Considering a trip to Singapore? There are lots of fun things to do in Singapore with kids that make it an ideal destination or stopover in Southeast Asia!
I know there are already plenty of blogs detailing Sentosa Island and the amusement parks in Singapore. Which by the way are great too! But those adventures don’t warrant much instruction.
Thus, I wanted to share a different side of Singapore.
Our style of travel has always been about enjoying travel with the kids and seeking rich cultural experiences and activities in new places that are blissfully different from home.
So, if that sounds like a bit of you too, read on. If those are the kind of things to do in Singapore with kids that you are after – welcome!
Here are 10 things to do in Singapore with kids plus details for how to get around, where to eat and stay for family travel.
- About Singapore
- Best time to visit?
- Things to do in Singapore with kids
East Coast Park
Marina Cove Playground
Hawker Centres
Gardens By The Bay
Cloud Forest
Flower Dome
Little India
Chinatown
Joo Chiat - Getting around
- Where to stay
- More about travel in Asia
About Singapore
It turns out that Singapore is jam-packed with great family-friendly attractions and things to do with kids.
Singapore was one of the first stops on our first year of fulltime travel with the kids. It was our very first destination in Asia! But we found it safe and easy to get around with some areas that literally seemed set up just for families.
I know that Singapore is famous for the huge amusement parks and Sentosa Island. But we wanted to get out and see a more local side to Singapore. Namely that we also had the goal for hunting down some ‘Hawker Centres’ which we had heard so much about…
We ended up coming back again within the first year of our travels. We really enjoyed Singapore.
Here is what we loved most about Singapore with kids.
What is the best time of year to visit Singapore?
Singapore is generally considered a good year-round destination for travel. It experiences tropical weather, with temperatures ranging between 24°C – 31°C, and rain showers throughout the year.
- The wet season is from September to February, with November, December and January being the rainiest months.
- The dry period from February to August sees less rain.
It is best to visit Singapore in the dry season from February to August.
Though note the term ‘dry season’ is slightly misleading for Singapore because it can rain at any time. It is a tropical destination after all!
Things to do in Singapore with kids
In no particular order – but each with equal standing – here are 10 fun things to do in Singapore with kids.
1. East Coast Park – Singapore with kids
This is a great first thing to do in Singapore with kids.
We headed straight for the waterfront East Coast Park taking a walk through the streets of Joo Chiat from our hostel.
The park itself is enormous and literally as it sounds, is right on the waterfront. It turns out East Coast Bay is one of the most popular beaches in Sinapore!
There are plenty of walking paths through the park with picnic spots and shady places for the kids to play as well as cafes and coffee shops nearby.
2. Marina Cove Playground
We knew Singapore was renowned to be well set up for families. But as soon as we set out on day one to explore East Coast Bay Park we could feel it everywhere.
The playgrounds are massive, free, and dotted around the park. Even the public toilets have tiny toilets and special sections for children!
- Tip: Marina Cove Playground is a massive 3,500sqm playground at East Coast Bay Park. I recommend heading there with the kids!
3. Hire Bikes in East Coast Park – Singapore with kids
After the initial joy at the waterfront playgrounds we spotted some bike hire shops.
This was a fun and low cost way to find our feet on our first day in Singapore. The walking and cycle paths through the park and along the waterfront are perfect for kids.
We hired bikes, including one for Harry, and cycled right along the waterfront park towards Marina Bay.
- Tip: Bike hire is around $10 – $12 SGD ($9 – 10 USD) for three hours.
4. Hawker Centres – Singapore With Kids
The food scene of Singapore is definitely worth all the raving. We became hooked on Hawker Centres!
‘Hawker Centres’ are a common sight in Singapore. They are literally an open-air complex housing different kinds of stalls and booths that sell a wide variety of food at inexpensive prices.
We ate dumplings – far too many dumplings!
Plus we tried ‘Grass Jelly’ and another dish we couldn’t pronounce pretending to have something to do with cashews and tofu…
For family travel the Hawker Centres in Singapore are a unique experience. If you are travelling with fussy little ones then this could be a good way to introduce something new without the overwhelm.
They are pretty much akin to a food court. So you can find all sorts of new, weird and wonderful foods to try – and some familiar ones too.
It turned out to be one of the most memorable things to do in Singapore with kids!
- Read more about Hawker Centres in Singapore and where to start.
5. The Skywalk – Gardens by the Bay
We definitely took a moment to admit and enjoy being our touristy-selves atop the Skywalk at Gardens by the Bay. It’s incredible!
This is by far the city’s most iconic site and a fun thing to do in Singapore with kids.
Albeit it is (very) high up above the city. But it is all enclosed with safety rails so it really does suit kids of all ages.
There are amazing views of Singapore and the harbour from up on the SkyWalk. It was lots of fun!
- Tip: A note for the Skywalk though. It is quite wobbly when walking – I am still in trouble for getting the giggles!
6. The Cloud Forest – Gardens by the Bay
The Cloud Forest is another of the attractions at Gardens By The Bay.
This is a cooled conservatory. Essentially, it’s like a climate-controlled, greenhouse-like structure that replicates the cool, moist conditions of tropical mountain regions.
Which admittedly not every childs cup of tea is a walk through a botanic consvatory. But hear me out!
There are all kinds of orchids, ferns and cool pitcher plants and Venus flytraps (and more) growing inside the forest. Plus, a 35-meter (115 ft) indoor waterfall cascading down from the top of the mountain!
- Tip: Entry to the Gardens By The Bay complex is free. Though you need to buy a ticket for the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome starting at 35 SGD per ticket.
7. The Flower Dome – Gardens By The Bay
The Flower Dome is another of the attractions at Gardens By The Bay. (Another one that we recommend in Singapore with kids!).
This is a second huge indoor cooled conservatory. It holds the Guinness World Record for the largest glass greenhouse!
The gardens are divided into different sections dedicated to different climates and regions of the world.
You can take the main indoor walk amongst the flowers that has you literally winding up through tree-top gardens and waterfalls to the top!
8. Chinatown – Singapore with kids
Chinatown is another cool part of Singapore to explore with kids. This is the historic Chinese neighbourhood of the city. It is a unique blend of history, culture and delicious food.
The main food street is lined with restaurants serving traditional fare like Hainanese chicken rice, noodles and satay. We can definitely vouch for our share of satay and noodles tried in Chinatown!
- Tip: Check out the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown. It is said to house one of Buddha’s actual canine teeth – hence the name!
9. Little India – Singapore with kids
Little India is a vibrant cultural neighbourhood in Singapore with temples and mosques, street art and brightly painted shophouses.
We were planning on heading to India and South Asia next. So, this felt like the ideal stopover to explore a bit of India first.
This part of the city is beautifully colourful. The main drag, Serangoon Road, is lined with typical Dhaba eateries and hip Indian restaurants alongside shops selling gold jewellery, colourful silks and fresh flower garlands.
Even if you haven’t got plans for India travel (which we highly recommend by the way!). Little India is another of the unique things to do in Singapore with kids.
10. Joo Chiat – Singapore With Kids
Joo Chiat is an area in the east of Singapore known for its multicultural heritage: Malays, Indians, Peranakans and Eurasians have made this part of the city home for generations.
That is definitely apparent on a first walk up Joo Chiat Road. You can find shops, restaurants, food, mosques, and temples that represent all of those cultures.
Albeit the historic aspects of the city doesn’t exactly scream things to do in Singapore with kids. But this is a bustling and vibrant part of the city to explore – and taste!
We stayed in a hostel just up the road from the Peranakan Houses in Joo Chiat. So it was also right on our doorstep to explore.
We set out on our first morning towards East Coast Bay Park with over-tired kids. But even walking past the colourful houses and Hawker Centres as jet lagged parents we had already pegged this spot to come back to later and explore!
It is a great location to enjoy parts of that history of Singapore with kids, and to find out a bit more about the colourful cultural mix that it represents today.
Other things to do in Singapore with kids
Obviously the longer you have the more you will discover!
There are lots of amusement parks, activities and other things to do in Singapore with kids too.
- Singapore Flyer
- Museum Of Ice Cream
- Sentosa Island Cable Car
- Singapore Zoo
- Universal Studios
- Snow City
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
- Splash @ Kids Amaze
- KidsStop
- Science Centre Singapore
- Lion City Bike Tour
- Singapore Botanic Gardens
Where we stayed in Singapore with kids
Choosing where to stay in Singapore is somewhat reminiscent of any large city in Asia. Like Delhi or Hanoi, it is a bit like starting out finding a needle in a haystack!
We stayed at Betel Box in Joo Chiat, Singapore after an amazing week in Fiji on our way to Southeast Asia. Then we stayed there again at the end of the year. We loved Betel Box!
When we arrived back at the end of the year it was such a nice feeling to be welcomed again by owner Uncle Tong; “Oh my goodness! Look how much you two have grown!”
Though there are many options for accommodation in Singapore.
- Joo Chiat: Betel Box
This is where we stayed and lved the friendly staff and communal atmosphere. The location was fantastic close to Joo Chiat and nearby Hawker Centres.
- Balestier: Ace Manor Aparthotel
Small 2- and 3-bedroom apartments that sleeps up to 5 people.
- Chinatown: Galaxy Pods Chinatown
Modern pod-accommodation for a cheap albeit exciting stay in Singapore!
- Robertson Quay: Furama Riverfront
Big hotel close to the marina and Sentosa Island with inflatable waterslides and pools to suit the kids.
- Singapore: The Village Hotel Bugis Street
This is the same chain as the Sentosa branch conveniently located near many of the things to do in Singapore.
- Sentosa: The Village Hotel Sentosa
The island of Sentosa can be pricey, but this is a good mid-range accommodation for families.
It’s easy to get a bus from the airport into the city – even arriving late at night or early hours of the morning.
Getting around Singapore with kids
Its easy to walk and bus around Singapore!
We made the most of using the Grab app for taxis, and were supported by the hostel to figure out the best ways for us to navigate Singapore with kids and to reach each of the destinations we had planned for.
Budget for our time in Singapore with kids
Singapore is not renowned for being a budget travel destination. But we found some great things to do in Singapore with kids that were low-cost or free.
This was our daily budget for travel in Singapore with kids…
- Average daily spend (food, transport, admissions etc): $80 USD
- Average accommodation per night: $65 USD
Read more about family travel in Asia
- Japan With Kids: Travel Guide.
- Fushimi Inari Shrine: Walking Up Mount Inari.
- Taiwan With kids: Travel Guide.
- Visiting Taroko Gorge, Taiwan.
- Taiwanese Food: The Real Deal Traveling In Taiwan.
- Visiting Busan’s Jagalchi Market, South Korea.
- Hong Kong: Mount Davis And The Monster Building.
More useful links for your travels in Asia and beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It is easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere online.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Make sure you have insurance before embarking on travel to Singapore with kids!
