Move over iPads and computer games, old-school Enid Blyton books are making a comeback! And it’s easy to see why: kids, no matter what era, enjoy living vicariously through the adventures of the magical folk of The Magic Faraway Tree. Thankfully, you and your fam can experience the magic IRL down at Gardens by the Bay.
This June holidays, Gardens by the Bay’s holding a full-blown Children’s Festival @ Gardens by the Bay 2018 that’s based on the story of The Magic Faraway Tree. If that isn’t enough to rev you up, then their Begonia Brilliance is all ready to impress with vibrant colours of red, orange, and yellow begonias. Here’s what you can expect:
Gardens by the Bay has sweeping views of flowers and futuristic supertrees, but they’ve also got plenty for kids to see and do – and yes, that includes the fussiest of kids. Children’s Festival @ Gardens by the Bay 2018 is packed with activities and performances that are based on Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree.
In The Magic Faraway Tree, you’re meant to climb up a massive tree to get to different lands but they’ve made it all easier for you at Gardens by the Bay. If you’re into toys – which kid isn’t? – make sure to explore the Land of Toys where you can wind up toy soldiers so they’ll start clanging their cymbals and beating their drums.
Other lands will also have plenty to explore, especially when familiar faces like Moon-Face and Saucepan Man are making their rounds. Be warned: there’s an optical illusion at the Land of Enchantments. As you’re strolling through The Strange Woods, your body will disappear right before your eyes!
Once you’re at the Land of Nursery Rhymes, you’ll notice Little Miss Muffet eating her curds and whey. Since she’s deathly scared of spiders, kids can turn a reel to help move the spiders away from her.
Jumping in between lands can be tiring business, so stop over at the Land of Tea Parties. With rocking chairs shaped like donuts and seesaws like popsicles, it’s the ideal playground for those with a sweet tooth.
Similar to a mission, there’s also a Magic Leaf Booklet for you to complete while exploring each land. It comes with puzzles to put your sharp thinking to use. If you collect the colour rubs of four items scattered throughout the lands, you can receive a prize*.
*While stocks last daily
There’ll also be hands-on workshops at the Magic Makers’ Studio where kids will thoroughly enjoy themselves. After all, there are fun activities like the Skippy Cookie party where you can decorate your own cookies using colourful icing. For a souvenir to bring home, try making your very own slime or baking a galaxy-themed donut.
There’s also a workshop to make magical lemonade that’ll change colours from a vibrant purple to an electric blue.
Remember to register for the workshops online!
You can also look forward to a science-themed show from the Newton Show and a musical production by I Theatre. For more fun, get a Magic Pass ($12, U.P. $14) that’ll let you weave through a maze of mirrors and flashing lights at Enchanter’s Marvellous Mirror Maze, test out your shooting skills at Toy Fort, and try different candies at Candy Party.
Ticket Promotion: Redeem a FREE Singapore Resident Child ticket to One Conservatory ($8/child) when you present your Magic Pass from Children’s Festival @ Gardens by the Bay 2018.
When: 26 May – 10 June 2018, 10AM – 9PM
Where: Supertree Grove
Admission: Free
Take the chance to see plenty of blossoming begonias at Gardens by the Bay! The flowers at Begonia Brilliance are all in bright hues of oranges, yellows, and reds, so there’s no way you’ll be missing them.
There are more than 50 varieties here set to an underwater theme – don’t be surprised to see giant octopuses and clams in the midst of begonias. Colourful begonias are also placed around the tentacles of three large octopuses.
Rare begonias at the Secret Garden in the Cloud Forest.
If you want to know more, join in a guided trail around the Begonia Brilliance “ASK Me!” tour. It’s worth it since it just takes about 15 minutes or so before you can start spouting off horticultural facts about begonias.
When: 25 May – 1 July 2018, 9AM – 9PM
Where: Flower Dome
Admission: Admission charges to the Flower Dome
Guided tour
When: Daily, 11AM & 3PM (2PM – 5PM on 2, 3, 16, 17, 30 June and 1 July)
Where: Gather at the “ASK Me!” poster near the Flower Field
Bring your kids down to Garden by the Bay – heck, bring your entire family down. There’s something for everyone to see and do especially when they’re throwing a Children’s Festival based on one of our Enid Blyton favourites and a under-the-sea themed begonia bash with Begonia Brilliance.
Children’s Festival @ Gardens by the Bay ends on 10 June so make the most of the school holidays.
Gardens by the Bay – Begonia Brilliance
When: 25 May – 1 July 2018, 9AM – 9PM
Where: Flower Dome
Admission: Admission charges to the Flower Dome
Children’s Festival @ Gardens by the Bay
When: 26 May – 10 June 2018, 10AM – 9PM
Where: Supertree Grove
Admission: Free
This post was brought to you by Gardens by the Bay.
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