5 Places to Explore with Your Family in Singapore

The Lion City is one of the most family-friendly destinations in Asia, with hundreds of activities, sights and adventures to keep mums, dads and little ones alike entertained. Here we explore five of our favourite places to explore with your family on your 2022 holiday to Singapore; but these are just the tip of the iceberg. Need help choosing the best Singapore experiences for you and your troop? Chat to your Flight Centre Travel Expert for the very best advice, and let us do all the legwork for you.

1. Mandai

For Wildlife…

Embark on a Night Safari

This unique journey through Singapore’s nocturnal wildlife gets you up-close to critters that you wouldn’t normally see, from several geographical areas, including the foothills of the Himalaya and the jungles of Southeast Asia. It’s a chance to get to know these night dwellers, discover their habits and learn about conservation efforts to preserve certain species.

Singapore Zoo

Lions, sloths and penguins – oh my! Rated among the top three zoos on the planet, a trip to Singapore Zoo promises to make your holiday truly wildlife-packed. Discover your favourite animals, spot superstar marine creatures in the Splash Safari Show, or go wild for yourself at Rainforest Kidzworld – boasting a water playground, farmyard and more. If you’re looking for a unique experience, chat to your Flight Centre expert about the ‘Jungle Breakfast’ experience and how you can dine with the zoo’s resident orangutans.

2. Sentosa

For Thrills…

Discover Universal Studios Singapore

24 rides, seven zones and one incredible island-nation – Universal Studios Singapore is the only theme park of its kind in Southeast Asia. Big kids will love the world’s tallest duelling roller coasters, Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN vs. CYCLON, while the despicable delights of the Minions offer up fun for the whole clan. Universal theme park regulars will recognise crowd pleasers like Transformers: The Ride and Revenge of the Mummy too. Adventurers, assemble!

Explore the Beaches & Attractions

Beach adventures abound in Sentosa. Head for Palawan, in the heart of the island, to walk its iconic rope bridge and soak up 360-degree panoramas from the beach’s two viewing platforms. Or, if you and your crew are real thrillseekers, Siloso should be top of your list. This beach is packed with activities – from volleyball to kayaking to racing down the neon tracks of Skyline Luge Sentosa.

Got the teens in tow? Check out Singapore’s first floating aqua park: Hydrodash. Here you can take on It’s a Knockout-style obstacles, bouncing, slipping and sliding your way across giant inflatables on water. If you prefer your thrills on dry land, we just love the Mega Adventure Park, packed with ziplines, parachute simulators, bungee trampolines, and treetop high ropes. Tarzan, eat your heart out.

3. Marina Bay Area

For Sky-High Experiences…

Go Green at Gardens by the Bay

Explore around 250 acres of blissful gardens at this Singaporean landmark – beloved for its lofty Supertree Observatory. For families of all ages, we especially love the Sun Pavilion, with its towering, desert-dwelling plants, and The Canyon, an architectural trail shaped by 60 ancient Chinese rock formations. And for those travelling with young children, we can’t get enough of the water fountains and features in the Far East Organisation Children’s Garden. When you visit depends entirely on what you fancy – a completely different experience awaits whether your visit during the day or after dark; think sun-dappled surrounds or skies illuminated by neon.

Discover New Attractions

A blast for big kids and young-at-heart adults, new Singapore attraction NERF Action Xperience offers a great way to blow off some steam and hone your Nerf-toting skills in various battle arenas. Best of all, it’s got some gigantic obstacle courses to tackle, aptly named The Volcano, The Glacier, The Summit and The Ice Cliff.

Finish the day with a ride on the nearby Singapore Flyer – the largest observation wheel in Asia. It soars 165m above the city skyline with views across Marina Bay, the Singapore River and Merlion Park – to name a few. For an extra-special experience, opt for a four-course dinner in the sky, or book the new Time Capsule + Singapore Flyer combo, for a multisensory look at Singapore’s past, future and diverse culture, on the ground and in the air. Our top tip: book your ride at dusk to experience a spectacular Singaporean sunset.

4. Botanic Gardens Area

For Educational Discovery…

Explore Singapore’s First UNESCO World Heritage Site

There’s plenty to keep the whole clan occupied within the UNESCO-listed Botanic Gardens.  Indeed, the Jacob Ballas’ Children’s Garden is ideal for young adventurers and families, with space to learn about the ecology of the plants through a range of hands-on experiences. And let’s not forget the suspension bridge, tree houses and abundant fern-fringed trails too.

Get lost amid treetops and luscious lowlands in the Learning Forest, also home to some of the tallest trees in Southeast Asia or, for a more active experience, head to COMO Adventure Grove. Here you can swing, slide and climb in this playground meets rainforest. With sand areas, green areas, lofty trees and a whopping great slide, this is the ideal spot for kids to blow off steam and foster a sense of adventure amid verdant surroundings.

Sample Singaporean Flavour at the Museum of Ice Cream

After you’ve explored the Botanic Gardens, head to the delicious Museum of Ice Cream – one of the most hotly-anticipated family attractions in Singapore. Set to open in August 2021, it’s the Museum of Ice Cream’s first Asian outpost beyond New York City and features 14 multisensory attractions and learning experiences – all inspired by our favourite dairy treat – not to mention unlimited sweet snacks as you go. Bliss.

5. Cultural Neighbourhoods

For Culture Vultures…

Visit the National Museum & National Gallery Singapore

Whether you want to explore Singapore’s past, or get a snapshot of city life during the recent pandemic, the National Museum is bursting with interactive experiences. We highly recommend the spectacular Story of the Forest, the expressive Voices of Singapore and the mesmerising Wings of a Rich Manoeuvre, a masterpiece of music and choreography designed by local artist Suzann Victor.

Speaking of art, the National Gallery Singapore is the place to be if you and your loved ones have a creative eye. A wonderful space featuring modern, Southeast Asian art, it’s also renowned for its education programme – ideal for young children. The in-house Keppel Centre for Art Education boasts a sculpture studio, story corner and a workshop for artistic activities that bring together the whole family. Where better to let your imagination run free?

Get Immersed in Kampong Gelam

Ready for your family culture fix? Kampong Gelam is traditionally home to Singapore’s Malay, Arab and Bugis communities and is one of the oldest urban quarters in the island-nation. It’s a vibrant, diverse place for food (head to Bussorah Street for Middle Eastern fare), history (we love the Malay Heritage Centre) and art – in particular the Gelam Gallery. Here you can admire over 30 wall murals and pieces of local street art; it’s a fantastic photo opportunity for everyone.