It's the June school holidays and we're approaching the mid-year. Where did all the time go???
If you are looking for new places and attractions to bring the family to, good news - there are 18 of them to take your pick from (plus one bonus attraction that opened in Dec last year!). In fact, 50% of these places are actually FREE to visit so there's no excuse in NOT bringing the family out! 😁
1. MANDAI WILDLIFE WEST FREE
Mandai Wildlife West is an ungated public node that connects to the upcoming Bird Paradise, which means you don't need a ticket to access this area! Yes, it's FREE ENTRY FOR ALL! And that's superb news especially for kids, because of these 3 play areas:
Pangolin Hideout
Inspired by the burrows of a pangolin, kids can unleash their sense of discovery and mimic the behaviour of the mammal with movements like climbing, burrowing and sliding.
Pangolin Adventure
If one play area isn't enough, how about two? Scale through the obstacles at the pangolin-themed play area where the obstacles are at a lower level - which is great news for younger kids.
Forest Stream Trail
At the Forest Stream Trail, kids can learn about the vulnerable riverine forest ecosystems as they weave through the root-like structures inspired by mangrove forests. And yes, they get to cool off here too by waddling through shallow waters!
Waterfall Cavern
Located at Mandai Wildlife West’s arrival point, be sure to make a stop ath the 10m-tall waterfall which is sculpted after Indonesia’s Madakaripura waterfall. You can get to the top of the waterfall by following the winding path behind a cascading water curtain and enjoy the cool mist, before arriving at the upper deck where playgrounds and F&B are located.
Of course, there is a wide variety of dining options too. Restaurants include A&W, Birds of Paradise Gelato Boutique & Sandwich Bar, COLLIN'S, Hans Union, Luke's Lobster, Leckerbaer, Mr. Holmes Bakehouse, Old Chang Kee Coffee House, Pavilion Banana Leaf and Starbucks.
Address: 20 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729825
Opening hours: 6am to 9pm daily
Admission: FREE
2. BIRD PARADISE
The new Bird Paradise occupies a smaller land area than the old Jurong Bird Park but somehow, it feels so much larger! I think it has to do with how ingeniously the park made use of the ‘vertical space’ despite being smaller.
Bird Paradise consists of 10 zones, of which 8 are walk-through aviaries themed after various rainforests & habitats around the world. Visitors get up-close with different bird species via elevated boardwalks, and each aviary is seamlessly connected to one another. All amazing stuff, but the thing I love is the interactive rooms in between each aviary. Not only are these air-conditioned (yay!), they provide educational information through hands-on features that both kids & adults will love.
Address: 20 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729825
Opening hours: 9am-6pm daily
Admission: Adults $48 | Kids (3-12) $33 | Senior Citizens $20
*If you're a local resident, do sign up for the FREE Wildpass before purchasing tickets as you can get 20% discount off admission prices!
3. RAIL CORRIDOR (NORTH) FREE
Rail Corridor (North) has re-opened! The stretch from Upper Bukit Timah Truss Bridge (opposite Rail Mall) to Kranji MRT station is now open for everyone to enjoy. Now, you can walk along the Rail Corridor from Spooner Road near Tanjong Pagar to Kranji MRT - from south to north, all 21km of it!
Here are some things to take note for Rail Corridor (North):
- The new stretch starts from Upper Bukit Timah Truss Bridge. Entry point is at Rail Mall or at the overhead bridge in front of Rail Mall.
- Cross the bridge and head to the lookout deck where you can enjoy the scenic view of the lush Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Dairy Farm Nature Park.
- Hike further down to the new Hillview Bridge. Railway tracks were embedded into the flooring of the bridge to remind visitors of the Rail Corridor’s history as a railway.
- After crossing the Hillview Bridge, there is a diverted route as the next section is still under refurbishment. Head down the ramp and walk along the main road until you reach the next entry point (opp CHIJ Our Lady Queen of Peace).
- The Rail Corridor continues via a gravel path until Ten Mile Junction, where you have to cross the road and head to Pang Sua PCN.
- Walk along the PCN until you see a bridge on your right. Cross it and continue north along the Rail Corridor.
- From there, it’s pretty straightforward although do note you have to cross 2 roads along the way.
- This portion runs parallel to Woodlands Road and continues all the way to Kranji MRT station.
- The new Kranji node opposite Kranji MRT features a 250m rustic nature trail and next to it, a 2,000 sqm events field suitable for community events.
Admission: FREE
4. TINY AWAY ESCAPE @ LAZARUS
Stay overnight on Lazarus Island in these spruced up tiny homes! Tiny Away Escape @ Lazarus consists of 5 eco-friendly low-carbon accommodations and they are cosy and well-stocked!
But the greatest selling point has got to be getting the chance to stay in the tranquil surroundings of Lazarus Island, and experiencing all that Nature has to offer come night time and sunrise!
Address: Lazarus Island
Cost: From $199/night (excludes ferry from Singapore mainland)
5. ORTO @ WEST COAST
With ORTO's lease at its Yishun compund ending on 30 June 2023, some of the former tenants have relocated at West Coast. Located directly opposite Haw Par Villa, it occupies the former Westway building and is home to F&B outlets and some interesting lifestyle stores.
One of them is Ignite Spaces Singapore, which is a huge gaming space for everyone. Gaming comes in the form of good ol’ board games or cozy gaming rooms with Nintendo Switch or PS5 game consoles. There are even VR gaming rooms for rent too! Rates begin at $12/pax (full day access) for all-you-can-play board games and from $20/$30 per hr for the gaming rooms (up to 4 pax). Looks like a cool place to hang out with the family!
You can also try your hand at prawning at Prawning at ORTO or play a game of pool at West Coast Cue Sports. F&B options include RedDot BrewHouse (restaurant cum brewery), 88 Seafood SGMY (zichar), Kinn Dem (Thai food), Coastal Acoustic (bar with live band), Mo's Grill and Bar, Volta Bistro @ West (live band bistro) & After Hours Gelato.
*Do note the place is still in its soft opening phase, with renovation works still ongoing for other tenants.
Address: 27 West Coast Highway, Singapore 117867
*On-site parking available ($0.70/half-hour) | Nearest MRT Station: Haw Par Villa
Opening Hours: Varies according to tenant
6. PUNGGOL REGIONAL LIBRARY FREE
Punggol Regional Library opens with the first two floors are entirely dedicated to children! Located within One Punggol, the library will occupy five storeys but the first two levels are opened for now - and they are filled with plenty of creative play activities for kids.
FIRST LEVEL
- Stories Come Alive Room: It features interactive screens that animate Singaporean poems across the four official languages as well as having regular storytelling sessions every 2nd & 4th Fridays of the month (3pm to 3.30pm).
- Toy Library: The first permanent toy library which offers a variety of toys to encourage dramatic, sensory and creative play among kids.
- Tinker Tots: A dress-up area where kids can put on costumes and indulge in make-believe play as they read books within the area.
SECOND LEVEL
- Storyteller Cove: Kids can go on storytelling journey across three sections - Island of Tales, Kingdom of Books & Forest of Fables - and come up with their own tales, prompts included along the way.
- Spark!Lab: Set up in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution of the United States, this tinkering space lets kids tackle hands-on problems independently through a host of activities. Spark!Lab is free for kids aged 12 and below (kids aged 8 & below should be accompanied by an adult) and is open daily (2pm to 9pm on weekdays & 12pm to 9pm on weekends).
- Story Pods: Cosy areas where kids browse various stories via the screens.
- Cafe: For that much-needed coffee/tea break.
7. ACTION MOTION
Entry Requirements:
- Compulsory Action Motion socks ($4/pair)
*Free socks will be given to visitors during the first 3 months of official opening.
- Height above 125cm
- Weigh not more than 120kg
- Children aged 12 years old and below are highly encouraged to be accompanied by a parent/guardian
Address: HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir, #02-07, 900 Bedok North Rd, Singapore 479994
Opening Hours: (Non-Peak) Weekdays: 12:00pm – 8:30pm | (Peak) Weekends/ PH/ School Holidays: 10:00am – 9:30pm (Closed on Mondays)
*Time Slots at 2.5hrs/slot with 30 min interval between slots
Admission: Single Pass - HomeTeamNS $35.33 (Non-Peak) $39.36 (Peak) | Affiliate $40.37 (Non-Peak) $44.41 (Peak) | Guest $45.42 (Non-Peak) $50.47 (Peak)
4-Pax Pass: HomeTeamNS $134.24 (Non-Peak) $147.36 (Peak) | Affiliate $159.48 (Non-Peak) $174.62 (Peak) | Guest $178.65 (Non-Peak) $195.81 (Peak)
8. Smart Nation PlayScape @ Science Centre Singapore
FREE (Off-peak days)
Jointly developed by the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group (SNDGG) and Science Centre Singapore, Smart Nation PlayScape seeks to demystify technology and inspire youths to be curious about future technologies through fun and immersive exhibits.
9. THE ARTGROUND - CLEAN UP. OR ELSE! FREE
Address: Goodman Arts Centre, 90 Goodman Road, Block J #01-40, Singapore 439053
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday - Session 1: 0915 – 1030 | Session 2: 1045 – 1200 | Session 3: 1400 – 1515 | Session 4: 1545 – 1700
Admission: Admission into The Artground’s Arts Space is free, with a refundable deposit of $15 per group booking collected upon booking on Peatix. This group Explore ticket admits a group of up to 5 pax only.
*You may choose to get back your deposit of $15 or donate it to The Artground during your booking. For those who have selected for a refund, you will receive it within 24 hours after your visit (standard Credit Card refund terms apply). A full $15 refund will only apply if a visitor who bought the ticket shows up for the allocated slot and checks the ‘I would like my refund back’ option.
For tickets, visit HERE.
10. EAST VILLA @ HOMETEAMNS BEDOK RESERVOIR
Set on a hill slope amidst a canopy of trees, the East Villa at HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir consist of 10 villas in total which offer either soothing greenery or scenic waterfront views.
Rates start from $400++/night and the villas are currently open for booking exclusively for HomeTeamNS Members from now to 30 June 2023. The next booking window for Affiliate (SAFRA/PAssion/JOM) Members and Guest Bookings will be announced at a later date so stay tuned!
Address: 900 Bedok North Rd, Singapore 479994
Cost: From $400++/night
11. REUNION @ NATIONAL MUSEUM SINGAPORE FREE
Reunion at National Museum of Singapore is the first purpose-built social space for seniors in a local museum. Its primary aim is to provide a museum-based intervention that embraces social inclusion, health and well-being goals for seniors, including those with mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
Comprising of a café and an activity space, it is truly a wonderful space that seniors can find both familiarity and comfort in. The activity space features a group activity area, an immersive projection cave, a Quiet Room, and music booths - all with the intention to support the mental health and well-being of seniors through stimulating memories and initiating conversations.
Designed to resemble a space that feels like our home, Reunion exudes a sense of warmth and comfort through the use of natural lighting, wide spaces and even a Quiet Room for seniors to get away from the ‘noise’. There are ample seating for seniors, and various ‘artefacts’ like the rotary dial telephone and chapteh are placed around the space to create that sense of familiarity for seniors.
12. CLIMB @ T3
Address: Changi Airport T3 (Public area), Basement 3
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri: 12pm to 9.30pm | Weekends & PH: 10am to 9.30pm
Cost: From $17 - 1x Climb & Play (Unguided) [Visit website for full rates and schedules)
13. PERANAKAN MUSEUM FREE
After 4 years of renovation, Peranakan Museum Singapore has re-opened! Spread over three floors, the museum explores the Peranakan identity through universal themes of “Origins”, “Home”, and “Style” with each permanent gallery having its own distinctive look and feel, and spotlights a particular aspect of Peranakan culture.
Level one's Origins gallery showcases the diverse origins and evolution of Peranakan communities. Level two's Home galleries feature objects related to family and community life, revealing a range of Peranakan customs, foods, languages and beliefs. Check out especially the ceramics and food culture gallery which houses some of the best and rarest examples of Peranakan ‘nyonyaware’! Level three's Style galleries are dedicated to Peranakan fashion and decorative textiles, like the iconic sarong kebaya.
Granted that the galleries may be a tad dry for younger kids so what are there for kids at the new Perankan Museum?
1. Exploration Zone: Located on Level 2, this dedicated space has tables and chairs for the young ones where they can do crafting, drawing and colouring. Activities such as storytelling will also be held here.
3. Kids can pick up a FREE copy of an Activity Trail booklet at the admission counter and complete the activities within as they tour the musuem.
Address: 39 Armenian Street. Singapore 179941
Opening Hours: 10am - 7pm daily (Late closure on Fridays)
Admission: FREE for Singaporeans & PRs | Foreign Residents & Visitors - Adults $12, Students & Seniors $8, Children (6yrs & below) Free, Families of 5 $36
14. RINK @ PUNGGOL EAST
Check out the full range of activities below:
16. TOA PAYOH HERITAGE TRAIL (refreshed) FREE
The National Heritage Board (NHB)’s refreshed Toa Payoh Heritage Trail expounds on the history of Singapore’s “model town” and tell the lesser-known stories of Toa Payoh’s significant landmarks and ubiquitous locales.
As part of the refresh, three newly curated thematic routes will bring trail-goers on different journeys vis-a-vis (1) the evolution of public housing design, (2) the histories of religious institutions in Toa Payoh and (3) the everyday heritage of the area’s community institutions. These self-guided routes, which trail-goers can embark on in their own time and according to their interests, are:
Of Public Housing & Shared Spaces (1.5 hours on foot, 4.5 km)
This trail explores the architectural development of HDB blocks, communal spaces and town planning, which reflected the needs and aspirations of Singaporean homeowners over the decades.
Of Faiths & Beliefs (2 hours with public transport, 6 km)
This trail showcases the temples, mosques, churches and institutions that represent the diverse communities which live, work and worshipped in Toa Payoh.
Of Community Institutions & Common Spaces (0.5 hours on foot, 1.5 km)
This trail focuses on the institutions and spaces that continue to play an active role in the sporting, cultural and social lives of Toa Payoh residents.
The Toa Payoh Heritage Trail’s companion guide and map can be downloaded from NHB’s heritage portal Roots.gov.sg.
17. SKATEPARK @ LAKESIDE GARDEN FREE
Practise your moves and tricks at SkatePark @ Lakeside Garden!
For those who prefer to take it slow, Lakeside Green is perfect for sitting back and enjoying the panoramic view of the lake. Or take a stroll along the water’s edge and spot freshwater wildlife.
Address: Lakeside Garden, Jurong Lake Gardens (nearest carpark is North Carpark)
Opening Hours: 8am to 10pm, Tuesday to Sunday (Closed every Mondays for Maintenance and Tuesdays if preceding Monday is a Public Holiday.)
Admission: FREE
18. SKY TERRACE @ SHAW PLAZA FREE
The Sky Terrace on Level 3 at the newly-reopened Shaw Plaza consists of an outdoor play area that is designed to excite, engage and entertain kids in active fun!
The highlight of the area has to be the Wallhola vertical playground where kids can climb up and down within a caged area, complete with a slide!
19. KIZTOPIA
Kiztopia Club Woodleigh Mall
Venture into the ‘deep blue sea’ and uncover 3,000 sq ft of ‘underwater exploration’ such as mega ball pits, trampoline, role-play room, sand pit and more! Climb through challenging obstacle courses, navigating your way through the submarine and exit at high speed into pools of mini ocean balls.
Address: The Woodleigh Mall, 11 Bidadari Park Dr, #01-50/51, Singapore 367803
Opening Hours: Sun – Thurs: 10am to 8pm | Fri, Sat & PH: 10am to 9pm
Admission: From $19.80 (One-time entry, 1 hour playtime. Admits ONE child and ONE free accompanying adult.)
Bouncetopia SAFRA Choa Chu Kang
Save the day with your favourite sidekick in the 6,400 sq ft Superhero-themed play area. Bounce off walls and transform each obstacle course into your battleground. Get your blood pumping with the tallest slide in the house, sending you into a ball pit frenzy at the speed of light! Take perfect photo opportunities with Kiztopia Friends in their superhero gear to commemorate your day as a hero!
Kiztopia Marina Square [Re-opened]
Kiztopia at Marina Square Singapore has re-opened after a round of transformation and enhancement works!
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓’𝐒 𝐍𝐄𝐖?
🛝 Expanded Mojo Zone, with more activities and a larger ball pit area
🛝 Mark’s Blocks, a block play zone
🛝 Honey's Station, a new play area for toddlers, with ball pit and slides
🛝 New Bouncy Inflatable
🛝 Enhanced Pio Drift zone
20. Aqua Adventure
(Opening soon)
NOTE: There is a minimum height requirement of 1.25m, a minimum weight of 30kg and a maximum weight of 120kg. There is no age requirement for the activities. However, children under 12 years old are required to have adult supervision in the pool.
Address: HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir, #02-06, 900 Bedok North Rd, Singapore 479994
Opening Hours:
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS - Tuesday – Thursday 1000hrs – 1800hrs | Friday – Sunday 1000hrs – 1500hrs & 1600hrs – 2100hrs (Closed on Mondays)
NON-SCHOOL HOLIDAYS - Thursday & Friday (Non-Peak) 1400hrs – 2000hrs | Weekends, Public Holiday, School Holiday (Peak) 1000hrs – 1500hrs & 1600hrs – 2100hrs (Closed from Monday to Wednesday)
Admission:
BONUS!
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM SINGAPORE FREE
(Opened in Dec 2022)
Brimming with multimedia exhibits, artefacts and more, the museum aims to provide a conducive environment for informal learning and enchant children with an eye-opening encounter with Singapore’s heritage and culture, as well as discoveries about themselves and the world around them.
Address: 23-B, Coleman St, Singapore 179807
Opening hours: Tue-Sun (closed on Mon) 9am-6pm
Admission: FREE admission for all Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents | Tourists & Foreign Residents - Adult $15 | Child $10 | Family Package $40 (for 2 Adults, 2 Children)
*Advanced booking is required for all visitors due to limited capacity.
I will update this post when new attractions open in the next few months so bookmark this post! 😊