We’ve had a lot of fun at the lovely, family-friendly club Tanderra, and we’re so sad to share the news it’s now closed. Thank you for all the good times, Tanderra team! Where will we hang out with our kids now? Luckily, you don’t have to stray too far from the Dempsey area to find some great playgroups, a heap of indoor activities and plenty of kid friendly restaurants and cafes to check out with the family. We’ve found 10 fun alternative places to try out in the ‘hood…
1. St George’s Mums and Tots
If your kids are all about fun, and not so much about structure, then head to St George’s Church in Dempsey with your little ones where you’ll find an awesome playgroup for newborns up to four years. Expect two fun-packed hours of indoor and outdoor play and get ready to belt your heart out at the sing-along part of the programme!
St George’s Mums and Tots, St George’s Church, 44 Minden Road, Singapore 248816; www.stgeorges.org.sg
2. Playeum, The Children’s Centre for Creativity
Oh how we love Playeum and its series of interactive spaces that fire up the imagination. Check out the latest exhibit, A World Full of Stories, where kids can feed their creativity through story-making, puppetry, role play and other fun activities.
Playeum, Blk 47 Malan Road Gillman Barracks #01-23 Singapore 109444; www.playeum.com
3. Go-Go Bambini
Every day is a play day at Dempsey’s Go-Go Bambini, where kids will have a blast checking out the flying fox, ball pits, tunnels, climbing walls, interactive panels and super high slides. We’re talking four levels of space to explore for kids of all ages!
Go-Go Bambini, Block 8 Dempsey Road #01-15 Dempsey Hill Singapore 247696; www.gogobambini.com
4. The Spa@Loewen Gardens
A great choice for mini divas, The Spa@Loewen Gardens features a pocket friendly menu of manicures, pedicures, facials and massages specially designed for kids aged up to 15 years. We think makes it’s the perfect pick for a special mother-daughter afternoon.
The Spa@Loewen Gardens, 75e, Loewen Road, Singapore 248845; www.loewenspa.com.sg
5. SWISH! Swim School
This lovely swim school is tucked away on Dempsey Hill, and features gorgeous indoor and outdoor pools set in a beautifully restored black-and-white property. SWISH! offers aquatic enrichment programs including learn to swim classes for infants aged four months old through to pre-squad level, plus we love that the school also provides a dedicated coach for children with special educational needs. Make a splash and sign up for your first lesson through our activity site, HoneyKidsGo!
SWISH! Swim School, 72 Loewen Road, #01-08, Dempsey Hill, Singapore 248848; www.swishswimming.com
6. West Coast Park
The trip a little further out to West Coast Park is well worth it for discovering adventure playgrounds, climbing equipment, zip lines and even a little fire truck for toddlers. There really is something for the whole family at this awesome outdoor destination: you’ll even find a cool dog run for your pooch at this dog-friendly park. Check out our full guide to West Coast Park before you head on over.
West Coast Park, West Coast Ferry Road; www.nparks.gov.sg
7. Huber’s Bistro
A casual alfresco vibe, a great kids’ menu and a soft playground all rolled into one? Yes, please! Head to Hubers for all of the above and an enormous two-storey butcher and gourmet grocery, too!
Huber’s Bistro @ Dempsey, 22 Dempsey Road, Singapore 249679; www.hubers.com.sg/
8. PS. Cafe at Harding Road
Treat yourself and the kiddos to a long lunch at PS. Cafe at Harding Road where the tots can run riot on the outdoor lawn while you sit back and relax with a to-die-for slab of cake and a large cup of coffee. Or wine.
PS. Cafe, 28B Harding Road, Singapore, 249549; www.pscafe.com/#pscafe
9. Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden at Singapore Botanic Gardens
Pack a picnic, your buckets and spades, plenty of sunscreen and your sense of adventure before heading to Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden for hours of outdoor fun. Kids will love the giant shady sandpit, hitting the water play area and exploring the Botanic Gardens in this back-to-nature kinda day out.
Singapore Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569; www.sbg.org.sg
10. BOUNCE Singapore
Bounce over to Singapore’s newest trampoline park where even the liveliest of kids will meet their match with over 2,000 square metres of pure high-energy fun. With over 100 interconnecting trampolines, a ninja warrior-style challenge course and a 5-metre platform jump, aka ‘the leap of faith’, it’s sure to be a hit with kids of all ages. Adults too!
BOUNCE Singapore, Cathay Cineleisure #09-01, 8 Grange Road, Singapore 239695; www.bounceinc.com.sg