The Family Friendly Guide to Singapore

There’s so much to see and do for kids and the young at heart here in Singapore. For example, the Gardens by the Bay maybe known for its futuristic-looking ‘Supertrees’, but it is also home to the Far East Organization Children’s Garden. Have a fun-filled family day with interactive play delights, water play features and educational programmes in a lush natural setting.

After that, we recommend a visit to the National Gallery Singapore, specifically to the first dedicated art facility also known as the Keppel Centre for Art Education. It offers a dynamic environment to stimulate your child’s creativity and curiosity. Designed to inspire learning in new ways, it features four vibrant spaces and an exciting line-up of programs all year round. Find out more here. 

The Singapore Art Museum will also be launching the 6^th edition of their children-focused annual exhibition in May 2016.. Held from 14 May till 28 August 2016, the exhibition titled Imaginarium: Over the Ocean, Under the Sea, invites adventurers of all ages into the watery realms of our Earth as seen through the eyes of contemporary artists. It is a whimsical introduction to the many stories and ideas that surround seascapes, and presents tactile and interactive works that encourage discovery through exploration and play.

Kids might also want to check out the 2-hectare sized Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, which is located at UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the Botanic Gardens. It is Asia's first children's garden and is designed to provide unique discovery and learning experiences in an organic garden setting. Have fun!

Step into Singapore’s different districts, from well-known precincts to quaint little suburbs, each with its own distinct character and charm.

At Chinatown, see traditional shops and markets co-exist alongside cool stores and cafes. After you are done immersing yourself in the atmosphere, experience how Singapore’s early Chinese migrants once lived at the Chinatown Heritage Centre. When you’re done exploring, pick up a memento at the souvenir shop, or take a break at the in-house restaurant, which serves local favourites and other dishes.

As you walk down Serangoon Road and neighbouring streets in Little India, explore the unique mix of Hindu and Chinese temples, mosques and churches. This vibrant neighbourhood is a slice of India in a multi-cultural Singapore, albeit one peppered with jewelry stores, trendy cafes and hip watering holes! Here’s a tip: visit the Indian Heritage Centre to learn about the contributions of early pioneers as well as the social and political awakening of Indians here.

For something completely different, why not head to picturesque Coney Island in Punggol? The 50-hectare park houses a wide variety of habitats, including coastal forests, grasslands, mangroves, and casuarina woodlands. It is also home to some unique wildlife, like the male Baya Weaver birds who can weave intricate nests atop Acacia trees – often hanging over open water. If you’re longing for a spacious and green getaway from the city, this is the place.

Whether you’re in search of thrills and spills or a beachside afternoon, you will be spoilt for choice at Sentosa, an idyllic resort island with pristine beaches, world-class attractions and endless activities to indulge your every interest.

The latest attractions there promise fun for the whole family. MOSH! features five different stations – each with a different theme like land, air, sea, space and fantasy. Using motion technology, visitors at the “sea” station can conjure up unique aquatic creatures, for example! 

There's also always something to learn even whilst you're having fun at Sentosa. At Kidzania Singapore, a 7,600-square-metre kid-friendly space, children can take on adult jobs and live grown-up lives in a make-belief city. Definitely a place to help your kids develop important life skills!

Finally, have you ever had the urge to ski down a snowy slope? Now you can, at Urban Ski at Millenia Walk (near Marina Bay Sands). It is the first indoor revolving ski slope centre here and promises to be a lot of fun for the whole family. Urban Ski has two ski slopes, which can be inclined up to 20 degrees and which can move at different speeds, via remote control. The slopes keep moving, so you find yourself constantly skiing or snowboarding! It’s a unique experience, and definitely one to make your trip here all the more memorable!

To help you get the most out of your trip, Mastercard card holders can take advantage of a variety of exciting deals including, stay at a participating hotel for 2 nights and get the 3rd night free, 1-for-1 dining offers and exclusive attraction day pass packages. To find out more about the ongoing Mastercard deals, visit http://www.yoursingapore.com/en_in/deals.html.