Getting kids excited about mealtime is one thing, but here’s a fun way to get them just as curious about what lurks in the deep sea or why animals behave the way they do.
KFC is bringing food and learning together through a year-long collaboration with Ranger Buddies, an edutainment brand developed by Mandai X, the growth accelerator and venture-building arm of Mandai Wildlife Group.
The collab also comes as the fast food giant’s Lil’ Bucket Meal turns one, giving the kids’ meal a new year-long adventure to mark its first birthday.
From 1 Oct 2026, every purchase of a KFC Lil’ Bucket Meal or Lil’ Bucket Family Meal at participating outlets comes with a free limited edition KFC x Ranger Buddies collectible card pack, while stocks last.
These cards aren’t just destined to gather dust in a drawer once lunch is over. Each pack also opens the door to digital missions where kids can learn about wildlife, complete challenges, and unlock rewards.
Young explorers better get those albums ready, as they can build their collection month by month with 60 KFC x Ranger Buddies cards released throughout the year.
Five unique cards will be released each month, introducing kids to Ranger Buddies Al and Min, their animal companions, and different wildlife species, along with the animals’ unique abilities and some of the environmental challenges they face.
Each monthly pack features one Buddy Card and four randomised Animal Cards, with a chance of finding a rare one.
And for those who like their collections neat and nicely on-theme, a limited-edition KFC x Ranger Buddies Card Binder will be available for S$29.90 from 1 Oct, exclusively at KFC Kallang and KFC’s merchandise website.
Each card pack comes with a mission card that unlocks monthly digital adventures in the Ranger Buddies app, which can be accessed directly through a web browser without downloading anything.
The missions are designed to make learning feel more like play, using storytelling, games, and challenges to introduce kids to wildlife and environmental topics.
For instance, Creatures of the Deep dives into the world of unusual deep-sea animals and the roles they play in healthy ocean ecosystems. Future missions will touch on living alongside nature, while the festive mission Get Ready for Christmas with Arlo explores how climate change is affecting Antarctica.
This is all very much in line with what Ranger Buddies is about. Developed by Mandai X, the edutainment brand combines storytelling, gamification, digital technology, and real-world experiences to encourage children to explore the world around them, while building curiosity and awareness along the way.
There’s a nice little payoff once each mission is done, too. Children can spin a virtual wheel for a chance to score KFC rewards, with freebies such as hash browns, corn cups, apple juice, cheese fries, and even a Lil’ Tenders Meal up for grabs.
Completing the digital mission also unlocks 25% off tickets to Curiosity Cove’s Halloween event, The Mischief Within, throughout October, giving families a chance to take the Ranger Buddies adventure off-screen and into a more immersive, hands-on setting. More perks will be revealed in the months ahead.
That hands-on adventure gets a spooky season twist at Curiosity Cove at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which is hosting its first Halloween event, The Mischief Within, from 1 Oct to 1 Nov 2026.
The event follows Ranger Buddies Al and Min as they investigate a mysterious presence causing trouble around the playscape.
By day, families can take on Boo-tiful Day carnival games such as Mischief Knockdown and Pumpkin Blast from 10am to 5.30pm, both included with regular admission.
Image courtesy of Mandai Wildlife Group
Optional add-ons include making a Neon Glow Painting or Glow Night Lamp at the Crafty Cauldron, or picking up a candy bag for a little trick-or-treating mission around the playscape.
Image courtesy of Mandai Wildlife Group
Things get a little spookier from 6.30pm to 9.30pm on selected Friday to Sunday evenings with Sundown. Families can tackle The Mischief Within Trail, navigating mazes and cracking clues to seal away “The Mischief”, before catching a live bubble show by CJ Bubbles and a victory parade with Best Dressed awards.
Sundown requires a separate ticket, though those with existing Curiosity Cove day-admission tickets can top up S$25 to extend their visit into the evening session.
This collab won’t be disappearing after Halloween. From 1 Oct 2026 to 30 Sept 2027, KFC restaurants islandwide will become Ranger Buddies Outposts, complete with themed Lil’ Buckets, trayliners, and table stickers featuring Al, Min, and their animal companions.
Families can also look forward to new collectible cards and digital missions rolling out throughout the year.
Inside the KFC app, the Lil’ Bucket World gives kids access to educational games and a gateway to the virtual Ranger Buddies Tree House.
Beyond the app, the Ranger Buddies digital experience lets families join Al, Min, and their C.O.U.R.A.G.E. animal buddies on interactive missions that bring wildlife education to life through challenges and activities.
Along the way, kids can learn more about animals, their habitats, and the natural world, while developing values such as curiosity, empathy, adaptability, and resourcefulness.
There are a few more reasons to keep an eye on KFC’s socials, too. Monthly giveaways are planned, with pairs of tickets to Singapore Zoo, River Wonders, Rainforest Wild Asia, Curiosity Cove, and Exploria up for grabs.
KFC’s Lil’ Bucket Meals are available for dine-in and takeaway at all KFC outlets except Singapore Polytechnic, while stocks last. They can also be ordered via KFC Delivery, GrabFood, and foodpanda.
For more information, visit KFC Singapore’s website and follow them on Instagram or TikTok for all the latest updates.
This article was brought to you in collaboration with KFC.
Featured image by MS News (photography by Cassia Leong) and courtesy of Mandai Wildlife Group.