Worried about not having your summer travel plans sorted? Don’t worry, we’ve got all the best spots to take your kids if you're after some last min inspo!
Got kids, will travel! It’s hard not to when you’re living in Singapore, where it’s super easy to jet off to amazing summer holiday destinations. Make sure you check the weather, although we at HoneyKids don’t mind if it’s rainy season as that often means a cheaper deal! And who doesn’t love a holiday nap in the afternoon when the weather turns?
Now for the fun part – deciding where to go for the ultimate summer holiday from Singapore with kids! We consulted our uber travel-savvy team and fave Launchpad mums for tips on the best places to take the kiddies for an unforgettable summer holiday the whole family will enjoy.
Psst… if you aren’t planning to travel this summer, you could always book a staycay instead, and we’ve got loads of ideas for things to do with kids over the summer holidays in Singapore!
Family-friendly summer travel destinations from Singapore
1. Java, Indonesia
Indonesia offers many different travel experiences with its wealth of natural splendour and culture. If you haven’t yet ventured to Java (between Sumatra and Bali), make it your next destination with the fam! From the picturesque Borobudur Temple in Yogyakarta to the bustling city of Surabaya and the budget-friendly mountain town of Bandung, there’s lots to see and do.
Research Psychologist, Coach, Speaker and Launchpad mum Marissa Leufke Nasution says: “My family and I recently went to Mount Bromo in Java, Indonesia, a nature-immersed travel destination! The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is a stunning terrain featuring various volcanoes and a sea of sand. Travellers can explore the area by taking a jeep ride through the black sand desert, hiking up to the volcano crater in 45 minutes, or enjoying a picnic on a hilltop while admiring the breathtaking view. During our stay, we chose the Plataran Bromo resort, which offers horse riding, a small with rabbits and lambs, playgrounds, spa, cooking classes, and stunning views. It’s an absolute gem for a long weekend nature retreat with the family.”
2. Europe and the UK
We love a UK or European summer holiday with the family! Even though long-haul air travel with kids in tow can be a nightmare (check out our tips on the best airlines before you book!), it’s worth it when you get there. We are big fans of group villa holidays in France, Spain, Portugal and Italy, sightseeing through the cities and treating the whole family to fun cultural experiences.
Founder of The Place and Studs+Stones and Launchpad mum Helena Gilmour says: “Living so far away from family, we love to take an extended summer trip every year to spend time with grandparents. For us it’s important that the kids get that long stretch of time back ‘home’, so they can get a sense of what life there is really like. It also means that we’re able to keep working, as it’s more a shift of life rather than an intensive holiday where we’re constantly on the go. As an added bonus, Sweden and Scotland (where our families live) are beautiful places to spend the summer.”
Founder of Just Peachy and Launchpad mum Victoria Chuard shares: We are headed to France this summer where the kids will spend some time enjoying outdoor activities. There are some great public offerings like sailing, horseback riding and tennis camps, and plenty of beaches within short distance to keep the kids occupied. Now that the kids are a little older and can join full-day camps, it makes work-life balance much easier. Being in Europe is also a great opportunity to have a few overlapping hours with both Asia and the US, where most of our amazing customers are based.
Amanda, our Senior Lifestyle Writer of the HoneyKids team will be heading to the Surrey Hills in England to spend time with friends and family. Her favourite thing to do on an English summer holiday with kids is visit Bockett’s Farm and the nearby stately home, Polesden Lacey, for some fresh air (and a scone or two!). It’s also a nice drive to the Ancient Roman town of Bath or the beaches of Brighton.
3. Danang, Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the easiest and prettiest places to travel when you’re looking for a summer holiday from Singapore with kids. Only a short two-hour flight away, you can be relaxing poolside while enjoying some of the freshest and tastiest food on the planet in a jiffy.
Ange, our Head of People and Culture at Honeycombers (and podcast host of Growing Pains!) visited Danang last summer and stayed at the Grand Hyatt, which has a famous kids club, ‘Camp Hyatt’, to keep the kids entertained! There’s also the very beautiful InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, with spectacular views over the bay. It’s also a great location for trips into the gorgeous town of Hoi An, especially in the evenings when the lanterns are lit up, adding to the buzzy atmosphere.
4. Koh Samui and Chiang Mai, Thailand
Mmmm… Thai food; one of our favourite cuisines in the entire world. Thailand is super-close to Singapore and has always been at the top of our summer holidays with kids list. We love the choice of powdery white sandy beaches in Koh Samui. For the culture-vultures, Chiang Mai is always a popular choice.
Jana, our former writer at HoneyKids, suggests staying at De Chai Colonial Hotel & Spa. The latter is right in the heart of Chiang Mai. Just a 15-minute walk to the Tha Phae Gate and Chiang Mai Night Bazaar! Don’t forget to bring a sweater because it can get quite chilly at night. Jana says: “If warm and sunny is what you’re after, Koh Samui is your best bet. It doesn’t have the crazy nightlife of Phuket. Instead, it offers a wholesome family vibe my little tribe loves. If you’ve got a scuba-diving cert, Koh Samui also boasts some of the best diving spots in the world. If you prefer villas, check out Kanda Residences Pool Villas. It’s near the famous Chaweng Beach and Choeng Mon Beach – score!”
5. Bali, Indonesia
There’s no doubt about it; we’ve got lots of love for Bali – after all, we have a sister site, Honeycombers Bali, that keeps us in the know of all things happening over there! From intel on the best beaches, hot new restaurants, where to stay (including all the best hotels and villas) and guides to all the best bits of Bali, we can help you be totally in the know – and it’s only two hours from Singapore by plane!
Although Bali might sound like a teeny island, it’s the complete opposite – in fact, it’s almost eight times the size of Singapore. There are heaps for kids to do, and each area has its own distinct characteristics that people can’t get enough of – and that’s not even talking about the beaches! Right now, we’ve got our sights set on Ubud. We love the fact that it’s so lush, and #villalife is always a winner with kiddos. Not to mention the cool artsy vibe. Our kids go wild for the Ubud Monkey Forest and the cute birds at the Blanco Museum! We also love the Moon Cot Sari Turtle Farm, where your littlies can learn all about their shelled-friends.
6. Perth, Australia
As we live in perpetual summer here on the equator, sometimes it’s nice to have a cool change for a summer holiday with kids. That’s exactly what our former HoneyKids editor, Kate, did last August with a trip to Perth in Western Australia.
Kate says: “Since we arrived in 2019, we’ve been trying to make a trip over to Perth, so we finally made it happen last year! My husband has family in Fremantle, so we really wanted to see them. We had also heard such great things about Perth (check out this guide!). Yes, it was on the cooler side in Margaret River – but to be honest, we were quite keen on escaping the blazing Singapore heat. We explored the coast, and the endless vineyards might have also swung it for us. The wineries were so very kid-friendly, so I didn’t feel too guilty dragging them there as part of our trip!”
So, there you have it! Hope you’ve got inspo to plan the perfect family summer getaway from Singapore!