Enter the world of insects and not-so-tiny animals at Tiny Kingdom, now at the former Bukit Timah Fire Station. Tiny Kingdom is run by the same team behind Tinytopia extending its impact beyond insect showcases to running programmes for preschools and the public.
Tiny Kingdom is located amidst the lush surrounds of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, right next to The Sundowners. Visitors can rediscover the natural world, encounter insects and creepy crawlies (in a fun way) and check out mini ecosystems.
Tiny Kingdom: Teaching Little Ones About Nature
The founders of Tiny Kingdom Chris and Sunny are clear on what Tiny Kingdom’s objective is. They want to bring nature closer to the younger generations and for all to be curious about the tiniest critters that we have often overlooked.
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Chris and Sunny’s love for nature is evident in how they care and even house abandoned animals. From the myriad of formicariums, tanks, and different insects, amphibians and even chickens and quails, the mini zoo at Tiny Kingdom unveils many species for visitors and programme participants to discover.
The hands-on experiences allow children to learn to care for critters, build mini habitats and explore nature. The goal – for all to learn to care for the world around them.
One might be apprehensive about experiencing the little critters since some of us are afraid of insects. Fear not as the bugs are in enclosed environments and Sunny patiently shared how the animals tended to stay in their enclosures.
For instance, my teen and I were invited to touch the Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches. Sounds terrifying? Well, they don’t actually fly and they hiss out of stress. Sunny shared how to get them to hiss (gently tapping on them). They hiss by expelling air through specialized breathing holes called spiracles on the sides of their abdomen.
We also got to see how cicadas produced sounds, check out the eggs of ants, identify the scariest ants that sting and how termites are actually not ants but a type of cockroach.
Tiny Kingdom Programmes
Apart from school programmes, Tiny Kingdom has onsite programmes for kids and families.
There are interactive play sessions and even mobile pop-up exhibits where younger ones can learn more about ecosystems in a safe, sensory-rich way.
Tiny Zoo Experience by Lingting Ko
Each week of the month will focus on a different theme. Participants will learn about those underground or in the canopy and predatory ones through meeting the animals, building their own habitats, drawing and discovering a different tiny world each session.
We visited on the 1st Saturday of the month, where the theme is “Beneath the Surface”. We learned so much about various different species of ants – for example, did you know that there is a breed of ants known as harvester ants that can make their own “bread” by processing seeds with their saliva?
We also got to participate in a simple craft experiment on feeding ants, as well as learn about African Nightcrawler earthworms, earwigs, springtails and other critters which can be found living in the soil.
Miss 3yo, the animal lover, was totally down for all the hands-on activities – literally putting her wee hands in the enclosures at every opportunity and the first to volunteer to pet the earthworms and hissing cockroaches. Meanwhile Mr 7yo, the math and science lover, had his hand up to answer all the questions and ask questions of his own of the ever-patient and knowledgeable Sunny.
The Tiny Zoo Experience is highly recommended for curious kids who love the world of tiny creatures and nature and aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty!
Our Experience at Tiny Kingdom
Visiting Tiny Kingdom was a eye-opener to a different world. We could hear the gentle chirping of the chickens and the sounds of the wild as we got nearer to the premises. It was like a retreat from the city bustle and a welcome sensory treat for us.
The lush greenery surrounding Tiny Kingdom’s premises was also ideal for us to soak in the wildness of the area. Even critters from the environment have chosen to make themselves comfortable.
Next time you decide on a unique experience for your family or the school, check out Tiny Kingdom and its amazing zoo.
Click to find out more about Tiny Kingdom’s programmes.
