Singapore with children

In April this year we took Callum (aged 7) and Rhys (aged 4) to Singapore for a week. It was the first time our nephews had been out of Australia, although my husband, Kevin, and I have been to Singapore many times over the past thirty years. We decided on Singapore, rather than Malaysia or Thailand, because we knew how many attractions were aimed at children particularly.

Because both boys are finicky eaters (apart from at the Golden Arches) we managed to find a website offering accommodation in fully equipped apartments. “Fully equipped” means different things to different people. We had a washing machine, and a good sized fridge/freezer and basic cooking equipment. We had a television but no DVD or video player. Fortunately, we had our laptop computer upon which the boys could watch movies, and Singapore has television programs in English for children in the afternoons. We did have cable television, but only sport, movie and news channels - no cartoon or children’s channels. But it was good to have two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a proper kitchen and living area. White fabric dining room chairs weren’t a very good idea, but we covered them in towels. Being able to cook meant the boys could have pasta or rice at night, and cereal or eggs in the morning, and be encouraged to try local food at lunch time.

Our apartment was in the newly developed area of Tanjong Rhu, and the nearest MRT station was too far for the boys to walk. We made that mistake on the first day, walking for an hour before we got the train to Jurong Bird Park. They were really too tired to appreciate their time there, with the long train journey, then waiting for the bus. We caught taxis after that, having no trouble hailing one right outside the apartment block every morning.

We went to Sentosa by cable car, up inside the Merlion and the boys had their photos taken with a very large python (their bravery being much admired by a bus load of Japanese tourists). We went to the Science Centre, where I subjected myself to a bolt of lightning in the interests of providing a thrill for the boys. This was a most successful visit, the only difficulty being that we could not get lunch at the McDonald’s there as a lot of school groups were visiting at the same time. We had two very hungry and somewhat teary little boys by the time we got back to the Funan Centre and the Macca’s there. But do take the children to the toilets on the ground floor of the Funan Centre. Callum and Rhys still talk about the low level urinal especially for little boys, and the amazing hand dryer which sends gusts of warm air upwards when you place your hands down in the box. This was in the ladies’ toilet and I did notice that other ladies’ toilets in Singapore had the low level urinals so that small boys could go into the toilet with their mothers.

Singapore is a child friendly tourist destination. We had a huge swimming pool at the apartment block just for the children, with a wet play area, fountains and no really deep sections. There were other children to play with, as well, which was a plus.

We went to Chinatown, visited Chinese and Indian temples, watched murtabak being made (and ate some), walked past Sultan mosque and down Arab Street, and had a quick look at Orchard Road.

The Night Safari was a huge success. The boys’ father had been a few months earlier while in Singapore on business, so they had some idea what to expect. We got a taxi, though it is possible to get there by public transport, and saw the shows (where Callum went on stage to help with one of the acts) and did the tram tour through the dark jungle. While having a drink we were entertained by a dance troupe who performed acrobatics and even fire eating. I think both the boys would agree that the Night Safari was the highlight of their trip. That, and the new toys they got every day.

We didn’t do some of the things we’d intended, such as a boat ride from Clarke Quay, because we found that if we took the boys out in the morning, they really just wanted to come back to play in the pool. But they were so tired at night that after dinner and long showers (there was no lack of hot water) they would fall into bed and straight to sleep after a story.

If I were doing it again, I’d definitely stay in an apartment, use taxis all the time, except perhaps for one train ride for the experience (it worked out cheaper for four of us in a taxi rather than four train tickets, too), and avoid doing too much during the hottest part of the day. I’d be at most attractions within five minutes of the opening time, and leave before the lunchtime rush. I’d take food and drink with me, and apart from toy shops, I wouldn’t bother with markets or “educational” tours.

We’ll probably take Callum and Rhys to Kuala Lumpur in a couple of years time. There isn’t as much for children to do, but when they’re older they’ll appreciate more of the cultural aspects. And hopefully they’ll be less picky about food and we can feed them nasi lemak for breakfast and satays for lunch!