Woohoo – the mid-term and summer breaks are here! Not traveling anywhere? Then It’s time to plan out some serious family fun to keep the kids (Moms and Dads too) engaged, entertained, and purposefully occupied this whole holiday right on our little island. Singapore has so much to offer beyond its concrete jungles, shopping districts, and malls. Little Steps has sourced out all the must-see, must-visit, must-participate events just for you! From festivals to performances, workshops, camps, concerts, markets, and more, we’ve got them all right here in this nifty little guide. School’s out, play is on!
Savor some time among the 350 parks, gardens, and nature trails that our little island has to offer. Start with Dairy Farm Nature Park if you are new to the hiking game as the main trail is paved. For a more kid-friendly option, Bishan Parks 1 and 2 have playgrounds, eateries, and a winding river that kids can cross using stepping stones. An option that offers the best of both worlds is the Southern Ridges where you can experience the beauty of both “garden” and “city” as you walk through an incredible 10km stretch of natural trails and manmade bridges in the South of Singapore. It connects various spots including Kent Ridge Park, HortPark, Labrador Nature Reserve, Telok Blangah Hill Park, and Mount Faber Park.
Having just undergone an enhancement program, Fort Canning Park has never looked better and comes with a huge playground. Singapore Botanic Gardens is also one not to be missed and plus, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site! While you're there, check out our guide on the monthly happenings at Singapore Botanic Gardens.
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Go eco-friendly and start exploring with the kiddos on one of the many cycling trails that Singapore has to offer. Whether you are a beginner cyclist or an advanced enthusiast, there are suitable adventure trails for everyone. Cycle, jog or even skate to Jewel Changi Airport and the terminals from East Coast Park via this newly opened Changi Airport Connector. For a scenic and breezy route, whizz through Changi Beach Park during the sunset. Hop on your bicycle and cycle through Rower’s Bay Park which is a great segment for cyclists to have a leisurely morning or evening ride, and the park is children friendly too. You’ve probably been to East Coast Park at least once and with a distance of 15km, this is the perfect place for a weekend trip with the family for a casual ride, perfect for the beginners. Ketam Mountain Bike Park is not one for the faint of heart but you will get to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Pulau Ubin that will make the trip an adventure to remember!
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No outdoor fun is complete without satisfying your hunger pangs with dinner at the beach. For a restaurant with an inviting interior and has a seaside touch, East Coast Commune has a concise menu that features a selection of pasta, salads, snacks. It’s not quite possible to make a leisure trip to Santorini right now but Zorba is here to transport you to the beautiful Greek island, just that, you’ll be overlooking the Singapore River instead! Must-try items include the Avga, Beef Striploin Souvlaki, Shakshuka, and the Greek breakfast platter. Another Greek-themed restaurant is Mykonos On The Bay which is stylishly decked out in a clean blue-and-white theme. The best part about this place is its authentic Greek fare from Grandma’s recipe book. Tanjong Beach Club is a must-visit for its chillout vibe from its private access to the sea. So grab your little ones’ sunnies, don their hip and happening swimwear, slab on sunblock and you’re all set!
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If cycling or hiking ain’t your thing, a trip to the farms in the Kranji countryside is definitely an eye-opener! The “farmpreneurs” have opened their doors to the public to help promote local sourcing, organic living, and eco-tourism while offering the freshest fish, produce, milk and more. Another treat for the kids would be a visit to Hay Dairies, where little bubs can have a chance to milk the goats and learn all about goat farming as well as the benefits of goat's milk. Here’s to fresh foods and healthy eating! Want more? Plan a visit to Pacific Agro Farm that specializes in the cultivation of cherry tomatoes that are harvested every morning! If you're interested in creating a sustainable lifestyle, experience farming or volunteer at Kampung Kampus. Learn how to take care of our land and be grateful for the food it provides through many of the activities and workshops offered monthly.
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What better way to enjoy the summer than visiting your furry, scaly, and feathery friends at the various zoos! With over 300 species of mammals, birds, and reptiles that roam freely in naturalistic habitats, you’re in for a full day and night of fun. Watch out for wild boars at the eastern side of Pulau Ubin and head towards the mangrove area to spot mud crabs and rare otters. Punggol Waterway Park is a bird-watching paradise so catch common and rare bird species like the kingfisher, black-naped oriole, long-tailed shrike, pink-necked green pigeon, yellow-vented bulbul, rose-ringed parakeet, and white-throated kingfisher.
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At ABC Cooking Studio, you can take up different courses to hone your baking and cooking skills or spend some bonding time with the kids. The best part is that zero experience is needed as you will be guided by experienced instructors who will not let you go home with a failed product! Class sizes are kept small with a maximum of 4 people and you can even bring home the illustrated easy to understand recipes. Their Kids Course is designed to teach kids how to cook and also provide background knowledge of the relationship between food and science.
Take “cooking” to a whole new level at Camp Asia Super Chef Camp this school holidays. Kids will learn kitchen basics, recognize ingredients and be able to prepare every day and more exotic starters, mains, desserts, and cakes from scratch at this camp. The highlight of the camp is the lunch with parents session where you will enjoy a meal cooked by your child. Bon appetit!
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After being cooped up for quite a while, it's great to head out to the coast to get some much need sea breeze and take in all the negative ions that have proven to be beneficial to health! Playgrounds are open and Marine Cove has always been a fav of the kids. How about the new tallest outdoor play at Coastal PlayGrove that boasts adrenaline-pumping slides and a nature playground? Just be sure to keep a safe distance and sanitize, sanitize, sanitize. You can always rent a couple of bikes too and cruise all the way to the city. If you want to head out the whole day, Sentosa is open! Explore Siloso, Palawan, and Tanjong beaches plus nature trails. Pack a picnic basket, slather on sunblock, mask-up, and you're all set.
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How about learning a skill or two this summer holidays? Many places have come up with great online and physical courses that are great for the kids. Check out CIS Holiday Camp where kids can participate in a variety of camps in the areas of Creativity & Performances, Global Languages, Multi-Activity, Sports & Wellness, and STEAM. For the little inventors, Makers Camp has something for you - their Harry Potter Maker school and complete “Hands and Brain” Maker camp.
How about some woodworking at The Common Bench? Kids can opt for the ever-popular Wooden Lego Box workshop or make their very own wooden table lamp. They even have pottery workshops! Summer camps are also beginning to be booked up so reserve your spots quickly.
Check out Little Steps' guide to the best Summer Camps in SG HERE!
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Sports and physical activity should be part of your child's daily routine. Now that gyms and parks have opened, get kids to break up their screen time some fitness fun a couple of times a week. Try out Zumba or simply let them dance to their favorite K-Pop track at My Active SG’s KpopX Fitness class. They also offer Zumba classes and children will get to socialize, dance to age-appropriate music, and play games with other children. Get your child to keep you company while you get your workout done at Fitness First in their Fit Kidz classes. Suitable for 5 to 10 years, professional instructors will take the kids through mobility activities that’ll develop their strength and agility.
If you're not subscribed to any gym, check out Pop Sugar workout vids online. For the kids, how about some yoga or mindfulness fitness sessions with Cosmic Kids? Simply visit Cosmic Kids to check out their available resources. You can also download the Cosmic Kids app and have all the workouts easily accessible.
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Got kids? Little Steps Asia gives you the scoop on all the things to do and see with babies, toddlers, and kids in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bali, Jakarta, Macau, and beyond. From family-friendly hotels, kids and baby shops, the best schools and after school activities, pregnancy tips and meet-ups and more – we have you sorted.
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