Singapore has long been a favourite amongst expats because of its approach to business and being a hub for some of the world’s largest companies. It is also very welcoming of new businesses and new residents. One reason Singapore is so popular amongst expats with children is that it is a very clean and safe country. It was even voted the best country in the world for expats with children in the HSBC Expat Explorer Survey. Those moving to Singapore with a family will find plenty to keep their young family members entertained. In this guide we will look at some of the best things to do in Singapore with kids.
If you are only visiting Singapore for a short amount of time, it is worth considering a City Card which can run for up to five consecutive days and will allow you access to some of the attractions mentioned below, and around 50 of the best places to visit in Singapore.

Gardens by the Bay

If you run an internet image search for Singapore one of the most frequently appearing landmarks will be Gardens by the Bay. The iconic tall trees, aerial walkway and the world’s largest greenhouse are highly recommended by anyone that visits. Made up of The Cloud Forest, Flower Dome, OCBC Skyway, Supertree Grove and more, the Gardens by the Bay has many areas to explore. Each area will require around 2 hours to fully explore and fully appreciate but the entrance price for each area is very cheap or free so there is no pressure to rush and try to squeeze it all in one day.
One particular highlight of the gardens is the OCBC Skyway; a 22 meter high, 128 meter long walk amongst the ‘super trees’. Taking in some incredible views of the gardens and the Marina Bay skyline along the way. After dark the trees are lit up in a display of sound and light. At the time of writing admission prices are $8 SGD for adults and $5 SGD for children (age 3-12).
On a warm sunny day take the children to the Far East Organization Children’s Garden (also housed within Gardens by the Bay). Admission is free and there is a full programme of entertaining and educational shows, tree houses and a vast water play park that is equipped with special sensors which trigger water fountains and jets as children play and interact with the features.

S.E.A. Aquarium at Sentosa Island

Depending on the time of year when you are visiting Singapore, there will be the occasional rainy day. A recommended place to visit when the weather is not so favourable is the Sentosa Island S.E.A. Aquarium. Home to the second largest oceanarium in the world the S.E.A. Aquarium is home to 100,000 marine animals of over 800 species. 50,000 of those animals are in the aquarium’s centrepiece, the Open Ocean exhibit. If there is a birthday or special occasion approaching amongst the family, ask about the special experiences available, these include scuba diving, meeting dolphins, overnight sleepovers and shark encounters.
Alongside the aquarium is the Ocean Suites hotel, where guests will be treated to a patio with their own jacuzzi and harbour views on the upper floor. While on the lower floor there is an underwater view of 40,000 marine fish from the privacy of your own suite.

Singapore Night Safari

13-time winner of the Best Attraction category awarded by the Singapore Tourism Board, the Singapore Night Safari is a very popular attraction for visitors and residents. The first in the world of its kind, this special nocturnal zoo is home to 900 animals from 100 species, 41 of these are threatened or endangered. Not only is this zoo highly commended for its unobtrusive lighting that resembles moonlight, it also follows the open concept pioneered by neighbouring Singapore Zoo that uses cattle grid style enclosure borders, as opposed to bars and wire fencing used in many zoos.
Perhaps the best way to see the animals is on the 40 minute guided tram ride, where you will be taken through six geographical regions and listen to the insightful commentary. As you would expect from a night-time activity, the Night Safari is not suitable for young children because of the opening times (admissions are hourly from 7:15pm). However, if your children can stay awake into the evening, then this is well worth a visit.

ArtScience Museum Singapore

The science museum in London is one of the most popular attractions for families in the capital city. If your family has visited and enjoyed the London Science Museum, they will undoubtedly enjoy the ArtScience Museum in Singapore. Standing proud in Marina Bay, the iconic building is a work of art in itself. The lotus-inspired ten finger design is known as “The Welcoming Hand of Singapore” and was designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie.
Spanning nearly 5,000m2, the museum houses 21 gallery spaces, many of which are updated on a regular basis. Since opening in early 2011 the ArtScience Museum has hosted extensive exhibitions of works by Salvador Dali, Vincent Van Gogh, Andy Warhol and many more. As the name suggests, the museum also has science exhibitions, regularly demonstrating aspects of science and technology such as big data, cosmology, space exploration and particle physics. If you have young children, be sure to visit on a Friday when children under 12 years old go free with an accompanying adult.
There is a lot to do in Singapore with the family, we have not even mentioned the sure-fire favourites amongst tourists such as Legoland and Universal Studios, the many water parks or the Singapore Zoo. Singapore has a fantastic reputation amongst expats that have lived there and those that have just visited, and it is easy to see why. If you are considering moving to Singapore, get in touch with one of our specialist removals team for more information.