We put together a list of the best free things to do for families in Singapore! From parks to indoor activities, there's something free for everyone!
*Updated: 14 March 2022
Singapore might be one of the most expensive city to live in, even more so for families but did you know that there are still tons of FREE activities and things that families can do, and to create family fun too?
From some of the best outdoor playgrounds to exciting water play venues, families can definitely explore these places to discover their next family fun (without burning a hole in your pockets too)!
Before you continue, don't forget to also check out the latest FREE events happening on this sunny island! We update events regularly, so do check back often for the latest! Otherwise, if you spot any mistakes or want to put in a recommendation, please feel free to write to us!
1. Admiralty Park - Free Adventure / Playground For Kids
One of our favourite outdoor playground, Admiralty Park's Outdoor Playground is THE ONLY playground to visit if you only have time for one! Here, you will find 3 zones, 26 slides, swings, slides, flying fox, sand play and so much more! It is like going to an adventure park - for FREE!
It ranks so highly with our team that it tops our list of Top 10 Outdoor Playgrounds in Singapore!
2. Jurong Lake Garden - Explore Nature, Play In Dry and Water Play Areas
Jurong Lake Garden is massive park in the west of Singapore. You will find Singapore's largest man-made floating wetlands to get up-close to nature. Within the 90-hectares park is also a nature play garden and a wet play venue too! Forest Ramble and Clusia Cove are popular with families and is absolutely free to play in too!
The park also boast a therapeutic garden, butterfly maze and lots of instagrammable spots too! Head over to our ultimate family's guide to Jurong Lake Garden to find more to-dos in this massive park!
3. Slide Down The Rabbit Hole At The Alice In Wonderland Playground
One of the most interesting HDB playgrounds that we have found, is the Alice in Wonderland-themed playground that is hidden among the HDB blocks and trees at Dawson Vista. While it is not as well-equiped as some of the larger playgrounds in the park, the playground is well-designed to the theme and gives one the magical feel of being inside the story!
4. Play Amidst Nature At Various Playgardens
Known as a green city, but did you know that Singapore is dotted with various Nature playgardens across island. With the NParks’ Biophilic Playgarden Plan that centres around the concept of biophilia, which refers to the nature of humans to connect with other living things, it means that only more playgardens will pop-up over time! Below are some of our favourite playgardens - and they are all FREE!
5. East Coast Park - Singapore's Most Popular Park
Definitely one of Singapore most popular park, East Coast Park is a popular spot for families looking for play in the sun, sand and sea! The park also boast multiple F&B options across the 15km stretch. Some of the free things you can do at the park are
- Play at Coastal Playgrove and Marine Cove
- Visit the less-crowded Raintree Cove
- Ride your bikes at the Road Safety Community Park
- Practice cycling at the Cyclist Park
For more things to do at the park, do head over to our Family's Guide to East Coast Park!
*Free Listings* Here's What's Free On BYKidO Too
If you are looking for free trial classes or samples for your child, you may also wish to check out our list of FREE listings on our Shop and register directly too!
6. Walk With Dinosaurs At Jurassic Mile, Changi
The Changi Jurassic Mile is a permanent outdoor display of life-sized dinosaurs that includes more than 20 different pre-historic creatures displayed along the one-kilometre cycling and jogging path.
This is a free Jurassic Park adventure for the family, and one NOT to be missed! You may walk or cycle, the path connects East Coast Park to Changi Park
7. Ride Around Singapore Through The Park Connectors
The Park Connector Network connects Singapore, this includes the Round Island Route, a 150km park connector that goes around Singapore. Here are our selection of the 8 best cycling routes and nature trails in Singapore!
You may also be adventurous by cycling between different experiences too. Example, cycling from East Coast Park to the Jurassic Mile through the Changi Park Connector. If you do not have a bike, you may like to check out our list of bicycle rental across Singapore!
8. Go on a Nature Walk at these Family-Friendly Trails
On the topic of trails, if your kids are not yet riding, you may wish to head out to explore these 11 Nature Walking Trails for families! Put on your shoes and gear for an "out of the city" experience to reconnect with nature and to spend outdoor time with the kids! A great way to get off the devices and just go wild (maybe not THAT wild)!
9. Learn About Traffic Rules - Kampung Siglap Playground
One of our most surprise finds is the playground at the Kampung Siglap Lifeskill Training & Retreat Centre. While small, this traffic-themed playground comes equipped with working traffic lights, traffic signs and zebra crossing for kids to pretend play on.
If you are looking for a similar playground, definitely don't miss heading down to the Road Safety Community Park. While it is old and unmaintained, but the entire area is open for families to visit for free too!
10. Splash Around At These FREE Water Play Venues!
These free water play venues are a must-visit for families! Who says getting wet and having a ton of fun must be expensive?
*Note: some of these water play venues may still be closed due to the pandemic.
10.1 Oasis Waterpark @ Yishun
This hidden gem is located within the HDB blocks at Yishun. Oasis Waterpark is one of the best and free water play venues with slides, water fountains and so much to play! It may require a little effort to get to, but we assure you that it will be worth it!
10.2 Jelutong Harbour Park
Located at Admiralty, Jelutong Harbour Park offers both a water play and dry play section for kids. We assure you that the kids will not want to leave after they visit this little park!
10.3 Gardens by the Bay Waterpark
Another must-go water play is the Far East Organisation Children's Garden located at Gardens by the Bay. Not only is the water play area huge, the entire play venue includes a toddler and sand play area too!
10.4 Singapore Sports Hub - Splash 'N' Surf
Located at Singapore Sports Hub is Splash 'N' Surf water playground with slides and water play for the young and young at heart! It is suitable for young kids, and perfect for a family outing with the nearby mall and stadium adding more activities for an entire day of fun!
10.5 Others
There are also water play in some of the parks mentioned above, including Clusia Cove at Jurong Lake Garden and Coastal Playgrove at East Coast Park. You can also head over to latest water play venues list.
11. Play At These Unique Playgrounds For Free
Did you know that Singapore has the largest number of playground per land area in the world? That means there is so many playgrounds that you can visit around you. Check out our list of playgrounds in the North, East or West as well as a list of the Top 10 Outdoor Playgrounds.
If you need to narrow it down, below is a list of playgrounds that we think are unique and definitely needs to be visited at least once!
11.1 Stilt Houses Playground at Yishun Neighbourhood N8 Park
Pictures of the new playground at Yishun Neighbourhood N8 Park received so much attention and excitment that we have to include it here! Opened in 2021, this very exciting addition features colourful "houses" on stilts and compliment the parks existing playground and facilities. The new playground allowed children to climb up and navigate across houses on stilts. There are houses on different heights for kids of different ages to conquer.
11.2 Battleship Playground at Sembawang Park
Situated in the north of Singapore facing the Johor Straits, Sembawang Park is a tranquil park away from the bustle of the city. Blending nature with history, families visiting the park may relive part of Singapore’s naval heritage. Walk along the restored old pathways used during the British occupation or visit the Beaulieu House (built in the 1910s), the Sembawang jetty and the remains of the 1920s Seletar Pier.
For those with kids, you won't want to miss a visit to the Battleship Playground located within the park too!
11.3 Train Playground at Tiong Bahru Park
The Train Playground at Tiong Bahru Park is a consistent feature in any top outdoor playgrounds, it will not disappoint with its quirky design, different play elements and definitely because it includes sand play too! It is also one of the few playgrounds with a flying fox! It's just 5mins from Tiong Bahru MRT and there are shaded areas for families to rest in too!
11.4 Transport-themed Playground at Great World
At Level 2 of Great World, families will find a transport-themed playground with a hot-air balloon, a train and a ship. Suitable for kids aged between 2 to 12 yrs old, these globe-trotting kids can visit the Great World Playland to explore a world of fun! The entrance of the playland is between Kith and Tokyu Hands.
12. Learn & Play At A Family-friendly Museum
Most museums offers free entry for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents. Here are 30 of the best Family-friendly Museums and Exhibits in Singapore. Some of our favourites are the National Gallery Singapore, National Museum of Singapore, Singapore Discovery Centre and the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre.
13. Visit The Fire Station Open House (Virtually)
Popular with families is the Fire Station Open House where families can learn about the daily operations of a Fire Station, the different roles of SCDF and the Civil Defence system manned by personnel on round-the-clock standby. While the open house is current suspended, parents may still try to book a virtual tour!
You may also make a booking to visit the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery located at the Central Fire Station to better understand the development of the Civil Defence.
14. Go Sailing with DBS Marina Bay Sailing Programme
Set sail on the SB20 (a 4-men crew boat, which is commonly used for racing) and the SM40 (which has an impressive height of about 4 storeys), and experience the view of Singapore's Marina Bay from a different perspective.
The DBS Marina Bay Sailing Programme is part of the bank's commitment to enliven the bay. Slots are highly popular and registration is required.
15. Visit Sentosa
One of the (if not the) most popular attractions in Singapore, Sentosa offers so much to do. While many of these are paid, there are still many free things that families can do on this island of fun!
15.1 Visit the Sentosa Beaches
While you are at on Sentosa, why not visit the beaches on Sentosa. From the Siloso beach to Palawan beach, the kids may engage in sandplay while parents enjoy a leisure stroll. If you are planning to visit during the peak periods, don't forget to book your slot too!
15.2 Bask In The Light & Sound Show At Sentosa's Magical Shores
An interactive experience on Sentosa's Siloso beach, the captivating Magical Shores spans across 400m of the beach, and will provide the family with excitement through interactive light art on the beach and music filling the air!
15.3 Learn More About History At Fort Siloso
While we now know Sentosa as a multi-faceted leisure destination with its sandy beaches, exciting attractions, dining establishments, nature trails and resorts, it was once home to several villages and a British military base - and one of the best place to learn about the island's heritage (and is free to visit) is at Fort Siloso.
Gazetted at Singapore's 74th National Monument, the fort holds a special place in Singapore's history and continue to serve as an attraction for Singaporeans and tourists to learn about our history.
RELATED: Go on a photo-hunt of nature and heritage on Sentosa to win cash prizes!
16. Catch the Magical Garden Rhapsody Musical Performance at Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay itself should have a spot in the list, but we wanted to highlight the magical musical performance, Garden Rhapsody! Happening every evening at the SuperTree Grove, here's the list of shows planned for 2022!
17. Be Bewitched at Jewel Changi Airport
A trip to Jewel Changi Airport is not just about a trip to the Mall but a full experience! While many of the attractions are ticketed, including the the Canopy Park, and the Manulife Sky Nets. But a simple trip to the mall to marvel at the HSBC Rain Vortex or to visit the Pokemon Centre might just get the kids all excited too!
18. Catch A Free Movie At ST3PS
You can catch a free movie, free performance or even free LIVE sport matches at ST3PS, the chill-out / community zone, ST3PS located at Terminal 3 Basement 2. There are F&B options and a supermarket to make your trip complete too!
19. Kids Eat For Free At This F&B Outlets
Usually parents will still need to make a minimum purchase, but here's a list of the latest F&B options where Kids Eat For Free in 2022! Hopefully this helps you narrow down your search for a suitable dinner option this weekend!
20. Go Volunteering with your Little Ones
When volunteering, your little ones learns about empathy and appreciation, the recipient receives help and you get to do a meaningful activity as a family. That's a win for everyone involved! Here are a list of 5 places to volunteer in Singapore that are suitable for kids.
