and an interactive playground for young children.

Inspiring events like a Chinese culture medley, Chinese calligraphy, martial arts and dance, paper lantern making at the Asian Civilisations Museum, a healthy ice-cream making at Healthzone, fun adventure trails at Baba House and the National Archives of Singapore, and the “I Can Guide” programme at the Peranakan Museum, which trains children to become museum guides of their own peers, are there for all to enjoy.

On Open House Days, the public can gain free entry into the nooks and crannies of our museums for some fun at our world-class exhibitions. Besides all NHB museums, families can visit for free the Marina Barrage, NEWater Visitors Centre, Malay Heritage Centre and red dot Museum on 31 May. Senior citizens can join in the fun as well as they receive free entry to all NHB museums, Fort Siloso on Sentosa and the Malay Heritage Centre on 25 May.

There is also a fun SMS contest to win free 3-Day Family Passes worth $50 each. Details of this contest can be found at the International Museum Day 2009 website.

If you are looking for fun free places for your kids and family to get together, consider visiting the museums and other attractions in Singapore during this International Museum Day 2009 celebration.

For more fun free places for your kids to visit, check out IMD 2009.

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Singapore Kids Places

Singapore Kids Places

As a parent with kids, I like to bring my children to places in Singapore that they enjoy. One of these Singapore kids places I'll recommend is at Marine Cove, East Coast Park, Singapore.

Photo: One of the Singapore kids places' playthings.


These Singapore kids' places in East Coast Park are located between carpark C2 and carpark C3 along East Coast Park Service Road.

Marine Cove at East Coast Park is a commercial development that specialises in food and beverage businesses. There are many good eating places, restaurants and pubs, including the ubiquitous MacDonald's restaurant, to cater to various taste buds and budgets.

The core attraction for my family are the kids places to hang out, not the food and drinks, although we do enjoy dining at Marine Cove. Our favourite spot at Marine Cove is really beyond the bread and butter buildings.

Photo: Outdoor theme park is a suitable Singapore kids place.

It is the mini outdoor kids' theme park that attracts us at this Singapore kids place. After dark, the excitement becomes palpable at this kids' place when the flashy lights, spinning wheels and children's screams come alive.

We love the good old miniature 'Singapore Flyer' here at a corner of this Singapore kids' place. Before the days of high technology and record-breaking heights, Ferris wheels that I sat in my childhood were of sufficient thrill by themselves. My kids can now get their turn to enjoy the same thrill as I did in this place.

The kids' carousel is another delightful horse-riding experience for children. The kid's ride at this Singapore kdis place may be short but going around in circles can send kids into a vertiginous high.

If your kids love challenging rides at such Singapore kids places, let them try the 'Viking'. This boat-like contraption swings like a pendulum and will surely make their hearts fly as high as their hair.

For a more down-to-earth kid ride, there is a miniature roller coaster ride at this Singapore kids place for the faint-hearted. Don't worry for your kids' safety as this ride resembles a slow train ride that does not rise more than two feet above ground.

Other attractions at this Singapore kids' place include an arcade hall that has games suitable for young kids and the young at heart. There is also a pasar malam or night market that sells interesting items including tidbits, fashion accessories and toy racing cars for kids and kids-at-heart.

For more Singapore kids places, visit blogspot friend Milly's Singapore Kids Places, a blog I follow via Google reader.

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Related posts:
1. Cattle places in Singapore for kids to visit.
2. Dragon fruit places in Sg for kids to see.
3. Singapore kids places for fishing.
4. Singapore kids places for prawning.

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Kids Fishing Places, Singapore

Kids Fishing Places, Singapore

Photo: One of the kids fishing places in Pasir Ris.

I took my kids to one of the kids' fishing places in Singapore at Pasir Ris recently. You can find this kids' fishing place at Pasir Ris Farmway 1, located at the junction of Pasir Ris Drive 3 and Pasir Ris Drive 12.

The name of this kids' fishing place is called Mainland Tropical Fish Farm. Potholes litter the road that leads to it. Space is available for cars to park on the premises.


We bought tickets at $4 per kid at this kids fishing place. The price includes a pail and a net, which you must return upon completion. You get to keep all longkang fishes caught during the 30-minute longkang fishing session.



The longkang at Pasir Ris Farmway 1 was a long snake-like concrete depression that had decorative plants and pebbles. An overhead net provided some shade against the sun without blocking off the breeze.

Photo: The catch at this kids' fishing place after 5 scoops of the net.

My kids enjoyed their longkang fishing at this kids fishing place. The primary reason was their ease in achieving a bountiful catch. There were several reasons to account for the good longkang fishing outcome.


I found that the small-sized nets provided at this kids fishing place were made of sturdier wires. This allowed quicker scooping action. There also appeared to be more longkang fishes like guppies and swordtails at this kids fishing place, compared to other locations that we had experienced. On that morning of our visit, we had no fishing competitor as there was no other family with kids around.

Our outing to this Pasir Ris kids fishing place was an enjoyable and successful longkang fishing trip. I think we will return soon for another fishing attempt to fill up our pails with more longkang fishes.

Related posts:
1) Longkang fishing in Kranji (1)
2) Longkang fishing in Kranji (2)
3) Kids fishing place at Bottle Tree
4) Fishing place for kids at Sungei Tengah

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Prawn Fishing Singapore

Image: Hungry for prawn?

Prawn Fishing Singapore

Children and adults who love prawning or prawn-fishing should be familiar with these prawn-fishing places in Singapore. For others who might like to take up prawning or prawn-fishing as a leisure activity, I hope this list of prawn-fishing places will come in useful.

The selected list of places for Prawn-Fishing in Singapore is presented here.

(1) Bishan Prawn Fishing
Address: 603, Sin Ming Avenue
(Bishan, near Nature Park Golf Driving Range)
Prawn fishing rates
$15.00 - 01 hour
$25.00 - 02 hours
$30.00 - 03 hours
$90.00 - 10 hours (9 +1)

(2) Jurong Hill Prawn Fishing
Address: 241, Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim
(near Jurong Bird Park)
Prawn fishing rates
1 Hour - $15.00
2 Hours - $25.00
3 Hours - $30.00
10 Hours - $90.00

(3) Pasir Ris Town Park Prawn Fishing
Address: Pasir Ris Town Park
Prawn fishing rates
$13 per hour

(4) Pasir Ris Farmway Prawn Fishing
Address: Pasir Ris Park Industrial Coast Park 2
Prawn fishing rates
$12 for hour
$24 for 2.5 hours
$36 for 4 hour

(5) Punggol Prawn Fishing
Address: 600 Punggol Seventeenth Avenue, off Punggol Road
(at Marina Country Club)
Prawn fishing rates
$15 for one hour session
$25 for two hours session and
$30 for three hours session

(6) Yishun Prawn Fishing
Address: 81 Lorong Chencharu (Yishun)
(at Bottle Tree Park)
Prawn fishing rates
$14.50/hr
$29.00/2.5hrs
$43.50/4 hrs

Prawn fishing rods and bait are included in the rates. Kindly note that the listed prawn fishing rates are subject to change without prior notice. Some prawn fishing spots may offer special prawn-fishing rates during promotional periods.

At certain prawn fishing places, barbecue pits are provided for friends and family members to enjoy a prawn bbq get-together. According to my sponsor, if you develop rashes after eating prawns, you can should consult a skin doctor in Singapore to get a proper diagnosis.

These prawn-fishing places in Singapore are just a few that I've come to know about. Personally, I haven't tried all these prawn fishing places yet, although some were seen some time age. If you know of any new prawn fishing places in Singapore, let me know.

Enjoy your prawning sessions!

Related posts:
1) Fishing places in Singapore
2) Prawn Fishing at Pasir Ris Farmway

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LongKang Fishing Singapore

LongKang Fishing Singapore

I had wonderful memories of longkang fishing days during my childhood. In those days, I used to visit a longkang fishing place behind my old primary school in Margaret Drive.

So whenever I discover a longkang fishing place, the rush of joy is immense. More so when the object of my desire was accidentally discovered on a visit to D'Kranji Farm Resort in Singapore's Kranji countryside.

The last time I brought my three children to do some longkang fishing in Singapore, it rained. When I visited this longkang fishing place in Singapore, it rained again.

Perhaps that helped to explain why the longkang fishing pond was deserted when we arrived at D'Kranji Farm Resort. It could also be that this longkang fishing place was too new to register on the mind of our populace.

When I saw the kampong house at D'Kranji with the longkang fishing signpost, I was half-expecting a natural muddy stream or pond behind this kampong house when I reached this longkang fishing spot.

However, it was not the same longkang fishing paradise that I had experienced in my childhood. Instead of a muddy stream flanked by wild plants that I used to hunt for small longkang fishes, a man-made hole in the ground, plastered with concrete greeted us.

This figure-of-eight hole in a concrete floor had new paint, smoothened walls and shallow floors. Two islands of concrete in the longkang design raised the degree of difficulty for kids bent on catching longkang fishes. A small plot of plants was used as decoration on one of this island.

Image: Longkang fishing charges.


The good thing about this longkang fishing place in Singapore's Kranji wilderness is the open rustic space surrounding the pond. Large tracts of land are used for small-scale plantations. The aromatic smell of a natural environment is a pleasant surprise that reminded me of my scouting days spent camping outdoors under a canvass tent.

In between longkang fishing sprees, you can grab some traditional snacks and light refreshments from other kampong houses. You could also stretch your tired backs and aching legs by taking a stroll around the vegetable plots, herb garden, paddy field and fruit plantations, to name a few, within D'Kranji.

Image: As the rain subsided, this longkang fishing place sprang to life.

If you haven't tried this new location, consider this longkang fishing place for your children's school holiday programme. If you have fond memories of your own longkang fishing days of old like me, re-live those sweet moments with this modern-day version of longkang fishing in Singapore.

Related posts:
1) Longkang fishing in Kranji (1)
2) Longkang fishing in Kranji (2)
3) Kids fishing place at Bottle Tree
4) Fishing place for kids at Sungei Tengah

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Magical Places In Singapore

Photo: One of the magical places in Singapore.

Magical Places In Singapore

The Singapore Science Centre has magical places in Singapore for children and their families to explore. In Magic: the Science Of Illusion exhibition, halls have been transformed into magical places to learn about the secrets of magic.

The exhibit includes a theatre, 27 interactive exhibits, and put-yourself-in-the-picture magical experiences that runs from now till end of February 2009.

Of the various exhibits, here are some rather magical ones to consider. In "Illusion of A Disembodied Head", learn how to magically remove your head from the rest of your body and then place it back again without any permanent side effects.

In "Illusion of Levitation", check out the secrets on how to magically lift your body up into the air without any obvious mechanical assistance.

If your kids are the hands-on type, let them attend the Magician's Training Academy to learn the ropes of a magician based on math and psychology principles.

At the Abracadabra! Theatre, daily afternoon magic shows will entertain kids and the young-at-heart. Watch magicians perform their magic tricks and show you the impact of magic.

This magical place at the Singapore Science Centre is not an illusion. Parents with kids should give priority to bring the family there for fun and learning.

Admission charges apply.
See Magic: The Science of Illusion webpage for more details.

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Fun Places To Explore Singapore

Fun Places To Explore Singapore
I am thinking of fun places to explore in Singapore for the year-end school holidays. The usual places for shopping and eating in Singapore have become jaded, lack pizzazz and the fun x-factor. Could Explore Singapore! 2008 be the answer to my search for a different place to explore that’s fun, new and family-friendly?

I looked through the list of 80 fun activities and 27 places to explore in the National Heritage Board’s Explore Singapore! 2008 (Let’s Have Fun). These Explore Singapore! events start on 20 November 2008 and stretch until 7 December 2008.

These are my preliminary short-list of fun places to explore in the Explore Singapore.

1) HungryGoWhere.com Big Eat Out!
I think I might join Mark Lee, Singapore’s likeable celebrity comedian, for a special personalized tour of the Peranakan Museum on 22 November 2008 from 2pm to 3pm. I’m planning to see what witty humour he has up his sleeves during his Mandarin presentation as a museum guide.

I may also take the opportunity to sample tasty cholesterol-laden hawker food like the Hill Street Char Kway Teow or the Hock Lam Street Beef Noodles in the name of Supporting Heritage from the 30 stalls at the Flea Market.

Hopefully can sit next to Mark Lee to see if he picks his teeth like in his Ah Beng persona or if he clears his plates like a good celebrity role model. If I miss the chance to meet him, perhaps I’ll check out the cale-fare face painter and balloon artists present on that day as back-up entertainment for my kids and I.

Date: 22 November 2008
Place: Peranakan Museum
Discounted museum admission: $2 per person (Usual: Adult: $6, Concession: $3)

2) Wrap! Festival
I think the must-see mouth-watering attraction at the Wrap! Festival must be the fun-filled drumming performance by the world-famous Nanta from Korea. Integrating Korean traditional drumbeats into a western-style pop concert, NANTA bursts on stage into a kitchen where four cooks are preparing a wedding banquet. While cooking, they transform kichen items like pots, pans, dishes, knives, chopping board, water bottles, even brooms and each other into percussion instruments. The NANTA show has toured 250 cities in over 30 countries and was the first production from Korea to run on Broadway in New York.

Other cultural shows that deserve my support include a Dikir Barat performance and groovy music by Jack and Rai from EIC. I believe my kids will also have loads of fun watching a magic show by magician Jeremy Pei. Elsewhere at the Wrap! Festival, a bouncing castle, face painting and balloon twisters should keep my family entertained.

Date: 7 December 2008
Place: Asian Civilisations Museum
Fees: Discounted Museum Admission: $2 per person (Usual: Adult: $8, Concession: $4)
Inclusive of a special magic show in the galleries at 2.30 pm.
Desserts sold separately.

3) Nostalgic Fun at Sentosa
I may also consider bringing my children to Sentosa, Imbiah Lookout place for hours of fun. It would be useful to acquaint us on how to play traditional games like dragon beard, ice balls, gasing (spinning tops) and goli (marbles). Family bonding will benefit when we play Pick-up Sticks, Snakes & Ladders and Happy Family.

Date: 20 November 2008 to 8 December 2008
Place: Sentosa Imbiah Lookout
Fee: Free

4) Magic: Science of Illusion Exhibition
Another worthwhile place to visit for a day of fun would be at the Singapore Science Centre to learn about magic and the science of illusion. I’ve always been curious to learn the secrets of magic tricks and magic shows featuring levitation, disembodiment and mind reading. This would be a great time to pick up the answers to these magical secrets, especially when there’s a discounted rate during the Explore Singapore! Promotion.

Place: Science Centre Singapore
Promotion valid from 22 Nov–7 Dec
Adult: $7, Child: $5 (Usual: Adult: $9, Child: $7)
Discounted rates upon presenting the Explore Singapore! Brochure for up to 5 persons per brochure.

5) Superheroes Rock!
At my previous visit to the 8Q SAM, I wrote about how Batman, the superhero, could not attract my kids to visit the museum. Looking at the Singapore Philatelic Museum’s effort to teach science from Superheros like Batman (again) and Spiderman (new hero to my kids), perhaps I should consider recommending this place to my kids. The fun activities that they offer like deciphering codes, looking for clues and escaping the laser maze may just be enough to convince them to visit.

Date: 2 December 2008
Time: 2pm to 6.30pm
Place: Singapore Philatelic Museum
Fees: $45 per child (age 8-10)

There are many other wonderful activities and events to suit many interests at Explore Singapore! 2008. The complete NHB’s Explore Singapore! 2008 details are on the web.

The ‘thinking’ part is now done. I should start to arrange for the ‘doing’.

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Fun Places To Visit Singapore: Bottle Tree Park

above picture: one of the fun places to visit for longkang fishing

Fun Places To Visit Singapore: Bottle Tree Park

If you have been looking for fun places to visit in Singapore, for children and adults, look no further than Bottle Tree Park located at 81 Lorong Chen Charu in Yishun. At the recommendation of fellow blogger yg, I brought my children and wife to visit and examine if this was worthy of being considered one of the fun places to visit in Singapore for children and adults in our all-work-and-little-play lifestyles.

This park that is open daily for free entry has a wide ‘rojak’ collection of fun places to visit with various recreational amenities. From my three children's point of view, the following are their favourite fun places to visit for ‘playing’, listed in descending order of desirability: Long Kang fishing, prawn fishing, children’s playground, Swan Pedal Ride, wooden swing, vegetable farm, Other activities and facilities like the freshwater fishing pond, seafood restaurant, café, Paintball shooting range, bullock cart and a majestic Bottle Tree were not even on their fun-places-to-visit radars.

My own observations of this fun place to visit at the time of our visit revealed that the most popular fun activity was 'longkang' fishing followed closely by prawn fishing. I could see packed crowds of children at the longkang fishing area. The kids were rushing after fishes, competing in shin-deep longkang water with one another. Their hurried chase in catching fishes could have stemmed from the fear of missing out on the action before all the longkang fishes were caught. Even after the next top-up by the longkang fishing owners, they were still working in overdrive mode. Some even had their parents and maids to help increase their bounty. The longkang fishing station is open daily at $10 per child (for tank and net) from 9 am to 12 midnight.

Next to this hive of long kang fishing activity, I noted that the prawn fishing area attracted a sizeable fun crowd but with more decorum and less noise. Although packed with adults seated under cool shade, there was a more refined display of skillful prawning action. The subdued prawn fishing atmosphere here was a sharp contrast to the longkang fishing scene, with patience honed into a fine art as everyone focused intently on his or her own line and bait. To me, it appeared unfortunate that this fun prawn fishing station tested each individual's prawning skill severely as I did not see many successful catches.

There are small plots of vegetables cultivated under protective netting that make this one of the fun places to visit in Singapore. The absence of labels for the various vegetables and plants impeded visitor education. For kids and adults who believe that Singapore does not grow its own vegetables, a visit here could open eyes. Vegetables are available for sale within the premises.

Fishing enthusiasts may count this as one of the places to visit in Singapore. There is freshwater pond fishing at $35+ per day from 8am to 5pm on weekends and public holidays only. You have to bring your own rod and baits to catch fishes like Toman, Patin and Pink Tilapia.

Adults will consider this one of the fun places to visit in Singapore if they like Paintball, a game involving live paintball ammunition and moving or stationary targets. As a National Serviceman who fired live rounds during military exercises, I was tempted to refresh my shooting skills at the Paintball Shooting range. However, the lack of time, family members’ disinterest and not being in proper attire (like my NS Number 4 uniform) convinced me not to try. Perhaps if any of you, my dear readers, have tried, kindly share your experience.

This is one of the fun places to visit in Singapore if you like to sample a little of everything at one place without having to travel all over the island for separate activities. If you are a serious hobbyist who only likes to specialize in one particular activity, like freshwater fishing or even prawn fishing without any disturbance from noisy kids, there may be other better locations.

Activities available:
Map available at Bottle Tree Village page.
All prices subject to change:
Long Kang Fishing = $10 per child (under twelve years old)
Prawn Fishing Farm = $13.50 per hour. Cheaper rates if longer.
Pond Fishing ($35+ per day)
Swan Float Rides ($9 per 15 mins)
Children’s playground (free)
Wooden swings (free)
Paintball Shooting (charges apply)

Tags: Longkang fishing, fishing, prawn farm, fun places to visit


You may also like these fun places to visit:
1. Other Fun Places For Kids to Visit

2. Long Kang Fishing series

3. Animals, Farms In Singapore

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Jacob Ballas Children's Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens

Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens

Other than privately owned children’s playgrounds in condominiums and childcare centres, the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden of the Singapore Botanic Gardens must stand out as the only major public children’s playground to possess its own entrance gate and a plethora of security personnel. Beyond its high-security look-alike set-up with its own perimeter fence guarded by a turnstile, the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden of the Singapore Botanic Gardens located off Bukit Timah Road is Asia’s first children’s Garden and a fun place to learn about life sciences.



With a wonderful collection of fun playthings with the right amount of educational fun, children will generate memorable fun moments during a visit to the Singapore Botanic Garden’s Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden. On an area map of this place in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden is divided into many sections. Click here for a map of Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden. There are attractions like the Waterplay Area, Plants Recycle Area, the Magic of Photosynthesis and the Potting Garden that children will enjoy.


Of all these attractions, the Tree House must rank as the most beloved item in our family. Nestled among the branches and leaves of a tall tree, Jacob Ballas Garden’s most distinguished tree house is a dream-come-true for children who have never laid eyes on one. My wife enjoyed her time on the sturdy wooden planks too, on the pretext of escorting our children up the tree house. Two tunnel slides, painted bright red, allow kids to vroom down from three-storeys high like a soon-to-appear Singapore Grand Prix Formula One (F1) racer. Adults may also use the slides without shame (to test the slides before the kids take their turns) as the construction appears as tough as it looks.

The other must-try item is the Suspension Bridge made of rope and wood that straddles across a small pond. This miniature suspension bridge will test children’s sense of balance as they attempt to walk across a wobbly swinging bridge.

The Kids A-Mazing Play area, made of plant hedges, is another favourite play zone for my kids at Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden. Getting lost and chasing voices around a maze seems like a fun activity no kid can run away from. The lesson on photosynthesis comes alive in another section of this Singapore Botanic Garden enclave where children get to learn how sunlight, carbon dioxide and water is turned into nutrients for plants. The traditional Sandy Pit where children can get their hands dirty is a sure-fire crowd puller.

Washing facilities are top notch at Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden and a small café on site serves beverages and convenience food with tables for a family meal. A carpark is situated just outside the entrance to the Children's Garden.

This garden is definitely highly recommended for families with children.

Jacob Ballas Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens

• Opening Hours = 8 am to 7 pm. Closed on Mondays.
• Only children less than 12 years old allowed.
• Adults must accompany all children.
• Npark's SBG website
• Admission free

Read more, see maps of Botanic Garden.

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Fishing Places For Children To Visit In Singapore: ‘LongKang’ Fishing Pond In Sungei Tengah

Fishing Places For Children To Visit In Singapore: ‘LongKang’ Fishing Pond In Sungei Tengah

Smitten with the thrill of ‘longkang’ fishing at a Kranji fishing place earlier in June, we visited another ‘longkang’ fishing place at Qian Hu Aquarium in Sungei Tengah as my children clamoured for more during this June holiday.

Qian Hu needs no introduction for Singaporeans who dabble in shares on the Stock exchange of Singapore. This listed company is a major producer and exporter of tropical fishes. Their aquarium and fish farm at Jalan Lekar, off Sungei Tengah, has several ponds to amuse local visitors who come for longkang fishing, feet-cleansing routines and aquarium fish shopping.

Qian Hu’s ‘longkang’ is tucked away in a corner of the main building that sits on the left as you walk down the sloping road from its main entrance. This fenced-up open area for ‘longkang’ fishing has a concrete pond of uneven depth, between 1 to 2 feet with a series of shallow canals connected into a maze. There are sheltered benches for child minders to rest as they watch over their children.

Their ‘longkang’ fishing policy is to charge children less than 12 years old $5 each for half hour of fishing. You get to keep all longkang fishes that you manage to catch, plus the plastic container allocated to you. However, the fishing net has to be returned and exchanged for a container lid to seal your container of fishes for the journey home.

The small rectangular nets attached to a flimsy handle made longkang fishing challenging. Through trial and error, we learnt that you could succeed in catching fishes in several ways. The first way is to hold the net near the surface of the water, aim at your target, then swing the net down and scoop up your catch. This method generates a lot of unwanted splash and success depends on the speed and the distance of the fish from the water surface.

The other more refined way is to use stealth. Put the net under water close to the side of the longkang and trail your target with the net. When the fish swims between the net and the side of the longkang, capture your target by pushing the net against the side of the longkang. Then scrape the sidewall as you lift up the fish sticking to the net out of the water.

As a last resort, if all else fails, use the plastic container that was provided and leave it under water with its opening facing one direction. From the other end, use your net to chase fishes along the canal and hope that one or two will swim into the container. Once the fishes are inside, you have to lift the container out of the water quickly. I am sure you can think of other ingenious ways to help your child succeed in longkang fishing.

At this ‘longkang’ fishing pond, there are two round shallow ponds under shelter where patrons pay $10 to get their feet cleansed by a special breed of fish. Users remove their footwear, sit on the rim of the pond and dangle both feet to allow fishes to chew away dead skin cells. We did not try this feet cleansing routine, as the thought of fishes biting our lower limbs was as unappealing as the sharing of water filled with other people’s unwanted skin tissues.

There are also mature fruit-bearing chiku trees on this property. Children can learn to recognize the chiku tree and receive opportunity to touch the fruits, bark and leaves. A pond filled with terrapins sat near one corner and those keen may feed them at their own pleasure. Elsewhere, there are many fish farm tanks full of exotic ornamental aquarium fishes, goldfishes and koi fishes. Of note are the expensive Arowana fishes, housed in a darkened room, that visitors can come to appreciate their aesthetic value.

This is another fun and interesting fishing place for kids to visit in Singapore. For older Singaporeans pining for a return to the good old days of long kang fishing, this fishing place is one of those nostalgic places to relive the memories. For the younger generation, this is one place to learn why longkang fishing was the craze during their parents or grandparents time.

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Related Reading:

Kranji Long Kang Fishing

Prawn Fishing Farm

Related posts:
1) Longkang fishing in Kranji (1)
2) Longkang fishing in Kranji (2)
3) Kids fishing place at Bottle Tree
4) Fishing place for kids at Sungei Tengah

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An Afternoon Outing To Palawan Beach, Sentosa Singapore

An Afternoon Outing To Palawan Beach, Sentosa Singapore

Despite being wary of crowds, we visited Palawan Beach, Sentosa Singapore on a cloudy weekend afternoon for a June holiday excursion. Fortunately, our senses were not overwhelmed by the feeling that tourists from all corners of the globe had descended on this piece of shoreline billed by Singapore’s tourism gurus as “continental Asia’s southern most point”. Compared to the mind-boggling queues at Sentosa’s Impiah Station where popular attractions like the Sentosa Luge, Sentosa 4D Magix, Sentosa CineBlast, Images of Singapore and Cable Car Arrival Plaza were congregated, visiting Palawan Beach was a more sedate family-friendly affair.

Cross the long narrow wooden rope bridge that barely accommodates two slim adults standing side by side and you will reach an isle that houses two observations towers. Made-of-wood and unlike sky-high counterparts like the fictitious Twin Towers in J. R. Tolkien’s The Two Towers or Kuala Lumpur’s Twin Towers, the twin peaks on Palawan Beach are easy to climb. There is an interconnecting bridge that allows visitors to cross over to the other tower around its mid level.

The reward for scaling about four levels high is a panoramic bird’s eye view of Singapore’s Sentosa shoreline. To the east, I could make out the perimeter fence to the Sentosa Dolphin Lagoon Show and hear the commentator’s voice as the Dolphin Lagoon Show progressed. Towards the Sentosa’s main land, construction work is close to completion for the new Capella Singapore hotel. To the west, I could just make out the image of the gigantic Merlion sculpture and the Sky Tower. Off the coast of Sentosa, you will note the reason why Singapore has the tag for the busiest port of call in the world.

Next to these towers is a six-feet tall concrete sculpture. Sculpted in the name of Sentosa and tagged with ‘southernmost point of continental Asia’ catchphrase, this man-made marker is a magnet for fastidious visitors to Sentosa who require their obligatory family photograph to demonstrate unequivocal proof of their visit.

The waters of Palawan Beach on Sentosa are fairly litter-free although underwater visibility is only two to three feet. Ample space along Palawan Beach, covered by soft powdery white sand, allows many visitors to make merry by the water’s edge. Two lifeguard towers sit prominently on Palawan Beach, while two lifeguards per tower stand in brightly coloured attire on their shift.

After some serious beach games, visitors can head to the Kopi Tiam foodcourt for comfort food and replenishment. Children can play outside this food court at an open area with free flowing waterspouts in a fountain. There are several pubs and restaurants along Sentosa’s Palawan Beach that can satisfy Palawan Beach visitors looking for a more elegant dining experience.

Nearer to the pavement along Palawan Beach, a small cactus garden added a surprise finding to the beachside landscape. As I noticed cyclists and pedestrians ambling past these prickly thorns, I wondered about the danger posed should unfortunate cyclists or pedestrians stray off the pavements. Continuation along this pavement towards the west will lead to the Animal & Bird Encounter and Palawan Amphitheatre.

If you drive to Sentosa’s Palawan Beach, prepare to pay $2 per passenger (adult and child) plus another $2 for car entry. A carpark, situated close to Palawan Beach, offers cheap convenient parking space at $1.07 per entry, inclusive of GST. If you don’t mind walking, you can park further away at Tanjung Beach near the eastern end of Sentosa for free.

For map of Sentosa, check this link to Sentosa map here.

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Fun Places For Children To Visit In Singapore

Fun Places For Children To Visit In Singapore

Recently, an avid reader of my blog Seen This Scene That asked me for a list of suggestions on fun places to bring her two children (seven-year-old and twelve-year-old) for a fun-filled learning visit. Several others had earlier enquired about such fun places for their children to visit as well.

While I do not profess to have seen all available sights and fun places for children to visit in Singapore, I shall compile my recommendations on children-friendly / kids-friendly places around Singapore. These fun places to visit based on my children’s personal experiences and recollections. This list of fun places for children to visit in Singapore is by no means definitive, and may be updated over time and as circumstances change.

Here’s the recommendation on fun places for children to visit in Singapore that your kids may also like:

Pony riding and feeding at Pasir Ris Park
This perennial favourite of my children is truly an activity made in paradise. A visit to Pasir Ris Park near the MRT station in White Sands in eastern Singapore will allow your children to admire, touch, feed and ride ponies in a stable that’s open to the public. All these activities are free of charge, except for the pony fun rides and formal riding lessons. [read more]

Milking And Feeding Animals (Goat) In Kranji
A touch of Australia exists in Kranji, Singapore’s northwestern outpost in the form of farms created by Singaporeans for residents and tourists. Let your kids grab this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hand-feed and milk goats as you familiarize your children with the sight and smell of these cute animals. [read more]

Fruit & Vegetable Farms In Kranji
Get your child to unlearn the belief that fruits and vegetables grow in supermarket buckets. Bring them to a real fruit or vegetable farm in Kranji to see how water from the soil reaches the growing parts. Let kids discover for themselves the real deal that can be turned by a good chef into a great meal. [read more]

Singapore Botanical Garden Kids Corner
Surprise your children with the diversity of flowers, herbs and plants at the Kids Corner of the Singapore Botanic gardens. Let them be entertained and enchanted by the amazing samples hidden around the sprawling gardens. This park is known as Jacob Ballas Children's Garden, a great place for children (where adults need to be accompanied by children) to visit in Sigapore. [read more]

Newater Visitor Centre
This national treasure cum entertainment complex is a high-tech mouth-watering experience that children and adults must visit to believe. Be educated on the four taps of Singapore’s water supply and learn water-saving methods for immediate money-saving application in your homes. Receive a free bottle of Newater for each child who visits by appointment. [read more]

Adventure Playground At West Coast Park 3
This playground in a park along West Coast Road is a popular hangout for children and older kids. Many opportunities exist for the adventurous child to tackle the challenging exhibits in a fun-filled activity. Even young-at-heart adults have been spotted acting crazily while trying to overcome the obstacles in this adventure play land. Another one of the fun places to bring children to visit in Singapore. [read more]

Sand Castle-Building at East Coast Park And Other Beaches
Singapore has numerous beaches with clean sand for children and younger kids to display their sand castle building talents. Choices of good beaches include East Coast Park, Pasir Ris Park, Changi Beach Park and Sembawang Beach Park. East Coast Park has Singapore’s longest stretch of sandy shoreline that is easily accessible by bicycle, roller-blade, in-line skate, bus, taxi and private cars or on foot. [read more]

Plant Nursery Learning At Bishan Park
Increase your child’s knowledge and appreciation for all plant things big and small at this plant nursery with more than 100 species of herbs, plants and flowers. Hands-on lessons are conducted on regular first Saturday mornings of each month. [read more]

Nature Walks at Lower Peirce Reservoir And Other Reservoirs
Strengthen your kids’ leg power and stamina as you bring them to explore the hiking routes available at Lower Peirce Reservoir. The boardwalk, located at the edge of the reservoir offers a safe way to witness the flora and fauna of the reservoir’s primary rainforest habitat without getting wet feet. [read more]

Prawn Fishing in Pasir Ris
Numerous prawn ‘farms’ exist in Pasir Ris estate such as at the Pasir Ris Town Park, Pasir Ris Farmway 1 and Pasir Ris Farmway 3. Let your child pick up a new skill while learning about patience as they try to bait live prawns for supper. Feed your hungry stomachs at a barbecue on-site with your successful catch, if any. [read more]

Edutainment At Singapore Science Centre
Learn how electricity, light, sound and theory can be used to impress your children to no end for a fun-filled outing to the Singapore Science Centre. Slated to shift to a new location in Jurong Lake soon, come visit the only educational center that combines play and learning into a family friendly activity that the majority of Singaporean school-going children grew up with, before the present site disappears for good. [read more]

Singapore Zoological Gardens
All kids will love seeing the exotic animals in this mega-mall of wild life creatures. How can any child resist the invitation to watch animals perform on stage, or come into close interaction with farm creatures? In a highly urbanized place like Singapore that has almost no habitat for wild animals, this is the only place to catch a glimpse of the Savannah’s “Big Five” without leaving on a plane.

It has been difficult for me to trim the long list that I have into a shortened version without serving injustice to the many other wonderful places that are not mentioned. I am sure some of my fun places may not be fun to you, or the list may differ from your expectations. If you feel strongly that there is another worthwhile sight, activity or fun place of interest to visit, kindly add your comments to share with the greater community. You could also email to me: seenthisscenethat [at] yahoo [dot] com [dot] sg.

Join me in exploring our island for more interesting and fun places of interest for children to visit. I shall update this list whenever I discover exciting new destinations.

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