Free playgrounds your kids will love, from Bidadari to Tengah

The next outdoor adventure for your kids could be closer to home than you think - and it can be enjoyed for free.

A number of estates now feature unique playgrounds, ditching the usual cookie-cutter designs.

These playgrounds, nestled among HDB flats, are more than just recreational areas. Some are designed with heritage elements to educate children while they have fun.

For instance, Tengah, once known for its fruit plantations in the 1950s, has a series of fruit-themed playgrounds. And Yew Tee has a playground structure resembling oil drums, a nod to its past as an oil storage depot during the Japanese Occupation.

Meanwhile, the newly renovated Waterplay space at Jacob Ballas Children's Garden in the Singapore Botanic Gardens will be a hit with your kids.

But if you are looking for somewhere near your home, there are many other free and fun places around the island. At Bidadari Park's playground, for instance, your kids can make their way up a 5m-tall "tree house".

And Pek Kio Park and Tampines Boulevard Park feature nature-inspired play gardens with balancing logs and stepping stumps constructed from the wood of felled trees. These play elements promote environmental awareness while encouraging your children to connect with nature.

So, fill up the water bottles, slather on that sunscreen and head to these 11 HDB estate and park playgrounds for a day of fun with your kids.

Adventure Playwoods, Bidadari Park

A 5m-tall "tree house", built next to a Tembusu tree, forms the centrepiece of this nature-inspired play garden at Bidadari Park, which opened in September 2024.

The towering play structure features long slides, climbing nets and a net tunnel that will challenge your children's sense of balance and coordination. Reaching the lookout point will give them a sense of accomplishment and allow them to take in a bird's-eye view of the surroundings.

They can also experience the thrill of soaring through the air on a zip line and the joy of building castles in the sandpits.

There are restrooms, a water cooler and a vending machine stocked with drinks close by.

After playtime, stroll through the vast park with your children and share the enchanting inspiration behind the green space: Hundred Acre Wood from the children's classic storybook Winnie-the-Pooh (1926) by A.A. Milne.

Fruit-themed playgrounds, Tengah Garden Avenue

The newly developed Plantation Grange estate in Tengah pays tribute to the area's history as a fruit plantation in the 1950s with a series of fruit-themed playgrounds.

One of the highlights is Ong Lye Garden at Block 132A. You will find a large yellow pineapple structure, in which children can climb up using ropes, explore the inside and then zoom down the green slide.

Two play structures inspired by the king of fruit are nearby at Block 132C's Durian Paradise. They provide even more climbing challenges, swings and spiral slides for children aged six and above.

Younger children have not been forgotten. A "fruit farm" in front of Block 131A features play structures inspired by a pineapple, a watermelon and two bananas, encouraging imaginative play.

Toddlers and pre-schoolers can pretend to harvest the fruit and hop on a red "lorry" for added excitement. There is plenty of running space for your little ones here.

Hungry after all the fun? Head over to Plantation Plaza - just a street away - for a variety of dining options.

Oil Drum Playground, Block 619C Choa Chu Kang North Avenue 7

The play space, opened in August 2024, is a short walk from Yew Tee MRT station and sheltered by the elevated train tracks. Its design draws inspiration from Yew Tee's history as an oil storage depot during the Japanese Occupation.

The area is designed for young children to crawl, explore and imagine. It features three small and two large orange "oil drums" with a gentle slide and low-level nets.

Also vying for your kids' attention is a small water park with shooting jets and fountains. So, remember to pack a change of clothes for them. There is a changing room available.

Octopus Play, Block 801C West Coast Crescent

Nestled among the HDB blocks near West Coast Beach, the playground's key structure draws inspiration from a colossal sea creature.

The purple octopus has "tentacles" that offer varied climbing routes for kids to explore its interior. They can continue their ascent to a rope and wire mesh bridge, which leads to a slide.

In addition to the main play structure, the area offers a number of alternatives for younger children. There is a merry-go-round, two shorter slides and two low hammock swings.

If your kids still have energy to burn, head across the street to the beach for some fun in the sand.

Flying Birds and Bird's Tower, Sengkang East Drive

Located near Block 172A in Sengkang East Drive, Flying Birds is an aviary-themed playground featuring three towering "bird nests" in shades of blue and yellow. Your kids will have a blast crawling through robust rope tunnels that link up the nests and zipping down the long slides.

They can hone their agility and coordination skills as they manoeuvre through the obstacle course's swinging rubber hammock mats.

A short walk away, near Block 175A and the Sungei Serangoon Park Connector, is Bird's Tower, an expansive play area that exudes beach vibes.

Your kids will gain a sense of accomplishment when they get to the "viewing decks" after conquering the netted course.

They will also enjoy the spacious sandpits, a rare find in modern HDB playgrounds, where they can build sandcastles and other creations.

Adding to the fun are mini "excavators" which allow the little ones to dig and play in the sand. However, this playground lacks washing areas. You may need to look for alternative ways to clean your children's feet before leaving.

Mini Road Safety Park, Block 208 Choa Chu Kang Central

The Mini Road Safety Park, completed in December 2024, gives toddlers and pre-schoolers a feel of the road as they navigate it with their toy cars, bicycles or scooters.

It is a miniature road network with directional arrows, zebra crossings and yellow boxes. These encourage young cyclists and "motorists" to follow road signs, maintain a safe speed and learn other important road rules.

Its compact size makes it easy to keep an eye on your kids. And while you are there, you can teach them about pedestrian safety, like looking both ways for oncoming traffic. They should also ensure that cyclists and motorists have stopped before crossing the road.

Tampines Boulevard Park, Tampines Avenue 12

Discover two distinct nature-inspired play gardens in Tampines Boulevard Park's east and west sections, which are separated by Tampines Avenue 12.

Launched in February, the east side has a more rustic charm. Your kids can engage with play elements such as balancing logs and stepping trunks, constructed from the wood of felled trees.

Other landscape enhancements and the adding of colourful shrubs and tall grass are ongoing and will be completed by 2026.

In contrast, the west section's play garden, which opened in September 2024, is a vibrant and colourful space. An eye-catching dragon head with a yellow slide immediately captures your children's attention, inviting them to play. Adjacent to this is a sand play area with swings and a short bouldering wall.

The west section also features a 60m tricoloured mini cycling track, so take along your kids' bicycles and helmets. You will see a big yellow sign reminding everyone to put safety first and gear up.

Pek Kio Park, Cambridge Road

A small nature-inspired play area lies in the middle of Pek Kio Park, which opened in January and is surrounded by HDB flats along Cambridge Road.

The area ditches colourful play structures in favour of repurposed wood from felled trees. Logs and stumps inspire imaginative and adventurous play, helping your kids to develop balancing and jumping skills while connecting with nature.

There is a shelter with seats available, so you can keep watch on your kids while they play, but why not join in the fun with them?

After playing, take your children to see the park's "bee hotel". It has a few small nesting houses for non-aggressive solitary bees, which are vital pollinators that do not live in hives.

The park also features an edible garden that showcases Singapore's culinary heritage. It displays plants commonly used in local dishes, such as curry leaf, kaffir lime and chilli padi.