Singapore Zoo: A Little Escape with my 11-Month-Old
Remember the long weekend we had before? We decided to bring our little daughter to Singapore Zoo at Mandai not knowing that it was so hot out there. I chose the most inconvenient knit clothes ðŸ˜
At 10 months old, our daughter was fascinated by the movement, sounds, and colors around her. Although she may not remember this trip when she's older, seeing her eyes light up made every step worth it.
Not an early riser, we reached the zoo at lunchtime and had lunch at their Food Republic before going into the zoo.
The weather was so hot; some animals were resting, but there were fewer crowds. If you're visiting with a baby, I highly recommend starting early before Singapore's afternoon heat sets in. The zoo is stroller-friendly, with wide paths and plenty of shaded areas, making it easy to explore at your own pace.
Our Favorite Animal Encounters
Giraffes
Watching the giraffes gracefully walk toward visitors was incredible.
If your baby enjoys looking at large animals, don't miss the giraffe feeding session. Feeding experiences require separate bookings and can sell out, especially on weekends, so it's best to reserve them in advance.
Elephants
The elephants quickly became one of our favorite stops.
Their size amazed my little one, and she couldn't stop staring as they slowly walked around their habitat.
The elephant feeding sessions are especially popular with families and offer a wonderful close-up experience.
White Rhinos & Zebras
The Wild Africa zone is perfect because several large animals are located close together.
We loved watching:
- White rhinos
- Zebras
- Giraffes
This area also hosts several feeding sessions throughout the day, making it easy to plan your route.
Orangutans
One of Singapore Zoo's highlights is seeing orangutans climbing above visitors in naturalistic habitats.
Watching them swing through the trees completely captured my baby's attention.
Fragile Forest
This indoor biodome was a wonderful break from the heat.
Butterflies, birds, and free-roaming animals surrounded us while the cooler environment gave everyone a chance to recharge before continuing our adventure.
Feeding Times
Since babies have shorter attention spans, I recommend to only chose a few feeding sessions instead of trying to see everything
Some popular daily feedings include:
- Elephant Feeding
- Giraffe Feeding
- Zebra Feeding
- White Rhino Feeding
- Giant Tortoise Feeding
Schedules can change, so always check the latest timings before your visit. Booking is recommended for interactive feeding experiences. Its SGD 10 for feeding only and SGD 15 if you want to take the photos.
KidzWorld Was Our Baby's Favorite Stop
Although my daughter was only 10 months old, she absolutely loved spending time in KidzWorld.
There are plenty of family-friendly activities including:
- Animal Land with friendly farm animals
- Goat interactions
- Pony demonstrations
- A splash play area
- Wide open spaces for little ones to crawl or explore
The splash zone looked especially fun for older toddlers, so we'll definitely be back when she's walking🥳
If you enter the zoo early, you can had lunch at Ah Meng Restaurant, which offers local favorites in a comfortable setting. Families looking for a lighter meal can also visit KidzWorld Café, which serves kid-friendly bites and provides a relaxing atmosphere near the playground.
My recommendations
If you're visiting with a baby:
- Chicken rice
- Laksa (for adults)
- Fried rice
- Fresh fruit
- Plenty of water
I also packed my daughter's own baby food and snacks, which made feeding much easier between attractions.
Baby Essentials We Packed
Here's what I found most useful:
- Lightweight stroller
- Baby carrier
- Portable stroller fan
- Water bottle
- Milk
- Baby snacks
- Extra clothes
- Diapers
- Wet wipes
- Sunscreen
- Hat/Umbrella
The stroller fan was probably our MVP of the day.
Tips for Visiting Singapore Zoo with a Baby
✔ Visit early in the morning.
✔ Plan around one or two feeding sessions instead of rushing to see everything.
✔ Take plenty of breaks. You can also use the tram to enjoy the zoo.
✔ Let your baby nap in the stroller. Using baby carrier is not recommended since the weather is hot 🥵
✔ Bring extra milk and snacks. If you are breastfeeding mom like me, there are nursing room inside the zoo nearby:
✔ Stay hydrated because you’ll be sweating a lot.
✔ Wear comfortable clothing because you'll be walking quite a bit.
Parents on Reddit also frequently recommend bringing a stroller, portable fan, sunscreen, and booking feeding sessions ahead of time, especially on busy weekends. And I agree with that, especially for the portable fan, my baby won’t survive without that.
Take your time to enjoy the zoo, no need to rush everything, and don’t be like me, entering the zoo when its very hot, need plenty of water to survive 😮💨
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