Safe, clean and endlessly geared to families, Singapore is one of the easiest cities in Asia to visit with children. Sentosa alone packs in Universal Studios, the giant S.E.A. Aquarium and the Adventure Cove waterpark, while the Mandai precinct is home to the world-beating Singapore Zoo, River Wonders and the after-dark Night Safari. Add the free water-play zones of Gardens by the Bay and the hands-on Science Centre, and rainy days are covered too. Here are 8 of the best family attractions, with age guidance, prices and tips.
S$89Universal Studios Singapore
Area
Sentosa
Type
Theme park
“Little ones love the Madagascar boat ride and Sesame Street coaster, while teens make for Transformers and Battlestar Galactica — book online and start at opening.”
S$44S.E.A. Aquarium
Area
Sentosa
Type
Aquarium
“The gigantic Open Ocean window mesmerises children of all ages; the touch pool lets little ones meet gentle rays, and it's fully air-conditioned for hot afternoons.”
S$49Singapore Zoo
Area
Mandai
Type
Zoo
“The Rainforest Kidzworld play zone has wet-play areas and animal encounters — pack swimwear and a towel — and the breakfast with orangutans is a magical family treat.”
S$42River Wonders
Area
Mandai
Type
River-themed park
“The only river-themed wildlife park in the world — see giant pandas and Amazonian giants, and take the gentle Amazon River Quest boat ride for a fun, low-key adventure.”
S$40Adventure Cove Waterpark
Area
Sentosa
Type
Water park
“Float the lazy river past a reef of tropical fish, snorkel the Rainbow Reef and brave the water slides — bring reef-safe sunscreen and arrive at opening to claim loungers.”
FreeGardens by the Bay (for kids)
Area
Marina Bay
Type
Gardens & playground
“The Far East Organization Children's Garden has free water-play zones and adventure trails — pack swimwear — and the free nightly Supertree light show is pure magic for kids.”
S$56Night Safari (for kids)
Area
Mandai
Type
Nocturnal zoo
“Best for children aged five and up who can stay up late — the open-air tram ride is the easy way to see the animals, and the Creatures of the Night show is a hit.”
S$12Science Centre Singapore
Area
Jurong East
Type
Science museum
“Hundreds of hands-on exhibits keep kids busy for hours — a brilliant rainy-day option — and the adjacent Snow City indoor snow park is a fun add-on to cool off.”
Singapore with kids in detail
1.Universal Studios Singapore
Universal Studios Singapore is the ultimate family day out in the city, a compact but brilliantly varied theme park inside Resorts World Sentosa that manages to cater to every age group under one gate. For younger children, the gentle attractions of the Madagascar zone, with its slow boat ride through the animated jungle, the Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase indoor coaster, the Shrek 4-D Adventure and regular character meet-and-greets provide plenty of wide-eyed delight without the fear factor. Older kids and teenagers, meanwhile, can queue for the serious thrills: the duelling Battlestar Galactica roller coasters, the hyper-immersive Transformers 3D dark ride, the Revenge of the Mummy indoor coaster and the splash-soaked Jurassic Park Rapids. In between there are street shows, parades, stunt spectaculars and the Far Far Away and Ancient Egypt zones to explore, plus plenty of themed dining and shopping. Because everything is packed into 20 walkable hectares, families do not have to trek vast distances, and single-rider and child-swap options help groups with mixed ages and heights. Adult tickets are S$89 and children (aged 4 to 12) S$65, with an Express Pass from S$50 well worth considering during the busy June-to-August and December holiday periods to cut queue times. Arrive at the 10:00 opening to tackle the popular rides first, bring ponchos for the water attractions, and plan a full day with rest breaks for little legs. Combined with the neighbouring aquarium or a Sentosa beach, it makes for an unforgettable family adventure and is comfortably the top kids' attraction in Singapore.
Hours
Daily 10:00–19:00 (varies)
Price
S$89 adult, S$65 child 4–12
Getting there
MRT HarbourFront → Sentosa Express to Resorts World Station
Insider tip: Little ones love the Madagascar boat ride and Sesame Street coaster, while teens make for Transformers and Battlestar Galactica — book online and start at opening.
2.S.E.A. Aquarium
The S.E.A. Aquarium on Sentosa is one of the most reliably enchanting family attractions in Singapore, and its air-conditioned halls make it a perfect refuge from the tropical heat or a rainy afternoon. Home to more than 100,000 marine animals across some 50 habitats, it draws gasps from children and adults alike at its colossal Open Ocean viewing panel — 36 metres wide and among the largest in the world — behind which hammerhead sharks, giant manta rays, groupers and shimmering shoals of fish glide past like a living cinema. The journey through the aquarium winds past themed zones of vibrant coral reefs, shipwreck habitats, moon-jelly displays that seem to glow, and the Shark Seas gallery with its 200-strong shark collection, keeping young explorers engaged throughout. A particular hit with smaller children is the interactive touch pool, where under supervision they can gently meet rays and other shallow-water creatures, connecting hands-on with the sea life. Benches set before the great viewing windows let tired families rest while the marine world drifts by, and the pace is entirely self-guided, so you can move as quickly or slowly as young attention spans allow. Tickets are S$44 for adults and S$33 for children aged 4 to 12, and a visit typically takes two to three hours. Being fully indoors and climate-controlled, it is an ideal option for the hottest part of the day, and it combines easily with Universal Studios or Adventure Cove next door for a full day on Sentosa. Educational, awe-inspiring and comfortable, it is a family favourite for good reason.
Hours
Daily 10:00–17:00 (varies)
Price
S$44 adult, S$33 child 4–12
Getting there
MRT HarbourFront → Sentosa Express to Waterfront Station
Insider tip: The gigantic Open Ocean window mesmerises children of all ages; the touch pool lets little ones meet gentle rays, and it's fully air-conditioned for hot afternoons.
3.Singapore Zoo
Singapore Zoo is a world-class family destination, regularly ranked among the best zoos on the planet, and its pioneering open-concept design — where animals are separated from visitors by moats and vegetation rather than bars and cages — makes for an immersive, natural experience that thrills children and adults alike. Set in 26 hectares of lush rainforest in the Mandai wildlife precinct, it is home to more than 4,200 animals, and its layout is wonderfully geared to families: shaded walkways, plenty of rest spots, tram and boat rides to spare little legs, and animal feeding sessions and keeper talks throughout the day. The undoubted highlights for children are the free-ranging orangutans swinging through the canopy overhead, the elephant presentations, the playful otters and the walk-through Fragile Forest biodome. Best of all is Rainforest Kidzworld, a dedicated children's zone with a splash-and-play water park, pony and animal rides, a small farmyard and interactive play areas, so it is well worth packing swimwear and a towel for a mid-visit cool-down. For an unforgettable treat, the famous Jungle Breakfast lets families eat a buffet in the company of the orangutans (an extra fee applies and it must be booked ahead). Tickets are S$49 for adults and S$34 for children aged 3 to 12, with multi-park options covering the neighbouring River Wonders, Bird Paradise and Night Safari for better value. Allow the best part of a day, go early to catch the animals at their most active and to beat the heat, and bring hats, sunscreen and water. Educational, beautifully designed and endlessly engaging, it is a must for any family visiting Singapore.
Hours
Daily 08:30–18:00 (last entry 17:00)
Price
S$49 adult, S$34 child 3–12
Getting there
MRT Khatib (NS14) then bus 138 or the Mandai Khatib Shuttle
Insider tip: The Rainforest Kidzworld play zone has wet-play areas and animal encounters — pack swimwear and a towel — and the breakfast with orangutans is a magical family treat.
4.River Wonders
River Wonders, formerly known as the River Safari, is the only river-themed wildlife park in the world and one of the most charming members of Singapore's Mandai wildlife family, sitting between the Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari. It takes visitors on a journey along recreations of the world's great rivers — the Mississippi, Congo, Nile, Ganges, Mekong and Yangtze among them — each populated by the fish, reptiles and animals of its region, displayed in a series of beautifully themed habitats and giant freshwater aquariums. The park's biggest stars are its giant pandas, Kai Kai and Jia Jia, lounging and munching bamboo in a climate-controlled enclosure that is a guaranteed hit with children, along with red pandas, manatees gliding through a vast Amazon flooded-forest tank, giant river otters, and one of the world's largest freshwater aquarium collections. Two boat rides add gentle adventure: the Amazon River Quest, a mild safari-style cruise past free-ranging animals such as jaguars and tapirs along the banks, and the Reservoir Cruise across the adjoining lake. The scale is more manageable than the main zoo, making it well suited to younger children and shorter attention spans, and it can be comfortably explored in around half a day. Tickets are S$42 for adults and S$30 for children aged 3 to 12, with multi-park passes covering the neighbouring attractions offering the best value if you plan to see more than one. Combine it with the Singapore Zoo for a full day in Mandai, or pair it with the Night Safari for a day-into-evening wildlife double bill. Engaging, educational and gentle, it is a lovely family outing.
Hours
Daily 10:00–19:00 (last entry 18:00)
Price
S$42 adult, S$30 child 3–12
Getting there
MRT Khatib (NS14) then bus 138; beside Singapore Zoo in the Mandai precinct
Insider tip: The only river-themed wildlife park in the world — see giant pandas and Amazonian giants, and take the gentle Amazon River Quest boat ride for a fun, low-key adventure.
5.Adventure Cove Waterpark
Adventure Cove Waterpark on Sentosa is a fantastic family day out and the perfect way to cool off in Singapore's year-round heat, combining the thrills of a water park with the wonder of an aquarium. Its six water slides range from gentle family rides to the adrenaline-pumping Riptide Rocket, Southeast Asia's first hydro-magnetic coaster, which propels riders uphill as well as down, and the near-vertical Pipeline Plunge and Bluwater Bay wave pool for splashing about. But what really sets Adventure Cove apart is its marine element: the Adventure River, a lazy river that carries you on a rubber tube not just past waterfalls and grottoes but through a tunnel beneath a living reef, and, best of all, Rainbow Reef, where you can snorkel among more than 20,000 colourful tropical fish in a warm, safe lagoon, an experience that delights children and adults and requires no prior experience. There are also ray and shark encounters for the more adventurous. Facilities are excellent, with loungers, cabanas, changing rooms, lockers and food outlets, though loungers go quickly, so arrive at the 10:00 opening to claim a spot. Tickets are S$40 for adults and S$32 for children aged 4 to 12. Bring or buy reef-safe sunscreen, swimwear, towels and water shoes, and plan a full, relaxed day of splashing, sliding and snorkelling. Set within Resorts World Sentosa, it combines easily with the S.E.A. Aquarium next door or a beach afternoon, and for families with children who love the water it is one of the most enjoyable attractions in the whole city.
Hours
Daily 10:00–18:00 (varies)
Price
S$40 adult, S$32 child 4–12
Getting there
MRT HarbourFront → Sentosa Express to Waterfront Station
Insider tip: Float the lazy river past a reef of tropical fish, snorkel the Rainbow Reef and brave the water slides — bring reef-safe sunscreen and arrive at opening to claim loungers.
6.Gardens by the Bay (for kids)
Gardens by the Bay is not just a feast for grown-up eyes but a wonderful place to bring children, combining free outdoor fun with jaw-dropping spectacle. The star for families is the Far East Organization Children's Garden, a dedicated and completely free zone with water-play areas where kids can run through fountains and splash pads to cool off (bring swimwear and a towel), along with adventure trails, rope bridges, a treehouse and a toddler play zone, all set among lush planting. Beyond it, the vast free outdoor gardens offer wide-open lawns for running around, sculptures and themed gardens to explore, and the extraordinary Supertree Grove, whose towering tree-like structures fascinate children by day and, at 19:45 and 20:45 each evening, come alive in the free Garden Rhapsody light-and-sound show, a genuinely magical experience for young and old that families spread out on the grass to watch. For a splurge, the two cooled conservatories add more wonder: the misty Cloud Forest with its 35-metre indoor waterfall, cave and treetop walkway, and the Flower Dome with its ever-changing displays, both a welcome air-conditioned break from the heat (combined ticket S$32; children under a certain height often reduced or free). The Floral Fantasy attraction and the OCBC Skyway aerial walkway add further options. With so much of it free, easy to reach by MRT and endlessly photogenic, Gardens by the Bay offers families a flexible day that can cost nothing or, with a few paid extras, fill many happy hours. Time your visit to end with the evening light show for a memorable finale.
Hours
Children's Garden Tue–Sun 10:00–19:00; light show 19:45 & 20:45
Price
Outdoor gardens & children's garden free; conservatories S$32
Getting there
MRT Bayfront (CE1/DT16), exit B, then the signposted walk
Insider tip: The Far East Organization Children's Garden has free water-play zones and adventure trails — pack swimwear — and the free nightly Supertree light show is pure magic for kids.
7.Night Safari (for kids)
The Night Safari offers families a genuinely different and memorable evening out, the world's first wildlife park designed to be experienced after dark, where more than 1,000 nocturnal animals roam softly lit habitats. For children old enough to stay up and appreciate it — generally around five and above — it is a thrilling adventure, full of the excitement of spotting creatures that a normal daytime zoo would never reveal, from prowling tigers and lions to elephants, rhinos, giraffes and the elusive smaller animals of the night. The easiest and most popular way to see it with kids is the 40-minute Wildlife Express tram, included in the ticket, which glides quietly through the geographically themed zones while a guide points out the animals, keeping tired little ones seated and safe while still delivering plenty of wildlife. Four short walking trails let more energetic families get closer to specific habitats on foot, and the entertaining Creatures of the Night live animal show, staged at 19:30 and 21:30, is a firm favourite that reveals the natural talents of various nocturnal species. The park opens at 19:15, so it works well as an evening activity after a restful afternoon, and there are restaurants on site for dinner before or during your visit. Tickets are S$56 for adults and S$39 for children aged 3 to 12, with multi-park passes for the Mandai attractions offering savings. Do note that very young children may find the darkness and the wait past bedtime challenging, and that flash photography is banned to protect the animals. For families with older kids, though, this atmospheric after-dark safari is one of the most distinctive experiences Singapore has to offer.
Hours
Daily 19:15–24:00 (last entry 23:15)
Price
S$56 adult, S$39 child 3–12
Getting there
MRT Khatib (NS14) then bus 138 or the Mandai Khatib Shuttle
Insider tip: Best for children aged five and up who can stay up late — the open-air tram ride is the easy way to see the animals, and the Creatures of the Night show is a hit.
8.Science Centre Singapore
The Science Centre Singapore is one of the best rainy-day and beat-the-heat family attractions in the city, a huge, engaging science and technology museum in the western district of Jurong East that has been sparking children's curiosity for decades. Its great strength is that almost everything is hands-on: across a sprawling complex of galleries, more than a thousand interactive exhibits invite kids to push, pull, build, experiment and play their way through the principles of physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics and technology, from illusions and mirror mazes to electricity demonstrations, a walk-through of the human body, robotics, and ever-changing special exhibitions. Live science shows — including dramatic demonstrations involving fire, electricity and, at certain times, a spectacular Tesla-coil lightning display — add wow moments throughout the day, and the on-site Omni-Theatre offers immersive dome-screen films. The centre is designed for genuine learning through fun, and children can easily spend three or four absorbing hours here without noticing they are being educated. Adjacent to the main building sits Snow City, an indoor snow park with a sledding slope where kids can experience real snow and sub-zero temperatures — a novelty in tropical Singapore and a fun way to cool off, available as a separate ticket. Entry to the Science Centre is very affordable at around S$12 for adults and S$8 for children, with discounts for Singapore residents, making it one of the best-value family days out in the city. Fully indoor and air-conditioned, easily reached by MRT, and endlessly stimulating, it is the perfect choice for a hot afternoon, a wet day, or simply a break from the tourist trail with inquisitive children.
Hours
Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00 (closed Mon except holidays)
Price
~S$12 adult, S$8 child (Singapore residents cheaper)
Getting there
MRT Jurong East (EW24/NS1), a 5-minute walk
Insider tip: Hundreds of hands-on exhibits keep kids busy for hours — a brilliant rainy-day option — and the adjacent Snow City indoor snow park is a fun add-on to cool off.