If you're tired of the same old parks and playgrounds, we have curated this list with a few of our favourite lesser-known and unique activities.
If there is one goal we have here at HoneyKids HQ, it’s to make sure that our readers never run out of inspo for unique things to do in Singapore. We have more than 60 things to do on our evergreen list (a ‘bucket list’ of sorts!), along with tons of ideas for indoor play, discounts and tips for visiting the best attractions, school holiday fun, and how to fill your weekends with the latest events and happenings.
If you’ve lived here for a while and feel like you’ve been there, done that, then you’ve come to the right place. Whether it’s scouting for a view from a new vantage point, exploring a forgotten neighbourhood or marking the diary for must-do Singapore-only events, here are our favourite one-day itineraries and unique things to do in Singapore. So, time for you to get out there and enjoy our Little Red Dot like a newbie (even if you’ve been living here for years!).
One-day itineraries: Unique things to do with kids in Singapore
1. See the city from above
Singapore is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and it looks even more impressive from a high vantage point! One of our favourite (and free!) spots to take in the city skyline is from the rooftop garden of Capita Spring in the CBD. Not only will you experience 360-degree views over Marina Bay and out to Malaysia, but there’s also an educational kitchen garden containing locally grown herbs and plants. Other high vantage points we love are the Singapore Flyer, ION Sky, and of course, the expansive views from Marina Bay Sands over the world-famous infinity pool!
2. Visit all the Merlions (there’s currently six!)
We aren’t called the ‘lion city’ for nothing! Singapore’s adorable, mystical mascot is a hybrid half fish-half lion, born from the legend of a visiting prince who sighted a majestic lion roaming the land. There are currently six statues located around the island, and it’s a fun adventure to visit them all! The most famous is the 8-metre tall statue at Merlion Park, opposite the Fullerton Hotel, and is best seen either on foot or from a River Boat Cruise where you can get up close to the fountain spray from the water!
Visit the Merlion cub located nearby, then head to Mount Faber to see two located at the peak. Next, a visit to the Singapore Tourism Board at Grange Road to find one hiding in the garden there. The final two merlions are a pair at the entrance to the carpark at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, near blocks 216 to 222. Send us a DM if you manage to visit them all, we’d love to see your pics!
3. Explore neighbourhoods and temples to experience Singapore’s melting pot of cultures
Neighbourhood visits are a must for any visitor to Singapore, including three of the most prominent and culturally rich – Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam (yes, Haji Lane is kid friendly!). Outside the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, visit the street markets of Chinatown and pick up fun souvenirs and local snacks. Taste delicious local dishes and fruits at Little India’s Tekka Market, and see the beautiful Sri Veeramakaliamman Hindu temple. At night time, explore Haji Lane’s unique shops and live music scene, and marvel at the stunning golden mosque.
For more adventures off the beaten track, try a fun and informative heritage trail. Here, you’ll follow along a path filled with stops at interesting places and learn a whole lot about Singapore while getting fit with the fam!
4. Slide your way around little-known parks and playgrounds
For a tiny island with a dense population, there is still a lot of nature to be marvelled at on this Little Red Dot, and outdoor playgrounds aplenty! Some of our favourites are found within HDB’s, and we’ve made a whole list of HDB playgrounds for you to tick off on an island-wide adventure.
5. Eat your way around the city at hawker centres and enjoy the famous Singapore Chilli Crab
Singaporeans are known for their love of makan, and the food across the island is exceptional. You’ll find world class restaurants helmed by celebrity chefs, as well as Michelin starred and Guide entrants, with some establishments featuring in the World 50 Best! Head to our big sis Honeycombers for regularly-updated restaurant recommendations. But it’s not all fancy fine dining – the modestly priced options do not compromise on taste.
With influences from Malaysia and Indonesia blended along with distinctly Singaporean flavours, local food is best sampled outdoors at a hawker centre. Visit a hawker (we love Little India‘s Tekka Market), grab yourself an ice cold tiger beer, a mango lassi or a teh tarik, and join the longest queues to find your dinner!
So, what do you order? We can’t go past a national dish, Hainanese Chicken Rice (‘roasted, no bone’ is our go-to order). We love heading out to the East Coast to Jumbo Seafood and sitting outdoors by the ocean to enjoy Singapore’s most famous dish – Singapore Chilli Crab. Must be served with mantou buns for dipping in the sauce. Pssst.. we’ll let you in on a secret – we actually prefer black pepper crab for the flavour!
6. Sporting events and getting active as a family
Ever wanted to take up golf? For such a small island, the golf scene in Singapore is impressive (although pricey). You’ll find beautiful courses at Sentosa, Laguna and Singapore Island Country Club. However, if you’re after some casual play or practice, and want to get the kiddos involved, we recommend the driving range at Marina Bay or the Keppel Club.
Singapore has a serious sense of family connection through activities, and there are loads of charity fun runs organised throughout the year. Often themed, and with prizes to win, we are starting a fun collection of finisher medals! There are also classes held at Gardens by the Bay and the heartlands to encourage families to stay active and exercise together. Singapore is surprisingly a hub for a whole host of watersports to try as a family, and one of our faves is Dragon Boat Racing!
7. Check out the vibrant music and theatre scene
Singapore has a thriving local theatre scene, with Wild Rice Theatre and the Singapore Repertory Theatre hosting a range of locally-written shows showcasing incredible local and international talent. Kids don’t miss out either, with Kidsfest presenting beloved children’s books on stage. The kids theatre scene even offers performances in Mandarin. As a family, we love catching classic broadway-style shows and productions at Sands Theatre, and makes for some very special memories!
There is a constant stream of classical music from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory and Victoria Theatre. More frequently we are seeing international stars – Coldplay, Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars for example, are basing Singapore as their only stop in Southeast Asia.
We love to take the kids to the ballet, and Singapore’s very own Singapore Ballet Company is creating brand new ballets such as a new edition of Sleeping Beauty.
8. Beat the heat with indoor play at these new (very cool) hot spots
Singapore is home to some of the best indoor (hint: air conditioned) play centres we’ve ever seen! The kiddos can run wild Kidztopia and Polliwogs or any of the other soft play areas. There’s even giant inflatables at Bouncy Paradise, indoor rock climbing, bowling and skate parks. Check out HyperDrive, an indoor go karting arena at the Palawan on Sentosa, Trifecta for indoor snowboarding and Por Vida for indoor skating.
9. Sentosa: The ‘State of Fun’ (and so many attractions!)
Sentosa is hive of unique experiences, from the Singapore Cable Car (currently Pokemon themed – you gotta catch em all!) to the luge, bungee jumping, beach clubs and of course, famous attractions. Rub shoulders with the celebrity wax figures at Madame Tussaudes, flex your strength indoor skydiving, or head to Resorts World, home of Universal Studios, S.E.A Aquarium, and Adventure Cove Water Park.
Besides these adrenaline-fuelled activities, Sentosa is also a historic site for Singapore. Here, you will find the Southern most point of South East Asia by crossing a rope bridge, and discover more about Singapore’s wartime past at Fort Siloso. There’s more than meets the eye – check out our full guide to Sentosa for more hidden gems!
10. Explore Haw Par Villa and the container hotel!
You’ll need at last half a day to explore this fascinating slice of Singaporean history, Haw Par Villa. This is one of Singapore’s most unusual cultural attractions that is part museum, part theme park, and a whole lot of weird. Founded by the Haw Par brothers, here you’ll find their most famous exhibition ‘the gates of hell’. Not recommended for kiddos under 9 years, featuring graphic depictions of death and punishments according to Chinese folklore and tales of the afterlife. This is one place that will haunt you long after your visit! Take the spook factor up a notch by staying onsite in a Container Hotel.
11. Go island hopping
Looking to rent a yacht and live glamorously for a day? Hire a boat and visit the islands off Sentosa. Pack a picnic and some water inflatables, and it’s a fun day out for the whole family. For something different, Get Hooked offer fishing expeditions, along with a visit to Smiths Marine floating restaurant and fish farm.
12. Feel the nostalgia with long kang fishing or prawning
A rite of passage for kids in Singapore, why not spend an afternoon of good old-fashioned family fun at a long kang fishing farm! There are loads of places to fish in Singapore. Grab a little net and a bucket, and try your luck catching a sweet little pet to take home with you. Hours of fun for everyone.
13. Explore the prettiest of Singapore’s beloved shophouses (and snap a pic!)
There’s something about Singapore mixing the old with the new. Towards the financial district, you’ll often find yourself marvelling at the quaint shophouses of Boat Quay cast against the backdrop of skyscrapers. We love the adorable shophouses of the East Coast and Jalan Besar in the gaily painted colours – hands up who has artistic shophouse prints hanging on their walls or as coasters or tea towels?
14. Play ‘bus roulette’ on public transport
We’re all big fans of Singapore’s seamless public transport system, but have you ever ridden at the front of the MRT on the Northeast Line or Thomson-East Coast Line? These driverless trains are like something out of a 4D adventure ride! If you have a day to spare to just go adventuring, why not pack the kids up for a game of ‘bus roulette’. Simply choose a bus stop (preferably from a scenic bus route), and wait for the first double decker bus to come along. Sit yourselves up the top as close to the front as you can, and enjoy the ride!
Make things more exciting by picking a random number of stops, then hop off and go exploring before taking your next bus. Who knows where you’ll end up, and think of the adventures you’ll have. This activity is unique to Singapore in that to get home from anywhere on the island is safe and simple. You’ll make your way home eventually, with new tales to tell!
Got a secret hangout you want to share with us? Send us a DM!
