What children can do :

Explore Nature

It is a place that allows the children to explore nature, see colourful flowers and gigantic trees, spot humming birds, and fishes and swans in the pond.  The scenic view is also able to provoke the children to have wild imaginations!

Children get to interact with the environment, allow them to generate ideas, raise questions and spark off creativity. For example at the Eco-lake, there are colourful dragonflies dotting on the various shapes and sizes waterplants and fish and tortoises swimming casually. There are also various types of cactus at the Sun Rockery Garden. 

There are several parks within Botanic Garden.  For example, at Lawn E, there is a Tembusu tree is very spectacular – it is a heritage tree and is featured on the Singapore Five-Dollar Currency Note and postage stamp. While exploring the various parks, it is interesting to look at the trees and feel the texture of the trunks. The variety of leaves and shapes of each type that can be found in the park is amazing.

The Singapore Botanic Garden is a great place for nature exploration and provide plenty opportunities and ideas for art provocation like:

1. Height of old trees, spread of branches, thickness of trunks, span of roots
2. Textures of different tree trunks
3. Different types of leaves, colours, shapes, single and compound
4. Flowers of different colours, petals shapes, sizes
5. Shadows created by the fall light/sunlight on the trees, plants

Appreciate Sculptures

This is a good chance to impart to the children the skill of art appreciation. We shall highlight 5 main sculptures in the article. The sculptures are done using different materials, like stone, metal wire and bronze, which can withstand weathering of rain and shine

From different angle of viewing the sculptures, you will get different feelings and views. Also at different time of the day due to the casting of the sunlight at the different part of the sculptures, you will too feel differently! For example, from one angle looking at the “lady on a hammock”, we thought the hammock was hung from the two trees next to it. 

The other interesting thing is that, the plants do play a significant role to create the right atmosphere to compliment the sculpture. (further elaborated in the individual art piece).  That also explains why the sculptures are placed in its current position. For example, the “girl on the swing” looked as if she was swinging in the lust of greeneries from a distance.

“Swing me mama” by Dominic Benhura, 1995 The sculpture captures the essence of the mother swinging her child and the child is enjoying every moment of it. One can actually picture the child is actually being swung in the mid-air. It shows the love and bonding the mother has for her child. Child at a young age likes to be swung and that is why the mother is doing it to make her feel happy. The sculpture creates a very warm and caring atmosphere. It also demonstrate the trust the child has for the mother as she knows that she is in good hand although the mother is swinging her try high and “hard”. These magnificent works of art bring a joyous emotion to the viewer.
“Passing of Knowledge” Victor Tan Wee Tar, 2003 The sculpture captures the essence of the seriousness in the passing and receiving ends. With an adult and child, one can also easily associate with teachers or parents passing knowledge to children. As the sculpture is placed in the Sun Rockery which gives a feeling of drought, the water makes me feel that it is very precious in the environment and makes one feel like treasuring every bit of it. The angle that the child holds his container is not aiming exactly at the spout of the water, which makes the sculpture more realistic as children of this built (about 4-5 years old) normally do not hold the container to be aiming too accurately.
“Girl on a Swing” Sydney Harpley, 1984 The sculpture is so mounted that to give the impression that of swinging out in the mid-air.  The sculptor was able to create an overall effect of great passion and the sense of freedom. At first, I was wondering how did the sculptor made the swing look hanging in the air.  The two metal chains were not secured to anything.  Then I realized that the base was the skirt.  The amazing thing is that the skirt looked flowy, like she is on the swing , there is a gentle breeze.  Everything seems light, free, and enjoyable. It reminds me of good old childhood days when I used to enjoy the swings too!
“Lady on a Hammock” Sydney Harpley, 1989 The sculpturer most probably wanted her to looked comfortable and confident sun-bathing without clothes.  She is being portrayed as being uninhibited and free from worries. It gives a feeling of peace, calm and relaxation.  The surrounding is very lush and green.  The girl on the hammock looks very relaxed; she looks like she is enjoying herself sunbathing at a resort.
“Girl on a Bicycle” Sydney Harpley, 1987 The bicycle wheels has no supporting stilts because she is riding very fast on a down slope. The girl riding on the bicycle down slope symbolize the carefree spirit letting the wind blowing at her. The sculpture gave me feeling of a happy girl riding on a bicycle. Her legs are not on the pedals, displaying confidence and strength riding down a spiral down slope. She enjoyed herself, enjoying the excitement of speeding down a slope.

During the visit, we noticed that the sculptures are attractive to young children who were particularly interested to touch and feel the sculptures as well as to look into the faces of the sculptures.  We even saw children sitting on the back of the sculpture “Lady on a Hammock” as if they were sitting on a swing!

Other than sculptures, there are a few interesting architectures, for example the gazebos and Burkill Hall. There is also a Swiss Fountain Ball which is constantly spinning due to the strong water pressure directed through the basal block.

Activities & Events

A rainforest tour is held on the 2nd Saturday on each month. Meet at the Visitor Centre at the following timings:
- 9.00am, 10.00am, 11.00am, 4.00pm

A free guided tour of the National Orchid Garden is conducted on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Meet at the Visitor Centre of the Singapore Botanic Gardens at the following timings:
- 9.00am, 10.00am, 11.00am, 4.00pm

The Education Outreach Department of the Singapore Botanic Gardens conducts workshops and tours for children, particularly during the longer school breaks. These tours are usually conducted in groups of 20-25 participants, children aged 5 and above can join in. Topics include pond life, plants, flowers, eco-garden, rainforest, and orchids.

For more details:
Tel : 6471-7361/ 6471-9961 (Educational Outreach)
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg

Other features

1. Swiss Ball Fountain It's a 700 kg ball that spins around due to the strong water pressure directed through the basal block 2. Swan Lake A 15-hectare lake near the entrance of the Tanglin Gate, where the children can have fun spotting swans, turtles and fishes. 3. Symphony Lake Center stage of the symphony lake is usually used for outdoor musical performances. Great for families to picnic and enjoy the music at the same time. 4. National Orchid Garden There are 1100 ochid species and more than 2250 orchid hybrids grwing here. Children typically enjoy working in the winding pathways.