After being “grounded in Singapore”, many are planning to travel now that COVID-19 is part of our lives. Hoping to spend some quality time with your kids but wish to skip the usual hotel staycation? Short family getaways from Singapore are a great escape and affordable holiday option for busy parents!
Clearing your annual leave? Be it a weekend holiday or a family vacation, here are some popular nearby destinations we personally like. Take this as a cue for you to start planning that kid-friendly trip!
Are short family getaways a good idea?
Bogged down by work and other commitments, sometimes it’s really hard to just take leave and fly out.
Short family getaways near Singapore are great since there are long weekends or school holidays to plan with. Going to a country near Singapore doesn’t require too much traveling time too!
We can also take advantage of the strong Singapore currency to plan a budget holiday.
Traveling does wonders to our mind, body and soul, and for children, it gives them a new perspective of the world! That said, do take the necessary precautions when traveling during COVID-19 times.
LEGOLAND Malaysia, Malaysia
Just a 40-min drive from the Singapore Customs, we drove to LEGOLAND over a long weekend. Yes, that our arduous drive to Genting resulted in 3 of us puking on our return drive.
If you’ve kids from 2 years old to teens, I’d say LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort is a great family destination. Leroy (6yo) could go on several rides independently as he met the height restrictions. From outdoor playgrounds to 3D/stage shows, families with multiple kids don’t worry that the younger ones will be left out. We saw toddlers climbing and exploring the open outdoor playgrounds too!
Wondering whether to get the multiple park pass or a single park pass? I’d say the annual membership for 3 parks (includes LEGOLAND SEA LIFE Malaysia) are most value-for-money! We had a splashing good time at LEGOLAND Water Park too! Do set aside 1 full day to frolic and enjoy the laidback vibes. By the way, it’s free entry to all parks for kids under 3 years old! Oh yes, remember to bring sunscreen too!
Tips for holidaying at LEGOLAND Malaysia:
- For a more budget-friendly option, book Airbnb apartments near LEGOLAND Malaysia! Most of them are conveniently located nearby, within walking distance.
- For our family, we wanted the full LEGOLAND experience, so hubby booked the Pirate themed room at LEGOLAND Hotel which sleeps up to 5 pax.
- Additionally, there are also shopping malls in Johor Bahru that are near LEGOLAND Malaysia e.g. Mall of Medini and Sunway Big Box Retail Park where we visited the HUGE Bookxcess! Visiting Malaysia is also a savvy way to take advantage of the strong Singapore currency!
Other places to visit with kids in Malaysia: Malacca, Avani Sepang Gold Coast Resort.
Bali, Indonesia
One of the most popular places for honeymoons and babymoons (like we did here, here and here!), Bali also tops the list for short family getaways near Singapore. Think: beach play, water sports or relaxing time doing “nothing much”. If you are nodding away, it’s time to book that 3-hour flight to Bali with your kids! Depending on their ages and how adventurous your family is, a Bali holiday can be exciting too.
Visiting Bali with children: It could be an all-inclusive holiday package like a premium Club Med Bali experience – kids under 8 stay for FREE?! Or, book a cosy villa or resort with amenities to enjoy a stress-free trip with children in tow. Some hotels have a kid’s club or kids’ activities lined up, especially when it’s the school holidays. If you are game for some outstanding experiences with kids: try the popular activities in Bali like family snorkelling at Blue Lagoon beach and Tanjung Jepun, ATV rides, visits to coffee plantations (drink kopi luwak), sea sports like Stand Up Paddling and more!
Bintan, Indonesia
If you’re a little tight on budget, there’s a pocket-friendly alternative to Bali and it’s definitely a short getaway near Singapore. Hop on a 70-min ferry ride from Singapore to Bintan for a resort-style vacay. I remember visiting Bintan as a couple – realised that such short family getaways ideas are great for school holidays too.
Family friendly things to do in Bintan: from temple visits, farm visits, beach villas, paddy field tours, sea sports like banana boat and snorkeling. Consider the award-winning Club Med Bintan Island for an effortless family holiday! Look out for Club Med deals when planning your trip!
Hong Kong, China
Prefer a city-scape trip? Hong Kong is a 4-hour plane ride from Singapore and offers a myriad of activities for families too. Kids (and adults!) will relish in the magical atmosphere at Hong Kong Disneyland! Hong Kong was our last family destination before COVID-19 hit us. From rides, games and merchandise all-things Disney, spend a day here to catch the parades.
Things to do with kids in Hong Kong: Go food-hopping with your brood via the Ding Ding (trams), visit popular (and squeezy) dessert stalls, tuck into delish roasted goose and wanton noodles, enjoy yum cha, haggle at the night market at Ladies’ Street, take the tram up The Peak (Victoria Peak) and more! The eye-opening cultural experience is extra meaningful with daddy and mummy too.
Tips for traveling during COVID-19: short family getaways or long haul flights
- Check for the latest updates on COVID-19 measures for the country you are visiting and for rules upon arrival back to Singapore. Does the country require a 24-hour PCR test result?
- Keep abreast of any quarantine measures, if applicable prior to your travel date.
- When booking air tickets, do check on penalties involved should the trip needs to be cancelled due to contraction of COVID-19.
- Consider if you’d like to book plane tickets and accommodations with a ‘no-cancellation’ policy, or secure them at a lower price that does not allow cancelling. The ‘cancellation policy’ usually includes a window period for you to cancel the booking due to unexpected reasons or disruption in your plans.
- Ensure passports are duly renewed and still valid upon returning to Singapore. Most countries require passports to have at least 6 months validity.
- Standby supplements and medication for flu symptoms. Especially when visiting a new country with children, since medicines may differ.
Are you traveling with your baby for the first time? Read this handy packing list for traveling with baby to help frenzied parents pack baby’s luggage!
Which country will you be visiting over the school holiday or long weekend? Feel free to share some kid-friendly vacay spots + those short family getaways near Singapore we can now plan for!
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