This immersive ocean adventure brings together marine specialists, hands-on activities and engaging learning experiences for the whole family
Venue: Singapore Oceanarium
Date: 13 March - 12 April 2026
Admission: S$55 for adult and S$43 for child/senior
Singapore Oceanarium (新加坡海洋生态馆) invites families to dive into Ocean Kids Festival, a new seasonal line-up of experiences that adds extra wonder to a visit during the March school holidays and beyond. Running from 13 March to 12 April 2026, the festival introduces a special line-up of marine-themed activities designed to spark curiosity in young ocean lovers.
Meet Marine Experts at the Little Ocean Expert Series
One of the highlights you can sign your child up for is the Little Ocean Expert Series, a 45-minute meet-the-expert session designed for children aged 7 to 12. During the session, your child will get to meet specialists such as a diver, marine veterinarian, marine conservationist, marine researcher, animal care specialist, or habitat presenter. They’ll learn how these experts care for marine animals and protect ocean ecosystems, while also getting a closer look at the tools used in their daily work.
To make the experience even more exciting, children can dress up in kid-sized Singapore Oceanarium uniforms, lab coats, or dive suits and take photos. The session is priced at $15 per child and includes a free Axolotl Mini Plush Keychain. Pre-registration is required, and each session is capped at 20 child participants to maintain quality engagement. Each child must be accompanied by an adult guardian, who may sit in the session at no additional charge.
Enjoy Hands-On Craft Activities
Badge-Making Activity by Pentel Singapore continues the hands-on fun from 14 – 22 March. This activity invites children to create a marine-themed badge to take home. Participants choose an ocean animal, use colourful Pentel materials to add colour and detail, then press their design into a polished keepsake.
Enjoy Other Free-to-Public Experiences with Orchestra Performance
Beyond Singapore Oceanarium, the activities also spill into the Research and Learning Centre, inviting more to join in the fun. The centre comes alive with stories and crafts — celebrating little ones and big imaginations. Here are some of the activities families can do:
Storytelling and Books for Ocean Explorers
Families can sign up for storytelling of Singapore Oceanarium’s published books — Barry’s Ocean Friends and Manja’s Adventure with Sharks, and The Adventures of Bini the Horseshoe Crab, presented in partnership with Republic Polytechnic.
A National Library Board’s Molly the Mobile Library pop-up will take place for four days, from 16 to 19 March 2026, 9am to 5pm. It’s a chance for families to browse and borrow books, taking the learning even further. Don’t miss the hands-on fun with Create Your Own Coral Reef, where children shape an air-dry clay corals and learn how reefs become vital habitats.
Explore Even More Interactive Programmes
For families seeking a deeper, multi-sensory encounter, there are additional programmes such as the Fossilist Workshop and Animal Spotlight: Seahorses, which will enhance the experience at the oceanarium.
Priced at $88 (excluding admission), the Fossilist Workshop is a two-hour, hands-on session that runs daily at 2pm. It’s available over an extended period for young explorers aged 7 and above to excavate their very own fossils and learn about the fascinating world of ancient marine life through guided fossil discovery.
Led by trained facilitators, the workshop is a family friendly programme for deeper learning, introducing children to prehistoric ocean ecosystems and how fossils help scientists understand marine evolution, offering an enriching and tactile learning experience.
For those drawn to live animal encounters, the Animal Spotlight: Seahorses programme offers a 45-minute interactive programme focused on one of the ocean’s most captivating species. Conducted in small groups of up to 8 participants, the session explores seahorse biology, behaviour and conservation in an engaging and accessible format.
Priced at $28 (excluding admission), the programme runs daily on weekdays. Other Animal Spotlight Series focusing on different marine animals are also available, such as Animal Spotlight: Sea Jellies, where you can learn about sea jelly care, breeding and conservation first-hand.
Note that on the evenings of 14, 21 and 28 March, the Singapore Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, led by the esteemed youth conductor Luo Wei, brings classical music to the Open Ocean zone, adding a memorable performance moment to the programme.
Extend the Experience With Ocean-Themed Treats and Merch
Beyond the activities, you can also explore themed retail items and food offerings across the oceanarium. You can explore an exclusive range of Axolotl-themed merchandise, including plush toys, keychains, apparel, jewellery, educational kits and collectibles, designed as keepsakes that extend marine appreciation beyond the visit.
Additionally, there’s kid-friendly treats such as animal-shaped nuggets, gourmet pizzas, cotton candy, popcorn and gelato. The festival brings a playful atmosphere that children will enjoy. To add to the fun, you’ll get 3 chances to win a plushie at one of the claw machines located at Oceanarium Store, with a minimum spend of $38 on retail products.
Make This March School Holidays Meaningful
With its mix of expert encounters, hands-on workshops, storytelling, and performances, Ocean Kids Festival transforms a regular visit to Singapore Oceanarium into a meaningful learning adventure.
If you’re planning activities for the March school holidays, this festival offers a fun opportunity for your family to explore marine life while inspiring young minds to care for the ocean. Tickets are available at www.singaporeoceanarium.com/ocean-kids-festival. Pre-registration is required for selected programmes and add-on experiences.
