On 5 October 2024, Families for Life (FFL) brought together grandparents, parents, and children for a heartwarming event: Family Day Out with Grands @ Bird Paradise, in conjunction with Celebrating Our Grands (COG) 2024.
Held at the newly opened Bird Paradise in Mandai, the event was a perfect setting for families to create lasting memories and strengthen intergenerational bonds.
This year’s COG aims to encourage quality family time, especially between grandparents and their extended families, emphasizing the importance of fostering love, care, and respect across generations.
Gracing the event as Guest of Honor is Mr. Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for Health During his welcome address, Minister Masagos expressed his heartfelt admiration for grandparents and the invaluable roles they play in our lives.
He spoke about his own cherished memories with his grandparents, underscoring the importance of spending quality time, open communication, and supporting our elderly family members.
“Grandparents are among our greatest and strongest supporters, guiding us through different phases of our lives and sharing their life experiences with us,” Minister Masagos said. He called on families to grow intergenerational bonds by setting aside time to spend with their grandparents, appreciating them in meaningful ways, and ensuring they feel loved and supported as they age.
Families who participated in the event were treated to an engaging lineup of activities that provided opportunities to connect, learn, and have fun together. Highlights included the exclusive ‘COG’ Family Trail, a special Wings of the World presentation, and a family-friendly movie screening at the Sky Amphitheatre.
The event provided a reminder of the significance of intergenerational bonds. As Minister Masagos stated, “Even as we live with our grandparents, we must not ever let them feel lonely. Let’s spend time listening and talking to them, and make them feel part of the family, as they should.” This message resonated with all attendees, inspiring families to appreciate the special role that grandparents play.
Families for Life has truly set the stage for fostering intergenerational bonds, and the collaboration with Mandai Bird Paradise made this year’s COG event a meaningful and memorable day for everyone involved.
As the event concluded, it was evident that the smiles and laughter shared among the families were a testament to the enduring bonds that make our families resilient and strong.
After the event, we decided to continue our adventure, exploring the new Bird Paradise like enthusiastic tourists.
The vibrant atmosphere and beautiful surroundings made it a perfect opportunity for us to immerse ourselves in the natural wonders.
One memorable moment for Wilber is standing behind the stunning waterfalls. He couldn’t resist capturing the moment.
Meanwhile, Willie had a fun time trying to communicate with the colourful birds, playfully mimicking their calls.
Of course, no visit would be complete without a stop at the penguin enclosure.
The day ended on a high note, filled with laughter, exploration, and unforgettable memories at Bird Paradise.
Here’s a video capturing what we experienced at Bird Paradise.
