As the school holidays approach, parents start wondering what the best plan is for their kids to make the most of their time while not attending classes. If you were in doubt to send them to a holiday camp or missed the deadline to sign them up, you don’t need to panic! There is plenty your kids can do at home that is both fun and educational. In this article, we will discuss the topic, as well as list the 25 best school holiday activities for kids, so you can ensure they can profit from their time off school.
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When are Singapore's school holidays?
Outside of public holidays, Singapore’s longest school holiday period occurs between June and August. There are other holiday weeks between the different school terms, yet they are shorter holidays. For instance, there is a holiday week in March, another one in September, and two weeks in December. You can further check the holiday periods in the official Singapore calendar.
How do I entertain my child during school holidays?
Fear not, parents! There are plenty of things to do with your kids during the school holidays. You have places to go, such as museums, the cinema, parks, and zoos, or you might as well prepare some holiday activities at home, such as sleepovers with your children’s friends, STEAM activities, and any other fun experiment that your kid can enjoy. You don’t need to spend money on every idea, you can just involve your children in your everyday activities to turn them into a game, such as cooking or cleaning the house with them. Just make sure that you add an extra fun condiment to each chore so it becomes fun!
If you like the concept, but you are unsure of how to proceed, well look no further! We will share with you the 25 best school holiday activities for kids in Singapore guaranteed to keep your kids entertained.
25 Best School Holiday Activities for Kids in Singapore
We will divide this list into 4 categories: Going Out, Indoor Fun, Some Fresh Air, and Low-budget. The first one involves paid activities in Singapore and its surroundings. The second one provides some fun activities with your kids at home. The third one offers some refreshing activities outside, either in your garden or in a park. The final one can be anywhere (mostly at home), but they can help you involve your children in your routine, transforming it into a game.
- Museum of Ice cream
- Children Little Museum
- Mandai Singapore Wildlife Reserve
- Universal Studios Singapore
- National Museum of Singapore
- National Gallery Singapore
- Swimming in your local Council Pool
- Local Leisure Centres
- HydroDash
- East Coast Park
- Kayaking
- Adventures in Different Neighborhoods
- Cooking with your kids
- Camping in the Garden
- Scrapbook
- Treasure Hunt
- Arts and Crafts
- Classic Movie Nights
- Origami
- Home Theater
- Disguising While Recycling
- Home-made Fortress
- Cleaning Time!
- Flying a Kite
- Reading Time
1. Museum of Ice cream
What kid doesn’t love ice cream? Yours will adore this museum, filled with interactive activities for him/her to play with. It takes about 90 minutes and will surely spend some of their energy as they jump and play around.
- Category: Going Out
- Best for: Children ages 2 to 12, accompanied by adults.
- Location: 100 Loewen Road, Dempsey, Singapore 248837. See map.
- Contact: see the site.
- Dates & Opening Hours: all year round, 10 AM – 10 PM, Thursday through Sunday.
- Price Range: SGD 36-52 (approx.)
2. Children Little Museum
A museum filled with old toys will captivate your kids’ attention. You can teach them what you used to play with, as there are many vintage games showcased in this two-story building.
- Category: Going Out, Low-Budget
- Best for: Children ages 8 to 12.
- Location: 57 Aliwal St, Singapore 199933. See map.
- Contact: see Facebook page.
- Dates & Opening Hours: 8.20 AM – 6.30 PM, every day.
- Price Range: SGD 3-5 (approx.)
3. Mandai Singapore Wildlife Reserve
Mandai is a sanctuary for endangered species. They currently provide wildlife habitat for orangutans, one of the most threatened species in Asia. Visiting the reserve is always fun for all ages as well as a lesson on animal preservation. Plus, they have multiple parks to go to, with diverse fauna to observe.
- Category: Going Out
- Best for: children aged 1-13.
- Location: 80 Mandai Lake Rd, Singapore 729826. See the map.
- Contact: see the site.
- Dates & Opening Hours: 8.20 AM – 6.30 PM, every day.
- Price Range: starting at SGD 10 (approx.)
4. Universal Studios Singapore
A pricier alternative, this theme park is an unforgettable adventure land for your children. Filled with coasters, shows, and dark rides, there is something for every age. Either if your kids like thrills or enjoy meeting their favorite characters, this park is a great summer activity.
- Category: Going Out
- Best for: children aged 1-13.
- Location: 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269. See the map.
- Contact: see the site.
- Dates & Opening Hours: 11 AM-6 PM (may vary throughout the year).
- Price Range: starting at SGD 10 (approx.)
5. National Museum of Singapore
A perfect family plan, packed with diverse on-and-off exhibits that kids will adore. It’s the oldest museum in Singapore, dating back to 1849. And if your kid is a Doraemon fan, there is an exhibit they will simply love.
- Category: Going Out
- Best for: children of all ages.
- Location: 93 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178897. See the map.
- Contact: see the site.
- Dates & Opening Hours: 10 AM – 7 PM, every day.
- Price Range: SGD 12-15 (approx.)
6. National Gallery Singapore
Do you have a small artist in the family? This incredible building (an attraction itself) houses multiple exhibits and activities for your child to explore his/her creative side.
- Category: Going Out
- Best for: children of ages 6 and up.
- Location: 1 St Andrew’s Rd, #01 – 01, Singapore 178957. See the map.
- Contact: see the site.
- Dates & Opening Hours: 10 AM – 7 PM, every day.
- Price Range: SGD 12-15 (approx.). May vary depending on the activity.
7. Swimming in your local Council Pool
A good alternative for a hot summer, Singapore has many pools for you to visit as a family. Just make sure kids are supervised at all times.
- Category: Some Fresh Air, Low-Budget
- Best for: all ages (under supervision)
- Location: find here some of the many pools available.
- Contact: use the map above to contact them.
- Dates & Opening Hours: usually open by 7 AM – 9 PM (times vary).
- Price Range: varies depending on the pool.
8. Local Leisure Centres
Have you been to your local leisure center? They offer activities and sports for children of different ages to enjoy. They can take different classes, such as yoga or swimming.
- Category: Going Out, Some Fresh Air
- Best for: children of all ages (may vary depending on the activity/class)
- Location: find here some of the many pools available.
- Contact: use the map above to contact them.
- Dates & Opening Hours: usually open by 7 AM – 10 PM (times vary depending on the center).
- Price Range: this may vary depending on the activity/class.
9. HydroDash
This outdoor activities park allows your kids to play in inflatable obstacle courses. This is a place all the family can enjoy, with many options for different ages.
- Category: Going Out, Some Fresh Air
- Best for: 5 and up
- Location: Palawan Beach, Singapore 098498. See the map.
- Contact: see the site.
- Dates & Opening Hours: 12 PM – 6 PM (weekdays) and 12 PM – 7 PM (Weekends, School Holidays, and Public Holidays).
- Price Range: starting at SGD 19.
10. East Coast Park
Not only the most popular but the largest park in Singapore. There is a beach, a mini-golf course, and many other fun opportunities for your children. Besides, strolling around is an activity worth your time, and at no cost.
- Category: Some Fresh Air
- Best for: children 9 and up.
- Location: E Coast Park Service Rd, Singapore. See the map.
- Contact: you can see more information on the park’s site.
- Dates & Opening Hours: Open 24 hours.
- Price Range: free to walk around. Activities may come at a cost.
11. Kayaking
Ever thought of trying kayak with your kids? This is a good sport for the family to try. Plus, they are very popular, so you might want to book and lease the equipment in advance.
- Category: Some Fresh Air
- Best for: children of all ages
- Location: 1 Stadium Dr, Singapore 397629. See the map.
- Contact: see the site.
- Dates & Opening Hours: Open 24 hours.
- Price Range: SGD 14-15 for 2 hours, or SGD 30 for a full day.
12. Adventures in Different Neighborhoods
Your young ones might be accustomed to their block, their schools, and not many other spots. Taking a stroll around a neighborhood they do not know is a great way of showing them how much more is out there. Depending on where you live, there are many places to go, and it’s a budget-friendly activity, too!
- Category: Some Fresh Air, Low-budget.
- Best for: children of all ages
- Locations: it varies depending on where you live, yet we suggest these ones:
- Price Range: Free (you can get a snack somewhere nice while strolling)
13. Cooking with your kids
Too busy for going out? Any daily activity can be a fun one for your kids. Try preparing something easy, so they get can an introduction to how to cook. Organize small stations: somewhere to slice ingredients (under supervision), another one to mix them, etc. Kids will adore eating something they made themselves, especially if it is something tasty or their favorite dessert.
- Category: Low-Budget, Indoor Fun
- Best for: starting at age 5
- Price Range: depending on the meal.
14. Camping in the Garden
Of course, you need a house with a garden for this one. All you need is a tent, a sleeping bag/pillows, and food to cook on a small fire outside. This camping-at-home experience provides a safe environment while giving your kid a taste of what camping is like, in case you are thinking of holiday camps for kids in the future.
- Category: Some Fresh Air
- Best for: bigger kids (ages 5 and up)
- Location: your garden.
- Price Range: depending on what you have at home (tent, sleeping bags, etc.).
15. Scrapbook
Have you ever built a family album? Or one with your favorite characters? A couple of pictures or magazines, some scissors, and glue can be made into a beautiful scrapbook for you and your kids to enjoy.
- Category: Indoor fun, Low-Budget
- Best for: ages 4-8
- Price Range: shouldn’t be costly.
16. Treasure Hunt
This one works both with and without a garden. In different parts of your house, set a series of sequential clues that lead to a treasure (some candy or a gift!). Make sure the puzzle are easy for kids to solve, so they can have tons of fun with the adventure.
- Category: Low-Budget, Indoor Fun, Some Fresh Air
- Best for: starting at age 5
- Price Range: another cheap activity, depending on the clues/puzzles/prizes you use.
17. Arts and Crafts
Make sure to motivate your kids’ creative potential by devoting a day to arts and crafts. You just need some art materials (paint, some color pencils, papers, etc.), clothes to get messy on, and let your kids’ creativity go loose!
- Category: Low-Budget, Indoor Fun
- Best for: ages 3-10
- Price Range: depending on the material, adaptable to any possibility.
18. Classic Movie Nights
Establish a weekly day (or more) for this activity. Set a fixed time and select a couple of movies you know your kid can learn from and enjoy. Prepare some popcorn and sodas to pretend it’s a cinema. Allow time after the movie to discuss the content of what you have just seen. Your kid will learn to love movies as well as reflect on what they see. You can make it a themed viewing (Disney movies, classics, animation, etc.)
- Category: Low-Budget, Indoor Fun
- Best for: ages 3-12 (choose the movies based on your kids’ ages)
- Price Range: a cheap activity, some popcorn/soda, and a streaming service subscription should suffice.
19. Origami
This millenary art is a lesson on patience and creativity. Plus, you just need a piece of paper and instructions, so it’s a very popular alternative. You can watch this video on a couple of easy ideas to get started with Origami.
- Category: Low-Budget, Indoor Fun
- Best for: ages 5 and up (choose the design based on your kids’ ages)
- Price Range: Free or low to none (you just need paper and, optionally, decoration).
20. Home Theater
Encourage your kids to write and star in their own home play. They can play as many characters as they want and create their disguises. Make sure to mount a special presentation for your family and loved ones.
- Category: Low-Budget, Indoor Fun
- Best for: ages 5 and up
- Price Range: Free or low to none (depending on the scale of the play, but the fun resides in using home elements).
21. Disguising While Recycling
With the excuse of playing with old clothes, you can empty your drawers of old garments for your kids to try on. Be silly! Wear pants on your head, or shoes as gloves. Once done, you get to order and donate the clothes in a good state to a charity.
- Category: Low-Budget, Indoor Fun
- Best for: ages 3 and up
- Price Range: Free.
22. Home-made Fortress
Ideally in your garden but suited for any larger space in your house, a fortress is a great activity for your kids. You will just need a couple of cardboard boxes and tape to build it. Once done, you can let your child’s imagination run wild, playing as princesses, dragons, knights, and anything they can imagine.
- Category: Low-Budget, Indoor Fun
- Best for: ages 5 and up
- Price Range: low (depending on how easily you can get some cardboard boxes).
23. Cleaning Time!
Just like cooking, cleaning can be fun. If you get creative, your kids will help you with the house duties as if they were a fun game. Try making small competitions such as who can sweep the most leaves in the garden, or draw shapes with a brush on a dirty surface. There are many ways to make cleaning enjoyable based on your ideas!
- Category: Low-Budget, Indoor Fun
- Best for: ages 6 and up
- Price Range: Free.
24. Flying a Kite
Any excuse to get outside of your house is good. A kite combines some fun indoor crafting with good outdoor fun. Whether in your garden or any park, your children will enjoy seeing their creation fly. Here is a simple way to build a kite to start having fun with it!
- Category: Some Fresh Air, Low-Budget, Indoor Fun
- Best for: children of all ages (you can build the kite yourself if your kid is too young, so he doesn’t miss on the fun)
- Location: your garden or any park.
- Contact: see the site.
- Dates & Opening Hours: Of course, there is not a specific hour for this one, but we suggest the afternoon to avoid the sun’s most intense hours.
- Price Range: low to none (only the kite materials, which should come at a low cost)
25. Reading Time
We couldn’t leave this one out of the list. Assign some time for reading every day or week. If your kids can’t read yet, you can do it yourself, reenacting the characters’ voices. The sooner they learn the value of books the better. They can travel the world, one page at a time.
- Category: Low-Budget, Indoor Fun
- Best for: children of all ages (as said, parents can read to them if they can’t do it yet)
- Price Range: you can have a book budget, but you can also go to your local library to save money!
Closing thoughts on the 25 Best School Holiday Activities for Kids in Singapore
There are only so many to keep your children entertained during holidays. We cannot stress this enough, but as long as you are creative, the sky is the limit. Make sure to allow some time to rest between activities. There is no need to do something every day and overstimulate your kid. The holidays are also for them to rest, so a good balance between leisure and relaxation is the key. Also, if you haven’t done it already, enlist your children in a holiday camp that will surely be a fun and new experience for them, and a beneficial one, as well. At the STEM Institution, there are plenty of Holiday Camp options that your child will adore, with a focus on STEM disciplines.
