The most common reaction families have when they start looking for things to do in Singapore with kids is ‘we should have booked a longer holiday’. Singapore may be small, but this country packs a punch when it comes to family fun.
Once you’ve been to Singapore with kids, you’re highly likely to go back.
Why? Singapore has it all. It has theme parks, water parks, sensational hotels, delicious food, warm weather and enough culture to experience another way of life, but not so much that it’s overwhelming.
At Holidays with Kids, we’re huge fans of this city (and so are our kids). We’ve tested out everything on this list of the best things to do in Singapore with kids.
Each one got a tick of approval from the kids and the adults.
Universal Studios has seven themed worlds around a circular lake: Hollywood, Madagascar, Far Far Away, The Lost World, Ancient Egypt, Sci-Fi City and New York.
Of all the things to do in Singapore with kids, this is the one my children ask to do again ALL THE TIME.
Start in Hollywood for character meet-and-greets and to check out the gift shops. With little ones, you will want to head left towards Madagascar. This way you can build up their confidence on gentle rides such as Madagascar: A Crate Adventure before you get round to the thrilling rollercoaster in Sci-Fi City.
Of course, with teens, you may want to head right and go straight for the rollercoasters! Don’t miss Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN vs. CYLON™, indoor coaster Revenge of the Mummy and TRANSFORMERS The Ride: The Ultimate 3D Battle.
Hot tip: We highly recommend purchasing an express pass for your trip to Universal Studios. This pass allows you to skip the queue. You can use it on most rides around the park.
Where: Universal Studios Singapore is in Resorts World Sentosa. If you are staying on Sentosa with kids, you can catch one of the free busses. If you are staying on the Singapore mainland, hop on the cable car, monorail or catch a taxi to the front of the theme park.
You can’t go to Singapore with kids and NOT go to a water park. Adventure Cove is without a doubt the best water park in Singapore.
The kids will love the lazy river. Jump in and you can float to every attraction at the water park. Why walk when you can swim through tunnels and past reefs?
The Dueling Racer will be a huge hit with competitive kids. Two people line up side by side to race past lush greenery for the fastest time.
The RipTide Rocket is Southeast Asia’s first hydro magnetic coaster. Expect some powerful climbs uphill before terrifying twists and turns downhill.
Little kids will love Big Bucket Treehouse, a water-filled adventure fort and the wet maze.
You can also snorkel with colourful tropical fish at Rainbow Reef and test your balance skills with rope climbs, balance beams and cargo nets at Splashworks. To enter this zone you will need to be brave enough to leap off the platform cliff jump.
Hot tip: Book a cabana. It costs about $60 and you will thank us later. You will have somewhere to escape the heat and it has a bar fridge where you can keep drinks nice and cold.
Where: Adventure Cove is at Resorts World Sentosa Singapore. To get there walk past the SEA Aquarium and turn to the left.
There is no better way to grasp a new city than to view it from the air.
The Singapore Flyer was once the world’s largest observation wheel. It’s still huge at 165m.
From the top you will have 360° views of Marina Bay, Sentosa, Singapore Malaysia and Indonesia.
Where: The Singapore Flyer is at Marina Bay, just off Raffles Boulevard. But really, you can’t miss it.
Singapore is also known as the Garden City and this garden is super fun for little ones.
Established in 1859, the Botanic Gardens is Singapore’s first UNESCO Heritage Site. It contains thousands upon thousands of pants.
But kids will love the giant tree house and huge playground areas, complete with water play areas.
Take some time to explore the forest. You’ll find tree trunks to climb and all sorts of interesting plants and animals hidden in the scrub.
Top tip: Entrance to the stunning Singapore Botanic Gardens is free. Bring swimmers or a change of clothes. The kids will get wet splashing in the water play areas.
Where: 1 Cluny Road, Singapore
Singapore’s Super Trees have become synonymous with the city. They are beautiful from afar, but even more impressive up close.
Measuring between 25 and 50 metres tall, the tree-like vertical gardens provide shade in the day and come alive with an exhilarating display of light and sound at night.
Families can climb up the stairs into the Supertree branches and walk between them on a metal platform. You’ll quickly find out if your preschooler is scared of heights. One of our kids needed a carry from dad and a snuggle into his shoulder. The other was peering over the edge in delight.
Gardens By the Bay’s Cloud Forest contains one of the world’s largest indoor waterfalls. The indoor mountain is dripping with plants from all around the world. As you get close to the top, following the unique aerial walkway, clouds start to form and the humidly rises.
The kids will love the flowers and the clouds inside. But they’re going to get the greatest delight from actually going behind the waterfall. Expect them to play in the spray for a while.
At the very top of the mountain, you’ll find carnivorous plants such as venus fly traps and pitcher plants. These are always a hit with the kids.
Top tip: Gardens by the Bay has regular festival events. Check the website before you go to see what’s on. With older kids, it might be more fun to go at night when the garden is lit up.
Where: 18 Marina Gardens Drive Singapore
This is the place to go with teenagers in Singapore or really brave kids.
The Mega Aventure Park on Sentosa Island has a seriously thrilling 450m zip line. It starts at the top of Sentosa Island and runs all the way down across the back to a little ocean in the sea.
You can also try bungee jumping, trampoline, 36-obstacle treetop rope course or a parachute simulator.
Need to know: Kids must be 90cm tall and more than 30kg to try the Sentosa zip line.
This full-day out is one of the best things to do in Singapore with kids. Palau Ubin is an island off the coast of Changi. It was what Singapore was like decades ago.
To get here, you’ll need to catch a “bum boat”. And to get around, you’re going to need a bicycle. You’ll find hundreds of them in the shops directly opposite the wharf. If you have little ones, you can get kids seats and tandem bikes.
Palau Ubin has dozens of trails crisscrossing the island. You can ride to the coast and encounter wild pigs, wetlands and mangroves. Or you can ride past the deep blue quarry and through the forest. You’re likely to see dozens of locals ditching their bikes and heading into the jungle in search of durian. Give it a try. One half our family liked it, the other hated it.
When you get hungry head back towards the wharf and choose any of the restaurants for a huge fresh seafood feast.
The S.E.A. Aquarium in the Resorts World Sentosa is home to more than 100,000 marine animals of over 1,000 species, across 45 different habitats. It includes an 83-metre long tunnel you can stroll through while schools of fish, eagle rays and sharks glide all around you.
My favourite part is the jellyfish aquarium where the lighting changes as the jellyfish float. But the kids really love the giant tank in the middle. It has seats in front and it’s the perfect spot to stop for snacks and just watch.
If you’re travelling to Singapore with teenagers, take a look at the SEA adventures. You can actually dive in the tank.
Top tip: Make sure you visit at the time of the daily fish feeding.
Where: SEA Aquarium is at Resorts World Sentosa. If you come up the escalators from the car park you can’t miss it.
Hydrodash is one of the newest things to do with kids in Singapore. You’ll find it on Sentosa’s Palawan Beach.
Tickets start from just $13 and you can climb, slide, leap and bounce your way through the floating obstacle course in one hour of fun.
What kid doesn’t love an aqua obstacle course? And the best park? It’s going to tucker the little ones out.
Singapore’s Bugis Street is the place to try out your bargaining skills.
Start at 1 Bugis Street Market. With everything from fashion and jewellery to leather goods and souvenirs, this is a destination not to be missed by lovers of retail therapy.
Then head on over to Bugis+, a 10 storey retail outlet filled with fashionable shopping boutiques. The lower levels are dedicated to apparel, while the upper levels are all about entertainment.
If you’re travelling with teenagers you should also check out Bugis Junction, which has loads of shops selling fast fashion, costume jewellery and collectibles.
Have you ever been inside a mosque? Singapore’s Sultan Mosque allows visitors to tour through the building and it’s absolutely fascinating.
Built in 1824 for Sultan Hussein Shah, the first sultan of Singapore, the mosque has a strikingly beautiful gold dome.
You will need to remove your shoes and cover your shoulders to enter the building. If you don’t have appropriate attire, you can grab a shirt for free out the front.
Once inside, Mosque guides will explain the rituals and teachings and you can watch as the faithful pray, bowing in unison and prayer.
The cultural centre of Singapore, Chinatown is a maze of streets and alleyways, crowded with shops and street vendors day and night.
Here you’ll find traditional Chinese herbs and medicines, exotic foods, handicrafts and fortune-tellers. Visit the Chinatown Night Markets for unique gifts to bring home, sample authentic Chinese favourites at Chinatown Food Street or learn how the Chinese migrants lived at the Chinatown Heritage Centre. It is located just a short walk from Outram Park MRT Station.
The bustling street market–covering Pagoda Street, Trengganu Street, Sago Lane, Smith Street and Temple Street, and comprising hundreds of stalls–is open every day and are particularly popular come evenings. Contemporary items such as bags and bracelets sit side-by-side with traditional wares like Feng Shui or geomancy-related products, Chinese calligraphy, artwork and handicraft, as well as customary Chinese wedding items including traditional “dragon and phoenix” candles.
Chinese New Year is celebrated for 15 days during late January/early February. There are a multitude of special events held in this period and each night Chinatown is spectacularly lit-up.
The renowned East Coast Seafood Centre is host to several exceptional restaurants, all with outdoor seating and magnificent views over the Straits of Singapore.
Dine with the locals and indulge in Singapore’s unofficial national dish: chilli crab (hard-shell crabs smothered in a zesty, chilli-spiked gravy and often served with Chinese buns to mop up every last bit of delicious sauce).
Other delicious favourites include the black-pepper crab and ‘drunken’ prawns.
Where: 1206 ECP, Singapore 449883
Similar to America’s Halloween, the Chinese have the Hungry Ghost Festival, a time when the souls of the dead are believed to roam the earth. According to tradition, offerings must be made to these spirits, otherwise bad luck and untold mischief will occur. If you’re in Singapore during July and August you’ll notice metal bins full of offerings – including food, money and material goods – throughout the neighbourhoods. These are later burned to appease dead relatives, and shows and performances are also put on to entertain the dead and living alike.
Each year shopaholics worldwide flock to Singapore to take advantage of this island-wide shopping extravaganza. The mega-sale promises discounts of up to 70% off on both Singaporean and international brands throughout the majority of their malls. Visitors are warned to come armed with a fighting spirit to beat the dizzying crowds. The sale lasts for two months between June and August.
This is one of the world’s largest bird parks, home to 5000 birds of some 400 species. Take the guided tram ride through the Park or stroll along the footpaths and admire these beautiful creatures at your own pace. The Bird Park also offers unique dining-amongst-the-animal experiences such as the ‘Lunch With Parrots’.
Originally a fishing village, this district is now the heart of Singapore’s Malay community. Visit Arab Street to peruse the colourful market stalls and fossick for bargains, or if you’re shopping for something a bit more luxurious head to the colourful Haji Lane and browse the row of boutiques and cafes.
The area is also known for its delicious local fare such as nasi padang and Malay kuih. And don’t miss the beautiful Sultan Mosque, famous for its impressive dome!
As the focal point of Singapore’s Indian community, Little India‘s spice-scented streets beckon all. Breakfast on Roti Prata before hunting for a gift with a difference in the endless sari shops, Indian goldsmiths, spice stores and ayuverdic wellness shops along Serangoon Road.
Singapore’s first 24-hour department store, Mustafa, is located in Little India and showcases a plethora of products under one roof. The kids will love discovering what their futures hold by having their fortunes read the traditional way – by a parrot!
As Singapore’s national tourism icon, this half-fish, half-lion statue symbolises Singapore’s humble beginnings as a fishing village and its name Singapura (Lion City), given by the Prince Sang Nila Utama. Today, it is located at the head of the river at Merlion Park overlooking Marina Bay, spouting water from its mouth. The statue stands at 8.6 metres and weighs 70 tonnes. Merlion is visited by over one million people each year, having become one of the most recognisable landmarks in Singapore.
Singapore’s first flight simulator wasted no time in establishing itself as a world-class attraction. With 180° views and over 20,000 airports to choose from, young aviators will be amazed from start to finish.
This activity is an adrenaline rush for the whole family. Situated in the stunning Bedok Reservoir Park, this aerial course is built with ladders, bridges, swings, nets, trapezes and giant zip lines. With courses differing in length and complexity, children of all ages will love their day at Forest Adventure.
With exhibits ranging from space, climate change, the human body and the solar system, it is no wonder the Science Centre won the Best Enrichment Experience award in both 2010 and 2011. Children will love the interactive nature of the exhibits and the 50 life-size dinosaurs are sure to please even the most hardened child traveller!
Singapore Zoo was the deserving winner of the ‘We Welcome Families’ award in 2011 – the world famous ‘Open Concept’ plan allows children to witness the 3000 animals in their natural spacious habitats. Additionally, the ‘Jungle Breakfast with Wildlife’ will delight children of all ages.
The world first Night Safari offers a unique and seldom-seen peek into the jungle in the midnight hours. The park is home to over 900 animals from approximately 100 exotic species (of which almost 41% are threatened) including cape giraffes, hyenas and the rare one-horned rhino. It has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Singapore and receives approximately 1.3 million visitors a year.
This fort built by the British in the 1880s and now a restored military museum, offers underground tunnels, artillery nests and bunkers for public viewing. Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom is another Sentosa winner.
Sigh at exquisite butterflies like Rajah Brooke’s Birdwing – considered by many butterfly fanciers to be the world’s most beautiful species. Then confront rhino beetles, giant spiders and other creepy-crawlies in a 70-metre-long cave, guided by fireflies. Screech! You can touch giant scorpions, beetles and stick insects. Not for everyone, but a lot of fun for some!
Singapore’s clean and efficient MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) subway ties in well with its SBS bus network. Some 2400 public transport buses run 192 routes. Shopping – for adults and for kids – is justly renowned.
Be warned, Singapore offers no fewer than nine Toys R Us stores! Wherever you head, you’ll have no trouble with food. Dining is diverse and delicious – everything from cheeseburgers to traditional Malay fare like nasi padang (rice served with vegetables and fish, chicken or eggs).
Vivo City is a mega-mall. My kids love it.
You can find clothes in here that you won’t get in Australia. My tween girl is a particularly big fan of this place as it has loads of shops with clothes that are more adult, sporty and stylish than can she normally find at home.
If you get hungry, Vivo has a great Hawker Centre food court. Even if you’re not hungry, it’s worth a visit just to see all the incredible food on offer.
Where: Vivo City is on the waterfront directly across the bridge from Sentosa Island.
If you’re staying on Sentosa Island, go for a walk at sunset along Palawan Beach.
You can stop for dinner at one of the many beachfront restaurants and then walk back home along the waterfront.
You can read our complete family-friendly guide to Singapore here.
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