Singapore has a plethora of activities for children let alone for adults. From ecological parks to amphitheatres, specialized aquariums to museums and zoos, it is not only fun but also a great learning experience. And what they learn through travel can never be compensated by book.. One such children’s haven is ‘Jurong Bird Park’…

 About Jurong Bird Park:

Jurong Bird Park is the Asia’s largest bird paradise. This park boasts of more than 5000 birds across 400 different species from across the globe. The park is a specially designed habitat offering near natural conditions for the birds and also has four free-flight aviaries. Not only can the children enjoy watching them, but they can also become one with them with the feeding sessions and thrilling and exciting shows.

1. Lory Loft: A nine-storey high enclosure that allows a 360 degree view of the entire sanctuary. Watch your child go crazy feeding the colourful lories.
2. Waterfall Aviary: A 30 metres high waterfall; it is the highest artificial waterfall; get even closer to the birds as they flock around the aviary to enjoy the freshness of water.
3. Penguin Coast: The dear penguins served for you right from the poles. More than 100 penguins across 5 species can be witnessed here.Get on board an explorer ship and sail for the penguin expedition. Specially created artificial environment allows the penguins feel at home; and of course entertain the visitors.

4. Birdz of Play: A bird themed water park. Amazing isn’t it. Join the bipeds for a splashing session and get soaking under the giant tipping bucket, get flying with the Flying Fox dry zone and chill out with a Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream.
5. Breeding and Research Centre: Watch how the birds are nursed, treated, grown and taken care of. A learning experience for those hidden animal and bird lovers; so that when they go home, they can take care of their pets better!!!!
6. Tram Ride: Get ready for the joy ride on the tram as it drives through the park and explore the park at your own pace with on board commentary.

    7.  Pelican Cove: Witness the world’s most comprehensive collection of pelicans including the endangered Dalmatian    pelican!!

Special Programmes:

1. Become a Falconer: Only available for the children above the age of 12 yrs. This programme can be a choice only when your child is equal or above 12 yrs. The kids learn how to master the birds of prey, click a still and take home a souvenir as a reminder of a unique and memorable experience along with a memento and certificate.
2. Bird’s Eye Tour: Alight the buggy ride along with a guide and move through experiencing the park’s most captivating exhibits.
3. Feeding Frenzy Tour: My personal favourite. Be one with the birds and feed them with love and affection. Get close, and become the birds’ friends as you try feeding them with your own hands. That’s how this is a separate tour altogether as the experience is truly remarkable and worth a lifetime…for everyone!!!!

Shows:

1. High flyers Show: 11 am , 3 pm: Get awe-struck by the natural talent of the birds, in a free-flying performance with a plethora of colours grabbing the centre stage, as the birds raise the levels of excitement of the audiences with their enchanting performances. Get up close as the flamingos brush across you after the show and keep clicking till your camera runs dry of charge, as your fingers get into an auto-mode, clicking one snap after the other…
2. Kings of the Skies: 10 am, 4 pm: Travel back in time to learn the ancient art of falconry, and learn how to send your loved ones their birthday cards next year…
3. Lunch with Parrots: 1 pm: . Sounds interesting.. Lunch with a parrot that knows how to talk, dance and mimic, solve puzzles and even paint. Don’t worry, there’s lot of em’.. Now that’s too much for a lunch…

Shopping & Dining:

Carry a memory home by shopping exclusive gifts at Feathers Wings, Birdz & Wormz and Lory Loft. Take a burb after that longish tour by grabbing that burger and chicken wings at Bongo Burgers. If you are the one with an adrenaline to check out the local cuisine, then Hawk Café is the right place for you. Try out the Asian cuisines and local favourites here. Top it up with a dessert.

Are you also planning to celebrate your child’s birthday party?? And you have no idea what to do?? Well, this can be the most nostalgic birthday party for your child.. Trust me on that.. The facilities include host of games, Bongo Burgers meals, VIP seats for the High Flyers Show and a Birthday song for your Star from one of the Bird Stars!!

Planning your trip inside: 

Moving around inside with so many activities going around can be overwhelming for both the child and the parents. You may not like to get inside and then keep pushing your kid all the time coz the next show is about to start. A little planning of course can be rewarding, especially in terms of time and effort.

Try these simple tips before you plan your trip inside so that you can maximize on your fun and enjoyment. After all, that’s what we are going there for, right??

First Half of the Day: 10:00 am to 02:00 pm

The first part of the day can be spent by exploring the entire park on the Tram Ride.. The tram moves around with a gradual speed through the park and takes regular stoppages at viewpoints so that you can step down and take your time exploring around. That’s the best way to have a feel of the place, so that you can decide which programme can be suitable for your child. The trams are hop on and hop off type; so one does not require bothering if you miss out on one train, as by the time you come out, the second will be passing by in a short while. Have patience!!

• Start from the Main Station-1
• Step down at the World of Darkness, the owl sanctuary. Witness the owls from across the globe kept in a preserved and dark environment. Do not forget to meet the penguins in the neighborhood at the Penguin Coast.
• Step on the next train and pass through the Heliconia Walk, Scarlet Ibis Royal Ramble, Hornbills & Toucans, Birds of Paradise and finally get down at Lory Station. Don’t forget to take a flick with these remarkable birds as your kids try feeding them.
• Take a break at the Lory Station. The Lory Loft showcases the amazing and colourful lories and the South East Asian Birds. Grab a bite and move on for the next venture.
• Get down at the Bird Discovery Centre and finally move for lunch at the Songbird Terrace for Lunch with the Birds.
• After lunch, move for the waterfall aviary from the Lory station and witness the world’s highest man made waterfall at the Waterfall station.
• Last trip can be witnessing the long beaked Pelicans at the Pelican Cove and get down at the Birdz of Play. Grab a souvenir from the Birdz and Wormz as you take a bite of the Bens and Jerry’s Ice Cream.
• Finally, hit back to the Main Station by 02:00 pm.

Second Half of the Day: 02:00 am to 06:00 pm

The two shows – Kings of the Skies & The High Flyers Show have two different timings, at 10:00 am and 04:00 pm for the former and 11:00 am and 03:00 pm for the latter show. Covering these two shows in a day might be tricky, as the tram traverses in only anti-clockwise direction, but the distance between the two points is hardly anything, and all the time that you save, it will be worth a walk.

• From the main station, take the train to the Pools Amphitheatre. The show starts sharp at 02:00 pm. So don’t be late. Time spent here should be around 45 mins.
• Take a walk back to the Halk Walk, Kings of the Skies show. It should not take more than 10 mins by walk to reach the place. If kids are tired to walk, you may also ask for a stroller. They are readily available at the ticketing.
• Spend the end of the day at The Breeding centre as your child takes away some tips for caring the birds at home.

The Feeding Frenzy Tour is altogether a separate show and it is that way for all the genuine reasons. The timings for the programme is all day and is a separately organized tour for the children. You may take the programme depending upon the time you have in your hand. There are certain programmes in the tour that are conducted on weekends and public holidays only. So, not all the parts of the programme may be available to you, unless you are strictly on an education tour.

The shortest programme is of 90 mins. and there is only one time during the day at 12:30 pm. In case you cannot afford to miss this show, I guess it would be better to wrap up your tram tour before 12:30 pm including a quick grub. Inwhich case, you lose out on the Lunch with the Parrots session.

Some Do’s and Don’t’s:

1. Please do not bother the birds. They do not bother you at all. Enjoy them as a gift of nature.
2. Do not litter. The authorities are on strict watch out.
3. Do not flash the birds with your lenses and cameras. They might go jittery at times.
4. Respect the disabled. Give them the right of way.
5. Seek permission from the Park Authorities before filming/ photographing the place.
6. Stay within the human roaming limits only.