Want to know one of our fave things in the whole wide world? Mini breaks! Here are our top destinations for beach hangs and sunset chills with the kiddos, perfect for a short getaway from Singapore!
Dreaming of a short trip from Singapore with the kids? We are experts at planning an easy family holiday. It could be argued that life in Singapore is a bit of a holiday itself, thanks to our endless sunshine, great attractions for families and kid-friendly restaurants. Long-haul journeys with the brood can be a bit of a challenge (so don’t miss our survival tips for plane trips with kids). Clashing school breaks don’t help! There’s no need to go far for an amazing holiday. So go on and pack your swimsuit, and take your pick from some of our favourite destinations for a short trip from Singapore with kids. No stopover required!
Note: Remember to check the travel requirements of the destination country you plan to travel to before setting off on your next vacation. Note that some of the visa requirements have changed since the pandemic! Also, be sure to check on your domestic helper’s visa requirements too, if necessary.
Best family getaways in Malaysia
1. Langkawi, Malaysia
Why do we keep going back to Langkawi with the kids? A visit to Langkawi is a very accessible, quick weekend away, with flights whizzing you there in under an hour. Sounds perfect for a short trip from Singapore. We love the spacious pool with the swim-up bar at the Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa, and the kids will go nuts for the animal feeding and fishing experiences at their very own Kiki Farm on-site.
The white beach, relaxing atmosphere and close proximity to a small town full of delicious family-friendly restaurants seals the deal for us time and time again. What’s not to love about the quick journey, clean beaches, delish food and fam-friendly hotels? The Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa is another fam fave on our list. With an array of activities to explore, like water sports, tennis courts and a children’s playground to name a few, the resort has everyone in the fam covered for the best fam vacay!
Travelling time: Under an hour by plane
2. Desaru Coast, Malaysia
Turns out a mini-break away from Singapore doesn’t have to whack a kid-shaped hole in your wallet. We’ve enjoyed a long weekend in Desaru Coast for less than what a day out on Sentosa can cost us! That’s not to say you can’t splurge it either – we’ve seen Anantara Desaru Coast and One & Only Desaru Coast, and they’re AMAZING! These holiday stay comes with complimentary daily activities planned for the kiddos. In our books, this is a big win-win! Your kids can explore a wide range of topics like discovery, education, local culture, nature, sports, and arts and crafts. A happy kid makes for a happy parent, right?
Travelling time: Around 2.5 hours by coach
3. Rawa Island, Mersing, Johor
Only a two-and-a-half hour drive and a speedboat transfer away, you’ll find the pristine, idyllic and unspoilt sweeping white beach of Rawa Island. You’ll feel like castaways on this rustic, family-friendly isle, with its swaying palms and laid-back vibe. Relax, reconnect and try a spot of water sports all with sand between your toes. There are two resorts to choose from – Rawa Island Resort and Alang’s Rawa, and we are fans of both of them. Rawa Island with kids? Bliss lives here.
Travelling time: Around 3 hours by car and speedboat
4. Johor Bahru, Malaysia
If you want to take a road trip, then just over the border in Malaysia, you’ll find Johor Bahru. Home to one of our favourite theme parks – Legoland! We’ve also got a whole Guide to Johor Bahru with kids that is a must-read and includes all the best places to stay, eat and play. And you can’t visit Johor Bahru without shopping! There are so many bargains to be had (if you can drag the kids along without too much whining).
Travelling time: Just under an hour from Singapore by car
5. Genting Highlands, Malaysia
Located just off Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at some 6,000ft above sea level at its highest point, the Genting Highlands promise cool weather, beautiful mountain views and the best part: tons of things to do with kids! Our Editor recently did a road trip to Genting with two young kids in tow and can safely say it’s totally kid-approved. With SkyWorlds theme park to keep the whole family entertained and a range of hotels, restaurants and attractions to choose from, you can be there in around 5 hours by car from Singapore – no planes, all the gains!
Travelling time: Around 5 hours by car
Best family getaways in Indonesia
6. Bintan, Indonesia
Not keen on Sentosa? This is our next closest island neighbour for a getaway. It’s the go-to if you want to get away fast, play golf or chill out with the kids on the beach. Check out our guide to hotels in Bintan for the lowdown on the best places to stay with the kiddos. One of the best family-friendly hotels here is Banyan Tree Bintan. There’s a lovely private beach and a fun Ranger’s Kids Club suitable for kids aged three to ten. You’ll also find a spa for some serious self-care time and a golf course for pops. This property is the perfect resort for everyone in the family to have some R&R time!
Travelling time: About an hour by ferry
7. Bali, Indonesia
This island needs no introduction, but it’s a perennial fave for a family holiday. It’s grown with us over the years, and we find something new every time we go back. We love heading to Jimbaran Bay because it’s closer to the airport. You can still get decent accommodation on or near the beach (without indecent prices).
Looking for a private villa for your short trip from Singapore? Check out Bali Villas. With littlies, we love Nusa Dua and Club Med Bali. It’s all-inclusive, so there’s no risk of squabbling over who’s hungry and where to go! For all our tips on the latest and greatest places to stay, eat, shop and chill – including fun stuff to do with kids – head over to Honeycombers Bali.
Travelling time: Under three hours by plane
Best family getaways in Thailand
8. Koh Samui, Thailand
We love it here: The beaches, food, jungles, people and marine park excursions are a family pleaser every single time, great for a short trip from Singapore. There’s plenty of choice for all budgets around this sunny island, so have a look at our guide to Koh Samui with kids and then put it on your holiday radar, stat. For acommodation, we love Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort. Located on a tranquil stretch of sand near a fisherman’s village, this is five-star luxury all the way. Keep the teens busy with onsite water sports, while the the adults might want to try a Thai cooking course!
Another place on our list is SALA Samui Chaweng Beach Resort. Here you can enjoy complimentary kayaking and paddleboarding equipment for some watersport fun. If you want to amp up your culinary skills with some delicious Thai dishes up your sleeve, the cooking class is your place to be! At the end of it, treat your family to a Thai spread cooked up by yours truly. Brownie points all the way!
Travelling time: Under two hours by plane
9. Phuket, Thailand
Looking for a private pool villa that doesn’t cost the earth? You can find this in Phuket, Thailand, specifically at the super fam-friendly Avani+ Mai Khao. With a playground, sweet kids club, rock climbing, Muay Thai and cooking classes, you can do as much or as little as you like. If chilling out at the spa or beachside with a cocktail is more your vibe, you can find that too. Head across the road to the Anantara – the facilities are shared between these two hotels so that you can have the best of everything! Alternatively, the JW Marriott Phuket has multiple restaurants on site and one of the best kids clubs in Asia. Don’t forget to check out our Guide for 30 Things to Do in Phuket before you go!
Travelling time: Under two hours by plane
10. Bangkok, Thailand
If your kids never sleep, then perhaps you need a city that never sleeps, either! For an action-packed school break or short weekend holiday, Bangkok is the place to go. There’s so much to love about this vibrant city that has something for everyone. Theme parks, shopping, massage, culture, history, fab food and tuk-tuk travel are just a few reasons to pop Bangkok firmly on your travel bucket list.
Experience the city from Siam Kempinski Hotel, located in the city centre. The hotel has a spacious setup for the Kempinski Kids Club. Here children up to 12 years can enjoy an array of interactive and educational games. While the kids are entertained, take a dip in one of the saltwater pools at the resort’s landscaped oasis, or opt for luxury spa pampering.
Travelling time: About two hours by plane
Best family getaways in the Philippines
11. Manila, Philippines
If you want to take a short trip from Singapore and are looking for a city break, then there’s nothing vanilla about fun-packed Manila! Hop into our guide for the Manila lowdown. Here you’ll find all our tips on where to eat, where to stay and what to do in the lively and cultural capital city of the Philippines. Our go-to pick from this bustling metropolis is Shangri-La at The Fort, Manila, which feels like an urban oasis.
Travelling time: Around three hours by plane
12. Cebu, Philippines
Not to be confused with Sibu (in Malaysia), the paradise island of Cebu in the Philippines, is an easy direct flight straight from Singapore. We’re talking under four hours, people! If you are looking for a splashing good vacay in Cebu, Jpark Island Resort and Waterpark is a must-visit for all you holiday-hungry peeps! Beyond the bustling 16.5 hectares of fun-tastic facilities, the main highlight includes the three towering waterslides, a lazy river pool, and a pool with a beach-like shoreline. There’s much more for the kids to enjoy, including Pororo Park, Go Karting and mini golf. But what about mum and dad? Besides some much-needed pampering at the spa, we’re also quite taken with the waves of the artificial tide pool. Go on, rediscover that inner child – we won’t judge!
Another good fam option is Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan. With a whole pool (with lifeguards and life jackets for kids on standby) for kids, plus an indoor soft play area and playground dedicated to smaller guests, plus the friendliest staff on the planet, a beautiful little beach and an excellent buffet brekkie, you’ve got yourself one awesome, easy getaway. And if you’ve got a few days extra to spend in the sun, do make sure you head to Oslob for a swim with the whale sharks!
Travelling time: Under four hours by plane
13. Boracay, Philippines
Boracay in the Philippines is one of our top beach destinations to go to for a short trip from Singapore. The Mövenpick Resort & Spa is a fam-fave located bang on the white sandy beaches of Boracay. What more could you ask for? Treat yourself to some invaluable downtime at Sagay Spa, and rest assured that the kiddos will find nothing to complain about with the fun-filled activities in store for them at the Little Kids Club, outdoor playground and splash pools. Beyond the hotel, enjoy the tranquil beaches because those sands and waters remain some of the loveliest we’ve ever seen. Don’t forget to take a glass-bottom boat to see the cool residents who live just off the shore!
Travelling time: About three hours by plane
Best family getaways in Vietnam
14. Vietnam
Fancy a buzzy city break to Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi, a more chilled vibe in the ancient town of Hoi An, or even a cruise around Ha Long Bay? Vietnam is one of our favourite places to jet off to with kids for a short weekend getaway. Gorgeous beaches, stunning scenery, super smiley people and a shed load of history make this an overseas adventure perfect for the young and old alike.
We love a weekend getaway to a Vietnamese seaside resort, and Salinda Resort ticks the box. The holiday haven showcases Vietnamese hospitality at its authentic best for an experience of a lifetime. There’s so much to explore, from international cuisines, spas and wellness activities. There are also picturesque landscapes, so this resort is the complete package! For our tiny vacationers, there is a packed daily roster of fun at the Kids Club. Furama Vietnam is another vacation hotspot for your travellers’ map. The hotel has loads of exciting activities, perfect for an action-packed short trip from Singapore and a weekend getaway for the whole gang!
Travelling time: About three hours by plane
Best family getaways in Cambodia
15. Siem Reap, Cambodia
Want a short trip from Singapore with a dose of history and culture? If you are looking to take a deep dive into Cambodia, Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas is the place to be! The resort is located a few tuk-tuk rides away from historical sites. Don’t miss the UNESCO World Heritage Temples of Angkor Wat and local marketplaces. If a beautiful Cambodian resort perched amid tropical gardens and pools defines your base camp between packed city tours, we have nothing to complain about! Find out why this ancient pocket of Cambodia makes for a seriously cool adventure that the whole gang will love.
Travelling time: About two hours by plane
Happy holidaying! Got a fave short weekend getaway from Singapore? Let us know!
