Hot day? Grab your swimming costumes and hit one of Singapore's fantastic free water play areas!
You can barely blink without breaking a sweat under our blistering sun, so where do you go to escape the heat in Singapore? Forget about staying huddled around the air-conditioner; bring the kids to one of the city’s fantastic water parks to cool down and play. From the elaborate outdoor fountains and sprinklers at Gardens by the Bay to the rooftop oasis at Wildlife Wet Play Area at Tampines, these are our top places to go for a splashing good time – totally free of charge!
BEST FREE WATER PLAY FOR KIDS IN SINGAPORE
1. Splash-n-Surf at Singapore Sports Hub
If you haven’t discovered the Splash-n-Surf at the Singapore Sports Hub, you’re seriously missing out! Complete with a water play area, kids’ pool, lazy river and even a half-pipe, it’s great for kids aged three to 12. You’ll find plenty of sprinklers, slides and water pistols, along with a pint-sized merry-go-round swing ride. Kids who fancy a trip down the lazy river can rent a tube for $2, while thrillseekers can try their hand at surfing on the half-pipe Stingray, although you will have to be at least 1.2m tall!
Where: Splash-n-Surf, 1B Stadium Walk (access from the entrance along Gate 22), Singapore 397690; Open daily from 9am to 8pm. Closed on Tuesdays and selected Public Holidays.
2. Far East Organization Children’s Garden at Gardens by the Bay
Kids never fail to make a beeline for this elaborate water play area, nestled among the lush greenery of Gardens by the Bay. With classic Disney tunes streaming and fun fountains creating a visual display, this certainly excites the senses. It’s no wonder this is a fave destination on sunny days. There’s even a designated area for tots, where fish-shaped fountains send out water in gentle arcs. Plus, plenty of seating for parents to sit back and take in the spectacular view of Marina Bay Sands. Designed for children aged six to 12 years, the main water play area is perhaps the best we’ve seen. With sensors that detect movement to create a corresponding water effect sequence, parents will get as much of a kick playing here as the kids. The towering orchids dump buckets of water below, so watch where you stand (we talk from experience!).
Where: Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953; Open Thurs-Sun from 9am to 7pm (last admission at 6pm)
3. Wildlife Wet Play Area at Tampines 1
This wildlife-themed rooftop water playground at Tampines 1 has plenty of slides, pools and fountains for the kids to splash about in. Little ones will be enthralled by the animal-shaped topiaries and the arctic-themed play areas that come complete with polar bear and seal slides. Another reason to love it: there’s a shaded area to escape the heat for a bit.
Where: Tampines 1, Level 6, 10 Tampines Central 1, Singapore 529536; Open Mon from 4 to 8pm, Tues-Sun from 12 to 8pm.
4. Wet Playground at Northpoint City
It may not be as fancy as the other wet playgrounds, but this one at Northpoint City earns points for the water slides. The aquatic-themed playground also boasts a wet dunking machine (AKA splash bucket), water jets, and fountains that’ll keep the little ones entertained for hours. Shower facilities are located nearby, so everyone can freshen up after a splashing good time here. Psst… parents, there are seating areas for you, in case you’re all tired out and just want to sit back and watch!
Where: Northpoint City, Level 4, 930 Yishun Avenue 2, Singapore 769098; Open daily from 10.30am to 9.30pm.
5. Dino-themed Wet Playground at Causeway Point
Kiddo a big fan of dinosaurs? Well, you’re in luck – Causeway Point has a wet playground that promises plenty of dino-mite fun! Whizz down the two water slides at the Adventure Volcano and Crater Zone. Leap on giant rocks leading up to a mist-spraying volcano. Run through the two-metre hollow dinosaur rib cage at the Fossil Spray and Toddler Dino Zone. Kids will love splashing around the park’s various water features for lots of giggles. When the sun sets, the fun continues when the neon lights come on! After a day of imaginative play, freshen up at the rinse area.
Where: Causeway Point, Level 7, 1 Woodlands Square, Singapore 738099; Open daily from 10.30am to 9pm.
6. Jelutung Harbour Park at Admiralty Link
Some distance away from Admiralty Park (it’s at least 10 to 15 minutes by transport, we reckon) is this free water play for kids! Here you’ll find water jets, guns, sprays, and even a splashing bucket. There’s also a sea serpent spitting out water too! Start your water play by pressing the red button on the pole. Again, this is another small water play area, but kids will still have loads of fun. Enjoy the splash!
Where: Blk 488/489 Admiralty Link, Singapore 750488; Open daily from 9am to 9pm.
7. Marina Barrage Water Playground
For some more gentle fun in the water, head to Marina Barrage, with its huge wading area that kids can’t get enough of. The water is very shallow (perfect for tiny tots), and you don’t have to worry about getting soaked by a water cannon here, but there are plenty of water jets that fearless kids will have fun running through. Don’t forget to look up and admire the kites being flown from the nearby Green Roof!
Where: Marina Barrage, 8 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018951; Set entry times (20 people max) – on a first-come, first-served basis. Check out the timings here.
8. Lower Seletar Reservoir Park
Although this park is usually known for kayaking and dragon boating, there’s also a splashy water play area with a mini river and water mill at the Family Bay, complete with a bioswale rain garden. Kids can also try out fishing – word on the street is that there’s lots of large fish, including snakeheads and tilapias swimming in the waters.
Where: Lower Seletar Reservoir Park, bounded by Yishun Ave 1 and Lentor Avenue, Yishun, Singapore 786568
9. Clusia Cove at Jurong Lakeside Gardens
A favourite park for a trip with the kids – Jurong Lakeside Gardens has it all: a super-fun play area, spectacular scenery, coffee shop, and awesome water play with Clusia Cove! Okay, so the area is without all the bells and whistles of bigger water playgrounds, but the play pools are fab in their own way. We love that they mimic tidal patterns, and there’s sand underfoot for a beachy vibe!
Where: Clusia Cove, Jurong Lakeside Gardens; Open Tue-Sun from 8am to 7pm (closed on Mon except for public holidays).
10. Coastal PlayGrove at East Coast Park
Yes, Coastal PlayGrove also offers water play – hooray! So once the kids have worked up a sweat over at the nearby play tower, they can cool off and have a splash in the wet play zone, with a series of wading pools to explore. We also love that there are changing facilities close by, so it’s easy-peasy post-water fun. Psst, head over here later in the day and check out the water jets, which light up come evening!
Where: Coastal PlayGrove, 902 East Coast Park Service Road, Singapore 449874; Open from Tuesdays to Sundays, 8am – 8pm. Closed on Mondays
11. Water Playground at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park
Unlike your typical water play areas, you won’t find colourful plastic structures or crazy buckets that splash you every three minutes at the super awesome Water Playground at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park. Instead, recycled water flows at ground level where kids can run and jump and splash around. There are even mini-sluice gates that kids can use to control the flow of the water!
Where: Opposite Blk 223 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1, Singapore 560223; Open weekends and public holidays from 8 to 11am and 4 to 8pm
12. Oasis Waterpark at Nee Soon East
Located within the housing estate of Yishun, this community water park features three main water play zones. That includes a circular 3.5 metres tall water curtain and giant board game pieces. There’s also a play pool that’s suitable for kids aged two to 12. Parents, you’re welcome to enjoy the facilities too! Vending machines are on hand nearby if you want snacks as well as benches and shade umbrellas for respite. Psst, we spotted nursing rooms too!
Where: Behind Yishun North NPC and beside Multi Story Car Park @ Blk 307 (About 10 minutes’ walk from Yishun MRT station); Open daily from 9am to 10pm
13. Play @ Heights Park at Toa Payoh
We’d like to think Toa Payoh is one of the best estates when it comes to playgrounds. There’s the iconic dragon playground, one with dinosaurs, another playground with humongous slides… and you can add Heights Park to the list too. Its nautical-themed water play area features spray guns, ground spray, boat and stone sprays that give off an exciting adventure on the high seas. Sure, it may be smaller in size compared to other places, but it still delivers the fun factor.
Where: Blk 144 Lorong 2 Toa Payoh, Singapore 310144; Open daily from 8am to 9pm.
Free water play sites that are currently closed
14. Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden at Singapore Botanic Gardens
There’s a water play space over at Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden if you’re looking to cool down after hitting the Gardens. It’s a small set-up with pouring stations to explore, but it’s just another reason to add to the very long list of why we love this place so much!
Where: Singapore Botanic Gardens, 481 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 259769
15. VivoCity SkyPark
The impressive rooftop water feature at VivoCity SkyPark spans the size of four Olympic swimming pools (yes, it’s that huge)! The knee-deep water area is ideal for older kids to paddle around in. Sunscreen is a must, as it can get scorching hot here. So grab those swimmers, sunscreen and towels, and make a day of it – we’d even try leaving Dad on duty while we slip off for a sneaky session in the mall. And if that isn’t enough water fun, check out the awesome Play Court at Level 2, complete with water fountains. Perfect for cooling off after a day of play. Psst, while water play is still closed, the SkyPark and Play Court on Level 2 are open!
Where: VivoCity Level 3, 1 HarbourFront Walk, Singapore 098585
16. Splash Park at Sembawang Shopping Centre
Open to kids under 12. The Splash Park is a padded open-air playground with loads of fountains, water jet tunnels and water pistols for the kids to enjoy. There’s even a fun, sheltered playground for them to hang out at pre- or post-wet play.
Where: Sembawang Shopping Centre, 604 Sembawang Road, Singapore 758459
17. IMM Outdoor Play and Splash
Another opportunity to shop and play! Reward those kiddos for tagging along on a day to the mall with a fun session at IMM’s outdoor wet playground. Kids will love the spraying flowers, buckets and water cannons. Mums will love the non-slip surface for kids to safely let loose!
Where: IMM Shopping Mall, Level 3 Garden Plaza, 2 Jurong East Street 21, Singapore 609601
18. KidzPlay @ SkyGarden at NEX
Kidzplay at NEX (located on the mall’s rooftop) is a wet and dry play area for kids five to 12. Hot day in the city? Cool down with water cannons, spray tunnels and water buckets for kids to get wet and wild with. Too wet? Hop on over to the dry playground, equipped with fun slides and bridges.
Where: NEX Shopping Mall, Level 4R, 23 Serangoon Central, Singapore 556083
19. The 3 House Playground at Changi City Point
The 3 House Playground is located on the second level of Changi City Point. The wet area includes fountains, mini pools and swings, while the dry area has a treetop obstacle trail for older kids to cross and climb. There’s even a landscaped rooftop garden equipped with interactive art installations just above the play area for the kids to explore while they dry off. Suitable for little ones below 12.
Where: Changi City Point, 5 Changi Business Park Central 1, Singapore 486038
20. Ninja Trail at Compass One Shopping Mall
Compass One has a special Ninja Trail for little warriors aged two to 12 who can work their way through 17 different play features, including a path laid out with jets, a climbing net, spray tunnels and spring animals. There’s even a swing set – but it can get slippery, so make sure your little ones hold on tight!
Where: Compass One Shopping Mall, 1 Sengkang Square, Singapore 545078
21. Lot One
Kids will have a blast exploring Lot One’s dry and wet playgrounds on a hot sticky day. If you’ve got a little wannabe zoologist, Lot One’s water park is animal-themed, so they’re bound to love the stripes off of it!
Where: Lot One Shopping Mall, 21 Choa Chu Kang Ave 4, Singapore 689812
Happy splashing!
