Local residents often say that Singapore offers two types of entertainment — the very expensive ones and the completely free ones. This itinerary focuses on the second option.
With only 96 hours available under a transit entry, the idea was to make the most of Singapore’s free experiences.
Anyone planning a longer stay can arrange a Singapore visa through reliable visa services, but even a short visit allows for a surprisingly rich program — especially when explored at a relaxed pace.
Day 1: Children’s Biennale at the National Gallery & Jubilee Park
The first stop was the Gallery Children’s Biennale at the National Gallery Singapore — an immersive museum experience designed for children of all ages. Staying in the Chinatown area made it easy to walk to the gallery in about 20–25 minutes.
Children’s Biennale — Essentials
- Opening hours: Daily 10:00–19:00 (last entry 18:30)
- Open until: 29 March 2026
- Admission: Free
- Facilities: Stroller parking, quiet corners with sofas, reading areas, baby-friendly bathrooms with changing tables, nursing rooms, café
What’s Inside
The 2024–2026 theme is “Tomorrow We’ll Be…”, inviting children to explore, create and play through interactive installations.
Highlights include:
Colourful Play — Magnetic Art Wall
Children build pictures from magnetic shapes placed at different heights. Older kids create patterns; toddlers enjoy colours and textures.
Dance Dance Chromatics — Motion-Activated Landscape
A digital playground where children’s movements transform the projection on a large screen. Jump, wave, dance — and the world changes accordingly.
Empowering the World Through Kindness — Sensory Garden
Oversized tactile flowers that light up, make sounds, carry Braille inscriptions and emit a soft lavender scent. Quiet corners create a sensory-friendly environment.
Soft Play Zone Made from Recycled Materials
A cosy installation constructed from children’s clothing and toys: soft blocks, hanging mobiles and a safe, cushioned floor.
I WE THEM — Imaginative Soft World
Whimsical plush creatures, rotating elements for toddlers and an inflatable “welcoming” hand at the entrance.
Stop-Motion Studio
A short animated film is screened, and there’s a station where children can create their own stop-motion videos.
Across the exhibition, stamping stations allow children to collect marks on their “stamp map”. Art Packs (8 SGD) are available for additional creative activities and come in age-specific versions.
Jubilee Park
After the gallery, a quick stop at Funan Mall for a snack led to a pleasant surprise — an accessible rooftop garden with views of the city.
A short bike ride later, the route continued to Jubilee Park, part of Fort Canning. Unlike the upper levels of Fort Canning with steep stairs, Jubilee Park is family-friendly with several small playgrounds ideal for a relaxed evening.
Bicycle rental typically costs 8–15 SGD.
Day 2: Botanic Gardens & Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden
The second day was spent in the iconic Singapore Botanic Gardens. From Chinatown, a double-decker city bus provided the perfect start — panoramic views from the top front seats delighted both adults and children. A ticket costs 1.89 SGD, payable with Apple Pay.
Singapore Botanic Gardens
- Opening hours: Daily 5:00–00:00
- Admission: Free (except Orchid Garden)
Shaded paths, monitor lizards basking in the sun, swans on the lake, and the waterfall grotto in Ginger Garden created a full day of calm nature exploration.
Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden
The highlight of the day was this special children’s garden within the Botanic Gardens.
- Opening hours: Tue–Sun, 8:00–19:00 (last entry 18:30)
- Admission: Free
- Entry rule: Only children accompanied by adults are allowed inside
What’s There
- Rope bridges
- Treehouse
- Sand play area
- Creek with shallow water
- A brand-new splash zone with fountains and slides
- Interactive learning spaces on plants and the water cycle
The on-site café offers children’s meals for 8–10 SGD and adult dishes around 18 SGD; water is complimentary.
Later, the bus ride back to Chinatown offered views of the evening cityscape.
Day 3: Gardens by the Bay
The final day was dedicated to Gardens by the Bay, known for its shaded walking trails, futuristic Supertree Grove, water playgrounds and free evening show.
Far East Organization Children’s Garden
- Opening hours: Usually 9:00–19:00 (last entry ~18:00)
- Closed on Mondays (hours may extend during school holidays)
- Admission: Free
Facilities include showers, changing rooms, shaded seating and nearby cafés.
Zones by Age
- Water play area with fountains and tunnels
- Rope structures for older kids
- Dry playground with sand and slides
- Separate toddler section with soft surfaces
Gardens by the Bay (General Areas)
- Opening hours: Typically 5:00–2:00 for outdoor areas
- Admission: Outdoor grounds are free; conservatories and the OCBC Skyway require tickets
The park spans three main sections — Bay South, Bay East and Bay Central — connected by waterfront promenades. Along the way are themed gardens, art installations, sculpture trails and views of Marina Bay.
Garden Rhapsody — Evening Light Show
- Showtimes: Daily at 19:45 and 20:45
- Duration: 10–15 minutes
- Admission: Free
Hundreds of lights on the Supertrees are synchronized to music. The best place to watch is from the lawn under the towering structures. Arriving earlier helps secure a good spot.
After the show, a temporary outdoor exhibition — United Buddy Bears — became an unexpected bonus: around 150 life-size bears representing different countries, painted in their national styles. Children enjoyed searching for countries they recognized and posing for photos.
Conclusion
Three days in Singapore turned out vibrant, dynamic and surprisingly low-cost — with expenses limited to accommodation, food and transport. Thoughtful infrastructure, abundant free attractions and zero queueing make this route ideal for families.
A great option for anyone looking to enjoy the city without overspending.
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