Kid’s-eye Review of Singapore’s Newest Indoor Playgrounds

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Several indoor playgrounds have mushroomed in Singapore and there are eight new ones in the last year alone. Playtime has changed significantly and our children are totally spoilt for choice. What’s more, they get to play to their heart’s content in air-conditioned comfort all year round, no matter the weather. Indoor playgrounds have taken to our town by storm and look set to be an enduring feature on the playscape.

Most of these indoor playgrounds allow adults to accompany kids within at no extra cost (just be sure to wear your socks), so these places are great for family bonding too as you get to explore the new rides, obstacles and toys together.

Little Day Out brought with us 3, 5, 7 and 10-year-old kids to evaluate these eight new indoor playgrounds, so as to help you distinguish one from the other and know what’s best for your kids.

Map Showing Locations and Contact Details of New Indoor Playgrounds in Singapore

Below is an overview of where these new indoor playgrounds are located in Singapore. Click on each icon for the listing with contact details, descriptions and opening hours.


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View Kid’s-eye View of the Newest Indoor Playgrounds in Singapore in a larger map

Playful Elves

Playful Elves

Comprehensive, non-stop fun for all ages at West Coast Plaza

Playful Elves at West Coast Plaza, with its Magical Forest themed playscape, bouncy castle and driving track is pure comprehensive fun for children of all ages. The older kids enjoyed the excitement of crawling through the obstacle-filled two-storey playscape and the thrill of shooting balls, while the younger ones enjoyed ‘driving’ around in cars and entertaining themselves with table toys. Well-placed next to the playscape is a Forest Café with an assortment of snacks, locally roasted coffee beans from Smitten’s and free Internet access.

Little Day Out Likes: Well-conceptualised with varied equipment to keep kids with different energy levels busy. Minders situated within the playground were friendly and engaged in play with the kids.

Kids’ Favourites: The four-ball shooters complete with sound effects and the giant bouncy castle that is not usually available in indoor playgrounds. They also enjoyed collecting the balls and going down the 1.6-metre three-laned wave slides. The kids nagged us to bring them back again to this indoor playground which we did.

Verdict: Best in terms of a variety of play equipment and most fun for kids of all ages.

See more on Playful Elves in the table below…

 

Happy Willow

Happy Willow

Magical play area for younger ones at one-North

Tucked away at one-North is Happy Willow, a bite-sized playground where oversized balls can be found throughout the playscape including a ball pond and even a ball trampoline. A reading corner provides a sanctuary for kids who feel like taking a quiet moment from play.

Little Day Out Likes: The sitting area allows parents to have a drink while watching their kids play.

Kids’ Favourites: Kids should not miss riding the bull in the playscape.

Verdict Good for younger ones.

See more on Happy Willow in the table below or click here…

Hokey Pokey

Hokey Pokey

Especially created by five mummies for toddlers, at Suntec City Mall

Hokey Pokey, for children aged 6 months to 6 years, is set up by five mummies who got together because of a common expected delivery date and subsequent play dates that led to the realisation that a specially-designed indoor playground for toddlers was needed in Singapore. Armed with research and a desire to create an educational and fun haven that is safe and hygienic for their own kids, they set up this indoor playground filled with an extensive range of toys at Suntec City Mall.

Little Day Out LikesThe hygiene checks prior to letting the kids into the play zone were very thorough and minders were around to clean and neaten up the toys throughout the day.

Kids’ Favourites: A cushioned slide that led to a deep enough ball pit, the mini-roller coaster car ride, and the wide range of educational and fun table toys.

Verdict: Thumbs up for babies and toddlers.

See more on Hokey Pokey in the table below or click here…

Kiddy Fun

Kiddy Fun Playground

Carnival-like customised play zones for kids below 8 years old, at The Grandstand (formerly known as Turf City)

Kiddy Fun, with its pastel colours and carnival-like rides, is pleasing to the eyes and exciting for babies and young children. Once they get tired of playing, there are comfortable couches to snuggle up on at the side, with books, snacks and drinks to keep you and your little ones happy. Kiddy Fun is found at The Grandstand, the new name for Turf City.

Little Day Out LikesThe constantly moving play equipment is attractive and engaging for young ones. The water bed was a unique feature for an indoor playground and the tunnel below the jumping pad was a crawling adventure for the babies and young kids.

Kids’ Favourites: Water bed, ball pit and bouncing pad on the second-level of the playscape at the back.

VerdictGreat for a parent-child discovery escapade.

See more on Kiddy Fun in the table below or click here…

Space Zone Play Gym

Space Zone Play Gym

Compact play gym where you can leave your kids while you dine and shop at Anchorpoint

Space Zone Play Gym, at Anchorpoint in Alexandra, is the smallest of all the new kids on the block. Yet, it manages to compact all the fun into its tiny space with a space-themed ball pit, a two-storey obstacle course that starts with punching bags and ends off with a slide.

Little Day Out LikesThis indoor playground openly states that you can “park your kids here while you dine and shop” as the space is small enough for the only minder situated at the corner to man the counter and keep an eye out on the kids.

Kids’ Favourites: Ball pit with ‘space’ holes placed high up to help develop hand-eye coordination and the mini-obstacle course.

VerdictMost compact indoor playground.

See more on Space Zone Play Gym in the table below or click here…

Tickle Tickle at Delta Sports Complex

Tickle Tickle Delta

Real-life role-playing fun at Delta Sports Complex

Tickle Tickle is built for you to have that special tickle moment of fun with your kids. At the Delta Sports Complex play centre, there is a soft play structure with flying fox, ball pit, slides, tunnel, swinging cylinders. There are also four themed role-playing houses including a supermarket, workshop, home and café although you can imagine how the kids left the toys strewn all over. Its sister branch – Tickle Tickle at Hougang Swimming Complex – is even newer than this.

Little Day Out LikesThe low cost, unlimited playtime and the seats for parents provide a good view of the kids playing.

Kids’ Favourites: The vertical tunnel and flying fox within the obstacle course although they wished it was sloped at an angle for the older kids and the make-believe houses and shops for the younger kids.

Little Day Out Award: Good value for money.

See more on Tickle Tickle in the table below or click here…

The Polliwogs at Robertson Walk

Polliwogs Robertson

Centrally located playground, just out of town, at Robertson Walk

Polliwogs at Robertson Quay is the second Polliwogs after the first at East Coast Parkway. Older children have ball shooters, a climbing wall and 3-lane slide that ends in a large ball pond to keep them entertained. Those below three have a separate play area that includes a water slide and a carousel house.

Little Day Out LikesSeparate area for toddlers. Seating situated alongside the playscapes for parents to keep an eye on the kids.

Kids’ Favourites: The flying fox in the playscape, and the art and craft sessions and story times organised throughout the month.

VerdictGood for parents with both older children and toddlers.  

See more on The Polliwogs at Robertson Walk in the table below or click here…

Kidz Amaze at SAFRA Toa Payoh

Kidz Amaze Toa Payoh

Bright, spacious playground with towering play areas at Toa Payoh    

Kidz Amaze at SAFRA Toa Payoh is a sprawling indoor playground with three themed zones, the City, TreeTops and the Cave, for kids. Tunnels span across the playground, towering structures invite young ones to climb their way to the top and ball shooters and a ball hopper create ball-fun for kids. There is no café and parents have to pay to accompany their kids into the play area.

Little Day Out Likes: They have a high ceiling and the whole area is well lit with natural light streaming through a large window. Minders helped to supervise play within the large play area.

Kids’ Favourites: Plenty of space and structures to explore and play in.

Verdict: Older kids’ choice.

See more on Kidz Amaze at SAFRA Toa Payoh in the table below or click here…

Summary of Singapore’s Newest Indoor Playgrounds of 2012

Indoor Playgrounds (click on each name for more information) Playful Elves Happy Willow Hokey Pokey Kiddy Fun Space Zone Play Gym Tickle Tickle, Delta
Polliwogs, Robertson Walk Kidz Amaze, SAFRA Toa Payoh
Launch Date May 2012 March 2012 March 2012 June 2012 Dec 2011  August 2012 July 2012 October 2012
Vision / Motto “ALL in ONE Play!” to provide the most comprehensive fun experience for the entire family “An Enchanting Play Garden” – children and adults can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life to relax and play in a world of fantasy “It’s just a child’s play” – educational and fun haven that is safe and hygienic “Enjoy the moment” with customised functional zones for the entire family Park your kids here while you dine and shop Special tickle moment of fun and giggles with your child Polliwogs Town with 4 key characters – Larry the windsurfer and his friends – Rocky, Poco and Bobby One of Singapore’s largest indoor playground
Targetted Age Range Babies who can crawl or walk to 12 years old 9 months to 9 years old 6 months to 6 years old Children below 8 years old All ages 1 to 12 years old Toddlers below 2 years old to 12 years old 18 months to 18 years old
Theme Magical Forest Enchanting Play Garden Learn through play Carnival-like Outer Space Candy Land learn through play A garden town where quirky characters live and play Scavenger Hunt attraction with tangram puzzles of the world we live
Play Area / Equipment Magical Play Forest with ball shooters, ball dump, magic ball floater, obstacle course, tube bridge, wave slides, Bouncy Castle, Driving Track with pedal cars, Table Toys, D-Pad (Drawing) Tablet Kids’ Den and Toddler’s Turf with a pool of balls and flying fox, Book Burrow, Doodle Spot, Play Pen with playsets Slide, ball pits and a huge selection of toys including ride-on cars, pretend play equipment and educational toys Flying balloons jumping area, carousels, swings, tea cups rides, swings, slides, water bed Obstacle course, Ball pit, punching bag, slide Soft play structure with flying fox, ball pit, slides, tunnel, swinging cylinders and four themed role-playing houses Ball shooters, a climbing wall and 3-lane slide that ends in a large ball pond, water bed, and a separate play area for toddlers with a water slide and a carousel house Three-storey vertical maze with three themed zones – the City, the Treehouse and the Cave with tunnels, towering structures, ball shooters and ball hopper
Other facilities Forest Café with free Internet access, shopping area with costumes, toys and snacks, party room Willow Café and Lounge, party room Refreshment area Café and shopping area Refreshment area Refreshment area, party room Chill area with snacks for adults and free Internet access Nil
Non-member Price on Weekends $20 for 1 hour of play, $12 for each subsequent hour of play $10 for 9 months to less than 2 years old for 2 hours of play; $18 for 2 years old and above for 2 hours of play; $3 per subsequent block of 30 minutes of play $25 for 2 hours of play, $8 for each subsequent hour of play (discounts with OCBC Baby Bonus Card and OCBC Platinum Mastercard) $12 for child below 18 months; $18 for child above 18 months – for unlimited playtime $15 for unlimited play ($1 discount for Popular Cardmembers.) $12 for unlimited play $25 for 2 to 12-year-olds, $13 for below 2-year-olds for first 2 hours; $5 additional 30 minutes or part thereof $16.50 per child, $2.15 per adult for unlimited play

 

There are several other established indoor playgrounds in Singapore. Click here to check out the rest!

Remember to bring along your socks and have a great little day out with your little ones!


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The Little Day Out Team is made up of a passionate group of writers who believe in helping families keep up with the latest fun ideas and activities, engage their little ones and create lasting memories together. Drop us a note if you would like to contribute a story at [email protected].