The Far East Organization’s Children’s Garden at Gardens by the Bay is one of our favourite playgrounds in Singapore!
Gardens by the Bay is one of Singapore’s greatest attractions, but if we’re honest, until its playground opened it rather lacked the family-friendly angle that would keep us going again and again. But then we popped by to check out the Far East Organization’s Children’s Garden and we’re huge fans — this is going to become one of your new faves mama, promise! If you’re driving or taxi-ing, head to the Satay by the Bay car park for minimum walking time, or if you have older kids who you want to tire out a bit you can head to Marina Barrage and then scoot along the waterfront to the Children’s Garden. It’s a little under signposted at the mo, but you can just follow the noise of happy children playing to find it…
Occupying one hectare of land, what we love about the Children’s Garden is how they’ve divided up the spaces clearly to keep the big and little set apart from each other. Everything is clearly marked as being suitable for either 1-5 year olds or 6-12 year olds. The only problem with this of course is if you have mixed-age kids… you’ll wish you could split yourself in two!
Bring the kids’ swimmers because the best part of the experience are the two fantastic water play areas. The one for mini’s is called the Fish Fountain and is made up of seventeen fish sculptures, which littles can clamber on and around while water jets from their mouths. The bigger water play area really has to be seen to be believed — the various jets and splash buckets have been synchronised to music and builds to a crescendo, where if you’re standing anywhere nearby, you’re going to get wet! Make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and rash vests as the water play areas are not covered, but there’s a stadium-style seating area (which is under a large sail) if you want to stick to the shade.
In terms of dry play, the Toddler Playground has tons to keep under-5’s amused, while the Treehouses are full of climbing and exploring possibilities that will test your little monkeys to the limit! There’s also an Adventure Trail that we somehow missed on our visit, but which we hear is even more challenging and exciting for active tykes.
For hungry monkeys, there’s a little cafe on site serving a variety of snacks and hot and cold drinks. We were happy to see some fresh fruit on offer too! Or you can always wander back to Satay by the Bay to eat your fill of hawker-style goodies.
And do you know what the most amazing thing of all is mamas? Access to the Children’s Garden is FREE, and it’s open from 9am – 9pm Tuesday to Sunday. Our new fave Singapore hangout? Yes mama!
Far East Organization Children’s Garden
Gardens by the Bay
18 Marina Gardens Drive
Singapore 018953
Open Tues to Sun 9am – 9pm. **CLOSED MONDAYS**
