One of the big decisions to make when planning your child’s birthday party is the choice of venue. If you have the good fortune of living in a condominium or landed property, chances are you have the use of a sizeable function room, the poolside, or your front lawn for your guests. However for the rest of us, finding a suitable, sizeable venue at an affordable price can be quite a headache!

We list out five free venues where your little guests can still have lots of fun!

East Coast Parkway

If your child loves the sun, sand and sea, then East Coast Park is the place to go! The recently opened Parkland Green compound means your guests will have ample parking space and toilet facilities to use. There’s lots of space for the kids to run about and play, or possibly have a treasure hunt in the sand. You can pack a picnic, or simply adjourn to one the many restaurants/cafes in that stretch after the fun is done!

Marina Barrage

Out of our five free venues, this is the one that offers the most shade for your guests. There are some simple water features for the kids to have a splashing good time, and on a windy day, it’s a great place to fly a kite! (You can get good and affordable kites via Shopee) It’s slightly less accessible than the other options since there’s no nearby MRT, and only one bus which goes to the site (SBS Bus 400).

Photo credit: Teng Guan Kwee

Tiong Bahru Adventure Playground

All Thomas the Train lovers will definitely dig this train-themed playground! The tilting train structure in the middle of the playground will probably keep them busy for quite a while – but if they run out of steam, they can disembark and explore a maze or take a spin on the old-school merry-go-round. This is also one of the few sand playgrounds left in Singapore for kids to enjoy.

If you’re wondering, yes there are toilet facilities and parking aplenty, and the area is close by popular café joints like Forty Hands and Orange Thimble, should you want to get some good coffee for your older guests. Do note that shade is quite minimal, so plan your party to be in the late afternoon to avoid getting baked!

Punggol Waterway

This is a great spot for a picnic party, with paths for balance bike riding, scooting and a fun water play area. The water playground is open daily from 8am to 8pm, and closed for maintenance on Mondays. There is also a very large sandpit. Parking is available nearby, or it’s a short walk from Damai MRT Station.

Tanjong Beach (Sentosa)

It’s not just a perfect backdrop for a romantic date with your loved one – Tanjong Beach is also a great spot for a birthday party, especially at sunset! The premium stretch of white sand here definitely beats anywhere you’ll find back on the main island, and it’s easily accessible via the Sentosa tram.

Did we miss a free party spot? Share them with us in the comments below!

By Dorothea Chow.

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