Picnics & Playtime: 10 Outdoor parks in Singapore to bring your kids to

Angela Goh 29 Jun 2017

1/10
Far East Organization Children’s Garden
Located within the sprawling grounds of Gardens By The Bay, the Far East Organization Children’s Garden is a haven for kids looking to cool down amongst lush greenery, surrounded by exciting interactive play zones such as the Water Play area for kids to splash about, and the climb-tastic Rainforest Tree House forest trail. There is even a cafe for weary parents to hang out at. Admission is free! Click here for opening hours and more information.

Photo: Getty Images
2/10
Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park
One of the largest urban parks in the country, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park is 62 hectares of land comprising of impressive greenery, manicured gardens, a 3-kilometre river, ponds, cycling and jogging tracks, playgrounds, and a plethora of flora and fauna species. Whether you want to have a delightful little picnic, go for a heart-pumping jog, stroll through the lush parklands, or enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, you can do it all here easily.

Photo: nparks.gov.sg
3/10
Marina Barrage
Teach your kids the glory of flying a kite at the Marina Barrage. Whether it’s in the morning, afternoon, or evening, you will definitely be able to catch a handful of kites in the sky above the Barrage, flying high and flaunting their swirling moves. While parks by the beach seem to be popular kite-flying destinations, the Marina Barrage definitely makes for a more unique location to do this because of its spectacular city backdrop and the ample space and height needed to make keeping the kite in the air infinitely easier.
Photo: Getty Images
4/10
MacRitchie Reservoir Park
One of the more well-known leisure parks in Singapore, MacRitchie Reservoir Park is surrounded by lush nature reserves and, of course, boasts a huge body of water that is perfect for anyone interested in kayaking and canoeing. Of course, for families interested in observing wildlife, there are several hiking trails that lead into the rainforest. Just beware of cheeky macaques getting handsy! For the adventurous, get ambitious and head to the TreeTop Walk — it’s an opportunity to be amongst the tallest trees!

Photo: Getty Images
5/10
Fort Canning Park
Situated on a hill, the park overlooks the Southeast portion of Singapore, giving visitors stunning views of the CBD. While the nature is abundant here, the park is also home to intriguing artworks, sculptures, statues, and historic structures. Take the kids here to learn more about Singapore’s yesteryears, when the British Army once used Fort Canning as its headquarters in the 1920s.

Photo: Getty Images
6/10
Lower Seletar Reservoir Park
One of the more tranquil parks, Lower Seletar Reservoir Park is perfect for families wanting to unwind and have a peaceful picnic by the waterside. Like MacRitchie, it’s also a place where one can partake in water sports and you can rent dragon boats and kayaks. Fishing is also popular here, so if you little ones are keen, they can try their luck at the fishing jetty. If you’ve got a budding photographer in the family, the park makes for a great location to snap away!

Photo: Getty Images
7/10
HortPark
If you want your kids to develop a green thumb, visiting HortPark will surely give them the inspiration they need. Every third Sunday of the month sees an exciting event: Gardeners’ Day Out, which includes lifestyle activities, a food bazaar, and a bustling market. Kids will get to enjoy activities such as storytelling and arts & crafts projects.

Photo: nparks.gov.sg
8/10
East Coast Park
Salty sea breezes and swaying coconut palm trees make the cut, though the beaches here aren’t the most scenic, what with the huge tankers visible in the distance. Despite this, the park still makes for a great place to enjoy a seaside barbecue or indulge in a session of bike riding or rollerblading. Other recreational activities include beach volleyball and water sports. For the peckish, there are a slew of restaurants in the area that will definitely keep the hunger pangs away.

Photo: Getty Images
9/10
Pasir Ris Park
Like East Coast Park, Pasir Ris Park has all the space for quintessential park activities such as cycling, jogging, water sports, barbecuing, nature walks, birdwatching, and picnicking. With modern facilities and play areas for kids, including a large playground, your little ones will not be bored here. Of course, peaceful parklands aside, there’s the thrilling Wild Wild Wet theme park for adventurous kids looking to splash around and have some fun in the hot Singapore sun.

Photo: nparks.gov.sg
10/10
Singapore Botanic Gardens
If you think it’s just plants, plants, and more plants here, well, you’d be right. However, this doesn’t mean it’s a boring place. The Singapore Botanic Gardens is made up of various sites that are actually quite unique — from turtle ponds to water features, huge orchid gardens to climate-controlled conservatories, you will always be chancing upon something new. Educational zones will allow your kids to learn more about the properties of herbs and the native flora that grow in Singapore.

Photo: Getty Images

Whether it’s kite-flying or kayaking, there are plenty of recreational parks that you can visit with the whole family for some weekend fun!

Singapore may indeed be one huge concrete jungle, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find pockets of greenery around. Compared to a lot of other urban cities with skyscrapers and busy streets, Singapore actually does pretty well in the conservation of its forests and natural landscapes. With large parklands and nature reserves, we do enjoy an abundance of picnic spots and recreational destinations. Interested in hiking trails? Head to MacRitchie Reservoir Park. Kids need to cool down from the hot weather? The Far East Organization Children’s Garden at Gardens By The Bay will lend them a splashing good time.

There are so many parks in Singapore for the whole family to enjoy. Some, you might not even have considered before. Head up to the gallery to check out just what our little island has to offer!

Angela Goh

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