The Best Things To Do With Kids In Singapore This Week (11 to 16 May 2026)

Venue: Various locations across Singapore (including Empress Lawn & Nexus, Punggol Digital District)
Date: 15 – 30 May 2026
Time: Varies by programme
Fee: Free and ticketed programmes (early bird discounts available)

The Singapore International Festival of Arts 2026 returns this May with its “Let’s Play!” theme, turning the city into a lively playground of performances, installations and interactive experiences designed to be more family-friendly than ever. With many free programmes and hands-on activities, it’s an open invitation for families to explore contemporary arts together.

A key highlight is the Festival Village at Empress Lawn, a free outdoor space filled with immersive works and playful installations. Families can catch standout performances like Noli Timere, a striking aerial show combining dance and sculpture, and A Light Between Rains, a participatory procession where audiences move through music, movement and celebration.

Other interactive works include Makan Culture, where food and theatre come together in a lively, communal experience, and We Live Here, which transforms everyday gestures into shared movement and dance. Just Keep Swimming offers a reflective, participatory journey through artistic mentorship, while RUPTURE turns seismic data into an immersive sound experience at dawn.

Families with younger children can head to The Lighthouse at The Arts House, an interactive installation exploring light through hands-on play and discovery. Across the festival, audiences are encouraged to participate, move and engage rather than simply watch.

Running from 15 to 30 May 2026, SIFA 2026 offers a mix of free and ticketed shows, many eligible for SG Culture Pass credits—making it an accessible and engaging way for families to experience the arts together.

2. Meet 8 Hawksbill Turtle Hatchlings at
Singapore Oceanarium

Venue: Singapore Oceanarium (Horizontal Migration Zone), Resorts World Sentosa
Date: Now until early 2027 (limited-time conservation programme)
Time: 10am–8pm (daily, during oceanarium opening hours)
Fee: From $55 (adult), $43 (child) — standard admission applies

Families visiting Singapore Oceanarium can meet eight critically endangered Hawksbill turtle hatchlings in a special conservation showcase developed with NParks. This limited-time experience highlights Singapore’s efforts to give these young turtles a stronger start in life before they are released back into the wild in 2027.

Originally hatched at Small Sister’s Island in October 2025, the turtles are now being carefully raised in a controlled habitat where they are fed naturally and kept minimally exposed to humans to preserve their wild instincts. Visitors can observe their behaviour up close while learning how conservation science supports their survival.

The exhibit also shares real-world tracking stories of previously released turtles that have travelled across Southeast Asia, alongside insights into threats like habitat loss and marine pollution. It’s an engaging way for families to understand how marine conservation works in action.

Since these hatchlings are part of an ongoing conservation programme and will eventually be released, families are encouraged to visit Singapore Oceanarium soon for this rare and meaningful encounter.

3. Drift Into Action at Dorifto! at
Velocity @ Novena Square

Venue: Velocity @ Novena Square, 238 Thomson Road, Carpark Level 6A, Singapore 307683
Opening Hours: 12 pm - 10 pm (weekday), 10 am - 10 pm (weekend)
Admission: From $23 per 8 min

Now open at Velocity @ Novena Square, Dorifto! brings Japan-inspired indoor drifting to Singapore in a neon-lit, mountain-pass themed arena designed for family fun.

Spanning 14,000 sq ft, the track features six hairpin turns and a donut roundabout, created with input from professional racers. Instead of speed, the focus is on controlled drifting, making it suitable for beginners and kids.

The experience is styled after Japanese car culture, with nods to Initial D including a Fujiwara Tofu Shop replica and karts inspired by the Toyota AE86 and Mazda RX-7.

Safe for families, the karts are limited to 6km/h and fitted with protective bumpers and water barriers. Children 120cm and above can drive solo, while younger kids can ride with an adult.

After racing, families can relax at the pit stop area with themed drinks while watching the action. Tickets start from $23 per session, with bundle options available for repeat rides.