The spooky season is finally behind us, which means the year-end holidays are closing in fast. As the school break approaches, your kids will soon have plenty of free time and energy to burn. But keeping them entertained throughout the holidays might be a challenge, especially when they’re eager to get out of the house.
Thankfully, there’s no shortage of things happening around Singapore when school’s out to add to your family calendar. We’ve rounded up a list of family-friendly activities worth checking out, including limited-time Christmas pop-ups, interactive exhibitions, and fun-filled camps.
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This December school holidays, make Mandai Wildlife Reserve one of your go-to spots for the kids to expend some energy outdoors because it’s Zoolympix time at the parks! This Stars of Mandai Festive Challenge comprises 10 challenges for the kids to take on, inspired respectively by the 2 star animals from each of the 5 wildlife parks under the Mandai group.
The challenges can be found at the Zoolympix Village on the Mandai Wildlife EAST Lawn, where you can put your skills to the test against Mandai’s star animals.
Think tests of balance, problem-solving, agility, and strength that both you and your little ones can take part in, with a stamp to collect for every challenge you complete. When your activity card has been filled, you’ll be awarded an exclusive Zoolympian medal – snap that winning pic at the Zoolympix Podium to remember this by!
Otherwise, your completed activity card can also get you a Zoolympix trophy plushie at the discounted price of $9 (U.P. $12). After that, it’s time to head into the parks, where you can check out the various Zoolympix Outposts to take part in additional challenges. The parks will also be decorated with festive displays for you to soak up the festivities, with dining rewards to enjoy from participating tenants.
P.S. Singaporeans and Permanent Residents get free Zoolympix Village access, including a $10 retail and F&B voucher when you purchase a ticket to selected Mandai attractions. Tickets to Mandai Zoolympix are priced at $20 if not.
Find out more about Zoolympix at Mandai Wildlife Reserve.
Admission: $20/pax | Local Residents enjoy access to Zoolympix Village
Venue: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Mandai Wildlife EAST Lawn, Singapore 729826
Date: 7th November 2026-3rd January 2027
Time: 10am-7pm, Daily (Last admission at 6.30pm)
The Defence Collective Festival (DCF) is back this year, celebrating all things Singapore Armed Forces, and the men and women keeping our country safe. This edition runs from 14th to 15th November 2026 at the Singapore Discovery Centre, Singapore Navy Museum, and Singapore Air Force Museum.
Admission to the festival is free, but you can purchase a Premium: Exclusive Passport ($10), which you can use across all 3 museums to access the Premium activities. All Exclusive Passport holders also get a free DCF tote bag. Complete activities to collect stamps in the passport, and pick up museum-exclusive iron-on patches to personalise your tote bag!
Some premium activities you can look forward to include target shooting, drone-flying, and even turning into a human claw machine. There will be interactive gallery walks across all 3 locations, and there will also be historical characters coming to life at each museum whom you’ll get to meet as you solve riddles to collect stamps.
The free fringe activities are a ball too, with Morse code signal relays, bridge-building, giant battleship games, and more. There will be free, hourly shuttle buses operating from Jurong Point to Singapore Discovery Centre and back, as well as Expo MRT Station Exit B and Our Tampines Hub (Festive Walk), to the Singapore Navy Museum.
Book your Defence Collective Festival Premium: Exclusive Passport.
Admission: Free | Premium: Exclusive Passport $10/pax
Venue: Singapore Discovery Centre | Singapore Navy Museum | Singapore Air Force Museum
Date: 14th-15th November 2026
Time: 10am-6pm, Daily
Image credit: Klook
Every kid who grew up watching Studio Ghibli films has probably imagined stepping into their fantastical worlds. That childhood dream can now become reality at The Story of Studio Ghibli exhibition coming to Gardens by the Bay on 18th November 2026. Spanning 3,500sqm, the exhibition will feature 12 immersive sets inspired by some of the studio’s classics.
Get up close to an 8-metre-tall recreation of the famous bathhouse from Spirited Away, or join Totoro in the rain while waiting for the Cat Bus. It’s a chance for longtime fans to revisit indelible scenes, while introducing younger ones to the magic of Studio Ghibli. It’ll take around 60-75 minutes to finish the exhibition, though you’re welcome to take your time at each set.
Image credit: Klook
Early bird tickets starting at $29 are available from now till 17th December, with every adult ticket coming with an exclusive gift. Fans can also get the No Face Fortune Coin Bundle ($48) for a keepsake inspired by the iconic character. The exhibition will run until 4th July 2027, so there’s no rush in squeezing this into your holiday plans.
Get your tickets to The Story of Studio Ghibli.
Admission: From $29/pax
Date: 18th December 2026 to 4th July 2027
Time: 10am-7pm, Daily
Venue: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Gardens by the Bay, The West Lawn, Singapore 018953
Image credit: Changi Airport Group
Rounding off the Pokémon 30th anniversary celebrations this year is PokéXciting!, a special Asia tour inviting fans and trainers to step into an immersive Pokémon world. It’s making a stop in Singapore, so there’s plenty of Pokémon-themed festivities and pop-ups happening around Changi Airport and Jewel Changi Airport for fans to look out for.
One of the highlights is the PokéXciting First Partner Pokémon Parade, featuring all 27 starter Pokémon alongside 2 Pikachus, bringing some of the franchise’s most recognisable characters to life. There’s also the chance to catch familiar faces like Eevee, Gengar, and Snorlax in person at the free meet-and-greet sessions happening on selected dates.
Head to the Pokémon Experience Lounge to try out games on the Nintendo Switch 2, learn how to play the Pokémon TCG, and put your skills to the test with friendly battles. You can even drop by the Pokémon Personalisation Station to customise your own cap or Poké Ball bag with your name and charms.
There’s so much more to discover, so we won’t spoil everything here. Check out our full guide to PokéXciting for the complete list of activities, or head down to Changi Airport and experience them for yourself.
Admission: Free with ticketed experiences
Date: 3rd November 2026 to 3rd January 2027
Time: Various timings
Venue: 60 Airport Boulevard, Changi Airport Terminals 1-4 & Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore 819643
Suntec City is turning into a giant playground as the Powerpuff Girls and We Bare Bears come together for The Ultimate Holiday Playdate. The event features 3 themed play zones inspired by the 2 shows, with carnival games and exclusive prizes to win.
At the Mega Claw Machine, kids get to be the prizes in a giant 5- metre-tall, claw machine-inspired ball pit. The Super Slide is an inflatable playground where children can race through various obstacles before making their way down a slide. Families can put their speed to the test at the Lava Arena with an exciting floor-is-lava challenge.
There’ll also be a pop-up store selling exclusive merchandise, snowfall shows at Suntec City’s Christmas tree, and meet-and-greets with the Powerpuff Girls. The games and activities will be free for Suntec+ app (App Store | Google Play) members, with special mall perks like free parking and shopping E-vouchers when you hit various minimum spend milestones.
Admission: TBA
Date: 12th November to 27th December 2026
Time: 11am-9.30pm, Daily
Venue: 3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City, Tower 1 & 2 Atrium, Singapore 038983
Image credit: Science Centre Singapore
Built To Chill is a LEGO-themed learning experience at Science Centre Singapore’s KidsSTOP that encourages kids to think about creating a more sustainable city. At the Learning Zone, you’ll discover the causes of climate change and learn about ways to reduce its effects.
You can then put your ideas into action at the LEGO Building Zone and build structures designed to help keep the city cool. Artworks by children from past programmes will also be on display; feel free to use them to inspire your own creations. Built To Chill is free, but you’ll need a KidsSTOP admission ticket ($10/child, $5/adult) to access it.
Get your tickets to Built To Chill.
Admission: From $10/child | $5/adult
Date: 21st November 2026 to 3rd January 2027
Time: 10am-5pm, Daily
Venue: 21 Jurong Town Hall Road, Science Centre Singapore, KidsSTOP, Singapore 609433
Image credit: @bighit.music via Instagram
BTS The City Arirang is making its only Southeast Asian stop in Singapore, turning the Little Red Dot into a hub for immersive BTS-inspired experiences from 1st to 31st December 2026. Running alongside the group’s 4 concert dates here, the month-long experience will bring themed activities, events, and light shows to various locations across the island.
Look out for light displays at landmarks like Jewel Changi Airport’s Rain Vortex and the National Museum of Singapore. ARMYs can also catch a fireworks show choreographed to some of BTS’s biggest hits at Universal Studios Singapore, with even more surprises in store for the rest of the month.
Image credit: liping cheng via Google Maps
We know many were sad to see Snow City close its doors earlier this year, but there are still other ways to get a taste of winter in sunny Singapore. Kallang Ice World is a solid alternative, being the only ice rink in Singapore built with real ice.
Image credit: @deanbeanjan via Instagram
Each session gives you 2 hours to practise your moves on the rink, with prices starting at $15 for adults and $13 for kids if you bring your own skates. Children struggling to find their footing can use the free support trainers, making it easier to glide across the ice without prior skating experience.
Those keen to pick up a new skill over the holidays can sign up for skating courses at Kallang Ice World, with classes ranging from beginner to advanced levels. You can also book the rink for birthday parties, giving December babies another option for celebrating their special day.
Image credit: Christmas Wonderland
Christmas Wonderland is returning for its 13th consecutive year at Gardens by the Bay from 27th November 2026 to 3rd January 2027. Set across the Supertree Grove and The Meadow, the 30,000sqm fairground will be decked out with festive decorations and dazzling light displays.
Take a walk down Merry Lane, a 50- metre-long tunnel illuminated by over 50,000 light bulbs, or admire the Christmas Pyramid, standing 16 metres tall and complete with gingerbread men, elves, and snowmen.
Image credit: Christmas Wonderland
There’s also a family zone with carnival games, rides, and craft workshops for all ages to enjoy. Keep an eye out for Flying Santa soaring across The Meadow, then head over to the Spalliera for Blizzard Time, where foam snow falls from the towering structure adorned with 90,000 lights.
Admission: TBA
Date: 27th November 2026 to 3rd January 2027
Time: 6.30pm-11pm, Daily
Venue: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Gardens by the Bay, Supertree Grove & The Meadow, Singapore 018953
A look at last year’s edition of the Christmas Train Show.
Also happening at Gardens by the Bay is the Christmas Train Show, returning to the Flower Dome for its 3rd year. This year’s display takes you on a miniature railway journey through the United States, Singapore, and Finland, with model trains winding through detailed landscapes surrounded by Christmas decor.
The American section features model railway stations from across the country, a nod to where the tradition of placing trains beneath Christmas trees first began. Singapore will get a bigger showcase this year, with 2 SMRT trains passing through scenes depicting the country’s railway history.
Image credit: @gardensbythebay via Instagram
The local display also features reimagined MRT stations designed by architecture students from NUS. The final stop is Santa’s hometown of Rovaniemi, Finland, where you can get a glimpse into Saint Nick’s daily routines. The Christmas Train Show is included in your Flower Dome admission, so no additional tickets are required.
Get your tickets to the Christmas Train Show.
Admission: From $8/child | $12/adult
Date: 20th November 2026 to 3rd January 2027
Time: 9am-9pm, Daily
Venue: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Gardens by the Bay, Flower Dome, Singapore 018953
Image adapted from: Tanglin Mall
Tanglin Mall is getting its yearly Christmas makeover with the Holiday Express: A Magical Journey, featuring a line-up of activities running from 13th November 2026 to 3rd January 2027. Head to the Christmas Carnival, happening until 27th December 2026, for a Santa-themed train ride, an inflatable play zone, and classic fairground games like ring toss and duck fishing.
Image credit: Tanglin Mall
The mall’s signature Snow Splendours will also be returning for 51 days starting from 14th November 2026, with nightly sessions on weekdays at 7.30pm. There’ll also be an additional session at 8.30pm on weekends, plus Christmas and New Year’s Day.
For some seasonal shopping, drop by the Christmas Markets, taking place over 6 weekends from 13th November to 20th December 2026. Browse stalls by local brands like nowlaterstudio, Coco Veda, and Han Confectionary, or soak in the holiday spirit with live music and activities like caricature drawing on selected dates.
Admission: Free with ticketed experiences
Date: 13th November 2026 to 3rd January 2027
Time: Various Timings
Venue: 163 Tanglin Road, Tanglin Mall, Level 1, Singapore 247933
Image credit: Far East Malls
One Holland Village is back with its annual Weekend Christmas Market, bringing 2 weekends of festive fun for both you and your fur buddies. Known for its pet-friendly spaces, the mall is turning the occasion into a mix of a pet fair and marketplace, with rows of stalls stocked with festive finds for everyone.
Look forward to pet-friendly activities and festive games that the whole family can join in, alongside live busking and carols to set the mood. There’s plenty of festive goodies to browse, so pick up a little something for your four-legged friends while you’re at it; they deserve Christmas presents too.
Admission: Free
Date: 4th to 6th & 11th to 13th December 2026
Time: TBC
Venue: 7 Holland Village Way, One Holland Village, Singapore 275748
Image credit: National Gallery Singapore
Give your kids a day of creative fun at ARTventure Camp: Guardians of the Gallery!, a drop-off camp where they can enjoy an art-filled adventure while you get some me-time for yourself.
This day camp invites children aged 7 to 12 to become Art Guardians-In-Training, embarking on an immersive journey to restore the stories and voices of artworks around the gallery. Through a series of missions, they’ll get to learn about several artworks around the museum and meet experienced Gallery Guardians to learn how these pieces are protected and cared for.
Get your tickets to the ARTventure Camp: Guardians of the Gallery!.
Admission: $75/pax
Date: 4th, 11th & 18th December 2026
Time: 10.30am-4.30pm
Venue: 1 St Andrew’s Road, National Gallery Singapore, City Hall Wing, Singapore 178957
Image credit: Little Rangers Club
Camp Conquer is a 4-day camp designed to get children outdoors, build their confidence, and teach them survival skills beyond the classroom. Each day has a different line-up of activities, giving them opportunities to step out of their comfort zone, pick up new skills, and make some new friends along the way.
Day 1 opens up with a day spent in Sentosa for a dose of beachside fun, with activities like Ultimate Frisbee and Laser Tag to encourage teamwork and sportsmanship. The following days will feature even more adventures, from dragon boating and sailing to hiking expeditions out in the wilderness.
4 camps will be held from 23rd November to 17th December 2026, giving your kids the chance to try something new and head home with stories they’ll long remember even after the camp ends.
Sign your kids up for Camp Conquer.
Admission: From $499/pax
Date: 23rd to 26th Nov, 30th Nov to 3rd Dec, 7th to 10th Dec, 14th to 17th Dec 2026
Time: 9am-5pm, Daily
Venue: Various Locations
Image credit: SuperPark Singapore
Keep the kids active with a visit to SuperPark Singapore, an indoor activity park with games and challenges for all ages to enjoy. With 34 activities spread across 2 floors, you can easily spend a few hours just hopping between its different attractions. The park is split into 3 zones, each offering a different way to play.
The Adventure Area is designed for families and younger visitors, with slides, a ball pit, and a ninja track. For the competitive bunch, the Game Arena has team-based games like air hockey and the interactive Superpixel grid. Lastly, the Freestyle Hall is home to crowd favourites like trampolines and climbing walls.
Those living in the North-East can now squeeze in a quick workout closer to home, with the ActiveSG Punggol Sport Centre opening some of its facilities ahead of its official launch. Just a 3-minute walk from Sam Kee LRT Station, this 6-storey sports hub has something for everyone.
Head down for gym sessions overlooking the Punggol waterfront, play pickleball or badminton at its indoor courts, or bring the kids along to try the 4 slides and climbing slope. More amenities, including the futsal courts and swimming complex, will open on 22nd November 2026.
FYI, you can use your ActiveSG credits to access the facilities, so remember to spend them on your bookings here before they expire at the end of the year.
Book a workout at ActiveSG Punggol Sport Centre.
Image credit: Resorts World Sentosa
For many of us, dinosaurs were a childhood fascination, and DINO-A-LIVE PREMIUM: Dinosaur Odyssey is bringing that fascination to life at Resorts World Sentosa. You may have caught the T-Rex Walkabout at various locations around Singapore in October, which serves as a precursor to the main event happening from 3rd to 6th December 2026.
Image credit: Resorts World Sentosa
Making its international debut outside of Japan, the non-verbal live show is designed to be a family experience. Get a glimpse into the prehistoric world as life-sized dinosaurs roam the stage freely for 70 minutes. The spectacle is taken to another level with music, choreography, and theatrical effects, as dinosaurs get up close with the audience.
Tickets are available with 1-day passes, or you can make a getaway out of it with a 2-night stay hotel package at either The Laurus or Hotel Ora.
Get your tickets to DINO-A-LIVE PREMIUM: Dinosaur Odyssey.
Admission: From $64/pax
Date: 3rd to 6th December 2026
Time: 3rd & 4th Dec 8pm | 5th Dec 11am, 2pm, 5pm, 8pm | 6th Dec 2pm, 5pm, 8pm
Venue: 8 Sentosa Gateway, Resorts World Sentosa Convention Centre, Singapore 098269
Image credit: Chamber Music and Arts Singapore
Introduce kids to classical music with Swan Songs ~ Beethoven & Schubert, a music concert specially designed for younger audiences. Dubbed the Concert For Children, this 40-minute live performance features music composed during the final years of Beethoven and Schubert.
Rather than having to sit still and listen, you’ll get to interact with the musician on stage and become part of the performance. With an engaging instructor and experienced musicians from Singapore and overseas guiding the session, it’s a more hands-on way to discover the beauty behind classical music.
Get your tickets to Swan Songs ~ Beethoven & Schubert | Concert For Children.
Admission: From $35/pax
Date: 6th December 2026
Time: 10am-10.40am
Venue: 1 Esplanade Drive, Esplanade Recital Studio, Singapore 038981
Image credit: @alfiansaat via Instagram
Returning to WILD RICE @ Funan is Monkey Goes West, back for its 3rd staging in Singapore from 12th November to 27th December 2026. Written in 2014 by local playwright Alfian Sa’at, the production puts a playful spin on the classic Chinese myth, Journey to the West, featuring the infamous Monkey King, Sun Wukong.
The story follows Ah Tang as he’s magically transported to the world of Sun Wukong and his companions. You can expect plenty of humour, theatrics, and catchy songs from the award-winning holiday musical. Shows run for 2.5 hours, and tickets start at $50. As an added bonus, you can use your SG Culture Pass credits to buy them.
Get your tickets to Monkey Goes West.
Admission: From $50/pax
Date: 12th November to 27th December 2026
Time: Tue-Fri 7.30pm | Sat 2.30pm, 7.30pm | Sun 1.30pm, 6.30pm
Venue: 107 North Bridge Road, WILD RICE @ Funan, #04-08 Funan, Singapore 179105
If you made it this far, your family has no excuse to spend the holidays cooped up in the house. Instead of letting the kids be glued to their screens, get them out and about to try something new. It’s also the perfect excuse to unleash your inner child, so don’t be surprised if you’re having just as much fun as they are.
For more kid-friendly activities:
Cover image adapted from: Christmas Wonderland, Enabling Village, Resorts World Sentosa, the Smart Local
A portion of this content may contain referral links where The Smart Local may collect a commission. Our opinions remain our own.
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