The school holidays are coming up but we are unable to travel due to the Covid-19 pandemic. How can parents, who have already squeezed our brain cells dry entertaining our kids in Singapore for the past few months, come up with novel family outings?
Here are two off-the-beaten-path road trip itineraries for every bored parent to check out. We have included Google map links so you can easily navigate to each location.
If you can drive but don’t have a car, you should consider getting a rental car from companies such as Avis Car Rental, which has two very convenient pickup points at Changi Airport Terminal 3 and Havelock Road.
1. Eastern Discovery Loop
Start your morning with a breakfast picnic at Changi Beach. Drive to Changi Beach Carpark 7 and let the kids play along the beach, while you take photos of the occasional aeroplane that flies overhead into Changi Airport. Alternatively, you can park closer to Changi Village and rent bicycles to explore the area.
Remember to pack picnic mats, a fully-loaded picnic basket and enough drinks in your car for a fun day at the beach. Parents can also bring sand play toys and beachwear for the little ones (there is a toilet nearby) and photography equipment for the older kids who love taking photographs of aeroplanes, wildlife and nature.
You’ll be pleased to know that Avis Car Rental has diverse vehicles that are family-friendly, such as 5-seater to 7-seater cars and child seats for the little ones, so you can bundle everyone and everything you need for your road trip.
To prevent the spread of Covid-19, the company also made an Avis Safety Pledge and take the cleaning process very seriously to make sure the cars are safe for all.
For lunch, head over to Changi Village Hawker Centre which is famous for nasi lemak and chicken chop hor fun and explore the surrounding cafes such as Olivye Cafe Gelato, a Halal-certified café for a cool dessert fix.
Drive to Changi Airport Terminal 4A carpark and take a leisurely stroll along the newest Changi Jurassic Mile (Map), the latest new park connector in the Eastern part of Singapore. The Changi Jurassic Mile will connect Changi Airport to East Coast Park via a pathway where you can walk or cycle on (you can also bring a kick scooter or rollerblades for your kids)!
Your kids can immerse themselves in the Jurassic age alongside these lifelike majestic creatures which once ruled the Earth. Expect to see 20 unique pre-historic creatures from nine different species stretch over 1-kilometre of the path!
Note: Booking is required if you’re visiting on weekends (Fri – Sun). Alternatively, you can consider visiting on Mon – Thurs when a booking isn’t required!
Update: As of 2 November 2020, visitors are not required to make a booking to enter Jurassic Mile. Visitors are required to adhere to safe distancing measures and wear a face mask at all times unless when eating, drinking or doing strenuous exercises.
Another highlight of the Eastern Discovery loop is the Changi Chapel and Museum (Map), which aims to educate younger generations on both the horror and heroics that emerged during the Japanese occupation in Singapore. Guided tours and audio tours are available, together with a comprehensive book collection at the museum shop.
Photo: The Coastal Settlement
Settle down for afternoon tea at The Bark Café next to Changi Chapel and Museum, or drive over to The Coastal Settlement which offers a retro vintage ambience for a nostalgic experience.
Walk off the calories by exploring the nearby Changi Point Coastal Walk, a boardwalk which offers six different experiences – Creek Walk, Beach Walk, Sailing Point Walk, Cliff Walk, Kelong Walk and Sunset Walk – and beautiful views of Pulau Ubin!
For the Eastern Discovery Loop, click here for our road trip itinerary available on Google maps.
2. Seletar Adventures
How can parents plan a fun-filled adventure to the Seletar area? Here are our suggestions!
In the morning, drive to The Animal Resort (Map), a bird sanctuary which houses exotic species of birds like the Marabou Stork, Crown Crane, Cassowary and poultry like geese and guinea fowls, together with rabbits, guinea pigs, fish and a horse.
Source: The Animal Resort
Visitors to this free-to-enter resort (with free but limited parking) will relive an “old-school kampung” charm that will instantly transport you back to the 60s. You can also purchase animal feed to feed the animals for that Instagram-worthy moment.
Note: The Animal Resort has closed for good in January 2021.
For a good lunch surrounded by greenery and space, drive over to Seletar Aerospace Park which houses restaurants in colonial houses such as Wheeler’s Estate, The Summerhouse and YOUNGS bar and restaurant. Explore the aeroplane-themed playground and take photos at the boardwalk with a great view of the Seletar Airport runway.
If you prefer a more rustic ambience, hang out at Canteen 398 over at Piccadilly Road which has been around since 1969. You can also visit Soek Seng 1954 Bicycle Café which is next to the runway.
Source: Soek Seng 1954 Bicycle Cafè Facebook
Don’t miss out on visiting Hampstead Wetlands Park (Map) which is also situated at the Seletar Aerospace Park. Envision a luscious green sanctuary of untouched forested area and a nature trail where the family can spot flora, birds and insects.
Source: NParks
The beauty about having your own rental car is that you can leisurely drive around the Seletar area to explore the little roads and admire the colonial houses with your family.
Whether rain or shine, you can easily get into the car and go to your next destination, without having to wait for the bus or squeeze in the crowded MRT train. If you need more time to enjoy a particular place, having a car gives you much flexibility to do so.
If you’re worried about the condition of rental cars, Avis Car Rental has cars that are less than five years old, some even close to new condition. It also offers 24/7 Breakdown Assistance so rest assured even if you’re stuck in Seletar in the middle of the night, Avis Car Rental will promptly send assistance.
After lunch, stop by at Rower’s Bay Park to take photos of the Lower Seletar Reservoir before crossing the road to walk along Yishun Dam, which faces Johor Bahru, flanked by private jetties near its East end.
Drive over to the Lower Seletar Reservoir Carpark (if it’s full, fret not as there are HDB parking lots across the road) and spend an hour or two exploring this park which has a Heritage Bridge, a water playground.
There is also a park connector that connects to Springleaf Nature Park (parking available if you prefer to drive there), which is near a stretch of diverse F&B outlets such as the 928 Ampang Yong Tau Fu and Wilder Mann (offering German food).
Alternatively, you can drop by ORTO for a drink to cool off at one of its several F&B outlets, and explore its exciting features such as prawning, paintball, go-karting, an organic farm and a live turtle and tortoise museum, to have some quality off-screen interaction with your kids.
To end the day, enjoy a sunset stroll at Upper Seletar Reservoir Park where your kids will have fun climbing up its iconic rocket tower and walking along the path flanking the dam. You may even hear music coming from the Singapore Zoo located at the other end of the reservoir.
Click here for our road trip itinerary for Seletar Adventures available on Google maps!
Can’t wait to plan your road trip but don’t have a car?
Book your rental car from Avis Car Rental, a reputable car rental brand internationally with excellent service guarantee at affordable prices. Without a hefty deposit unlike many firms, Avis Car Rental helps you fulfill your dreams of travelling to far off destinations with convenience and peace of mind.
Reader Perks!
Avis Car Rental is awarding 2 lucky winners with a car rental experience worth over $300 each!
To participate:
- Follow Avis Singapore and The New Age Parents
- Like this post
- Tag 3 friends in the comments section
Contest period is from 29 October to 11 November 2020, 2359 hrs.
Also, Avis Car Rental is now offering a 10% off for TNAP readers for a validity period of 15 November 2020 – 31 January 2021 so you can go on these adventures with your family this upcoming school holidays!
Visit avis.com.sg/TNAP to book your rental car now.
This post is brought to you by Avis Car Rental.
By Julia Chan.
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