Expat Travel Mom

After having company visit over the course of a few weeks, I finally sat down and pulled together a real list of the best things to do in Singapore with kids, whether you live here or you're just passing through. There's so much to see and do there for being a little red dot, and I'm sure I'll write more during our years here, but this is a good start!

Botanic Gardens

Take a break from the magnificent city life Singapore has to offer, and lose yourself in 183 acres of lush surroundings at the Botanic Gardens. Follow your nose to the smell of tropical flowers, let your eyes take in the beauty of nature in every form, and let your ears catch the birdsong all around you. Open 5am to midnight, every day of the year, no admission fee except for the National Orchid Garden, an absolute must-see. One of the best features here is the S$7 million Children's Garden, complete with a water play area, a maze, a treehouse with slides, a rope bridge, a café, and learning centers.

Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay is part of Singapore's push to transform itself from a "Garden City" into a "City in a Garden." Stroll the wide-open lawns and themed garden areas while taking in the skyline. The most-visited structures, the Cloud Forest, the Flower Dome (the first column-less glasshouse), and the Supertrees Grove, all showcase real sustainable building technology. Bring a sweater for the two glasshouses, we got chilled fast.

Marina Bay Sands

Interesting fact: Marina Bay Sands is actually a feng shui masterpiece, its location and shape sit at the "Dragon's Mouth" of Singapore, meant to protect against negativity entering from the South China Sea while keeping in all the prosperity and qi. Once one of the most expensive buildings ever built, at US$5.5 billion, it's genuinely worth the visit. Three towers hold the hotel, an infinity pool sits on the rooftop platform overlooking the bay, and the lotus-shaped building at its base is the ArtScience Museum. Let the kids run the promenade and watch the Rain Oculus, which collects rainwater and dispenses it into a swirling vortex right in the center of the mall.

Orchard Road

The ultimate shopper's paradise, 22 malls in one stretch. Orchard Road is where you'll find anything and everything you might need in Singapore, and it's a feast for the senses on top of that. Street performers show up on the sidewalks at night, twinkle lights cover the buildings and trees, and every so often the road closes to traffic entirely for pedestrian events.

Chinatown and Maxwell Food Centre

Catch the lion dance on Pagoda Street, shop Sago, Smith, and Pagoda Streets to your heart's content, and take in the temples along the way. When you've shopped yourself out, walk down South Bridge Road to Maxwell Food Centre, one of Singapore's most famous hawker centres, home to the Michelin-recognized Tian Tian Hainanese chicken rice.

Changi Airport

Who knew an airport could offer hours of genuine fun? Changi has a movie theater, multiple gardens including a butterfly garden and a sunflower garden, gaming consoles, woodblock rubbing, and even a swimming pool, plenty of ways to fill a layover.

Singapore Flyer

A giant observation wheel offering sweeping views over the whole city, 28 air-conditioned capsules, each holding up to 28 passengers. Walk through a mini rainforest at the base of the building and grab a bite while you're there.

Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay's riverfront makes for a lovely afternoon. Grab a river tour to learn some Singapore history while getting great views of the Merlion, Marina Bay Sands, and the skyline. Afterward, grab a meal at one of the many restaurants and bars along the quay and take a stroll admiring the bridges and architecture.

Sentosa Island

Looking for a whole day, or two, or three, of activities? Sentosa is the place. Universal Studios, zip lining, a Sky Tower, a water park, and an aquarium, you genuinely can't go wrong here.

There's so much more to Singapore than any one list can cover, but this should get you started on a genuinely full trip.

Coming back to update: make sure to check out the other Singapore posts from 2015-2022 for updated itineraries, places to eat, more on Sentosa island, and more.