Pick a Park and Pitch a Tent!
If summer CAMPS are not your kid’s cup of orange juice how about CAMPING? Leave the air-conditioned indoors and head outside to enjoy nature at its best. Singapore has several beautiful national parks with ample camping sites where your kids can learn to pitch a tent like a pro, build up a rock collection and appreciate the wildlife around them. We’ve even added a few unusual camping sites. Take a look.
Just a stone’s throw away (no pun intended), from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, East Coast Park is very popular and populated with aficionados of all sorts including bikers, swimmers, skateboarders, scooty riders and more. Once you are done pitching your tent in any one of the two areas where camping is allowed, namely Area D and Area G, you are ready to begin exploring your surroundings. Enjoy a soak in the sun, a swim in the sea, a short bike ride around the 185 hectare property or a lazy walk to the nearest hawker centre. Once night falls and most of the people leave for their homes, your camping trip will really kick in as you head back to your cozy tent. Lull yourself to sleep listening to the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks. To begin all you have to do is apply for a camping permit from any AXS station or you can do so online.
If you are a camping novice and slowly want to introduce yourself to ‘roughin’ it,’ head out to West Coast Park. Unlike its massive 180-hectare counterpart, West Coast Park comprises of just 50 hectares of which a big chunk is composed of various play areas for kids of all ages. Be sure to check out the Grand Lawn where many a kite will be fighting for the highest point in the sky. When the kids’ arms get tired from climbing the 2 storey tall rope pyramid in the centre of the playground, give them a break and rent a bike to go for a spin on a bicycle obstacle course at the eastern end of the park. Don’t forget to re-energize your body with lots of water. What about food you ask? Be sure to bring your own large package of healthy goodies otherwise the golden arches of McDonalds will be your only savior. As evening comes and the crowd begins to thin, head to an open space within Area 3 to pitch your tent for the night and get ready to count the stars. To begin all you have to do is apply for a camping permit from any AXS station or you can do so online.
Offering a bit more distance and tranquility than its afore-mentioned friends is Pasir Ris Park. Encompassing over 70 hectares, Pasir Ris Park boasts its own carefully preserved mangrove forest. Bird enthusiasts can take an educational walk on the several trails leading up to the 3 storey Bird Watching Tower where they can get up close and personal with the inhabitants. Pitch your tent in Area 1 or Area 3 and then head out to enjoy one of the many activities the park facilities has to offer, including pony rides, water sports, cycling and inline skating among others. When your stomach starts rumbling, fire up the BBQ. When you’re done for the night, roll down the tent door and crawl into your warm sleeping bag. To begin all you have to do is apply for a camping permit from any AXS station or you can do so online.
Cicada Tree Eco-Place – Family Nature Camp
If your family is filled with outdoor buffs who have already camped in all of the above and are looking to break some new ground, luck has come knock knock knockin. The non-profit organization Cicada Tree Eco-Place is offering a 2-day 1-night camping experience in the wild natural setting of Pulau Ubin. Suitable for families with children (6-12 years), this adventure will not only be a great bonding experience but also introduce the ways of kampung life. Enjoy guided nature walks, and dinner under the stars as you share scary stories over a bonfire.
Now here’s a fool-proof way for kids to put down their iPads and head outdoor for some fresh air. Hosted by social initiatives Sprouting Seeds and WOW Kampung, there are half day and full day camps where kids will get a chance to both lead and participate in nature explorations around town. They will learn how food is farmed and prepared before it’s served. Activities encouraging creative arts, movement and mindfulness will take place. Let them take part in a learning journey, which will strengthen their minds, bodies and hearts.
An Evening in the Wild – Night Safari
Everyone dreams about taking that safari expedition through the plains of Africa. What if we tell you we can give your families a little teaser while you’re right here in Singapore? All you have to do is trek to the Zoo Night Safari and get ready to be up close and personal with the park’s 1,000 wildlife residents. Let the Ankole cattle graze by your feet, take an exclusive guided tram ride, allow exotic animals to lead you along the lake campsite, and top it all off by enjoying a 3-course gourmet dinner inside Singapore’s first tipi tent. Welcome to glamping!
Sleep with the Beasts – Singapore Zoo
Another staycation in Sentosa? Boring! Make your next one exciting and unusual by camping out under the stars in the Singapore Zoo surrounded by not only your family but also the entire zoo wildlife. See the zoo under a completely different light. Enjoy behind-the-scene tours by well-informed staff, prepare to roast marshmallows over a roaring bonfire and then unroll your sleeping to prepare for scary story time!