Free indoor and outdoor mall playgrounds in every ‘hood of Singapore

Singapore has plenty of paid activities for kids and leafy parks abound (with both water play and slides galore), but for all the times when you just want some free indoor play in cold aircon – or free outdoor play within reach of shopping and lunch – we bring you the ultimate guide to mall playgrounds. Save this list for when you have errands and need to reward your kids afterwards, then grab some swimming costumes and hats and let’s go play!



Click on the links below to skip to your ‘hood!

Central

East

West

North

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Central

Tiong Bahru Plaza

A new kid on the block is this iconic funky playground on top of the Plaza, shaded and breezy most of the time. Let the little ones run loose in this retro designed area that has some unique designed structure like a wide slide, see -saw, trampoline and a disabled-friendly merry-go-round. It’s a little on the small side but nevertheless it’s something different then your average mall playground.

Open: Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm (closed on public holidays)

Tiong Bahru Plaza, 302 Tiong Bahru Road, Singapore 168732, www.tiongbahruplaza.com.sg

Paragon

When it’s super hot outside, make a beeline for one of Singapore’s indoor aircon playgrounds. Paragon is a top pick – especially for youngsters under 5 – with its climbing wall, mini- slides and tunnels, plus benches for parents and helpers to perch on nearby. Keep some coins handy for the merry-go-round and vehicle coin rides (unless your kids are blissfully unaware these machines move!).

Open: Daily, 10am-9pm

Paragon Shopping Mall, 290 Orchard Road, Level 5, Singapore 238859, Tel: (+65) 6738 5535, www.paragon.com.sg

313 Somerset

On the Sky Terrace next to Food Republic sits a small alfresco (covered) playground best for tiny tots to keep busy while mama grabs a bite to eat. There’s padded flooring, too – so it’s good for crawlers.

Open: Daily, 10am-10pm.

313 Somerset, 313 Orchard Road, Sky Terrace on Level 5, Singapore 238895, Tel: (+65) 6496 9313, www.313somerset.com.sg

Marina Square Shopping Mall

Located just outside Kiddy Palace and Mothercare on level 3, you will find a nice padded ground play area (indoors and air-conditioned) for the little ones, and a taller fire truck structure with a slide for the 2-and-up set. Mama can pop into the children’s stores to stock up while she is there, or Marks and Spencer for some delicious goodies.

Open: Daily, 10:30am-10pm.

Marina Square Mall, 6 Raffles Blvd, Singapore 039594, Tel: (+65) 6339 8787, www.marinasquare.com.sg

Forum The Shopping Mall

Hip Kids Club Playground is located on level 2 next to the information counter is a wooden style playground with climbing structures and slides to keep the little ones occupied after a day of shopping. Features like padded flooring, low to ground structures and circus-like equipment should keep the kids balanced and entertained for a while. Unlike all our other mall playgrounds, there is a small annual fee of $25 and an application form to complete, then you need to check times below as they are not open all day long (in return you score some pretty sweet discounts at many of The Forum’s kid-friendly stores. Best for toddlers and younger kids.

Open: Monday to Friday, 11am – 1pm and 4:30 pm – 8pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10:30am – 1pm, 2pm -5pm, 6pm – 8pm

Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238884, Tel: (+65) 6732 2469, www.forumtheshoppingmall.com.sg

Suntec Tower 3 Indoor Playground

Shhhhh! This playground has not been around long so it’s not often crowded. It’s a small play area of a crawling tunnel and a slide along with some cars on springs that bounce up and down, and it’s right next to some Zoo Move animal rides and coin rides (so bring some pennies!). The soft padded area makes this spot a good one for crawlers – the playground is better for 12months to 5-year-olds.

Call to check opening hours



Suntec City Tower 3, Temasek Blvd, Singapore 038983, Tel: (+65) 6822 1537, www.sunteccity.com.sg

VivoCity SkyPark

Reward your well-behaved munchkins with a post-shopping play on level 2 of VivoCity for the outdoor kids play zone. This newly renovated zone has two play areas for various age groups. The little ones can enjoy wide low slides and a trampoline. Ages 6 and up can enjoy the taller climbing structures and swings. To cool off there is a water fountain area that is also shining at night with cool blue lights. Kids can run wild here – it is partly shaded but mostly exposed, so bring hats!

At the level 3 Sky Park, kids 4-12 years old can enjoy the fun-filled Happy Paddle Boats! Young children can also develop better motor skills through paddling. Rides are available from 11am to 9pm daily.

Open: Daily, 10am – 10pm (Level 3 paddle boats from 11am to 9pm daily).

VivoCity SkyPark, 1 Harbourfront Walk, Levels 2 and 3, Singapore 098585, Tel: (+65) 6377 6860, www.vivocity.com.sg

City Square Mall

With three playgrounds located at this eco-mall there a few options for big kids and little ones. Basement 1 is a smaller area for toddlers and located conveniently next to McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts! There’s a revamped Inclusive Playground at L1 that features a climbing net, a swinging bridge, and a tall green slide plus inclusive swings and a wheelchair accessible merry-go-round. Then at L1, City Green Park there’s new net-play playground for a great mix of adventure and safety for kids!

Open: Daily, 10am – 10pm.

City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Road, Singapore 208539, Tel: (+65) 6595 6595, www.citysquaremall.com.sg

Nex

The Nex rooftop playground has both wet and dry play areas. The dry area will keep kids busy with slides and bridges, while the water play sees spray tunnels, water cannons, and a giant tipping water bucket to cool you down. Do note the dry area ends up quite slippery and wet, so be sure to watch your littles ones carefully.

Open: Daily, 11am-9pm.

Nex, 23 Serangoon Central, Level 4R, Singapore 556083, Tel: (+65) 6416 6366, www.nex.com.sg

East

Changi Airport T3 Slide

There’s no need to make any excuses for including an airport in this list – as we all know, Changi Airport Terminal 3 is essentially a shopping mall with runways. And The [email protected] (billed as “the world’s tallest slide in an airport”, a really competitive category) is the bizness. There are two – the 4-storey tall slide which goes from the Arrival Hall (level 1) to Basement 3, or the smaller one that starts on the food and shopping level at Basement 2. The smaller one is free, and gets rather crowded on weekends; the bigger one is a real thrill but the rides must be redeemed (every $10 spent at the airport may be redeemed for one ride at the level 1 info counter). There are height restrictions of 1.3 metres tall and maximum 2 metres tall. Take a ride down the one-and-a-half storey tall slide at Basement 2 for free to see how you like the speed, before you enjoy the larger one. Participants have to be at least 1.1 metres tall. Maximum height allowed is 2.0 metres tall. (There is also a small playground in Basement 2).

Open: Daily, 12pm to 10.:30pm.

Changi Airport Terminal 3, Airport Boulevard, Singapore, www.changiairport.com

Changi City Point Mall

East Coast mamas will especially enjoy the ‘The 3 House’ – the interactive wet and dry park on the 2nd floor of Changi City Point Mall. Ideal for younger tots, there are swings, gentle fountains and mini pools for cooling off in, and a playground with climbing equipment (best for older siblings as the ropes course can be tricky!).

Open: Daily, 10am to 10pm.

Changi City Point Mall, 5 Changi Business Park Central 1, Singapore 486038, Tel: (+65) 6511 1088, www.changicitypoint.fraserscentrepointmalls.com

Eastpoint Mall

This play area was refreshed within the last two years and is on level 6 of Eastpoint Mall. You can find a great hulking structure crossed by strong ropes – perfect for a nautical-themed playground and for little climbing monkeys! There is a ship-like play structure, plus slides, little swings, and more things to climb. But be forewarned, mama: there is very little shade.

Call for opening hours

Eastpoint Mall, 3 Simei Street 6, Singapore 528833, www.facebook.com/fcm.eastpointmall

Tampines 1

Fans of Jungle Junction will love the jungle-themed water playground at Tampines 1 Shopping Mall – we promise you’ll have a whale of a time! Water slides, mini pools, swings and scavenger hunts are perfect for little tykes to burn maximum energy, while animals (that would be grown-ups dressed in animal costumes) roam the grounds keeping the kids entertained. It is jungle-themed after all!

Open: Daily, 10am to 9:30pm, except Mondays when it’s closed from 4pm for cleaning.

Tampines 1, 10 Tampines Central 1, Singapore 529536, www.tampines1.com.sg

Kallang Wave Mall – Splash n Surf

Managed by the Singapore Sports Hub, this free and sweet play area on the rooftop (level 3) of the Kallang Wave Mall has been open for a few years now. Here there are water sprinklers, waterslides (with different options for children of varying ages who are more or less comfortable in water), a merry-go-round with little bucket seats, fountains, sprays … basically everything fun that can be done with water. Here, the kids can frolic in a good 50cm of water, which makes it a really decent pool – all with a great view of the downtown skyline!

For the small amount of $2 you can also purchase a tube ride on the lazy river with your tot. There is also the Stingray wave rider as another option there for a fee. Suitable for kids of all ages for the splash park section. Age restrictions apply for the other activities. Do note that floaties/waterwings are not allowed as they do not consider them as a fool-proof safety device.

Open: Daily, 8am – 10pm.

Library rooftop dry playground

There’s also a rooftop playground connected to Kallang Wave Mall, where some see-saw fun, slides and climbing structures can be enjoyed. There is no shade so note an overcast day is best. Otherwise pop downstairs to educate the kids with some sports books (small area allocated for the kidlets.

Kallang Wave Mall, 1 Stadium Place, Singapore 397628, www.thekallangwave.sg

I12 Katong

I12 Katong boasts a rooftop Aqua Playground with wet play galore: slides, swings, sprinklers, and tipping buckets. There is also a smaller dry area off to the side, with musical play equipment for little tots.

Open: Daily, 10am-10pm.

112 Katong, 112 East Coast Road, Singapore 428802, Tel: (+65) 6636 2112, www.112katong.com.sg

West

IMM Water Play Park

IMM Shopping Mall in Jurong has a dry and wet area. The dry zone is shaded and has small slides and a merry-go-round for the younger tots, while the wet zone consists of a flower-themed water play area on the third level of the Garden Plaza, complete with watermills and spraying flowers. With the clever use of rubber floors, there is no slipping over for wet babes. Older children can take great pleasure in controlling the water fountains, just watch out, mama: you might get wet, too!

Open: Daily, 10am – 10pm.

IMM Shopping Mall, Level 3 Garden Plaza, IMM Shopping Mall, 2 Jurong East Street 21, Singapore 609601, www.imm.sg

Lot One Shopper’s Mall

The wet playground at Lot One will cool grumpy munchkins off with fountains, spray tunnels and water jets all available for the taking. Do take note, though, mama that the water play area is only available from 12 to 2pm and 5 to 8pm on weekdays and from 12 to 8pm on weekends. We admit it’s not exactly around the corner from most S’pore dwellers, but is a fun way to try something different (you can always catch public transport there and really make it an adventure for your busy bunnies).

Open: Monday to Friday, 12pm – 2pm and 5pm – 8pm; Saturday and Sunday, 12pm – 8pm.

Lot One Shopper’s Mall, 21 Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4, Singapore 689812, www.lotone.com.sg

Westgate Mall

There is a perfect playground in Jurong for cheeky pixies and elves – Westgate Wonderland, the fantasy garden that has sprung up on level 4 of Westgate Mall. Here, a gigantic watering can rains down on drenched and squealing elves, while water fountains spout liberally from the ground. Bigger kids can shimmy up the playground’s towering tree house while the younger set romps among oversized bluebells, fruits and critters, some of which respond to touch with light and music!

Open: daily 10am – 10pm.

Westgate Mall, 3 Gateway Drive, Singapore 608532, www.westgate.com.sg

North

Bishan Junction 8

The playground on level 3 of Bishan Junction 8 features a see-saw, in addition to other swinging, bouncing and balancing rides for wee ones. For the bigger kids, there is a not-very-big-but-pretty-satisfying climbing structure incorporating wavy platforms, tunnels and slides. Daredevils can try the climbing challenge constructed out of three man-sized polyhedrons.

Open: Call for opening hours.

Bishan Junction 8, 9 Bishan Place, Singapore 579837, Tel: (+65) 6354 9282, www.junction8.com.sg

Compass One Shopping Mall

The Ninja Trail is mostly a water trail that consists of a wet obstacle course for little ninjas to fight their way through (duck, climb, dodge and slide). The green waterslide is good fun and this course is sure to keep them active for a while. There are also a few spring animals to bounce on, along with swings to enjoy in a dry area.



Open: Call for opening hours.

Compass One Shopping Mall, 1 Sengkang Square, Singapore 545078, Tel: (+65) 6819 0733, www.compassone.sg

The Grandstand

If you are out and about enjoying some food at Pasarbella Market, or doing a little boutique shopping, you may not be aware there is a small A small (but never the less a fun) outdoor play area, located on the way in from the car park (right by Marsden Swim School) — one of many reasons we love that place!). There are swings, a merry-go-round and a cute little pretend road map for kids to ride around with their scooters or small bikes. Do note it is not shaded so on a hot day you need to cover up.

Open: 10am – 10pm.

The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Rd, Singapore 287994, Tel: (+65) 6463 4610, www.thegrandstand.com.sg

Causeway Point

At Causeway Point, you can take your pick of three playgrounds: there is a safari-themed one for toddlers on level 2 with lions, a giraffe, hippo, monkey, crocodile and a lonely zebra-striped car. There is a second one on the same level for train-crazed children, featuring a good-sized locomotive with slides. Finally, on level 7 is where well behaved kids can be rewarded with water sprinklers, sprays, fountains, water guns, and a great big water bucket. Are you ready for a good soaking, mama?

Open: 10:30am – 10:30pm.

Causeway Point, Woodlands Square, Singapore 738099, www.causewaypoint.fraserscentrepointmalls.com

Northpoint Shopping Mall

A popular haunt for families that’s only JUST reopened in January 2018 following a massive renovation, Northpoint Mall has a 5,400 square foot wet/dry playground on the centre’s roof (seems to be a common theme in the newer shopping malls here but not one we’re complaining about!) that will have your water babes squealing in delight. There are dinosaur-themed water features, water jets, tunnels, fountains and multi-play structures, plus a small playground for those kiddies who prefer to stay dry.

Open: daily 11am-9.30pm



North Point Shopping Mall, 930 Yishun Avenue 2, Singapore 76909, Tel: (+65) 6754 2300, www.northpoint.fraserscentrepointmalls.com

Seletar Mall

The playground at Seletar Mall, one of the newbies just built just a couple years back, can be found on level 4. Partially sheltered, there is a good range of play things here, from good old slides to climbing nets and bouncy cars, swings, see-saws, balancing lines and climbing platforms. This accessible, colourful playground is particularly suitable for under-5s.

Open: Call for opening hours.

Seletar Mall, 33 Sengkang W Avenue, Singapore 797653, Tel: (+65) 6341 6252, www.theseletarmall.com

Waterway Point

Happy Park is both a dry and wet area located on level 2. You’ll find some very tall slides for the big kids and a short one for the little ones, along with padded flooring and hills with tunnels for kids to crawl through. This area is mostly shaded. Next you can head to the wet play area on the same level and cool off in the wading pool, small splash area. Nothing too fancy but a great way to freshen up.

Wonderland is also on level 2 is an indoor air-conditioned play area designed for the younger kids. Themed like a magical forest with animals, insects and flora structures, it’s a perfect place for the younger ones to enjoy.

Open: Daily, 10:30am – 9:30pm

Waterway Point, 83 Punggol Central, Singapore 828761, Tel: (+65) 6812 7300, www.waterwaypoint.com

Sembawang Shopping Centre

A bit off the beaten track for those mamas living centrally (but perfect for those living in the north), Sembawang Shopping Centre lets kids run wild in the 15,000 square foot open-air wet playground (whoa!). That’s a ton of water pistols, propellers, buckets of water and fountains to keep your kiddies out of mischief. Although the playground is open all day, the splash area only gets wet between 11am and 2pm and again from 5 to 8pm daily. Pick your time to make sure you get there when it’s wet! A small playground is also on offer for the little ones.

Open: Daily from 10 am to 10pm (splash area is only open 11am – 2pm and 5pm – 8pm).

Sembawang Shopping Centre, 604 Sembawang Road, Singapore 758459, www.sembawangsc.com.sg