Jacob Ballas Childrens Garden doubles in size to become largest childrens garden in Asia

Over 100 programmes to be held over two weeks as part of the Singapore Botanic Gardens’ Children’s Festival

The National Parks Board (NParks) today opened the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden extension at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. With the new two-hectare extension, the Garden doubles in size to four hectares, making it the largest children’s garden in Asia. The new extension includes attractions and programmes geared towards youngsters up to 14 years old, enabling them to learn about a range of eco-systems. Prior to the extension, the Garden catered to children up to 12 years old.

To celebrate the opening of the extension, NParks is organising the first Singapore Botanic Gardens Children’s Festival for children to experience the new attractions, and families to enjoy a series of fun-filled activities together over two weeks in November. During the two weeks, visitors will get a taste of the full range of educational programmes that the Gardens offers for children. Minister for National Development and Second Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong officiated the opening of the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden extension and launched the Children’s Festival this morning.

Highlights of Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden extension

The new two-hectare extension in the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden is designed to help the young understand the ecology of plants through nature play and experiential learning. Together with a range of educational programmes, the Garden will cater to youngsters up to 14 years old and enable children of different ages to play together. This year marks the 10^th anniversary of the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden. Many children and their parents have enjoyed interacting with nature in the Garden since it was first opened in 2007. With the new extension, children who have played in the Garden when they were younger can continue to enjoy the attractions and activities that it has to offer.

The extension comprises four new zones which allow children to experience and learn about different eco-systems: Farm, Forest, Stream, and Orchard. For example, children who visit the Farm zone will have the opportunity to interact with fruits and vegetables and learn about growing their own edibles and making compost. Inclusive play equipment in the Forest zone will also support play between children with and without special needs.

Key amenities in the existing Children’s Garden have also been upgraded to support and complement the range of activities that will be conducted in the extension. The extension is partially supported by a $1.9 million donation from the Jacob Ballas Estate and Friends; and other fundraisers.

Singapore Botanic Gardens Children's Festival

Families with children can look forward to the first Singapore Botanic Gardens Children's Festival held over two fun-filled weeks from 11 to 26 November 2017. From performances to food and games, the festival has a host of activities lined up for children of all ages at the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden and around the Singapore Botanic Gardens. These include educational programmes and fun activities where children can discover more about nature through play, craft, storytelling, investigations and walks. Visitors can also enjoy festival activities, performances, carnival game booths and movie screenings at the Eco-Garden, as well as specially created horticultural displays.