Singapore – An immersive holiday for children

For adults the island nation of Singapore is one of the busiest global business hubs worldwide. But, for children, it’s a fantasy wonderland with an endless list of enthralling sights and sounds which simultaneously educate and entertain – BHUMIKA K. A giant black slope lights up and bursts into flowers as you slide down a fruit and flower projection slide, birds feed on nectarine from your hands, dolphins wobble and wiggle before you or come kiss you, cable car rides take you across the sea to tempting islands, and you spend a day with dinosaurs and mummies, roller coasters and fairytales…! The stuff that dream holidays are made of. Most parents select and build their annual holiday plans around their children’s interests and activities. So like every summer, this year too we customised our annual holiday to suit our nine-year-old son. But unlike previous years we chose an international destination as a special treat and Singapore was the first choice. For adults the island nation of Singapore (pop. 5.6 million) is a clean, tech-driven shopper’s paradise and one of the busiest global business hubs worldwide. But, for children, it’s a fantasy wonderland with an endless list of enthralling sights and sounds which simultaneously educate and entertain. Here are the must places to visit if you are on a four/five-day family holiday to this beguiling destination. Singapore Zoo Spread over 26 hectares, the 24×7 Singapore Zoo is home for over 2,800 animals, including rare species of wildlife such as polar bears and sea lions. Cages and cramped enclosures are unknown in this habitat with wilder species housed in spacious, natural surroundings behind glass partitions. The feeding sessions when children can feed a rhinoceros or giraffe are a big draw as is walking amidst fruit bats. The zoo also houses the world’s first free-ranging orangutans and families can breakfast with them. The Night Safari, which was introduced in 1994, is also a huge attraction offering opportunity to sight rhinos, leopards, striped hyena and giraffe in near natural environments. Jurong Bird Park Asia’s largest bird park with free-flight aviaries is a treat. You can literally walk amidst the birds, hold a cup of nectarine for lories to feast on, wiggly worms for hornbills to come peck at, and watch amazing bird shows. Teeming with 600 rare, exotic avian species, it’s acknowledged as one of the world’s prime examples of conservation and bird life displays in natural settings. One of the indoor displays titled Magnificent Birds is a brilliant example of how museums can provide interesting visual information about avian life, and their interconnection with humans. You could also don the role of a palaeontologist and dig up and brush out mud to discover dino bones at one more experience in the park. For parents who believe fun and learning can’t possibly go hand in hand on vacation, Singapore is an excellent example of edutainment. Art-Science Museum For science and tech loving children, the ArtScience Museum is the destination to head for the most…