As a kid, every June holiday was High School Musical 2 in real life. No school, no rules, and every day is rainbows and sunshine: cue Troy and Gabriella jiving to their best lives. For families out there, don’t let a single day of June go to waste – spend them well with some of these 14 family-friendly things to do and events below.
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Image adapted from: @aayden0810 & @glimasaur via Instagram
If you’re raising mini Gordon Ramsays and Dominique Crenns, then the whole fam should check out Children’s Season at the National Museum of Singapore. While there won’t be any actual food for tasting, your little ones will get an in-depth look at how food is prepared and packaged for consumption at home.
Image credit: @aayden0810 via Instagram
Besides getting to play masak-masak, there are also interactive activities for both adults and kids, such as drawing your favourite foods to share on a bulletin board. Alternatively, top up $10 to DIY your own beeswax wrap that can be used in place of food plastic bags.
Admission: Free | Ticketed activities from $10
Date: Until 25th June 2023
The holidays are when parents can finally get a break from rushing kids to bed early just so they can wake up in time for school the next morning. Now that bedtimes are out the window, give them a glimpse of nightlife in Singapore.
Don’t worry, we’re not about to ask you to bring the kiddos to a late night bar in Singapore. For something more PG-friendly, there’s i Light Singapore. There are chio and interactive light installations spread across 3 locations to check out.
We’re particularly fond of Trumpet Flowers, a musical playground outside Fullerton Hotel where the flowers play music when you press the corresponding buttons on the exhibit.
Admission: Free
Date: Until 25th June 2023
Time: Sun-Thu 7.30pm-11pm | Fri-Sat 7.30pm-12am
Venue: Marina Bay, South Beach, & Millenia Walk
ICYMI: Jurong Bird Park is now based at Mandai Wildlife Reserve under a new name – Bird Paradise. You’ll get to explore 8 different aviaries where birds get to fly free. There are lots of information boards too, so it’ll be an educational trip for all. When you’re done reading up, you can sign up for feeding sessions with these feathered friends from $8/pax.
It’s not all just about bird watching though. Should the little ones feel restless, bring them to Mandai Wildlife West, where there are several playgrounds for them to expend their endless energy.
Image credit: Starbucks
While they’re running around, parents who buay tahan chasing after the kids can take a break at Starbucks at Bird Paradise. It’s nearby enough that you can enjoy a cuppa while still keeping an eye on your offspring.
If your children know of Boruto’s adventures but have no idea what Naruto did back in his day, this is your chance to educate them at the Naruto 20th Anniversary Exhibition.
Strike ninja poses and snap photos while immersing in iconic scenes from the anime that has been brought to life.
P.S. Don’t need to feel paiseh if you’re feeling more excited or having more fun than the kids. It’s your childhood, after all.
Get tickets to Naruto 20th Anniversary Exhibition.
Admission: Weekday Ticket $22 | Weekend Ticket $25
Date: Until 2nd July 2023
Time: 10am-8pm
Venue: 6 Raffles Boulevard, #03-208/209 Marina Square, Singapore 039594
PSA: The zoo is not the only place to see animals this June holiday. Love the Last March at Gardens by the Bay has a lineup of animals – literally – you can visit for absolutely free.
The 192m-long conga line of animals features 45 endangered species. At the base of each sculpture is a plaque with a QR code that you can scan to find out more about each animal’s natural habitat and other fun facts.
Admission: Free
Date: Until 18th May 2024
Venue: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Gardens by the Bay Floral Clock, Singapore 018953
Image credit: @theartground via Instagram
You spent their first few years cleaning up after them, and now that they’re older, it’s time your kids learn to do it themselves. Good news, you can instill a love for cleaning at Clean Up, Or Else!, the latest exhibition at The Artground.
Image adapted from: @theartground via Instagram
The interactive space has been done up to look like a mini IKEA showroom but with a twist: chores for children to tackle. The kids will get to take on tasks such as loading dirty laundry into a washing machine, or learning how to set a table with utensils. Who knows, they might have so much fun, they’ll be so excited to help out at home. You’re welcome.
Get tickets to The Artground.
Admission: Free
Date: Until 25th February 2024
Time: 9.15am-10.30am | 10.45 am-12pm | 2pm-3.15pm | 3.45pm-5pm (Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays)
Venue: 90 Goodman Road, #01-40 BLK J, Singapore 439053
Contact: 6925 0621
Children are natural adventurers, bursting with boundless energy. If you’re looking for an outlet to channel that energy, a massive inflatable playground might do the trick.
Image credit: Kiztopia via Facebook
Hosted by Kiztopia, Jumptopia @ GastroBeats 2023 has an array of bouncy castles suitable for children and even young adults. The towering sculptures and slides will invite kids to bounce their way through an exhilarating journey.
Older kids and teens can put their skills to the test with friendly competitions with their peers as they dash through thrilling obstacles within this expansive playground. As for the younger anklebiters, there are dedicated water play zones filled with floaties and plastic balls to swim in. Bring a swimsuit or an extra change of clothes – they’ll need it.
Jumptopia is part of this year’s GastroBeats, a carnival event at Bayfront. Once the kids are done bouncing around, have them refuel with grub from one of the 50 F&B stalls around. Expect elevated night market treats such as braised pork belly baos ($12.90 for 2) and seaweed fries ($5).
Get tickets to Jumptopia @ GastroBeats 2023.
Admission: From $15.60
Date: Until 25th June 2023
Time: 4pm-10pm
Venue: 12A Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018970
In the blink of an eye, your kids will be tackling PSLE, entering Secondary School, and facing history exams. Give them a head start at the Children’s Museum’s A Voyage Back in Time.
Image credit: Travel Starts from SG via Google Maps
Let them take front row seats to an animated film about Singapore’s forefathers first, at the start of the exhibition. Then have them explore the museum’s various zones that explore Singapore’s history as a maritime port, as well as interesting jobs held by people in the past such as letter writers and roadside barbers.
Long before technology took over with Pinkfong and Cocomelon on repeat, board games were the source of entertainment.
Image credit: Changi Airport Group
Introduce your children to the world of classics such as Monopoly and Connect 4 at the Hasbro-themed pop-up at Changi Airport. These games have been super-sized – pun intended – to maximise the fun factor. There’s Snakes and Ladders to slide down and climb up, and even a giant ball pit inspired by Hungry Hungry Hippos.
And if you want to get your hands on these board games for your family’s own game night, just head to the Hasbro pop-up store at T3 Basement 2.
Admission: $5/pax | Free entry with minimum spend of $50 in a single receipt at participating outlets in the public areas of Terminals 1 to 4 (excluding Jewel Changi Airport) or $80 for supermarket purchases
Date: Until 16th July 2023
Venue: 65 Airport Boulevard, Level 2 Terminal 3, Singapore 819663
With Singapore’s temperature soaring, the mere idea of a trip to Botanic Gardens might have beads of perspiration forming on your forehead. But you don’t have to deny your kids a learning journey to the gardens because of the heat.
Take advantage of the free entrance to the National Orchid Garden, where you can venture to the cooling Tropical Montane Orchidetum.
Here, children can not only admire the flowers but also engage their sense of touch. Yes, you read that right – kids are welcome to touch the plants before them. Just remind them to be gentle with their hands.
Image credit: Gardens by the Bay
Don’t let your kids stay cooped up at home this June. Have them spend time outdoors with the Children’s Festival: Nature’s Imaginarium at the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay.
This nature-inspired playground has plenty to keep kids entertained, such as a trail activity with simple tasks to complete to earn a free sticker sheet. They can also get crafty at the free arts and crafts booths to make keychains and collages using leaves.
For something the whole family can enjoy, book your seats at the outdoor movie screenings happening at 6pm daily. The lineup of films are all based on nature, so you can expect titles such as Bee Movie, A Bug’s Life, and Charlotte’s Web to be shown at the event.
Image credit: SAF Yacht Club via Facebook
Head down to the north to check out Carnival by the Straits. Since this is a carnival, you can expect classic games such as Ring Toss and Bean Bag Throw, treats to fill your bellies in between the activities, and even pop-up retail booths from local businesses.
Image credit: SAF Yacht Club via Facebook
It might sound like just another pasar malam, but don’t be fooled by mere appearance. The carnival has a delightful surprise. For only $10, you can partake in thrilling water activities that rival those found on an island getaway to Batam or Bintan. Think banana boats and even jet ski rides.
Get tickets to Carnival by the Straits.
Admission: $25
Date: 10th June to 10th December 2023
Time: 10am-5pm
Image adapted from: My Community, Tower Transit Singapore via Facebook
You know what they say – learning is a lifelong adventure. So even during the school holidays, you can keep your kids’ brains active by joining factory tours organised by My Community.
You’ll get to discover secrets behind some of your favourite local products such as such as fishballs and otah through Open My Factory. There are also tours that shed light on the maintenance of public buses to ensure a seamless daily commute for all.
This experience will be eye-opening not just for the kiddos, but also for the adults as we gain insights of how our everyday lives are intertwined with these behind-the-scenes operations.
Price: From $22.04 per pax
Children’s creativity and imagination know no bounds. Push your kids to be the Picassos they really are at National Gallery Singapore’s Gallery Children’s Biennale. The exhibition has 11 interactive zones for children to explore artworks.
Children can identify the colours, shapes, and even the different types of lines used to form this art piece.
Image credit: @nationalgallerysingapore via Instagram
Let your kids take the lead on this artistic adventure. For just $2, parents can grab a copy of My Biennale Buddy, a handy guide with information about the exhibits and artists.
Children can plan their route by flipping through the pages and deciding which artwork to explore first. Each visit earns them a stamp, and once they’ve explored the entire gallery, they can redeem a special souvenir before heading home.
Admission: Free | Ticketed programmes from $5/parent-child
Date: Until 31st March 2024
Time: 10am-7pm
The June holidays aren’t all about escaping Singapore, and these family-friendly activities may just change your mind. From themed exhibitions to life-sized board games you can visit for free, your kid can totally have an activity-packed itinerary this school holidays without leaving town.
For more kid-friendly activities in Singapore:
Cover image adapted from: Kiztopia via Facebook, National Museum of Singapore, Changi Airport Group, SAF Yacht Club via Facebook
This article was originally published on 3rd June 2022. Last updated by Pat Yuan Teng on 5th June 2023.
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