Post Category - Family LifeFamily Life
Post Category - PlayPlay - Post Category - IndoorIndoor - Post Category - PartiesPartiesHere’s our ultimate guide to the best indoor play in Singapore, mama!
From art with found objects, to real-life jobs, to your classic jungle gyms and slides, indoor play in Singapore can take many forms. That’s lucky for us when we’re dealing with finicky weather, or looking for a convenient treat for kiddos who’ve dutifully tagged along on a shopping mall excursion. From the best spots for babies to laser tag and climbing walls – we thought it was high time to give you the scoop on any and all forms of indoor playgrounds in Singapore, mamas. And here’s a pro tip: while variety is the spice of life, if your kiddo has a clearcut favorite spot (and you can tolerate swinging by a couple times a month), it’s probably worth springing for a membership, because indoor play generally ain’t cheap.
Have fun…and whatever you do, remember to bring SOCKS for both you and your kiddos!
East Coasters rejoiced when this not-for-profit, accessible art centre and play space for children 12 and under opened at Goodman Arts Centre in 2017. Living up to its motto, A Curious Place to Be, Artground presents three different interactive exhibitions for kids throughout the year (starting later this month, [email protected], a smart-interactive playspace where spontaneous and self-directed play are encouraged through exploration via simple electronics and technology). Besides the free play space, Artground also offers a variety of affordable ($10 per parent/child pair!) 30-minute drop-in dance, music storytelling, and even gardening programmes on weekends. Perhaps best of all, admission is FREE (though donations are encouraged)! Bonus points for also offering some outdoor space.
How much: Entry is free! Tickets for ticketed events and workshops can be purchased on-site.
The Artground, 90 Goodman Road, #01-40, Block J, Singapore 439053, Tel: (+65) 6925 0621, www.artground.com.sg
Clip ‘n Climb is designed for both adults and kids alike with 19 colourful climbing challenges of varying difficulty. Each 8m climbing wall is decked out in different colours and themes with different levels of difficulty so its challenging for everyone. There’s the Morse Code with flashing lights, the Dry Ice wall where you need ice picks, the double-sided Face-to-Face wall and the Spaghetti Junction with dangling ropes for extra difficulty. It’s a full sensory experience and keeps the fun stakes high. Safety is of course paramount, too, with a cool auto-belaying system that eliminates the need for a human belayer on the ground. They also offer a 10-session Savers Pass that’s great value if your kiddo’s a fan. We particularly love that there are no age restrictions (kids just need to weigh at least 10kg), so it’s the perfect place to go with your super active little monkeys!
Quote ClipnClimbSassyMama to get $5 off at Clip ‘n’ Climb HomeTeamNS from now through 30 April 2018.
How much: 90-minute experience for individual priced at $18 for HomeTeamNS members; $22 for PA/SAFRA members; $25 for guests.
Clip ‘n Climb HomeTeamNS, 1 Tampines Walk, #03-03, Our Tampines Hub, Singapore 528523, Tel: (+65) 6705 9410, www.facebook.com/pg/clipnclimbhometeamns
If your little one is climbing all over the furniture and railings, head to this super fun indoor climbing gym where they can boost their sense of adventure and hone their problem solving skills in a positive, safe environment. Centrally located in Little India, Ground Up offers 3-metre bouldering walls (perfect for those afraid of heights and for kids who want to explore without ropes), along with an 8-metre and 15-metre high climbing wall. Ground Up really emphasises coaching for kids and adults, alike, with beginner programmes for toddlers on up (kids just need to weigh at least 12kg). They also offer drop-in family sessions for up to four people, with harnesses, shoes and a coach included. They also offer weekly classes, and do birthday parties!
How much: $10 for Youth 1 Day Pass (age 18 and below); $15 for Adult 1 Day Pass
Ground Up Climbing, 60 Tessensohn Road, c/o Civil Service Club, Singapore 217664, Tel: (+65) 6292 7701, www.groundupsg.com
Singapore’s first dedicated, purpose-built trampoline park, Katapult offers 14,000 square feet of jumping fun for kiddos and adults alike. Highlights at the Yishun complex include freefalling 3 metres onto an airbag (only for those age 18 years and above… so mamas and dads, this one’s for you!), an Olympic trampoline for wall running and dodgeball. Throw in Slam Dunk lanes and over 30 interconnected trampolines, and it’s truly a gravity-defying experience to improve your kiddo’s coordination and balancing!
How much: $15 for 1-hour play and $28 for 2-hour play on weekdays; $19 for 1-hour play and $35 for 2-hour play on weekends. One adult gets to jump for free with each kid who is 4 years old and below.
Katapult Trampoline Park, 81 Lorong Chencharu, #01-11 ORTO, Singapore 769198, Tel: (+65) 6754 5188, [email protected], www.katapult.com.sg
This unique, very much hands-on “children’s centre for creativity” at Gillman Barracks is not a children’s museum, and it’s not an indoor play centre, yet it seems to have some of the best qualities of each. Catering to kids ages 1-12, it’s designed to engage and encourage a range of interests through open-ended, self-directed play via installations, hands-on exploration, creative interactions, workshops and a rotating slate of exhibitions that change on a yearly basis. Playeum is divided into different “zones”, including a soft play area for babies and toddlers, a “dark room” for experiments with light and shadows, a hands-on workshop where kids can make their own creations with recycled materials, and much more! We love the emphasis on imagination (“every child must dream!”) balanced out with real world skills like sawing, cutting, and glueing. The next exhibition on tap will focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics) in various landscapes; the current exhibition, ‘Making it Home‘ closes on 29 April 2018. They offer holiday camps and cool workshops for families, too!
How much: $22 for children aged 1 – 12; Free for accompanying adults; $10 for additional accompanying adult
Playeum, Block 47, Malan Road, Gillman Barracks, #01-21 to #01-23, Singapore 109444, Tel: (+65) 6262 0750, [email protected].com, www.playeum.com
Older kids get ready, this one’s for you! AIRZONE is the world’s first indoor suspended net playground – a net of ropes knitted together to turn the mall atrium space between the different floors of City Square Mall into a playground floating in the air! AIRZONE is an elevated playground with different zones – there’s one access (you need to climb up a rope bridge) and one exit (a PVC slide) per floor. The first level features a suspended ball pit, bouncy balls and giant Zorb balls. On Level 5, “Airstronauts” can navigate an obstacle course of small paths and slopes in the Maze Zone. AIRZONE isn’t ideal if you’re scared of heights; for this reason, we think it’s best suited for courageous kiddos aged 4+, maybe even 6 years old and onwards.
How much: $20 per person big or small for a minimum of 30 minutes, and $65 for a special 4-sessions pass for Singapore Residents including Permanent Residents and Pass holders. You could also pre-book a slot online from $18 to guarantee a slot at your preferred time.
AIRZONE, Level 2 City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Road, Singapore 208539, www.airzone.sg
This rainforest/dinosaur-themed soft play is fab for kids’ parties (they can even serve them up a full dinner), and comes complete with a 3D Glow Golf putting course (naturally). Mama will probably be forced to go down the terrifyingly-high slide, but can retire to the café or relax in the toddler area which is conveniently fenced off from the rest of the “fun”. Not cheap at $39.50 a pop for over-3s who are non-members, but you can save a bit when you buy a package. Saturday afternoons are a bun-fight, so probably best to pack off daddy with the kids while mama has a little browse in Zara downstairs.
How much:
Entrance Bundle for single visit
$29.50 / $39.50 (for kids 1 – turning 3) > Entrance + Spaceball + Mini Golf + Crazy Bounce
$39.50 / $49.50 (for kids above 3) > Entrance + Spaceball + Mini Golf + Crazy Bounce
Includes FREE Entry for 2 adults + ONE Souvenir Photo + Unlimited Playtime
Amazonia, Great World City Mall #03-08, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, Singapore 237994, Tel: (+65) 6235 4522, www.amazoniafun.com
This ocean-themed indoor playground gets raves from mamas for its colourful and engaging play spaces, including a ball pit, bouncy castles, tunnels and a jungle gym. Babies under 11 months get free entry and unlimited play is available on weekdays, but be sure to check their website in advance, mamas, as it’s super-popular for birthday parties on the weekends.
How much: Free for kids 11 months and below; $10 for kids 12 – 29 months; $18 for kids 2.5 years and above; adults chargeable at $5/pax
Aquarius Cove, 29 Carpenter Street, Level 5, Singapore 059923 (Located directly opp. Clarke Quay MRT
Exit E & Clarke Quay Central), Tel (+65): 6532 5550, www.aquariuscove.com
Blue House Infant and Toddler Atelier
Sassy Mama fave the Infant and Toddler Atelier from Blue House International School has a location in UE Square (tucked away in the lobby of Shell House, just across from the shopping mall) along with the original leafy spot in Bukit Timah. Aimed at wee ones 6 months to 3 years, the newer location has unique features like a wind tunnel, a ceiling rainbow of colourful umbrellas, and a custom built light pod and magnet wall, all in a beautiful, sun-drenched space with floor-to-ceiling windows. Very un-mall-like! Both classes and drop-in sessions are guided by Reggio Emilia-trained experts. With its tranquil vibe and slow place of child-led play, this is a top pick for babies and toddlers.
How much: $25 per child, with one accompanying adult; $40 per child, with two accompanying adults; drop-in rates for up to 2 hours of open play discovery time
Blue House Infant and Toddler Atelier UE Square, 83 Clemenceau Avenue #01-35/36 UE Square (lobby of Shell House), Singapore 239920, Tel: (+65) 6235 2126, Turf City, 2 Turf Club Road, #02-05/08, Blue House Nursery & International Preschool, Singapore 287988, Tel:(+65) 6462 6547, www.bluehouseatelier.com
Buds by Shangri-La
Newly opened in 2018 and open to the public, this 2,150 square metres space offers tons of fun for kids of all ages; highlights include a massive ball pit, a bunch of slides, trampolines, a “sand” area (with rice instead of sand – much cleaner!), and a baby and toddler soft play area (highlighted by motorized cars like the ones you see at the supermarket, except here you don’t have to pay!). Buds also includes activity rooms (“Muddy” art studio, “Stage” with costumes, karaoke and musical instruments, and “Bake” – self-explanatory) that offer organized activities kids can pay extra for. To make sure you get your full money’s worth, also be sure to check out the outdoor pirate ship playground and bring your swimsuit along for the adjacent splash pad. Kids wear RFID bracelets to make them easily trackable, giving mamas who want to drop ‘em off and dine next door at The Line extra peace of mind.
How much:
-Entry is $48 per child (ages 4+) and $28 for children under 4 for non-hotel guests, with one adult included.
-A multi-play pass (good for 10 sessions) is $260 for kids 4+, and $160 for kids under 4.
-Additional adult is $10.
-Standard entry is for 3 hours.
Quote Sassy Mama when you check in to Buds and pay $28 per child (including for kids 4-12, U.P. $48), and receive one free activity in Stage or Muddy (reg. $30). Valid through 24 May 2018, Mon – Thu only, 10am to 6pm, excludes public holidays. Entry is good for 3 hours.
Buds by Shangri-La, 22 Orange Grove Road, Tower Wing Level 1, Singapore 258350, Tel: (+65) 6737 3644, www.shangri-la.com/singapore
This spot near Rochester Park is exclusively dedicated to younger kids (ages 5 and under) to ensure they can play in a safe and gentle environment. It’s not so much an indoor playground, but a parent-accompanied space where children can learn through play, exploration, seeing and thinking at the various interactive tables set up throughout the space. You can practically here their little minds buzz as they work on puzzles or build LEGOs, and there’s a nice soft play area for babies with crinkly books. It’s a unique experience and we like the emphasis on positive interactions and encouragement.
How much: $10 for babies under 1; $18 for children 1 and up. Play sessions last two hours; one adult enters for free.
Busy Tables, 35 Rochester Drive, #03-22, Singapore 138639, www.busytables.sg
Kids love airports, so if you’re scratching your head to come up with a new adventure, why not combine a trip to watch some planes, with a visit to Canopy Playground? It’s also great to know about if your flight ever gets delayed and you have some time to kill (it’s open ‘til 10.30pm!). Suitable for kids aged 18 months to 12 years old, there’s something for everyone and it’s a bit of a bargain at $6 per 30 minutes of play.
How much: $6 per 30 minutes of play
Canopy Playground, Changi Airport Viewing Mall, Terminal 1, Level 3
With a handy location at I12 Katong on the East Coast, The City is all about creating realistic situations where children can learn and have fun while practicing real-life skills through everything from budgeting with play money to learning how to recycle. With a miniature supermarket, coffee shop, police station and doctor’s surgery, little ones will truly get a kick out of playing in “real world” scenarios. Tots under 1 year old are free with a paying child; for everyone else it’s $18-$22 for unlimited free play on weekdays.
How much: $18 for kids under 2 years; $22 for kids 2 years and above; free for adults and babies under 1 year (if accompanied by a paid sibling)
The City, 112 East Coast Road, #03-31 I12 Katong, Singapore 428802, Tel: (+65) 6444 1520, www.thecity.com.sg
This American import at Suntec City is much more than just soft play (though the Treehouse is pretty awesome). With everything from nail- and face-painting to a LEGO zone and dedicated areas for both ‘tweens and the under-3 set (ideal for crawling babies and toddlers), Cool de Sac backs up their claim that they’ve got stuff to keep the entire family entertained (Bistro Cool is aimed at mums and dads with plenty of kid-friendly fare).
How much: Free for kids under 6 months; $12.80 (weekday) and $14.90 (weekend and PH) for kids 7 – 35 months; $22.80 (weekday) and $28.70 (weekend and PH) for kids 3 – 12 years old
Cool de Sac, #02-379/80 Suntec City Mall (West Wing, above H&M and Uniqlo), 3 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038983, Tel: (+65) 6332 1259, www.cityplay.asia
Billed as the largest indoor play area in Singapore, this is the perfect place to take slightly older kids to as tinies might be a bit overwhelmed by all the action! Highlights include the glowing ball pool, enormous play structure and climbing wall, rope course and “ball ‘o city” where foam balls are shot from vacuum canons. Check out their little workshops in cooking and art if you’re looking to kill even more time.
How much: $5 for toddlers 13 – 36 months, $9 for members and $20 for guests (off-peak); $12 for toddlers 13 – 36 months, $20 for members and $30 for guests (peak)
eXplorerkid E!hub @ Downtown East, 3/F, 1 Pasir Ris Close, Singapore 519599, Tel: (+65) 6589 1668, AMK Hub, #04-02 AMK Hub, 53 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, Singapore 569933
Future World @ ArtScience Museum
In broad terms this permanent exhibition as Marina Bay Sands is described as “Singapore’s largest digital playground” and an interactive exploration of the “intersection between art, science, technology and culture”. Created in collaboration with the Japanese art and technology collective teamLab, FutureWorld takes up nearly a quarter of the museum’s total gallery space. It feels less like an art exhibit, and more like a hands-on interactive play space, for both kids and adults, with everything from a giant glowing “ball orchestra“, to create-your-own-electronic-hopskotch, to multiple places where you can see your own drawings animated on a big screen. There’s also a giant slide, because why mess with the classics?
How much: Standard entry from $12 for child Single Exhibition Ticket
Future World at ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956, Tel: (+65) 6688 8868, www.marinabaysands.com/artsciencemuseum
Go-Go Bambini has one of the nicer mama café set-ups of all the soft plays in Singapore, so if your kiddo is old enough to entertain themselves crawling and climbing about, you can have rather a civilized time for yourself reading the newspapers and mags laid out for you (or do work on the free Wi-Fi). The space isn’t huge, but kiddos do love the multi-layered climbing structure with various tunnels and slides (Singapore’s tallest indoor slide, in fact!). If you’ve got a teeny toddler, you’ll need to keep a close eye on them as the 2-and-under section gets “crashed” by the older kids, so mama will need to play policeman. Party packages for littlies include a professional party host to lead guests through games, activities and play! Two hour packages also include exclusive use of the party rooms and free play on the indoor play equipment.
How much: Babies under 6 months enter free; Weekday and Weekend rates from $15 for non-members
Go-Go Bambini, #01-15 Dempsey Road, Block 8, Singapore 247696, Tel: (+65) 6474 5492, www.gogobambini.com
Happy Castle
With six locations across Singapore in Jurong, Seletar and Little India, these smallish, mall-based indoor play areas get the job done with popular features like a ball pit, little slides, and all manner of plastic toys to keep kiddos occupied. Kids also go wild for digging and planting in the cassia seed “gardens”.
How much: $22 for 3 hours of play
Happy Castle, 180 Kitchener Road, City Square Mall #04-22, Singapore 208539, Tel: (+65) 9745 2242, www.happycastle.sg
This playground is officially part of the Forum Mall’s Hip Kids Club ($25 for a one year membership). While geared toward kids ages 0-12, the playground is particularly suitable for little ones. All the equipment is low to the ground and there is nothing (well perhaps maybe just the circus tent!) that Mama has to climb into. Complete with climbing frames, balance beams, a circus tent, ride on bikes, a slide, rubber floors and a ball pit this playground is perfect for toddlers.
How much: $25 for a one year membership
Hip Kids Club, Level 2, Forum Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Road, Singapore 238884, Tel:(+65) 6732 2479, www.forumtheshoppingmall.com.sg/hip-kids-club
Joy of Toys
A totally unique specialty indoor play space by Clarke Quay, Joy of Toys is FAB for babies and toddlers in particular, as instead of your typical giant slides and ball pits, it’s filled with beautiful wooden toys, puzzles and games (which are swapped out on a monthly basis to keep things interesting). The Structured Play sections, better for slightly older kids, feature manipulatives, construction, developmental toys and puzzles, and even brain teasers. Meanwhile the Open-Ended Play sections include a kitchen, dollhouse, and miniatures – all perfect for letting littlies’ imaginations run wild. Mamas give Joy of Toys a big thumbs up for its chilled out vibe, and we also like that two adults get free entry.
How much: Babies under 9 months enter free with paying older sibling; From $18 for toddlers 9 months to 3 years (off-peak)
Joy of Toys, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street, #03-51 Clarke Quay Central (Yellow Zone), Singapore 059817, Tel: (+65) 9007 4679, www.joyoftoys.com.sg
We love this bright, airy East Coast space that’s very much what kids make of it; with giant foam blue building blocks that encourage imagination (and a bit of engineering savvy), it’s almost like a LEGO set come to life. It’s not a huge space and things can get a little crazy so it’s probably best for kids aged 3 and up, although we have seen babies enjoy the blocks as well during quieter periods. There are no rules, just have fun!
How much: From $15 for non-members under 3 years old (unlimited play) on weekdays
Kaboodle, 88 East Coast Road, #02-05 Katong Square, Tel: (+65) 6247 7020, www.kaboodle.com.sg
Keppel Centre for Arts Education @ the National Gallery
Hands-on and interactive, the Keppel Centre’s four galleries—Art Corridor, Art Playscape, Project Gallery, and Children’s Museum—each showcase commissioned artworks (changed annually), and invite children to play, make, and curate. Some areas are more successful than others (we love the feeling of entering a “living painting” in the Art Playscape above), and we’d like to see it better tied to the artwork on display in the actual gallery, but there’s nothing wrong with inspiring creativity in kids, and it’s free with museum entry.
How much: Free entry for Singaporean and PRs. $20 for standard ticket for non-Singaporeans
The National Gallery of Singapore, 1 St. Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957, Tel: (+65) 6271 7000, www.nationalgallery.sg
We love the two massive SAFRA spots in Toa Payoh and Jurong – among the largest indoor playgrounds in Singapore – but what we’re really psyched about is the first-of-its-kind in Singapore indoor water playground at SAFRA Punggol Club. With five slides and a themed splash pad, Splash @ Kids Amaze is just for kids 18 months to 13 years, and spans an amazing 24,000 square feet.
How much: Kids under 18 months enter free; from $8 for Kidz Amaze members; from $16 for non-members
Kids Amaze SAFRA Jurong, 333 Boon Lay Way Singapore 649848, Tel: (+65) 6686 4333; Splash @ Kids Amaze, SAFRA Punggol, 9 Sentul Crescent, Punggol, Singapore 828654, Tel: (+65)6585 8710; SAFRA Toa Payoh, 293 Toa Payoh Lorong 6 Singapore 319387, Tel: (+65) 6259 4000, www.safra.sg
KidsSTOP @ Science Centre
KidsSTOP at the Childrens’ Science Centre in Jurong is probably one of our all-round favourite kids’ indoor play centres in Singapore. It scores big for kids because there are so many different areas to play in – from uncovering dinosaur fossils in the palaeontology sand pit to donning pilot jackets and pretend-flying the airplane, to doing a bit of karaoke. It scores big for mamas (and papas) because there are no queues for exhibits (hurrah!).
How much: Singaporean/PR: $5-$10 (child) and $2-$5 (adult); General admission: $8 (child) and $12 (adult)
KidsSTOP, 21 Jurong Town Hall (Beside Science Centre Singapore), Singapore 609233, www.kidsstop.edu.sg
KidZania Singapore offers a multitude of kids’ role-playing activities that mimic adult jobs (pilot, firefighter, doctor, shopkeeper, courier delivery — over 60 real-world professions in all!), spread out over two huge floors of indoor aircon space. This is a miniature kids’ city where everything is on their level – staff run each activity but the kids are meant to take charge (parents cannot enter the activity stations and but are able to participate at certain role-playing activities”). KidZania is super popular and best suited to kiddos aged 4 and up; we recommend plotting your visit ahead of time with a map, mama, to avoid queues and strategize your must-visit activities.
How much: Buy online at $23.75 for toddlers 2 – 3 years old; $55.10 for kids 4 – 17 years old; $33.25 for adults; babies under 2 enter free
KidZania Singapore, Palawan Kidz City. 31 Beach View #01-01/02 Singapore 098008. Tel: (+65) 1800 653 6888, www.kidzania.com.sg
Expect a bustling busyness at this large indoor soft play geared towards 2-to-10-year-olds due to the tumult of conflicting arcade game noises and jingles, the whirring of machines and air guns, and the collision of bright lights and saccharine colours. So it may not be a haven of eco-zen play for mamas and papas, but the kids have fun. It’s also important to note that a number of the play areas require additional payment for entry. Key features include the Rainbow Net for climbing and The Forest soft play. Other features like The Beach (sand play), The Carousel, Art Activities and the Arcade all come at additional cost.
How much: Free for babies under 1; from $16 for toddlers (1 – 3 years old) and $20 for kids over 3 years old
Kidzland, The Grandstand, Level 2 Unit #02-14, 200 Turf Club Road, Singapore 287994, Tel: (+65) 6763 3773, www.kidzlandsg.com
This cosy spot on Orchard Road emphasises imagination and role play (take climbers and ball pit lovers elsewhere, mama). Kiddos can dress up in costumes, go “fishing”, pick fruit off trees, and even harvest vegetables from a lovely garden on their way to preparing food in a fully stocked kitchen. Perhaps more suitable for slightly older toddlers (2+) as there are lots of items babies might want to put in their mouths!
How much: $25 per child for unlimited play on weekdays; $25 per child for 2-hour play on weekends; Free entry for children under 1 year old with each paying child
Little Planet Playland, The Centrepoint, 176 Orchard Road, #02-21, Singapore 238843, Tel: (+65) 6268 6595, www.littleplanet.com.sg
Pasir Ris Inclusive Toy Library
This is Singapore’s first play space designed to encourage play between children with mainstream abilities and children with learning disabilities such as autism. All toys are donated and FREE to play with on the premises, which we love because we all know that kiddos’ favourite toys are the ones that they don’t have at home! There’s a mini ballpit, a play kitchen, building blocks, musical instruments, and much more. The library will also include toys designed for children with special needs — for instance items with larger buttons and switches for children whose motor skills are less developed.
How much: Free!
Pasir Ris Elias Community Club, Level 2, Activity Room 1, 93 Pasir Rise Drive 3, Singapore 519498, Tel: (+65) 6583 1220, www.facebook.com/eliascc
Pirate Land
Ahoy, ye mateys! In case the name didn’t tip you off, Pirate Land is the first pirate-themed indoor playground in Singapore (though it’s got plenty of fun for parents, too)! You’ve got your standard pretend play (supermarket, “Kitchen Square”, toys), along with ever-popular trampolines and a bouncing house. You’ll also find a ball pit, giant slide, LEGOs and a pirate-ship climbing structure, as well as a soft play area for babies and toddlers. But what we’ve heard really sets Pirate Land apart is its laser tag, along with a Virtual Reality room for grown-ups!
How much: $12.50-$14.90 for children under 2; $23.50-$28.90 for children ages 2 to 14. Unlimited play on weekdays; three hours on weekends. $30 for 30-minute laser tag.
Pirate Land, 176 Orchard Road, The Centrepoint #03-09/101, Singapore 238843, Tel: (+65) 6694 2345, www.piratelandsg.com
With three branches at Vivo, Suntec City and Simei, Polliwogs is a pretty slick operation and hugely popular. Complete with obligatory café serving up junky food, we’ve found ourselves at this brightly-coloured, brightly-lit soft play more times than we care to remember. Avoid like the plague if you’re nursing a hangover. Buy a package if you live nearby, you’ll be back! Highlights include a bouncy castle, tons of climbing structures, and huge slides. For a super fun birthday party, just bring your own cake and let Polliwogs do the rest! Choose from a range of party packages that include Laser Tag parties for older kids, Junior Chef parties for budding restauranteurs, Tropical Paradise Hula Parties and Princess Parties – we’re not even going to mention the Polliwogian Super Party.
How much: From $12.35 for kids under age 2; from $19 for kids age 2 – 12
The Polliwogs Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard, #02-724 to 727, Tower 4, Suntec City Mall, Singapore 038983, Tel: (+65) 6887 4860, Vivo City, 1 HarbourFront Walk, #03-12 Vivo City, Singapore 098585, Tel: (+65) 6376 8097, www.thepolliwogs.com
Pororo Park
So our kid has never seen a second of this uber popular (and ok fine, very cute) cartoon Penguin from Korea, but that doesn’t stop her from loving this sprawling indoor playground at Marina Square. In addition to your standard ball pit, climbing structure, slides and soft play (all vaguely winter-themed, because penguin…), the big standouts here are the cute little Pororo Express train and the daily singalong shows. There’s also a café with a decent amount of seating and, much to our chagrin, a gift shop near the exit.
How much: Free for kids under 1; from $24.90 for kids 2 – 12 years old
Pororo Park, 6 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square #02-29, Singapore 039594, Tel: (+65) 6250 9700, www.pororoparksg.com
Sandy Dandy
Forum the Shopping Mall is now home to a little slice of beach: Sandy Dandy! Suitable for kiddos aged 10 and below, the sand play area comes complete with a cosy rest area with a cafe for mamas and dads to relax while little ones explore and play (we love that the furniture is thoughtfully designed with child-safe round edges!). You’ll find not one but two kinds of sand here (regular and kinetic), along with a variety of other fun sensory and art activities. Sandy Dandy is also a great all-inclusive party venue for you to consider for your kiddo’s next birthday. Perfect for those rainy days when your kids want beach time, not to mention kid-friendly restos like Jamie’s Italian and California Pizza Kitchen will be right on your doorstep.
How much: $10 for kids under 1; $20 + $10 (Additional hour for Weekend) for kids age 1 – 3; $25 + $12 (Additional hour for Weekend) for kids age 3 – 10; includes 2 accompanying adults ($6 for additional adult)
Sandy Dandy, 583 Orchard Road, #02-21/33 Forum Shopping Mall, Singapore 238884, Tel: (+65) 6734 6806, www.facebook.com/sandydandysg
Perfect for wearing the little ones out before you get on a long flight (or keeping them occupied while mama runs errands around the mall), SingKids is a Japanese import with a location at Changi Airport, perfect for getting wiggles out before a flight. The space isn’t huge, but it gets the job done. And there are plenty of other kid-friendly activities nearby, too!
SingKids Vivocity, 1 Harbourfront Walk #01-171/172/173/174, Singapore 098585; SingKids Changi Airport Terminal 3 B2, Airport Blvd, Singapore, www.facebook.com/singkidssg
With something for kiddos from 6 months of age all the way up to 12 years, T-Play at the amazing 4,200 square feet HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok is one of the most interactive transportation-themed playgrounds in Singapore. Designed entirely in Sweden, highlights include ball pits, trampolines, a variety of slides and all manner of interactive play centres. T-Play also offers a variety of fab birthday party options, starting from just $330, with cute themes like “Choo Choo” and “Vroom Vroom”! The prices are really good for what you get in comparison to other indoor playgrounds, too.
How much: From $4 for HomeTeamNS Family Membership (Child); $16 for guest walk-ins (off-peak)
T-Play, HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok, No. 2 Batok Avenue 7, Singapore 659003, Tel: (+65) 6705 9494, www.hometeamns.sg/t-play
Treat your mini princess to a gala party of epic proportions at this gorgeously pink shrine to all things royal, and let her relish the fact that she can play princess for the day! Private parties for little ones starting from their very first birthday include activity stations (from nail glitterizing, tiara making and cookie decorating to cupcakes, tattoos, and face painting), free play in the chambers, dress ups for all attendees, a special princess gown for the birthday girl, plus a royal banquet to feed hungry little aristos. If your child can’t get enough of this place, it’s probably worth springing for a lifetime membership ($65).
How much: Free for children under 1; Non-Members: $29 per hour / $38 for 2 hours; Members: $14 per hour and $24 for 2 hours.
Tiara Society, 81 Clemenceau Avenue, #03-21 UE Square, Singapore 239917, Tel: (+65) 6822 9485, www.thetiarasociety.com
You might not have known that in addition to the fab public swimming pool at Delta, there’s also a great Candy Land-themed soft play for littlies, along with opportunities for role-playing with a mini home, café, supermarket and workshop complete with themed toys. With high quality toys from the Early Learning Centre and Melissa & Doug, this is a great, easy option for getting the tiny tykes out of the house. Plus, only $12 for unlimited play – hurrah! Check their website to make sure they don’t have any exclusive bookings before you head over.
How much: Adults enter free; $11 – $17 per child aged 8 months and up (prices differ at each location)
Tickle Tickle Delta Sports Complex, 900 Tiong Bahru Road, #01-01, Singapore 158790 (entrance via Alexandra Road if you’re driving), Tel: (+65) 6472 4770, Hougang Sportshall, 93 Hougang Avenue 4, #01-04, Singapore 538832 (Near Hougang Swimming Complex). Tel: (+65) 6556 9560, Junction 10, 1 Woodlands Road, #02-17 Singapore 677899, Tel: (+65) 6769 4198, www.tickletickle.sg
Waka Waka by the Polliwogs
This safari-themed spinoff from the Polliwogs is geared toward slightly older kids (ages 5 to 14), with cool features like an obstacle ropes course, themed climbing walls, and even a gravity-defying “Leap of Faith”. Of course you’ll also find classic faves like the bouncy castle and giant waves slide, along with a dedicated performance area for weekly shows from Polliwogian characters. Safari-themed birthday parties are obviously a huge hit here. Parents comfortable with turning the kiddos loose can escape to a “chillax” lounge equipped with free Wi-Fi.
How much: From $17.10 for kids under 90cm on weekdays
Waka Waka by the Polliwogs, 407 Havelock Road, #05-01, Singapore 169634, Tel: (+65) 6738 7733, www.thepolliwogs.com/kids-indoor-playground-waka-waka-annex-furama
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