Spice up your family trip to Singapore with these off-the-beaten-path activities!
Slick, shiny, and stroller-friendly, Singapore is one of the most stress-free destinations for families visiting Asia. But while bringing the brood to this polished modern city is a lot less hassle than visiting other big Asian cities such as Kathmandu or Bangkok, the manicured lawns, shiny high-rise buildings and super-clean sidewalks can make it feel a little sterile and lacking in potential for real adventure. But look beyond the ice cream parlors (although don’t miss out on visiting a few–Singaporeans take their ice cream seriously, and it shows!) and the shopping malls, and it’s not hard to uncover family-friendly sights and activities that go beyond tame, tourist-oriented pursuits. Get off the beaten track with these under-the-radar exploits, for a more memorable family jaunt to Singapore.
Follow a Foodie Treasure Trail at Simpang Bedok
Most foodies will tell you that a trip to Lau Pa Sat Market is virtually mandatory for any culinarily curious families visiting Singapore. But while there’s certainly a lot of yummy fun to be had at this downtown gastronomic institution (and a few bargains to be picked up), it’s very much on the tourist trail, and the location in the business district further bumps up the prices. Instead, make like the locals and jump on a bus to Simpang Bedok, which has become the go-to neighborhood for in-the-know gourmands. Although the area’s been spruced up a bit through gentrification, and there are some very high-end places to eat here, it’s more fun (and budget-friendly) to check out the stalls at the Fengshan Market and Food Center, where families can try all manner of delicious local dishes, and kids can slurp down bowls of noodles for as little as $1 a pop. It’s open until late, so it’s worth bringing kiddos in a stroller in case they nod off as you make the rounds and soak up the lively vibe.
Escape to the Kranji Countryside
Leave the spick-and-span city behind and head off for fresh air and fun in the rural suburb of Kranji. The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) runs out here, some 20 kilometers from the city center, and it feels like a world away from the Singapore of the guidebooks. As well as some educational and informative farm visits, (try to find time to visit the wonderful Bollywood Veggies), Kranji is home to the Sunjei Buloh Wetland Reserve, where nature-loving families can stroll through 130 hectares of protected land, where mangrove swamps are inhabited by all manner of flying, swimming, jumping and crawling creatures. Nearby Chestnut Nature Park is a pleasant place for an afternoon’s cycling and a picnic, while a frog farm in the vicinity will appeal to youngsters with a fondness for the little hoppers.
Step back in time at Pulau Ubin
While vast numbers of locals and visitors alike head for family fun at the lively island resort of Sentosa, adventurous families in Singapore will find an entirely different island experience at Pulau Ubin. Just a 10-minute ferry ride from the city center, it feels like a wild ride back in time! Instead of sleek restaurants, white sandy beaches and glistening modern buildings, this island has traditional kampung houses on stilts, forested trails and some astonishing ecosystems. There are scarcely any cars on the island, making this a popular spot for trekking and cycling, and visitors can gawk at the abundant wildlife present in the mangrove swamps, sand and mud flats, coastal forest and unspoiled beaches. Don’t expect high rise hotels or chain restaurants here–the family can nosh on super-fresh fish and seafood from simple family-run restaurants by the jetty. To get here, take a bumboat from the ferry terminal at Changi Point (around $6 USD return, plus a little extra for a bike).
Did we mention the ice cream?
There’s nothing under-the-radar or hidden about the ice cream scene in Singapore! With ice cream and frozen yogurt spots on every corner and vendors selling ice cream sandwiches at every stretch of pavement in between, the city will thrill kids and sweet-toothed parents alike. It’s fun just to shop around until you find your favorite, but some good family options to start with are the self-serve Sogurt shops, where kids can load up their own cones and bowls, and chuck on their toppings of choice, while the cheekily-named Udders serves the scoops alongside yummy pancakes, and has ‘grown-up’ versions, made with boozy ingredients such as Baileys. Yum. If the kids needed any further convincing to come here, mention that there’s a special Star Wars-themed range, with flavors including a bright green ‘Yoda’ (actually matcha green tea with coconut caramel). Doubt the power of our Green Tea flavor, you do not! Enjoy the richness of our Kyoto Matcha ice cream, infused with the sweetness of coconut caramel. Embrace this delicious light flavor today!
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