Shopping’s great, but with young restless kids in tow, you’ll be doing it with constant tugs on your shirt and a repetition of, “Are we done yet?”. One easy way to “bribe” your kid into good behaviour while you’re bagging the best discounts is by promising them play time.
Here’s a list of shopping malls with playgrounds within them that’ll make your kid think that it’s their day – when it’s really yours, for much-needed retail therapy. Bonus: you don’t have to fork out any money as these play areas are all free.
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Image credit: Tuckys Photography
Junction 8’s playground looks like an art installation right off the bat. Located at Level 3, it has a vertical playground and a queer-looking rock climbing structure made up of a couple of pentagon spheres . This spacious outdoor playground is perfect for an endless round of climbing and running about. Parents will be glad to know that there are ample seats available in the shade.
Image credit: Unity House Montessori Homeschool
Address: 9 Bishan Place, Level 3 Junction 8, Singapore 579837
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM
Image credit: Westgate
If you’re shopping in Jurong with your child, you can make a pit stop at Singapore’s largest rooftop garden at Westgate to recharge before pushing on further. Just like a scene in Alice in Wonderland, the playground here known as Westgate Wonderland comes with towering flowers, life-sized ladybugs and a 10-metre tall tree house.
Image credit: Catalina Takafuku
There’s a bunch of interactive play for your little one like bells that light up and chime when touched, or large flowers casting a kaleidoscope of patterns when spun. Older boys and girls can test their courage at the mini bouldering wall or climb up the different levels of the obstacle course before sliding down from a 3-storey high treehouse.
Image credit: Quang Loan
Your kids can also cool off at the water playground where a large watering can-shaped fountain will get them drenched. Once they’re done, there’s even a blower room to dry off before setting off.
Image credit: @westgatesg
Address: 3 Gateway Drive, Level 4 Westgate, Singapore 608532
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM
Image credit: Tampines 1
The sheltered wet and dry playgrounds at Tampines 1 are located at the rooftop with a wildlife theme – you’ll see structures like hippo-shaped fountains with water spraying out their nostrils and polar bear-shaped water slides.
Image credit: Nety Chen
There’s also a rock climbing structure with a slide to reward your child once he reaches the top.
Image credit: Tampines 1
Address: 10 Tampines Central 1, Rooftop Tampines 1, Singapore 529536
Opening hours: Mon: 4PM-8PM | Tues-Fri: 12PM-8PM | Sat-Sun, School & Public Holiday: 10AM-8PM
Image credit: Compass One
Akin to a mini obstacle course, Compass One’s rooftop playground is the perfect training ground for aspiring ninjas. Here, there are 13 different obstacles to conquer, including various water sprays, balance beams, and a water slide.
Image credit: Wesley Vineyard Childcare Ltd
This ninja trail might be a bit too advanced for younger children, but there’s a less intense play area here with bouncy animal rides and a swing set.
Image credit: Wesley Vineyard Childcare Ltd
Address: 1 Sengkang Square, Level 4 Compass One, Singapore 545078
Opening hours: 10AM-7PM
Image credit: Beautiful Chaos
VivoCity’s outdoor playground has quirky structures for kids to scamper about on. At the centre of it all is a bridge with a cemented slide running down the middle that’s wide enough for two kids to get on together.
Image credit: VivoCity
Another unique feature here is a rubber trampoline integrated into the floor of the playground – and that’s where the crowd usually is. For some peace and quiet, break away from that and chill out in the hanging spoon-shaped pods.
Image credit: My Chirpy Life
The play areas are divided neatly for the different ages so if your little one needs to burn off some energy, there’s a smaller, vibrantly coloured area with short tunnels to entertain them.
Image credit: @happyboats_vivocity
Visit the skypark at Level 3 if you’re looking for a splashing fun under the sun. Your kids can try paddling through the knee-deep pool of water on the Happy Paddle Boats at $8 for a 10 minutes or $10 for 15 minutes.
Address: 1 Harbourfront Walk, Level 2 (Outdoor playground) / Level 3 (Skypark water play area) VivoCity, Singapore 098585
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM
Image credit: BYKidO
At the rooftop of Seletar Mall lies a spacious playground suitable for young children to run wild in. The main play structure resembles a fire truck and the three towers of slides are connected by a wobbly walkway and another rope bridge for the more adventurous kids. There’s also a standalone web of climbing nets, a seesaw, and hammock swings.
Image credit: @phoebe_vernice_mommy
Image credit: Khairul Nizam MD Yusop
Address: 33 Sengkang West Ave, Level 4 Seletar Mall, Singapore 797653
Opening hours: 8AM-11PM
Image credit: IMM Outlet Mall
Located at IMM’s garden plaza on level 3 is a spacious partially sheltered playground for kids to run wild at. The dry playground has slides, balancing beams and climbing structures but the real fun is at their wet play area.
Image credit: Anxiz Batoy
It might only be sprinkles of water across the playground but your kid will be drenched after a quick run through the water buckets. The play structures are lower there so even the younger ones can enjoy a safe and non-intimidating ride down the water slides.
Image credit: BYKidO
Address: 2 Jurong East Street 21, Level 3 IMM, Singapore 609601
Opening hours: Weekdays: 10.30AM – 9.30PM | Thursdays: 10.30AM – 7.00PM | Weekends: 10.00AM – 9.30PM
Image credit: City Development Limited
City Square Mall has 2 different playgrounds catered to different age groups. The indoor playground at Basement 1 is mainly for toddlers, with animal-themed teeter-totters and a little playhouse for exploring.
Image credit: Pcess Chineye
The more exciting playground for older kids is located at Level 1 right outside the main entrance. It has a tall structure made up of a climbing net, long slide, rope ladder, wobbly bridge and a fireman’s pole. There’s also a swing set and a merry-go-round for parents to have fun with their kids.
Image credit: City Development Limited
The fun doesn’t stop there – there are also 2 towers connected by a long, inclined bridge that kids can crawl through.
Address: 180 Kitchener Rd, Basement 1 (Indoor playground)/ Level 1 (Outdoor playground) City Square Mall, Singapore 208539
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM
Image credit: CapitaLand
On Lot One’s rooftop lies a hidden gem of a play zone. There’s a sheltered dry playground that’ll have your kids strategising on different ways to climb up the structure. There’s also an animal-themed water play area where you can let an elephant trumpet a stream of water on you, or run through a frog’s mouth while braving water sprays.
Address: 21 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4, Level 5 Lot One, Singapore 689812
Opening hours: Dry play area: 10.30AM-10.30PM | Wet play area: 12PM-8PM
Image credit: Playpoint Singapore Pte Ltd
There’s a safer, padded version of Dakota Crescent’s old-school dove mosaic playground at Tiong Bahru Plaza. It has a built-in trampoline, a wheelchair-friendly merry-go-round, a wide slide that 2 can ride at the same time, and a saucer swing.
Image credit: Tiong Bahru Estate
Younger kids can try out the 3-way spring rider. This sizeable area will keep your kids running around for a bit so while that happens, you can rest at the seating area, completely free of the sun.
Address: 302 Tiong Bahru Rd, Level 3 Tiong Bahru Plaza, Singapore 168732
Opening hours: 10AM-9PM
Image credit: Suntec City
Suntec City is a big playground for the adults but your kids can have their own fun too at the indoor playground. Located at the East Wing is a small play area suitable for younger kids. There’s a swaying bridge and a tunnel built into the main structure, but if your tumbling tot can’t climb it yet, you can accompany him at the colouring station where all art materials are provided.
Address: 3 Temasek Blvd, Level 3 East Wing between Tower 2 and Tower 3 Suntec City, Singapore 038983
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM
Image credit: Waterway Point
Waterway Point’s massive outdoor wet play area found at Level 2 will keep your children well-occupied. Kids of all ages can enjoy a day of splashy fun in the shallow pools while being sprayed by the surrounding jets. If you’re out with your toddler, there are mini fountains with a gentler water pressure that they can enjoy too. If you’d like to take cover from all the water action, there are benches under a sheltered area.
Image credit: BYKidO
There’s also the dry zone with tall slides and trampolines. There are also hammocks, swings and rabbit holes integrated into the padded slopes – all suitable for younger kids.
Image credit: Waterway Point
When the sun gets too hot during the afternoon, move indoors to Waterway Point’s Wonderland located near Koufu food court at the West Wing. It’s an Alice in Wonderland-themed play area with life-sized animal figures and a little tree for climbing through.
Address: 83 Punggol Central, Level 2 Waterway Point, Singapore 828761
Opening hours: 10.30AM-9.30PM
Image credit: Playpoint Singapore Pte Ltd
Hidden away from the busy floors of shopping at JEM is a rooftop playground equipped with both a dry and wet play area. It features a massive netted playground where kids can climb and bounce away, a trampoline built into the floor, and a bunch of small hammock swings to sway around in. The wet area has a mini pool with trickles of water raining down from the top, and mini fountains right beside it.
Image credit: Playpoint Singapore Pte Ltd
Address: 50 Jurong Gateway Rd, Level 5 JEM, Singapore 608549
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM
Image credit: Alice Ong
You can’t really miss Changi City Point’s playground when it occupies a large area right outside Koufu. There’s a cute swing set that allows the little ones to dip their feet into a shallow pool of water at the same time, and a bunch of towering spray jets that will give them a good wash.
Image credit: Josephine Tay
If you want to stay dry, there’s an obstacle course fit for every age to have fun. Your kid can test his balancing skills at the suspension bridge and postman’s walk, where he’ll be shuffling his feet on a single rope while grasping on another rope above him to get across.
Address: 5 Changi Business Park Central 1, Level 2 Changi City Point, Singapore 486038
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM
Image credit: Waterway Point
Northpoint City’s rooftop water playground is almost as exciting as a water park with long slides and fountains waiting to spit out water at unsuspecting kids – but even better ‘cause it’s free. While your kids are getting drenched, you can chill at the side where there are ample seats available.
Image credit: Elhou Bolaños Mac
It’s a pretty big area for your kid to explore with a smaller farm-themed dry playground hidden at the far end. It doesn’t come with slides but there are good hiding spots for a game of hide-and-seek.
Image credit: Northpoint City
Address: 930 Yishun Ave 2, Rooftop Northpoint City, Singapore 769098
Opening hours: 10.30AM-9.30PM
Image credit: Singapore Atrium Sale
Marina Square has a vehicle-themed indoor playground with a fire truck-shaped climbing structure right in the middle. Kids can slide down from it in style on a fireman’s pole, manoeuver their way using rock grips, or simply slide down from it. There’s a big spring rocker where your little one can race back and forth with other children.
Image credit: Singapore Atrium Sale
Address: 6 Raffles Boulevard, Level 3 Marina Square, Singapore 039594
Opening hours: 10AM-10PM
Image credit: @magty_sg
Found at the rooftop of NEX is an open playground with both wet and dry areas. It has an impressive collection of water jets, spray fountains and giant tipping water buckets. Those who would prefer to remain dry can climb up the play structure right beside the wet area and make a quick dive down the slide.
Image credit: MokshJain
Address: 23 Serangoon Central, Level 4R NEX, Singapore 556083
Opening hours: 11AM-9PM
Image credit: Paragon
Surrounded by luxury stores is Paragon’s indoor playground situated right before another kiddy wonderland – Toys “R” Us. This one is more suitable for younger kids. You can find the usual slides, tunnels and animal-shaped spring rockers here – enough to keep your child occupied while you consider which store to raid next.
Address: 290 Orchard Rd, Level 5 Paragon, Singapore 238859
Opening hours: 10AM-9PM
It’s a win-win situation when you make a pit stop at a mall playground for both parent and child – you get to take a break from carrying around all those shopping bags, and your young ones get to unleash all their energy and entertain themselves. Just don’t forget to pack a set of spare clothes for your kids ‘cause they’ll either be drenched in sweat from running around, or soaked from the water play areas.
Also check out:
Cover image adapted from: Playpoint Singapore Pte Ltd, @nadarusli
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