August 31, 2022

Benefits of Outdoors and List of outdoor playgrounds in Singapore (2022)

(Update: Playgrounds in Shopping Malls, 6 Dec 22) You might have heard about how good it is to bring children outdoors. But if you don’t exactly know why so, then read on. I will be sharing the benefits of outdoor play. May you get persuaded to increase your children’s outdoor time. And if you are convinced, I’ve also prepared a list of outdoor playgrounds in Singapore to give you an idea of where to bring your children to.

Jump to the relevant section:

Benefits of Outdoor Play

Different parents focus on different aspects of a child’s development. One mother prepares home-cooked dinner every day, another father ferries the child every other day to enrichment classes. I love to do those too, but that means no time left for outdoor play, a high priority I place on my children. Out we go, even if I had to force myself on busy and tiring days.

I’m an advocate for outdoor play. Other than a good chance for the children to move their limbs, being outside reduces the risk of myopia and exposes them to vitamin D. Moreover, compared to indoor playgrounds, outdoor playgrounds have natural sanitisation and it’s usually free admission. According to NParks and ECDA, here are some of the benefits of greenery and outdoor learning:

Improves cognitive functioning.
Develops better learners as children learn more deeply with their five senses. Hence, better grades.
Helps children to become more connected to the environment and community around them. Outdoor learning enables them to learn in the real world and develop a variety of skills for life.
Helps children improve their focus and thus better behaviour in school.
Reduces ADHD symptoms.
Helps children cope with stress. Children become happier in the fun yet calming outdoors.
Develops psychomotor skills.
Strengthens the immune system and thus healthier children.
Reduces the risk of Myopia.

*Rock Climbing At Toa Payoh Crest Playground*

Outdoors reduce the risk of Myopia

I zoom into this benefit of outdoor play because I heard parents who said they wish they knew of this earlier. Parents with children of early myopia. Then again, my daily hour of bringing the girls outdoors did not do much for Joy who is at a high risk of early myopia. The paediatric optometrist we went for eye screening* told us, two hours per day to manage the risk.

Two hours! I still have to slot in sufficient sleep hours for the children. That means no time left for revision, enrichment classes, or other activities. How about those from dual-income families? Grandparents would then play a great part in bringing the children for outdoor play. Bearing the myopia risk in mind, we just have to find a way to get at least one to two hours each day for the children.

Spending time outdoors can help prevent or delay the onset of myopia. It also reduces children’s risk of developing high myopia (500 degrees or more) in later years.

Bright outdoor light keeps myopia at bay by stimulating the release of dopamine in the retina, which prevents elongation of the eye.
Professor Saw Seang Mei (Head of the Myopia Research Group at Singapore Eye Research Institute) in the article at www.healthxchange.sg

*To find out which eye clinic I went to, reach out to me via the contact form or Instagram. I have a promo code to share too.

List of outdoor playgrounds in Singapore (2022)

Give yourself a pat on the back for wanting to bring your children outdoors. It’s not easy in hot and humid Singapore. As promised, I will be sharing my list of outdoor playgrounds in Singapore.

But before you head out to enjoy the benefits of outdoor play, remember to protect yourself and your children from the sun and mosquitos!

Big Outdoor Playgrounds

These are bigger playgrounds that you can consider travelling across Singapore for. Those places labelled ‘verified fun‘ are places we personally like.

North

Admiralty Park Playground with 26 slides! – verified fun
Jelutung Harbour Park with water play
Sembawang Battleship Playground
Yishun Park Nature Playground
Yishun N8 Park Treehouse Playground – been there, done that

Central

Play @ Heights Park, water play, sand, flying fox and pump track, Toa Payoh (Central) – verified fun
Toa Payoh Crest Playground – verified fun

South

Active Garden with Musical Playground
Playground at Jubilee Park, Fort Canning Park – verified fun
Tiong Bahru Park Playground – verified fun

East

Bedok Reservoir Park – Treetop Adventure Park (Paid Entry)
Coastal PlayGrove, with water play, East Coast Park – verified fun
Marine Cove Playground, East Coast Park – verified fun
Pasir Ris Park Playground – verified fun

West

COMO Adventure Grove, Singapore Botanic Gardens – verified fun
Forest Ramble, Nature Playgarden, Jurong Lake Gardens – verified fun
Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden
Nature Playgarden and Playground at Hortpark
Adventure Playground, West Coast Park – verified fun

Around Singapore: Vertical Playgrounds

The Wallholla playground is also known as a vertical playground. The tight modular upward structure provides many play elements while saving space. Elements such as slides, climbing walls and sliding poles. According to littledayout.com, you can find them at the following places:

North:
- Blk 185A, Woodlands St 13
- Blk 832, Yishun St 81
- Shangri-La Park, along Jalan Mengkudu, off Ang Mo Kio Ave 2

Central:
- Blk 158, Bishan St 13
- Junction 8, 9 Bishan Place
- Cambridge Park, along Cambridge Road
- Blk 116, Jalan Tenteram

East:
- Blk 54, Geylang Bahru
- Singpost Centre, 10 Eunos Road 8
- Blk 489C, Tampines St 45
- Carpmael Park, along Carpmael Road and Ceylon Road
- Blk 156 & 165, Simei Road
- 673A Edgefield Plains, Punggol East

West
- Blk 266, Bukit Batok East Ave 4
- Blk 815C Choa Chu Kang Ave
- Blk 549, Jurong West St 42, Jurong Spring
- Blk 721, Jurong West Ave 5

Interesting Neighbourhood Playgrounds

Some of these playgrounds look fun in photos and blogs, but when we are there in real life, the play area is too small or not fun enough to justify a long travelling time. But if you are in the hood, they’re still interesting to check out!