Is your child a huge animal lover and constantly begging you to get a family pet? Does he enjoy playing with animals of all kinds, even turtles and fishes? Do his eyes light up with joy when he interacts with a furry friend? Or perhaps you’re an entire family of budding zoologists?

Paw-some, because here are several places you can visit as a family to get your fill of animals of all shapes and sizes, right here in cosmopolitan Singapore. Fur-tunately for you, there are a whole range of animal activities for you and your little zoophilist to enjoy. Purrfect!

Mandai Reserve Parks

Image source: Mandai Wildlife Reserve

Right on top of our list are the four Mandai Reserve Parks comprising the Singapore Zoo, River Wonders, Night Safari, and Bird Paradise–an animal-lover's dream for sure. Traipse through the sprawling parks to take in the sights, sounds and smells of hundreds of animals and birds. You may even carry, stroke and feed some of them at the Zoo’s newly re-opened KidzWorld area for children.

Pet Cafes

Image source: Meomi Cat Cafe/Facebook

Treat your little animal lover with a visit to a pet cafe. Promising some quality time with the cutest companions, your child can enjoy a drink or a snack while carrying a super cute dog or cat. Check out this pawsome list!

Qian Hu Fish Farm

Image source: Qian Hu Fish Farm

While you can't cuddle a fish, you can most certainly catch them in a longkang. If your little one loves creatures that swim around, a visit to Qian Hu Fish Farm is a must! Peep at fascinating stingrays and arrowanas, as well as rows of colourful tropical fish, then head over to the longkang fishing streams to catch yourselves some fish which you can bring home.

Gallop Stable

Image source: NParks

Giddy up and let's go horseback riding here in Singapore! Your animal-loving child will love the opportunity to groom, feed and even ride on a horse or a pony, with the guidance of experienced instructors. Core memory unlocked!

Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum

Image source: Pelago

If your little one is a fan of scaly creatures, this museum is the perfect place to take him to. It is home to more than 200 turtles, tortoises and an assortment of rare reptiles, and your child can even feed or pat the gentler free-roaming tortoises in the park.

Hay Dairies

Image source: Hay Dairies/Facebook

Has your child asked you how farms milk their goats? Take them to Singapore’s only goat farm to find out first-hand. The farm offers free tours of their premises, which includes a milking demonstration and the opportunity to feed the goats with alfalfa hay from your own hands.

Adventure Cove Waterpark Rainbow Reef

Image source: Adventure Cove Waterpark

For those with older children who can swim, you'll want to take them swimming with 20,000 colourful reef creatures at the Rainbow Reef at the Adventure Cove waterpark on Sentosa. It's truly a magical experience peeking into the water with snorkeling gear, feeling the fluttering of fish fins against your feet.