Singapore is a brilliant city full of hundreds of exciting things to do. Although, it’s one of the most expensive cities in the world (no surprise to us), so if you’re broke and looking for a way to entertain children cost-free whether it’s over the school holidays, evenings or even a weekend – we’ve got the perfect solution for you. There’s actually a mix of outdoor activities, educational experiences, and culture escapes you can do – all for free – to have a fun time with children around the city. We’ve picked 10 of our favourite free things to do with kids in Singapore for you below!
1. Be inspired by a world of art
National Gallery’s Keppel Centre for Art Education offers dozens of free activities designed to engage families and children in a world of art. Visitors can enjoy workshops and interactive learning zones such as an immersive Forest Fire game, experimentations, collaborative studio spaces to create 3D sculptures with other kids, and even a Calm Pod for children to relax, to name a few activities.
📍National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrew’s Rd, Singapore 178957
2. Chase giants around Sentosa
One of the best free activities to do with children in Singapore is explore Sentosa Island. In particular, the Explorers of Sentosa at Palawan Beach is a family of giant sculptures created by renowned recycling artist Thomas Dambo. Go on a quest and follow the trail of Eternity flowers to find four giants using the help of an interactive online map. It’s the perfect adventure with kids all for free on Sentosa Island.
📍Sentosa Island
3. Let the kids run free at a playground
There are plenty of free outdoor playgrounds to keep the children busy while you relax nearby. For instance, Marina Cove Playground is one of the most popular with unique features and an extensive playset beside the sea. Other examples include Admiralty Park Playground which boasts 26 thrilling slides to zoom down. Discover our list of the best free outdoor playgrounds in Singapore.
4. Explore the whimsical world of Haw Par Villa
There are several free things to do at a unique cultural park called Haw Par Villa in Singapore. The park is home to more than 1,000 statues and 150 dioramas that depict scenes from Chinese mythology, folklore, legends, and history. Wander the grounds are stroll through colourful pagodas, beautiful terraces, courtyards, and unique trails like a Chinese zodiac sign trail. It’s the perfect place for art lovers and photographers to admire exotic sculptures. Definitely, one of the best free things to do with kids in Singapore.
📍262 Pasir Panjang Rd, Singapore 118628
5. Make a splash at a free waterpark
Gardens By The Bay is hiding one of the only free waterparks in the city. Far East Organization Children’s Garden may not be as big as Wild Wild Wet but it’s a favourite water playground among children. There are water tunnels, various jets, stepping springs, and other water features, making it an ideal place for kids to cool off on a boring day.
📍Gardens By The Bay, Singapore
6. Immerse yourself in nature
Another exciting family-friendly activity to do around the island is hiking. Wonderfully, Singapore is full of nature adventures and immersive parks to explore. Highlights include Singapore’s largest nature park like Chestnut Nature Park offering birdwatching zones, wildlife spotting, and cool observation towers. Meanwhile, coastal trails such as the Round-Island-Route offer lots of points of interest along the sea. Whatever you pick, we’re sure it will be fun for children. Discover the best hiking trails to do around Singapore.
7. Spot dinosaurs outside Changi Airport
Why not take the children to a free outdoor dinosaur attraction at Changi Airport? The Changi Jurassic Mile features more than 20 larger-than-life dinosaur statues and dino eggs from nine different species along an exciting trail. Both children and adults can get educated along the way on a trail which is enhanced by safari-themed music. The trail is part of the Changi Airport Connector that links Jewel Changi Airport to East Coast Park. Definitely, one of the best free things to do in Singapore.
📍Airport Blvd, Singapore
8. Swing by Asia’s only children’s garden
Singapore Botanic Gardens is home to Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden which is the perfect place for kids to explore and learn about nature. In fact, it’s the first garden in Asia dedicated to children. Specifically, the garden features a treehouse, slides, a sandpit, a thrilling maze, ziplines, and even climbing structures to keep children happy. When they get bored, they can wander around a farm, an orchard, and a forest with its own steam and ponds, alongside suspension bridges and nature zones where they can observe how plants grow.
📍481 Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 259769
9. Discover a world of colourful learning
The Children’s Museum Singapore offers free admission for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. The immersive children’s museum is dedicated to children aged 12 and under. There are permanent galleries, interactive zones such as Play Pod and Imagine A Garden, educational programmes, workshops, and more to spark youth’s curiosities. Learn about the Children’s Museum. However, tourists must pay a free of $10 per child and $15 per adult.
📍23-B Coleman St, Singapore 179807
10. Fall into a universe of books
Singapore boasts a range of children’s libraries that are free to access for children and families. Some of the best options include Central Public Library which is famous for its marine-themed Children’s Biodiversity Library with several interactive exhibits, as well as the Children’s Zone at Bukit Panjang Public Library, and Library @ Harbourfront which is known for its augmented reality books and learning activities, to name a few. Find out the best libraries and bookstores in Singapore.
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