Awesome shops AND a free indoor playground or water play for kids? Parents, you're winning at life! Here's our ultimate guide to the best playgrounds at Singapore's shopping malls
Let’s face it: as adorable as kids are, they have the potential to turn a shopping trip in Singapore into utter madness. So we say incentivise your kiddos to keep it together with the promise of a trip to the playground (conveniently located in the mall itself!) after the shopping. Let us assist in your shopping strategy by rounding up the best shopping mall play areas with free indoor playgrounds and other play areas for children in Singapore… We’ve divided this list up by location, so you’re covered no matter where you’re heading out on a shopping trip with the kiddos in Singapore.
Also, tune in to our HoneyKids Asia Podcast episode, where hosts Ange Neo and Amanda Broad dish on the best indoor play areas for kiddos in Singapore:
Shopping malls with play areas: West of Singapore
1. JEM
It’s no surprise we’re a huge fan of this honeycomb-themed playground. Kids can jump on trampolines, swing on hammocks, and scramble around the canopy through fun and safe nests throughout the complex. They’ll also love running through and splashing around in the mini fountains and pool.
Where: Jem, 50 Jurong Gateway Road, Singapore 608549
2. Westgate
Head to the largest rooftop garden in Singapore and play at this whimsical playground! Drawing inspiration from Alice in Wonderland, Westgate Wonderland has larger-than-life flowers, giant ladybugs and a 10-metre-tall treehouse. Explore the slide in the cracked flowerpot, cool off under the huge watering can or rest under the petals of the flowers that dot the area.
Westgate, Level 4, 3 Gateway Drive, Singapore 608532;
3. Lot One Shoppers’ Mall
Kiddos will love the animal-themed aquatic playground at Lot One Shopper’s Mall, which has cool water features. The water sprays are fashioned from giraffes and elephants, plus a bucket feature creates mini-waterfalls. This place is a water wonderland for the kids.
Lot One Shoppers’ Mall, 21 Choa Chu Kang Ave 4, Level 5, Roof Garden, Singapore 689812
4. IMM
This nature-themed, sheltered rooftop playground pulls double-duty with both wet and dry play areas. The dry area is shaded with a mini carousel, while the wet play area features fountains and water cannons (we reckon it’s best suited for kids aged five to 12 years old). If the little ones are feeling adventurous, there’s a seven-metre treehouse that has two spiral tunnel slides – so cool!
IMM, 2 Jurong East Street 21, Level 3 Garden Plaza, Singapore 609601; the dry playground is open daily from 10am to 10pm, and the wet playground is open Monday through Friday from 10.30 am to 9.30 pm and on weekends from 10am to 9.30pm.
Shopping malls with play areas: Central/South of Singapore
5. Shaw Plaza
One of the newest malls in the list, Shaw Plaza in Balestier is home to the biggest kids’ cinema in Singapore and an awesome free indoor playground on level 3! There’s a Wallhola vertical playground for children to climb inside a ‘caged’ setting with its very own slide, a trampoline, mini tunnel and even a flying-fox play structure!
Shaw Plaza, 360 Balestier Road, Singapore 329783
6. Aperia Mall
Don’t miss out on the new free playground at Aperia Mall. The new and incredible Circite Flower is as eye-catching as it is exciting to play on! The net frame invites little explorers to climb, swing, and hang in every direction, ensuring hours of fun-filled playtime. A toddler play area also offers excitement and fosters physical, cognitive, and social growth at a young age.
Aperia Mall, 12 Kallang Ave, Singapore 339511
7. Junction 8
If your kids love climbing, head to the Junction 8 Roof Garden. The enclosed cage is a sight to behold and promises oodles of fun – be warned, it’s more suited for older kids – with slides and ramps. The coolest part of this futuristic-looking playground isn’t just its verticality but its hexagonal rock climbing cubes – equipped with climbing holds that allow kids to climb all over them. Plus, the Wallhola installation has a slick metal slide that is popular with kids of all ages.
Junction 8, Level 3, 9 Bishan Place, Singapore 579837
8. 313 Somerset
Great for toddlers, this playground is on the roof at 313′s Sky Terrace next to the Food Republic. Watch the kiddos play while you sit with a cuppa from Toast Box. While the parents get a panoramic view of Orchard Road, this fun spot is great for the little ones, whether post-shopping or pre-munchies! Plus, the playground’s padded flooring means safety and comfort for your kids.
313 Somerset, 313 Orchard Road, Sky Terrace on Level 5, Singapore 238895; Playground opens daily from 10 am to 10 pm.
9. Paragon
This free indoor playground in Orchard has gotten an upgrade! You can look forward to the spanking new Jungle Adventure Tower with exciting play areas and interactive games.
Paragon, 290 Orchard Road, Level 5, Singapore 238859; Playground opens daily from 10 am to 10 pm.
10. City Square Mall
Situated in the first eco-mall in Singapore, the free outdoor playground is eco-friendly too. Made of wood, the playground features kampong-style tyre swings and climbing structures. When you’re done with that playground, check out the two playgrounds: the rope playground located near the main road and a small one indoors. But this shopping centre has more up its sleeves – a play fountain in the basement, a sky park at Level 6, and interactive eco-learning kiosks scattered across various levels that will entertain the littlies to no end!
City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Road, Singapore 208539; City Garden opens daily from 10am to 10pm.
11. Great World
Travel the world at this free indoor playground at Great World! Great World Playland at Level 2 is suitable for kids aged three to 12 years old, allowing kids to explore multiple fun play structures and enjoy learning about transportation with features such as train and hot air balloon.
Great World, 1 Kim Seng Promenade Level 2, Singapore 237994; Open daily from 9am – 10pm. Closed during rainy or lightning weather.
12. Suntec City
Suntec City is playground heaven for kids—there are not one but six indoor playgrounds at this mall, including its very own play area on Level 3! The play area has colouring stations for kids of all ages and a swaying bridge and tunnel.
Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038983; Playground opens daily from 10am to 10pm.
13. VivoCity
Located in the courtyard on the second floor, this large wet-and-dry play area is covered in Astroturf, so no worries about scrapes. The littlies can play on the large slide and in the low hill-and-tunnel play area, plus they’ll love the seesaw and the merry-go-round. It gets pretty hot, so the water jets are a welcome respite. Warning: the battery-powered ride-on cars are going to send your kids wild! We also like Vivo’s wading lagoon on the rooftop, which allows kids to cool off during the day. After a period of closure, we’re happy to report their water play area is open. Have a splash!
VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk, Levels 2 and 3, Singapore 098585; Playground opens daily from 10 am to 10 pm.
Shopping malls with play areas: North of Singapore
14. Causeway Point
Causeway Point has a water playground that promises plenty of prehistoric 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 in the rinse area. Otherwise, two dry indoor play areas (120cm and under) are great for toddlers – a train and jungle terrace. The munchkins can join the “animals” bathing in a pretend river or enjoy the two-slide train-like climbing structure. Do remember to leave your footwear by the entrance.
Causeway Point, 1 Woodlands Square, Singapore 738099
Shopping malls with play areas: East of Singapore
15. Pasir Ris Mall
The recently opened Pasir Ris Mall has indoor playgrounds opening soon, but in the meantime, check out their free outdoor playground at Level 2! Apart from the usual swing set and seesaw, they have some unique play elements like the sensory wall and even mini trampolines.
Pasir Ris Mall, 7 Pasir Ris Central, Singapore 519612
16. PLQ Mall
Located at PLQ Parkside (a little further down from the mall) is a free outdoor playground. Children will have a ball of a time running, climbing, and swinging about this colourful and padded play area. Do note that the playground gets pretty hot during the day before it becomes cool again after 3 pm. Enjoy a cuppa at Jimmy Monkey Cafe while the kiddos play nearby.
PLQ Mall, 10 Paya Lebar Road, Singapore 409057
17. Jewel Changi Airport
Did you think we’d not mention the playground in one of Singapore’s hottest and iconic malls with two dedicated play areas? We’re heading to the Changi Airport with the kids just for this! The young ones will enjoy the play area on level 2, featuring stunning European birch plywood play pieces by Essa Grace, a boutique furniture line for kids. On the other hand, the older kiddos (and even the adults!) will enjoy the activities at Canopy Park – like the Discovery Slides, Mirror Maze and Manulife bouncing and walking Sky Nets.
Jewel Changi Airport, Level 2 and Level 5, 78 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819666; The wooden play area is open 24 hours, and Canopy Park opens Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 12am, Friday to Saturday and eve of public holidays from 10 am to 1 am.
18. Seletar Mall
Seletar Mall’s rooftop playground is great fun for adventurous little ones! They’ll have a ball with the playground’s fire truck structure: it has three slides, climbing nets and hammock swings for the kiddos to rest after running around.
Seletar Mall, 33 Sengkang West Avenue, Level 4, Singapore 797653
19. Waterway Point
This massive wet playground dubbed Happy Park is true to its name. Look out for its sprawling water features – from spray trumpets to waterfalls and lily trees around the play area designed for kids to climb on, with a water curtain that splashes from the centre. Also, don’t miss the rabbit-themed dry playground with tall slides, trampolines and rabbit holes for a great session of hide-and-seek! (Happy Park is still closed at the mo.) Have a little one? Check out Wonderland – Waterway Point’s brightly-coloured indoor playground with toddler-friendly play areas.
Waterway Point, 83 Punggol Central, Level 2, Singapore 828761; Playground opens daily from 10.30 am to 10.30 pm.
20. Singpost Centre
Head to the roof of the mall, where a vertical playground awaits! This wallhola installation is the perfect structure for kids who love to climb around and build their motor skills at the same time. And it’s still challenging enough for older kids to explore. And there are floor trampolines, see-saws and slides to enjoy, too!
Singpost Centre, 10 Eunos Road 8, Singapore 408600; The dry playground opens daily from 10 am to 10 pm.
21. NEX
Ahoy there, calling all little pirates! Head over to NEX for a day of splash-tastic fun at their kidzPLAY Pirates Sea Adventure! This sparkling rooftop playground consists of both wet and dry play areas. If your kids are waterbugs, they’ll love the spray tunnels, water cannons, fountains, and water buckets for a splashin’ good time! For those who may be water-shy, there’s a simple play structure with slides and bridges, too.
NEX, 23 Serangoon Central, Level 4R, Singapore 556083; kidzPlay @ SkyGarden opens daily from 11 am to 7 pm.
There you go: a list of all the shopping mall playgrounds to hit up in Singapore! Do you know of others? Let us know at [email protected].
Featured image: Playpoint Singapore