Things to do with kids in Singapore
Image adapted from (clockwise from top-left): @cafemelbasingapore, @linggermaine, @charzykoh, @p3iling12
A glance around usually proves that kids in public usually have their eyes glued to a screen of some sort, or maybe restlessly running around bumping into others.
But with these X places for kid-friendly outings, there will be no need to resort to the iPad for entertainment. Whichever type of family you are – outdoorsy, food-loving, or animal-loving – there’s something for everyone, with learning opportunities around every corner for your little one.
1. Operate a construction vehicle at Diggersite
Image credit: @diggersite
Let your little one experience being a construction worker for a day at Diggersite, where they’ll don safety helmets and vests and operate a mini digger, alongside other small scale construction machinery. Not only will they be having fun, they’ll also be improving hand-eye coordination and motor skills!
Address: Check out Diggersite’s full list of outlets here
Admission fee: from $7 (email them here for reservations)
2. Customise a drawstring bag or t-shirt at home with Streaks n Strokes’ painting kit
Image credit: Streaks n Strokes
Train your kid’s manual dexterity and allow their creative juices to flow by getting them a home painting kit from Streaks n Strokes. Retailing from $46.90 onwards, each comprehensive kit contains all the tools needed so you don’t have to scramble to get your own from stores.
Image credit: Streaks n Strokes
They also offer free online fabric painting classes to guide your child through customising his or her choice of either a drawstring bag or kid’s t-shirt. Enjoy $5 off your first purchase on Streaks n Strokes by signing up for their weekly newsletter!
Streaks n Strokes
Address: 38 Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2, S569511 (For collections with appointment only)
Telephone: 8587 8884
Website
3. Conquer the obstacle courses and ziplines at Forest Adventure
Image credit: @linggermaine
Forest Adventure has 3 different high element obstacle courses for allo ages, with the Kids Course with 22 crossings and 2 zip lines catering to children as young as 5. There will be instructors and safety precautions to make sure that your entire experience is danger-free.
Read our article on Forest Adventure here.
4. Have a meal in a restaurant where kids eat for free
Bouncy castle at Cafe Melba
Image credit: @cafemelbasingapore
Food: the glorious thing that keeps us all alive, made even better when it comes free for your hungry hippo child. Check out Cafe Melba at Goodman Arts Centre, where kids eat for free every Monday and can have fun with their bouncy castle, tic-tac-toe station, art and craft space and soccer yard.
When the weekend comes, head to La Brasserie at Fullerton Bay Hotel, where kids under 6 score free brunches in addition to face painting and balloon sculpting.
Read our article for the complete list of restaurants where kids can eat for free here.
5. Roleplay as a doctor or radio DJ at Kidzania
Image credit: @kidzaniasingapore
KidZania is an entire city designed just for kids to take over. Here, they can take up any occupation they would like within the 81,000 square feet indoor theme park. With super realistic settings, they can try anything from being a baby doctor, to applying for a driving license, and being a radio presenter. They even have to manage their own finances through ATMs!
Address: Palawan Kidz City. 31 Beach View #01-01/02, Singapore 098008.
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 10AM-6PM (daily)
Telephone: 6653 6888
Admission fees: from $58.90 for kids (full list of prices here)
6. Avoid the sun at indoor playgrounds in malls
Jungle gym at My Litte Giant
Image credit: @mylittlegiantsg
Some days are just too hot for us to go outdoors, so it’s great when we can retreat into the cool comfort of indoor playgrounds, conveniently located within malls. Try out Pirate Land, Singapore’s first indoor pirate playground, fully equipped with a ball pool, sand pool and wheel-operated tank games. There’s even a game where your kiddo can throw small balls at a touch screen to pop virtual balloons.
Or drop off your child at Cookie & Monkey Kids Lounge, where there are alphabet playmats, art supplies and a TV to keep them busy while you continue your shopping. It’s a win-win for both sides!
Check out our article about indoor playgrounds here.
7. Learn about the life cycle of frogs at Jurong Frog Farm
Image credit: @rezalzapata
The Jurong Frog Farm, with over 10,000 American Bullfrogs, is where you and your kids can learn about the life cycle of these amphibians, hand-feed them, and even listen to their all-male frog choir. If you’re a frog porridge-lover, don’t miss the Frogolicious Tour that will let you learn about how the dish is prepared and try frog meat.
Read our article on hidden farms in Singapore here.
Address: 56 Lim Chu Kang Lane 6, Singapore 719164
Opening hours: Tues-Sun: 9AM-5.30PM (closed on Mondays)
*Strictly by appointment/tour reservations
Telephone: 6791 7229
Admission fee: from $12 (full list of prices here)
8. Have a thrill with the rides at Sentosa 4D Adventureland
Image credit: @4dadventureland
Sentosa 4D Adventure has rides that will take you on immersive 4D experiences. The Extreme Log Ride, for example, uses motion sensory effects to make you feel as though you’re actually navigating through the wilderness. You can also watch 4D action dramas here such as Journey 2, a sequel to the movie Journey to the Centre of the Earth, featuring some Hollywood stars such as Vanessa Hudgens and Josh Hutcherson.
Address: 51B Imbiah Road, on Sentosa Island, Singapore
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 10AM-9PM (daily)
Telephone: 6274 5355
Admission fee: from $32.90 (full list of prices here)
9. Wakeboard at Wake Park
Image credit: @singaporewakepark
You don’t have to head to Bali to do some pretty cool water sports with Singapore’s very own Wake Park! With secure line systems to pull you across the water, the Park is suitable for beginners as young as 6 to try their hand at Wakeboarding.
You can choose between different systems, depending on whether you want to go on your own or if you want to Wakeboard with others at the same time. For beginners, it’s probably better to go for an individual session, so that the instructor can focus solely on you for your first few times.
Address: 1206A ECP, Singapore 449891
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 10AM-9PM | 9AM-9PM
Telephone: 6636 4266
Admission fees: from $40 (full list of prices here)
10. Check out vintage toys at Mint Museum of Toys
Image credit: @theaerospaceguy
If it’s one thing that kids love for sure, it’s toys, and the Mint Museum of Toys is stocked to the brim with them. The museum houses a world-class collection of vintage toys and collectables that show how toys have evolved from way before your time to your child’s.
You might just recognise characters such as Popeye, Superman, Felix the cat and Flintstones!
Address: 26 Seah Street, Singapore 188382
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 9.30AM-6.30PM
Telephone: 6339 0660
Admission fee: from $7.50 (full list of prices here)
11. Visit AIRZONE, the world’s first suspended net playground
Head down to AIRZONE, where nets spanning over 5 storeys high will give you a bouncin’ great time. At the world’s first indoor suspended nets playground, your kids can have fun jumping into the ball pit and going down long slides that take you from one storey to another.
Image credit: @lifeintheweehours
Read our article on AirZone here.
AirZone
Address: City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Road, Singapore 208539
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 10.45AM-9PM (daily)
Telephone: 3159 0767
Admission fees: from $18 (full list of prices here)
12. Visit museums like the National Gallery and ArtScience Museum for kid-friendly activities
Image credit: @nationalgallerysingapore
Museums can don’t just provide interactive games and activities for your child, but also teach them about various topics such as art, technology or culture. The ArtScience Museum has the permanent Future World exhibition where the large interactive screens can turn your crayon drawings into animals.
The National Gallery is another kid-friendly museum you need to visit at least once. Apart from the fun children’s tours, they also have activities including family art workshops and storytelling sessions.
Check out our museum-related articles here:
13. Drop by a window decal and sand art craft kiosk
Image credit: Party People Singapore
Many malls like Westgate and Junction 8 have art kiosks, where you can sit down and rest while your child releases his or her inner Picasso. They’ll give your kids the opportunity to spend 1-2 hours painting wall decals or doing sand art, which they can later bring home.
14. Feed animals at a petting zoo like Farmart Centre or The Animal Resort
Image credit: @mook_nk
If there’s one thing that excites children, it’s always animals. Head over to The Animal Resort where you can spot geese, horses, guinea pigs, ducks and exotic birds. Tucked away in Seletar, this farm has free admission and you can choose to purchase food from $1 to feed the animals.
Farmart Centre also houses animals, like goats, bullfrogs, terrapins and gerbils. Likewise, you can purchase food there for your child to feed them with.
Read our article on The Animal Resort here.
The Animal Resort
Address: 81 Seletar West Farmway 5, S798061
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 10AM-5PM (daily, except on CNY Eve and CNY)
Telephone: 64821160 / 91271323
Admission fees: Free
Farmart Centre
Address: 67 Sungei Tengah Road, Singapore 699008
*Note: Farmart Centre will be relocated to: Krawi Farm Resort, 30 Neo Tiew Lane 2 Singapore 718813 from mid-March 2019
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 9AM-1PM | Sat-Sun & PH: 9AM-6.30PM | School holidays: 9AM-4PM
Telephone: 6767 0070
Admission fees: Free
15. Scream your lungs out at Universal Studios Singapore
Image credit: @qixuqing
Your kids will never get bored at Universal Studios Singapore, especially when they’ll be spoilt for a choice between the 24 rides. Older and bolder kids can get an adrenaline rush on the Battlestar Galactica roller coaster while younger ones can go on gentler rides like the Puss In Boots’ Giant Journey.
If you’re tired from the heat, head indoors for one of the shows such as the immersive Shrek 4-D Adventure. You can also meet some of your favourite cartoon mascots and movie characters at the Meet and Greet sessions!
Read our Universal Studios-related articles here:
- Guide to USS
- USS annual pass
- Christmas at USS
- Universal Studios Japan + Harry Potter World guide
- New activities at Universal Studios Japan
Address: 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs: 10AM-7PM | Fri-Sat: 10AM-10PM
Telephone: 6577 8888
Admission fees: from $53 (full list of prices here)
16. Treat the family to a kid-friendly staycation
Castle-themed suite at Shangri-La
Image credit: @shangrilasg
Give the family a treat by taking them to one of the several kid-friendly hotels in Singapore for a staycay that will have everyone well-refreshed and entertained. One of these is Shangri-La, which has themed rooms which encourage roleplay. Staying at their family suites will also grant you free access to Buds at Shangri-La, an indoor playground where kids can participate in activities like supervised painting on walls.
The Ritz-Carlton, on the other hand, offers an in-room camping experience for your child to sleep in a tent on a premium mattress. Adventurer passports given to your little tot will encourage them to go around the hotel collecting animal stamps before getting a free scoop of ice cream as their reward.
Read our article on these kid-friendly hotels here.
17. Run around at Pororo Park, a themed jungle gym
Image credit: Pororo Park Singapore
Pororo Park’s indoor playground revolves around Pororo the penguin himself, and his different cartoon friends in the themed forest playground. Special facilities here include a jungle gym, ball pits, and a bouncy castle. There’s also a mini supermarket where children can play pretend buying and cooking food, a Pororo Express Train ride, and theatre where Pororo and Friends will perform their live shows.
Address: 6 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square #02-29, S(039594)
Opening hours: Sun-Fri: 10.30AM-8PM | Sat: 10.30PM-9PM
Telephone: 6250 9700
Admission fee: from $28.50 (full list of prices here)
If you’re keen on cooking classes for your kids, check out these baking classes.
18. Beat the heat at free water playgrounds
Image credit: @julieandjude
With the hot and humid weather, your little one will thank you for any chance given to splash around in a water playground. Take your kid to Splash-N-Surf at Kallang Wave Mall where they can have fun running around the fort, going down the slides and getting a refreshing spritz of water from the fountains.
Or opt to head to the huge Palawan Pirate Ship, a humongous ship-shaped playground structure will easily let you burn off a couple of hours at Sentosa.
Read our article on free water playgrounds here.
19. Cultivate a love for reading at Singapore’s public libraries
Central Public Library’s My Tree House
Image credit: @juncunsu
Encourage a love for reading in your little one by taking them down to libraries such as the Central Public Library, which holds storytelling sessions in 4 languages on some Saturdays. Coined “My Tree House”, this library has a cosy forest theme and has a treehouse canopy comprised of over 3000 plastic bottles.
The new library@habourfront gives you a panoramic view of the sea, with deck chairs laid out for you take in the great view as you read. Your child will also get to join in on the paper crafting activities and word puzzles in the children’s corner.
Read our article on the coolest library features in Singapore here.
20. Make your own pancakes at Slappy Cakes
Image credit: @moon_nk
DIY pancakes! Need we say more? Slappy Cakes lets you and your kiddo choose from a wide range of batters for your pancakes, which you can squeeze out into your desired shapes with a nozzle bottle. Toppings like chocolate sprinkles and fruits can be added on to your creations. Not only will your kids be well-amused, you can consider breakfast settled for the day.
Address: Check out Diggersite’s full list of outlets here
21. Reminisce at old school playgrounds
Take a walk down memory lane by bringing your kiddo to some of the old-school playgrounds that you once played at. The Dragon Playground at Toa Payoh is a classic icon, designed back in 1979. Another one is the mosaic-tiled Clock Playground at Bishan. Your children will be having a ball on the duck spring riders and clambering up the ladders to head down the slides.
Read our article on old-school playgrounds here.
22. Be a fireman for a day at a fire station open house
Image credit: @p3iling12
Fire station open houses are a great opportunity for children to learn about their inner workings while being shown around by the friendly firemen. Most fire stations in Singapore hold open houses every Saturday, where your kiddo will get a chance to sit in a fire engine, slide down a fireman’s pole, and even operate a fireman hose!
Address: full list of fire stations here
Opening hours: Sat: 9AM-11AM
Admission fee: Free
23. Cuddle dogs and cats at a pet cafe
Image credit: Meomi Cat Cafe
Cat cafes like Meomi Cat Cafe will let you your child enjoy a meal while cuddling the cute kitties milling about. The friendly staff will also share the background stories of your newfound furry friends.
If you’re more of a dog person, then We Are The Furballs dog cafe will make your heart melt completely. Here, you can purchase $3.50 treat bags for your child to feed the dogs and practice tricks such as making them sit. The cafe only serves drinks, but you can also play one of the many board games available there.
Read our article on We Are The Furballs here.
Meomi Cat Cafe
Address: 668 North Bridge Road, Singapore
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 11AM-10PM
Telephone: 6296 0339
Admission fee: $7 (kids), $13 (adults)
We Are The Furballs
Address: Bugis+, 201 Victoria Street #07-07, Singapore 188067
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs: 1PM-10PM | Fri-Sat: 12.30PM-10.30PM
Telephone: 6509 1186
Admission fee: from $9.50
24. Snorkel among fish or hit up water slides at Adventure Cove Waterpark
Image credit: @erikahocson
Adventure Cove is not just any water theme park – they’ve pulled out the big guns with their Ray Bay attraction, where you can swim and interact with stingrays. Or, snorkel at the Rainbow Reef and enter the underwater world of many different schools of brightly-coloured fish amongst the reefs.
You can race your kid on the Dueling Racer slides as the two of you plunge down on mats to see who reaches the finishing line first. Or team up together in Spiral Washout as you both hang on to your floats and get spinning round down the slide at top speed.
Read our guide on Adventure Cove Waterpark here.
Address: Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 10AM-6PM (daily)
Telephone: 6577 6000
Admission fees: from $30 (full list of prices here)
25. Experience Winter at Snow City Singapore
Image credit: @linda.cla
Get away from Singapore’s sticky heat and head to Snow City Singapore for a change in scenery and temperature. The sub-zero compound has snow slopes towering over 3 storeys and going 60 meters long for you to slide down.
Your kids can exploring the igloos, check out the cartoon ice sculptures, and listen in on storytelling sessions to learn about the Northern Lights.
Address: 21 Jurong Town Hall Road, Singapore 609433
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 10AM-6PM | School holidays, PH: 10AM-7PM
Telephone: 6560 2306
Admission fee: from $12 per hour (full list of prices here)
26. Learn how things work at the Science Centre
The Science Centre will fascinate your child, with typhoon simulators to VR experiences that will take you into outer space. The Mind’s Eye, a permanent exhibition, has a whole slew of interactive experiences, such as a rainbow mirror maze and optical illusion spaces that will make time fly.
While there, you can also pay KidsStop a visit. The place is designed to let children play and learn in different themed zones, like Flight & Space, which lets them make their own constellations, and The Big Dream Climber, which features a 9-metre climbing structure with a music room at the top.
Read our article on The Mind’s Eye exhibition here, and find out more about what you can do at the Science Centre here.
Address: 21 Jurong Town Hall Rd, Singapore 609433
Opening hours: Mon: 9.30AM-7PM | Tues-Sun: 9.30AM-1.30PM, 2PM-6PM
Telephone: 6653 6888
Admission fees: from $58.90 for kids (full list of prices here)
27. Play interactive games and watch 4D shows at the Singapore Discovery Centre
Image credit: @sin_kok_wai
Singapore Discovery Centre, which was built to commemorate Singapore’s past and present, is great for kids because of its interactive exhibitions, 4D simulator rides and games.
Kids can pretend to be a reporter and choose from 20 of Singapore’s significant stories to read out in English, Mandarin, Malay or Tamil. They can also strike up a conversation with the different talking robots placed around the museum.
Address: 510 Upper Jurong Road, Singapore 638365
Opening hours: Tues-Sun: 9AM-6PM (closed on Mondays, except PH and School holidays)
Telephone: 6792 6188
Admission fee: from $6 (full list of prices here)
28. Get bouncing at a trampoline park
Image credit: @bouncesingapore
Energetic kids will love trampoline parks where they can bounce to their heart’s content. Places like Katapult offer your kid the chance to try wall runs, play dodgeball, or practise slam dunks with a little bit of help from the bouncy trampolines. Another trampoline park, GymKraft, has classes to teach you basic skills like landings or more complicated moves like air flips.
Read our article for the full list of trampoline parks in Singapore here.
29. View sharks and stingrays at the S.E.A. Aquarium
S.E.A. Aquarium is a gorgeous underwater world of unique marine creatures. The tunnels of the aquarium gives you a view of the sharks and stingrays in the aquarium while the Open Ocean Habitat has art and craft sessions to keep your kiddo occupied.
Read our guide on the S.E.A. Aquarium here.
Address: 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269
Opening hours: Wed-Thurs: 10AM-6PM | Fri-Tues: 10AM-7PM
Telephone: 65778888
Admission fee: from $29 (full list of prices here)
30. Have a meal at a character themed cafe
Character cafes are always fun to dine at. The Gudetama Cafe features the adorable Sanrio character in the form of burger buns and eggs on your plate that will have you going aww. Even the booths are egg-shaped! My Melody Cafe located next door is where you can get a Japanese curry dish, moulded to the shape of the bunny herself.
Other character cafes in Singapore include Hungry Heroes, featuring superheroes like Iron Man and Captain America, and the Charlie Brown cafe.
Read our article on character cafes here.
31. Get an adrenaline rush with the Skyline Luge
Image credit: Skyline Luge Sentosa
The Skyline Luge is a thrilling experience where you and your child can zoom down slopes and tracks on a vehicle that moves based on gravity and momentum.
Before you ride the luge down the hill, you can opt to take the Skyride, a chairlift that will let you soar above the canopy of trees with a Sentosa seaview. After getting to the top, you can choose between 4 luge trails to head down on.
Address: 45 Siloso Beach Walk, Sentosa, Singapore
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 10AM-9.30PM (daily)
Telephone: 6274 0472
Admission fee: from $23.50 (full list of prices here)
32. Snap optical illusion-style photos at the Trick Eye Museum
Image adapted from: @vitaanggraenny
Any kid would be thrilled at the optical illusions at the Trick Eye Museum, where 2D pictures actually show up as 3D images from the right angle. You can spend hours here posing to your heart’s content as you “skydive” or pretend to ride a unicorn.
Check out our article on the Trick Eye Museum here.
Address: Waterfront@Resorts World Sentosa 26 Sentosa Gateway #01-43-44, Singapore 098138
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 10AM-9PM (daily)
Telephone: 6795 2370/ 2371
Admission fees: from $17 (full list of prices here)
33. Get up close to creepy crawlies at the Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom
Image credit: @nicklas_pillay
Transport yourself to butterfly paradise at the Butterfly Park and Insect Kingdom. The park has a large diversity of over 1500 butterflies from 50 different species in their natural tropical habitat. Your child can even watch when a cocoon transforms into a butterfly!
Make sure you join in on one of the free guided tours and have a look at some of the other exotic insects at the park too, such as beetles and scorpions, with about 3000 species for you to learn about. You can even pose for pictures with some of the macaws!
Address: 51 Imbiah Road, Singapore 099702
Opening hours: Mon-Sun: 9.30AM-7PM (daily)
Telephone: 6275 0013
Admission fee: from $10 (full list of prices here)
34. Have a splashing great time at Wild Wild Wet
Image credit: @charzykoh
The water theme park Wild Wild Wet has undergone a revamp in recent times with new rides such as Torpedo, an 18-metre-high slide that keeps you going at 70km/hour for daring children craving that adrenaline rush.
For younger children, there’s the Shiok River, where all you have to do is relax on a tube float as the currents sweep you along gently.
Address: 1 Pasir Ris Close, Singapore 519599
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 1PM-7PM | Sat-Sun: 10AM-7PM ]
Telephone: 6581 9128
Admission fees: from $18 (full list of prices here)
35. Visit the animals at the Singapore Zoo, River Safari, and Night Safari
Image credit: @jaredmichaelong
Any kid would be fascinated at the Singapore Zoo with over 2000 animals to learn about. Wave hello to the adorable pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia or head down for some of the live shows where you might just get a little wet from the splashes of the cheeky sea lions. You can conveniently cover the River Safari and Night Safari after, which are located in the same area, where you can go on an Amazon River Quest or take a buggy ride in a Safari Adventure Tour.
While you’re at it, you should also check out Jurong Bird Park. Let your tot feed the gentle lories, and join in on the High Flyers Show where you can listen to a bird singing in 3 languages!
Read our article on why you should visit the Singapore Zoo here.
Check out the opening hours and ticket prices for all four attractions here.
36. Zoom down the world’s tallest slide at Changi Airport
World’s tallest slide at Terminal 3
Changi Airport is teeming with kids’ activities for the public, whether you’re catching a flight or not. Terminal 1 alone has an indoor playground, a woodblock rubbing colouring station, and many coin-operated rides scattered around.
Terminal 3 also has its fair share of playgrounds, reading corners and colouring activities for your child too. Don’t miss a chance to go down the world’s tallest slide at Terminal 3, towering at 12 meters tall – for every $10 you spend, you’ll get a ticket for one ride. Or head to Terminal 4 departure lounge for the 5-storey rope playground that is open 24/7 and free.
Read our article on secret things to do at Changi Airport here.
Address: Airport Boulevard
Telephone: 6595 6868
Places to bring kids in Singapore
Everyone always seems to be occupied these days – with adults cramming deadlines at work and children occupied with school, family time does seem to be getting increasingly rare. Instead of heading to the same places over and over again, toss the phones aside and head out to make some new memories. You’d never know just how much you might enjoy yourself!
