Kid at the beach, one of many family-friendly places in Singapore.

Weekend Activities in Singapore for the Whole Family

Sandcastle-building

If you think playing with sand is a passive pastime, think again. All that scooping, digging, squatting, plus constant running to and from the water's edge to get buckets of water for the sandcastle's moat — it's a whole-body workout!

Head down to the nearest beach to get your family’s creative juices flowing and clock in some exercise together at the same time!

Related: Kickstart Your Active Lifestyle with a Dose of Fitness and Heritage​

Nature Walks

Nature walks have been shown to improve one's physical and emotional well-being, reduce stress, improve sleep and enhance energy.

Start on the paved paths or boardwalks, such as the hour-long Chemperai Trail at MacRitchie Reservoir or the easier 600m Rain Forest Walking Trail at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Head for the longer, wilder trails like the Treetop Trail (pro-tip: start from the Venus Drive carpark instead of the main MacRitchie entrance for a shorter walk) or the Wallace Trail at Dairy Farm Nature Park. There are also free guided walks you can join, such as the one conducted at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve every weekend.

Check out more trails here.

Related: Best Nature Walks in Singapore to Unwind with Nature​

Farm-hopping at Kranji Countryside

Been to the Singapore Zoo one too many times over the school holidays? Give yourself a dose of fresh air with an excursion to the farms at Lim Chu Kang. Many of the farms are sheltered but the coolest times are early mornings or late afternoons.

There are also plenty of kid-friendly activities. Play like a kid or with your kids — scooping up a frog at the Jurong Frog Farm, catching farmers milking goats at Hay Dairies goat farm, or learning about different types of herbs and plants at Bollywood Veggies.

Visit Kranji Countryside for farm opening hours and admission fees.

Related: 5 Ideas to Enrich Your Children This March Holiday​

Stand-up Paddling

For teens who are tired of kiddy activities, stand-up paddling or SUP, would thrill them. This activity requires one to stay upright on a surfboard while using a long paddle to move through the water.

SUP is a full-body workout that requires good balancing skills, strength and an alert mind to keep upright. You can try out SUP at Sentosa and share ice-cream with the whole family to cool down as a treat after!

Related: Getting Fit Through Fun for kids​

Island Cycling

If you're competent on wheels, a cycling expedition around Pulau Ubin is a great way to spend the day.

When you reach Ubin, stop by the Visitors' Centre next to the jetty to get a map of the island to get oriented to the cycling trails. Rent a bike or tricycle at one of the bicycle rental shops.

Another great option is to cycle along the main spine of the 40-hectare Coney Island Park on the gravel track cutting across the island from east to west. You can enjoy the rustic nature at a leisurely pace on wheels.

Do consult your doctor before starting any exercise regime, and practise caution when exercising. Remember, safety first!

Download the HealthHub app on Google Play or Apple Store to access more health and wellness advice at your fingertips.


Visit Parent Hub, for more useful tips and guides to give your child a healthy start.

Visit Active Parent, for more tips and resources.


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Reference

  1. 'The mental and physical health outcomes of green  exercise' International Journal of Environmental Health Research Volume 15, 2005 -Issue 5
  2. Barton J., & Pretty J. (2010). What is the best dose of nature and green exercise for improving mental health? A multi-study analysis. Environmental Science & Technology, 44, 3947–3955. Crossref, Medline, Google Scholar