Think you’ve done everything there is to do with your little ones in Singapore? Excuse us while we beg to differ! Let’s go for a little tour of our great city with fresh eyes and experience more together…
We all know Singapore is heaven for older kids, with its theme parks, play gyms, nature activities and animal escapades. But where can parents take toddlers and young children to experience more than just tagging along for the ride? We’ve hit the road with the pram and rounded up the seven best places you can take your small people to have fun, learn, and explore together.
1. Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden at Singapore Botanic Gardens
Start your adventure at the giant shady sand pit under the tree house (don’t forget your bucket and spade), and watch the wonder on your little one’s face as they explore the texture of sand. From there, let them clamber over gentle grassy slopes, then hit the water play area to cool down. The small fountains are perfect for toddlers, and loads of fun! Of course, it goes without saying that the beautiful Botanic Gardens offer lots of opportunities for kids of all ages to learn from nature, with birds to watch, butterflies to chase, and hundreds of different plants to explore. Ask the kids to count the number of swans they see in the lake, play a guessing game about the height of the trees, or race each other to the next wide open space, then take a moment to just gaze at the sky, side by side, looking for shapes in the clouds.
www.sbg.org.sg
2. Adventure Play Area at West Coast Park
Every mum of a toddler in Singapore has done the fruitless search for bucket swings. The struggle is real! But it ends here: West Coast Park is a pot of gold at the end of the outdoor play rainbow. Watch your little one feel the wind on their face as they whizz through the air, and take along a colourful kite or some balloons to show them how the wind helps things to ‘fly’. There’s even a playgroup that meets at the park every Monday and Wednesday, so you and your tot can make some new friends together. Read more about West Coast Park here.
www.nparks.gov.sg
3. Singapore Zoo
The Singapore Zoo is a lovely spot for all ages to spend a day, and as a parent it’s just so much fun to watch the amazement on your little one’s face as they see an exotic creature for the first time, or recognise their favourite animals from their picture books. Get up close and personal with the orangutans over breakfast, and show your toddler how the orangutans play with each other, just like your family does. Pssst: don’t set off without checking out these great tips for maximising your zoo time together here!
www.zoo.com.sg
4. East Coast Park
Got a child’s safety seat on your bike? Cruising along the East Coast Parkway is another great way for your little one to feel the breeze in their hair, get some fresh air, and take in the colourful sights. Set a challenge for the kids to spot all the things they see on wheels (bikes, skateboards, and roller skates to name a few!), and then recreate the ‘driving’ experience at home. Of course, what’s a visit to the East Coast without fun experiences at the beach, where you can build sandcastles together and squish the sand between your toes. Before you go to the beach, draw a mini treasure map and bury fun things from home in the sand so the kids can go on a hunt (make sure you recover anything they leave behind!). If your kiddo is getting steadier on his/her feet, try letting them hold onto a mini scooter and teaching them to push it along the path. Big smiles are guaranteed.
www.nparks.gov.sg
5. S.E.A. Aquarium
Imagine being told for the first time that there’s a whole different world of creatures living under the sea: “are you crazy, Mum?” For a fascinating day out together, head to S.E.A. Aquarium and get lost in the magic of the underwater world. Littlies can enjoy the calming rhythm of fish gliding back and forth and through the shipwreck tank, and get hypnotised by the glowing jellyfish with their changing colours. Don’t miss the discovery touch pool at the end of the exhibit, where little ones can get close to starfish and other sea creatures.
www.rwsentosa.com
6. Gardens by the Bay
While it might seem like an attraction for us oldies, Gardens By The Bay is wonderfully entertaining for littlies too, not to mention an excellent choice on a sweltering Singapore day. Plan an ‘obstacle course’ in the FEO Children’s Garden for the slightly older kids, challenging them to spin around the bucket, then tiptoe across the platforms, traverse the spider web net, cross suspended bridges and race to the end by shooting down the slides. For the toddlers, right next to the water play area you’ll find the perfect playground, with a mini bridge to totter across and a grass tunnel to run through. Cool off at the fish fountain, where little ones can safely crawl and explore different surfaces, enjoying the gentle bubbling of water from the fountains (take along some water play toys so they can fill buckets and pour and splash water freely!). Explore the Cloud Forest – which is incredibly pram friendly – and point out the lush greenery and colourful flowers along the way. If your child is old enough, take along a sketchbook and some coloured pencils, recreate the beautiful floral scene, and take it home with you as a keepsake.
www.gardensbythebay.com.sg
7. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
For families who are feeling a little more adventurous (and those with a car), this is a lovely change of pace. Head here for some nature exploration, bird spotting, and monitor lizard hunting! Venture along the boardwalks and ask the kids to point out all the different types of birds they see (they may not know their names, but they’ll be amazed at how many different types there are and the noises they make), and ask them to remember everything about their favourite one. When you get home you can draw the bird together, or get crafty and make it with cardboard, paint and coloured feathers. Sungei Buloh is also home to otters, frogs, water snakes, and plenty of fish to be spotted along the way, which makes for lots of art and craft inspiration back home.
www.nparks.gov.sg
Pressed for time to spend with your little one? Read more than 100 articles on EMT Friso for inspiration on experiences with your child at home.
www.friso.com.sg/learning-and-experiences
This post is sponsored by Friso – Experience More Together.