Singapore is one of the most family-friendly cities in the world, and it’s one we’ve wanted to visit with our kids for a while. While I’ve spent a fair amount of time in this city for work, this was the first time experiencing it through the eyes of a parent. That means looking out for kid-friendly activities and places to visit.
We visited Singapore with kids in July and experienced its typical warm and humid tropical climate. The weather was a bit unpredictable, but we quickly learned to prepare for both rain and sunshine each day as we planned our activities.
How to get to Singapore
Direct flights to Singapore are available from many cities worldwide, making it an accessible destination. For instance, direct flights from Paris take around 13 hours, from New York 19 hours, and from Sydney 8 hours. While these flights may sound long, many airlines offer excellent in-flight entertainment and activity booklets to keep kids entertained.
For European and US travelers, Singapore often serves as a convenient stopover en route to other Southeast Asian destinations. With frequent direct flights, it’s a primary gateway to destinations like Bali and other islands. From Singapore, Bali is just a short 2.45-hour flight away, making it an easy and attractive option for travelers.
Singapore’s Changi Airport itself is an attraction. It features entertainment zones, gardens, an indoor waterfall, playgrounds, a mirror maze, and even a butterfly garden. You can easily spend hours exploring all these unique attractions. However, keep in mind that the activities are spread across different terminals. So, remember to allow enough time to catch your flight!
On arrival in Singapore, I used the airport’s WiFi to download the Airalo app and buy their eSIM for Singapore. It was super easy to select the data plan. Also, they offered the best price compared to local network operators.
How to get around Singapore with kids
Once in the city, navigating Singapore is easy and convenient with kids thanks to its comprehensive public transport system, including buses, trains, and taxis. There are escalators and lifts everywhere, so while the underground crossings between stations and entrances/exits can be long, the infrastructure is designed to make it as easy as possible to get around with kids or strollers.
Children below 0.9 meters in height travel free on trains and buses. Almost every part of the city is connected by the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system, which is air-conditioned, and generally uncrowded. You can use an EZ-Link card, a prepaid contactless smart card that allows you to use public transport (subway and buses). Alternatively, you can just tap to pay by debit or credit card.
At the airport, we saw a poster with all the different taxi operators in the city and their welcome discount codes. We downloaded a few apps like Grab, Gojek, and Ryde, and used the promo codes for our rides. We never waited more than 5-8 minutes for a taxi to arrive, and the rides were relatively cheap.
Where to stay in Singapore with kids
There is no shortage of family-friendly hotels in Singapore. After thorough research, we chose to stay at the Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, close to Orchard Road. We selected the Fun Family Playcation package, which included the following:
- complimentary three-hour daily sessions at the kids club and the splash pool zone
- children’s welcome packs (containing coloring books, pencils, pens, cookies, slippers, shower gel and shampoo)
- daily dining credit of SGD 100 per night.
Read my full review of the Shangri-La Hotel Singapore to find out more about what makes it so family-friendly.
Marina Bay is also an excellent area to stay in Singapore with kids. It’s home to some of Singapore’s most iconic family-friendly attractions, such as Gardens by the Bay and the ArtScience Museum. There are plenty of dining options at any time of the day, a waterfront promenade to stroll along, and a choice of luxury hotels that cater specifically to families.
Things to do and see in Singapore with kids
On the first day, we headed to Marina Bay and found ourselves returning there several times because there was so much to explore in this part of the city. Visiting in July, we were lucky to witness a beautiful fireworks display right over Marina Bay. The city celebrates its National Day on 9 August, and as part of the preparations, it rehearses key events every Saturday throughout July. If you’re visiting Singapore in July or on 9 August, be sure to check the dates for the National Day rehearsals, which typically include a military parade, gun salute, state flag flypast, and fireworks.
Exploring Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands, an iconic integrated resort in Singapore, opened in 2010. Designed by architect Moshe Safdie, its most distinctive feature is the SkyPark, a massive rooftop park that spans the three 55-story hotel towers and offers panoramic city views. The resort includes a 2,561-room hotel, a large convention center, a vast shopping mall, a museum, two theaters, and the world’s largest atrium casino. Notably, the SkyPark features the world’s largest elevated infinity pool, situated 191 meters above the ground. Las Vegas Sands Corporation, renowned for its luxury casino resorts like The Venetian and The Palazzo in Las Vegas and The Venetian Macao in Macau, owns Marina Bay Sands.
Gardens by the Bay
I had last visited Singapore before this national garden attraction opened its doors to the public in 2012, so I was really excited to see it. At the time, constructing a world-class garden in the tropics on reclaimed land seemed completely outrageous. Yet, it’s an impressive achievement to have it completed and successfully transformed into a lush green space where over 1 million plants reside. There are also large structures like the Supertrees and two conservatories: the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. Walking around the park is free, and you only pay if you want to step inside the conservatories or do the skywalk. Today, Gardens by the Bay stands as one of the most popular attractions to see with kids in Singapore. It’s easy to see why!
As you approach Gardens by the Bay, one of the first things you notice is the fairyland-like Supertrees. These are steel and concrete trunks rising up to 50 meters in height. In the evenings, they light up with their own light and sound show, which takes place daily at 7:45 pm and 8:45 pm.
We started with the Flower Dome, a huge covered and cooled conservatory. It holds the Guinness World Record for the largest glass greenhouse. Throughout the year, different exhibitions are held. During our visit, there was an exhibition called Impressions of Monet. This was the highlight of our visit to the Flower Dome. The Monet-inspired flower displays were magnificent. There was even a replica of the house in Giverny, France, where the artist lived. Having visited the real Giverny in France, it was really special to see these replicas made out of flower displays.
Near the Flower Dome is the Cloud Forest. This conservatory features exotic plants from around the world and boasts the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. A short walk away is a children’s play area, a great spot to stop for a break.
Next, we took a shuttle (like a golf cart) to Floral Fantasy. Though smaller, it features creative and beautiful plant arrangements, including many different orchids. At the end, there is a 4D show called Flight of the Dragonfly, where you watch a short movie. The seats move and there are splashes of water—it’s really fun and the kids loved it.
Another cool activity at Gardens by the Bay is strolling along the 128-meter-long OCBC Skyway. This is a suspended walkway between two Supertrees, 22 meters above the ground. If the winds are too strong or if it’s raining, the OCBC Skyway may be closed.
Please note that all these attractions are closed for maintenance at least once every month. Check the official website for the next closure dates to ensure they don’t coincide with your visit.
Family friendly dining at Marina Bay Sands
There are so many cafes and restaurants at the gigantic Marina Bay Sands to cater to every taste and cuisine. When we travel abroad with kids, we like to expose them to local cuisines. This way, they can experience new flavors and develop their tasting palettes! Southeast Asian food is generally spicier than what we’re used to though! We don’t have fussy eaters in the family, and if given no choice, you’ll be surprised at what kids will gobble up when they’re hungry.
We headed to the Food Court, where we could all order different dishes but eat at the same table. Here, you can get a bit of everything—from Indian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Singaporean food. It was hard to choose. Each food stall clearly displays photos of the food they sell, so you know what you’re getting when you order.
Sit-down restaurant options are plentiful—in fact, there are over 80 of them to choose from. We enjoyed Chinese dim sum at Din Tai Fung, and there is everything from super casual spots to fine dining.
Exploring ArtScience Museum
The ArtScience Museum is part of the Marina Bay Sands complex but is in a separate building. It features interactive and educational exhibits perfect for children. The permanent exhibition, “Future World: Where Art Meets Science,” is popular with kids for its digital art installations.
My kids loved it because it was very interactive, but keep in mind that it’s more of a sensory experience rather than an educational science exhibit. For example, there was a slide for the kids, and they could color in drawings that were then projected onto the walls around them, making it exciting for them to search for their artwork. The last room, called the Crystal Room, was also a fun and engaging place to explore. Filled with thousands of LED lights, it was a dazzling sight.
Other things to do at Marina Bay Sands with kids
We didn’t take the sampan rides, but there were quite a few families enjoying leisurely boat rides along the indoor canal through the shops inside Marina Bay Sands. The boats are driven, so all you need to do is relax and look around at the many shops as you pass by. It’s a very unique way to experience a shopping mall!
If you’re staying through the evening, don’t miss the free 15-minute nightly outdoor show called Spectra – A Light & Water Show at the Event Plaza. Featuring a stunning display of water fountains, laser lights, and projections set to music, it’s a great experience for both kids and adults. The showtimes are 8 pm and 9 pm from Sunday to Thursday, and at 8 pm, 9 pm, and 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Across Marina Bay, you’ll see the Singapore Flyer, a Ferris wheel that’s a fantastic spot for taking the kids to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Singapore.
Exploring the local neighbourhoods
As a culturally diverse city, Singapore is home to large communities of Chinese Singaporeans, Malays, and Indians. Each of these ethnic communities has its own neighbourhood that reflects its unique culture and traditions through architecture, food, and shops. It’s fascinating to walk through these areas and observe the striking differences between them. They are well connected by the metro, so you could visit all three in a day. Having said that, I would suggest exploring two neighbourhoods per day if you’re traveling with kids to give you enough time to thoroughly enjoy each one. Chinatown is the largest of the three, featuring a bustling market that sells a variety of merchandise and souvenirs.
We headed to Chinatown in search of Hawker Chan, a world famous spot for chicken and rice. Unfortunately, by 4 pm, their food stall was out of food, but they directed us to a sit-down restaurant of Hawker Chan just 5 minutes away. It turned out to offer the same food at slightly higher prices, but the air-conditioned environment was pleasant, and the food was excellent. We then wandered through the street markets, browsing stores and even came across a Tin Tin store.
Another neighbourhood, Kampong Glam, features a busy shopping district and the city’s largest mosque. While non-Muslims are not permitted to enter the mosque, you can walk around it and take photos. The blend of Arab and Malay traditional buildings makes it an intriguing place to explore. The Malay Heritage Centre, near the mosque, is open to visitors and showcases the history and culture of Singapore’s Malay community, who once called this area home. There are also some lovely wall murals in the area, particularly on Haji Lane near the Sultan Mosque and in the back lanes.
Little India, though small, stands out with its colourful houses, temples, and street vendors selling flower garlands. One of the main highlights is the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, a stunning place of worship dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. Built in 1881, this temple features intricate architecture and detailed sculptures, making it a significant cultural and historical landmark.
Taking a day trip to Sentosa Island with kids
Sentosa Island is a popular resort destination located just off the southern coast of Singapore with lots of attractions. Some families even choose to stay for several days at one of the island’s hotels. However, it’s also possible to enjoy a day trip to Sentosa Island from Singapore. There are several ways to get there, but the most enjoyable option is to ride the Singapore Cable Car. Starting at HarbourFront, you can ride up to Mount Faber and take in the stunning views from the top. Afterwards, you can board the cable car for a 12-minute journey to Sentosa. Once on the island, the Sentosa Line will take you to all the attractions.
Once on Sentosa Island, you’ll find many attractions to explore, including the Universal Studios Singapore theme park, S.E.A. Aquarium, Adventure Cove Waterpark, and beautiful sandy beaches.
If you’ve been to Singapore with kids, share your best tips in the comments below.
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