10 Free Things to Do with Kids

Things to do in Singapore with kids

Wednesday, 13 Jun 2012

A day at Sentosa can cost a fortune but we’re all getting sick of Jacob Ballas. Here are our ideas for how to entertain the kids without dropping wads of cash and even see a bit of the country!

1. Vintage Playtime

Visit the iconic heritage Dragon Playgrounds that are dotted round Toa Payoh, Circuit 8 and Ang Moh Kio. Built in the late 1970s, these mosaic Chinese zodiac animals were named one of Flavorwire.com’s 15 Amazing Playgrounds From All Over The World. Now that’s a real vintage plaything.

Where: Find a map of old Singapore playgrounds here.

2. Wild Wild Wet

Eight adult waterslides, two kiddy waterslides, two 50-metre pools, training pools, a kid’s pool, and even a (huge) spa… in one place, and virtually for free too. Sounds unreal? Top it with next door’s floating wetland where you can see birds, fish, turtles, and butterflies and let the kids scamper over giant orange slices and mangosteens while you walk the length of a very cool floating bridge. Only in the north, folks.

Where: Sengkang Swimming Complex and Floating Wetland, 57 Anchorvale Road, Singapore 544964, Weekdays ALMOST FREE – $1.50 (adult), $0.80 (child); Weekends $2 (adult), $1 (child)

3. Country Living

A cycling tour of Kranji is a healthy way to show the kids that Singapore is not all luxury condo living and shopping centres. Open roads, green fields and lungi-clad workers make for peaceful, pleasant scenery (just look out for the occasional disruptive truck).

Where: Kranji Countryside

4. Head North

To Pasir Ris Park. Yes, we know it is a bit of a hike to get there but this seaside park has everything you need for a perfect Sunday. An unreal park that kids will love with a great play zone, bike/scooter tracks, pony rides …. The list goes on!

Where: Pasir Ris Park stretches from Pasir Ris Road to Jalan Loyang Besar

5. Afternoon Delights

Nothing is nicer than a sunny afternoon at the gorgeous Watten Heights Playground. Pack your buckets for sand play, let the kids swing, climb and ride the flying fox until they call out “hungry”! At which dial up dinner and have pizza in the park. The tasty takeaways from Peperoni Pizzeria are a great way to finish off.

Where: Watten Estate Road, just around the corner from Greenwood Avenue, see Park It for details and more park inspiration

6. Riding High

If you’ve never been out of District 10, it’s time to visit the heartlands via the LRT. Littlies and transport aficionados will love this driverless train in the sky where kids can ride right up front as you whizz through the high rise clothes flapping outside the HDBs.

Where: LRT Network

7. Waterfront Play

Adrenaline junkies, lace up those trainers. With five different climbing towers, connecting bridges, a waterfront promenade featuring exercise equipment for the adults and biking, blading, and kick-scooting options for the little people, you best prepare yourself for a full day under the sun. Don’t forget to swing by the 400-metre jetty if you’re into fishing, but keep the live bait off this coast.

Where: Woodlands Waterfront Park

8. Hide And Seek

Set up a scavenger hunt in the retail jungle of Mustafa’s. An insightful introduction to Little India, kids will be entertained for hours searching for soccer balls, golden bangles, Eastern spices and Bollywood DVDs. (Plus it’s an economical place to stock up on dress-ups for kids and adult partygoers.)

Where: Mustafa, 145 Syed Alwi Road, 6295 5855

9. Scratch and Sniff

Love or hate their wares, the durian street vendors of Geylang survive in a little pocket of yesteryear. Tattooed uncles squatting on plastic stools will help you select the best fruit (including giant jackfruit and other offerings). Pregnant ladies beware – clothes pegs for noses may be in order.

Where: Sims Avenue

10. Pedal power

Head to West Coast Park and start your Sunday with some pedal pumping fun. Hire a pedal cart each or all aboard one for a whiz around the tree-lined park. Stop for a climb, run and play in the super sized park, pack a picnic or race your little ones around the paths and get ready for your next Sunday adventure.

Where: West Coast Park, Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, weekends and PH 10am-8pm, $12 for half an hour – and half an hour is definitely enough!

Image: Justin Z