Situated on the third floor, diagonally across from the concierge within Westgate’s airconditioned wing, is the largest indoor playground in the West to-date. Yooland is its name, complete with an outer space theme and decked out with features that are novel and cool.
The Yooland playground is sure to keep your child entertained and is a great one-stop spot to chillax if some of your brood, especially if they attend the nearby enrichment classes.
Entering Yooland: The Indoor Playground at Westgate
Upon entering the over 6000 square-foot space, we were greeted by a double-decked indoor play area.
There is a nook for storing your belongings and shoes in cubby holes located behind the ticketing counter and stools are provided for wearing your non-slip socks.
Socks can be purchased for a small fee should you lack a pair.
Ticketing was seamless and needless to say, my 4-year-old son Z made a beehive for the expansive ball pit filled with white, grey and pink coloured balls.
To Infinity and Beyond – Space-themed Features at Yooland
Travelling at hyper-speed like astronauts is possible when you slide down the huge funnel slide that simulates a black hole.
I thought the inclusion of flashing LED light strips was strikingly similar to zooming into outer space like in the movies.
The see-through tunnels and slides not only allowed easy monitoring of my child’s safety but were a hit for him as he could see me too as we played the occasional game of peek-a-boo.
There are other types of tunnels and slides featured such as the spiral tube slide and a wavy LED one with multiple lanes where kids can slide together into the expanse of balls.
My son thoroughly enjoyed himself climbing to the second deck and sliding down countless times.
He ranks the spiral tube slide as his favourite.
The hallmark of a futuristic play space is its gamified stations using augmented reality (AR).
Yooland doesn’t disappoint in this respect.
Interactive games are located at the ball pit and trampoline area. Z was particularly amused by his projected image simultaneously jumping together with him as he played one of the AR games.
Aside from AR, there is an exceptionally effective ball shooter, trampolines for jumping while shooting balls through the hoop and a one-of-a-kind brick wall where bricks light up when stacked upon each other.
I attempted to form some words and the cuboid-shaped bricks made it easy to pluck out and place back on the board.
Staying for an extended period of time in space would require one to exercise in order not to lose muscle mass. Yooland covers this ground well with a running wheel for your astronaut kids to experience expanding their energy with a purpose.
In light of your kids’ safety, it is best if only one kid per time is on the running wheel at all times.
After spending time travelling through space, my son and I had a blast playing pretend in Space Kitchen and Space Supermarket (SS – doesn’t this remind you of the acronym for a local supermarket?).
If you’re thinking of getting a one-hour pass, consider the two-hour pass if your child loves pretend play.
Z found it hard to leave as there was ample opportunity for him to pass off as an astronaut cashier, astronaut cook, etc.
The supermarket in space is stocked with many fun elements such as realistic kid-sized supermarket carts, cooking stoves and cashier stations.
Aside from these ‘amenities’, there are other pretend play sections on the second deck such as a boutique for dolling up and a veterinary clinic where kids can monitor the health of stuffed animals (who could have gone to space and back).
I was intrigued by the boutique specially catered for little ones who appreciate dressing and dolling up.
Z had a go at the makeup dressing table as well, curiously fiddling with the pretend brushes and lipsticks whilst helping me to ‘doll up’.
Yooland Indoor Playground at Westgate – Worth Exploring Every Bit
If you think that Yooland indoor playground at Westgate is like any other indoor playground (did you know there are more than 70 of them in Singapore), we hope you have changed your mind as we did ours.
I would give this playground two thumbs-up due to the varied selection of play options, brightly lit play area, as well as the choice of colour palette and lowered volume of background music which makes for a calm atmosphere.
As of early February 2024, part of the shopfront is still boarded up. However, Yooland is open. Just make a right-angled turn and you will see Yooland’s playground entrance.
The boarded-up area will eventually be a handicraft and hands-on activity area.
Yooland is a fun-packed energy-driving space is sure to have you and your little ones coming back for more.
Yooland @ Westgate
Where: Westgate level 3. Unit 03-35=6-37
Opening Hours: 10 am to 8 pm on weekdays (7 pm last entry); 10 am to 9 pm on weekends (8 pm last entry)
Ticket Prices: $25 for one Adult & one Child for one hour, $35 for one Adult & one Child for two hours
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If you enjoyed this story, you will also enjoy reading our guide to the indoor playgrounds in Singapore.
