Sharing more about Singapore to your friends overseas or in a classroom? There are several Singapore icons that are most associated with our country. These range from prominent landmarks to food. To help you share more about Singapore and share more about our country with kids, we have a list of icons of Singapore that you definitely must talk about!
About Singapore
First up, here are some fun facts about the island-nation. Singapore has a land area of 719 square kilometres, slightly bigger than 3.5 times of Washington D.C. Small and dense, Singapore has an estimated population of over 6 million and is the third-densest country globally.
Singapore is located very close to the equator, one degree north to be specific, and is sometimes referred to as the little red dot. It is in Southeast Asia, and part of the Asian continent. Thus, the country enjoys summer all year, with occasional thunderstorms.
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It is a multi-cultural country and languages such as English, Mandarin, Bahasa Melayu and Tamil are spoken.
Here’s a fact file template you can download just to ensure your listeners are paying attention to facts on Singapore!
Singapore Icons That Are Instantly Recogisable
The Merlion
Deemed the mascot of Singapore, the Merlion is a mythical creature with the head of a lion and body of a fish. The fish represents Singapore’s origins as a sea town while the lion head pays homage to the ancient name Singapura which meant lion city in Sanskrit. Legend has it that a prince from Palembang named Sang Nila Utama saw a lion when he landed on the island therefore the name Singapura.
If you are interested to share more about the Merlion with kids, teaching resource site Twinkl Singapore has this helpful activity sheet on the Merlion.
Marina Bay Sands
One landmark that cannot be missed is Marina Bay Sands. This complex with a hotel, casino, luxury mall, ArtScience Museum and huge rooftop infinity pool has three towers (with a fourth one being built) and a ship-like structure on top. It offers many experiences and definitely a symbol of transformation as it was built on reclaimed land, representing Singapore’s constant development and progress.
For some fun, teaching resource site Twinkl Singapore has colouring sheets with Marina Bay Sands that you can use for an easy activity with your little ones!
Gardens by the Bay
One main attraction in Singapore and an icon of Singapore that is recognisable all around the world is Gardens by the Bay – this is a popular attraction which spans 105 hectares with three waterfront gardens. Highlights at Gardens by the Bay include Supertrees which are iconic tree-like structures with a height of 50 metres covered in vertical gardens. They come alive with a light and sound show in the evenings and there is also now a new Borealis experience there too!
The Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay is also one must-see highlight as it is the world’s largest glass greenhouse with plants and flowers from various continents depending on the exhibition.
Gardens by the Bay also has a Cloud Forest cooled conservatory featuring a 35 meter tall mountain covered in lush vegetation and a digital experience where you can encounter found in cloud forest habitats.
You can fill in the colours of Gardens by the Bay on this Twinkl Singapore colouring sheet as an easy activity for your little ones!
Changi Airport
Changi Airport is Singapore icon and has been for as long as we can remember. Its air traffic control tower is instantly recognisable. Consistently ranked as one of the best airports in the world, Changi Airport boasts numerous awards and accolades. More than just an airport, Changi Airport is a destination with the addition of Jewel Changi Airport.
The stunning Rain Vortex, Canopy Park in Jewel Changi Airport and many shops and restaurants for both travellers and non-travellers. Some travellers purposely plan a longer layover in Singapore just so that they can explore Jewel Changi Airport. The futuristic architecture and integration of nature with technology makes it a unique and impressive airport. Changi Airport reflects Singapore’s national identity and embodies efficiency, cleanliness and a forward-thinking approach.
Local Dishes & Cuisine
Food is a big part of the culture in Singapore. As a multi-ethnic country, Singapore has diverse cultural experiences especially in terms of food. Many of the popular dishes are affordable and can be found in hawker centres which are food centres consisting of many different food stalls.
Favourites include Hainanese Chicken Rice, Nasi Lemak (Coconut rice), Ice Kachang (Shaved ice with toppings), Bak Chor Mee (Noodles with Vinegar and pork), Satay (meat skewered on sticks), Chilli Crab and Durian.
The best way to learn about the dishes is to taste them! Of course, you can even try to create some dishes on your own. Here is a recipe on making a rice ketupat and kid-friendly Begedil (potato ball).
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Singapore Botanic Gardens is an iconic place to be – for both tourists and locals alike. Its lush greenery in the middle of the city, rich historical background, plant collections and stunning variety of flora makes it a must-visit. From rare orchids at the National Orchid Garden, tranquil ponds, playgrounds, this world class botanic garden is a treasure trove for plant lovers, a hub of nature, art, heritage and a favourite place to walk or jog.
Singapore Botanic Gardens is the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its verdant grounds reflect the country’s ambition to be a city in a garden and provide a relaxing recreational space for those seeking respite from the bustle of the city, or a place filled with flora and fauna for nature-lovers to explore.
The Singapore Botanic Gardens is made up of several zones – Tanglin, Nassim, Bukit Timah, Tyersall and Gallop. Each zone has different highlights of plants and visitor-friendly spaces and amenities.
Learning about Singapore with Kids
If you are sharing more information about Singapore especially to children, from 3 to 12 August 2024, you can get more free Singapore-themed resources at Twinkl. Start exploring Twinkl Singapore!
