SingaporeMotherhood | Family Fun
March 2024
24 Fun & Free Activities in Singapore for Kids & Families in 2024
It’s 2024. Singapore boasts a dazzling cityscape, world-class attractions, and yes, high costs of living. But it can also be a haven for families seeking budget-friendly adventures if you just know where to look. From exploring lush gardens to watching a movie under the stars, here are 24 free activities to keep your kids busy having fun without spending a cent.
(See also: MARCH SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2024 ACTIVITY GUIDE FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES)
Explore the Wonders of Nature
1. Go on a nature hike
Hike through the verdant trails of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve or spot monkeys at MacRitchie Reservoir. And with stroller-friendly trails along The Southern Ridges, as well as Wallace Trail at Dairy Farm Nature Park, you can even introduce the littlest ones to the rich biodiversity on offer.
2. Wander through wetlands
Explore the beautiful flora and fauna unique to tidal ecosystems such as swamps, marshes, and mangroves. Just follow the boardwalks at Jurong Lake Gardens, Coney Island, and Pasir Ris Park. Keep your eyes peeled for the likes of mudskippers, mud lobsters, and tree-climbing crabs.
3. Gather in gardens
First on the list is the Singapore Botanic Gardens, our very own UNESCO World Heritage Site. These sprawling gardens boast diverse flora, themed gardens, and the COMO Adventure Grove for kids. Over at the world-famous Gardens by the Bay, 101 hectares of lush blooms await. Also check out Sentosa Sensoryscape, the new 30,000-sqm oasis that blends nature, design, and technology.
4. Try birdwatching
Observe a variety of bird species at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve or Kranji Marshes in northwestern Singapore. Bring binoculars and stake out various bird hides to spy on native and migratory birds. You might spot the adorable Common Sandpiper, White-breasted Waterhen, White-bellied Sea Eagle, and more.
5. Cycle the park connectors
Explore our interconnected network of parks on bicycles or even skate scooters and rollerblades. Depending on your kids’ athletic appetites, PCN trails can be as short as 800 m. Begin at the Jurassic Mile and slowly build up to the Round Island Route, currently a 150 km park connector!
(See also: TOP 6 CYCLING SCHOOLS WHERE KIDS CAN LEARN TO CYCLE IN SINGAPORE)
Embrace Culture & Heritage
6. Immerse in cultural districts
Search for colourful murals along Little India’s vibrant streets. Go temple-hopping in Chinatown, the only one worldwide that boasts a Buddhist temple, mosque, and Hindu temple on one street. Then soak in the Malay culture in the ethnic enclaves of Kampong Gelam and Geylang Serai.
7. Visit historical sites
Learn about Singapore’s pre-independence history at Fort Canning Park and Labrador Park, as well as Fort Siloso and Fort Serapong on Sentosa. Explore the heritage gardens and historic main building during the Istana Open House — this happens five times a year.
8. Take a heritage walk
Embark on the National Heritage Board’s self-guided heritage trails and unearth hidden gems and untold stories. Find heritage markers and track down landmarks, such as the ‘VIP Block’ in Toa Payoh, old East Coast seawalls, and what remains of a rural village in Tampines.
9. Learn about Total Defence
Visit the Singapore Discovery Centre to learn about the Singapore Story. Afterwards, get up close with retired fighter jets at the Air Force Museum, and torpedos and gunboats at the Navy Museum. You can also learn life-saving skills and meet firefighters at the Fire Station Open House on Saturdays.
10. Go museum-hopping
A diverse range of national museums offer free admission to citizens and residents. Explore the past, present, and future through interactive exhibits and lively programmes at the National Museum, Asian Civilisations Museum, and Singapore Discovery Centre. Not forgetting the Children’s Museum, of course!
(See also: 10 SERIOUSLY UNUSUAL MUSEUMS IN SINGAPORE − BET YOU NEVER EVEN KNEW THEY EXISTED!)
Unleash Your Playful Side
11. Have a picnic in a park
Pack a delicious spread and find a shady spot in a park for a relaxing afternoon and the chance to absorb some vitamin D. Some of the prettiest picnic spots include Telok Blangah Hill Park, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, and of course, the iconic Singapore Botanic Gardens.
12. Fly a kite
Head to a breezy spot like the Marina Barrage or The Promontory and introduce the kids to kite-flying. It’s harder — and more fun — than it looks! Other popular kite-flying spots include coastal parks such as East Coast Park, Changi Beach Park, and West Coast Park.
13. Let loose at playgrounds
Many parks and neighbourhoods boast free outdoor playgrounds with play features and climbing structures. Newer favourites include The Arena @ Keat Hong, Mandai Wildlife WEST, Whampoa Park Playground, and Forest Ramble at Jurong Lake Gardens.
14. Cool off with water play
On blazing hot days, pack swimsuits and head to free water playgrounds. Have a splashing good time at Jurong Lake Gardens’ Clusia Cove, Oasis Waterpark at Nee Soon East, Play @ Heights Park, and Splash-n-Surf at Singapore Sports Hub, just to name a few.
15. Splash about at the beach
Build sandcastles at Sentosa’s stretch of beaches, from Siloso Beach to Tanjong Beach. In between is Palawan Beach, arguably the most family-friendly of them all. More free activities and beachside recreational fun awaits at East Coast Park, Pasir Ris Park, and Changi Beach Park.
(See also: 8 ISLAND RESORT GETAWAYS NEAR SINGAPORE TO VISIT FOR THE ULTIMATE FUN AND RELAXING FAMILY HOLIDAY)
Ignite Imaginations & Spark Curiosity
16. Discover everything science
Ignite your child’s curiosity with interactive exhibits and hands-on free activities at the Singapore Science Centre (free on off-peak days). Unlock the secrets of the universe, be shocked by the Energy Titans Show, and delve into the Science of Fear.
17. Enjoy storytelling
Let your child immerse in the magic of books with free sessions at various public libraries. Professional storytellers at the Gateway Kids Club also engage children through interactive sessions every Saturday. The Asian Civilisations Museum takes kids on ACM Adventures on the last Sunday of every month too.
18. Encourage art expression
Go on a hands-on and immersive journey at National Gallery Singapore’s Keppel Centre for Art Education. Kids can experiment with various art media and create their own artworks. Further expand your artistic horizons at The Everyday Museum at Tanjong Pagar Distripark.
19. Catch free concerts
The Esplanade hosts free performances every evening indoors, every weekend outdoors, and at the Concert Hall one Sunday every month. Also enjoy the Singapore Symphony Orchestra regularly at the Raffles Hotel Singapore and Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
20. Chase down sculptures
Go on a treasure hunt for unique artworks in public spaces. Search out four giants internationally renowned recycling artist Thomas Dambo hid in plain sight on Sentosa. There are also over 200 art sculptures scattered throughout Gardens by the Bay — finding them all might take a while!
(See also: LITTLE SIFA: MADE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AT THE SINGAPORE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS 2024)
Bonus Fun and Free Activities
21. Experience the farm life
Leave the city and head to the Kranji countryside for more free activities. A free shuttle from Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange will take you to Qian Hu Fish Farm. Besides seeing endless species of ornamental fish, you can also watch goats being milked at Hay Dairies and go on a self-guided tour of Bollywood Farms.
22. Watch planes take off and land
Visit the viewing galleries at Changi Airport and witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of airplanes taking off and landing. Alternatively, head to Seletar Aerospace Park, where you can spot planes on the Seletar Airport runways. The aeroplane playground at The Oval is a bonus!
23. Witness light shows
There’s always a new reason to catch these mesmerising displays of lasers, fountains, music, and light projections. There’s Garden Rhapsody amid the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay, the Rain Vortex at Jewel Changi Airport, Spectra at Marina Bay Sands, and the nostalgic Sentosa Musical Fountain.
24. Watch a movie under the stars
Grab the fam — and your favourite snacks — for free open-air movie screenings. Check out Movies at Southside on selected weekends on Sentosa and Nightflix Somerset monthly at Somerset Youth Park. Selected public libraries host regular family-friendly movie screenings too.
(See also: WAYS TO (NOT) KEEP YOUR KIDS ENTERTAINED DURING THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS)
Remember, tightening the purse strings doesn’t mean having to stay home all the time. With a little creativity and exploration, you can discover countless fun and free activities to do while creating lasting memories with your kids in Singapore.
Featured image: NParks
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