Saving on cost doesn't mean saving on fun when it comes to these affordable indoor playgrounds, activities and playgroups!
Kids are, it’s fair to say, rather expensive. Feeding them, schooling them, keeping them in shoes that fit: it all adds up to a tidy sum. Then, on top of the ever-mounting child-related expenses, the little darlings demand to be entertained, too! No matter that they have a bedroom full of cool stuff from some of the best toy stores in Singapore or that we’ve bought enough books to create a library of our own. Proclamations of boredom are incessant (and more than a little irritating).
As such, we’ve been on the lookout for great activities that are not going to punch a whopping great hole in our wallets, and we’ve been busy finding, trying and testing the fab indoor playgrounds and awesome drop-in classes that cost less than $25 per child. Just in time for the upcoming end-of-year holidays. You’re welcome!
Affordable indoor playgrounds in Singapore
The Artground: From $5/pax (free for Blue and Orange CHAS Card holders)
As well as running a series of fantastic weekend art programmes, The Artground provides an interactive art space at Goodman Arts Centre and One Holland Village for the kids to explore. It’s suitable for babies and kids up to nine years old, and we also love that it’s an accessible space for kids of all abilities. The theme changes throughout the year, so it’s never boring. This place is hugely popular, so make sure you book in advance!
The Artground, #01-40, Block J, Goodman Arts Centre, 90 Goodman Road, Singapore 439053 and 7 Holland Village Way #01-20 One Holland Village, Singapore 275748
Kiztopia Prestige @ New Bahru: From $28 for one child and one adult (bookings required)
The new Kiztopia Prestige will be having its grand opening on 22 June 2024 and until then, they’re running a soft launch event with discounted prices on packages. The soft play concept here is great for the littlies to develop their motor skills, especially with the interactive daily classes. Plus, the Kith New Bahru café is close by if the kids need some refueling after play. If you’re curious about what to expect, check out our sneak peek of the place!
Kiztopia Prestige, #04-01, 58 Kim Yam Rd, Singapore 239359
Canopy Park: $6 for Singapore residents
It’s no secret, we love Jewel Changi Airport! The super cool Canopy Park at the top floor of Jewel is a fab indoor play area with affordable entry. From hedge mazes to discovery slides, foggy bowls and sky nets, there’s a whole heap of fun going on here!
Canopy Park, Level 5, Jewel Changi Airport, 78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819666
Kaboodle Kids: $15-20 per child (drop-in)
Imagination is key at Kaboodle, where its oversized blue foam blocks, noodles and balls are shipped in from New York and designed to inspire kids to build the castle/race car/fort of their dreams. And they’re positively encouraged to enjoy smashing it all down before starting afresh. It’s fun learning at its best!
Kaboodle, 88 East Coast Road, #02-05 Katong Square, Singapore 423371
KidsSTOP at the Singapore Science Centre: $10 – $23 per child
For an indoor play zone that offers arguably the best edutainment experience for kids in Singapore, head to KidsSTOP @ the Singapore Science Centre. It’s like Willy Wonka’s factory filled with loads of fun science-based exhibits to keep your kiddos amused for ages. The dino-dig pit is simply irresistible for younger kids, while older adventurers will love scaling to eye-watering heights on the climbing equipment. Tickets start at $2 for grownups and $5 for children (Singaporean and PR only) or from $10 and $20 for everyone else.
KidsSTOP, 21 Jurong Town Hall Rd, Singapore 609433
Bouncy Paradise: $19 for two hours of play (closed)
If the kids are into bouncing and you’re based out west, then make a beeline for Bouncy Paradise. To be fair, even if you’re not based here, it’s still worth the trip. We’re talking the world’s largest inflatable playground, no less! Occupying a whopping 20,000 sqft, the kids are sure to be well-entertained here. Tackle the 20 mega-sized rainbow slides, or how about the ball pit with over 300,000 balls? Little ones won’t get lost, though, as there’s a dedicated toddler zone too. You can tick off trampolining here as well with 20m of trampolines to bounce your way through!
Bouncy Paradise, 200 Pandan Gardens, The Sports Stage, PeopleUp Enrichment Hub, Singapore 609336
Petite Tayo KidsClub: $20 per child (closed)
If you have smaller kids (under seven years), the small but nicely decked-out indoor park is a good option for burning a couple of hours. There are two distinct play spaces on offer. The active zone has pastel-padded equipment, including a double slide, a cage with colourful balloons, and swinging balls. The pretend zone has all the gear to ignite big imaginations, including a train track, natural and eco-friendly wooden toys, a mini-kitchen, and a fruit market. Unfortunately, Petite Tayo KidsClub has recently closed.
Kallang Wave Mall, 1 Stadium Place, #01-06/07 Singapore 397628
Affordable attractions and sights in Singapore
A day at the museum: Free all year round for Singapore residents and citizens
One of our fave reasons we love raising kids in Singapore? All the free perks! And that includes free museum entry all year round! Check out our guide to all the best kid-friendly exhibits happening right now.
Have the perfect day out at Gardens by the Bay: $20 for adults, $12 for children
There’s a reason we love hanging out at Gardens by the Bay: from the free water play to the giant waterfall and rainforest in a dome, super fun floral displays and one of the most awesome playgrounds in town… Gardens by the Bay is one awesome attraction for families in Singapore.
SkyHelix Sentosa: From $15.30 for kids
Want to try something different? Take to the skies by trying out SkyHelix in Sentosa! This open-air rotating gondola offers awesome panoramic views over Singapore, plus a nice breeze if you’re looking to beat the heat. The price also includes a drink you can take with you on the ride, which takes you up as high as 79 metres above sea level. Psst, children between 1.05 and 1.20 metres or 12 years and below may take the ride only if accompanied by an adult.
SkyHelix Sentosa, 41 Imbiah Road, Singapore 099707
Wildlings Dempsey: $24 per child-adult pair
How does unstructured play in a wild, natural space sound? We’re talking mud kitchens and messy water play inspired by the forest school concept! At Wildlings, kids are encouraged to play with leaves, sticks, mud, explore nature, touch everything and even climb and swing from trees – it’s where the kids can really go wild! Worried about bringing home some muddy kids after? Don’t fret as there are nearby bathrooms for washing up, and you could even pick up a snack from Baker & Cook!
Wildlings Dempsey, 27A Loewen Road Wildlings, Nature Space, Singapore 248839, open Fridays: 3:30pm-6pm, Saturdays: 3pm-5:30pm, Sundays: 9:30-12pm, 3pm-5:30pm
Hay Dairies: Free entry, $5/packet of hay!
Who could pass up the chance to pet some cute baby goats?! We love Hay Dairies for its free entry and affordable hay for goat-feeding. It’s the one and only dairy goat farm in Singapore – home to almost 1,000 goats – and the perfect spot to try some goat milk products like fresh goat milk, goat milk gelato and popsicles, bar soap and more!
Hay Dairies, 250 Neo Tiew Crescent, Singapore 719866
Head to the park for some outdoor fun: free!
Take advantage of Singapore’s lush green spaces, grab a picnic mat and head to a park near you. If you’ve got a little bike rider, the park connector network is worth checking out, too!
Head to the beach: FREE!
One super affordable (and practically free) activity to try out with the kids is a day out at the beach. We’ve listed our fave beachy spots on the island, including nearby destinations that won’t break the piggy bank.
Due to the oil spill on 14 June 2024, it is advised to avoid the affected beaches and shorelines while NParks conducts joint clean-up operations.
Affordable playgroups in Singapore
Kidmando: $25 per child (reservation required)
Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) are the name of the game for active kids aged one to six years at the daily Kidmando sessions around Singapore. It’s set up by a mum who understands small humans need to move a LOT to get tired out! Kidmando challenges kids to fun-packed games and agility courses which encourage teamwork, movement and, above all, fun!
Kidmando playgroups, various locations
Mucky Pups: $31-35 per child (reservation required)
If your small bundle of energy is a fan of getting a little bit grubby and a whole lot creative, then you’d be barking mad to miss out on Mucky Pups. Run by a mum who knows her messy stuff (she has two boys of her own), this is a 45-minute parent participation group. It involves singing, dancing, games, bubbles and art: a.k.a. mess! Plus, you don’t have to tidy up once the messy mayhem has finished! Perfect for toddlers ages 1-3. Psst…babies (6-14 months) get their own Mucky Pups baby sensory classes, too!
Mucky Pups, multiple locations, book classes here
Vivo Roos: $40 per child (reservation advised)
If your little one is a bit of a mover ‘n’ groover, then this drop-in parent participation class is fab. Vivo Roos is a music and movement class for babies, toddlers, and their parents. Mums, you also get to wave the scarves, shimmy with the shakers and blow the bubbles, too! For kids seven months to three years old.
Vivo Roos, various condo locations
Need more activity inspo? We’ve got a weekend guide to all the best things to do with kids in Singapore. Plus, don’t forget to check our guide to free indoor activities and cool outdoor activities!