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Surprising Sights: Unexpected Ways to Level Up Your Next Family Holiday in Singapore

From gamified go-karting and unlimited ice cream to a garden just for kids and a behind-the-scenes experience at Singapore Zoo.
Marley Ng
January 30, 2025

Overview

With exciting outdoor explorations, remarkable eateries, eye-opening cultural experiences and an effortless transit system, Singapore is a no-brainer for your next family getaway.

Thanks to Singapore Tourism, we've rounded up some insider tips on activities around the Lion City to delight any kids (and kids at heart) and make your family trip to Singapore unforgettable. Skip the tourist haunts for these lesser known adventures when you're here.

Race at Hyperspeed at The Palawan at Sentosa

Sentosa is a haven for family fun, with everything from tranquil beaches, shops and eateries to theme parks, indoor skydiving, zip-lining and treetop obstacle courses, a dolphin island, and a role-play city for kids.

Can't decide where to start? Kick off your Sentosa adventures at The Palawan, where you can get a bite at the food trucks before letting your tiny tots run wild at Singapore's only floating water park, HydroDash, or at the beachside mini-golf course, UltraGolf

The Palawan is also home to a massive go-karting circuit, which spans 308 metres across three levels. What makes HyperDrive stand out is not only its sheer size, state-of-the-art electric go-karts and immersive lighting and sound features, but its innovative Game of Karts experience. Instead of just zooming around the track, drivers can participate in an interactive virtual game while racing, collecting weapons or boosts along the track to beat out the competition.

Stimulate Your Senses at Sentosa's Sensoryscape

While you're at Sentosa, be sure to explore the newly opened Sensoryscape. As the name suggests, this 350-metre passageway is a treat for the senses, making use of pioneering architecture, soundscapes, augmented reality and light projections.

Linking Resorts World Sentosa to the beaches in the south, Sensoryscape features six stops — the Lookout Loop, Tactile Trellis, Scented Sphere, Symphony Streams, Palate Playground and Glow Garden. From verdant views and streams of water to textured plants, scented flora and edible greenery, each garden is designed to be interactive and immersive.

As the sun sets, Sensoryscape comes alive with digital projections, sounds and lights to complement the installations.

Be a Zookeeper for a Day at Mandai Wildlife Reserve

Get up close and personal with Singapore's wildlife at Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which consists of the Singapore Zoo, Bird Paradise, Night Safari and River Wonders.

Do more than just marvel at the animals when you visit the Singapore Zoo — children above the age of six can become a zookeeper for a day and learn about Mandai Wildlife's conservation efforts, meet some of the animals, try their hand at basic caring duties and enjoy lunch at Ah Meng terrace. 

There are two programs: the Kid Edition runs from 9am–1.45pm on Saturdays for little ones between the ages of 6–12, while the Junior Edition runs from 9am–4pm on Saturdays for teens above the age of 13.

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at the Museum of Ice Cream

With 14 themed rooms, interactive experiences, delightful photo opportunities and of course, unlimited ice cream, the Museum of Ice Cream is a pastel-hued paradise. 

Embrace your love of all things sweet as you play giant games, do arts and crafts, leap around in an inflatable room and dive into a pool of sprinkles. A general admission ticket will also get you unlimited amounts of five different ice cream desserts, but for only 10 SGD more, you can unlock additional flavours with a premium ticket. 

Marvel at Nature at the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden

Located in the Singapore Botanic Gardens, this enchanting park is specifically designed for children under the age of 14 and is the first of its kind in Asia.

Intended to educate little ones and foster their appreciation for nature, the gardens include a maze, playground, treehouse, pond, flying fox, potting garden, fruit orchard and classrooms, with interactive activities and educational signs dotted throughout. To preserve the magic of the grounds (and for safety reasons), adults are only permitted if accompanying a child.

Oo La Lab Facebook

Create Your Own Scent at Oo La Lab

For a one-of-a-kind souvenir, book in for a workshop at Chinatown perfumerie Oo La Lab.

Adults and teens can have a go at mixing their own scents to create a bespoke perfume, incense or candle. If any little ones want to have a go, there's also a 60-minute workshop for kids aged five and older, where they'll get to learn about smells, play around with fragrances and make their own scented body wash to bring home. 

Book your Singapore holiday now with Flight Centre.

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