Singapore Discovery Centre’s holiday activities
Whether you’re scrambling for kid-friendly things to do this December or planning ahead for the June school holidays, Singapore Discovery Centre lets you sort out both in one go. The Calling All Elves! Christmas festivities are packed with elf trails, craft workshops, and free ice cream and cookies you can decorate, while the popular Camp 1N overnight experience is returning in June 2026 as an adventure for the whole family. Here’s everything you need to know:
Calling All Elves! Christmas event
This Christmas, Singapore Discovery Centre is turning into Santa’s workshop with Calling All Elves!, a festive event that’s running from now till 2nd January 2026. The story goes that Santa has fallen asleep, and you must join head elf Singapaw on a mission to deliver his presents while learning about kindness and appreciation along the way.
Free treats, craft workshops, performances & mascot meet-and-greet
While activities will happen throughout the entire period, some of the most popular programmes will only take place on 20th, 21st, and 25th December, so it’s worth dropping by on those days.
Image for illustrative purposes only.
Image credit: McCormick Spice via Allrecipes
Get X’mas treats all for free at Sweet, Sweet Sugarland, happening from 2pm to 5pm at the Lobby. Simply snap, tag, post, and follow Singapore Discovery Centre’s social media to redeem an ice cream and a gingerbread cookie that you can jazz up with sprinkles and frosting. The ice cream will come in 3 scoopable flavours: vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.
And if you’ve got $10 to spare, consider signing up for craft workshops that will be held at the Function Room.
The Handmade Haven workshop from 12pm to 2pm will teach you how to make towel teddy bears – 2 of which you can take home, while the rest will be donated to the Lee Ah Mooi Old Age Home and Assisi Hospice.
There’s also the Whirling Winter Wonders workshop that’s happening from 3.30pm to 4.30pm and 4.30pm to 5.30pm, where you can bring home your very own DIY Christmas snow globe.
Image credit: Defence Collective Singapore
Don’t let your kids miss out on the Smile with SingaPaw! mascot meet and greet show at 1.15pm, where they can take pictures up close with the adorable lion mascot.
It’s not a true Christmas without the tunes – NTU Harmonix and NUS Resonance will be performing some classic carols that the whole family can sing along to, so catch them at the Lobby from 1.30pm to 2pm and 3pm to 3.30pm.
Book the Handmade Haven and Whirling Winter Wonders workshops.
Other Christmassy activities
Image credit: Defence Collective Singapore
Even if you’re visiting outside the peak programme dates, there’s still plenty to do. For the entire period of the Calling All Elves! event, families can take part in the Elf’s Field Guide self-guided trail, design their own stickers at the Colour-in-Cheer station, and pretend to be Santa’s helpers at the Elfie Booth photo spot.
Find the full details of Calling All Elves!.
Camp 1N camping experience
Beyond the festive season, Singapore Discovery Centre also runs Camp 1N, a recurring 2D1N camping staycation that happens during the June and December school holidays. While the December session has already wrapped up, families can start planning for their next school holiday edition in June 2026.
The camping experience is priced at $79/pax for members and $99/pax for non-members of all ages. Do note that participants have to be at least 5 years old.
Learn survival skills & sustainability methods
Image credit: Defence Collective Singapore
The main highlight of the camp is the Army Days experience, where participants get to try their hand at basic survival skills that are taught in Singapore’s army. Whether you’d like to experience or relive the NS days, this is where you and your family can bond over camo face painting, field cooking, and the struggles of pitching a tent as a team.
Image credit: Defence Collective Singapore
Families will also take part in the educational Eco-Sustainability Workshop & Trail, where you’ll learn about sustainability through a nature walk, and plant microgreens that you can take home.
Sleep in comfy tents & dine with a view
Image credit: Singapore Discovery Centre
While the army skills you’ll learn are authentic, you’ll be glad to know that the accommodations are as comfortable as can be. Camp 1N lets families spend the night in Shiok Tents that can accommodate up to 5, and set up within an air-conditioned area, so you get the adventure without the mosquitoes.
Image credit: Defence Collective Singapore
And as all meals are provided in this all-inclusive camp, you can look forward to dining at the Bottle Tree Cafe Restaurant, which serves local cuisine and overlooks the scenic Discovery Lake.
Full access to attractions & a Night Mission Trail after dark
Play Floor is Lava at the Black Lake Shadow Grid.
Image credit: Defence Collective Singapore
Singapore Discovery Centre is full of interactive attractions for all ages – and if you’ve ever wanted to stay there after dark, here’s your Night at the Museum moment. Participants of Camp 1N get full access to all the attractions without the queues, so have your fill of fun at the Black Lake Laser Battlefield, Black Lake Shadow Grid, and the Permanent Exhibits Gallery.
Image credit: Defence Collective Singapore
Wrap up the night with the Night Mission Trail, where families compete in teams to collect clues and solve riddles around the galleries. The team with the highest score will win a mystery prize, so it’s a good time for the little ones to show off their skills.
For more information, check out the Camp 1N website.
Visit the Singapore Discovery Centre during the school holidays
No matter which holiday you are planning for, Singapore Discovery Centre has an activity for adults and kids alike, be it free Christmas festivities or a 2D1N camp. So take a break and grab your loved ones, for it’s time to make some memories.
More things to do with the family:
- Family-friendly activities for the December holidays
- Cat-themed Christmas at Millenia Walk
- Things to do with kids for every weekend of the year
Cover image adapted from: Defence Collective Singapore, McCormick Spice via Allrecipes