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

Time flies by way too quickly—it may feel like the December holidays were just over, but in reality, the March holidays are just around the corner! For parents, this means fretting over where to bring the kids to keep them entertained for a week and that in itself is no easy task.

It can be quite a chore to find activities that kids will gladly put down their electronic devices for, but don’t worry, we have you sorted with this list of 16 kid-friendly outdoor activities in Singapore that will keep your children away from their iPads and phones this March holiday.

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Photo Credit: The Straits Times 

ADMIRALTY PARK PLAYGROUND

Admiralty Park Playground is heaven on earth for children and all of you who are children at heart. The sprawling playground features hilly terrains filled with 26 slides, bridges, burrows and a plethora of other fun structures that will leave the kids entertained for hours on end!

Admiralty Park Playground 
31 Riverside Road
Singapore 730000
Daily: 24-hours
Nearest Station: Woodlands

ADVENTURE COVE

If your kids love theme parks and water, Adventure Cove would be the perfect destination for your family during the March holidays. The park features high-speed rides, thrilling slides and a winding lazy pool that the children will love. The place even has a corner for you to watch the manta-rays and tropical fish swim by; it’s the perfect spot for a nice family photo!

Adventure Cove 
8 Sentosa Gateway
Singapore 098269
Tel: +65 6577 6000
Daily: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

CHINESE GARDEN EXPLORING 

Chinese Garden—this gem in the west is not just another park in Singapore. The beautiful gardens are chock full of activities and there is plenty of room for exploring. With its gorgeous pavilions, towering pagodas, and large grassy lawns, Chinese Garden is a great place to have some playtime with your children.

Chinese Garden 
1 Chinese Garden Road
Singapore 619795
Mon to Sun: 6am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Chinese Garden

Photo Credit: Mapio.net 

BUILDING SANDCASTLES AT THE BEACH 

This age-old activity still works like a charm — kids love building sandcastles and it is one activity that can keep them occupied for hours. Singapore is also no short of clean beaches such as Palawan Beach and East Coast Park, so having a day out at the beach building sand castles and getting a tan would be a safe and fun option this March holiday.

EXPLORING SUNGEI BULOH WETLAND RESERVE 

This hidden gem at the northwest side of Singapore is teeming with different species of animals. The natural habitat is known to be home to a large variety of plants, birds and other animal inhabitants, making it the perfect place for the kids to immerse themselves in nature and to learn a little more about Singapore’s wildlife.

FARM VISITS 

Singapore is well-known to be a concrete jungle, but did you know that we still have our fair share of farms? Most of these places are tucked away in the North side of the country and it is a great opportunity to bring your kids away from the hectic city life to let them see another side of Singapore. We are sure that they’ll love the adorable animals!

Some farms to check out are Hay Dairies Goat Farm and The Animal Resort.

Hay Dairies Goat Farm 
3 Lim Chu Kang Lane 4
Singapore 718859
Tel: +65 6792 0931
Wed to Mon: 9am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Kranji

The Animal Resort 
81 Seletar West Farmway 5
Singapore 798061
Tel: +65 6482 1160
Tue to Sun: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Fernvale

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GARDENS BY THE BAY 

Singapore’s famous and futuristic Gardens by the Bay is a massive, gorgeous space that is home to the renowned Supertrees. Aside from that, the gardens have an abundance of trees and plants just waiting to be discovered and it is the perfect place to bring your kids to immerse themselves in nature.

GO-KARTING 

Are your kids dying to learn how to drive but they are underage? Bring them for a round of go-karting and let them feel like little adults! Round up your whole family and have a race to see who’s the better driver!

One place you can go to go-kart is The Karting Arena.

The Karting Arena 
200 Turf Club Rd, #01-01B The Grandstand
Singapore 287994
Tel: +65 9627 6771
Tue to Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Sixth Avenue

INLINE SKATING

Test how well your kids can balance themselves on wheels by teaching them how to inline skate! Once they’ve gotten a hang of it, you guys can zip around and take part in friendly races with each other.

You can learn how to inline skate at Inlinex Henderson.

Inlinex Henderson 
201 Henderson Road, #07-05 APEX
Singapore 159545
Tel: +65 6858 2887
Mon to Fri: 12am – 8pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Tiong Bahru

Photo Credit: NParks

JACOB BALLAS CHILDREN’S GARDEN 

Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden was designed specifically with children in mind and its main aim is to educate and instil a love for nature in children. The whole garden is a learning environment that will teach kids more about Mother Nature as well as allow them to have fun at the same time.

Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden 
481 Bukit Timah Road
Singapore 259769
Tel: 1800 471 7300
Daily: 8am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens

KAYAKING 

Kayaking is a fun-filled activity that will train kids to not only paddle a kayak but also to have teamwork. There are different programmes out there for kids of different ages and capabilities, so you don’t have to worry about your kid not being able to manage.

One place that does a great job in teaching kids how to kayak is the Singapore Canoe Federation.

Singapore Canoe Federation 
Kallang Water Sports Centre, 10 Stadium Lane
Singapore 397774
Tel: +65 6344 6337
Nearest Station: Kallang

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Photo Credit: The Straits Times

KITE FLYING 

The beauty of kite flying is that it really shows you and your kids that hard work does pay off. After labouring over your kite and putting it together, you get to reap other benefits by watching your beautiful creations take off in the sky. Singapore also has plenty of open areas for you to fly your kites, making it a convenient activity.

Photo Credit: Orto 

LONGKANG FISHING 

People from the kampung days really knew what’s up when it came to keeping kids entertained; kampung fishing is a classic activity that the older generation did when they were kids, and this simple yet thrilling activity will with no doubt keep the children entertained for hours. The look on their faces when they successfully catch a fish is absolutely priceless!

One place in Singapore that you can bring the kids over too for some kampung fishing is ORTO. For only S$12, your child will get a plastic tank and a fishing net (returnable) to catch small fishes.

ORTO 
#01, 81 Lor Chencharu, 01
Singapore 769198
Tel: +65 6257 8858
Sat, Sun & Public Holidays: 10am – 8pm
School Holidays (Tue to Fri): Timing varies, refer their Facebook for updated timings
Nearest Station: Khatib

Photo Credit: Unscrambled.sg

POKEMON HUNTING 

The Pokemon craze has not died down just yet! Pokemon Go is the perfect activity to keep your kids active and alert while they have fun. Bring them around Singapore for a Pokemon hunt and let them explore our sunny little island as they run around trying to catch ‘em all!

SINGAPORE ZOO

If your kids are animal lovers, the perfect place to bring them to would, of course, be the Singapore Zoo. The Zoo has a plethora of different animals to check out and the interactive exhibitions allow kids to be able to learn more about the animals while having fun.

Singapore Zoo 
80 Mandai Lake Road
Singapore 729826
Daily: 8.30am – 6pm
Tel: 6269 3411
Nearest Station: Kranji

HSBC TREE TOP WALK @ MACRITCHIE 

The tree top walk is perfect for those of you who have very hyperactive kids! Take your little bundles of energy on a walk here and let them submerge themselves in the lush greenery. The view from above is also pretty magnificent and some shots of your kids here would look great as your new phone wallpaper.

Tree Top Walk @ Macritchie 
601 Island Club Road
Singapore 578775
Tel: 1800 471 7300
Mon to Fri: 9am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 8.30am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

Rhombus Pizza SG is a new Muslim-owned pizza buffet restaurant that allows you to pick your own toppings, design the pizza of your dreams and bake it yourself. Create and eat to your heart’s content for 90 minutes.

Allow your creativity and appetite to take flight as you select from a wide variety of toppings from savoury sausages to sweet chocolate chips to create your ultimate pizza. The buffet costs S$15 for adults, S$12 for children between the ages of 7 and 12, and children under seven get to dine for free!

The shop space is rather small and despite only being able to seat a maximum of 10 diners at one time (yes, it is that small), it is still pretty cramped especially if you have to ferry to and fro from the condiments and toppings station. It is also good to note that reservations have to be made prior in order to get a seat here.

Like kids at a candy shop, we spent a great deal of time picking from the huge selection of toppings—with more than ten savoury toppings and seven sweet toppings to choose from. The usual toppings include ham, sausages, shrimp, pepperoni, capsicums, mushrooms, corn and a whole lot more.

The process is pretty straightforward. Slather on a thin layer of tomato sauce over the top of your pizza dough, add your ingredients and lastly, top it off with a generous handful of mozzarella cheese, after which, proceed to bake your masterpiece in the oven provided.

The centrepiece of every table is an adorable electric pizza oven. In order to cook your dolled up piece of dough, simply slide it into the slots on the side and leave it there to cook for 6-7 minutes and for the cheese to get bubbly and delicious.

No hearty lunch would be complete without a decadent and insanely rich dessert. Undecided on what we wanted to top our dessert pizza with, we went for everything—Nutella as the base, topped with chocolate chips, marshmallows, Oreo cookie crumbs, crushed corn flakes and rainbow sprinkles for good measure.

Overall, we had a decent time at Rhombus Pizza SG. Although the food itself was mediocre at best, the experience of crafting our own pizzas (and making a huge mess) with good company definitely makes up for it.

The pizza buffet at Rhombus Pizza is available at an introductory price of S$15 per adult from now until 31 August 2017. Please note that the usual price of the pizza buffet is S$18 per adult.

Rhombus Pizza SG
116 Changi Road,
Singapore 419718
Tel: +65 9844 0210
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Eunos

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.