This children’s article, Gardens by the Bay: Singapore’s giant garden playground, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children build vocabulary, learn about one of Singapore’s most famous attractions, and discover how nature and technology can work together. Written by Mark Pulley, a teacher and writer who creates fun and informative news articles for English learners.
A garden like no other
If you think gardens are just flowers and grass, Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay might surprise you. This isn’t your average park; it’s a massive nature wonderland filled with futuristic structures, rare plants, and even an indoor waterfall!
It’s one of Singapore’s top attractions and has wowed millions of visitors since it opened in 2012. Tripadvisor called it the 8th best attraction in the whole world in 2024.
Why it was built
Singapore is a small country with lots of skyscrapers but not much space for nature. Knowing how important green spaces are, the government wanted to make the city greener and give people a place to relax, learn, and enjoy plants from all over the world.
Gardens by the Bay was designed to be both a tourist attraction and a place for locals to enjoy, showing how nature can fit into a busy city.
Zones to explore
The Gardens cover more than 100 hectares — that’s bigger than 100 football fields! There are three main areas:
- Bay South Garden – The largest part, home to the famous Supertree Grove, the Flower Dome, and the Cloud Forest.
- Bay East Garden – A quieter space with great views of Singapore’s skyline.
- Bay Central Garden – A link between the other two gardens with walking paths along the waterfront.
The Supertrees are huge tree-like towers covered in plants, some as tall as a 16-storey building. At night, they light up in colourful displays that attract big crowds.
Fun for everyone
Gardens by the Bay has something for all ages, from cool glasshouses that feel like different countries’ climates, to giant outdoor play areas for kids. It’s a popular spot for school trips, weddings, and big events.
Around 10 million people visit every year! Entry to the outdoor gardens is free, but you need tickets for some attractions like the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome.
A mix of nature and technology
Gardens by the Bay is more than just pretty plants. The Supertrees collect solar energy, and the glasshouses use clever cooling systems to save power. It’s a place where science and nature work together to make the city greener.
Article vocabulary list
- Futuristic – Looking like it belongs to the future.
- Attraction – A place that draws people to visit.
- Locals – People who live in a particular place.
- Climate – The typical weather in a place.
- Waterfront – The part of a city next to the water.
- Display – A planned show of lights, colours, or objects.
- Glasshouse – A large building made of glass used to grow plants indoors.
- Solar energy – Power made from sunlight.
Comprehension questions
Just click the plus (+) to see the answer
1. When did Gardens by the Bay open?
A) 2012
B) 2005
C) 2016
Answer: A) 2012
2. What is the tallest height of some Supertrees?
A) As tall as a 5-storey building
B) As tall as a 16-storey building
C) As tall as a 25-storey building
Answer: B) As tall as a 16-storey building
3. Which garden zone is the largest?
A) Bay South Garden
B) Bay East Garden
C) Bay Central Garden
Answer: A) Bay South Garden
4. What do the Supertrees collect?
A) Rainwater
B) Solar energy
C) Plant seeds
Answer: B) Solar energy
5. Is it free to enter all parts of Gardens by the Bay?
A) No, some attractions need tickets
B) Yes, everything is free
C) Only on weekends
Answer: A) No, some attractions need tickets
Mark is a writer and EFL teacher from England with eight years’ experience. He’s passionate about travel, sport (especially football), animals, nature, and history, and enjoys helping children explore the world through language and learning.
