Want to take the kids for some good, old-fashioned fun? No childhood in Singapore is complete without longkang fishing and prawning, so grab a net and go fish a fun day out with the children!
We really love finding simple childhood pleasures in Singapore to keep things real for the kids. While there are plenty of great indoor activities in Singapore, we also relish those days spent outdoors with the kids. An outdoor activity that we truly loved as kids? Longkang fishing, an age-old national pastime for kids in Singapore! Back then, older Singapore generations grew up in kampongs (which means ‘villages’ in Malay) that were surrounded by longkang (the Malay word for ‘drains’). Thus, catching fish and tadpoles was perfect entertainment for kids in Singapore, especially when the storms hit. So, to relive this nostalgic family activity, we’ve found a few spots in Singapore where you can go longkang fishing and prawning with the kids… minus the storms, of course!
Where to go longkang fishing in Singapore
1. Fun@Fish
Want to go longkang fishing and prawning in Singapore without needing to slap on the sunscreen? This sheltered space lets you do exactly that, and more! They have the largest longkang fishing pond in Singapore, even one with shallow waters where the younglings can scoop up fishes of their own. Yes, you can bring them home as pets. Fishing enthusiasts love this spot for their variety of seafood — wild caught soon hock, tiger prawns, and even crabs! BBQ pits are available if you like your seafood fresh! The Ang Mo Kio branch, now closed, used to be such a vibe when fishing under the MRT tracks. And their previous Bugis branch used to be the only indoors longkang fishing in Singapore. Both are now closed and shifted to Pasir Ris and Woodleigh (opening in December 2025).
Where: Fish@Pasir Ris, 125 Pasir Ris Rd, Singapore 519121, and Fish@Woodleigh opening mid December 2025.
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2. Qian Hu Fish Farm
If you’re planning to visit animal farms in Singapore, be sure to have this one on your list too. It’s an aquarium, an activity area, an education centre, and a restaurant all in one! Longkang fishing over here is only $12 for a full hour and the littlies can keep any (or even all!) of the fishes that they catch (small tank included)! Kids – and even adults – will surely enjoy bonding over this childhood activity. Done fishing? Purchase bagged pellets going for a dollar and feed the numerous koi and turtles in the pond. Or, sit and let the Gara Ruffa fishes exfoliate your skin at the foot spa ($10 per adult for 30 minutes) There are also kiddie rides if the little ones are not interested in fishing. Be sure to have coins handy!
Where: Qian Hu Fish Farm, No 71 Jalan Lekar, Singapore 698950
Price: From $7 per 30 minutes per person
More info
3. Nature Kindred
Get ready for a splashing adventure with Nature Kindred’s indoor and outdoor child fishing experiences! For a calm vibe, head to the indoor venue at Sungei Tengah, where children as young as 18 months can fish in an air-conditioned space with cosy seating. After 45 minutes of fishing fun, kids can decorate their tanks with colourful sands and figurines. Outdoors at Jurong Playground, kids (best for ages four to 13) can catch fish and take home their favourite fishes in a fun mini LEGO or classic fish tank, all while enjoying the sun under a shady canopy.
Where: Nature Kindred Farm @ Sungei Tengah (Indoor Experience), 65 Sungei Tengah Rd, Singapore 699000
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Nature Kindred @ Jurong Gateway (Outdoor Experience), 2 Jurong Gateway Rd, Singapore 608512
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Price: Indoor fishing experience starts at $20 for one hour, while an outdoor fishing experience starts at $18 for one hour
Longkang fishing spots in Singapore that have now closed
4. ORTO (Permanently closed)
ORTO is one of the best places to experience this old-school activity. Kiddos can spend unlimited hours trying to catch fish here! The pond’s suitable for both tall and short kids, and its non-slip concrete flooring ensures safety. Sorry parents, you won’t be allowed to join in on the fun… The closest you can get is to assist the little ones as they fish. When you’re done fishing, explore the other parts of ORTO, or just grab a bite at any of the yummy eating places.
ORTO, 81 Lorong Chencharu #01-09, Singapore 769198
5. Mainland Tropical Fish Farm (Permanently closed)
We love Pasir Ris for its many fun and family-friendly activities, which includes longkang fishing at this fish farm. Let the little ones relive the good old days at the fishing area, which looks like a stream. Any fish caught by the kiddies will be theirs to keep it they like, though you’ll probably need to talk to them about owning a new pet! The farm is also home to ornamental fish you can admire and feed.
Mainland Tropical Fish Farm, No 1 Pasir Ris Farmway 1, Singapore 519352
6. Bloop Bloop (Permanently closed)
Bloop Bloop is a family net fishing experience on a beautiful scenic sky garden! Kids can have lots of fun going around their curvy ‘longkang’ to catch little fishes before decorating kiddos’ very own little fish tank after moving their prized catch in!
Bloop Bloop, 896 Dunearn Rd, #05-04, Singapore 589472
Safety tips for longkang fishing with kids in Singapore
1. Supervise young children closely: Always keep an eye on children even when waters are shallow. The floors will be slippery and sudden movements may cause slips or falls.
2. Wear proper footwear: The areas around the ponds will be wet, it is best to wear covered shoes or sandals with non-slip soles.
3. Wash their hands before and after handling fishes: We don’t want to bring bacteria into the water that will infect the fishes, neither do we want to bring any fish bacteria home. Most places have sinks with soaps, make good use of those.
4. Handle buckets and nets safely: Teach children to be gentle when scooping the fishes and avoid splashing the water onto others.
5. Respect and adhere to the venue’s rules and hygiene guidelines: They are there for a reason, follow the regulations to ensure a safe and pleasant experience for everyone.
Tips for keeping fish at home
Often, your kids (or yourself) will catch a lot of fish while longkang fishing. So what happens when you can’t dissuade your children from bringing their caught prizes home after a day of longkang fishing? Here are some basic tips for keeping your new fin friends alive.
Items you’ll need:
- A tank to store your fish. Something reasonably sized is fine since fish caught in the longkang are typically small. If you have a larger living space, a bigger tank is definitely better. Fish need plenty of room to swim.
- Invest in a decent filter, like a sponge or canister filter and filter media. Filters help keep the water clean and remove any waste, pollutants, and debris.
- Place an air pump, which pumps oxygen into the water and keeps it moving. This is great for the fish, though this step can be optional.
- Add substrate to your tank. Substrates can be gravel or sand. This gives the tank a more attractive look, like the ones you see in fish farms and pet shops.
- Include plants and perhaps some ornaments. The plants let your fish hide and play, thus making them feel safe. Real plants can also help maintain the nutrients in your tank, but artificial ones are fine, too.
- A net to transfer your fish in and out when it’s time to clean the tank.
- Fish food – this one’s self-explanatory!
Setting up your fish tank
- Where you place your fish tank is very important. Pick a spot away from direct sunlight, windows, and heating.
- Rinse all your decorations and substrate so that no dust or debris will enter the tank before adding them in. Start by pouring the substrate (a one- to two-inch thick layer) on the tank floor.
- Put the remaining equipment, such as the filter and air pump, in place. Don’t switch anything on just yet!
- Fill up the tank with water, turn on the filter, and add in a little fish food to start the fishless cycle.
The above are just some very basic fish-keeping tips. You can find extensive information with a little bit of Googling.
Parents, please note: try to bring home as few as possible, depending on your tank size. Bringing them all home will overcrowd your tank, and the fish will eventually die. More importantly, talk to your kids about the responsibilities of keeping a pet. After all, you don’t want to end up being the one cleaning the tank and feeding the fish!
Happy longkang fishing!
