4 Day Itinerary in Singapore with Kids

Singapore is a dream destination for families, offering a perfect blend of cultural exploration, natural beauty, and world-class entertainment. With its spotless streets, efficient public transport, and an endless array of activities, it’s no wonder this vibrant city is a top choice for travellers wondering how many days in Singapore they’ll need to experience it all. On our third trip to Singapore—but our first with our nine-year-old—we discovered just how family-friendly this city can be.

Over 4 days, we explored everything from lush gardens and engaging museums to thrilling attractions like the Singapore Zoo and Universal Studios. Our 4-day Singapore itinerary was packed (we hit well over 20,000 steps a day!), but we balanced it with pool time and relaxed meals at food courts and hawker centers. While our budget took a serious hit on this trip, we’ve included ticket prices and tips to help you plan your own unforgettable adventure.

Overview

All costs are listed in this post are in Singapore dollars (SGD). At the time of our trip, $1 SGD was approximately $1.18 AUD or $0.73 USD.

Day 1 – Singapore Zoo and Newton Food Markets

Morning – A visit to Singapore Zoo

Start your 4 day Singapore adventure at the Singapore Zoo, famous for its open enclosures and kid-friendly atmosphere. The trails are easy to navigate, and there are plenty of interactive exhibits and presentations. Highlights for us included the Fragile Forest, where we had close encounters with sloths, lemurs, and bats—an unforgettable experience!

Practical Tips

• Tickets: $49 adults and $34 for children (SGD)
• We stayed for about 5 hours, which felt about right. We arrived at 10am, but on hotter days aim for an earlier start. The zoo opens at 8.30am and the animals are most active at the start of the day.
• KidzWorld, the kids area is a must – great playground, interactive exhibits such as goats and rabbits that the kids will love

Getting There

We used Grab, which was convenient (as we started our day a little later than planned after a stop for kaya toast, and saved our energy for walking around the zoo. On the way back, you can choose between another Grab/taxi or the shuttle bus ($2.50 per person) to the nearby MRT station on the red line.

Afternoon – Hotel Pool time

After a busy morning at the zoo, take some time to cool off and recharge at your hotel’s pool. This was a perfect break for us, especially after getting to bed at 1am after our flight —letting our son splash around while we took a moment to relax. Pools in tropical climates can be refreshingly cool (though this one was so cold I couldn’t get in!) It’s a great way to beat the heat before heading out again.

Evening – Newton Food Centre

End your first day with a meal at Newton Food Centre, a lively hawker market known for its seafood and family-friendly atmosphere. We arrived during a heavy rainstorm, which made finding a seat tricky at first, but the stallholders were quick to dry off tables once the rain stopped.

We enjoyed a mix of dishes, including fried rice, dumplings, satay sticks, chicken tikka, and refreshing sugarcane juice. The variety of food available ensures everyone can find something they’ll enjoy, and the prices are very reasonable.

Getting There: Newton Food Centre is one stop away from Orchard Road on the Red MRT line, making it a quick ride, even after a long day.

Day 2 – Universal Studios

Getting There

We chose to use Grab to get to Sentosa Island, getting dropped right outside the Universal Studios gate. On the return trip we caught the Sentosa Express Monorail (free) back to Vivo City shopping centre, and used the MRT from there to our hotel.

Tickets

We had some difficulties in purchasing tickets online the night before, which is apparantly common and can be sorted out with more time. However, we opted to arrive early at around 9am to get tickets from the machines outside the gates.

• Ticket costs: $83 Adults, $62 Children.
• Express passes: $99 per person (regardless of age)

Exploring the Park

We started with the Transformers 4D ride, which was a big hit, and then worked our way through the park, focusing on the attractions in the Shrek-themed area. These smaller coasters were perfect for easing our son into the bigger rides.

The standout moment of the day was when he bravely tackled the Battlestar Galactica ride—a massive achievement after some pre-ride nerves (and a few tears while buckling up)! It’s a great reminder that Universal Studios offers something for everyone, from gentle rides to high-adrenaline thrills. If you don’t get the express pass, make sure you know what you are lining up for. The 90 minute plus wait for Treasure Hunters (not included on the express pass) would have been a big disappointment for us had we lined up!

Lunch: Louis’s Pizza Parlour

For lunch, we stopped at Louis’s Pizza Parlour, which offered a good selection of kid-friendly options. It’s centrally located in the park, making it an easy choice for a quick and satisfying break before heading back out for more rides.

Practical Tips

• Arrive early and head straight to the main attractions for shorter lines. If you have an express pass, save your pass until later and get a second ride without the line!
• Waterworld show is a must see!
• There are lockers outside of the rides which require you to leave your belongings – some are paid (about $4 for an hour) and some are free. You can also access these to store belongings, such as snacks or umbrellas, for the day.

Day 3 – Gardens by the Bay, Art Science Museum, Museum of Ice cream and Chinatown

Morning: Supertree Grove and Cloud Forest

We started Day 3 with an early ride on the MRT to the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay. Arriving early helped us beat both the crowds and the heat, making it much easier to take in the stunning views.

Next, we visited the Cloud Forest, which we highly recommend if you’re only picking one conservatory. The misting (every two hours from 10 a.m.) added an extra magical touch that made it a hit with our son. Having visited the Flower Dome before, we decided to skip it this time.

Tickets: $32 adults and $18 for children (for cloud forest and flower dome – slightly less to visit only Cloud Forest)

Lunch: Marina Bay Sands Food Court

From the gardens, we wandered over to Marina Bay Sands for lunch in their food court. It was about a 10 minute walk, with the chance of seeing otters and giant monitor lizards along the way. The variety of options made it easy to find something for everyone—we went with dumplings and nasi lemak.

Midday: ArtScience Museum – TeamLab Exhibition

We pre-booked tickets for the TeamLab interactive art exhibit called Future World: Where Art Meets Science, at the ArtScience Museum (highly recommended, especially on busy or rainy days). The displays were incredible—interactive art installations that kept us entertained for well over an hour. We particularly loved adding our own drawings to the ocean and then interacting with them!

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re interested in seeing multiple exhibits, an all-access ticket covers most displays. Unfortunately, the Ghibli exhibition was sold out during our visit, so plan ahead if there’s something specific you’d like to see.

• Tickets: SGD $35 adults, SGD $30 kids (TeamLab only).

Afternoon: Museum of Ice Cream

After the ArtScience Museum, we took a taxi from Marina Bay Sands to the Museum of Ice Cream. We’d pre-booked tickets but weren’t sure it was necessary—though it’s worth checking during peak times.

This place was a hidden gem! It’s quirky, highly photogenic, and packed with fun zones featuring unlimited ice cream. Our favorite part? The giant sprinkles pool in the final room—a highlight for both kids and adults.

• Tickets: SGD $43 per person (all ages) for general admission at a set time. Other tickets available, such as premium tickets or ‘anytime’ entrance.

Evening: Chinatown Explorations and Dinner

From the Museum of Ice Cream, we caught a Grab to Chinatown. We made a quick stop at the 2D Monochrome Café for a drink and some downtime—our son even managed to sneak in a short nap!

Afterward, we explored Chinatown, where the Chinese New Year preparations were in full swing. The streets were buzzing with vibrant decorations, energetic crowds, and live shows, creating an exciting atmosphere.

We ended the day with dinner at Maxwell Food Centre, enjoying dishes like soy sauce chicken rice, dumplings, and Japanese chicken curry. Before heading back to the hotel, we took a moment to admire the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, beautifully lit up at night. Entry is free, but be sure to dress modestly if you plan to go inside. Sarongs are available at the doors.

Day 4 – Botanic Gardens, Mini Golf, Lau Pa Sat and Singapore Night Safari

Morning: Singapore Botanic Gardens and National Orchid Garden

Despite a rainy start, we borrowed umbrellas from the hotel and made the short 15-minute walk to the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The gardens were beautiful, even in the rain, with plenty of zones to explore, like the Frangipani Garden and the Amphitheatre.

We spent about three hours there and still only made it halfway through! A definite highlight was the National Orchid Garden, where we admired VIP orchids, secret ravines, and misty rooms filled with stunning displays.

• Entry Fee for Orchid Garden: SGD $15 for adults; children up to 12 are free.

When the rain picked up, we waited it out at Prive Botanic Garden Café. It’s a popular spot, so we were lucky to get a table after only a five-minute wait. If you’re planning to visit, it’s worth booking ahead. There are several eateries within the gardens, including some more casual take away options.

Midday: Boat Quay and Kulnari Mini Golf

From the gardens, we grabbed a Grab to Boat Quay, where we enjoyed a leisurely wander along the riverfront before heading to Kulnari Mini Golf.

Kulnari was a hidden gem and one of the most unique mini-golf experiences we’ve had! The course is immersively themed, with clues and letters to solve a mystery as you play. It’s great for kids and adults alike, and we all got into the spirit of the game. Our favourite was the slide to the final hole!

• Tickets: Off-peak prices are SGD $32 adults and SGD $28 kids, but we visited on a weekend and paid peak rates of SGD $38 adults and SGD $32 kids.

Late Lunch/Early Dinner: Lau Pa Sat

By mid-afternoon, we were ready for a late lunch at Lau Pa Sat. This historic food market is as impressive for its architecture as its food. You must try the pumpkin and read bean patties (I wish I could remember their name!) and enjoy the lively atmosphere of Satay Street (opens at 3pm on weekends, 6pm on weekdays).

Evening: Night Safari

After a quick break back at the hotel, we headed to the Night Safari, arriving at about 7 p.m.

Tickets: $56 adults and $39 children

💡 Pro Tips for the Night Safari:

• Plan your evening carefully—entry can be a bit chaotic, so it’s best to arrive early and plan out where you want to go. The tram and early shows fill up very fast!
• The amphitheatre shows run at 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30. While they are free, they are booked using a QR code once you are inside the park. The booking portal opens 2 hours before each presentation.
• If you want to eat dinner there, grab food early. By 10 p.m., the food stalls were nearly out of options. Next time, I would eat before arriving and bring snacks.

The highlight of the Night Safari for us was the rhino feeding experience (SGD $12 per person), which was absolutely unforgettable. The animals were surprisingly active under the cover of darkness, making the whole experience feel magical.

We left around 11 p.m.—a late night but totally worth it! Another Grab made getting back to the hotel quick and easy.

Stay tuned for our in depth review of the Night Safari coming soon!

Budget Summary

We definitely splurged on this trip more than planned and were a bit shocked by the total when reflecting back! Usually, we meticulously plan for attraction costs, but having been lulled into a false sense of security after our last, much cheaper (child-free) trip, we underestimated just how quickly the costs can add up with a family. Add in a bit of travel FOMO, and our budget was stretched more than expected.

Attraction Ticket Total: $1295 SGD

• Universal Studios (tickets + express passes)
• $415 Night Safari (tickets + rhino feeding)
• $147 Museum of Ice Cream: $129Other attractions
• $604 (including Gardens by the Bay, ArtScience Museum, and more)

Daily food, transport and other expenses: Approximately $1500 SGD

While we loved every moment of this trip, it’s a reminder that Singapore can be a pricey destination, especially if you’re packing in ticketed attractions and convenience-based transport. Families looking to save might consider focusing on a few key attractions, using MRT more frequently, or skipping the express passes on quieter days.

A full budget breakdown is coming in a later post, so stay tuned if you want a detailed guide to budgeting for your own Singapore family adventure!

Wrapping Up: A Perfect 4-Day Family Adventure in Singapore

Our 4 days in Singapore were packed with unforgettable experiences, from exploring the lush greenery of Gardens by the Bay and the Botanic Gardens to the thrills of Universal Studios and the Night Safari. The city offered the perfect blend of culture, adventure, and relaxation, making it an ideal destination for families.

Traveling with a 9-year-old, we found Singapore incredibly accommodating, with plenty of kid-friendly activities. He loved it so much that there were tears on our first night back at home, wishing he was back in Singapore!

If you’re planning a trip, we recommend starting with this itinerary as a foundation and tailoring it to your family’s interests and how much you wish you do in a day. The mix of nature, city life, and unique attractions ensures there’s never a dull moment. Singapore truly delivers on its promise of being a family-friendly destination that’s as exciting for kids as it is for adults.

If you’ve been to Singapore, what were your favourite family-friendly activities? Share your experiences in the comments!