If you enjoy nature and want your kids to experience wildlife in Singapore, Kranji Countryside is the place to be. It promises to be a good break from the busy and hectic lifestyle we’re used to almost every day. There’s so much more to uncover, from animal and vegetable farms to beautiful places to hike, Kranji is the place to bring your kids along to spend a day with nature.
Located in the northwestern part of the island, the Kranji precinct is also where you can experience some of the best outdoor activities in Singapore. Don't miss out on the lush nature reserves, where you can spot wildlife and see a different and more peaceful side of Singapore.
Anne and her family did just that recently and here are the six best outdoor activities in Kranji that she highly recommends!
1. Kranji Reservoir Park
Our first stop was Kranji Reservoir Park where we took in the beautiful sight of the vast reservoir and the skyline of Johor Bahru. Besides being a popular spot for fishing, the park is rich in history as it was a battle site in the Battle of Kranji during World WarII. The kids were amazed that we could see JB from Singapore!
We enjoyed the cooling breeze and took many stunning pictures with the backdrop of the lovely view. An angler was kind enough to let the kids experience fishing for a bit.
Opening hours: 24 hours
Address: Kranji Way
How to get there: Take SMRT Bus 925 from Kranji MRT Station and alight at the Kranji Reservoir Park B bus stop.
2. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Afterwards, we headed over to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore’s first ASEAN Heritage Park. It’s an ecological haven with mangrove forests, mudflats and ponds that are rich in biodiversity. We were looking forward to spotting the resident crocodile around the nature reserve.
But first, the kids jumped right into the Junior Adventure Trail situated near the entrance of the wetlands. I'm sure they forgot about the other animal farms on our itinerary for that moment when they were playing on this obstacle course called the 'Step and Jump'.
To our surprise, we encountered monitor lizards along the tracks as well as mudskippers and crabs at the mangroves! The kids were thrilled to spot wildlife on their own without us pointing it out to them. They even mistook a monitor lizard for a crocodile!
There were also huts called the Fantail Pods for visitors to view migratory birds. The kids loved them as we could get some shade from the sun. It’s perfect if you want to take little breaks from walking around the reserve! For a more in-depth explanation of the biodiversity at the wetlands, you can also sign up for the Ecological Tour in Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
Opening hours: Daily, 7am to 7pm
Address: 60 Kranji Way, #01-00, Singapore 739453
How to get there: Take SMRT Bus 925 from Kranji MRT Station. Alight at Kranji Reservoir Carpark B and walk across the road to the Visitor Centre.
3. Jurong Frog Farm
Just when we thought the kids were tired out, they immediately recharged when we told them our next destination was Jurong Frog Farm. Established in the 1970s for the breeding of American bullfrogs, the farm was originally located in Jurong and only moved to its
current location in 1993. One of the reasons that the frogs are actually farmed for their cosmetic purposes. The farm has partnered with a local biotechnology company to produce skincare products.
It was such an eye-opening experience for us because we had never been to a frog farm. The thought of seeing so many live frogs at once sent shivers down my spine but I put aside my fear of amphibians after seeing how excited my kids were.
The first thing the kids wanted to do when we arrived at the frog farm was to catch frogs. I shuddered at the thought of holding a frog in my hands, so I told the kids who had no fear, "you catch, mama watch". The kids changed their shoes into boots provided by the farm and entered a special section called Catch A Frog.
Besides catching frogs, we also fed some frogs at the Feeding Frenzy section. We learnt that the American bullfrogs had a voracious appetite and the best feeding time was in the morning.
Families can also sign up for the Gabbe’s Family Tour programme led by a frogologist. There’s a show-and-tell segment where you’ll get to touch the frogs, see a life cycle display exhibit and more.
Opening hours: Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays, 9am to 5:30pm
Address: 56 Lim Chu Kang Lane 6, Singapore 719164
How to get there: Take Bus 975 from the bus stop opposite Lot 1 Shopping Mall in Choa Chu Kang. Alight at the bus stop after Lim Chu Kang Lane 5 and walk for about 12 minutes along Lane 6.
4. Hay Dairies Goat Farm
Off to our next stop - Hay Dairies Goat Farm! It was our first time heading to a goat farm as well so we were looking forward to feeding and petting the goats. The farm has been around for over 20 years. The first batch of goats imported from the US was a mix of Alpine, Nubian, Toggenburg and Saanen goats. Today, there are more than 800 goats of mixed breeds.
There was alfalfa hay available for purchase ($5 per packet) so we could feed the goats. Upon reaching the pens, I liked how the natural lighting and good ventilation made the environment pleasant for visitors. The goats started sticking their heads out from the railings and sniffing excitedly when they saw the alfalfa hay in our hands. When the goats were eating the hay from our hands, the kids noticed how small goats' teeth actually were. It was a lovely experience for them!
We spent about half an hour feeding the goats before proceeding to the resting area where we bought fresh goat milk ($2.50 per bottle) for the kids. The house brand bottled milk had plain and chocolate flavoured to choose from. Not surprisingly, the kids preferred the chocolate flavoured ones, and they gulped down the small bottled milk within seconds.
Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday; 9am to 4pm
Address: 3 Lim Chu Kang Lane 4, Singapore 718859
How to get there: Take Bus 975 from the bus stop opposite Lot 1 Shopping Mall in Choa Chu Kang. Alight at Opp Lim Chu Kang Lane 4 bus stop and walk for about 5 minutes along Lane 4.
5. Kranji Marshes
A trip to the Kranji countryside isn't complete without visiting the Kranji Marshes! It’s one of the largest freshwater marshes in Singapore, with a rich array of flora and fauna. The Kranji Marshes and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve are important habitats for the conservation of biodiversity in the Kranji area. There are over 170 species of birds, 54 species of butterflies, and 33 species of dragonflies here!
Even though the kids were tired, they were motivated to walk about 1km from the entrance to the Raptor Tower. We were greeted with the breathtaking view of the marshes and Kranji Reservoir at the top. We even saw a few exotic birds flying past, migratory birds hovering at a distance and lots of greenery below us.
After we made our way down, the kids spent some time checking out the ponds near the Raptor Tower and saw pond skaters for the first time. There were also dragonflies of different bright colours.
Overall, the Kranji Marshes was an enjoyable experience for the family and it took us about an hour to explore. Other than the climb up the Raptor Tower, the terrain is mostly flat, which made it an easy hike.
Opening hours: Daily, 7am to 7pm
Address: 11 Neo Tiew Lane 2, Singapore 718814
How to get there: There’s no public transport to Kranji Marshes but you can take bus 975 from Choa Chu Kang to Opp Neo Tiew Rd bus stop. From there, the walk to Kranji Marshes will take you about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from Choa Chu Kang or Kranji MRT stations.
6. Glamping at Kranji Farm Resort
Looking at the number of things you can do in the Kranji Countryside, one day will never be enough. How about taking a break by going Glamping right at Kranji Farm Resort itself? What truly surprised us was our Glamping tent was actually fully airconditioned! It's sure a great way to hide and chill after spending the whole day out in the heat.
The tent is not your usual ones that you'll get for camping. Instead, it also comes with two inflatable queen beds and futons, which come complete with bedlinen, pillows, blankets, and even decorations to really set the mood! Right outside our tent is also an elaborate picnic set up, where you can relax with some drinks and the provided snack bundle.
We honestly can't think of a better way to reconnect with nature and each other as a family.
Address: 10 Neo Tiew Lane 2, Singapore 718813
7. Halal food at Kranji Countryside - 555 Halal Thai
555 Halal Thai Restaurant at Gallop Kranji Farm Resort is conveniently located next to the entrance of Kranji Marshes! After a fun and tiring day, there was no better way to end the trip than by having our favourite cuisine - Thai food.
The meal definitely did not disappoint. We loved how spicy and flavourful the tom yum soup was and it was as authentic as the ones we’ve tried in Thailand. But what blew us away was the steamed fish in lime sauce - which was a light and refreshing option. We also enjoyed the succulent Thai-style grilled chicken, which had a balance of sweet and savoury flavours. Thankfully, 555 Halal Thai also had non-spicy food options for the kids and they ate their fill.
Address: 10 Neo Tiew Lane 2, #01-09, Singapore 718813
Tips for visiting Kranji Countryside with your kids
- Don't forget sunblock, mosquito-repellent, sun hats, an extra set of clothes (especially for the kids), stroller, bottles of drinking water and snacks.
- The attractions are also quite far apart from one another, so if you do not have your own vehicle, it is advisable to book a tour package where the tour van will pick you up from a more convenient location and ferry you around from place to place.
Tours to visit the Kranji Countryside
There are plenty of tour options for you to explore the Kranji Countryside with ease. Besides having convenient pick ups and transfer from place to place, some even come with delicious meals included. The best thing is, most of these tours are SingapoRediscovers Vouchers eligible.
