Dragging the kids along while you do the shopping is always challenging. So, here’s a tip: give them something to look forward to by heading to malls with free water parks and dry playgrounds in Singapore! Even if you just need somewhere to go to entertain them, here are a few shopping centres where they can look forward to some fun, drenching water play – or a mad scramble over obstacles, stairs and nets!
Causeway Point
There are two great water playgrounds at this mall in Woodlands: the Train Terrace and Jungle Terrace. First, kids can explore the train-themed playground, which offers two slides and loads of climbing, before moving on to the Jungle Terrace, a fun place to learn about animals. You’ll definitely want to get a photo of the kids riding in the safari vehicles!
Where: Level 2
When: 10.30am – 10.30pm
City Square Mall
In this Farrer Park shopping centre, you’ll find the world’s first indoor atrium net playground, with bouncy nets for kids to experience play in the air.
Where: Levels 2 to 6
When: 10.10am – 9.40pm
IMM
Discover tipping buckets, flower-shaped windmills and plenty of colour at the water playground in Singapore’s largest outlet mall, in Jurong. Nearby is a shaded dry playground with slides and rock climbing walls to try out.
Where: Garden Plaza, Level 3
When: 10.30am – 9.30pm (Monday to Friday), 10am – 9.30pm (Saturday and Sunday)
i12 Katong
Wan To Play Forest opened in 2022, chock-full of activities that can be enjoyed by parents and kids alike. Bond with your little ones at the kid-friendly rock climbing walls, and the colourful slides that land into a ball pit. Less rambunctious kids can also opt for calmer games like sand painting and digging for “dinosaurs”.
Where: Level 4
When: 9am – 9pm (Monday to Friday), 9.30am – 10pm (weekends and public holidays)
Junction 8
This heartland mall in Bishan houses a play area known as the Wallholla Vertical Climbing Playground, with a slide, nets and more. Featuring mainly climbing obstacles, it’s more suitable for older kids.
Where: Level 3
When: 10am – 10pm
Lot One
This large rooftop playground in Choa Chu Kang has spray guns, water jets, tipping buckets and a spray tunnel for children to crawl in. There’s also a dry area with slides, swings and see-saws.
Where: Roof Garden, Level 5
When: Dry play: 10.30am – 10.30pm daily; Wet play: 12 noon – 8pm daily
NEX
KidzPlay is a water park in Singapore that features overhead sprinklers and big rotating buckets tipping out water. The dry area of this playground in NEX mall in Serangoon has multiple slides, a big crawling area and activities for children to enjoy. Recommended for ages five to 12.
Where: KidzPlay, Level 4R
When: upgrading in process, re-opening in October 2023
Northpoint Shopping Centre
Great for children under 12, this Yishun venue has both dry and wet play areas. The dry playground has a farm animal theme, with a chicken coop, treehouse, caterpillar and other fun barnyard friends. To cool things down, head to the aquatic-themed water park zone. Shower facilities are available if required.
Where: Level 4
When: 10.30am – 9pm
Paragon
This small but popular central indoor playground in Singapore has slides of varying sizes, tunnels and hiding spaces, rocking horses, carousels and kiddy rides. Suitable for younger children.
Where: Level 5
When: 10am – 9pm
Seletar Mall
There is a partially sheltered playground on the rooftop of this mall, with slides, climbing equipment and rope structures for the adventure-seeking little ones!
Where: Level 4
When: 10am – 10pm
VivoCity
This water park in Singapore’s enormous VivoCity mall is suitable for younger children. There’s lots of equipment: slides, swings, ladders and even a trampoline. After 7pm, check out the colourful water jets. There’s also a roof-top sky-park garden with a wading pool, and little ones can ride in mini paddle boats (from $8).
Where: Levels 2 and 3
When: 10am – 10pm
Waterway Point
Popular Happy Park outdoor water play area in Punggol includes wading pools, water jets, fountains, slides and more. There’s also a dry zone featuring slides, trampolines, climbing structures and tunnels.
Where: Level 2
When: 10.30am – 9.30pm
Westgate
Great for kids aged two to 12, WonderLand at Westgate features a huge treehouse, giant insects, flowers and lily pads. The garden-themed interactive play area also has activity boards, slides and a rock-climbing wall. There’s also a water-play area with dipping buckets, though it’s only partially sheltered.
Where: Level 4
When: 10am – 10pm daily
313 Somerset
The toddler-friendly dry playground is situated next to 313’s Sky Terrace. With a great view over Orchard Road, it has fun play panels for kids and rocking animals.
Where: Level 5
When: 10am – 10pm
Want more places to go with children? See our kids section!
This article first appeared in Expat Living magazine. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!
