Families For Life | 5 Tips for Families to Get Close to Nature

Did you know that spending time in nature is good for your mental health? Thankfully for us, our city in a garden has plenty of places for you and the family to get close to nature, and have some fun while you’re at it. Here are some ideas catering to different fitness levels and interests:

1. Picnic in the park

Family members feeling a little doubtful about spending time in the great outdoors? Ease them into nature with a picnic in the green. Look out for free concerts at places like the Botanic Gardens, or pair the picnic with some kite flying at Marina Barrage—this way, all family members will have some entertainment to get used to being close to nature.

2. Explore the island on two wheels

Cycling is a fun way to get close to nature and explore the different nooks and crannies of our island. There are also countless different routes tailored to your family's needs.

Beginners or those with young children can try routes like the Jurassic Mile, and the Rail Corridor, or simply cruise around spots like East Coast Park. More adventurous (and experienced cyclists) may prefer the Coast-to-Coast Trail, Pulau Ubin or the Chestnut Nature Park mountain bike trail. Whatever your scenic preference, there are plenty of options!

3. Go on a geocaching expedition

With so many nature parks and corridors in Singapore, there are plenty of spots for you to hike and get a dose of nature. But instead of just walking, why not up the ante and go on a geocaching adventure instead? Geocaching is a sort of treasure hunt where you try to find an item hidden at specific coordinates. In Singapore alone, there are over 1,000 geocaches waiting to be discovered—offering a wealth of adventures for you and your family!

4. Play spot the species

Remember playing “I spy with my little eye” when you were a kid? Try a variation instead, where you and your family try to spot different plants and animals. Take short walks around the neighbourhood to see who can identify common plants like the bougainvillea or the pong pong tree the quickest. And if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, raise the bar and see what you can find on a more challenging hike through wildlife hotspots like the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve or even the Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve!

5. Stargazing

If the family prefers to avoid the sun and sweat, stargazing might be just the thing to stay close to nature. Traipse down to Changi Beach Park, Yishun Dam or Labrador Nature Reserve for the best sights of the stars. You can also visit the Science Centre to join some stargazing programmes—you won’t quite be in the great outdoors, but it’s a great way to spark interest in the world around us!