Awesome shops AND a cool play area for the 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 playgrounds for children in Singapore…
Shopping malls with play areas: West of Singapore
1. Clementi Mall
Whether you’re here for a pamper sesh or some scrumptious food, you’ve got to check out the adorable and cosy playground located on Level 5 of Clementi Mall. The small indoor animal-themed playground is perfect for a short and easy play sesh when the kids feel restless after a meal. The rule is no footwear in the playground area! There are also coin-operated kiddy amusements to try around the area.
Clementi Mall, 3155 Commonwealth Avenue West, Singapore 129588, Playground opens daily from 10 am to 10 pm.
2. JEM
It’s no surprise we’re a huge fan of this honeycomb-themed playground. Kids will get to jump on trampolines, swing on hammocks, and scramble their way 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.
JEM, 50 Jurong Gateway Road, Singapore 608549; Playground opens Sunday to Thursday from 10 am to 10 pm and Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 10.30 pm.
3. 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, 3 Gateway Drive, Singapore 608532; Playground opens daily from 1o am-10 pm.
Shopping malls with play areas: Central/South of Singapore
4. 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
5. 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 littlies, 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.
6. Paragon
What’s not to love about this indoor (air-conditioned!) playground has a climbing wall, mini- slides and tunnels. Plus, the benches around the play area mean that mums can catch some rest while keeping a watchful eye on the tots. Older kids can keep themselves occupied with gaming stations, and there are coin-operated kiddie rides, too!
Paragon, 290 Orchard Road, Level 5, Singapore 238859; Playground opens daily from 10 am to 10 pm.
7. City Square Mall
Situated in the first eco-mall in Singapore, the 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 10 am to 10 pm.
8. 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! There are colouring stations for kids of all ages to enjoy and a swaying bridge and tunnel in the play area, too.
Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard, Singapore 038983; Playground opens daily from 10 am to 10 pm.
9. 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, which is why 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 that 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
10. Causeway Point
Causeway Point has a newly opened wet 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 are great for toddlers (120cm and under) – 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
11. 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.
12. 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
Shopping malls with play areas: East of Singapore
13. 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 10 am to 12 am, Friday to Saturday and eve of public holidays from 10 am to 1 am.
14. 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
15. 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.
Shopping mall playgrounds: Temporarily closed
16. 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; Dry playground opens daily from 10am to 10pm, wet playground open Monday to Friday 10.30 am to 9.30 pm, and weekends from 10 am to 9.30 pm.
17. NEX
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 @ SkyGardenOpen weekdays from 1 to 8pm, weekends, public holidays and school holidays from 11 am to 8 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