Singapore with Kids: The Complete Family Guide

Singapore is one of the most family-friendly cities in Asia. The infrastructure is the best, the safety is the highest, the activities are the most-distinct. This is the guide to planning a Singapore trip with kids.

What to know about Singapore with kids

The infrastructure

• The MRT is stroller-friendly. The elevators are at every station. The buses are stroller-friendly.
• The taxis and Grab are stroller-friendly. The child seats are available on request (the most-distinct for the families).
• The hawker centers are family-friendly. The high chairs are available.
• The hotels are family-friendly. The family rooms are available, the kids' clubs are available, the pools are available.

The safety

Singapore is the safest city in the world for families. The crime rate is the lowest, the medical system is the best, the food is the safest. The drug laws are extremely strict, the littering fines are real, the jaywalking fines are real. The most-distinct for the families is the cleanliness.

The climate

Hot and humid year-round (25-32°C). The air-con is the escape. The water bottle is essential. The kids' sunscreen is essential. The kids' hat is essential.

The best activities for families

Universal Studios Singapore (4-13 year olds)

The 50-acre theme park, the most-photographed in Singapore. The Madagascar (the 4-5 year olds love it), the Far Far Away (the 6-9 year olds love it), the Sci-Fi City (the 10-13 year olds love it), the Ancient Egypt (the teens love it). The most-photographed 5-7 hours in Singapore. S$66-88 entry.

S.E.A. Aquarium (kids under 8)

The 49-million-liter aquarium, the most-photographed in Singapore. The 100,000+ marine animals, the most-photographed 2-3 hours. S$39 entry. The most-photographed for the kids under 8.

Gardens by the Bay (all ages)

The 101-hectare nature park, the most-photographed in Singapore. The Supertree Grove, the Cloud Forest, the Flower Dome. The most-photographed 3-4 hours. The most-photographed for the families is the nightly "Garden Rhapsody" light show (free).

Singapore Zoo (all ages)

The 28-hectare zoo, the most-photographed in Singapore. The "open concept" (no cages), the white tiger, the orangutan, the Asian elephant. The most-photographed 4-5 hours. S$48 entry. The most-photographed for the kids who like animals is the breakfast with the orangutans (S$85).

Night Safari (kids 4+)

The 35-hectare night zoo, the most-photographed in the world. The 2,500+ animals, the most-photographed 2-3 hours. S$49 entry. The most-photographed for the kids who are nocturnal.

Sentosa beaches (all ages)

The 3 beaches, the most-photographed in Singapore. The Palawan (the suspension bridge to the "southernmost point of continental Asia"), the Siloso (the more active), the Tanjong (the most-relaxed). The most-photographed 2-3 hours in Sentosa.

The day-by-day plan for a 4-day family trip

Day 1: Marina Bay + the skyline

Gardens by the Bay (3-4 hours) + Marina Bay Sands (the Skypark, the ArtScience Museum) + the Merlion Park + the Spectra light show. The most-photographed day in Singapore for the families.

Day 2: Sentosa Island

Universal Studios (5-7 hours) + the S.E.A. Aquarium (2-3 hours) + the Sentosa beaches (2-3 hours) + the Wings of Time. The most-photographed day in Singapore for the families with kids.

Day 3: Singapore Zoo + the Night Safari

Singapore Zoo (4-5 hours) + the Night Safari (2-3 hours). The most-photographed day for the kids who like animals.

Day 4: The hawker centers + the neighborhoods

Maxwell Centre (lunch) + Chinatown (the temples, the street) + Little India (the temples, the market) + Kampong Glam (the mosque, the Haji Lane). The most-photographed day for the cultural experience.

The kid-friendly hotels

Marina Bay Sands (the most-photographed)

The 3-tower hotel with the boat on top, the most-photographed in Asia. The infinity pool (the most-photographed, the most-distinct), the kid's club, the family rooms. S$400-1,500/night.

Shangri-La Hotel (the most-family-friendly)

The 747-room hotel, the most-photographed for the families. The kid's club (the Buds by Shangri-La, the most-distinct), the family rooms, the pool, the garden. S$300-800/night.

Resorts World Sentosa (the most-distinct)

The 6-hotel complex on Sentosa Island, the most-photographed for the families. The Universal Studios, the S.E.A. Aquarium, the Adventure Cove Waterpark. The Hotel Michael, the Festive Hotel, the Equarius Hotel, the Crockfords Tower, the Genting Hotel, the Crockfords. S$300-1,500/night.

Pan Pacific Singapore (the most-central)

The 790-room hotel, the most-photographed in the city. The pool, the kid's club, the family rooms. S$300-600/night.

The kid-friendly hawker centers

• Maxwell Centre: The most-photographed, the most-distinct. The Tian Tian chicken rice, the kids love the chicken.
• Chinatown Complex Food Centre: The largest, the most-distinct. The Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice, the kids love the chicken.
• Lau Pa Sat: The Victorian iron-cast architecture, the satay street, the kids love the satay.
• Tekka Centre: The Indian-focused, the most-distinct. The roti prata, the kids love the prata.

The kid-friendly transport

• The MRT: The most-efficient, the most-affordable. The stroller-friendly. The kids love the MRT.
• The bus: The most-affordable. The kids love the double-decker buses (the most-distinct).
• The taxi or Grab: The most-convenient. The child seats are available on request.

What to bring

• Stroller (for the kids under 4)
• Kids' sunscreen (reef-safe)
• Kids' hat
• Water bottle (refillable, the tap water is safe)
• Snacks (for the kids' hangry moments)
• Wet wipes (for the kids' sticky moments)
• Change of clothes (for the water rides, the rain)

What to know about the costs

Singapore is the most-expensive city in Southeast Asia. The family of 4 can expect to spend S$1,500-2,500/day for the mid-range, including the accommodation, the food, the activities, the transport. The Universal Studios + the S.E.A. Aquarium + the Sentosa beaches is the headline for the kids, the most-distinct in Singapore.

Cost (4 days, family of 4, mid-range)

• Accommodation: S$400-1,000/night × 4 = S$1,600-4,000
• Food: S$80-150/day = S$320-600
• Activities (Universal + Aquarium + Zoo + Night Safari + Gardens): S$600-1,000
• Transport: S$80-150
• Total: S$2,600-5,750 (US$1,900-4,250)