Top family-friendly activities in Singapore

By Dom Bewley
Published: July 18, 2024
Top family-friendly activities in Singapore

Families. They're the best. They support us through our hardest times, and help us celebrate our victories. They are the backbone of our civilization. But sometimes, planning for a family can be tough. Will the kids dig exploring a destination's culture? Will the grown-up want to ride waterslides all week? How do you juggle all the responsibility without physically exploding? Just, ka-boom. No more vacation. No more you.

It's simple, really; just read our picks of the top family-friendly activities in Singapore. You've already clicked through, so the hard part is over. Now? Time for adventure.

Including:

  • Sentosa
  • Gardens by the Bay
  • Universal Studios Singapore
  • Nature Kayaking Adventure at Pulau Ubin
  • Virtual Room Singapore
  • and more!
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Sentosa

Why don't we begin with one of Singapore's most popular tourist destinations? You may already know about Sentosa. In fact, it may already be at the very top of your itinerary. However, if you're unaware of Sentosa's awesomeness, let's explore why it's one of the top family-friendly activities in Singapore.

Sentosa is an island paradise carefully curated to please pretty much everyone. Found just off the coast of southern Singapore, it prides itself on offering 50 unique experiences that'll delight both kids and grown-ups alike. From waterparks to indoor skydiving, plus plenty of relaxing beaches and delightful restaurants, it has anything a vacationing family needs to have a great time. Will you even want to leave? Only time will tell.

Adventurous families should test their mettle on the Giant Swing and Skybridge, which combine fantastic views with death-defying feats! Or settle in for some thrilling entertainment at 4D AdventureLand. That's just a taste; enjoy the full meal when you visit.

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Gardens by the Bay

Does exploring over 101 hectares filled with 1.5 million plants sound like a good time for your fam? If you need some green on your vacation, you can't beat a visit to Gardens by the Bay.

You'll explore indoor and outdoor gardens, lakes, conservatories, huge sculptures, artwork, and more. Its beauty is so widely known that you might even recognize it - many films and TV shows have filmed scenes amid its luscious flora. In fact, with an experience dedicated to the blockbuster movie franchise Avatar on display, you can join in on the cinematic fun!

And be sure to check out the Flower Dome, the world's largest glass greenhouse. Inside, you'll find displays representative of five continents, including 1000-year-old olive trees. And make sure you don't miss Cloud Forest - a display that takes you up into the clouds, with striking mountain views and a diverse range of plants.

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Universal Studios Singapore

Speaking of cinematic fun, it doesn't get much more cinematic than Universal. A titan of the movie industry, you probably see at least one Universal movie every year. With such a massive cast of colorful characters calling the company home, why not go meet them at Universal Studios Singapore?

Kids will love family-friendly rides like Puss In Boots' Giant Journey, Enchanted Airways, and Madagascar: A Crate Adventure. They'll get to meet their favorite characters from Sesame Street, as well as the minions, everyone's favorite weird yellow things. Well, maybe not yours, but your kids love them. Trust us.

For the larger kids, yes, including you adults, there are also a number of fantastic rollercoasters to ride in the Transformers and Jurassic Park universes, and when you're all tuckered out, settle down for some delicious food to refuel.

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Nature Kayaking Adventure at Pulau Ubin

If you want to add a little physical exercise to your family-friendly activities, why not take the fam on a nature kayaking adventure at Pulau Ubin? It's one of the top experiences in Singapore, and you will love it.

Located just off Singapore's northeastern coast, Pulau Ubin is one of Singapore's last remaining villages. As such, they live life a little in the past. And that means plenty of untouched natural beauty, clean air, and good vibes. As you set off on your kayak adventure, you'll take in Pulau Ubin's thriving mangroves, which are home to a variety of flora and fauna like herons and kingfishers.

Of course, the whole thing is guided by an expert, so they'll be able to fill you in on the village's way of life, as well as the different species that call Pulau Ubin home. Good stuff.

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Virtual Room Singapore

Kids love technology these days, and who can blame them? With fully-realized worlds literally in the palm of their hand, we'd be exactly the same if we grew up today. In fact, with gaming being the highest-earning media format on the planet, it looks like plenty of us love technology too. That's why a trip to another reality - a virtual reality - might be just the ticket for the whole family.

Up to four people can adorn their headsets and play together in a number of different games and activities. Solve puzzles, compete to win challenges, and aim to beat the game!

And, with each session only lasting 40-50 minutes, you won't have to worry about your kids' eyes going square. That's not a real thing, by the way - just something our parents made up.

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Puzzle Hunt

And finally, we end our list of the top family-friendly activities in Singapore with a little scavenger hunt. Hunt for clues, solve riddles, and complete your quest at Puzzle Hunt.

With locations in Chinatown and Fort Canning Park, you're spoilt for choice. Team up with the fam to chase down the prize before the other teams do!

But it's not all fun and games; they're learning experiences too! Each offers a unique look into Singapore's diverse culture and history, so even if you don't walk away with the grand prize, you'll walk away with the most important prize of all. Knowledge. Sweet, priceless knowledge.

And that's our list of the top family-friendly activities in Singapore! If you're interested in things to do without the kids, or just want to diversify your vacation portfolio, check out Go City. With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you can experience all the best bits of Singapore for one low price!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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Singapore skyline at night with colored lights
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Best night clubs in Singapore

Looking for somewhere to dance the night away in Singapore? You’re in luck! With its warm evenings and lively nightlife spots, this city is the perfect place to be nocturnal. From rooftops to resorts, house to hip-hop, there are clubs for all tastes here – and if you happen to stay out all night, there are plenty of picturesque spots for watching the sunrise. Our list of Singapore’s best night clubs includes: Zouk Ce La Vi Headquarters Marquee Tanjong Beach Club 1-Altitude Raffles Hotel Zouk One of the oldest and most famous clubs in Singapore, Zouk began life as a renovated warehouse complex in 1991. The first in the city to introduce house music, the club grew and expanded until it was relocated in 2016 to its current premises in Cannery Block in Clarke Quay, near Fort Canning Park. Past and future collide in this new, two-floor, five-bar compound, as it still has the feel of an industrial warehouse but with super-modern LED lights everywhere. Zouk always boasts an impressive list of resident and guest DJs – past artists to have led the rave here include Chemical Brothers, Avicii, Bjork, Louie Vega, Roger Sanchez and Primal Scream. And the DJs aren’t the only ones mixing things up here – there are karaoke rooms in the Red Tail Bar, and Spin classes available every day with Absolute Cycle X. Ce La Vi SkyBar If you’re going to scope out the night scene while you’re in Singapore, then you absolutely have to try the 57th floor Ce La Vi SkyBar at the Marina Bay Sands. Its lofty position attracts some of the best local and international DJs, so you can be sure you’ll be dancing to the best and freshest tunes. Enjoy unmatched views over the city, looking down on the Gardens by the Bay to the Marina and the river beyond. If you’re peckish, there’s a menu of tapas-inspired treats perfect for sharing, and their signature cocktails are inspired by classic favorites with a local twist. Party until the small hours with the stars overhead and the twinkling metropolis below. And the best part is, with your Go City Explorer or All-Inclusive pass, the first drink is already paid for! HeadQuarters by the Council If underground vibes are more your thing, head for Headquarters on Boat Quay opposite the Asian Civilizations Museum. Run by local music agency The Council, Headquarters hosts parties every Wednesday to Sunday night, showcasing local and guest DJ’s playing the best and newest house, techno and disco music. Red laser lights and a giant cage set the scene here – but if you’re feeling a bit more mellow, head upstairs to find a cozy balcony with sweeping city views. ‘Chilled’ is the catchword here, and there’s no dress code – instead Headquarters recommends you wear your most comfy shoes (though they do politely note that ‘slippers are not encouraged’). Marquee Another offering from the Marina Bay Sands, this time indoors – not that you’d know it, because this epic adult playground boasts 70-foot-high ceilings and around half an acre of floor space. Accurately calling itself the biggest nightclub in Singapore, Marquee fills its ample space with massive LED screens and cutting-edge sounds from the latest DJ heavyweights (previous acts include Tiesto, Afrojack and Steve Aoki), so it’s a properly immersive experience. As if that wasn’t enough, there are three-storey-high slides to ride down and an 8-pod Ferris Wheel with individual photo booths and epic views over the whole club. You’ll probably have to queue at some point, but it's worth it because this mega-venue is genuinely mind-blowing. Tanjong Beach Club Since we’re talking about clubs in Singapore, we can’t not put a beach bar on the list. There are plenty, but Tanjong is the one to beat. Snuggled on the western edge of Sentosa Island (just down the beach from the Wings of Time light display, if you want to make a proper evening of it), the Tanjong Beach Club was launched in 2010 by two brothers from Australia who felt that party goers in this very by-the-book sort of city needed a place to let their hair down. Pop by during the day for chill out music, beach volleyball and awesome seafood, or turn up on the right night and you can join one of their famous ‘Smack my beach up’ celebrations, where you’ll find plenty of opportunities for beer pong, cocktail buckets and whatever subsequent consequences might ensue. 1-Altitude Another one on Sentosa, this time a terrace bar taking up the entire roof of the Outpost Hotel. It’s easily recognizable thanks to its modern black and white exterior, and the entire hotel is adults-only so you can come here any time of the day or night to get your grown-up beach bar fix. It’s right in the center of the island, so if you’ve spent the day meeting your heroes at Madame Tussauds or pumping adrenaline at Universal Studios you can head here afterwards to sip a cocktail and enjoy 360 degree views of the sunset. Then get your dancing heels on (or kick them off, whatever suits) as this daytime oasis transforms into a trendy chill-out bar with sleek dance sounds and night sky views all around. Raffles Okay, this is not strictly a nightclub (unless you define night club as somewhere that serves drinks after sunset, in which case we’re good), so consider it our alternative suggestion for anyone who’s more into history than hangovers. Easily visited via the Red Line of the Big Bus Tour, this colonial-style villa is one of the oldest in the city and has a past-guests list brimming with celebrity and royalty. Raffles is also the birthplace of the Singapore Sling, invented in a time when it was considered impolite for ladies to consume alcohol in public. The bartender saw an opportunity and disguised it in a juice drink, and unsurprisingly it was a massive hit. You can try one in the historic Long Bar, or you might prefer the more sophisticated interior of the Writer’s Bar, named for the numerous literary greats who’ve stayed in the hotel over the years. Dance the night away with Go City In Singapore, you can sightsee all day and party all night with a Go City Explorer or All-Inclusive pass. You’ll save on all your favorite attractions and have a vacation that’s truly one to remember!
Karleen Stevens
The rooftop infinity pool at the top of the Marina Bay Sands hotel
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Things to do in Singapore when it's hot out

Heat. Often it's what we seek when we head off on vacation. But sometimes, it can be overwhelming, forcing us to take shelter in the cold and dark. If you've suffered enough of the sun on your trip to Singapore, here are our picks of the best things to do in Singapore when it's hot out! Including: Marina Bay Night Bicycle Tour Nature Kayaking Adventure at Pulau Ubin Virtual Room Singapore Sentosa 4D Adventureland Madame Tussauds Singapore and more! Enjoy a Marina Bay Night Bicycle Tour One of the best ways to avoid the heat is to head out when the sun's gone down. No sun - no intense UV heat; a rule we should all live by. So if you want to see more of Singapore but don't want to sweat buckets, take an evening tour of Singapore's beautiful Marina Bay. With an experienced tour guide in tow, you'll pass plenty of Singapore's blissful landmarks, from the Gardens of the Bay to the SuperTrees, and along the Kallang River. And if you want to know more about each place, your guide will be more than happy to drop some knowledge bombs on your trip. If you're looking for things to do in Singapore when it's hot out, a nighttime cycle around the beautiful bay might be just the ticket. Experience a Nature Kayaking Adventure at Pulau Ubin Or, why not brave the sun but embrace the cooling power of water? It's one of our favorite elements, easily beating out bottom-placed wind. The wind is fine, but it doesn't have the same fun factor. Anyway, with water in mind, why not take a splash on a nature kayaking adventure at Pulau Ubin? Located just off Singapore's northeastern coast, Pulau Ubin is one of Singapore's last remaining villages. As such, they live life a little in the past. And that means plenty of untouched natural beauty, clean air, and good vibes. As you set off on your kayak adventure, you'll take in Pulau Ubin's thriving mangroves, which are home to a variety of flora and fauna like herons and kingfishers. Of course, the whole thing is guided by an expert, so they'll be able to fill you in on the village's way of life, as well as the different species that call Pulau Ubin home. Good stuff. Enter Virtual Room Singapore Want an even better way to avoid the heat when it's hot out? Why not look for things to do inside? There are plenty of fun things to do indoors in Singapore. You could even enter another reality if you like. And what better reality to enter than a virtual one? At VirtualRoom, you'll find an award-winning VR experience like no other. Fully immerse yourself in high-definition, three-dimensional gameplay as you interact with your surroundings, walk, talk, and solve problems. Each adventure lasts 40-50 minutes, but in the delightfully air-conditioned building, you won't feel a single bead of sweat. Play in your own dedicated room as you collaborate with other players in groups of two, three, or four. Then, solve puzzles, complete activities, and try to achieve sweet, sweet victory. Or fly a jet at Virtual Reality Fighter Jet Experience Or, if you prefer your indoor, virtual entertainment with an injection of delicious adrenaline, then why not take to the skies in a VR fighter jet? Embody the spirit of Maverick as you swoop past some of the biggest landmarks in America. Fly by the Golden Gate Bridge? Not a problem. Descend into the Grand Canyon and pull off some sweet trench maneuvers? Go get 'em, champ. Even newbies can get involved, with an experienced instructor on hand to get you settled and show you the ropes. Take off, spins, drifts, and all the other terrifying maneuvers will be drilled into your brain before you're launched into the sky to do your thing. And, of course, you'll be surrounded by sweet, sweet air-con. Visit Sentosa 4D Adventureland For more inside fun to dodge the heat, why not enter the 4th dimension? At Sentosa 4D AdventureLand, you'll discover that the 4th dimension isn't time. Really, it's fun! Who knew? Pick two of the four rides on offer, and escape to another world entirely. On the Journey 2: The Mysterious Island ride, you'll relive some of the crazy sequences from the hit film, all while being splashed and feeling objects and insects fly past your face. Wild. Or, take the plunge on the Extreme Log Ride, saddle up on the Desperados ride, or dodge ghosts and other spooky somethings on the Haunted Mine ride. Whatever floats your boat, Sentosa 4D Adventureland is sure to tickle your fancy. That's why it's one of the best things to do in Singapore when it's hot out! Image courtesy of nhumster/Shutterstock Immerse yourself at Madame Tussauds Singapore They say you should never meet your heroes. After all, celebrities have a tendency to quickly shatter the illusion you have in your head. You live long enough to see yourself become the villain and all that. But what if your favorite celebrity couldn't talk? What if they couldn't move? How could they ever tarnish the idea of them? They couldn't, which is why you should head to Madame Tussauds Singapore and snap some photos with your favs. From David Beckham to Taylor Swift, you're sure to find someone famous you like around there. And with rides and other fun things to do, it's definitely worth a visit during your vacation! Image courtesy of Saiko3p/Shutterstock Discover the National Museum of Singapore Want to learn more about Singapore's culture and history while dodging the heat? Head over to the National Museum of Singapore and get some of that sweet knowledge in you. Wander through multiple galleries that chart the course of Singapore's history, delve into its myriad cultures, and explore the stories of its residents throughout history. Learning about another culture is one of the joys of vacationing abroad, so you've got no excuse. Plus, thanks to the air conditioning, it's easily one of the best things to do in Singapore when it's hot out! Venture out on a Night Safari And finally, let's end on another evening adventure. On this night safari, you'll get the chance to see a variety of exotic species like lions, tigers, hippos, and hyenas during the darker hours, just like in those nature documentaries! And best of all, at night, you can bet the temperature will be much cooler and more bearable. And that's our list of the best things to do in Singapore when it's hot out! Looking for more experiences to make your trip special? Check out Go City! With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you can pick and choose the best of Singapore for one low price.
Dom Bewley
Gardens by the Bay
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