What To Do In Singapore With Kids: 6 Unforgettable Experiences

Singapore is a dream destination for many Filipino families because of its mix of entertainment attractions, first-world convenience and development, and cuisine. I have loved taking my children to Singapore for a mix of educational sights and amusement parks and our personal favorite: hardly ever having to worry about their safety. Being able to relax not just because you're 'on vacation' but primarily because you don't have to worry about being a vulnerable tourist is the ultimate treat for a family vacation for parents. Singapore is great for tourist on different levels: it's easy to get around using public transportation, it's family-friendly, and for Filipinos, it's just four hours away.

I've had a secret desire since becoming a mother, and that is to be able to date my child in another country. My eldest daughter Vera and I had the opportunity to visit Singapore, just the two of us, and though we've already gone twice as a family, we discovered new spots and experiences for families that immersed us in Singaporean culture.

Read below to discover child-friendly tourist attractions in Singapore:

Getting to know nature

1. Bird Paradise

Taking kids to a zoo is always worth the trouble. Sure, you may encounter a bit of resistance because it’s warm and mostly outdoors but once they see and experience the wonders of Mother Nature with their own eyes, it will be one of their most unforgettable experiences. But Bird Paradise is far from uncomfortable–you can alternate between indoor and outdoor areas when you tour the entire park which allows guests to cool down from the humid temperatures at the aviary. Bird Paradise is the Singapore’s recently-opened bird attraction and replaces Jurong Bird Park, which has now closed down after 50 years of operation.

Tour guides suggest allotting at least half a day to tour the entire park and all 10 areas, and don’t forget to take note of the show times (‘Predators on Wings’ and ‘Wings of the World’) to enjoy all the parks’ offerings. Bird Paradise features birds from Africa, Australia, and the likes of flamingos, penguins, hornbills, storks. It’s bird heaven, and guests can enjoy feeding birds, observing them up close, and even petting some of them!

“I like that they were displaying different facts about the birds that you’ll see or will see, plus where they live,” said my daughter Vera. “I especially liked Wings of the World!”

Smart Parenting tip: Don’t miss the Wings of the World presentation, it’s a great way to rest your legs from touring but also realizing how little the average person (such as myself!) knows about birds. Make sure to bring your family water and outdoor essentials like caps, sunblock, insect spray, fans. Wear your walking shoes!

Breastfeeding moms, don’t worry! There are nursing stations around the park as well as play areas if the young kids need a break from all the learning and just need to expend a bit of energy.

Since Bird Paradise is quite far from the usual locations of tourists, factor travel time into your itinerary and also the budget, if you plan to use ride-hailing services. It’s important to note that public transport is easy and accessible to use in Singapore.

• Tickets: 49 SGD for adults, 34 SGD for kids, 20 SGD for seniors
• Hours: 9 AM to 6 PM (last entry at 5 PM)
• Wheelchairs, trikes, and wagons are available for rent inside Mandai Bird Paradise.

Visit Bird Paradise to know more.

2. Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay

See even more of Mother Nature’s wonders–in a more than comfortable setting–at Cloud Forest inside Gardens by the Bay. It features the world’s tallest indoor waterfall (35 meters!), and lush greenery with plants from all over the world. Show your child a real Venus Flytrap, a carnivorous plant that feeds on insects and arachnids, plus other plants they would likely only see in books or YouTube videos. 

Gardens by the Bay is close to Marina Bay Sands, so if you’re planning to eat, shop or sightsee here, it might be a good idea to put these two together in your itinerary. The website advises that an hour is enough time to enjoy Cloud Forest and the best way to go through the mountain is going to the top, and then making your way down to sightsee. Don’t forget to time your visit if you want to see it at night.

• Tickets: 59 SGD for adults, 45 SGD for kids
• Hours: 9 AM to 9 PM (last entry is 8:30 PM)

Visit Gardens by the Bay to know more.

3. Artscience Museum

Kids adept with the digital world will love the Art Science Museum, also at Marina Bay Sands. Future World: Where Art Meets Science is a permanent exhibit that was done in collaboration with art collective teamLab. Inside Future World is a number of interactive art installations both kids and adults can enjoy.

"I like the way that they mixed art and science together and I like the cafe (Miracle Cafe) and the gift shop where I could buy science kits. I wish we could have stayed longer!" said Vera.

Smart Parenting Tip: Be prepared to take photos! This museum is where a number of travelers like to take photos of themselves, particularly at the Crystal Universe. It might be a good day to bring your camera or make sure your photography-savvy family member is ready!

Another tip is to wear socks. A part of the permanent exhibit allows kids to slide down, but requires the removal of footwear. 

• Tickets: 30 SGD (best to check the site as prices change depending on the season)
• Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (last entry is 6:00 PM), Friday and Saturday, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (last entry is 8:15 PM)
• Reminders: Strollers are not allowed inside the Future World: Where Art Meets Science exhibition due to space constraints. A stroller parking outside the entrance of the exhibition is provided.

Visit Marina Bay Sands to know more.

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Getting to know the culture

4. Cooking class at Let’s Go Tour

If the popular saying that advises putting money on experiences versus material objects is true for your family, we highly suggest signing up for a cooking class. My daughter and I put together a humble three-course meal, including Hainanese Chicken Rice, one of Singapore’s popular dishes. I’m no pro, just your average mom who knows enough to feed her family, and my daughter has baked and cooked a few times, too. What we love doing together is watching cooking, baking, and food tourism shows. So trying our hands at Singapore cuisine was a unique bonding experience for our trip.

Our class was only two hours long and the local chef instructor helps out in case any participant may need it. Note that kitchen skills are not required. It’s definitely a fun, fresh way to spend quality time with your family beyond the usual travel stops. If you’re more familiar with the art of eating over the art of cooking, learning about the Singaporean culture through its flavors and ingredients is also a different way to immerse yourself in the culture.

"The chef taught us very well and the food was really good even though we all felt like we didn't do it correctly," said Vera.

Smart Parenting tip: You may want to make sure you and your child are wearing kitchen-safe clothing, like closed comfortable shoes since you’ll probably be on your feet for the entire two hours.

• Rates: 99 SGD per person, minimum of 2 for the Flavours of Singapore Cooking Class.
• Schedule: 10 AM to 12 NN daily

Visit Let's Go Singapore to know more.

5. The Art of Tingkat by Pei Lin

Here’s another great way to bond with your kids and slow down: painting together. Painting a tingkat, to be specific, together. A tingkat is a large part of Singaporean culture as it is the concept of a home-cooked meal packed in a traditional tiffin carrier, almost similar to our own multilayered metal lunch boxes as kids. 

Pei Lin teaches and guides participants for the hands-on session and at the end, participants get to bring home their painted tingkats which may be used for dry food, knick knacks, or jewelry. Much like the cooking course, one does not have to be well-versed in painting to enjoy the activity. Rather, an openness to try new things and perhaps to tap back into one’s creative side is more important to have. 

The instructor asked our group what music we preferred and my daughter did not hold back, which is how our group ended up painting traditional tingkats to Taylor Swift’s body of work. My daughter was also very proud of her work, she could not wait to show her dad and updated him right away.

"It was tricky but it was really fun! I like the part when we could paint the second layer so that we wouldn't see the marks of the tingkat," said Vera.

• Rates: 57 SGD per person, including mini tingkat, painting materials, and disposable apron
• Schedule: 10 AM to 1 PM and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

To know more about this visit this link. 

Getting to bond with the fam

6. Indoor go-karting at HyperDrive, Sentosa

After immersing in culture and educational trips, treat your kids and family to a bit of friendly competition. (Or maybe even not so friendly, if our families are alike!) Hyper Drive features at three level race track with 14 turns, and is Singapore's only indoor go-karting circuit. It uses electric go-karts and karts can go up to 30 km/h for novice karts and 50 km/h for the advanced level.

"It was nice and cold inside! I like the race track, it was nice. We could go up and down and turn a lot," said Vera. It wasn't her first ride, since she's tried once or twice in Manila. And this might be why she had much appreciation for Hyper Drive.

From a parent's point of view, I liked that HyperDrive took safety very seriously. It has a Rider Agreement (a copy can be found online), and requires the use of its own helmets and proper footwear and clothing—nothing loose—for a safe and fun ride. All riders will also be required to watch a video briefing before their race for orientation.

HyperDrive is located inside Sentosa and there are a number of ways to enter the island. Make sure to read up when planning your visit.

• Hours: 12:30 PM to 9 PM (last entry at 8:30 PM); Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays: 10 AM to 9 PM (last entry at 8:30 PM)
• Rates: Starts at 40 SGD for Junior Karts (at least 9 years old and 130 cm tall); starts at 45 SGD for Senior Karts (at least 9 years old and 140 cm tall); starts at 50 SGD for Dual Karts (driver must be at least 18 years old and 140 cm tall and passenger is at least 90 cm tall)

Visit Hyper Drive, The Palawan @ Sentosa to know more.

Singapore for the family

As my daughter and I traveled back home, I kept imagining how much fun we would have had if we went through all the attractions and experiences as a family of five. My daughter couldn't wait to tell her younger brothers all about our trip and each and every spot she visited, plus what she thought they would have loved about it. She kept sending them pictures and messages all day and then debriefing about all six attractions during their nightly video calls.

I arrived home so grateful that my secret dream of being able to date my child abroad was fulfilled in Singapore. We enjoyed long (and very safe!) walks to and from our hotel, exploring the city sometimes close to midnight just us two girls, and unhurried conversations. It was great for our mother and daughter relationship too, as it helped me see another facet of my child that I don't usually get to appreciate because I'm always busy being a mom to three kids. 

Singapore is a wonderful place to take your family and if you get the chance, you may also want to consider saving up to date your child in the Lion City like we did.

Ronna Capili Bonifacio is the Editor-in-Chief of Smart Parenting. She is a mom of three kids.