It’s been a long week, and you’re craving some me-time. As you go about running your errands, the last thing you want on your list is having to juggle shopping bags and energetic young children at the same time.
To make things easier for yourself, leave your young ones at these kid-centric drop-off points in malls, where they can have fun with climbing structures and take part in enrichment activities. You can now go for retail therapy in peace – and the kids won’t have to endure the boredom of tagging along. It’s a win-win!
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Image credit: @mylittlegiantsg
Where there are so many mega malls at the no-longer-ulu Jurong, it’s only natural that there’s a massive playland for the young ‘uns too.
Image credit: @cahayaheedayah
Introducing My Little Giant, a 3-storey playground at factory outlet mall Big Box – conveniently right next to Jurong East MRT. This huge space gives kids lots of freedom to roam about with kiddy cars, tunnels, and trampolines.
Image credit: @mylittlegiantsg
Plus, all sorts of slides can be found in this indoor playground – from slow, spiraling ones to steeper slopes that have your child whizzing down into a huge pool of balls. In total, there are 3 humongous ball pits onsite.
The other ball pit has a little digging area in the middle with fake soil.
Image credit: @mylittlegiantsg
Outside this active play area are a carousel, kinetic sand play table, and arcade games. Admission for these activities are charged separately from the playground, but there are promotion packages if you’re going for both outdoor and indoor play.
Address: 1 Venture Avenue #01-12, Big Box, Singapore 608521
Price:
Below 3 years old: Mon-Thurs: $10 | Fri-Sun, PH & Eve of PH: $15
3-16 years old: Mon-Thurs: $18 | 3-16 years old: $25
Website
Image credit: @angeldustz
Little Planet Playland isn’t just another playground – it is a miniature farm, fishing area, kitchen, cafe and castle all combined into one. For the kids with wild imaginations, this pretend-play playground’s a dream come true.
Image credit: @brendabionic
Besides playing with kitchen sets and fishing rods, your little ones can also get artsy at the art and craft area.
Address: 176 Orchard Road #02-21, The Centrepoint, Singapore 238843
Telephone: 6268 6595
Opening hours: Sunday-Friday: 10AM-7PM | Saturday & PH: 10AM-8PM
Rates: Weekdays: $25/child (unlimited play) | Weekends and PH: $25/child (2 hour play)
Age requirement: Suitable for children up to 12 years old.
Website
Image credit: @katwlu
Retail therapy along Orchard Road sometimes feels…not-so-therapeutic when you’re keeping an eye on your kid all the time.
Lucky for you, there are kids activities conducted every Saturday by teachers from MindChamps Childminding Service @ Paragon. And these aren’t just fun and games – their 30-minute storytelling, gym, and cooking sessions are sure to give your children a fulfilling learning experience.
Check out their activity schedule here.
Address: 290 Orchard Road #06-19/20 Singapore 238855
Opening hours: 11AM-5PM (Saturdays only)
Price: $18 (60 minutes) | $27 (90 minutes) | $36 (120 minutes)
Age requirement: Service is open to children aged 2-7 years old. Only children aged 3 and below need an accompanying adult.
Website
Image credit: @charzykoh
Think play areas for kids, and eXplorerkid is probably the first place that comes to mind. After all, it’s one of the largest indoor children playgrounds in Singapore.
Your agile, adventurous little ones can look forward to the Mega Play area – a 3-storey obstacle-course featuring maze-like tunnels, bridges and slides. Scrambling up and down these bouncy structures are good for burning off all that excess energy!
Image credit: @nazrisg
But the highlight of eXplorerkid has to be their glowing ball pit with transparent balls taking on different bright tones as the neon light changes hues.
While there seems to be a lot of action going on at the playground, rest assured that eXplorerkid has play guides to check on the safety of the children.
Note: Socks must be worn at all times by all visitors. Price includes 1 adult entry per child.
Address: 53 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3 #04-02, Ang Mo Kio Hub, Singapore 569933
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 12PM-9PM | Sat, Sun, PH and School Holidays: 10AM-10PM
Admission:
Members: Off peak: $9 (unlimited play) | Peak: $20 (unlimited play)
Public: Off peak: $20 (unlimited play) : Peak: $30 (unlimited play)
Age requirement: Children below 12
Website
Image credits: Cookie and Monkey
Vivocity is one huge shopping paradise – but that also means an extra effort to not lose the little monkeys as you comb through the stores.
That is, unless you leave them at Cookie & Monkey Kids Lounge, which offers drop-off services for kids 2 years and above. With alphabet playmats, toys and a TV in their vibrant play area, the kids are bound to be busy having the time of their lives here.
Image credit: Cookie & Monkey
Address: 1 HarbourFront Walk, #02-105
Telephone: 6222 2868
Opening hours: 11AM-9PM
Rates: $15 for 1st hour, $12 for every subsequent hour
Age requirement: At least 2 years old
Image credit: Pirateland
From a ball pool to make-believe marketplace, Pirate Land is another huge indoor playground that will keep your kids busy with their hands and feet. This one has a nautical theme to it, with wooden pirate ship structures and a sand-like pit – perfect for your young treasures to feel like mini island explorers.
Image credit: @hazelnutttt
Fans of Bob the Builder would also be excited to spot mega-sized Lego blocks right upon entering the playland. And for this tech-savvy generation, it is only fitting to have interactive activities such as hitting balls on a touch-screen to keep those kiddos entertained.
Screen-based ball hitting game
Image credit: Pirateland
At the end of your shopping spree, head back to Pirate Land for a bonding session of parent-child laser tag or a race car battle!
Address: 176 Orchard Road #03-09/10, The Centrepoint, Singapore 238843
Telephone: 98796972
Opening hours: Weekday: 1030AM-8PM (unlimited play) | Weekend: 1030AM-9PM (3 hours)
Price:
Members: $23.50
Non-members: $28.90
Age requirement: Kids 5 and above can be dropped off.
Image credit: @alderline
Having vases and glass bowls broken due to kids crashing into them isn’t the best idea, and so comes IKEA Småland – a play area specially for your energetic kiddos. This children-only area has a ball pit, simple rock wall, TV, and tables for some doodling.
Toilets are also within the play area, so there’s no need for them to wander out at any point.
In the meantime, parents can shop around IKEA and return to pick up the kids after a maximum of one hour.
IKEA Alexandra
Address: 317 Alexandra Road, Singapore 159965
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs: 10AM-10PM (last admission 9PM) | Fri & Sat: 10AM-11PM (last admission 10PM)
Price: Free
Note: Height of kid must be between 0.9m to 1.3m.
IKEA Tampines
Address: 60 Tampines North Drive 2, Singapore 528764
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs: 10AM-845PM | Fri, Sat, Eves or PH: 10AM-945PM (Last admission: 45 minutes before closing daily)
Price: Free
Note: Height of kid must be between 1m and 1.2cm.
Image credit: @singaporegy
Not to worry if the above malls aren’t the places you frequent. Many malls have public libraries, and they’ve got regular storytelling sessions to keep the young ones happily occupied.
Each session is 1.5 hours, and completely free!
For the schedule of programmes, click here.
Supermums and superdads, take a few hours off parenthood with the help of these drop-off points. Whether it’s an enrichment activity or energy-sapping workout, your kids will be guaranteed a fun-filled time while you unwind with a good dose of retail therapy.
Also check out:
Cover image adapted from: Pirateland
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