Want 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 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 running west to east: Sunset Walk, Kelong Walk, Cliff Walk, Sailing Point Walk, Beach Walk and Creek Walk. Click here to download the very helpful National Parks Changi Walking Map.
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. For opening hours and ticketing information for the OCBC Skyway, Cloud Forest and Flower Dome, click here. 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
Vivo City 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.
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 we 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, simming 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 some 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.