Free Things to do with Kids in Singapore

Who says that Singapore needs to be expensive all the time? Not us, mamas! From free concerts and performances, to a bit of art appreciation, and even a whole lot of outdoor fun, there’s loads of free things to do with kids in Singapore! Put that purse away now and get exploring!

1. Catch a Concert

The leafy Singapore Botanic Gardens is the perfect spot for a lazy afternoon stroll but did you know it’s also home to a number of free concerts? Why yes it is! Held regularly throughout the year (head to the website for full deets) on the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, unfurl your picnic blanket on the grass and settle in for the live performance.

2. Art Appreciation

Every Friday evening between 6pm and 9pm, the Singapore Art Museum waives all entry fees and lets you waltz on in for free! Let your big kids stay up late as you catch the latest exhibition, before heading across the road to check out the chapel at Chjimes by night. Psssst… Citizens and Permanent Residents get free entry any time of the day all year round!

3. See an Exhibition

From 6pm every evening, the National Museum of Singapore has free entry for everyone to the Singapore Living Galleries. While the museum closes at 8pm, two hours is more than enough time to dash around the museum with your youngsters and absorb some of Singapore’s history. Psssst… Citizens and Permanent Residents get free entry any time of the day all year round!

4. Take a stroll

Bring the scooters for the wee ones and spend an afternoon strolling along the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade. This easy walk (flat, wide paths are perfect for speed demons) has the added bonus of sea breezes and stunning views of Marina Bay Sands. You can pick up the 3.5km trail from the front of the Bayfront MRT station, just be ready to move it mamas if junior leaves you behind!

5. Chinatown

A wander around the bustling streets of Chinatown is always a colourful delight for little ones, and provides the chance to learn a little more about this interesting district. Head towards the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum to see this stunning Buddhist temple, or meander through the markets to browse the many interesting stalls.

6. Splish Splosh!

Hot days require nothing other than letting the kids loose in the water, and what better way than at a super fun (free) water play park like 112 Katong? This sprawling space is filled with water slides, swings, and fountains and if you get there early enough you’ll even catch some shade. Not in the East? Then check out our Guide to the Best Water Parks and Playgrounds in Singapore — most are free too!

7. Get a Green Thumb

It would be remiss of us not to mention this long-time family favourite, but with free entry all year round, Jacob Ballas Children’s Gardens is a splash-tastic, garden wonderland for teeny tinies!

8. Be a firefighter!

Head to your local fire station (the Central Fire Station is one of our faves!) on a Saturday morning from 9am to 11am to see the fire trucks, meet the firefighters and maybe even get the chance to watch the firemen go down the pole! These free fire station tours are only open to the public on Saturday mornings.

9. Literacy Love

What’s not to love about a quiet session at your local library with your minis? Not much we say – and with kiddos under 7 years of age able to get their own membership card for free, it’s a cheap and cheerful way to enjoy some new books with your kids. It’s also worth checking the Go Library page regularly, for the latest (free) story-telling events for tots.

10. Take off!

While the airport is generally reserved for holidays and farewells, the aviation gallery at Terminal 3 is open to the public and doesn’t require you to hand over any coin to visit! This highly interactive, hands-on display teaches mini munchkins about aviation and how airplanes work! Fun!

11. Skate and Blade

Got teens with energy to burn? Then send them to Scape Skate Park (1 Somerset Road) to burn off that hormone-fuelled energy with a blading or boarding session. With lights out at 10pm daily, use of the skate park is complimentary to all. Gnarly dude! 

12. The Big Durian

Home to an array of live performances and theatre shows, the Esplanade Theatre also holds a number of free music sessions every week. Head to the website to see the full list of concerts, or take a chance and drop past the theatre with your munchkins to see what’s on!

13. Light Show

An oldie but a goodie, catch the free Wonderfull show at Marina Bay Sands every evening from 8pm and let the little ones awe in delight at this fun light and water show. Remember to get there early to bags the best seats!

14. Flower Power

One of the loveliest outdoor attractions in S’pore, Gardens by the Bay is also a (mostly) free 101-hectacre park that is full of walking trails, trees and plenty of gardens! Head to Bay East Gardens for some toddler friendly walking trails as well as stunning views of the Singapore skyline.

15. Park Playland

Pick a park, any park…there’s plenty to choose from in Singapore! From Labrador Park, to Pasir Ris Park and even West Coast Park (all Sassy Mama faves!) check out our guide to the Best Outdoor Parks and Playgrounds in Singapore — they’re all free too!

16. Fly those Kites

Another firm fave with kite-flying minis, Marina Barrage is the perfect pitstop for a sesh with the kids — the only thing you have to pay for is your kite!

17. Take a hike

Nature lovers (and energetic tots!) can lace up their walking shoes and stomp down to the Southern Ridges to walk off all that energy! Part of the 10km green space that joins Labrador Park with Mount Faber Park, pick up the trail where you see fit and get ready to get sweaty (but it’s still loads of fun — we promise, mama!).

18. Beach Baby

Even though S’pore is not home to the world’s best beaches (sniff!), our sunny island is still loaded with plenty of beachy options for water loving babies. The beach at Sembawang is a very pretty and quiet option for families, as well as the beaches along East Coast Park, Changi or West Coast Park. Best part is it doesn’t cost a thing to pull up some sand and plonk yourself down with the fam!

19. Star gazing

Twinkle twinkle little star… let the littlies stay up late and look for stars at the free Omni Theatre Star Gazing Sessions (at the Singapore Science Centre). From 7:50pm every Friday night, wee ones will get the chance to look at the stars (and the moon!) through a series of telescopes.

20. Playground Power

Whilst we are spoilt for choice with playgrounds in Singers, the Dragon Playground at 28 Lorong 6, Toa Payoh is an old school favourite. Tucked away at the bottom of a HDB complex, this quaint playground is a ton of free fun for littlies.

21. Villa Visiting

Haw Par Villa (closed til May 2021), the long forgotten cultural theme park at 262 Pasir Panjang Road, makes for an interesting visit with the fam (probably best for older ones, mama — some displays are a little gruesome!). With plenty of figurines and buddha statutes, for now it still has free admission.

22. Wetland Wonderland

Popular among bird-watchers and photographers, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve runs free guided tours for families (they accommodate kiddies from 3 years) in addition to its tranquil walking trails full of local wildlife. Entrance to the wetlands is complimentary too!

23. Pedal Power

Pack up the bikes (or scooters!) and head to any of the Park Connectors in S’pore for some serious free wheeling with the kiddos! We like the Alexandra Linear Canal Park connector the best — it’s an easy ride plus has plenty of fab playgrounds dotted along the way!

24. Sunny Sentosa

While Singapore’s favourite island playground (we’re talking about Sentosa here, mamas) does cost a little bit of money to enter, if you wander across the boardwalk from VivoCity it only costs $1 to enter the island (basically free, right?). Once you’re there you can meander down to Palawan Amphitheatre to catch the free animal and bird shows everyday or stay up late to see the daily show at the Lake of Dreams.

25. Coast Park

A recent discovery on the Sassy Mama radar, Woodlands Waterfront Park is a another fab coastal park in S’pore, that comes complete with sea breezes, a multi-generational playground, a jetty, and tons of space for kiddos to cycle, scoot and skate! Free admission too, mamas!

Phew! So many fun (and free!) activities to do, so little time!