We've found the best libraries for kids in Singapore for bookworms of all ages! Curl up with a good book at one of these family-friendly libraries…
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” We think Dr Seuss got this (and a lot of other stuff) right, which is exactly why we love reading with our kids in a cosy corner of one of our favourite children’s bookstores in Singapore, sharing a classic tale from our own childhood or heading to the best libraries for kids to discover new reads. (Besides, borrowing books is a great way to save money!) So here’s our guide to the best libraries in Singapore! We’ve found libraries packed with movie evenings, art and craft sessions, teen hangouts sessions and even gaming rooms…
Our guide to the best libraries for kids in Singapore
1. Punggol Regional Library
New library alert! Five storey Punggol Regional Library has heaps of fun things for the kids to explore. First up, make a beeline for the ‘World and Us Zone’, which features reading materials from around the world – including books donated by foreign embassies! For activities, check out the DIY tinkering station, Spark!Lab (suitable for kids aged 7 to 12 years), which has fun, hands-on activities and challenges to put the kids through their paces.
There’s also TinkerTots, where children (aged 6 years and below) can play with educational toys and have a go at their very own mini tinkering challenges. There’s even an amazing Toy Library with a range of toys, educational aids, puppets and costumes for children (aged 6 years and below) to explore. And that’s just for starters! Got teens at home? Check out the Study Zone and a Teenspace, which hosts hands-on workshops and talks based on trending topics for teens to spark their interest in reading. These are on Level 3. See you there!
Where: Punggol Regional Library, #01-12, One Punggol, 1 Punggol Drive, Singapore 828629
2. [email protected]
With over 200,000 books, magazines, and audio-visual materials in a 3000 sqm space, the [email protected] is the largest shopping mall library in Singapore. The best part? It’s got an awesome Children’s Zone where kids can check out digital books and activities in the Tumblebook stations. Alternatively, they can immerse themselves in the Stories Come Alive Room. Plus, there’s also a Tinker Truck children’s maker space where kids can get their hands on DIY crafts and puzzles.
Where: [email protected], #03-05 (Lobby F), VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk, Singapore 098585
3. Jurong Regional Library
Send your teenagers over to Jurong Regional Library, where they’ll find Singapore’s first dedicated teen library service – Verging All Teens – which has been created for teens by teens to inspire teens. There’s a huge collection of comics and graphic novels, and this is also the place for them to take part in open-mic gigs and drama performances. Smaller people should head to the Early Literacy Library for a ton of great reads available in four official languages. Kids of all ages should also keep an eye out for the regular programmes happening, like in the PIXEL [email protected]: a dedicated space full of equipment for on-site tinkering.
Where: Jurong Regional Library, 21 Jurong East Central 1, Singapore 609732
4. Sembawang Public Library
The Babies and Toddlers section at Sembawang Public Library is chockablock with fabulous reads for our tiny bookworms. Head over every third Wednesday of the month for fun storytelling sessions and craft activities (check beforehand if they are going ahead). Older kids will love hanging out with a good read in the ship container-shaped spaces, which have been designed with Sembawang’s shipyard days of old in mind.
Where: Sembawang Public Library, #05-01, Sun Plaza, 30 Sembawang Drive, Singapore 757713
5. Tampines Regional Library
Bring your small bookworms down to Tampines Regional Library, where you’ll find regular special activities for kids aged four and up. This place is enormous! Free up a few hours to spend exploring the five floors of books, audio and visual materials, magazines and more. There’s also a cooking studio, PIXEL labs, regular storytelling sessions, maker spaces, exhibitions and guided tours. Alas, the full-sized train has retired, but there’s more than enough going on to make up for the locomotive’s absence. Mum-approved!
Where: Tampines Regional Library, #02-01, Our Tampines Hub, 1 Tampines Walk, Singapore 5285230
6. Clementi Public Library
Children visiting Clementi Public Library will definitely want to hang out with friends at the interactive wall: a place where kids are encouraged to ‘ask, discover and share’. Look out for the digital storytelling kiosks, ‘learn through asking’ programs and storytelling sessions for kiddos aged four to six every Thursday.
Where: Clementi Public Library, #05-13/14/15, The Clementi Mall, 3155 Commonwealth Avenue West, Singapore 129588
7. Toa Payoh Public Library
Ahoy there, small book fans! Set sail on a reading adventure when you board the children’s section over at Toa Payoh Public Library. Look out for regular storytelling sessions and art and craft programs too. Older kids can escape to the Teen Zone for some peace and quiet away from younger sibs. Also, once you’re done, explore Toa Payoh and pop into the cool mosaic dragon or dinosaur playground!
Where: Toa Payoh Public Library, 6 Toa Payoh Central, Singapore 319191
8. Bukit Panjang Public Library
The Children’s Zone in Bukit Panjang is a must-visit. Situated across the Adult and Teen Zone, you’re welcomed to this all-kid’s-zone by the eye-catching rainbow-coloured book display out front. Think an interactive multimedia storytelling room, a cool conveyor-belt return system with a mountain-decorated staircase for the little ones to drop their books in. Returning books has never been this fun! There are also wall-mounted interactive boards and colour-coded paths to guide kids to age-appropriate books and genres. And, the shelves are arranged into cosy little nooks perfect for snuggling up with a good book. Do note it can get a little loud – it’s a kids’ zone, after all!
Where: Bukit Panjang Public Library, #04-04 & 16/17, Bukit Panjang Plaza, 1 Jelebu Road, Singapore 677743
9. Queenstown Public Library
Urban kids should flex their green fingers at the Queenstown Public Library community garden. As part of the National Parks Board Community in Bloom project, the whole family are welcome to volunteer to help out with gardening activities.
Where: Queenstown Public Library, 53 Margaret Drive, Singapore 149297
10. Serangoon Public Library
We’ve all long since realised that our kids are a generation of technology lovers, so we’re on board with the cool dedicated gaming areas at Serangoon Public Library, where children can read and learn through interactive games. Plus, storytelling sessions every Friday and the 1st and 2nd Saturdays of the month!
Where: Serangoon Public Library, #04-82/83, NEX, 23 Serangoon Central, Singapore 556083
11. Woodlands Regional Library
Reading is a big must for activating any kid’s imagination, and Woodlands goes one step further with an interactive library that includes an enchanted tree! It’s also the home of the Asian Children’s Literature Collection. Here’s where you’ll find around 8,000 examples of Asian children’s literature and rare publications dating back to the 1900s. And our favourite part: an autism-friendly space with sensory-friendly reading and learning areas.
Where: Woodlands Regional Library, #01-03, Woodlands Civic Centre, 900 South Woodlands Drive, Singapore 730900
12. Ebook Library
Need a book in a hurry? Or perhaps the book you want isn’t available? Either way, we love the Ebook Library. Set up your user account and then choose from over two million ebooks ready to download with the press of a button.
13. Central Public Library (currently closed for renovation)
Take a load off in the interactive children’s section, My Tree House, over at Central Public Library and prepare for imaginations to go wild! As well as more than 45,000 children’s books to choose from, enjoy interactive e-reading kiosks, regular storytelling sessions and a cosy reading corner. Yep, it’s one of the world’s first green libraries for kids and we love it! Our fave part? The little treehouse where kids can clamber up and chill out with a book. Ours are huge fans of the cool and quirky Weather Stump, too. It’s a guaranteed hit with kids who like to press buttons!
Where: Central Public Library, #B1-01, 100 Victoria Street, Singapore 188064
Plan your visit to the library today before they’re completely booked!