10 best places to cool down with the kids

Animal instincts

Think the animals you’re watching at the zoo are wild? Try unleashing your child among fellow fledglings at Rainforest Kidzworld, the zoo’s multi-coloured, ankle-deep water-play oasis amid tropical trees. The attraction boasts splashing fountains, water slides and the famous giant bucket with the face of an elephant, tipping over periodically to drench unwary children and adults. Rainforest Kidzworld, Singapore Zoological Gardens (6269 3411). Daily 9am-5.30pm. Free with zoo admission (kids $12; adults $18). No age restrictions.

Soak up science

At the Science Centre, families can lap up learning about the water cycle, water wastage, water pressure and more, thanks to larger-than-life gadgets like giant deluge-releasing buckets, amiable water jets and a water maze. It all comes complete with a human-sized, clock-shaped dryer so that you won’t have to go home wet. Science Centre, 15 Science Centre Rd (6425 2500). Daily 10am-6pm. Free with Science Centre admission (kids 2-16 $3; adults $9; $6 senior citizens; children below 3 free). No age restrictions. 

Barrage of bliss

Marvel at Marina Barrage, a giant reservoir-cum-flood control facility with child-friendly interactive multimedia displays about Singapore’s water provision schemes. Kids will literally be immersed, especially at the wading playground featuring fountains making patterns in the air. Bring kites for flying afterwards: the Barrage’s grass-covered Green Roof offers views of the city’s skyline. Marina Barrage, 8 Marina Gardens Dr (6514 5959). Daily 9am-10pm. Free. No age restrictions. 

Say you can ski

Do your children sometimes think they can walk on water? Help them come close with cable-wakeboarding: boarding on water surfaces while being pulled by overhead cables. At Ski360, Singapore’s first cable-ski park, professionals will give them tips and supervision, all for special student rates. Bring a change of clothes, student ID and prepare them for the ride of their life. Ski360, 1206A East Coast Parkway (6442 7318). Mon-Thu 10am-9.45pm; Fri & eve of public holiday 10am-11.45pm; Sat 9am-11.45pm; Sun 9am-9.45pm. $27- $59. For ages 7 and above.

High-speed splashing

Wild Wild Wet’s watery wonderland has attractions for all age groups. Tiny tots can splash around in the interactive fountain displays; the more adventurous will clamour for the high-velocity, high-altitude slides (adults can also accompany their kids); and a lazy river and jacuzzis will entertain the older folk. Wild Wild Wet, Pasir Ris Cl (6442 7318). Mon, Wed, Thu & Fri 1-7pm; every Sun & public holiday 10am-7pm. Kids $11; adults (above 12) $16; senior citizens free. For ages 3 and above (height restrictions apply for certain slides and attractions). 

Puppy love

Youngsters bored of mum’s shopping can skylark amid colourful water-spilling mobile sculptures and water cannons at Kidzplay, one of Singapore’s newest rooftop playgrounds atop nex Shopping Mall’s SkyGarden. Plus, it’s just next to a dog-playground with see-through fencing, so kids can watch various breeds of cute canines cavorting at the same time. Kidzplay, Rooftop, nex Shopping Mall, 23 Serangoon Central (6416 6366, www.nex.com.sg). Daily 11am-9pm. Free. For ages 5-12. 

Northern highlights

Sengkang Swimming Complex is a full-on facility for fun, with eight slides including three-storey twisty tubes, a play pool with fountains and kiddy slides, and a jacuzzi. For more serious splashing, there’s a competition pool and two more for lessons. Sengkang Swimming Complex, 57 Anchorvale Rd (6315 3574. www.ssc.gov.sg). Tue-Sun & public holidays 8am-9.30pm. Kids & senior citizens $0.80 (weekdays), $1 (weekends); adults $1.50 (weekdays), $2 (weekends). No age restrictions.

What lies beneath

If your children are at least eight and can swim, they’re not too small to scuba dive – at least not in the safety of a swimming pool under professional diver supervision. Far from flat, this Padi Seal Team pool training incorporates missions about wrecks, navigation, buoyancy, underwater photography, environmental awareness and more. Venues confirmed upon booking (6333 8819). Three-day course; times and dates vary. $240 (advance booking required). For ages 8 and above.

Surf’s up

Singapore might not get the big waves, but it does have the WaveHouse, a bodyboard/flowboard facility whose artificial waves stretch up to 10ft tall at a speed of 30mph against impact-dampening surfaces. Smaller swimmers are welcome, as long as they’re at least 107cm tall (parental supervision required). It comes complete with splash pool and dining options for afterwards. WaveHouse, Siloso Beach, Sentosa (6377 3113). Mon & Tue, Thu & Fri 10am-11pm; Wed, Sat, Sun & public holiday 9am-11pm. $15-$80. No age restrictions.

Swim with the dolphins

Confident swimmers can splash with Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins in this up-close, hour-long, trainer-supervised experience in which they learn to communicate with the perennially smiling pink mammals via hand signals, watch them whistle and play, and feed them. Equipment is provided, along with refreshments, a T-shirt and admission to UnderWater World Singapore thrown in. Bring swimwear and towels. Underwater World Singapore, Sentosa (6275 0030). Thu-Tue 9.45am. Three-day advance booking required. $170. For ages 6 and above with a minimum height of 90cm.