Singapore with Kids: Hawker Stalls, Supertrees, and Sentosa Thrills

Gardens by the Bay - Supertree Grove

Start your morning walking among the iconic Supertrees, the towering vertical gardens that have become Singapore's most recognizable landmark. Arrive early before the heat builds and let kids run the open grove before crowds arrive.

Satay by the Bay

This open-air hawker centre sits right inside Gardens by the Bay and is one of the best spots in Singapore to try classic satay, char kway teow, and laksa. Order a mix of skewers for the table and let kids pick their favorites from the grill.

Marina Bay Sands Skypark Observation Deck

End the day with a sunset visit to the 57th-floor observation deck for sweeping 360-degree views over the city skyline, Sentosa, and the Strait of Singapore. Kids love spotting the infinity pool (which is hotel-guests-only) and watching planes descend into Changi.

Gardens by the Bay - Cloud Forest Dome

Step inside the Cloud Forest and walk past the world's tallest indoor waterfall, a dramatic 35-meter cascade surrounded by misty mountain plants. The elevated walkways give kids a treetop perspective and the cool air is a welcome afternoon relief.

Chinatown Food Street

This covered hawker street along Smith Street is purpose-built for sampling Singapore's greatest hits in one place, from Hainanese chicken rice to barbecue stingray. Grab a table in the middle of the street and order several dishes to share family-style.

Chinatown Heritage Centre

Tucked into three restored shophouses, this museum tells the story of the early Chinese immigrants who shaped Singapore through immersive room recreations and personal artifacts. The recreated 1950s street scenes and cramped coolie quarters are vivid enough to hold the attention of kids ages 8 and up.

Chinatown Street Market (Pagoda Street)

Browse the famous souvenir stalls along Pagoda and Trengganu Streets for keychains, silk fans, zodiac figurines, and snacks like preserved plums and crispy prawn rolls. Let the kids each pick one souvenir and practice a little friendly haggling.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

This stunning five-story Tang dynasty-style temple houses a sacred Buddhist relic and a free rooftop garden that kids find surprisingly peaceful and beautiful. The museum floors inside are filled with intricately carved artifacts and gold-adorned relics that spark genuine curiosity.

Sentosa Luge and Skyride

Ride the gondola Skyride up to the top of the hill and then steer your own gravity-powered luge cart down the 688-meter track through jungle and tunnels back to the bottom. Kids from about age 6 can ride solo and most families end up doing at least two runs.

Palawan Beach and the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia

Walk across the suspension bridge to the small island that marks the southernmost point of continental Asia and let the kids splash in the calm, shallow waters of Palawan Beach. The beach has shaded pavilions, clean toilets, and soft sand that makes it an easy family wind-down after a big morning.

Universal Studios Singapore

Spend the morning at Southeast Asia's only Universal Studios, where younger kids gravitate toward the Far Far Away Shrek zone and tweens make a beeline for the Battlestar Galactica dueling roller coasters. Arrive at opening time to hit the biggest rides before midday queues form.

Malaysian Food Street at Resorts World Sentosa

Just inside Resorts World Sentosa, this hawker-style food hall serves authentic Malaysian classics including Penang char kway teow, Ipoh white coffee, and roti canai in an air-conditioned setting. It is an easy and affordable lunch break between morning and afternoon activities.

Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

This vibrant 19th-century Hindu temple on Serangoon Road is dedicated to the goddess Kali and features an extraordinarily detailed gopuram tower covered in colorful sculpted deities. Visit in the morning when it is less crowded and a priest may explain the significance of the statues to curious kids.

Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan)

A short walk from Kampong Glam's colorful shophouses, the golden-domed Sultan Mosque is the most important mosque in Singapore and welcomes respectful visitors outside of prayer times. The surrounding Arab Street neighborhood is great for a wander through shops selling batik fabric, Turkish lamps, and handmade perfumes.

Haji Lane

This narrow, pastel-painted lane is lined with independent boutiques, vintage shops, and street art murals that make for a fun late-afternoon browse. Kids enjoy spotting the murals while parents explore the eclectic mix of fashion, homeware, and accessory shops.

Tekka Centre

Tekka is a beloved wet market and hawker centre at the heart of Little India, serving some of the city's best roti prata, mutton biryani, and fresh-squeezed sugarcane juice. The ground floor market stalls piled high with tropical fruits and fresh spices are a sensory adventure in themselves.

Singapore Zoo

Consistently ranked among the world's best zoos, Singapore Zoo uses open moats instead of cages and lets many animals roam in naturalistic rainforest habitats that you walk through rather than observe from a distance. Do not miss the Rainforest Wild Africa section or the free-ranging orangutans overhead in the Treetops Trail.

River Wonders

Adjacent to the zoo, River Wonders is Asia's first and only river-themed wildlife park, showcasing giant pandas, manatees, giant otters, and massive freshwater fish in massive walk-through aquarium exhibits. The Amazon Flooded Forest gallery, where arapaima glide past floor-to-ceiling glass, is one of the most spectacular wildlife exhibits in Southeast Asia.

Jungle Flavours Restaurant at Singapore Zoo

Located inside the zoo, Jungle Flavours serves a wide buffet of Asian and Western dishes and has outdoor seating where free-roaming squirrels and birds occasionally join you at the table. The kids meal sets are generous and the restaurant is spacious enough that a long family lunch here does not feel rushed.

Mandai Bird Paradise

Round out the final afternoon at Bird Paradise, which relocated to Mandai in 2023 and is now the largest bird park in Asia, home to over 3,500 birds in eight massive walk-through aviaries. The Wings of Asia free-flight zone and the Crimson Wetlands flamingo exhibit are spectacular ways to finish a five-day Singapore adventure.