Looking for a family-friendly mall to spend a day out with your kids? Maybe you need to shop for some new clothes for your youngest, or perhaps one of your little bookworms are looking for a brand-new book to read? Whatever reason you might have, ONE Intervention has ranked 5 of the best family-friendly malls there are in Singapore.
From megamalls with a dizzying selection of any kind of store you might need, to stunning open plaza architecture, this list has it all. Read on and keep a couple of malls in mind for the next time you want to treat your kiddos to a fantastic day out!
City Square Mall
No list of family-friendly malls is complete without the iconic City Square Mall. This popular mall features a grand total of not one, not two, but three playgrounds that your kids can explore. The most well-known of which is the bouncy net adventure playground, which spans from levels 2 – 6 of the mall’s atrium. Adventurous kids can take turns clambering across the mesh nets and the connecting slides, living out their very own superhero dream.
There’s also a cosier playground at the basement level for our younger tots. This playground features a classic set of slides and swings, themed to resemble a treehouse. Or, you can check out the revamped outdoor playground at level one which features a vertical ladder, wobbly bridges and merry-go-rounds, amongst other equipment! The best part? Both of these playgrounds are absolutely free of charge for entry! (Psst – if your hyperactive little one particularly enjoys playgrounds, check out our article on Hurry To Visit These 5 Massive Kids’ Indoor Playgrounds Now!)
Needless to say, City Square Mall itself is a shopaholic’s marvel. This swanky mall has five retail levels, three basements and four levels of lifestyle services. Most of these stores are pretty budget friendly, which means that you can definitely count on some great deals at this family-friendly mall!
Funan
Next on our list of family-friendly malls is none other than Funan. This amazing shopping centre is a thriving tech hub, best known for its vast array of tech stores and equipment. Funan also happens to feature several notable creative stores, taking pride in being a paradigm of Singapore’s rich work, life, and play culture.
The highlight of this mall has to go to its massive rock climbing tower. Located in the atrium and spanning over two stories high, Climb Central is a must-visit when going to Funan. There are a variety of rock climbing structures, ranging from 4m – 16m high, so even your youngest is welcome to have a go at this adventure. (ONE did! Check it out – Our Kids’ Incredible Journey to National Climbing Competition – One Intervention Centre)
Besides the rock climbing wall, another notable feature of this family-friendly mall is its indoor cycling tracks. That’s right – shoppers are encouraged to cycle around the mall to shop. There’s a dedicated bicycle hub at level one with showers, lockers and other amenities at your convenience.
Something most people might not know about Funan is its rooftop garden. On its seventh floor is a hidden gem of a garden where tired shoppers can rest their feet for a moment and enjoy the serenity of lush greenery and birdsong around them. The garden is operated by Edible Garden City and is part of Singapore’s efforts at urban farming in order for a more sustainable city. Be sure to drop by when you have a chance!
ION Orchard
What, did you really think we’d compile this list while leaving out the ever-famous ION Orchard? Without a doubt, ION more than deserves a spot amongst the ranks of the best family-friendly malls in Singapore. This eight-storey shopping haven boasts a unique architectural design and its iconic silvery, mirror-like finish on the building. Conveniently connected to both the Thomson and North-South MRT lines, this mall is extremely accessible.
For a treat, take your kids up to the impressive 360 immersive observatory – ION Sky. This is located fifty six levels above Orchard Road, offering a bird’s eye view of the city. Pro tip: Go to the observatory during the evening, rather than in the day! Singapore’s mesmerising skyline is that much more memorable at night, with its paddle-pop of neon lights and busy streets!
You might have the misconception that ION Orchard is a mall dedicated only to luxurious brands. However, the basement levels of this family-friendly mall actually has a wide variety of affordable highstreet fashion brands, from H&M and Mango to mid-range designer brands like Calvin Klein and Guess. Basement four of ION also boasts a huge Daiso so you can get your cheap $2.00 Japanese lifestyle goods!
One Holland Village
Are your kids begging you to bring along Fido for your family outing? Well, One Holland Village is one of Singapore’s best-known pet friendly malls, so your four-legged friend won’t feel left out on the trip to this family-friendly mall!
This mall features a refreshing open plan, spanning several outdoor courtyards where shoppers can stroll around and drop by into stores at their leisure. This layout means that there are a multitude of hidden nooks and crannies that your family can spend hours exploring. Holland Village also boasts a vast array of eateries, from indie cafes to gourmet restaurants. It’s sure to satisfy even the pickiest eater in your family!
Beyond just eateries, Holland Village also features a variety of other stores. They boast unique gift shops, an in-house pet bakery, and even an art gallery on the first floor. There’s no shortage of fun activities that your family can get up to in this fantastic mall.
Geneo Mall
And last, but certainly not the least, we’ve got the hottest new family-friendly mall in Singapore: Geneo Mall. This mall features one of the most interesting mall architectures out there, with its vaulting cathedral-like ceiling and its expansive atrium. Families can enjoy a breath of fresh air (pun intended!) with the sunlight streaming in through the event plaza, and perhaps even have a family picnic by the steps.
Geneo Mall also has a Swensen’s outlet decked out with the Swensen’s Unlimited Buffet, which your kids are sure to delight in. The Buffet boasts a grand total of 48 different ice cream flavours, from the classics to the newer, more adventurous flavours. There are also live chefs at the buffet, so your children can watch how your family’s delicious smoked duck and angus ribeye beef gets whipped up in real time. And the best part? Kids below five EAT FREE! (Check out our article on 5 Fantastic Places Where Kids Eat FREE In Singapore! for more steals and deals!)
And if you’d like someplace quiet to wind down after a long, exciting day of retail therapy, Geneo Mall has just the thing. There’s an outdoor garden at Geneo known as The Seed, which is solely dedicated to growing ginger. End the day by exploring the winding paths and enjoy the immersive sensory experience of the ginger’s fragrance and colourful plants in this garden.
Did we miss out on any of your favourite family-friendly malls? Or perhaps you’ve visited one of these malls before and you’d like to share your experience? Whatever it is, drop us a comment below – we’d love to hear from you 💬👇