The Best Things To Do With Babies And Toddlers In Singapore
Singapore is incredibly family-friendly, but not every attraction is equally enjoyable with a baby or toddler in tow. The best outings are the ones that strike a balance between being engaging for young children and easy for parents too, whether that's somewhere to burn off energy, cool down from the heat, explore nature or simply enjoy a change of scenery (ideally with a coffee in hand).
From well-loved institutions to a few hidden gems, these are some of the places we keep coming back to with babies and toddlers in Singapore.
Singapore Zoo
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The Singapore Zoo is one of the easiest days out with little ones. Offering an impressive variety of wildlife from Africa’s Big 5 to farmyard animals, as well as playgrounds, water play areas, luscious green scenery and plenty of places to stop for a drink or bite to eat. You can easily spend an entire morning or even a full day without running out of things to do.
The hop-on, hop-off tram is a lifesaver in the heat and makes it much easier to cover the grounds, while wagon rentals are available for toddlers who need a little break. Some activities and exhibitions (like Breakfast in the Wild) are on a schedule or need to be booked ahead of time, so it's worth planning your visit in advance. Mandai's suggested itineraries are particularly helpful for first-time visitors as there's so much to see, and if you think you'll visit more than once a year, it's worth checking out family annual passes.
Go BuB at River Valley
Image credit: Go BuB | Website
The Go BuB team seem to know exactly what parents need when heading out with a baby or toddler—engaging activities for little ones and good coffee for the grown-ups.
Designed with younger children in mind, the space encourages sensory play, movement and exploration without feeling overwhelming. It's particularly suited to babies and toddlers who are on the move, with plenty of age-appropriate activities that don't leave you constantly worrying about tumbles or what might end up in little mouths. The cafe serves coffee, drinks and light snacks, making it an easy place to settle in for a playdate or spend a few hours out of the house.
Family Bike Ride at East Coast Park
Image credit: East Coast Park | NParks
Cycling along East Coast Park is a great way to enjoy the beach with babies and toddlers without relying on little legs to get you there. Several operators, including Go Cycling, offer family bikes and child seats, making it easy to get even the littlest family members involved.
The route is flat and there are plenty of places to stop along the way, whether that's for a snack, a run on the sand or a quick play at one of the playgrounds. The family bikes are fitted with seatbelts and always a good idea to take your helmets along too. The sea breeze plus ocean and city views make this a surprisingly relaxing outing for parents too.
Our Music Studio at Tanglin Mall
Image credit: Our Music Studio | Website
Music classes are a great way to break up the week with babies and toddlers, and Our Music Studio at Tanglin Mall offers a mix of singing, dancing, instruments and interactive activities designed for younger children.
The sessions feel relaxed and age-appropriate, and even children who are initially a little hesitant often end up learning the songs and joining in by the end. For babies, it's a chance to listen to different sounds and take in a new environment, while toddlers love the movement, instruments and seeing familiar faces each week. The class schedule offers lots of options, making it easier to find a time that works with naps and family routines.
Jacob Ballas Children's Garden at Singapore Botanic Gardens
Image credit: Jacob Ballas Children's Garden | NParks
A longstanding favourite, Jacob Ballas Children's Garden continues to be one of the best places in central Singapore for babies and toddlers to explore outdoors. Water play area, sand zones, climbing frames with slides, mini bridges and nature trails encourage hours of discovery, while plenty of shaded sections make it manageable even on warmer days.
The children's garden is purpose-built and dedicated entirely to little ones, but its location within the Botanic Gardens is part of its appeal. It's easy to spend the morning exploring before continuing with a walk through the gardens, fitting in a pram nap and enjoying a leisurely lunch nearby.
KidsSTOP! at Jurong East
For some families, KidsSTOP! may be a little further afield, but it's one of those places that's really worth setting aside a morning or afternoon for. Equally engaging for crawlers and early walkers who are happy exploring the various sensory activities as it is for energetic toddlers who want to climb, run and play.
The space is packed with science themed activities including sand play, construction zones, hand-eye coordination games, dress-up stations and educational exhibits that encourage learning through play. Everything is designed at a child-friendly scale, making it easy for little ones to explore independently. For an indoor attraction, it's remarkably active, and there's a good chance you'll be rewarded with a solid nap afterwards.
Power Kids Gym at UE Square
Image credit: Power Kids Gym | Website
For ‘Sliders, Crawlers, Gliders and Galloping Twos’, terms affectionately coined by Power Kids Gym in River Valley, this is their opportunity to move, explore and build confidence. Families can join hosted classes or attend drop-in sessions, giving children the freedom to climb, tumble, balance, bounce and swing in a safe and thoughtfully designed environment.
With fun music playing throughout, little ones happily make their way around the mini obstacle course, all while developing coordination, motor skills and body awareness. Sessions finish with bubbles, sensory play and swings, which are always a hit with this age group. All sessions for babies and toddlers require parent participation, making it a great opportunity to spend quality time together while also meeting other parents in the same boat.
Singapore Civil Defence Force Fire Station Open House
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For many toddlers, there is nothing quite as exciting as getting to meet a real life firefighter, making the Singapore Civil Defence Force Fire Station Open House a great family outing to add to the list. Selected fire stations open their doors to the public, giving children the chance to see fire engines up close, meet real firefighters and learn a little more about what they do.
An exciting highlight is climbing aboard the trucks and having a go with a fire hose, but the best part is it's completely free. Its advised to book ahead online as slots are limited, but drop-ins are accepted subject to availability. There are typically two Saturday morning sessions (9am - 9.50am and 10am – 10.50am) at participating fire stations.
Splash Tribe at Sentosa
Image credit: Splash Tribe | Facebook
For babies and toddlers who love water but are still a little too young for larger waterparks, Splash Tribe is an ideal option. The shallow paddling pools, gentle slides and toddler-friendly water features give little ones plenty of opportunities to splash and play, while still feeling manageable for parents.
What makes this spot particularly easy for families is that it's set up for more than just a quick visit. With everything from picnic tables to sun loungers and day beds, it's somewhere you can comfortably settle in for the day. Start the morning with a coffee, explore the water play areas, break for lunch, then head back in for another splash before winding down later in the afternoon. Set against Sentosa's beachside backdrop, it feels like a mini tropical holiday without having to leave Singapore.
Children's Biodiversity Library at Bugis
Image credit: Children's Biodiversity Library | Website
Tucked away within the Central Public Library, the Children's Biodiversity Library is one of those places that's easy to overlook. Created in partnership with Singapore Oceanarium, the marine-themed space combines interactive displays and hands-on activities with plenty of opportunities to learn about sea life and ocean habitats.
Unlike a traditional library, it doesn't feel overly quiet or stuffy, with children free to move around and explore at their own pace, and lots of comfortable spots to sit down with a book. While the ocean theme runs throughout the space, there is a broad selection of books for different ages and interests, meaning there is plenty to keep little readers occupied. Regular free programmes and activities, together with its central location and free entry, make it an easy addition to a day in town.
Looking for more? Check out:
- The Best Family-Friendly Hotels In Singapore With Perks For Kids
- The Best Things To Do With Kids In Singapore
- Singapore’s Best Indoor Playgrounds To Keep Little Ones Busy
Main image credit: Urban List | Supplied