SINGAPORE – The next outdoor adventure for your kids could be closer to home than you think – and it can be enjoyed for free. A number of estates now feature unique playgrounds, ditching the usual cookie-cutter designs.
These playgrounds, nestled among HDB flats, are more than just recreational areas. Some are designed with heritage elements to educate children while they have fun.For instance, Tengah, once known for its fruit plantations in the 1950s, has a series of fruit-themed playgrounds. And Yew Tee has a playground structure resembling oil drums, a nod to its past as an oil storage depot during the Japanese Occupation.Meanwhile, the newly renovated Waterplay space at Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden in the Singapore Botanic Gardens will be a hit with your kids. The refreshed Waterplay space at Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden has features such as umbrella fountains.ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEOBut if you are looking for somewhere near your home, there are many other free and fun places around the island. At Bidadari Park’s playground, for instance, your kids can make their way up a 5m-tall “tree house”. And Pek Kio Park and Tampines Boulevard Park feature nature-inspired play gardens with balancing logs and stepping stumps constructed from the wood of felled trees. These play elements promote environmental awareness while encouraging your children to connect with nature. So, fill up the water bottles, slather on that sunscreen and head to these HDB estate and park playgrounds for a day of fun with your kids.Adventure Playwoods, Bidadari ParkThe 5m-tall “tree house” at Bidadari Park’s Adventure Playwoods has long slides, climbing nets and a net tunnel.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUIA 5m-tall “tree house”, built next to a Tembusu tree, forms the centrepiece of this nature-inspired play garden at Bidadari Park, which opened in September 2024. The towering play structure features long slides, climbing nets and a net tunnel that will challenge your children’s sense of balance and coordination. Reaching the lookout point will give them a sense of accomplishment and allow them to take in a bird’s-eye view of the surroundings.They can also experience the thrill of soaring through the air on a zip line and the joy of building castles in the sandpits. There are restrooms, a water cooler and a vending machine stocked with drinks close by.After playtime, stroll through the vast park with your children and share the enchanting inspiration behind the green space: Hundred Acre Wood from the children’s classic storybook Winnie-the-Pooh (1926) by A.A. Milne.Fruit-themed playgrounds, Tengah Garden AvenueThe Ong Lye Garden playground at Block 132A in Tengah has a large yellow pineapple structure with a slide.ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUANThe newly developed Plantation Grange estate in Tengah pays tribute to the area’s history as a fruit plantation in the 1950s with a series of fruit-themed playgrounds.One of the highlights is Ong Lye Garden at Block 132A. You will find a large yellow pineapple structure, in which children can climb up using ropes, explore the inside and then zoom down the green slide.Two play structures inspired by the king of fruit at Durian Paradise playground near Block 132C in Tengah.ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUANTwo play structures inspired by the king of fruit are nearby at Block 132C’s Durian Paradise. They provide even more climbing challenges, swings and spiral slides for children aged six and above.Younger children have not been forgotten. A “fruit farm” in front of Block 131A features play structures inspired by a pineapple, a watermelon and two bananas, encouraging imaginative play.
Pretend to harvest pineapples, bananas and watermelons before hopping on a red “lorry” at this fruit farm-inspired playground near Block 131A in Tengah.ST PHOTO: ELISA CHIAToddlers and pre-schoolers can pretend to harvest the fruit and hop on a red “lorry” for added excitement. There is plenty of running space for your little ones here.Hungry after all the fun? Head over to Plantation Plaza – just a street away – for a variety of dining options.Oil Drum Playground, Block 619C Choa Chu Kang North Avenue 7The Oil Drum Playground draws inspiration from Yew Tee’s history as a wartime oil storage depot. PHOTO: PLAYPOINT SINGAPOREThe play space, opened in August 2024, is a short walk from Yew Tee MRT station and sheltered by the elevated train tracks. Its design draws inspiration from Yew Tee’s history as an oil storage depot during the Japanese Occupation. The Oil Drum Playground is a short walk from Yew Tee MRT station and sheltered by the MRT tracks.PHOTO: PLAYPOINT SINGAPOREThe area is designed for young children to crawl, explore and imagine. It features three small and two large orange “oil drums” with a gentle slide and low-level nets.Also vying for your kids’ attention is a small water park with shooting jets and fountains. So, remember to pack a change of clothes for them. There is a changing room available.Octopus Play, Block 801C West Coast CrescentKids, especially the older ones, will love the key structure at the Octopus Play area.PHOTO: PLAYPOINT SINGAPORENestled among the HDB blocks near West Coast Beach, the playground’s key structure draws inspiration from a colossal sea creature. The purple octopus has “tentacles” that offer varied climbing routes for kids to explore its interior. They can continue their ascent to a rope and wire mesh bridge, which leads to a slide.The octopus-inspired play structure has “tentacles” that offer varied climbing routes for kids to explore its interior. PHOTO: PLAYPOINT SINGAPOREIn addition to the main play structure, the area offers a number of alternatives for younger children. There is a merry-go-round, two shorter slides and two low hammock swings.If your kids still have energy to burn, head across the street to the beach for some fun in the sand.Flying Birds and Bird’s Tower, Sengkang East DriveYour kids can crawl through rope tunnels that link up the nests and zip down the slides at the Flying Birds playground in Sengkang.ST PHOTO: TARYN NGLocated near Block 172A in Sengkang East Drive, Flying Birds is an aviary-themed playground featuring three towering “bird nests” in shades of blue and yellow. Your kids will have a blast crawling through robust rope tunnels that link up the nests and zipping down the long slides.Lim Jun Kai, seven, manoeuvring through the obstacle course’s swinging rubber hammock mats.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUIThey can hone their agility and coordination skills as they manoeuvre through the obstacle course’s swinging rubber hammock mats.The Bird’s Tower playground is near Block 175A in Sengkang and the Sungei Serangoon Park Connector.PHOTO: PLAYPOINT SINGAPOREA short walk away, near Block 175A and the Sungei Serangoon Park Connector, is Bird’s Tower, an expansive play area that exudes beach vibes. Your kids will gain a sense of accomplishment when they get to the “viewing decks” after conquering the netted course.
They will also enjoy the spacious sandpits, a rare find in modern HDB playgrounds, where they can build sandcastles and other creations.Sengkang’s Bird’s Tower playground features spacious sandpits equipped with mini “excavators”.PHOTO: PLAYPOINT SINGAPOREAdding to the fun are mini “excavators” which allow the little ones to dig and play in the sand. However, this playground lacks washing areas. You may need to look for alternative ways to clean your children’s feet before leaving.Mini Road Safety Park, Block 208 Choa Chu Kang CentralThe Mini Road Safety Park in Choa Chu Kang gives young children a feel of the road as they navigate it with their toy cars, bicycles or scooters.ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUANThe Mini Road Safety Park, completed in December 2024, gives toddlers and pre-schoolers a feel of the road as they navigate it with their toy cars, bicycles or scooters.It is a miniature road network with directional arrows, zebra crossings and yellow boxes. These encourage young cyclists and “motorists” to follow road signs, maintain a safe speed and learn other important road rules.The park is a miniature road network, complete with directional arrows, zebra crossings and yellow boxes.ST PHOTO: ELISA CHIAIts compact size makes it easy to keep an eye on your kids. And while you are there, you can teach them about pedestrian safety, like looking both ways for oncoming traffic. They should also ensure that cyclists and motorists have stopped before crossing the road.Tampines Boulevard Park, Tampines Avenue 12 The east section of Tampines Boulevard Park’s nature-inspired play garden has a rustic charm.PHOTO: NPARKSDiscover two distinct nature-inspired play gardens in Tampines Boulevard Park’s east and west sections, which are separated by Tampines Avenue 12.Launched in February, the east side has a more rustic charm. Your kids can engage with play elements such as balancing logs and stepping trunks, constructed from the wood of felled trees. Other landscape enhancements and the adding of colourful shrubs and tall grass are ongoing and will be completed by 2026.Tampines Boulevard Park’s west section has an eye-catching dragon head with a yellow slide and a sand play area with swings.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAOIn contrast, the west section’s play garden, which opened in September 2024, is a vibrant and colourful space. An eye-catching dragon head with a yellow slide immediately captures your children’s attention, inviting them to play. Adjacent to this is a sand play area with swings and a short bouldering wall.Young cyclists can practise their skills on a mini cycling track at Tampines Boulevard Park.PHOTO: NPARKSThe west section also features a 60m tricoloured mini cycling track, so take along your kids’ bicycles and helmets. You will see a big yellow sign reminding everyone to put safety first and gear up.Pek Kio Park, Cambridge Road The nature-inspired play area in Pek Kio Park features logs and stumps to spark imagination and encourage adventurous play among children.PHOTO: NPARKSA small nature-inspired play area lies in the middle of Pek Kio Park, which opened in January and is surrounded by HDB flats along Cambridge Road.The area ditches colourful play structures in favour of repurposed wood from felled trees. Logs and stumps inspire imaginative and adventurous play, helping your kids to develop balancing and jumping skills while connecting with nature.The play elements, such as logs and stumps, in Pek Kio Park are made from the wood of felled trees.PHOTO: NPARKSThere is a shelter with seats available, so you can keep watch on your kids while they play, but why not join in the fun with them?After playing, take your children to see the park’s “bee hotel”. It has a few small nesting houses for non-aggressive solitary bees, which are vital pollinators that do not live in hives. The park also features an edible garden that showcases Singapore’s culinary heritage. It displays plants commonly used in local dishes, such as curry leaf, kaffir lime and chilli padi.More on this TopicGet the ST Smart Parenting newsletter for expert advice. Visit the microsite for moreThanks for sharing!