5 secret spots in Singapore to celebrate National Day away from the crowds

As impressive as the NDP parade and fireworks are, dealing with the crowds and weather can make for a stressful afternoon and evening. When you add kids into the mix, sometimes, a quiet family day to reflect on the true meaning of this significant day might be more appealing. 

If you are such a family, then this article is just for you.

We’ve rounded up a list of lesser known family-friendly activities that will make for a great National Day, or keep them in mind next time you’re looking for something new to do on a Saturday afternoon.

Here are some secret spots in Singapore for you to check out:

Farmart Centre

Your city-dwelling kids will hardly believe that a place like the Farmart Centre won’t even believe you that a place like this exists in The Little Red Dot. Located in Kranji, the Farmart Centre shows what life once life like in the kampongs of Singapore where people lived in simple farming communities.

Kids will love getting close to some adorable farm animals including goats and rabbits and being able to pet them and play with them. Mum and dad, you can kill two birds with one stone and pick up some cheap farm produce, try your hand at the prawning ponds or pick up exotic meats.

Admission to Farmart Centre is free. Visit their website for directions and more information.

Sungei Buloh

Explore nature with your kids at Sungei Buloh, a wetlands reserve park in the north of Singapore. Get your camera ready, or better yet, get your kids involved in snapping pictures of all the cool wildlife they see!

The park is home to some incredible water lizards along with all manner of other creatures, so never know what you might find! Make it an educational trip by teaching your kids about wilderness safety and about the habits of different animals while you’re there!

Go swimming

Many people are either unfamiliar with or suspect of Singapore’s public pools. The truth is, these pools are kept immaculately clean, are incredibly inexpensive and some of them offer facilities that can rival many condo pools.

Make a day of it out at Jurong East Swimming Complex where along with a sizable pool, you’ll find a lazy river, a wave pool and some awesome water slides.

Another one of the more impressive public pools in Singapore can be found at the Sengkang Swimming Complex where you can race your kids down adjacent slides!

Pulau Ubin

Pulau Ubin is another place to get a feel for what Singapore was like in the past. Home to one of the last kampungs in Singapore, the short bumboat trip from Changi Point Ferry Terminal feels like you’re travelling back in time.

Rent bikes from Pulau Ubin town and cycle down towards Chek Jawa jetty where you can see the mangroves, wildlife and the former quarries. There are shuttle services from the town to the beginning of Chek Jawa for little ones (or big ones!) who aren’t comfortable cycling or would rather save their energy for exploring the nature park!

Getting to the island and renting a bike will cost about $10 per person for the day.

The Mind Cafe

A few years ago, board game cafes sprung up all over the island. Although the trend wasn’t strong enough for all of them to survive, there are a few left and it’s an excellent way to spend an afternoon with your family.

Head to The Mind Cafe in Dhoby Ghaut where you’ll find one of Singapore’s largest board game collections, as well as super knowledgeable staff who can help with suggesting age and skill-level appropriate games as well as sitting down with you and your family to explain the rules. It’s an actual cafe too, so they’ve got you covered when you’re feeling peckish!

Have you been to any of these secret spots in Singapore? What are some of your other favourite places to go to when you and your family want to escape the city?