It’s a big year for Mandai Wildlife Reserve, with Rainforest Wild Asia, Mandai Rainforest Resort, and Colugo Camp all opening their doors in 2025. But here's another reason to head down: Curiosity Cove, Singapore’s largest nature-themed indoor playground. We couldn’t resist sending a three-year-old to put it to the test ahead of its official opening on November 21 – just in time for the year-end school holidays. The verdict? Curiosity Cove will have your little ones climbing, crawling and grinning from ear to ear before promptly conking out after – here’s how.
Spanning a whopping 4,600 square metres, Curiosity Cove is the kind of place that will have adults wishing for a turn on the slides too – we happened to hear some wishful whispers during the preview. Designed for kids aged three to 12, this nature-inspired ‘phygital’ playscape combines tactile fun with clever digital play. You’ll get a generous two-hour session per ticket, which is more than enough for tiny explorers to go all-out across four vibrant zones with 32 multi-sensory play experiences. Each zone is a reimagined ecosystem buzzing with sights, sounds, and sensory surprises.
The Wetlands
Start at The Wetlands, where coral reefs, rivers and rainforests ripple to life through lights, sounds and hands-on play. Kids can peek beneath coral crevices at the Reef Retreat, trace animal footprints along the riverbank and learn how water connects every living thing. And if you spot a hermit crab swimming on the surface, don't be shy to interact with it and watch it crawl from one shell to another.
The Forestlands
Then step into The Forestlands, a lush jungle of tree canopies and hidden animal homes. Here, little explorers can climb up the six-metre-tall Orangutan Sleeping Platform, shake the hanging vines at the Singing Tree, or discover the creepy crawlies hidden beneath the rocks and in the logs. Slip into the Microscopic Canopy and watch the rainforest’s tiniest creatures spring to life through a magical digital magnifier that reacts to your every step.
The Grasslands
Next up is The Grasslands, a vivid savannah teeming with movement. The immersive digital Watering Hole mirrors the Great Migration, complete with crocodiles beneath the surface and cheetahs in the tall grass. Don’t miss the three-sided climbing slide, where kids can challenge themselves to scale different terrains.
The Drylands
Finally, the adventure winds into The Drylands, a desert landscape where little ones can crawl through the belly of a 27-metre-long yellow snake, zip down two different winding slides, explore cool underground tunnels and step into a sound-reactive Bat Cave. It’s a place that celebrates nature’s toughest survivors and lets kids discover how life thrives, even in the driest of places.
Besides the multi-sensory areas, we also loved that Curiosity Cove thought of everything, including Calm Zones for when things get a little overwhelming. These cosy corners are perfect for toddlers – and even parents – who need a breather, complete with sensory kits and soothing vibes that reset even the fiercest of tantrums.
If you time your visit right, the Ranger Buddies activities add an extra dose of fun, from early morning storytelling to lively dance sessions at The Grasslands. You can even throw a birthday bash here, complete with a Jeep parade and a mission-led adventure.
All in all, Curiosity Cove is a place where wonder and imagination take flight. Kids can play, explore, and learn, while parents get to join in the fun. Visits are by allocated timeslots, usually two-hour blocks, except the last slot at 5.30pm, which runs for an hour. Tickets cost $48 per child from three years old, with one accompanying adult admitted free. Discover more here.
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