Mums do travel

Travel with and without teens

  • Home
  • Destination
    • UK
      • London
      • Kent
      • Northern Ireland
      • Wales
      • Elsewhere
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Croatia
      • France
      • Gibraltar
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Portugal
      • Russia
      • Spain
      • Turkey
    • North America
      • USA
      • Canada
      • Carribean
      • Costa Rica
    • Africa
      • South Africa
      • Tunisia
    • Asia
      • Thailand
      • Bali
      • Singapore
    • Australia
  • Inspiration
    • Things to do in…
    • Things to do in London…
    • Where to stay
    • Language learning
    • Family travel interviews
    • The journey
    • Recipes
  • Published in
  • About
  • Contact
  • Travel shop
Home / Type of trip / City / Top 5 things to do in Singapore with kids

Top 5 things to do in Singapore with kids

July 22, 2013 by Gretta Schifano 6 Comments

 

Castle, Universal Studious, Sentosa, Singapore. Copyright Singapore Tourism Board

This is a guest post by Aimee Chan, who is the editor of  the family travel website Suitcases & Strollers, and who is based in Singapore. When she’s not working, Aimee enjoys hanging out with her young son and here she shares her favourite things to do with children where they live. 

Sentosa

It’s tacky, kitschy and over-priced for Southeast Asia, but this is the Mecca of fun things to do with kids. It’s here that you’ll find Universal Studios, two aquariums, a luge, two beaches and a load of other activities (think monorail, cable car, the list goes on). One of the less well-known but definitely more interesting is the iFly – a giant wind tunnel tube that lets adults and kids sample the sensations of skydiving. (Even for tiny tots, this is a pretty amusing visit.)

While you’re there check out the Malaysian Food Street, an air-conditioned themed hawker centre for authentic and delicious Malaysian food. (Kids always love the chicken rice balls, Hokkien mee and satays.)

The Southern Ridges

At the other end of the spectrum, the Southern Ridges walk is a tree-top walk that will take you far from Singapore’s madding crowd. It’s peaceful, green and quite beautiful – plus it has the added bonus of being broken down into sections so if the entire 10 kilometres seems too long, you can just opt out. This is a tropical country though, so bring sun protection and mosquito repellant. (Tip: Be careful of the monkeys. They are extremely aggressive and will snatch food right out of your hands, so keep your distance.)

Orang utans at Singapore Zoo. Copyright Singapore Tourism Board

Singapore Zoo

The Singapore Zoo is currently undergoing a renovation which will mean its array of rare animals will become even more impressive. In a cleverly designed area, orang utans hang in the open air right above your head and if you get there early enough there is a program to have breakfast with them. The animal shows are also very professional and unique, particularly the Elephants at Work and Play show. Bring towels and swimming gear with you because at the top of the Zoo is a brilliant free water play area. Helpfully it’s right outside Ben & Jerry’s so parents can enjoy an ice cream while the kids run amuck and cool off.

East Coast Seafood Centre

Dress in your darkest (or oldest clothes) and be prepared to get your hands dirty. The East Coast Seafood Centre is a super family friendly row of restaurants right along the water all specialising in one thing – the famous chilli crab dish. Even fussy kids who may not try it will get a kick out of seeing this. Imagine a huge bowl of steaming hot crab, covered in a luscious tomato sauce, best eaten by soaking it up with white fried bread rolls. You can expect to leave here covered in crab – but heartily satisfied. (Ask for a milder sauce for children or if your children are less adventurous, all the restaurants serve simpler dishes like fried rice and steamed fish.) If you have scooters or skates with you, bring them as kids can run amuck here while you enjoy a cold beer when all the stomachs are full.

Pulau Ubin

After you’ve had a few days absorbing the teeming hustle and bustle of this very modern city, spend a day escaping to the quiet of Pulau Ubin. This backwater island is like stepping into the Singapore of yesteryear. Traditional kampong housing still exists, the rainforest is lush, beaches abound and its all best explored by hiring bicycles and just cycling around.

suitcases&strollers is an online magazine that provides inspiration for intrepid travel with kids.

Images courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related

Categories: City, Singapore, Things to do in...
Tags: family holidays, family travel

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

Facebook - Twitter - Google+

Subscribe to posts by email?

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Comments

  1. Han Tranter says

    November 10, 2013 at 8:43 am

    We have a lot of ideas for all of you and your kids when you are in Singapore next.
    PlayTimeDays has an ever expanding list of places to go and things to do…..
    Kids will never be bored again.

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      November 10, 2013 at 8:20 pm

      That’s good to know, thank you.

      Reply
  2. nicola baird says

    July 29, 2013 at 12:52 pm

    If Singapore is a new place to your children then they might simply enjoy these types of things: 1) a taxi ride 2) a subway ride 3) a walk 4) picnic and explore in the fantastic botanical gardens (cool off in the greenhouses under the planting mist) 5) eating at one of those amazing food markets that seem to spring up in car parks every evening. If you live in the UK it’s quite hard to get a Singapore-like experience – steamy tropical heat plus utter tidiness – maybe July 2013 helped us get a little taste of this. Nicola
    nicola baird recently posted…Red Kites and Roald Dahl: Bucks for booksMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta says

      July 29, 2013 at 12:58 pm

      Thanks for the tips Nicola!

      Reply
  3. Jo Addison says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:13 pm

    I’ve visited Singapore a few times without children but I think there would be a lot for my 2 boys to do too. We took them on a tree top walk in Bavaria, Germany and the 3 year old loved it so I think he would like the one on Southern Ridges too. Plus, Sentosa is a bit pull too.
    Jo Addison recently posted…How to survive Manchester Airport with a Baby and a Toddler!My Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta says

      July 22, 2013 at 8:18 pm

      I’ve never been to Singapore, but would love to go – Aimee’s inspired me!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Search site

Follow me!

Email: gretta at mumsdotravel dot com
Follow me on FacebookFollow me on Google+Follow me on TwitterFollow me on InstagramFollow me on YouTubeFollow me on PinterestFollow me on Bloglovin

You'd like posts by email?

Booking.com

Most popular posts:

  • How to pack for an 8 kg luggage allowance
    How to pack for an 8 kg luggage allowance
  • Where to find Mary Poppins film locations in London
    Where to find Mary Poppins film locations in London
  • Thailand with teenagers: a two-week summer itinerary
    Thailand with teenagers: a two-week summer itinerary
  • What to do when your teenager doesn't want to go on your family holiday
    What to do when your teenager doesn't want to go on your family holiday
  • How to shop in the souks of Tunis medina, Tunisia
    How to shop in the souks of Tunis medina, Tunisia
  • Itinerary for a three-night Berlin sightseeing trip with a teenager
    Itinerary for a three-night Berlin sightseeing trip with a teenager
  • Top things to do in Sicily with teenagers
    Top things to do in Sicily with teenagers
  • 5 of the best: UK castles for family stays
    5 of the best: UK castles for family stays
  • 60 free things to do in London with a teenager
    60 free things to do in London with a teenager
  • Is your teenager ready to stay at home alone?
    Is your teenager ready to stay at home alone?

Recent Posts

  • How to apply for Italian citizenship: everything we’ve done so far
  • How to explore London’s top attractions from home
  • Amsterdam virtual museum & gallery tours
  • Introducing Armchair Travels
  • How to explore Florence, Italy, from home

About

  • About
  • Published in
  • Contact

Disclosure

This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

Copyright © Mums do travel 2019
Header by Suzanne Barton
Website by
Callia Web

Sign up for my free newsletter:
Subscribe to the Mums do travel mailing list... it's FREE!
You'll receive family travel news, offers and competitions. Once you sign up you can download my tips for saving money on family travel.
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.
Sign up for my free newsletter: