As more activities gradually resume with enhanced precautionary measures in place, our lives are slowly but surely regaining momentum. If you are looking for a great way to enjoy the September school break, Marina Bay will check all the boxes, especially for parents with restless kids in need of a change in scenery.
Skip the airfare and enjoy your much-needed staycation at Mandarin Oriental Singapore, Fullerton Singapore, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore or The Ritz-Carlton hotels. Each hotel features its own unique and attractive package options tailored to your preferences. Book now and lounge in style! Don’t forget to check the By The Bay App for MBFC and ORQ tenant privileges and more details.
Image: Mandarin Oriental Singapore
Release your pent-up energy over some seriously fun bonding with friends or family. Enjoy an exhilarating day out at NERF Action Xperience or crawl, jump and roll your way through a family session at Kidztopia that promises great laugh and a fun workout! Both venues are conveniently located within Marina Square. Those with much younger tots in-tow, head to Pororo Park for cutesy fun and lots of Instagrammable moments. Note that play sessions are time bound and prior reservations are required.
There’s no better way to escape Singapore’s heat than visiting the picturesque Cloud Forest and Flower Dome. From now until 31 August, Gardens by the Bay is offering a “National Day $20 Special Pass” that grants unlimited access to these conservatories for the next 6 months. Perfect for a family day out to escape the bustle of city life and get in touch with nature. If you’re lucky, you might just run into the resident otter family at the Gardens. Take note that the conservatories only accept entries via reservations.
The Gardens is also running #StayHomeWithGB, a virtual initiative celebrating the beauty of Mother Nature. Learn to plant many types of garden greens in your own home, a relaxing and immersive experience for every member of the family. Enjoy all that the Gardens have to offer and more in person and from home.
Image: Will Truettner
On a budget? Don’t fret, DIY a picnic basket, bring along some kites, and head down to Marina Barrage to bask in the breeze and take in the evening sky peppered with colourful kites flown by both amateur and advanced kite enthusiasts. Remember to bring along your sunglasses and sunblock!
Image: Gerard Suren
To get a bird’s eye view of downtown Singapore, ride up to the Sands SkyPark Observation Deck. While you admire the cityscape and sip on a cocktail, try spotting as many of Singapore’s renowned landmarks as possible.
Image: Will Truettner
Another destination you can visit to view the city from great heights is the Singapore Flyer, situated at the coast of the Downtown Core. Sit back and relax with your close ones or even dine together as the Flyer rotates at a leisurely pace, letting you fully appreciate the city lights below from every angle.
If you prefer something more contemporary or artistic, head to the ArtScience Museum and check out Future World: Where Art Meets Science, a fully interactive digital experience that will delight both adults and kids via hands on interactive play. A new exhibition, Planet or Plastic? opens in September. Take the opportunity to start young and educate your children on the importance of reducing our single-use plastic waste. Remember to book your tickets online early. The Museum also hosts an extensive online programme—ArtScience At Home, which offers array of virtual workshops, screenings, performances and talks by various guest artists.
Image: Robynne Hu
Alternatively, drop by the National Gallery Singapore for a wide selection of exhibitions by Singaporean and Southeast Asian artists, or embark on a guided tour of the Gallery. In celebration of the country’s National Day, general admission is free until the end of August, so don’t miss out and book your tickets before then. If you’re searching for more ways to engage with the kids at home, the Gallery Kids! online portal as well as the #SmallBigDreamersAtHome virtual festival are great for family bonding time. Expect endless enjoyment with a comprehensive line-up of hands-on activities from paper crafts and pattern making to interactive online games, which will inspire your young ones to create and learn about arts and culture.
So don’t miss out on all the sights and sounds Marina Bay has to offer to remedy those post-stay-home blues. As always, remember to practice good hygiene and observe precautionary measures to ensure that none of the enjoyment gets cut short any time soon!