With the commencement of Phase 3 Heightened Alert, this may be a good time to check out some places for a little bit of fresh air. Instead of the usual haunts you might normally take your kids to, why not try something a little more unconventional but just as fun? Here are 5 local farms to visit with your kids.
1. Fire Flies Health Farm
Did you know that we have our very own organic farm right in Singapore?
Fire Flies Health Farm is one of the few organic farms in Singapore that prides itself on its organic farming practices. Their motto “Eat with a Peace of Mind” translates to growing clean and fresh food in an all-natural environment, which helps their fireflies that need an environment free of chemical and light pollution to thrive.
As a result, they don’t use any fertilizers, not even chemical ones nor animal waste. Instead, they use compost such as rock dust, molasses, and seaweed – all which enhance the mineral content and energy of the soil. In fact, their farm is so natural that reviews on Google have even cited fireflies clustering at the edge of the farm!
Learn and follow the process of growing a plethora of organic produce, such as vegetables, local herbs, fruits, legumes, and more. Plus, each visitor gets to choose their own product of choice and to take home and try! Consider bringing a basket or a reusable bag as they have a wide variety of fresh produce to choose from.
Location: 62 Lim Chu Kang Lane 2, Lot 75, Singapore 718838
Visiting Hours: Monday to Friday, 10am – 5pm
Entrance Fee: Free
Read more and enquire about their farm here.
2. Hay Dairies Goat Farm
If your child loves fuzzy creatures with hooves, you’re in luck. Most of us may remember visiting Hay Dairies Goat Farm at least once in our childhood, but now is the time to rehash that experience for you and your kids. Having been around since the 1920s, Hay Dairies Goat Farm has a long history of raising all sorts of animals from poultry to pigs. They currently have over 80 years of experience and specialise in raising and taking care of goats.
They have two different types of tours available. If you’re looking for a more relaxed weekend, you can embark on their free and easy tour, though you are encouraged to come between 9.30am to 10.30am to view their goat milking session up close and personal. From there, you may roam around the farm at your own pace, be it purchasing Alfalfa hay to feed the goats or even purchasing fresh goat milk directly from the farmers! Their free and easy tour is completely free, though do come early as the place gets packed on the weekends.
Embarking on their educational tour gives you a more in-depth tour of the farm, such as learning about the history of the farm to befriending the various personalities of their lovely goats. Each visitor under this package comes with a bottle of fresh goat milk, a Hay Dairies cotton bag, and a packet of Alfalfa hay to feed the hungry goats.
Location: 3 Lim Chu Kang Lane 4, Singapore 718859
Visiting Hours: Monday, Wednesday to Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Entrance Fee: Free
Educational Tour: $7.49 per person (inclusive of GST)
For more information on their farm visits, click here.
3. Qian Hu Fish Farm
Do you remember the first time you caught a longkang fish? The endless waiting while crouching over rocks, balancing over streams, and feeling the thrill sloshing through the stream and catching your first fish are now coming back to you. At Qian Hu Farm, you can relive the same magic alongside your child with their own longkang fishing experience.
Bring your kids down to Qian Hu and let them experience the same excitement and joy of catching their own fishes, bringing them home, and caring for them. Each 30-minute session costs $6 per person, while a one-hour session costs $10 per person.
As your child hops about catching fishes, you can catch a breather at their Fish Spa. Dip your feet into the Garra Rufa fish pond and let them nibble away the dead skin cells at your feet. The fish spa provides natural exfoliation while washing away the stress of the day. Each session is about 30 minutes for $10 per adult and $5 per child and senior citizen. Subsequent charges of $0.30 apply for every minute.
After a day of activities, explore the farm and take a gander at the variety of bright and brilliant fishes housed at Qian Hu Fish Farm. Currently, their guided tour package is not available, but you are highly encouraged to explore the grounds and admire the gorgeous creatures.
The best part? There’s a free shuttle bus available that will take you from Keat Hong Community Centre to the farm every day, from as early as 9am to 5pm.
Location: 71 Jalan Lekar, Singapore 698950
Visiting Hours: Monday to Friday and Eve of Holidays, 9am – 6pm | Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays, 9am – 7pm
Entrance Fee: Free
For more information on their farm and their shuttle buses schedules, click here.
4. Jurong Frog Farm
When thinking about farms, a frog farm may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But tucked away in the corner of Singapore, the Jurong Frog Farm has lots to offer on these cute croaking creatures.
The highlight of the farm is their Gabbe Family Tour which includes a show-and-tell with hands-on frog opportunities led by a Frogologist. As you roam the farm, you can look forward to a view of their life cycle display exhibit, a frog and fish feeding experience, and even a frog meat sampling session. The duration of the program is from 40 minutes to an hour (limited slots available), so do book their slots here while you still can! Each tour costs $72 per booking and is available from Tuesdays to Sundays and Public Holidays.
If you enjoy a looser itinerary, join their free-and-easy Frog Quest Explorer tour to roam the farm at your own pace. Equipped with a frog quest map and a novelty frog pen, kids get to navigate the farm on their own to uncover vital clues needed to solve the map and reach their goal. Keep your eyes peeled and look out for little critters that may be hopping about!
This activity goes for $18 per participant and is available on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays, so if this sounds up your alley, make sure to rise early and put on your best boots.
If your child is always full of energy, why not challenge them to catch a frog? Due to their powerful hypertrophied legs, this may not be an easy feat, but it’s still a fun one to try. It costs $10 per person and you get 10 minutes to try your hand at catching these hoppers. Be careful and make sure to adhere to safe-distancing measures while you’re having fun.
Location: 56 Lim Chu Kang Lane 6, Singapore 719164
Visiting Hours: Monday to Friday and Eve of Holidays, 9am – 6pm | Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays, 9am – 7pm
Entrance Fee: Free
For more information on Jurong Frog Farm and what else they offer, check it out here.
5. Edible Garden City
Sometimes the best kind of learning happens outside of the classroom, and here at Edible Garden City, that is the belief that has founded their farm. Immerse your kids in a hands-on science lesson that not only imparts practical skills but also teaches them to have a greater appreciation for the food that comes to their table!
Through a tour of their Queenstown Farm, you can take a sip of the farm life through their free welcome drink (brewed from locally-grown herbs) as their farmers bring you through their unique urban farming solution. These include stops at their indoor microgreens room, outdoor gardens, and container farms. Highlight stops include the Sensory Garden, an interactive area perfect for all ages and abilities, and the Insect Garden, where you can learn how they use insects to break down food waste in fertilizer for their produce.
Each tour takes 90 minutes and is available daily, though it is recommended that you visit on weekdays as their farmers will be working on site. Each tour costs $45 per person, with slots from 8.30 – 10am and 10.30am – 12pm.
Along with their tour, they have a wide variety of workshop add-ons – from teaching you how to grow your own microgreens at home, to mocktail making! The workshops range from one to two hours, depending on the complexity of the activity.
Location: 60 Jalan Penjara, Singapore 149375
Visiting Hours: Monday to Friday, 10am – 6pm
Entrance Fee: $45 per group tour
To find out more about their garden and their tours, check them out here.
Fun Farms Full of Meaningful Activities
A visit to your local farm is fun for both kids and parents, and is the perfect outdoor activity if your kids are getting a little bored of the usual attractions. Great for kids ages seven and up, embark on your own science lesson adventure while teaching them a thing or two about appreciating food and its origins.
So what are you waiting for? Make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and hand sanitizer when you go for your next adventure outdoors!
