Eco activities this school holiday

Nurture young Nature lovers this holiday!

Ever wondered where to bring your kids this hols? Look no further as Itchytraveller recommends some green-educational yet entertaining activities for your kids!

The school holidays are just around the corner and what better way for our kids to enjoy this holiday than experiencing a variety of wonderful eco-friendly adventures right here in Singapore! Here’s a chance for our kids to discover and at the same time develop their affections for Mother Nature. Furthermore this will help raise awareness among our kids of the imminent threats that our dearest planet is facing and will ultimately help them realise if nothing is done to save our planet, then there will ultimately be no more home for us.

With the rise of global warming, erratic weather conditions, and major catastrophes, it’s not too hard to realise that something is not right with our planet. Though many groups have campaigned to conserve and preserve our eco-system; fighting to defend our earth, there are still many who are apathetic as they assume that it is the environmentalists’ job to do so. However, we need to realise that saving our planet requires a collective effort and every individual plays a vital role!

Therefore, it is essential that the next generation learn from our mistake and if not all, hopefully majority of them will do their part to save what’s left of our planet Earth. From cultivating behaviours to developing characters, everything begins at home. Nurturing our kids to empathise with our environment is the duty of every one of us and since the holidays have come, this is a great opportunity for our kids to have hands on learning experience with our ecology.

So, here we have compiled a list of fun-filled, yet educational activities, fit for kids and families to embark on. Without further a do, here are some of the highlights to look forward to this holiday!

My First Garden in a Pot - A workshop
First up, we have a basic workshop that introduces your kids to the wonders of gardening. Here they are taught on the know-how of plant care. From seedling to plant, this workshop is suitable for all children aged 6 to 12. Here, potential green fingers are discovered! Best part of this workshop is that your kids get to bring their prized masterpiece home!

For more information or to register, please email Sunshine Sim at Sunshine_Sim@NParks.gov.sg
Date: Tue, 27 May 08
Time: 11am to 12.30pm
Venue: D Space. Pasir Ris Park (carpark E)
Fees: $10 per child

Nature Photography for kids @ Pasir Ris Park
Next, we have nature photography for kids. Here your kids will be given technical tips on how to make the most of your camera and personal insights so that they can produce a ‘picture that speaks a thousand words’. Also, a nature trail of pasir ris park mangrove will be included along in the package. However, just a word of reminder, cameras not included!

For more information about our activities or to register, please email Sunshine Sim at Sunshine_Sim@NParks.gov.sg
Date: 31st May
Time: 9-10.30am
Venue: Meet at interpretative centre
Fees: $25 per pax
Contact: Sunshine_Sim@NParks.gov.sg

Playing in the Park
In conjunction with the school holidays in June, a series of activities have been organised for kids. Located at different parks, these activities themed ‘Playing in the Park’ offer outdoor interactive plays/mini musicals. The kids will definitely enjoy themselves at the same time immerse in nature’s wonders. Don’t be surprised if adults get hooked too!
Date: Sat 7 Jun 08 - West Coast Park
Sat, 14 Jun 08 - East Coast Park
Sat, 21 Jun 08 - Pasir Ris Park
Time: 5pm – 6pm

Art of Paper Making workshop for kids
Nope it is not the ancient Japanese origami that we’re talking about here but rather here is a workshop teaching how to recycle deemed waste into wonderfully useful objects such as envelops, greeting cards, artwork and much more. More than just teaching workshop, this educational experience stimulates your kids’ creativity in a very exciting and fun way as it allows them to explore and experiment possibilities in transforming waste into products. Like the ‘garden in a pot’ workshop, you get to bring your artwork back home! Who knows your kids can even make money out of the recycled products!

For more information about our activities or to register, please email Sunshine Sim at Sunshine_Sim@NParks.gov.sg

Date: 13 Jun (Fri):
Time: 9-10.30am
Venue: D Space, Pasir Ris Park (carpark E)
Fees: $10 per child
Contact: Sunshine_Sim@NParks.gov.sg

Nature Walk at MacRitchie Prunus Trail
This every second Sunday of the month free-guided nature walk along boardwalks hugging the MacRitchie Reservoir, is one that should not be missed. Here both you and your kids will learn about this mature secondary, spot forest and aquatic wildlife, at the same time indulge in the panoramic views of waters surrounded by lush tropical greenery. What better way to be close to Mother Nature than to experience walking through it. However don’t forget to register, as you won’t be permitted to the guided walk without registering!

Time: 9.25am. Meet at entrance of the trail, about 50m after the canoe kiosk on the eastern side of MacRitchie Reservoir Park.
Tour duration: About one hour.
Website: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/
Contact: vanessa_chang@nparks.gov.sg or call 6554 5127.

Mangrove Walk at Sungei Buloh
If forest trail is not exactly your cup of tea, then there is always the mangrove walk to look forward to. This weekly Sunday free guided walk along the mangrove boardwalk offers a different view of Mother Nature. Instead of butterflies and plants you and your kids can spot mudskippers, crabs and other marine life! Furthermore you can learn a thing or two about our mangroves and their habitat at the same time enjoy views of the Johor Straits.

Time: 9.30 am (subject to availability of guides) for walk in guests, register at the Visitor Centre.
Tour duration: One to one-and-a-half hours.
Entry charges: While the walk is free, admission fees to the Reserve apply: $1 per adult, 50cents per child/student/senior citizen.
Website: http://www.sbwr.org.sg/
Contact: sbwr@pacific.net.sg or call 6794 1401

Free Stargazing at the Singapore Science Centre
If neither of the walks is appealing to you, fear not as there are still activities that are less strenuous, yet educational. Here at the Science Centre, you and your family can enjoy the amazing view of the night sky and the jewels beyond it. With The Science Centre Observatory unique position, which is one of the few observatories in the world, located next to the Equator, constellations in both the northern and southern celestial hemispheres can be observed and thus open up more vistas in the sky for viewers. However since Mother Nature is beyond our control, observation are weather permitting. In certain circumstances such as rain and cloudy skies, viewing may not be possible.

View the night sky at our free stargazing sessions every Friday night, 7:50pm - 10pm.

Time: 7.50-10pm
Venue: The Science Centre Observatory, near the Omni-Theatre
Website: http://www.science.edu.sg/
Contact: General enquiry 64252 500 or enquiry@science.edu.sg

With so many fun filled educational activities to look forward to this holiday, you won’t be lost for ideas to ‘edu-tain’ your kids. Furthermore these activities can be experienced as a family and as such provides you with an opportunity to know your family better. Also, this can provide an avenue to develop and nurture your kids to love Mother Nature and treasure the environment that we have been blessed with; and ultimately do their part to save our planet.
From recycling paper to using your own recycled shopping bag for grocery shopping, going green is the answer to winning the war against climate change.
With that I conclude my article and before I end, here’s a quote that is worth pondering over:

“It is good to realize that if love and peace can prevail on earth, and if we can teach our children to honour nature's gifts, the joys and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever.”