5 Best Family-Friendly Activities at Gardens by the Bay

If youโ€™re planning a trip to Gardens by the Bay with your family, youโ€™re in for a real treat.

Itโ€™s not just a place with giant trees and pretty flowersโ€”itโ€™s an immersive experience where kids can run wild, teens can snap Insta-worthy shots, and adults can soak in nature, art, and architecture all in one day.

In short: Yes, Gardens by the Bay is very family-friendly. Itโ€™s got playgrounds, splash zones, indoor domes with cool air (a lifesaver in Singapore heat), and amazing shows that light up the night.

But letโ€™s break it all down so you know exactly where to go, what to expect, and how to get the most out of your visit.

General Info: What You Need to Know First

  • Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
  • Opening Hours: Most outdoor areas are open from 5 AM โ€“ 2 AM daily. Conservatories and attractions typically run from 9 AM โ€“ 9 PM (last entry at 8 PM).
  • MRT Access: Take the Downtown Line or Circle Line to Bayfront MRT Station (Exit B) โ€“ itโ€™s directly connected via an underground linkway.

Entry Fee

  • Outdoor gardens & Supertree Grove: Free
  • Conservatories (Flower Dome & Cloud Forest): ~S$28 adults / S$15 kids (ages 3โ€“12)
  • OCBC Skyway: ~S$10 adults / S$6 kids
  • Childrenโ€™s Garden: Free

Pro Tip: Download the official Gardens by the Bay app before you goโ€”it has a map, ticket bookings, and events info all in one.

1. Far East Organization Childrenโ€™s Garden

Detail Info
What It Is Outdoor nature-inspired play garden with water features and climbing zones
Best For Children aged 1โ€“12
Entry Fee Free
Operating Hours 9 AM โ€“ 7 PM (Closed Mondays)
Location Near Satay by the Bay
Highlights Water play zone, toddler area, treehouse, amphitheater
Facilities Changing rooms, lockers, and showers nearby
Tips Bring swimsuits, towels, and non-slip water shoes

I still remember the moment my youngest saw the water jets shoot up into the skyโ€”eyes wide, hands in the air, squealing with excitement.

The Far East Organization Childrenโ€™s Garden was our first stop, and honestly, we couldโ€™ve spent the entire day right there.

Itโ€™s not just a splash padโ€”this place is designed for fun.

My daughter ran through the motion-activated fountains, chasing patterns of water while we sat nearby under shaded benches, just soaking it all in.

Children Playing at A Splash Pad in The Far East Organization Childrenโ€™s Garden
Source: Youtube/Screenshot, By noon, both kids were soaked, exhausted, and smiling ear-to-ear

Thereโ€™s even a special toddler zone with softer flooring and gentler streams, so our youngest (barely two) could play without us hovering nervously.

The older one took on the treehouse-style rope bridges and climbing frames, racing other kids from platform to platform.

We had a picnic-style lunch nearby and let them nap in the stroller afterward. It was one of the most relaxing yet joy-filled parts of our trip.

2. Flower Dome

Detail Info
What It Is Indoor cooled conservatory featuring plants and seasonal floral displays
Best For All ages; ideal for cooling off in the heat
Entry Fee ~S$28 adults / ~S$15 children (3โ€“12 years)
Operating Hours 9 AM โ€“ 9 PM (Last entry 8 PM)
Location Main Conservatory, near Bayfront Plaza
Highlights Seasonal flower displays, baobab trees, cactus garden
Facilities Stroller and wheelchair-friendly paths
Tips Bring a light sweater for the kids โ€” itโ€™s cool inside!

Stepping into the Flower Dome felt like entering another continent (Even if we actually were on another continent).

The cool air was such a welcome change after the outdoor heat, and my kids immediately calmed downโ€”it was a quiet, peaceful kind of wonder.

Each section felt like a mini adventure. The Mediterranean Garden had strange trees and vibrant flowers they hadnโ€™t seen before.

 

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Then we reached the rotating seasonal exhibit, which happened to be cherry blossomsโ€”just stunning.

The kids werenโ€™t just posing for photos, they were genuinely curious. โ€œWhy do these petals fall like snow?โ€ my son asked, reaching up.

We took it slow here, letting everyone rest and enjoy the scenery.

My partner and I even snuck in a coffee from the conservatory cafรฉ while the kids played a little โ€œflower treasure huntโ€ game we made up along the way. It was peaceful, educational, and honestly, pretty magical.

3. Cloud Forest

Detail Info
What It Is Indoor mountain-themed conservatory with tropical plants & waterfall
Best For All ages
Entry Fee Included with Flower Dome combo (~S$28 adults / ~S$15 kids)
Operating Hours 9 AM โ€“ 9 PM (Last entry 8 PM)
Location Next to the Flower Dome
Highlights 35m indoor waterfall, Cloud Walk, Avatar Experience
Facilities Elevators and ramps for full accessibility
Tips Go early to avoid misty camera lens issues during peak crowd hours

The Cloud Forest literally took our breath away the second we walked in.

The cold mist, the thunderous sound of the waterfall, the greenery climbing the wallsโ€”it was like walking into a rainforest in the middle of a sci-fi movie.

The kids were mesmerized. My son kept pointing and shouting, โ€œThatโ€™s the biggest waterfall ever!โ€ as the mist swirled around us.

Gardens by the Bay Singapore | Cloud Forest | Super Trees | Singapore Tourist Places | Singapore

We rode the elevator up to the top and slowly descended along the Cloud Walk, high above the indoor canopy, looking down at the mini jungle below.

There were ferns, orchids, and even carnivorous plants.

We ended the walk at the new Avatar Experienceโ€”which was a bonus surprise.

Interactive light projections, floating creatures, bioluminescent plantsโ€”it felt like a theme park wrapped in a rainforest. Even the adults were hooked.

4. Supertree Grove & OCBC Skyway

Detail Info
What It Is Vertical gardens + night light/music show
Best For All ages
Entry Fee Free (Skyway: ~S$10 adults / ~S$6 kids)
Operating Hours 5 AM โ€“ 2 AM (Skyway closes ~9 PM)
Location Central Outdoor Garden Area
Highlights Garden Rhapsody light show, panoramic views
Tips Arrive 15โ€“30 minutes early for a spot on the grass for the night show

We saved the Supertree Grove for the eveningโ€”and that was the right call. As the sun set, the trees began to glow softly.

We spread out a picnic blanket under the towering structures, surrounded by other families doing the same.

Aerial View of The Supertree Grove and OCBC Skyway with Visitors on The Platforms
Source: Youtube/Screenshot, It is not a real tree (but is built to sustain them)

At exactly 7:45 PM, the music began. Lights pulsed and danced up and down the Supertrees in perfect rhythm.

The kids laid flat on their backs, mouths open in awe. No screens, no noise, just wow.

We also tried the OCBC Skyway walk earlier in the day.

At 22 meters up, the view was spectacularโ€”Marina Bay skyline on one side, lush gardens on the other. It wasnโ€™t scary, even for the little ones. Just peaceful and surreal.

5. Floral Fantasy

Detail Info
What It Is Artistic, immersive floral art exhibit with a 4D ride
Best For Ages 5+ (younger kids can enjoy, but more visual)
Entry Fee ~S$20 adults / ~S$12 children
Operating Hours 10 AM โ€“ 7 PM (Last entry 6:30 PM)
Location Near Bayfront Plaza, close to MRT exit
Highlights Hanging flower gardens, scent rooms, 4D gentle ride
Tips Quieter, good midday spot to avoid crowds

After lunch, when the sun was getting harsh, we ducked into Floral Fantasyโ€”and it really was fantasy.

The entrance was filled with hanging blooms, curved walkways, and floral sculptures that made you feel like you were in a storybook garden.

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My kids were fascinated by the scent tunnels, sniffing their way through each section. โ€œThis one smells like bubblegum!โ€ my daughter laughed.

Toward the end, we all tried the 4D ride, which was surprisingly gentle and funโ€”like flying through a digital flower field.

This was one of those โ€œhidden gemโ€ parts of the parkโ€”not as hyped, but totally worth it. Peaceful, beautiful, and very Instagrammable.

Final Thoughts

Walking back to the MRT station that evening, kids half-asleep in the stroller and the last Supertrees glowing behind us, I couldnโ€™t help but think: This is the kind of day theyโ€™ll remember when theyโ€™re older.

Gardens by the Bay wasnโ€™t just a tourist spotโ€”it really felt like a full-day adventure wrapped in nature, creativity, and wonder. Every part of it hit differently, depending on who in the family you asked.

For the kids, the Childrenโ€™s Garden was the absolute highlight. Splashing in the water, climbing like wild monkeys, and drying off just in time for snacksโ€”it was pure joy. Itโ€™s one of those places where you donโ€™t have to worry about โ€œkeeping them entertainedโ€ because the space does it all for you.