When one thinks Mandai Wildlife Reserve, images of hanging out with its furry, feathered, and even scaly inhabitants often float to mind. However, waving hello to the zoo’s exotic animals is not the only thing you can do here this September.
If you’re looking for a reason to swing by, mark your calendars for the upcoming Wild Day Out at Mandai Wildlife WEST. Entry is free; it’s a bustling sustainable marketplace, complete with family-friendly workshops plus activities that even your pup companions can join in on. Here’s what you can expect:
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
Located right at the doorstep of Bird Paradise, Wild Day Out will be happening on the weekend of 7th and 8th September 2024, from 1pm-6pm. Feel free to let your pooch tag along for this one, as there’ll be a few activities lined up for them as well.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
Near Bird Paradise’s entrance, you’ll be greeted by the sprawling Wild day Out Marketplace, and sustainability is the name of the game here. The market will be chock-full of sustainable lifestyle products, such as natural, non-toxic soaps from Plural Supply.
Image credit: @amberartgallery via Instagram
Pet lovers and their doggos will have a field day here too, as vendors like Feed My Paws will be selling drool-worthy, organic handmade treats. Do make a stop at Amber Art Gallery’s booth as well; they specialise in commissioning life-like custom oil paintings and pet portraits, perfect for hanging up at home.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
Of course, the humans will get their fair share of goodies too, as there’ll be on-site food booths offering artisanal goods and bakes. Cool down with Greek yoghurt popsicles from Power Pops, or munch on Mia Tavola’s tiramisu creations. You can also sip on some locally produced kombucha by Aboocha, and dabao Oatbedient’s premium oat milk for tomorrow’s breakfast.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
You can also do some grocery shopping right here, as UnPackt will be selling a wide range of fresh produce at discounted pricesto keep yourself hydrated throughout the day.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
Once you’ve had your fill of the market, have a go at Wild Day Out’s various hands-on activities. For starters, swing by the brilliantly-named Vincent Van Paw Paw Painting workshop ($30/pax). This adorable 30-minute workshop will see you and your pet working hand-in-paw to create a unique masterpiece, along with precious memories to be treasured forever.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
While the creative juices are still flowing, head over to The Paw-sitivitiy Wall. Here, your pups can dip their paws in non-toxic, pet-friendly paints in order to leave their mark in the form of colourful paw prints, accompanied by messages and well wishes from their owners.
If your pets just can’t sit still, let them run wild at the event’s Pupstacle Course. It’s made up of tunnels, jumps, weave poles, and balance beams; see if your four-legged companion has what it takes to clear this fun little number.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
When it’s time for a breather, catch one of the Paws & Chats pet talks. These are conducted by Mandai experts, and they’ll be going over topics like the importance of enrichment for animals, as well as science-backed training methods if your furball is on the mischievous side.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
For some family-friendly fun, try your hand at a 45-minute DIY Terrarium workshop (from $20/pax). Both kids and adults can enjoy putting together a lush, self-sustaining ecosystem enclosed in a glass container, and bring home their pretty creations afterwards.
There’s also a quick DIY Animal Keychain workshop ($10/pax) which runs for about 15 minutes. You’ll create a customised trinket, adorning it with animal charms, of which there are 40 to choose from.
Should you be visiting with a lively little one in tow, sign them up for the free Wild Day Out Scavenger Hunt, which sees them scampering about the playgrounds of Mandai Wildlife WEST.
They might even snag exclusive prizes, like tickets to Bird Paradise and Mandai retail vouchers. These prizes will be up for grabs for all participating families too upon completing the hunt, via a sure-win lucky draw.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
Do drop by for a Soft Toy Cleaning Workshop (from $40/pax), which can prove to be insightful if your child or furkid tends to rough up their favourite plushie on the regular. Conducted by expert soft toy doctors from Soft Toy Hospital, you’ll get to bring home a cleaning kit after the workshop.
For more fun in the sun, chope a slot for the Discover Nature’s Colours Through Loose Parts Play workshop. This free, interactive parent-child session will teach you how to engage your child in wildlife-inspired activities when you’re roaming the great outdoors.
Other than their tasty creations, the kids will get to bring home a chef’s hat and apron, along with refreshments like a COLLIN’S Pina Colada and a pot of hot tea.
Image credit: @collinsgrille.sg via Instagram
There’s also the Kids Pizza Making Workshop by COLLINS (from $48/child) to keep their hands busy. Parents are more than welcome to join in too, as the whole fam works together to whip up a 10-inch pizza.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
If you’re a beauty guru, you might find the Espresso Elegance: Coffee Scrub Workshop to be intriguing. You’ll be taught how to craft your own coffee beauty scrubs, which harnesses the invigorating properties of coffee grounds to rejuvenate the skin.
Other kid-centric activities include a Book Thrift, where children can trade in pre-loved titles for new ones to add to their home library.
Finally, wind down for the day with a mellow Story-Telling Workshop ($28/child) by A&W with local author Maureen Yeo featuring her newest book, Classroom Critters: Birds Let Loose!. Register your interest here before 6th September 2024; tickets come with a signed copy of the author’s book, plus an A&W Beary Meal, a tote bag, and a surprise toy.
For more information, do visit the Wild Day Out at Mandai Wildlife WEST website for the full list of workshops and activities.
If you’ve not visited the Mandai Wildlife Reserve in a hot minute, consider this your cue to plan a trip down sometime soon. There’s even free parking at Mandai Wildlife WEST from 6pm-12am daily, so feel free to stay on to grab dinner here when your bellies start rumbling in the evening.
They’ve got a whole slew of dining deals to take advantage of after 6pm, so be sure to fuel up at joints like Birds of Paradise Gelato Boutique & Sandwich Bar, Han’s Union, and Old Chang Kee Coffee House.
This post was brought to you by Mandai Wildlife Group.
Cover image adapted from: Mandai Wildlife Group
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