I’d heard great things about KidsSTOP at Science Centre Singapore and now that my daughter is two and a bit, we finally made our way there with another little pal, and it certainly did not disappoint! Both girls had a blast, and that’s all I can ask for.
KidsSTOP is Science Centre Singapore’s dedicated Children’s Science Centre and officially opened back in June 2014.
Designed especially for children aged 8 years and below, KidsSTOP is 3,000m² of science, and innovation for wee inquiring minds.
You wouldn’t be wrong to think of KidsSTOP as one massive pretend-play indoor playground!
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There are 20 themed zones, created specifically to engage a child in play – the best way any child learns! Children can become palaeontologists as they uncover fossils in the Dino Pit, or be pilots in Flight & Space, or simply learn more about themselves in Know Your Body.
Watching my daughter’s eyes light up while she played, I knew that little puzzle pieces in her head were clicking into place as she made sense of her world.
We were at KidsSTOP in the morning for about 2 hours which, in my opinion, is plenty for a two-year-old. Here are some of our favourites that you should look out for when you pop by Science Centre Singapore for a visit!
Small World
In March this year, KidsSTOP unveiled a brand new Small World, featuring a farm of little bunnies, feathered friends, and even a cow you could milk.
A multi-sensorial play space designed to engage the child from head to toe, Small World is a lovely soft play corner specifically catering for the under-3s, and is a nice addition to the range of engaging exhibits already found in KidsSTOP.
If you have a crawler with you, Small World would be perfectly safe for him or her since the whole area is foam padded, from the walls to the floor. Also, the play space is limited to just 15 children at any one time.
Think walls of colourful farm scenes with different textured fabric for the children to feel; arches with ribbons for the little ones to run through; and even a toddler-friendly foam slide!
Supermarket
One of the most popular zones – and the biggest – is Supermarket. This zone was an absolute hive of activity the entire time we were there, and it isn’t hard to understand why.
The Supermarket Zone at KidsSTOP is so much fun, my daughter kept returning for more. It really is real-world pretend-play at its best!
There are crates upon shelves of toy food items; a Nutrition Corner where children can watch animation about where our food comes from; and check-out counters that actually beep when food items are scanned in.
Children can also learn the importance of staying hydrated at the Drink Station, and about eating a balanced meal via My Healthy Plate.
Even though my daughter doesn’t get actual science concepts, I thought it was quite fun when we made a game out of returning food items to their original spots by matching the toys to the pictures printed onto the shelves.
The Big Dream Climber and Giant J Slide
The two tallest structures in KidsSTOP are The Big Dream Climber – a fantastical two-storey-high netted climbing structure of clouds, doors, and giant gears.
Upon conquering The Big Dream Climber, the children will arrive at the Music Zone where they can make music on drums and organs constructed from PVC pipes.
Recommended for children 5 and up, my daughter attempted The Big Dream Climber a couple of times but she never quite made it past the first level, so there is a certain level of difficulty to this structure that requires close parent supervision if the younger ones are giving it a go.
The next most popular – and thrilling – exhibit in KidsSTOP would have to be Giant J, a 7-metre tall J-shaped slide that allows the children to experience the sensation of free-falling before they slide to safety.
I watched as the children lined up for this fearlessly and excitedly; you could almost feel them holding their breaths as the person before them is pulled upwards to the top of the J-slide.
Before Your KidsSTOP Singapore Visit
Closed every Monday – except on Public Holidays and the school holidays – KidsSTOP in Science Centre Singapore operates daily via two 4-hour sessions: the morning session begins at 9.30 am, while the afternoon session starts at 2 pm.
If you’re driving or taking a taxi, KidsSTOP shares a carpark with Snow City and Omni Theatre.
To find out more about opening hours and ticket prices, go here.
