What to do with Kids
What can you do with the kids here, kids being (pre-)teens that will still join you, or the maid, without a ‘do-I-have-to’ attitude that is. After age 3-4 they will probably be in kindergarten or school but that is not for full days yet, and they may go to ballet or music classes but that is several hours only too and then there are the weekends. They can off course play with or at friends or watch television but you may want to know what else there is. Well, for kids in this category there are still nice things to do / places to go.
Zoo / Bird Park
Sounds corny but the Singapore zoo and the Jurong Birdpark are really nice places, comparatively quiet and safe and with a lot of nice things to see. Both also have play / picnic grounds including water features which always help in the Singapore weather (bring dry clothes and a towel). Both have year-family memberships which make the cost of going quite low.
Science Centre / Discovery Centre
For the slightly older kids these places are great, with all sorts of physical and chemical experiments in an entertaining and playful environment. Here too cheap ´memberships´ are available.
Beach / Sentosa
There are some beach areas in Singapore and no matter how small, children will love it. The Sentosa beaches are the ´best´ and also make it possible to see the other attractions such as fort Siloso, the musical fountain, underwater world or the butterfly or orchid gardens, partly for free, partly for additional charges.
You can read a bit more about beach life here.
An attraction onto itself is taking the Singapore Cable Car from Mount Faber or the World Trade Centre.
Pulau Ubin
Step into Singapore´s past (sort of) on Pulau Ubin. Take the bus and the boat and the trip itself is an adventure. Hire cycles or go walking and ´explore the jungle´. The Chek Jawa wetlands are also worth a visit, if your kid is not the impatient type.
Botanical Gardens
The Singapore Botanical Gardens are a nature reserve in the centre of the city and a refuge for parents. On Sunday morning, when everybody without children under 5 is still asleep, the garden is already buzzing with parents and children having a walk, breakfast or both. The addition of the Jacob Ballas Children´s Garden is great for a few hours with your under eights too including a playground and educational toys (bring a swimsuit or dry cloths).
More information can be found on the Singapore Botanical Garden website.
Theatre
Not outdoors but out of the house .. There regularly are theatre events aimed specifically at children in all sorts of age groups, from performances to ´workshops´. Take a look at our events calendarfor links and a calendar of activities, just select ´children´.
Swimming Pool
Almost forgot, you´re in the tropics and so there is the pool! If you are living in a Condo it probably has one and otherwise there are enough public pools. Just note that because you are outdoors under the tropical sun in the water you may require some protection.
Do you need more info? Leave a message on our expat message board!
Interested in advertising with us?
Contact us and let's discuss the various possibilities.
