Having kids is pure joy, right up until the point they start to whine, cry and cause a scene in public. That’s right, nothing sucks the living joy out of a family outing quite like a tantrum-throwing child.

Dining out is inherently difficult if you have a kid that’s easily restless but it doesn’t always have to be a problem. All you need is something that’ll keep them occupied, for instance, an iPad with cartoons playing on loop (as per the norm nowadays), or better yet, a kid-centric menu with attractive yummies or even space for them to run wild and free.

Don’t own an iPad? Well, fret not mommies and daddies because here is our list of 15 restaurants and cafes in Singapore that are great for your little ones, ensuring that you’ll be able to enjoy family time through proper bonding.

CAFE MELBA

Cafe Melba is a relaxed cafe and restaurant concept that blends the best of Melbourne and Asia, providing a gourmet yet casual dining experience. A temporary oasis away from the hustle and bustle, Cafe Melba caters plenty of events for both little ones and adults alike and the best part? Breakfast is served all day, every day, and don’t even get us started on their kid’s set menu which Includes fruit juice or plain milk as well as a choice of chocolate, strawberry or vanilla ice cream

Block N #01, 90 Goodman Road, 56
Singapore 439053
Tel: +65 6440 6068

CAF CLICKAFOOD

CAF Clickafood is a new pastel-themed cafe by Boat Noodles and popular singer, Ang Juyang. The family-friendly cafe at 339 Upper Paya Lebar Road (near to Lorong Ah Soo) features 5 different menus including Korean, Local, Western, Thai cuisine and drinks at reasonable prices.

The cafe also uses pastel-coloured Yamatoya baby high chairs from Molco.

339 Upper Paya Lebar Rd
Singapore 534953
Tel: +65 6970 5077

FRESH FRUITS LAB

No surprises here—Fresh Fruits Lab (FFL) is our favourite cafe in the East of Singapore. This has never changed since our first visit in 2015.

Keeping its core laboratory theme and incorporating fruits into its menu, FFL boasts a colourful, pastel interior that is both whimsical and photogenic. It is also a kid-friendly dining outlet with a play corner for your little ones as well as a low-salt kids menu that is so reasonably priced.

351 Changi Rd, Singapore 419818
Tel: +65 6677 6741

GRUB

With a name like grub, one would naturally jump to the conclusion that these folks are all about greasy burgers, full-fat milkshakes and loaded fries. On the contrary, they’re all about creating gratifying food using only the freshest produce—that’s always a good thing especially for parents who only want the best for their children.

Nestled in Bishan Park, GRUB offers diners a beautiful view of the park and kids, an opportunity to head over to the nearby playground post-meal!

510 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1
Singapore 569983
Tel: +65 6459 5743

IKEA

How many of you immediately thought, “meatballs!”, the minute you saw the title? Popular for its canteen-style concept, IKEA is a great place to take your kids out to. With a kid-friendly menu and a play area for the little ones to run wild, this is one place that guarantees good family bonding on top of delicious food.

317 Alexandra Road
Singapore 159965
Tel: +65 6786 6868

NATIVE KITCHEN

Located within Village Hotel at Sentosa, Native Kitchen is a restaurant that celebrates the best of islander cuisine. As if its close proximity to exciting attractions such as the Palawan Pirate Ship, Universal Studios Singapore, The Merlion and Kidzania doesn’t already make it an ideal spot for family gatherings; the restaurant itself makes dining with your kids a whole lot easier!

Native Kitchen provides interactive menus which have puzzles and mazes for the kids to solve to keep them preoccupied while waiting for their food. What’s more, they also provide children’s utensils so moms and dads can save the hassle!

10 Artillery Avenue Sentosa Island
Village Hotel at Sentosa, Lift Lobby
Singapore 099951
Tel: +65 6722 0818
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

JONES THE GROCER

More than just a gourmet grocer, Jones The Grocer astounds with its massive spread of delectable nosh. Ideal for a brunch on weekends with the family, lunch or a quick coffee Jones the Grocer is a go-to for any meal. Their kids’ menu has also been tweaked to give little ones the vitamins and nutrients they need while remaining appetising above all.

#01-66/67, 1 Kim Seng Promenade
Singapore 237994
Tel: +65 6820 0930

MARCHÉ MOVENPICK

Set in a Swiss Alpine village, delight in a myriad of scrumptious dishes such as their delicious rostis—crispy on the outside, fluffy in the middle and served with a dollop of sour cream—or their super-thin wood-fired pizzas. Let your little rascals go wild at the children’s play area while you dine in peace and bring them back to enjoy their own free Picky Kids meal—available from Monday to Thursday with a minimum spend of S$60 in a single receipt.

3 Temasek Blvd, #01-612 to 614
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65 6337 3134

O’COFFEE CLUB XPRESS

If you ever decide to bring your little ones to the airport to see aeroplanes, be sure to stop over at O’Coffee Club Xpress. The kids’ menu here is valid for children aged 12 and below and begin at only S$6.90 each and every item comes with a complimentary fruit juice! The icing on the cake? If you choose to order a sandwich or a pasta, your kids get their meal free!

65 Airport Boulevard, L2 LF1 Terminal 3
Singapore 819663
Tel: +65 6585 6369

PLATFORM 1094

If getting accepted into Hogwarts is a lifetime dream of your little one, then you—or rather they—have to know more about Platform 1094, a Harry Potter-themed cafe along Serangoon Road. Run by the same team behind Fresh Fruits Lab, Platform 1094 is where your (and your kids) wizard dreams come true. They serve up a slew of hearty yet whimsical dishes that will surely entice the little ones.

1094 Serangoon Road
Singapore 328192
Tel: +65 6204 6003

PIZZA EXPRESS

If you raised your child to love pizza and all things related to Italian food, you did a spot-on job. Specialising in gourmet, hand-made Italian pizza and a variety of hand-made pasta, Pizza Express is one of the best places to enjoy real-deal Italian pies. Bringing a pack of hungry children? Order up their Dough Balls Doppio to share!

7 Fraser Street, #01-01/02
Duo Galleria
Singapore 189356

SUPER LOCO

Priding themselves on family-style Mexican cuisine, Super Loco offers diners fun, vibrancy underscoring the main attraction which is, sensational grub made using fresh ingredients. Brunch is available on weekends for those looking to indulge in a Mexican-themed brunch affair whereas kids get to enjoy their los ninos menu—their version of a kid’s menu—all throughout the week.

60 Robertson Quay, #01-13
The Quayside
Singapore 238252
Tel: +65 6235 8900

THE COASTAL SETTLEMENT

Surrounded by lush trees and endless sea of greenery, and filled to the brim with lots of retro memorabilia and knick-knacks from the good old days, dining at The Coastal Settlement is always a joy for both the young and the young at heart. Be sure to ask the staff to give you a tour of their many antiques—it’d be a good history lesson for the kids too.

Their menu boasts an array of local favourites but with a contemporary twist to them. Whether you’re a photographer, a cafe enthusiast, a nature lover or a mother of two, you’re bound to find something worth falling in love with—your kids too.

200 Netheravon Road
Singapore 508529
Tel: +65 6475 0200

WILD HONEY

A wildly popular all-day breakfast spot in Singapore, Wild Honey is famed for its menu of breakfasts from different parts of the world from freshly baked bagels to bacon and pancake-loaded American breakfast. What kid doesn’t like waking up to pancakes or waffles?

333A Orchard Road #03-02
Mandarin Gallery Singapore
Singapore 238897
Tel: +65 6235 3900

This August sees Singapore turning 51 years old, Charlie Puth performing in Singapore for just a night, and a series of performances taking place in conjunction with Singapore International Festival of Arts.

Get your calendar ready, because we are just about to share with you several highlights this August that you would be interested in.

From the annual Durian Festival, Universal Studios Singapore’s Soak Out Water Party to the last leg of The Great Singapore Sale, here are 7 Exciting Events That Are Taking Place in Singapore This August 2016.

Source: Jay Sansone

#1 CHARLIE PUTH ‘NINE TRACK MIND TOUR 2016′

Taltented Charlie Puth might be a relatively newcomer in the industry, but he has gone strength to strength with record-breaking songs such as See You Again and One Call Away.

His concert will be held at Sentosa’s The Coliseum and tickets start from S$108.00 each (exclusive of booking fees).

When: Wednesday, 10 August 2016

#2 DURIAN FEST 2016

The annual Durian Fest is back!

It is essentially a durian buffet, alongside many other tropical fruits. Held across three days at Resorts World Sentosa, it is a must-do for all durian lovers. From D13 to Mao Shan Wang, you can feast on unlimited supplies of premium durians. All you have to do is head to the stands, select your durians and the staff will have it cut open for you.

More info can be found here.

When: Friday, 19 August 2016 to Sunday, 21 August 2016

#3 EVERYTHING BY MY SIDE

Everything By My Side is the brainchild of internationally-acclaimed Argentine artist Fernando Rubio. Held at The National Gallery Singapore, it is part of the Singapore International Festival of Arts and tickets for the three-hour show is priced at S$10 each (excluding booking fees).

When: Friday, 12 August 2016 to Sunday, 14 August 2016

#4 NATIONAL DAY

Every 09 August marks Singapore’s birthday and yes, our mighty nation is turning 51 years old this year!

This year’s National Day Parade will be held at the National Stadium for the very first time over the past decade. While not everyone has tickets to the parade, you can still catch all the action live on TV or book a restaurant with fabulous views of the fireworks.

When: Tuesday, 09 August 2016

Source: RW Sentosa Blog

#5 SOAK OUT WATER PARTY

Missed the fun-filled Songkran Festival in Thailand last April? Well, Singapore is having its own water party at Universal Studios Singapore.

There are designated wet-and-dry zones just in case you need to seek refuge. An after-party will also be held on selected weekends.

When: From now until Wednesday, 10 August 2016

#6 THE GREAT SINGAPORE SALE

The ten-week long Great Singapore Sale (GSS) is sadly coming to an end. This is your last opportunity to snag some really amazing deals – yes, we are referring up to an unbelievable 70% off original prices.

Shopaholics will also know that the best deals are always saved for the last leg of GSS. Expect further discounts on already-discounted items!

When: From now until Sunday, 14 August 2016

#7 THE MACALLAN WHISKY PAIRING & SHARING WORKSHOP

Conducted by The Macallan Brand Trainer Keith Nair and The Macallan Brand Ambassador Randall Tan, The Macallan Whisky Pairing & Sharing Workshop will be featuring four whiskies and an assortment of canapés.

40 of our readers will be invited to this exclusive event at Changi City Point. Try signing up for a slot and you might just be one of the lucky ones!

When: Saturday, 13 August 2016

What was slated to be an early 2015 opening, quietly shifted to a purportedly late 2015 opening. Now, KidZania Singapore has made an official statement to say that the entertainment centre will only officially launch on 12 April 2016. This was confirmed after they hosted a recruitment drive in August 2015, where a total of 150 jobs were made available to the public.

KidZania promises an “interactive learning and entertainment experience for kids in a kid-sized city, through over 80 role-play activities”. Now, this makes waiting worth the while.

Mark your calendars for April, because it is going to be a ton of fun and games here for your little ones. KidZania will be education through play!

The official date of opening is still unclear but you can be sure that April 2016 will be when your kids can start having fun.

Besides just being an indoor theme park, kids can experience role-play activities, earn a salary in the form of kidZos (official currency), pay for goods and services and even manage a bank card. Remember how we used to have Problem-based Learning (PBL) in school? This is pretty similar, and it will make learning a fun-filled experience for them.

KidZania Singapore is going to be located at Palawan Beach Sentosa, and is easily accessible by car or the Sentosa Express. Spanning over 81000 square feet, equivalent to 6 Olympic-sized swimming pools, it will also house a full-size fuselage of a Boeing 737.

This Mexican brand has seen successes in 16 locations worldwide, and Singapore will be its latest venture. Its recent stint in Bangkok has also seen many Singaporean families having a ball of a time with their kids, and we are most excited for its arrival in Singapore!

KidZania
Sun to Thu: 10am – 5pm
Fri, Sat, Eve of PH, PH and School Holidays: 10am – 8pm

Admission prices:
Infant (under 2 years old): Free
Toddler (2-3 years old): S$25 (walk-in), S$23.75 (online)
Kid (4-17 years old): S$58 (walk-in), S$55.10 (online)
Adult (18-59 years old): S$35 (walk-in), S$33.25 (online)
Senior (60 years old+): S$25 (walk-in), S$23.75 (online)

Images from Kidzania Singapore.

SAFRA Punggol will be SAFRA’s latest addition, and it is set to open in 24 April 2016. The main attraction of the new club is none other than Splash @ Kidz Amaze – Singapore’s first Indoor Water Playground that will span over 23,000 square feet! Sounds exciting already, yes?

Inspired by the new location in the Northeastern side of Singapore, SAFRA Punggol will include several water-related activities, which also means a lot of unadulterated fun.

SAFRA has their usual playgrounds – the ‘Kidz Amaze’ – but SAFRA Punggol’s Kidz Amaze Water Playground will be the first one that is water-centric, unlike the typical dry playgrounds.

While other SAFRAs all over Singapore have facilities such as bowling alleys and such, this indoor water playground at SAFRA Punggol will truly set themselves apart from the rest of the SAFRAs.

You can expect that the new indoor water playground to be very safe and kids-friendly, somewhere where the whole family can enjoy themselves altogether. The playground will boast huge slides that everyone loves, a range of activities, and everything that is centred around the theme of ‘Enchanting Deep Sea’.

This includes a multi-level Elevations™ – a play structure with eight different play decks, multiple water features and five slides, including two tube slides and a family slide suitable for all ages. There will also be a themed Splashpad® with eight different features and a range of water effects to keep the fun and interest level high for one and all.

People living around the Punggol or Northeastern side of Singapore certainly has something to look forward to! Otherwise, we are traveling there anyway to check it out when they finally open their doors to the public!

Images: SAFRA

These days, the simplest way to engage a child is to pass him an electronic device. However, that is not the healthiest way – both physically and emotionally. Bonding with your child does not necessarily mean playing games or watching a movie together on an electronic device. Try ditching those devices for one day and spend some quality time with your little one!

Children just love to play. They are active learners who learn through play. Not sure where to bring them to? Here are 12 Kids Friendly Activities in Singapore! These places not only enhance parent-child bonding, but create fun experiences for the little darlings as well!

1. BUKIT TIMAH SADDLE CLUB

What better way than to have fun while exercising? Horse-riding develops balance and improves coordination as well as motor function. For 45 minutes a week, your child gets to learn the basics of horse-riding from a trained instructor. The best part is that lessons are conducted in groups of 4-5 people, which means that you can learn with your child!

51 Fairways Drive
Tel: +65 6466 2264
Tue to Sun: 7am – 11am & 3.30pm – 7pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

2. THE CITY

An interactive learning playground that is bound to keep your child (and you!) engaged the whole while! Children can explore different locations such as cafe, supermarket, police station and many more. They have the opportunity to role-play various professions – policeman, doctor, supermarket cashier, just to name a few! On top of that, they get to drive on mini streets and play dress-up! Run wild with your child within The City!

#03-04A Liang Court
177 River Valley Road
Tel: +65 6250 6507
Daily: 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay

3. THE LITTLE THINGS

Children learn best when they are interested. There is hardly a child, or anyone in general, who is not interested in food, right? Step into The Little Things where children have to complete tasks such as meal-planning and food preparation in a real kitchen. During the lessons, children will be introduced to basic safety rules in the kitchen. Now, now, look who’s gonna be a little kitchen helper at home soon!

215H Upper Thomson Rd
Tel: +65 6456 3140
Wed to Fri: 12pm – 7pm & 10am – 7pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

4. THE SLIDE @ CHANGI AIRPORT TERMINAL 3

Standing at 12 metres high (equivalent to 4 storeys tall), Singapore Changi Airport has the tallest slide in Singapore. Simply spend $10 in a single receipt to redeem one ride at the 12-metre slide located at Terminal 3, Arrival Hall (Level 1). Do note that participants have to be at least 1.3 metres tall. Children aged 7 and above are allowed to ride the slide.

The Slide @ T3
Singapore Changi Airport
Airport Boulevard
Tel: +65 6595 6868
Daily: 12pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Changi Airport

5. ROAD SAFETY COMMUNITY PARK

Here at the Road Safety Park, children have the opportunity to explore the mini traffic environment equipped with zebra crossing, reading road signs, mini overhead bridge, traffic lights and so on. They get to role play as a driver, cyclist or pedestrian. They are bound to be engaged as they explore the park while learning the precautions they have to take when they are on the road as well as the importance of following traffic rules.

Road Safety Community Park
910 East Coast Park Way
Road Safety Park
Tel: +65 6440 5254
Daily: 24hrs
Nearest Station: Tanah Merah

6. MARINA BARRAGE

What better way than to enjoy the comfortable breeze in an open field? Fly a kite and have a potluck session with your family and friends in the afternoon or evening! Bond over homemade finger food (which you can engage your little ones in!) and hearty laughter and chats. As if that’s not enough, you’ll be spoilt with the beautiful scenery of Marina Bay!

8 Marina Gardens Drive
Tel: +65 6514 5959
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Bayfront

7. HOKEY POKEY

Who could resist an indoor playground with different equipment to explore and varied levels of challenges to overcome? Hokey Pokey is a fun and educational place for children as young as 6 months old to practice and develop their motor skills while playing in a safe environment.

Hokey Pokey
33 Sengkang West Ave
#B1-28/29, The Seletar Mall, Singapore 797653
Mon to Fri: 11am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Fernvale

8. HAY DAIRIES

Bring your little munchkin to the Goat Farm to view the goats and the milking session! It’s a fun process especially when you see the goats lining up in a straight line to get to the milking station. You can also purchase goat milk here. Goat milk is suitable for people who are lactose intolerant or allergic to cow milk. Why not give it a try?

No. 3 Lim Chu Kang
Agrotech Park Lane 4
Tel: +65 6792 0931
Mon, Wed to Sun: 9am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Kranji

9. BOLLYWOOD VEGGIES

Allow your child to step out of the buzzing city life and enter a countryside in Kranji to see a different side of Singapore. Take a relaxing stroll in the ten-acre farm, enjoy the greenery, and head to Poison Ivy Bistro for a meal with your family after. Do note that dinner is not available though, as the farm closes at 6.30pm.

100 Neo Tiew Road
Tel: +65 6898 5001
Wed to Fri: 9am – 6.30pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 8a, – 6.30pm
Nearest Station: Kranji

10. KIDZANIA

KidZania promises an “interactive learning and entertainment experience for kids in a kid-sized city, through over 80 role-play activities”.

Besides just being an indoor theme park, kids can experience role-play activities, earn a salary in the form of kidZos (official currency), pay for goods and services and even manage a bank card. Remember how we used to have Problem-based Learning (PBL) in school? This is pretty similar, and it will make learning a fun-filled experience for them.

KidZania
Sun to Thu: 10am – 5pm
Fri, Sat, Eve of PH, PH and School Holidays: 10am – 8pm

Admission prices:
Infant (under 2 years old): Free
Toddler (2-3 years old): S$25 (walk-in), S$23.75 (online)
Kid (4-17 years old): S$58 (walk-in), S$55.10 (online)
Adult (18-59 years old): S$35 (walk-in), S$33.25 (online)
Senior (60 years old+): S$25 (walk-in), S$23.75 (online)

11. SINGKIDS

The bright and colourful soft play equipment and toys will definitely be loved by both adults and children! Children can run around freely in this safe (and not to mention, clean!) environment and explore all the exciting equipment that they don’t get to use often. The playground looks so enticing that parents will be so tempted to join in the fun! And that is exactly what the whole idea of this post is about – play with your children!

Singapore Changi Airport
Airport Boulevard
Terminal 3, #B2-14/15/16/26
Tel: +65 6832 8002
Daily: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Changi Airport

12. SINGAPORE BOTANIC GARDENS

Enjoy a family picnic at the Botanic Gardens while enjoying nature’s wonders! Prior to the picnic, a good suggestion would be to prepare the food at home and remember to involve everyone – adults and little ones! It’s gonna be a fun process and the picnic will be even more enjoyable and meaningful.

1 Cluny Road
Tel: +65 6471 7138 / +65 6471 7361
Daily: 5am – 12midnight
Nearest Station: Orchard/Boatnic Gardens

About the writer:
YSL is an early childhood educator with an avid passion for the little ones and has many years of experience in this field since her scholarship days. Ever ready to reach her hand out to her students and babies in her family, she is always researching on the best childcare tips and trends.