We recently visited Singapore as a family. We were drawn to its reputation for safety, ease of navigation, English-speaking locals, and reliable public transportation. The proximity of tourist attractions and the diverse range of cuisines catering to different tastes, diets, and budgets also appealed to us.
However, we did find that Singapore is the most expensive destination in Southeast Asia when it comes to hotels. Thankfully, we were able to stay in my husband Jason’s condo, giving us a taste of living like locals. One downside of Singapore is the absence of real beachfronts, which was a bit disappointing for us, as Filipinos are used to having access to some of the world’s best beaches.
A friend who lives in Singapore provided us with a list of over 70 kid-friendly places to visit. Our 12-year-old and 8-year-old chose the attractions they were most interested in, and we planned our itinerary based on their preferences.
Interestingly, they decided to skip the usual tourist spots like Universal Studios, the zoo, night safari, and aquarium. I like to think that they were influenced by their values as vegans and chose cruelty-free attractions. Fortunately, their choices were also budget-friendly.
Free attractions
The Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden at the Singapore Botanical Gardens is reportedly the first public garden in Asia designed specifically for kids. It revolves around the theme “Life on Earth Depends on Plants,” promoting a love for nature while providing space for adventure and play. The kids enjoyed the playground, treehouse, zip line, and hedge maze. We also encountered fish, turtles, butterflies, stingless bees, a Malayan monitor lizard, and a family of chickens. Although the farm and orchard seemed dried up, the forest with its streams and ponds offered a fun exploration.
The Far East Organization Children’s Garden at Gardens by the Bay caters to kids of all ages. The Toddler Play Zone with its swaying bridge, fish fountain, and water tunnels is perfect for children aged 1-5. Older kids, aged 6-12, can enjoy the Rainforest Tree Houses, rope maze, and challenging forest trail. There’s even a Water Play area where swimsuits and a change of clothes are recommended.
The kids didn’t tire from endless walking and using public transportation. They also had a great time on the Imbiah Hiking Trail at Sentosa, where they encountered various animals indicated on the environment signages. We saw another lizard and some bugs, and heard macaque monkeys. The manmade falls with fake boulders made the kids giggle.
Animal-friendly and family-oriented
Wild Wild Wet, one of the top 10 water parks in Asia, unfortunately seemed a bit rundown and required a 20-minute walk in the heat from the last train station, which wasn’t enjoyable while carrying heavy bags.
My husband, Jason, being a thrill-seeker, tried out one of Asia’s longest free-fall water slides with a near-vertical drop. My son, Jack, enjoyed the other exciting rides, while my daughter, Juno, and I relaxed in the lazy river. The entrance fee for kids was around P800, and for adults, it was P1,000.
Jack was eager to experience indoor skydiving in a wind tunnel at Ifly Sentosa. The entire experience, including training, lasted less than two hours, but the actual dive was less than a minute. We were amazed by the trainers’ performances, which resembled ballet in a blender. They would take their students up and down, unlike Jack’s trainer who only held each student over his head. This experience was a bit pricier, costing around P3,700 for the first dive, but it was still five times cheaper than a tandem jump.
The kids were thrilled to ride an amphibious vehicle, so we decided to take the Duck Tours. We hopped on a cramped open-air jeep-boat that plunged into a river and crawled back onto land, giving us views of Singapore’s iconic attractions such as the Singapore Flyer, Merlion statue, Gardens by the Bay, Helix Bridge, Marina Bay Sands, and Esplanade. Jason even won a pack of duck stickers for answering the guide’s Formula 1 trivia question. The cost was approximately P1,900 for adults and P1,500 for kids.
Adjustments and Appreciation
During our trip, we gained a newfound appreciation for the Philippines. In the Philippines, we receive complimentary water when dining and don’t get charged for wipes on restaurant tables. We also don’t feel rushed and can freely use shopping carts, unlike in Singapore.
I had to explain concepts like “outrage of modesty,” voyeurism, and “if you molest, we arrest” to the kids because these messages were frequently broadcasted on the subway. Unfortunately, these incidents exist in the Philippines as well, but they are not the focus of our advertising spaces.
Despite these adjustments, it was a precious experience to meet up with old friends who now live in Singapore. They appreciate the benefits of living there, especially the quality of education and the safety of their children. It was also heartwarming to reunite with our children’s former nannies, for whom we will forever be grateful.
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