Tucked away at the NUS Bukit Timah end of the Singapore Botanic Gardens is a special garden. Opened to the public on Children’s Day on 1 October 2007, the Jacob Ballas Garden is Asia’s very first garden dedicated to children.

Filled with interactive installations and fun activities, this garden was designed to educate and develop a love for nature in children of all ages. Themed around the concept of “All life on Earth depends on plants”, the 2-hectare garden allows children to explore nature through touch, sight, smell and sound.  All the interactive play spaces have been designed with children in mind, and have been sized accordingly. So, the swinging suspension bridge is built on a smaller scale so even toddlers can attempt it with some help from parents.

Children will enjoy playing in 2 very different playgrounds – sand and water, so remember to pack a change of clothes and plenty of sun block! There is also a maze to explore, a swinging suspension bridge and log walk, and what is surely the highlight for most kids – a treehouse with some amazing slides to try out.

Admission is free and the Jacob Ballas Garden is open daily from 8am to 7pm. Closed on Mondays (except when it falls on a designated public holiday).