Bring your kids for a not-so-scary Halloween at Safari Boo!

Is there a place in Singapore where you can bring young kids on an educational trick-or-treating session, without scaring the living daylights out of them and without spending a fortune? Bring them to Safari Boo at River Safari this Halloween!

Held on Oct 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 Oct and Nov 1 from 6-10 pm each day, Safari Boo is in its second year running. Kids are encouraged to dress up in their favourite costumes and bring glow-in-the-dark gear when visiting. The best part: Kids of ages 12 and below get free entry!

We were treated to a preview of the event a few weeks ago, together with other bloggers’ kids and highly-energetic primary school pupils who seemed super excited to be there. We were welcomed by our guides who were Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) show presenters decked out in special effects makeup and costumes.

We didn’t get to go inside the panda enclosure, but we did get to see panda mascots dance to the music. On top of the Halloween shenanigans, our guides stopped outside some of the river creature enclosures and shared a few things about the animals with the children. The River Safari is usually only open from 10am to 7pm daily, so they really made an exception when they decided to throw open their doors from 6 to 10pm for Safari Boo. That said, animals which don’t live in their enclosures after hours (e.g. pandas and monkeys) still adhere to their regular schedules, so you will miss them.

Still, there is plenty to see and learn at Safari Boo.

There are four highlights you should not miss:

1. Hansel and Gretel’s house of candy

Erected right outside the pandas’ enclosure, a makeshift tentage houses a few interactive discovery stations where kids can try their hand at educational games which will teach them a thing or two about wildlife. There was a pitch dark tent to educate kids about night vision in nocturnal animals, a scent trail to help an animal find his way home (Asher tried this one), and for really young kids who can’t really play these games, there’s a wheel they can spin to win prizes.

2. Live “Furry Tales” show

Expect more WRS show presenters to don costumes to spoof familiar fairy tales, toss out candy to the audience, and even bring out a few friendly critters for petting. Get junior to sit nearer to the stage to get a closer piece of the action.

3. Getting to pet an iguana

Form an orderly queue and you’ll get to pet a real live iguana. Just don’t touch the spines on its tail.

4. See skeleton divers feed the manatees

It’s surreal to see this tank in the middle of the night, manatees paddling serenely among the monoliths in the emerald depths of their enclosure. Then, they swirl around two divers (in skeleton suits) who descend into the tank with pumpkin buckets, apparently bringing a late supper.

These four highlights aren’t all there is to catch at the park – you’ll see all manner of dressed-up characters waiting to accost children and ply them with candy. If you allow your kids to have sweets, make sure to bring a trick-or-treat bag to collect treats along the way.

Asher thoroughly enjoyed himself that night. For parents who are worried that the event will disrupt bedtime, be rest assured that if you start early when the park opens at 6pm, you’ll be able to finish everything by 8.30pm.

Details about Safari Boo:

• Event tickets are sold only online at www.safariboo.sg.
• Boat rides, Giant Panda Forest and Squirrel Monkey Forest will not be in operation during Safari Boo event hours, i.e. 6 – 10pm.
• Last admission to Safari Boo is at 9pm.
• Each ticket is valid for single admission at date and time stated on the ticket purchased.
• Child defined as individual age 12 and below, and adult supervision is required.
• All complimentary child admission ticket redemption must be accompanied by at least one adult ticket purchase.
• Please download the e-tickets with barcodes to your mobile phone for admission.
• Exclude boat rides, Giant Panda Forest & Squirrel Monkey Forest exhibits.
• Not valid with all other discounts, promotions or rebates.
• Not valid for tour groups, travel agents, school groups, and SISTIC bookings.
• Safari Boo is a rain-or-shine event. Event ticket purchased is not refundable or exchangeable for cash or kind.