The best free things to do with kids in Singapore

It's a no-brainer to bring your kids to Singapore's first museum dedicated to kids 12 years old and below. The Children's Museum (CMSG) is a funhouse of interactive exhibits and educational play areas spread over two floors. Kids will be accompanied by CMSG's mascot WonderBot and trusty virtual companion Captain through four permanent galleries on the first floor. Here, they'll learn about the Singapore River and its ties to trade, explore old shophouses, and experience the workings of a modern neighbourhood office. Upstairs, more special exhibitions await – these are changed up every year to keep things fresh. 

The newly revamped Keppel Centre for Art Education now features seven zones to encourage children to immerse in the world of art through play and creativity. Walk through an interactive tropical forest and learn about colour theory while putting out virtual forest fires, or try your hand at creating 3D sculptures using 3D doodling pens and wooden shapes. Be sure to stop by the Book Nook, a curated library with books about art that are suitable for all ages before heading out.

Take the kids on a trip to the Jurassic era at Changi Jurassic Mile. Located on the 3.5-kilometre Changi Airport Connector, it is the city's largest permanent outdoor display of life-sized dinosaurs. Gape at more than 20 of the towering creatures, ranging from frightening carnivorous species and gentler herbivorous types to those that soar overhead on graceful wings. And of course, don't miss the famous Tyrannosaurus Rex too. To get to Changi Jurassic Mile, get onto the Changi Airport Connector from Jewel Changi Airport or pit stop facility Hub & Spoke. 

Marina Barrage attracts couples and families all year round thanks to its breathtaking 360-degree view of the bay area. Pack a picnic basket and a kite for some family fun. Don't have one? Browse through the cavalcade of colourful creations at the shop on the grounds. Then, help your kid unleash his or her kite into the air and let it sail in the bay's gusty winds.

New to the hiking game? Start with the 63-hectare Dairy Farm Nature Park. The main trail is paved, so you don't have to rough it out Bear Grylls-style with the little ones. Make your way to the Wallace Education Centre for hands-on activities and exhibits that tell the story of Dairy Farm’s changing landscapes. Keep a lookout for the striking red and yellow heliconias as well as the monkeys, pangolins, and butterflies along the way. For a chance to spot rare species of dragonflies and the critically endangered birds known as Little Grebe, head towards the scenic Singapore Quarry at the park’s south-western end.

New and shiny toys may catch your little one's eye, but perhaps they can learn to appreciate vintage ones too. There's no better place to get them acquainted than the MINT Museum of Toys, a delightful hidden gem on Purvis Street. This private museum has the largest collection of its kind in Southeast Asia: over 50,000 pieces of vintage toys owned by one Mr. Chang Yang Fa. With rare, one-of-a-kind pieces from more than 40 countries – some dating back to the mid-1800s – there's plenty to delight both kids and adults in this five-storey shrine to toys. Check out space-themed toys, childhood favourites, World War II collectibles, and favourite TV character figurines; the museum also runs regular thematic exhibitions and Guerrilla experiences (a fun blend of exhibition, retail, and F&B), so always stay updated at emint.com.  

This little theme park of horrors is both terrifying and impressive at the same time. Multi-coloured statues and tableaux depict scenes from Chinese history and mythology in bright, gaudy colours, making it look more menacing than they should. Still, it's fun to explore this sloping park in the West with the little rugrats. New to the park? Read our guide for the best bits to look out for.

Sentosa has joined hands with internationally renowned recycling artist Thomas Dambo to create a quest for you to  discover hidden parts of Palawan Beach. These statues are made from upcycled wood and plastic and can be found by following the trail of Eternity flowers. Throughout the trail, you will be given clues to find these four giants as well as hidden and lesser-known spots around the beach. Be sure to have the Explorers of Sentosa interactive map on hand to ensure you don’t get lost!

Take a wild ride down any one of the 26 unique slides at three main play areas: Junior Play, Adventure Play, and Family Terracing Play. The young and the young-at-heart can slide down The Curved Roller Slide, a 34-metre-long outdoor slide lined with black tubes similar to that of a conveyor belt for easy sliding. Besides the slides, there’s an inclusive playground fitted with a wheelchair swing and merry-go-round to support play between children with and without needs.

Surrounded by the lush greens of Gardens by the Bay, this outdoor playground has one mission in mind: to get everybody drenched. There are water tunnels, stepping springs and various jets your pint-sized terrors – or your mischievous side – can use to hose everyone else down. Even toddlers can get in on the aquatic action, with a safe play zone you’ll feel comfortable letting them roam around in.

Book a free tour around Singapore’s award-winning public education centre and let your children learn about water conservation, as well as the purification technology that provides us with clean water. Kids will learn about the value of water, encouraging a sense of responsibility to use the water they have wisely, as well as become more aware of how human activities impact our environment. All visitors will even get to sample NEWater at the end of the tour and taste the difference between NEWater and regular water.

Siloso Beach is a hive of activity with numerous beach clubs and an array of watersports options that simply exudes good summer vibes. And you can enjoy some fun under the sun without spending a dime here. Help your little beach bums with sunscreen application and watch them unleash their imagination in sandcastle building, splash around in the sea (with your guidance, of course) and play a friendly game of beach volleyball.

While the grown-ups will appreciate the history of this modest-sized mound in the heart of the business district, the kids… well, they don’t need any excuse to tumble around in a park as verdant as this, do they? As they explore the many nooks and crannies of Fort Canning Park and its many colonial-era relics, learn more about the paramount roles it played in the defence of the island and even before the British arrived, when it served as the residence of Malay royalty.

As Singapore’s only well-preserved coastal fort, history buffs should definitely visit Fort Siloso and learn about the Japanese surrender to the British. Kids are sure to enjoy viewing the remains of the fortified military tunnels as well as taking pictures with the wax figures of the Japanese and British soldiers at the Surrender Chambers. Guided tours of Fort Siloso are also available for a more detailed historical account of the area. While you’re there, be sure to explore the 11-storey high Fort Siloso Skywalk, where you can enjoy a scenic treetop walk that stretches over 180 metres – almost as if you are flying over the trees!

Established in 1852, the Gardens are a tranquil respite from the city buzz. Highlights include the National Orchid Garden with the world’s largest collection of orchids. There is also a swan lake where families can feed the black Australian swans, and picnic while enjoying an outdoor concert at Symphony Lake. Let the kids run riot at Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden where they can enjoy an exciting and interactive learning experience. Along with the theme 'All Life on Earth Depends on Plants,' the young ones will discover the wonders of life sciences and develop an appreciation for nature and the environment.

East Coast Park stretches along the east coast of Singapore from Changi Airport (great for plane watching the A380), past the numerous restaurants at East Coast Seafood Centre to Fort Road. There are dedicated cycle and walking paths, bicycle and rollerblade hire stalls, a skate park, a playground and barbecue and camping areas. It's also a great spot for teaching your kids the basics of cycling or rollerblading. Read our comprehensive cycling guide to cycling in East Coast.

This peaceful park offers four unique themes with something in-store for visitors of all ages. The Nature Cove features a picturesque view of the waterway, with areas for families to spend lazy Sundays on the grass. At the Recreation Zone, little ones can let loose with activities like water play and sand play, while the rest of the family gets a workout at the fitness corner. The Heritage Zone offers gorgeous greenery along the stretch of the old Punggol Road where families can take a walk down memory lane, and the Green Gallery consists of a peaceful trail along the park's natural terrain.

The National Museum of Singapore is the oldest museum in Singapore, and has also been marked as a national monument. The museum teaches its visitors about Singapore’s history through murals and digital exhibits. Parents can download and print activity sheets available on the museum’s website to keep their children engaged when going through the exhibits. Entry is free for Singaporeans and permanent residents and starts at $10 for tourists and foreign residents.

Considering it is one of the largest parks in Singapore, it is no surprise that Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park has multiple amenities for your little ones to enjoy. The park consists of an inclusive playground featuring a wheelchair-accessible swing and merry-go-round, as well as a sand table for children to engage in artistic expression and improve their motor skills. The park also features a water playground where children can learn about gravity and control the flow of water using the various water gates in place. Not bad for a place that’s completely free!

Deemed as the largest nature wonderland in the heartlands, Jurong Lake Gardens is Singapore's latest national garden, spanning a whopping 90-hectares. Beyond the flora and fauna, the grounds are specially landscaped and designed for families and the community to come together to play, learn and bond. Children can burn their energies by taking on the various obstacle courses, hopping about at the sunken trampolines, flying across a zip line, and scrambling up a tower to go down a tube-like slide.

Pique your young one’s interest in marine biology at the newly revamped Central Public Library, which now has a Children’s Biodiversity Library by S.E.A. Aquarium. Admire the coral-like structures decorated around the space, and be sure to check out the collection of marine specimens available to learn more about marine life. The library also has a new Immersive Room, where children can create their own interactive stories using StoryGen with familiar characters such as Little Red Riding Hood and Sang Nila Utama. Let your child’s imagination run wild and see what kind of amazing adventures they come up with.

Escape to the countryside with the fam. At Kranji Countryside, kids can watch goats getting milked and even feed, erm, other kids at Hay Dairies, see vegetables being harvested and grown at Quan Fa Organic Farm, get school on organic produce at Bollywood Veggies, and more.

Head down to a fire station near you on a Saturday morning for a tour around the facilities and learn about the various fire trucks and their capabilities. Aspiring little firefighters will enjoy a demonstration on how to put on  full protective gear and  use the various equipment – they may even get the chance to blast water from a fire hose. We recommend going to the Central Fire Station on Hill Street as it is connected to the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery, where kids can view various fire engines that were used throughout the years, including a horse-drawn steam fire engine from 1884. You can register for the Open House as well as a visit to the gallery here.

With kid-friendly restaurants and a beachfront setting, Marina Cove Playground makes a great spot for a family day out. This 3,500-square-foot playground is home to all manners of swings and slides. Older kids can scale up the wobbly net climbing courses at a three-storey play structure aptly modelled after a lighthouse. For those with toddlers in tow, steer them over to the merry-go-round and grass maze. The super-inclusive playground also has wheelchair-friendly play areas.

Go for a walk or run with the kids along this park that looks out onto Lower Seletar Reservoir. Facilities and amenities include a fishing jetty, a People's Association Water Venture outlet that provides kayak rentals, and a water park where the young ones can splash around after a hike.

Ever wondered how Singapore created its distinctive city skyline? Singapore City Gallery highlights Singapore’s rapid urban evolution over the years through the use of interactive displays and immersive shows. The gallery also features a bird’s eye view of Singapore’s central area, accompanied by a light and sound show which is sure to capture the attention of your children. Community tours are available, but visitors can also explore the gallery on a self-guided tour with the Questeon app, which will teach you about urban planning through a series of quests.