10 Best Things to Do on a Singapore Family Vacation

A Singapore family vacation may surprise you. This exciting, fast-paced city is best known for its diverse culture and ultra-modern tastes. Singapore has a contemporary, Western appearance that may feel less intimidating than other Southeast Asian countries, especially for Westerners who are first-timers to the region. Often a destination for business travelers, Singapore also makes a great choice for families. Here are 10 fun things to do in Singapore with kids.

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1. Sentosa Island

No Singapore family vacation would be complete without a visit to Sentosa Island. Of course, you must visit the Sentosa Merlion in Sentosa Park. This half-fish, half-lion is the national symbol of Singapore. Climb to the top of the 121-foot-tall iconic attraction for 360-degree views of the surrounding area.

Reach Sentosa Island via the high-flying Singapore Cable Car, rental car, or the Sentosa Boardwalk. Along the Sentosa Boardwalk you’ll find plenty of dining choices as well as beautiful scenery. On weekends, shop at the Sentosa Boardwalk Bazaar open-air market.

For kitschy fun, take the kids to Madam Tussauds Singapore to see wax figures of famous folks or the Trick Eye Museum for mind-blowing pics to post on Instagram.

You might also plan a beach day with the kids on Sentosa Island. Palawan Beach and Siloso Beach both provide picturesque places to cool off from the Singapore heat.

Read on to discover even more Singapore family attractions on Sentosa Island including S.E.A. Aquarium, Universal Studios Singapore, and Adventure Cover Water Park.

2. Singapore Zoo

The Singapore Zoo is a fabulous attraction for families. To enjoy the zoo properly, plan to spend most of the day there. The zoo specializes in animal displays that are open, using moats and hidden fences to keep the animals in their enclosures. Truly, you’ll feel a part of the exhibits rather than just a spectator.

Families will particularly love the opportunity to feed a variety of animals at the zoo. Every day visitors can feed more than 20 different creatures, from jaguars to manatees. Pay a nominal fee for the food and then wait your turn to share snacks with the animals. You can even sign up to eat breakfast with orangutans at this zoo!

If you have the time, then plan to stay for the zoo’s Night Safari. This overnight adventure gives families a chance to view nocturnal animals. Expect a walking tour, guided tram ride, and Creatures of the Night show. You’ll see Asian elephants, native fishing cats, pangolins and more.

3. S.E.A. Aquarium

Animal lovers will also want to visit the largest aquarium in Asia, S.E.A. Aquarium. More than 100,000 sea creatures make their home here in over 50 habitats. Look for hammerhead sharks, clownfish (like Nemo!), Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, and so much more. Kids can play peek-a-boo with moray eels in the South China Sea zone by crawling into a cave and then popping their heads up in an underwater dome.

Don’t miss dining at Ocean Restaurant by Cat Cora for an under-the-sea dining experience. For a truly unique experience, book the Ocean Dreams experience for a sleepover surrounded by fishes and other sea life.

4. Science Centre Singapore

Another popular Singapore family vacation attraction is the Science Centre Singapore. This expansive science museum features more than 1,000 displays covering a variety of science topics. Many exhibits are interactive, allowing kids and adults of all ages to play as they learn.

Families can delve into fears in the Phobia The Science of Fear exhibit, explore nature in the Ecogarden, or watch science-focused movies in Singapore’s only IMAX theater. Take a break from Singapore’s warm weather in Snow City, the centre’s permanent indoor snow exhibit.

5. National Museum of Singapore

The nation’s oldest museum, National Museum of Singapore, is where to go to learn about Singaporean history and culture. The museum offers an array of downloadable guides and educational resources for children of various ages.

Kids will especially enjoy the Growing Up exhibit, with its display of toys and stories about what it was like to be a child living in Singapore during the tumultuous years of the 1950s and 1960s when Singapore sought and eventually gained its independence.

6. Universal Studios Singapore

Universal Studios Singapore offers 28 rides, shows, and attractions. Movies, TV shows, and comic books come to life in themed zones at this theme park. Young children will enjoy the Sesame Street Show and Madagascar: A Crate Adventure water ride. Meanwhile, intrepid teens and grown-ups will want to ride roller coasters like Puss in Boots Giant Journey and Battlestar Galactica.

7. Adventure Cove Water Park

The Adventure Cove Water Park offers waterslides, splash areas, a water maze, and a lazy river plus exciting animal interactions. Parkgoers can snorkel with over 20,000 tropical fish in Rainbow Reef for an extra fee. Or, get up-close to feed and touch rays in Ray Bay.

8. Gardens by the Bay

Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay is a fantastical urban park made up of three impressive waterfront gardens. They encompass 270 acres of beautifully landscaped green space.

Onsite, you’ll find the world’s biggest greenhouse, Flower Dome. The Supertree Grove (shown above) includes 18 modern tree-like structures that house a variety of plants. Gardens by the Bay is a must not only for botanical garden enthusiasts but also for families seeking time in nature in this entirely urban country.

9. Singapore Flyer

Take a 30-minute spin on the Singapore Flyer, one of the world’s tallest Ferris wheels. Enjoy incredible views of the city from every angle aboard this observation wheel.

You can even book a one-hour, four-course dinner to enjoy during two full rotations of the Singapore Flyer. Choose a Western, Oriental, or Vegetarian meal option. Note: a private dining capsule must be booked for families with children younger than age 7.

10. Family-Friendly Dining in Singapore

Singapore is well known for its culinary talents. You will find eclectic and delicious cuisine with Chinese, Malaysian, Indian, and Western influences.

Seek out kid-friendly Singaporean foods like satay — skewered and grilled meat like chicken, beef, and pork. Your kids will also surely enjoy kaya toast, a breakfast dish of toasted bread topped with butter and a coconut egg jam. There are many American-style restaurants for picky eaters, too.

Be sure to visit the plentiful food courts and hawker centers throughout the city. Not your typical mall fare, these fast food vendors offer a lively experience and some of the best food in the city.

Hotels for Families in Singapore

There is no shortage of high-end hotels in Singapore. An alluring option is Marina Bay Sands, renowned for its incredible rooftop infinity pool with a breathtaking view of the city.

Raffles Hotel Singapore

Book a stay at the Raffles Hotel Singapore for the ultimate in luxury with its sumptuous décor. Famous guests (like Queen Elizabeth) have stayed here.

Raffles is renowned for its signature cocktail — the Singapore Sling. If you can’t afford the nightly price tag (and who can?!), then plan to shop the Raffles Arcade or order one of their famous cocktails at their Long Bar instead.  

Apartment Hotels

Book an apartment hotel for additional space for a good night’s sleep and kitchens for easy snacks and meals. Both Treetops Executive Residences and Fraser Suites Singapore score high ratings from family travelers.

Beary Best Hostel in Chinatown

Travelers on a tight budget will appreciate the teddy bear-themed Beary Best Hostel in Chinatown. Private rooms are available for families with two to 10 beds.

Why Singapore with Kids

Singapore is an incredibly clean and safe nation, making it a great choice for parents traveling with kids. Furthermore, children are particularly welcomed in this family-focused country.

Additionally, although four official languages are recognized in Singapore, English is the primary spoken tongue. This makes communicating with locals easy to do.

Singapore’s small size makes navigating the sites a cinch, too. In fact, Singapore is only 281 square miles in total. To put that in perspective, the entire island nation is about one-fifth the size of Rhode Island, the smallest state in the U.S.

No matter what you choose to do in Singapore with kids, I bet everyone in your family will love this multicultural city-state!

Explore More of East Asia

For another modern and clean destination in East Asia, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Tokyo with kids.

Equally intriguing, discover family-friendly things to do in South Korea.

Get off the beaten path with these tips for planning a family vacation in Laos.

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