A recent post by National Geographic highlighted ten World Heritage destinations of interest to kids, with a side on the Kid Appeal factor. Perfect for the family. So in this blogpost SFK brings you a slant on world travel, beginning with Singapore.

Singapore recently acquired its own Heritage recognition for its Botanical Gardens – a very big deal for a small island state, given that to be included on the World Heritage List, sites must be of outstanding universal value and meet at least one out of ten selection criteria – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Families interested in travel, in knowing, seeking and discovering; who want their kids to be curious, engaged and able to relate to the world beyond their immediate reality will find that the journey to their first (or second or third or more) World Heritage Site can now begin from home.

Easy as pie, beginning with the Singapore Botanical Gardens.

Discover the Singapore Botanical Gardens as the first step in the exploration of other World Heritage Sites such as the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, the Colosseum in Rome, Sian Ka’an in Mexico, the Serengiti National Park in Tanzania, the Dinosaur Provincial Park in Canada, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and the Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia, Turkey.

For more information on Singapore’s Parks & Gardens, visit www.singaporeforkids.com.

What do kids think ?

SFK asked young Nandini, who has contributed to this blog in previous posts, what she thinks the Botanical Gardens offers an almost-eleven-year-old.

Singapore is an extraordinary city. So many things you can do, learn and experience. It never gets old. According to international rankings, we are one of the worlds top places to visit. Some highlights in our city pop up more than the rest. The news has spread, all the way to UNESCO.

Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, Singapore Botanic Gardens was awarded the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site at the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) in Germany.

For us in Singapore, the Botanical Gardens has many purposes. Catching up with family, while having a brunch near the Swan Lake. Going for a ride on that bicycle you haven’t used in years, and might want to try again.

Feel like a picnic day with the family? You’ll find many places in SBG where you can relax and chill. Like the Orchid Garden. Sit back and admire the beautiful orchids, while enjoying your Mom’s good old strawberry short cake, listening to your favourite music.

Enjoy a walk by Symphony Lake. You might find something that catches your eye. Bring a picnic mat with you and some snacks, and be entertained by concerts or shows that frequently take place on the stage.

Take a stroll through the rain forest, admiring natures gift’s and surprises. Think about capturing some pictures for the living room at home. You might not recognise some plants because they are plants that have been imported from Brazil, Thailand and many other places.

It’s fun to have alone-time letting the lush leaves brush against your arm, the only sound the song of the hummingbirds calling out to their mates.

The Healing Garden features plants with medical uses. Read the history and background of each herb. It’ll tempt you to research more about them. Maybe you can start growing some on your own, who knows …

These are just SOME of the things you can do in Singapore Botanical Gardens. You can go to this place for many reasons, apart from just admiring nature. Enjoy every step of the way. It will lead to good memories, just you and the green.

Congratulations SBG, and be ready for more visitors !

Nandini’s article has been edited for this post. Pictures supplied by Nandini.