Some kids are naturally early risers. Instead of letting an early bird waste precious morning hours by lying in bed or watching television, perhaps engage in some fun-filled activities to start the day on a positive note! From outdoor activities to hearty kid-friendly breakfast places, these early morning activities and places are perfect opportunities for some family bonding time!
Want more? Check out other Little Steps outdoor activities guides!
Best Family Hiking Trails To Explore In Singapore
Work up the kids’ hunger before a hearty breakfast with kayaking and canoeing sessions at Kallang Basin! Suitable for kids aged 9 and above, it is a great way for the entire family to soak up sights along the river. Challenge the kids to spot the family of otters that have taken up residence at Kallang Basin. Paddling slots start from 7.30am all the way to 6.30pm.
Water Sports Centre, Singapore Sports Hub, 8 Stadium Walk Singapore 397699, +65 6653 8900, www.sportshub.com.sg/kayak-canoe-rental
Singapore is home to plenty of wild crocs and there is no better time to spot them than in the morning when they are the most active! Have the kids bring along a pair of binoculars and a treasure hunt checklist to check off wildlife that they spot - snakes, birds, butterflies, monitor lizards, and if you are lucky, crocodiles!
Opens daily 7am to 7pm.
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, 301 Neo Tiew Crescent Singapore 718925, +65 6794 1401, www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/sungei-buloh-wetland-reserve
Playgrounds tend to get hot and busy as the day progresses. Why not head over to Admiralty Park Playground early to enjoy the myriad of slides and nets! Admiralty Park Playground caters to kids of all ages, from 2 year olds wobbling down baby slides to older kids navigating expertly along the ropes and climbing nets. There is even a flying fox, plenty of swings, and slides of all types!
Admiralty Park Playground, close to the junction of Woodlands Avenue 5 and Riverside Road, www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/admiralty-park
Kickstart the day with healthy and hearty breakfast options at Carrotsticks & Carvings! Founded by Terri-Anne, a Melbourne-born chef with her penchant for healthy eating and cooking, look forward to indulging in nutritious meals such as Signature Smashed Avo, Keto Chicken Avo Salad and gluten-free pancakes for the little ones.
Opens daily 7:30am to 5pm.
Carrotsticks & Cravings Cafe, 7 Rodyk St, #01-34, Singapore 238216, info@carrotsticksandcravings.com, www.carrotsticksandcravings.com
A breakfast picnic within the gardens is a great way for the family to enjoy some refreshing morning air before the afternoon heat comes. While prepping breakfast for the entire family early in the morning sounds like a herculean task, Bee's Knees Petite has just the solution! Their takeaway options include a wide selection of breakfast options, pastries and healthy breakfast sets for kids aged 10 and below. You can even make it into a set meal which comes with cookies, a toy and juice! Can't decide which food item to get? Perhaps get one of their picnic box set which also comes with their own reuseable and waterproof picnic mat for future experiences!
Opens daily 8am to 6pm.
Bee’s Knees Petite, 9 Gallop Road, Singapore 259014, www.beesknees.sg/bees-knees-petite
Have an aspiring little firefighter on hand? Let your little one experience the real deal with a visit to the fire station on a Saturday morning! Organized by the Singapore Civil Defence Force, families can book slots to learn more about the typical life of a firefighter, view their massive fleet of emergency appliances, and chat with their friendly frontliners! Kids also have the opportunity to sit in an actual fire truck!
Central Fire Station, 62 Hill St, Singapore 179367, www.scdf.gov.sg/home/community-volunteers/visit-scdf-establishments
Teach the kids some environmental awareness through a beach clean up with Trash Hero Singapore. Join their regular trash pick up events to educate the kids about the importance of reducing plastic while keeping our sunny island clean and litter-free!
Trash Hero Singapore, www.facebook.com/TrashHeroSingapore
Expend the little one’s early morning energy with a topsy turvy adventure at Tiong Bahru Park’s Tilting Train Playground! The playground consists of an engine, three carriages and a caboose. With the entire structure seemingly tilted at an angle, as if it will derail, kids get to experience the “off-balanced” sensation as they weave in and out of the structure! Thereafter, head over to the nearby Tiong Bahru market for some local hawker delights!
Tilting Train Playground, located in the middle of Tiong Bahru Park
The Alexandra Woodland is a small patch of wilderness located next to the Rail Corridor and opposite Alexandra Hospital. Beat the crowd with a morning hike along this trail! Keep a lookout for the magnificent “Lost Ark” structure, which is made from giant fallen trees next to a natural pond. Once the hunger pangs kick in, perhaps head over the nearby Alexandra Village Food Centre or ABC Brickworks Food Centre for breakfast!
Alexandra Woodland, nearest MRT station is Queenstown
Bring out the scooters and let the kids have one wheelie fun-time at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park! Be it scooting or rollerblading, the expansive park allows kids to experience the morning hustle that includes chirping birds, serene waters, and perhaps a chance to see the regular family of otters! With plenty of eateries around such as Canopy, Grub and Mcdonalds, kids can enjoy a hearty meal with a side of outdoor play!
Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/bishan---ang-mo-kio-park
Go on an hour-long tour around Singapore’s 6 hectare rainforest located right in the city centre! Dubbed at the Rainforest Tour, let the little ones discover the enhancement of our tropical rainforest conducted by volunteer guides. Soak in the refreshing morning air as you walk along the boardwalks, and learn about exotic plants and forest creatures. Thereafter, enjoy a delectable breakfast at one of the various restaurants located within Singapore Botanic Gardens!
Tours run every 2nd Saturday of the month, 9am to 4pm.
Rain Forest Tour by National Parks, nparks_sbg_visitor_services@nparks.gov.sg, www.nparks.gov.sg/activities/events-and-workshops/2022/2/rain-forest-tour
Introduce the little ones to Singapore’s cultural roots with a scrumptious morning food and walking tour around Chinatown. Families can enjoy a classic breakfast of sweet kaya toast paired with a cup of coffee (for the parents) or Milo (for the kids) before experiencing the hustle and bustle at the wet markets. There is also the opportunity to also try 5 different uniquely-Singaporean dishes!
Tours run every Tuesday and Saturday, 10:30am to 12:30pm.
Klook, www.klook.com
Have a little water enthusiast on hand? Perhaps head over to Sentosa island and let them have a shot at stand up paddling! Run by Stand Up Paddle Boarding or SUP, it is the perfect opportunity for the entire family to get a full body workout, a healthy dose of Vitamin D, and most importantly, fun! Enroll the kids in Sup Experience Kids at SG$50 per hour, where they’ll be introduced into the water sport. Alternatively, get the whole fam into the Sup Experience at the same price, which is available for up to 4 pax!
SUP Ventures, Ola Beach Club, 46 Siloso Beach Walk, Singapore 099005, www.supventures.sg
Sign the kids up for frog quest explorer morning tour to learn more about bullfrogs! With various tour options available such as farm tour, frog feeding, and a dedicated family tour, it is a great opportunity for the entire family to gain firsthand experience of behind-the-scenes operations of a frog farm! Thereafter, end off the morning tour with the opportunity to sample fresh frog meat!
Opens daily 9am to 5:30pm.
Jurong Frog Farm, 51 (Plot 56) Lim Chu Kang Lane 6, Singapore 718864, +65 6791 7229, www.jurongfrogfarm.com.sg
Thinking of exploring the various parks in Singapore but not sure how to get there? Perhaps start the day on a healthy note by exploring Singapore's extensive Park Connector Network (PCN). The large interlinking network of park connectors spans over 300km of trails and connects over 300 parks and 4 nature reserves! Opt to walk, bike, or skate - either way, there will be plenty of opportunities for the entire family to spot unique flora and fauna. It is best to start early to avoid the morning crowd of joggers and cyclists!
Park Connector Network, www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/park-connector-network
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