Story and photos courtesy of CT-Art Creation Pte Ltd
The Singapore Botanic Gardens’ Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden (JBCG) first opened in October 2007 as Asia’s first dedicated botanical play attraction. A 2017 expansion made it the largest children’s garden in the region. Designed for children aged 2 to 14, JBCG offers outdoor, play-based learning experiences that connect young visitors to the wonders of the natural world.
The renovation of the aquatic play area was driven by a desire to enhance these educational experiences, with two specific goals. The first was to provide an engaging way for children to learn about the water cycle through imaginative play. And the second, to support the development of motor and social skills by offering opportunities for solitary, parallel, and group play.
The Splashpad® sits at the entrance of JBCG, welcoming visitors as they enter from the visitor center. Previously, this area featured a nature play garden, a photosynthesis-themed water play table, and a sand play area. With the relocation of the sand and photosynthesis play zones, the splash pad now extends across the entire play area, offering a larger, more immersive play experience.
Building on JBCG’s mission of outdoor learning through play, the new aquatic play area brings the water cycle to life through a dynamic, nature-inspired experience. The splash pad spans approximately 1,200 square meters and is designed with a biophilic approach, retaining existing trees for natural shade while seamlessly blending into the surrounding landscape.
The play area is divided into zones representing different stages of the water cycle, designed to create a continuous and immersive play experience. Just as the water cycle is a continuous loop, the play zones have been arranged so that one naturally flows into the next, encouraging children to move seamlessly from one interactive experience to another.
Surrounded by lush greenery, the integration of educational storytelling with interactive water features transforms the newly renovated splash pad into an immersive learning experience, making it a standout attraction within the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden.
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