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| Millipede-notice the colour (yellow & black) |
I have heard so much about Jacobs Ballas Children's Garden. Both children had been there during school's field trip, but this is my first time. Happen to find out about 'Big Eyes Big Minds-Singapore International Film Festival and bought the tickets that include a guided tour at Jacobs Ballas.  |
| Cotton Plant |
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| Curious Cieran! |
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| Banana tree! |
We have a little challenge finding the exact location, nonetheless we arrived around 10.15am which is 'on time'! (Our tickets are for show starting at 10.30am)We watched several short films made by, and for children from countries over the world. It lasts about 30mins. Next, we started our guided tour by Uncle Loo. Well, maybe brother Loo, coz he looks young to be called uncle. The tour is very educational. Not just the children, I have learn something new as well. The first stopover was an introduction about root plants. Loo showed the children tapioca plant with
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| Both are sweet potato plant |
leaves that shaped like our ' palm of five fingers'. It's really a visual pleasure, as the children can relate better under Loo's comical explanations. It's also very hands on where children get to touch the tapioca and looking at pictures Loo have in his bag. There's also sweet potatoes of which several children raised their hands that they had eaten before. Loo explained the 2 colour differences between the sweet potato plants and it's interesting to find out why. Afterwhich, he showed the children millipede which he spotted and picked up from the
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| Calabash fruit |
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| Cieran checking on the calabash seeds |
soil. He explained further that millipedes are harmless and not poisonous. In fact, the millipedes are 'superheroes' for the garden as they feed on dead leaves, and their poos are great fertilizers for the plants. I am amazed that Cieran was brave to touched it! As for Ashley, it was after much encouragement and demonstration from me (actually I am quite scared too. Just putting on a brave front, coz the sight of this worm looks so eeee. ), she finally builds up her courage and touch it as well. It feels rough as the millipede is closing its
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| Painting using Calabash seeds |
'protective cover' as it senses danger and curl up. Loo mentioned that in insect world, color yellow and black means danger, thus predator will keep away when they sees these colours, and the millipede will be 'protecting' itself like this. What useful information! :-) Next, we were introduced to cotton plant. An interesting facts about the flower of cotton plant. It was white in colour as you see it. However, when a bee or butterfly 'visited' the flower, it will turns pink! Loo also showed us a rather large fruit call Calabash, also know as the 'lipstick plant'. People uses the crust to make musical instruments or containers. The calabash has red color flowers and its seeds can be very useful too. This is because the seeds produces red ink. Look how the ink can be used in painting. After showing the useful plants that provides
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| An earthworm |
'colourings', Loo caught sight of an earthworm and showed it to the children. He also explained that an earthworm is another superhero in the garden, of which it helps to loosen the soil on ground. Again, Cieran went on to see how does an earthworm feels like! He told me it was slimy. Haha! What a brave boy!
Next, we went to the spice corner where Loo showed us laksa leaves, pandan leaves which we commonly use them in cooking. Children also have some fun on 'touch me not'
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| Exploring 'Touch Me Not' plant |
plant. Cieran was astonished to see how the leaves close up when his little fingers touches them. I truly enjoyed watching their tremendous curiosity at work! Before the end of the tour, Loo showed the children a baby dragonfly. Not to mention it was the first time children see a baby dragonfly, it was my first time too! Loo explained that when it was a baby, it was a harmful creature in the garden. The baby dragonfly will eats on the roots of the plants, causing the plant to die. But when it grows up, it will contribute to the ecosystem by helping plants to pollen. We learn some useful facts again. The
whole tour enlighten us and it was definitely an educational trip. The next few hours, we spent exploring the garden on our own. The kids learn a little about  |
| Cheers for getting it right! |
the props. An engaging props indeed!
Ashley and me also walked into a maze and we are unable to get out... haha! Eventually, we cheated and walked backwards to the entrance.
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| fungus found! |
As we walk along, we discover some fungus growing on the trunks and Ashley gets over the moon as she recently
learn about fungi in school. We spotted few that are large, few small, and of different colours. What a discovery! As we walk deeper in the garden, the children's face lit up! There's a tree house playground withs and pit. Immediately they ran off after approval from me that they could go have some fun. Children's joy are easily satisfied with. While the children play, Jeremy and I sat by the bench relaxed. There's quite a handful of Caucasians enjoying the sun tan. We had a wonderful time at Jacobs Ballas Children's Garden and will surely be back again!
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| We have a GREAT time! |
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