With a playground located at every other block in Singapore, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that most kids are spoilt for choice when it comes to playtime. So many swings, slides, merry-go-rounds, and see-saws to explore and so little time. However, these play equipment are built for typically developing children, so what about kids with special needs?
Thankfully, Singapore is moving towards a more inclusive society, which means more inclusive play structures and that means that children with special needs will finally be able to have an enjoyable time playing at the playground!
Here’s a list of places where you’ll be able to find inclusive play equipment! Be sure to keep an eye out for updates!
1. Admiralty Park
Location: Admiralty Park, 31 Riverside Road Singapore 730000
Operating hours: Daily | 24 hrs
Admiralty Park Playground needs no introduction. With its multitude of play equipment that not only caters to young ones of different ages, but also allows parents to join in and play with their little ones, it has become quite a favourite among families. Aside from crazy long slides, cargo nets and mounds, the playground also features a wheelchair-friendly swing and merry-go-round.
2. Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park
Location: Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, 510 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 Singapore 569983
Operating hours: Daily | 24 hrs
An idyllic landscape, meandering rivers and spacious playgrounds, are some things that the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park is known for.
Aside from a water play area and an adventure playground, the park is also home to an inclusive playground. Sitting alongside climbing nets, slides and a large sandpit, are inclusive play elements. There is a wheelchair accessible swing (complete with a ramp and safety locking), a wheelchair accessible ground-level merry-go-round with safety gates, which also has two seats for able-bodied kids, slide with rollers, and a sand play table.
3. Canberra Park
Location: Canberra Park, Sembawang Crescent Singapore 750325
Operating hours: Daily | 24 hrs
Photo credits The Straits Times
Canberra Park, with its array of diverse swings, is a paradise for swing lovers. It is also Singapore’s first inclusive playground. Here you’ll be able to find ramps, walkways and handrails, allowing easy access for wheelchair users. Visually handicapped kids can play with panels fitted with bells and drums. There’s also a structure called the Aeroglider, a platform with sensory motion feature, which allows wheelchair users to experience the swaying sensation of a swing.
4. City Square Mall
Location: City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Rd Level B1 Singapore 208539
Operating hours: Daily | 10 am – 10 pm
Located at City Square Mall is a small eco-friendly playground with wobbly bridge, slides, a see-saw, climbing net, and a fireman’s pole. Additionally, the playground also has a pair of inclusive swings and wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round.
5. Enabling Village
Location: Enabling Village, 20 Lengkok Bahru Singapore 159053
Operating hours: Mon – Fri: 7.00 am – 10.30 pm | Sat – Sun: 7 am – 9 pm
Enabling Village is a community space dedicated to supporting the integration of people with different abilities into society. It's home to an art gallery, preschool, retail stores, cafés, restaurants, as well as an inclusive playground. The low-level playground includes wheelchair-accessible play areas as well as a sensory play garden.
6. Marine Cove
Location: East Coast Park
Operating hours: Daily | 24 hrs
Located within East Coast Park, where there’s no shortage of things you can do, is Marine Cove where the striking red tower of the children’s playground is quite unmissable. Inspired by the coast where its situated, the playground features plenty of climbing structures, including cargo nets, mounds and rock wall, slides, see-saw, talking tubes, and a drum set. Additionally, you’ll also be able to find inclusive swings and sensory play panels at about wheelchair height.
7. Our Tampines Hub
Location: Our Tampines Hub, 1 Tampines Walk, Singapore 528523
Operating hours: Daily | 10 am – 10 pm
Our Tampines Hub is home to a number of playgrounds, and an inclusive playground is one of it. A soft padded playground with a wheelchair-accessible swing in addition to low-level slide and climbing structures, mini mounds and short tunnels, as well as, a spinner and play panels, it’s a great place for kids of all abilities to play together.
8. Pasir Ris Park
Location: Pasir Ris Park, 98 Pasir Ris Central Singapore 519639
Operating hours: Daily | 24 hrs
Photo credits National Parks
Spread across three different themed play areas—King of the Hill, Transport-themed Play, and Galactic-themed Park—are loads of play elements, ranging from mini-maze, rope bridges and musical sets to see-saws, slides, swings, and hills. Amidst all that the sprawling playground also has a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round set on the ground and a wheelchair-friendly swing.
9. Tiong Bahru Plaza
Location: Tiong Bahru Plaza, 302 Tiong Bahru Road Singapore 168732
Operating hours: Daily | 11.00 am – 10.30 pm
Sitting on level 3 of Tiong Bahru Plaza is a sparrow-themed playground giving off retro-vibes, owing mostly to the mosaic tiles adorning the sparrow head. The soft padded playground has got climbing ropes, a wide slide, spring rockers, a small trampoline, and a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round. While the playground is outdoor, it sits under a tarp, providing some shade from the weather.
10. West Coast Park
Location: West Coast Park, 71 West Coast Highway (next to Mcdonalds) Singapore 126844
Operating hours: Daily | 24 hrs
The West Coast Park playground has been a long-time family favorite and with plenty of play structures to explore, from pyramid climbing structure, ropes obstacle course and Viking ship, to the usual suspects like slides, swings, spring rockers, see-saws, and sand play area, it’s no wonder.
Every child, regardless of age or ability can have a good time at West Coast Park for it also has an inclusive playground. Sitting on a soft flooring, the playground has wheelchair accessible ramps and platform, inclusive swings and a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round.
Know of any inclusive play areas not on this list? Drop us an email and we’ll share it with everyone!
