We list our pick of top-rated malls in Singapore for everything a family could want.
Shopping is Singapore’s national pastime – followed very closely by eating, of course! So it’s safe to say we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping malls. But not all retail hubs are created equal, especially if you’re a parent trying to shop with a few hectic kids in tow. We know life after kids means waving goodbye to weekends spent leisurely browsing boutiques. Our key criteria for finding the best mall as a mum includes baby-changing and nursing facilities, accessible lifts, play areas, and generous car parking spaces. (Yep, we’ll all about avoiding that horrifying moment your child dents the car next to you.) Throw in a kids-eat-free deal at fab eateries and we’re happy as a clam! So, without further ado, here are some of our fave family-friendly shopping malls in Singapore.
VivoCity
VivoCity is our top pick – serious thought has been put into making it an utter magnet for families. Apart from stores like Toys“R”Us, Cotton On Kids and H&M, VivoCity is also home to Golden Village Cinemas, so you can catch the latest family blockbuster. Parenting rooms are dotted liberally throughout the mall – complete with breastfeeding chair, nappy-changing area and boiling water for heating that urgent bottle or baby food! Once you’ve had your retail therapy, unleash the kiddos at the open-air playground on level two. Still got energy to spare? Explore the level three Sky Park or hop aboard the vintage mini-express train for a ride along the waterfront promenade.
And, if you want to make a day of it, catch the monorail over the water to Sentosa! Psst: Our tip – go mid-week or at opening time on the weekend as VivoCity is hugely popular with locals and expats alike.
Where: 1 Harbourfront Walk, VivoCity Singapore 098585
Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands is the go-to shopping mall for everything luxury. So, if you have cash to splash, head over and check out kids’ fashion stores such as Bonpoint and Kids 21. MBS is also home to the biggest Hamleys toy store in Singapore, so if you’ve built up the patience, head inside and treat yo’ kids. With tinier tots in tow, the mall has six family rooms dotted around, complete with diaper-changing stations, wash basins, hot water dispensers, disposable diaper bags and comfy seating if you just need to take a breather. The ArtScience Museum is in the vicinity too, so keep an eye on its website for any kid-friendly exhibits that catch your eye when Phase 3 kicks in. We also love the Digital Light Canvas; our littlies go mad for it.
Where: 10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956
Tanglin Mall
Judging by the number of Bugaboos whizzing around Tanglin Mall, it’s safe to say it’s a mum-friendly mall. Level three is where it’s at for new parents, with Mother & Child prenatal and postnatal services, including Baby Café on Monday afternoons where new mothers can drop in for lactation and baby advice, meet other mums and have a cuppa and a piece of cake. Just around the corner there’s a dedicated babycare room kitted out with everything you need for your little one – it even has private breastfeeding rooms with soft armchairs.
Stand-out stores include The Children’s Showcase, Kidz Story and The Better Toy Store. Brunetti serves authentic Italian coffee and desserts (and the cutest chocolate lollipops we’ve ever seen). Ooh, and stock up on all your organic food and groceries at Brown Rice Paradise. Don’t miss the excellent food court, voted by our kids as having the best chicken rice and roti prata with curry dipping sauce in Singapore.
Where: 163 Tanglin Road, Singapore, 247933
i12 Katong
Drop in to i12 Katong any day of the week and you’ll find it abuzz with families. It’s that good a shopping centre, that Westsiders make the trek across. Why so good, you say? Well, i12 Katong is home to some cracking kid-centric spots like Motherswork, Scissors Paper Stone children’s hair salon and The Ballet & Music Company. Don’t worry, parents aren’t left out in the cold. Why not grab some to-die-for coffee and bakery goodies at Artisan Boulangerie Co. And how does a mums-and-bubs movie session at Golden Village Cinemas sound? If you have some time, go ahead and explore East Coast Road outside the mall – there’s loads of eateries in the area.
Where: 112 East Coast Road, Singapore 428802
Plaza Singapura
An oldie but a goodie is centrally-located Plaza Singapura. It’s our go-to destination when we’re buying birthday party supplies – and any other time really as we’re just quietly obsessed with haberdashery giant Spotlight. For your next craft project, stock up on craft supplies at Japanese gem Daiso. You can afford to give in to requests for bedazzled glittery masks here as nothing is over two dollars! This mall is also well located for a spot of lunch before catching a show at nearby School of The Arts Singapore (SOTA).
Where: 68 Orchard Road, Singapore, 238839
City Square Mall
Singapore’s first eco-friendly shopping mall, City Square Mall is also a veritable kiddie-haven! Aside from shops like Smiggle, Toys“R”Us and Daiso, it’s home to some renowned enrichment centres. There’s a living maze at level one and an environmentally-friendly wooden playground at level six. Nursing rooms, baby and potty seats, child basins and family car parks make the whole experience easier for parents of small tots. Pre-Covid-19, City Square Mall often hosted live shows for kids – think Dora, Paw Patrol, Barney and Hi-5 – so make sure to keep an eye on the website for deets of upcoming events. Why not treat your kids to a cultural tour of nearby Little India while you’re in the neighbourhood?
Where: 180 Kitchener Road, Singapore, 208539
Forum The Shopping Mall
Another Orchard favourite, Forum The Shopping Mall has got a couple of kids’ clothes stores, but it’s known best for the selection of enrichment centres. If you’re a Hip Kids’ Club member, you’ll have access to the indoor playground on level two. Family-friendly favourite Jamie’s Italian is also at Forum The Shopping Mall; check it out for a slice of pizza or three, and ice-cream parlour Kind Kones.
Where: 583 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238884
Suntec City
Suntec City is huge – be prepared to get lost! So, if you’re coming with tiny tots, make sure they’re strapped in a stroller so you can leisurely walk around. Suntec City is loaded with more affordable picks, such as Charles & Keith, ALDO, Cotton On, UNIQLO… the list goes on. SuperPark is also there, which is full of indoor activities for older kiddos looking to burn off some steam (when current restrictions lift). This Singapore shopping mall favourite is also full of family-friendly dining options. We’re talking Alt. Pizza, chic food truck stop PasarBella, and the always-favourite Din Tai Fung.
Where: 3 Temasek Blvd, Singapore 038983
Marina Square
Another one with plenty of fun for the kids is Marina Square (and it’s connected via footbridge to Suntec City). It’s loaded with enrichment centres like De Kinder Club, and play centres like Pororo Park, Nerf Action Xperience and Kiztopia (which spans 18,000 square feet in space and houses up to 18 different play areas). Sadly, these indoor play activities aren’t open in Phase 2, so you’ll have to content yourself with the awesome maternity clothes and kids’ fashion stores instead.
Where: 6 Raffles Blvd, Singapore 039594
Kallang Wave Mall
If you’ve got active kids who love their scooters, then you’ll want to pop by Kallang Wave Mall. Kids can scoot around the boardwalk overlooking the river or even on the third level where they can go around the stadium. It also makes for a great pram-friendly walk! After they’ve worked up a sweat, you can head over to Splash-N-Surf where they can water play the day away (check restrictions before you go). In more normal times, our kids love riding the Zoomoov animals and playing at JollyFields on Level 1 after grabbing a bite at their favourite chicken rice restaurant, 13 Stages.
Where: Kallang Wave Mall, 1 Stadium Place, Singapore 397628
Paragon Shopping Centre
Anyone with kids knows about Paragon Shopping Centre‘s 5th level – but if you don’t, here’s the deal: it’s filled with stuff for tots! From designer clothes (yep, they’ve even got a Club21 kids store here) to organic snack central VitaKids, it’s also got a sizeable Mothercare for all your needs. If you want to explore the other levels, we recommend leaving the kids with the hubby at the playground with a coffee from PS.Cafe. Now there’s your afternoon sorted!
Where: 290 Orchard Road, Singapore 238559
United Square Shopping Mall
You can’t have a round-up of family friendly malls without mentioning United Square Shopping Mall in Novena. Everything about the mall is kid-friendly, including the toilets, colour-themed levels and cute animal-shaped rubbish bins! It’s also got dedicated CottonOn Kids and H&M Kids outlets and a huge Toys “R” Us on the second level. We love the soufflé pancakes at Hoshino Coffee (it’s right next to Toys “R” Us) for a snack and the coffee, of course.
Where: 101 Thomson Road United Square Shopping Mall, Singapore 307591