7 Great Family Activities in Singapore. End Boredom Now!

Here it is. Motivation to dust off the cobwebs, get up and out with your family. Our top 7 picks for family-friendly attractions, events and activities. Whether you’re looking for free things to do or ideas for getting away from it all, you’ll find it right here.

1. For Walks and Picnics By The Sea

Changi Point has been a popular area for family activities and picnics since the 1840's. If you want to take a picturesque stroll, suitable for little ones, there are plenty of options. The Changi Boardwalk lets you choose from six distinct sections runninfg west to east: Sunset Walk, Kelong Walk, Cliff Walk, Sailing Point Walk, Beach Walk and Creek Walk. Download the very helpful National Parks Changi Walking Map here.

A new park connector from Netheravon Road to Changi Village links Changi Point to Pasir Ris and Changi Beach Parks. Changi Point is home to nine of Singapore's lesser known Heritage Trees, each one of its kind, left behind in the 1930's when Changi, then a jungle, was cleared for development. Most are about 70 years old and over 20m high.
 

2. For Garden Lovers

For a refreshing change, Gardens By The Bay is a cool, urban oasis. At night you can marvel at the high-tech Supertrees which come alive between 7.45pm and 8.45pm with an exhilarating display of sound and light.  Admission to the Outdoor Gardens in Bay South is free, including the Supertree Groove. Do check out the opening hours and ticketing information for the OCBC Skyway, Cloud Forest and Flower Dome before visiting.

All you need is a family and a picnic.
 

3. For Island Lovers

It will cost you just S$2.50 to take a bum boat to Pulau Ubin and if you like to get away from it all, you will find it well-worth the visit to this rustic island, home of Singapore’s last rural village or Kampong. Make sure to visit the unique Chek Jawa (free entrance) consisting of 6  interdependent  ecosystems – Coastal Hill Forest, the Mangrove Forest, Rocky Shore, Sandy Shore and Sand Bar, the Seagrass in the Lagoon and the Coral Rubble. Within each of the ecosystems there is an abundance of rare plants, local and migratory birds.
 

4. For Movie Lovers

Screening all the latest blockbusters, as well as showcasing selected independent, regional and local films, Cathay Cineplexes offer free and discounted tickets for children up to 7 years, their Mums & Tots promotions are available for movies screened before 2.00 p.m. on weekdays. There are also special rates for students and senior citizens on weekdays.
 

5. For Families and Shopping

This advice is from someone whose kids who hate shopping.  To combine shopping for your home with young children (and I hesitate to even write those words), why not drop your kids off at the IKEA supervised play area and shop in peace? That way, everyone wins. Or if you want them to help choose with you, strollers are available at the entrance. You'll find plenty of colourful, playful products for kids' rooms. And of course, lots of toys.

For any age kids, Vivocity is just the best. This intriguing Mall was designed by internationally acclaimed Japanese architect Toyo Ito, known for a signature-style that focuses on nature, climate and open spaces. You can watch the boats in the bay, or splash out (literally) with your kids at the rooftop water park or second-level open-air playground. There are endless food choices, Movies and everything you want from a Mall.

DirectAsia.com’s own Deny Teguh adds that the mall has recently revamped their restrooms to include baby-changing rooms on every floor, thoughtfully equipped with nursing rooms, sinks and hot water dispensers.

Vivocity is also a short ride (or a slightly longer walk) to one of Singapore’s most famous kids hangouts ever. Sentosa!
 

6. Walking, Nature Loving, Swimming, Sailing, Fishing…

Sentosa, where do I start? It costs just S$1 to get into Sentosa on foot from the bridge (Sentosa Boardwalk) at HarbourFront, or S$4 if you take the light rail from VivoCity. But once you are there you can enjoy free things to do like the 1.8-km Nature Walk which meanders through a secondary rainforest, giving your family a chance to learn all about the birds, insects, wildlife, habitats and plants that can be found on Sentosa. You may also be lucky enough to spot long-tailed macaques, squirrels, geckos, and over 20 species of birds. There is also a free open-top double-decker bus ride, the Animal & Bird Encounters, and of course, swimming or sun-tanning on one of Sentosa’s perfect white beaches.

Head south to the offshore islands – Kusu Island, St John’s Island, Sisters’ Islands and Pulau Hantu– and unwind with plenty of family activities including swimming, sailing, scuba diving, snorkelling or even fishing. While a regular ferry service plies Kusu and St John’s Islands, the others are accessible only by hiring a boat.

To get to Pulau Hantu, charter a boat from the West Coast Pier.
 

7. Resorts World Sentosa

If you are staying at selected hotels along Orchard Road or Bencoolen/Marina area, you can travel to Resorts World Sentosa courtesy of the free shuttle provided by Universal Studios Singapore. Once there you can wander about the resort and open-air mall, or take in some free performances like the spectacular Crane Dance. Key attractions include one of Singapore’s two casinos, and a Universal Studios theme park. Let us know if you have any great tips for family activities in Singapore.

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