50 Things to do with Kids in Singapore before they grow up

Looking for fun (mostly FREE) things to do with kids, mama? Check out our ultimate list of can’t-miss activities in Singapore!

We’ll be the first to admit that we’ve had many a day where we haven’t had a clue how to keep our munchkins entertained. The amazing thing about Singapore however is that it’s positively teeming with things to do as a family! From bike riding to kite-flying, sailing to swimming, and maybe even camping (oh yes!) here’s 50 ideas for things to do with kids in the Little Red Dot. Pack up the kids and let’s go mama!

1. Catch the ferry to Pulau Ubin, hire bikes and ride around the entire island, exploring the few original villages that still remain. Have lunch at one of the local seafood restaurants and watch the chef clean and dice a crab in under 2 minutes.

2. Head to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and hike with the kids to the top of Bukit Timah Hill (Singapore’s highest peak) — just don’t feed the monkeys mama!

3. Pack up the older kids and make your way to MacRitchie Reservoir to do the Treetop Walk. The 250m free-standing suspension bridge offers a bird’s eye view of the forest canopy and is a fun stroll for mini adventurers.

4. Take a step back in history and explore the Battle Box at Fort Canning Park. After taking in the history of this underground bunker, walk through the park and look for other World War 2 artefacts.

5. Visit Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Temple to see Singapore’s largest buddhist temple and take photos of the kids in the grounds with the mini stone statutes.

6. Unleash your little explorers on the forest adventure ropes course at Bedok Reservoir and watch your mini monkeys in action.

7. Pack some lunch, catch the ferry and head to St. John’s Island for a beach side summer picnic.

8. Eat yum cha in Chinatown, preferably during Chinese New Year so you can see all the decorations or during the Mid-Autumn Festival to enjoy the colourful lanterns.

9. Burn some energy by kayaking with the kiddos at MacRitchie Reservoir.

10. See how organic veggies are grown at Bollywood Veggies and take a wander around the 10-acre farm. Enjoy a meal in the on-site restaurant, Poison Ivy Bistro whilst you’re there.

Image sourced via Flickr by erwinsoo

11. Wander ’round super-cool Kampong Glam, cafe-hopping and boutique browsing in Haji Lane to your heart’s content!

12. Stroll (or scoot! or bike!) along Robertson Quay, stopping off to grab a coffee at Toby’s Estate or Common Man Coffee Roasters.

13. Ride the “train” and play in the sandpit at Tiong Bahru Park, then head to the Wet Market to gorge on pau at Tiong Bahru Pau.

14. Take the cable car to Sentosa then splash about at the Port of Lost Wonder — little pirates can get wet and wild!

15. Get ‘hands on’ at the Singapore Science Centre, with discoveries to make and tonnes of buttons to push. Then head outside for a splashing good time at the water park just outside!

16. Hire bikes and ride all (or part of) the 15km cycling path at East Coast Park. Keep your cool with the refreshing sea breezes.

17. Take an evening spin on the Singapore Flyer. Watch the sun set over Singapore and take in the view as the city lights flicker to life.

18. Pick up a water taxi from in front of the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel at Robertson Quay and get off at the Promenade in front of the Singapore Flyer. Bring the scooters so the kids can scoot all the way back to Clarke Quay for a well earned drink (for all of you!).

19. Feed the fish at the Botany Centre and look for turtles in Symphony Lake at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

20. Get educated at Images of Singapore and let the kiddies learn about the history of Singapore — in a fun way!

21. Channel your inner Dr. DoLittle at the Singapore Zoo! Pack the swimmers so the kiddos can cool off in the water-play area after a morning spent looking (and feeding) the animals.

22. Learn to windsurf at Mana Mana Beach Club. Younger siblings can build sandcastles in the sand while the older kiddies are out on the water.

23. Get up early and head to the Zoo for breakfast with the Orangutans!

24. Show your munchkins the toys of your childhood at the Mint Museum of Toys — keep an eye out for the Spiderman exhibition. Cool man!

25. Watch the tines (and the mamas) giggle their way through a session of Fish Foot Therapy at Underwater World.

26. Fly at kite at Marina Barrage! Bring the swimsuits so the kids can jump around in the water play area afterwards.

27. Stay up late to watch the light and sound show at Marina Bay Sands. With shows at 8pm and 9:30pm, get there early to bag the best spot!

29. Visit the Central Fire Station on a Saturday morning and let the tinies learn about firefighting (and maybe even take a ride on a fire truck!). Visit the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery afterwards to learn more about Singapore’s civil defence history.

30. Eat ice cream the Singapore way — between a slice of rainbow coloured bread!

Image sourced via Flickr from Brent 2.0

31. Take cheesy pictures with the kiddies in front of the big Merlion at Merlion Park, before stopping for lunch at one of the restaurants at Collyer Quay. Eat lunch with a view of Marina Bay Sands.

32. Catch the travelator from VivoCity to Sentosa (along the Sentosa Boardwalk) and wander down to C-Side to laze the day away by the water while the little ones splash in the waves.

33. Get a green thumb as you explore Jacob Ballas Children’s Gardens with the kiddos, then cool off with a splash in the water play area afterwards. Just remember — this one is closed on Mondays!

34. Introduce young palates to yummy chicken rice at Newton Food Centre. Watermelon juice is optional.

35. Spend a night under the stars and go camping at Changi Beach Park. Don’t forget to register with NParks first!

36. Go on a Monkey Walk with the Jane Goodall Institute of Singapore and learn more about our cheeky friends.

37. Catch some serious waves at Wave House Sentosa and let the littlies learn how to surf.

38. Stock up on plastic fantastic at Mustafa Centre before grabbing a bite to eat at The Banana Leaf Apolo Restaurant. Show the kiddos how to eat their lunch from a banana leaf!

39. Take a wonder through Joo Chiat — stop for a play at corner junction, pick up a coffee and a cake at Relational Goods, then stop for a browse through children’s furniture boutique, Ni Night (they also stock children’s clothing and accessories!).

40. Make the trip to Pasir Ris Park to let your mini monkeys go wild on the huge adventure playground. Burn that last bit of energy by riding bikes around the gardens (the wide flat paths are fantastic for beginner cyclists!).

41. Head to Jurong East Swimming Complex to let your tykes hurl themselves down one of the 3 big water slides, bob around in the wave pool or float down the lazy river. Splish Splash!

42. Introduce junior diners to the infamous Chili Mud Crab and teach youngsters how to eat a freshly cooked crab at East Coast Seafood Centre.

43. Pick up a rod and head to Kid’s Kampong for some fishing with the kiddos!

44. Discover our nation’s history at the interactive National Museum of Singapore. Sign the kids up for an interactive tour to keep them entertained!

45. See how far your children can trot by tackling the 10km Southern Ridges walk. Connecting Kent Ridge Park with Mount Faber Park and Labrador Nature Reserve, this hike includes the Henderson Waves — the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore.

46. Let the minis run wild at West Coast Park — there’s an adventure playground with 8 play zones, space for scooting and cycling, grass for flying kites, go-karting for the big kids and even a sea breeze to keep everyone cool! Phew!

47. Take your mini pirates to play on the “battleship” playground at Sembawang Park before cooking your own BBQ lunch (don’t forget to book your BBQ pit before you get there!).

48. Get up close and personal with our feathered friends at Jurong Bird Park (don’t forget the bathers either so the kids can play in the water play area too!).

49. Play tourist for the day and book a Duck Tour of Singapore. See the city and take a thrill ride at the same time!

50. Spend a quiet morning at My Tree House at the National Library — it’s the world’s first green library (and loads of fun for littlies!).

Top image is from Shutterstock