Family-Friendly Singapore

By: Matthew Long, Travel Mamas Guest Blogger
June 3rd, 2010

Singapore is an exciting, fast-paced city best known for its diverse culture and ultra-modern tastes. Usually a destination for the business traveler, Singapore is also a great vacation stop for families.

Many visitors are surprised when they first arrive in Singapore. The city has a contemporary, Western appearance and offers a friendly first foray into Southeast Asian culture. English is the primary language, although four official languages are recognized. Due to the tremendous impact of Chinese immigrants in Singapore, family is at the core of the society and great reverence and respect is paid to families, particularly children. It is not uncommon for strangers to comment or even pat young children on the head, so please do not be surprised.

The Climate
Given Singapore’s location, it can be incredibly hot and muggy almost all year. Luckily, the comprehensive system of underground malls and pedestrian tunnels can help you easily escape the heat. Be sure to keep children well hydrated and bring along a sun hat and enough sunscreen for your stay.

Family-Friendly Dining
Singapore is well known for its culinary talents. There are many American-style restaurants for picky eaters. Plus, there are many food courts and hawker centers throughout the city. Not your typical mall fare, these food courts actually offer some of the best food in the city and can be a fun experience, especially for kids.

Sentosa Island
At the heart of family activities in Singapore is the resort island of Sentosa. Sentosa in itself could be a complete vacation featuring something for everyone including: sheltered beaches, shows, a wave house and the new Universal Studios Singapore. If your hotel isn’t on the island, it is a very easy sky tram ride over and there is plenty of parking if you have a rental car. Sentosa does a great job catering to families and offers plenty of special moments. One thing not to miss is the nightly show, Songs of the Sea. This musical celebration uses pyrotechnics, water jets and computer imagery to create an amazing evening that will entertain kids of all ages. Sentosa’s theme park attractions are a little pricey though and not different from anything you can find in the U.S.

At statue of “Merlion,” the half-fish/half-lion symbol of Singapore, on Sentosa Island

Singapore Zoo
One of my absolute favorite things to do in Singapore is to visit the phenomenal Singapore Zoo. The zoo specializes in animal displays that are open, using moats and hidden fences to keep the animals in and the people out. After a few minutes you feel like you are part of the exhibits rather than just a voyeur.

A feature that I particularly love is the opportunity to feed a variety of animals. Every day the zoo offers visitors the ability to feed more than 20 different animals, from jaguars to manatees. You pay a nominal fee for the food and then wait your turn to feed the remarkable animals.

To truly enjoy the zoo properly, you should plan to spend most of the day there. If you have the time, also make sure to stay for the zoo’s night safari. This unique adventure is the first of its kind in the world and takes visitors on an exploration of the zoo’s nocturnal animals. You begin with a tour on a tram, exploring the darkest reaches of the zoo’s jungle before a guided walking tour where you will learn about the nighttime habits of the zoo’s many residents. If your family likes animals, this is a must do activity. The zoo also offers a buffet style dinner at one of its restaurants, but that option is a little pricey and not worth the cost.

Feeding rhinos at the Singapore Zoo

Singapore Science Center
Another popular family attraction is the Singapore Science Center. After a few days you come to the realization that Singapore does everything well, and its museums are no exception. The expansive science center has more than 1,000 displays covering a variety of science topics including aviation, robotics and astronomy. What makes this a great destination for kids is that so many of the exhibits are extremely interactive and allow people of all ages to play and learn. One of my favorite programs is the Discovery Zone, which is specifically designed for children aged four to 12.

No matter what you choose to do, everyone in your family will love the exciting, multi-cultural city-state of Singapore.

Matthew Long, Editor-in-Chief and creator of LandLopers.com, has a true passion for traveling. As someone who has a bad case of the travel bug, Matt travels the world in order to share tips on where to go, what to see, and how to do it all on a budget. Matt is a Lonely Planet Featured Blogger, as well as a contributor to TravelBlogSites.com, Traveldudes, and Travel Tidbits. Follow Matt on Twitter @Landlopers.

 

What are thoughts or suggestions on Singapore with kids? Leave a comment below!

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Tags: science center, sentosa, singapore with kids, zoo

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This entry was posted on Thursday, June 3rd, 2010 at 6:43 pm and is filed under Family Vacations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.