Fill up those water bottles, because NIKKI FUNG has rounded up a batch of cool playgrounds for an afternoon of outdoor fun.
WHO’S IN THE WOODS?
Who knew the stretch of car dealerships along Leng Kee Road hid such a gem? This woodland-themed playground is small, but packs a punch with its tree-stump stepping stones, kids-only treehouse, wobbly bridge and hollowedlog slide. DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE See more photos of these playgrounds. Visit www. youngparents.com. sg/digital. adventure time Look out for the little squirrel and raccoon peeking out from their hidey-holes in the tree – your little ones will have fun exploring all the tiny details on this structure. Find it at the Rumah Tinggi Eco- Park behind the dealerships.
MAN YOUR STATIONS!
This battleship playground at Sembawang Park is guaranteed to get children climbing and running. We counted two slides, short rope bridges, a climbing net structure, a round swing and even a maze on the lower level. Kids need to scale the rock wall on the sides of the ship to get to the top, so it’s best for those aged six and up. If you’re making it a family outing with the pet, there’s also an enclosed dog run next to the playground, and tables and benches nearby. Find it at Sembawang Park, Sembawang Road.
DINO MIGHT
This is one playground that will have you feeling like you’ve time-travelled to prehistoric times. Located in Fu Shan Garden in Woodlands, its slides and tunnels are teeming with dinosaurs, including one crawling out of what we suspect used to be a sandpit. There’s also a modern plastic play structure right next to the dinosaurs, and the usual exercise equipment around the periphery. For some extra fun, challenge the kids to find all the dinosaurs in the playground. We counted six when we were there, but we wouldn’t be surprised if there were more lurking about. It’s at Block 827 Woodlands Street 82.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Something about retro playgrounds never fail to bring a smile to our faces, which is why we had to include this little throwback on the list. Baby brother to the old-school dragon at Toa Payoh, this mini structure is a simple spiral slide. Unfortunately, it’s missing the sandy pit that its larger counterpart has – instead, you’ll find the usual rubber flooring that’s common to most newer playgrounds. It’s near Block 53 on Pipit Road, which runs between the two ends of Circuit Road.
FIVE TIMES THE FUN
Technically a Park Connector, Alexandra Canal Linear Park is where you can find not one, but five, playgrounds spread out along the stretch. The rope bridge is for dextrous older kids (we would say aged six and up) is located near Block 83 Strathmore Avenue. Be sure to bring lots of water if you’re planning on walking (and playing) the entire stretch, which starts at Commonwealth Avenue and runs along Strathmore Estate before ending at Tanglin Road.
SAIL AWAY
How cute is this little bumboat playground? We found this gem hidden behin d Elias Mall – great if you need the young ones to expend some energy. It has one small slide and a tire-climbing structure, and is suited for younger kids – perhaps those aged five and under. Find it at 625 Elias Road.
DRAGON FEVER
Of course, we couldn’t leave out the iconic dragon playground, which was thankfully left intact after the old blocks of flats around it were demolished. This one is missing its swing, but is in great condition otherwise. Find it opposite Safra Toa Payoh. Park in the small lot by blocks 29 and 30; it’s near Block 28 Toa Payoh Lorong 6.
FRUITY FUN
Last year, this watermelon and mangosteen playground was under wraps and we feared it would be demolished. Thankfully, it’s reopened with new flooring, so be sure to pop by with the kids for a quick climb and ride down the watermelon slide, or a game of hide-and-seek in the mangosteens. It’s by Block 858 along Tampines Street 83, but take note that there’s a massive construction site next door for the Tampines Town Hub, so avoid taking kids with allergies there. It is, however, very close to Tampines Central’s malls.
HOP TO IT
If the kids love climbing, challenge them to hop from structure to structure without touching the ground to make their way up to cross the high bridge and finally back down the tunnel slide to safety. For more excitement, time them to see who can get through the course the fastest. There’s also a small rock-climbing wall. It’s in Firefly Park by Block 304, Clementi Avenue 4.
PLAY IT UP
A vertical playground? Now that’s cool. This structure, called a wallholla, stands nearly three storeys tall and lets kids climb, crawl, jump, hang and slide on its wavy platforms. If it gets too crowded inside, there are also climbing grips on each side that lets children scale the outside of the cage. There’s also a net climbing structure and metal slide nearby. Find it at Block 160, Bishan Street 13.
RACE YOU TO THE TOP!
This one’s a must for those who love slides. Not only are three – count them, three – slides here, but they’re also tall and snaking. And when the kids have worn themselves out climbing, they can check out the cute die-cut designs in the metal, the talk tubes and abacus games around the tower. If you have time to spare, take a stroll around the park to find the 12 zodiac animal statues, and grab the chance to sneak in a small lesson on the Chinese zodiac, just in time for Chinese New Year. It’s located at Limbang Park, Choa Chu Kang Street 51.
FULL STEAM AHEAD
This train with its tilted cars takes centre stage at the Tiong Bahru Adventure Playground and deserves a spot high up on our list of favourites. Great for toddlers all the way up to teenagers, it has a mini maze, a merry-go-round, slides, monkey bars and two flying foxes. Be warned though, you might get tired out from pushing them from one end of the flying fox to the other – over and over again. If you need a rest, there are many benches under trees, and open patches of sand for children to dig in, too. The playground sits in the junction of three roads – Henderson Road, Tiong Bahru Road and Lower Delta Road – and is visible as you’re driving past.
SAND AND SEA
Sand and swings proved to be a rarity on our playground hunt, so we were thrilled to find that this one has not just one, but both. Also check out the octopus see-saw, the shark rocking seats, and mini ship play structure – with just a dash of imagination, young ones can turn this play pit into an adventure on the high seas. Take water along, and they might even be able to build a sandcastle. It’s in Yishun Park, near Block 443, Yishun Avenue 11.
