~ Jacob Ballas Children's Garden ~

Address: 481 Bukit Timah Road S(259769)

Opening hours: 8.00am - 7.00pm (last admission at 6.30pm)

- Closed on Mondays (except when it falls on a designated public holiday)

Admission: Free. (The garden is open to children up to 12 years old. All children have to be accompanied by an adult.)

Jacob Ballas Children's Garden (JBCG) is Asia's First Children's Garden located inside the Singapore Botanic Garden and was officially opened by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim on Children's Day itself.

Hubby & I decided to bring the children to JBCG since it is a Good Friday Holiday. Apart from looking at the flowers, fruits and various trees, there are many spots around the garden itself where the children can have some hands-on or interactive experience to be entertained throughout the trip. Families can also come here for a picnic or even hold a party event at their Party Place.

Here are some of the main attractions:

• Suspension Timber Bridge - Excitement and Fun on the hanging bridge
• The Magic of Photosynthesis - Interactive exhibit on the way plants make food with sunlight
• A-Maze-ing Play - Maze garden made of twits where children go through different twists and turns to get to the exit
• Potting Garden - Planting of seedlings
• Sensory Garden - Observe and experience plants through smell and touch
• Tree House - Built around Indian Banyan trees with slides, ladders and nets
• The 'Living' Classroom - 4 classrooms where learning programs are held
• Floating Platform - step foot on the floating board and obseve the water plants from there
• Water Play - water area where children can cool off from the heat and have some splash

Toilets in JBCG are clean and dry. There are also water cooler units outside to quench our thirst after a walk. It is all designed and built just fit for the children. Very child-friendly indeed.

Gladys had a difficult time on the bridge. The bridge was moving too much (thanks to Daddy) and she was so scared that she has to hold on to my hand tightly. Denver on the other hand wants to have a 2nd round! :p Straight ahead is the cave and that cheered Gladys up a bit.

Tunnel of Fragipani - Beautifully made. While taking a short break under the Mushroom Shelter, you can also learn about the nutrient cycle and decomposition.

The Floating Platform is one of Denver's favourite spot because he getes to step on the portion of the platform that is floating and moving slightly. Gladys is scared but she does not want to be left behind! Denver Gor Gor to the RESCUE! Holding his little sister hand to take her on board. SO sweet! ^_^

This is a 100-year-old Pometia pinnata tree and it has a Gigantic trunk. Beneath it are all covered with dry leaves. I spotted a label indicating "Dancing Plant" at the Sensory Garden and quickly took out my mobile phone to play some loud music. Unfortuately, I couldn't locate which is the plant as none are dancing (moving). :( Well, at least we saw a Touch-Me-Not and the children touch the leaves with their hands for fun.

If Floating Platform is not enough, the children definitely enjoyed the Maze. It is a small and simple maze but they went through so many twists and turns. Hahaha.. Daddy took the video and probably confuse Denver with too much of his talking. :p

The weather is Super Hot today and the children are so happy to make themselves ALL wet in the waterplay area. Splish, Splash... Get ready an additional set of clothes if the children are coming here for water fun!

At the entrance of JBCG, there is a kid'z Cafe where there are bright and colourful small chairs for the children. Families can take a seat, catch some rest and enjoy the food, snacks or drinks to replenish their energy before heading home.