16 Ways to Amuse Your Kids at Changi Airport

There Are So Many Things to Do in Changi Airport with The Kids, You’d Want to Delay Your Connecting Flight!

Article Updated November 2018

Changi Airport is the gateway to the world as it connects the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The airport serves over 100 airlines, flies to approximately 330 cities in over 80 countries. With over 55.4 million passengers going through this international hub, it is no wonder Changi Airport is one of the world’s best airports. It is also the perfect airport for families to transit in, especially if you have long haul flights and long connecting times between flights. Changi airport is filled with kid friendly activities and attractions to distract the kids and pass the time!

#01 – PLAYGROUNDS

With 4 indoor children’s playgrounds around Changi airport, it’s a simple way to keep the kids active and occupied during transit. Suitable for kids aged 1-12.

Terminal 1: Departure Transit Lounge East, next to Outdoor Garden, Level 2, Transit Area
Terminal 2: Departure Transit Lounge North, next to the Family Zone, Level 2, Transit Area
Terminal 3: Departure Transit Lounge Central, next to SATS Special Service Lounge, Level 2, Transit Area
Terminal 3: Departure Transit Lounge, outside gate holdroom A16 – A20, Level 2, Transit Area

#02 – BIG, BIG SLIDE!

Believe it or not but Changi Airport is home to Singapore’s tallest slide! The slide spans across 4 storeys or 12m in height. The kids can whizz their way down from Level 1 and according to Changi Airport, they can reach up to speeds of 6 metres per second! This is certainly not for the faint hearted and slide goers must be between 1.3m to 2.0m tall. The ride is free for every SGD$10.00 spent at the airport, up to a maximum of 10 redeemable tickets.

Terminal 3: Arrival Hall, Level 1, Public Area

#03 – KINETIC RAIN

This is an impressive art installation which is simply mesmerising and captures the attention of the kids. According to Changi Airport, “it is made of 1,216 bronze droplets. Measuring 9.8 metres by 4 metres, each sculpture can form 16 different shapes ranging from abstract art forms to recognisable patterns including an aeroplane, a hot air balloon, a kite and even a dragon.

The design element in each shape shows the movement of flight through slow, fluid movements. Each droplet weighs 180 grams and is made of lightweight aluminium with a hollow centre. The droplets are specially coated with polished copper to prevent the surface from oxidisation or rust. Depending on the shape of the art form, the droplets travel a maximum distance of 7.3 metres from the ceiling to the lowest point of the pattern.“ The installation is hypnotic and fascinating. Be sure to check it out if you have the time.

Terminal 1: Departure Check-in Hall, Public Area

#04 – CULINARY DELIGHTS

Eat! Eat! Eat! Changi Airport is renowned for its excellent array of restaurants showcasing a multitude of cuisines. There would most definitely be something that would appeal to all members of the family and you can dine in anything from fast food eateries to green dine-in restaurants.

There’s even a Hard Rock Café for the diehard fans! Local Singaporeans have been known to go to the airport just to dine as apart from the large variety of options, the prices are comparable to that of similar dining experiences in their local areas.

#05 – SKYTRAIN

What better way to amuse the kids during a long transit than to take the airport’s Skytrain? The Skytrain transports passengers from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 and the best vantage point is the front of the train as it chugs away down the train tracks. The Skytrain goes past the Air Traffic Control Tower satisfying the inner pilot in all of us. This is a free commute so going to and fro from terminal to terminal, over and over again, wouldn’t hurt anyone!

#06 – ART INSTALLATION

Changi Airport have some great art installations. Even the kids may find them pretty and aesthetically pleasing. Presently you can find “Birds in Flight”.

According to Changi Airport: Baet Yeok Kuan’s sculpture is inspired by the flight trajectory of the Artic tern – a seabird that travels vast distances from its breeding ground across the globe during its annual migration. Birds in Flight parallels the notion of travel as the heart of Changi. Shaped by a plasma cutter, the flock of coloured stainless steel birds in dynamic motion symbolises freedom, hope, exploration and infinite quest.

Terminal 3: Departure Transit Hall, next to Gate Holdrooms B1 to B4

#07 – WOODBLOCK RUBBING STATION

Designed by prolific Singaporean artist, Justin Lee, this Peranakan (blend of two cultures where the people are ethnic Chinese but culture and language are predominantly Malay-influenced) art form is an entertaining way to pass time. Popular in the 50s and 60s, kids can create their own creative piece on woodblock print with icons inspired by popular culture, synonymous with Lee’s artistic expression.

Place a blank sheet over the woodblocks and by rubbing the crayons on it, the indentations help to create gorgeous pictures. There are a myriad of different designs to select from and this will keep the children engaged for some time!

Terminal 1: Viewing Mall, Level 3, Public Area
Terminal 2: Departure Transit Lounge South, next to the Orchid Garden, Level 2, Transit Area
Terminal 3: Next to the Fountain area, Level B2, Public Area
Terminal 3: Departure Transit Lounge North, Outside gate hold room B1-B4, Level 2, Transit Area

#08 – ENCHANTED GARDEN

An absolutely gorgeous space filled with lush greenery, beautiful flowers and 4 futuristic giant flower pod sculptures made of 56,000 shimmering mosaic glass and mirrors. The garden is laid with sparkling lights that are embedded into the carpet as well as sensory mechanisms which are triggered as you walk past to create sounds of nature to replicate the serenity of a rainforest. The garden also comes with a koi and archerfish pond amidst 1000 species of flora and fauna.

Terminal 2: Departure Transit Lounge, Level 2, Transit Area

#09 – DUTY FREE SHOPPING

What better way to spend your time in transit than to take the kids shopping? With prices reflecting free of its 7% GST, there’s never a better time to take advantage of some well-known names. From luxury goods to children’s toys and apparel, there is a shop for every member of the family.

If you ever have to get stuck in transit, I hope you do so in Singapore's Changi Airport. With 3 Terminals, there are so many things to do with your kids! Check out these cool tips! #familytravel #changiairport Click To Tweet

#10 – FREE MOVIES

Free movies! Who doesn’t love them! There are 2 small cinemas at the airport of which they show movies of different genres on a rotating schedule. You can slip in and out at your leisure which is particularly useful if you didn’t have enough time to catch the whole movie.

Terminal 2: Departure Transit Lounge, near the Sunflower Garden, Level 3, Transit Area
Terminal 3: Departure Transit Lounge North, near the Ambassador Transit Lounge, Level 3, Transit Area

#11 – ENTERTAINMENT DECK

Need some screen time? Head over to Changi’s multimedia hub where you’ll find everything your electronic savvy kids will love. The Entertainment Deck boasts Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 game consoles, an MTV booth to catch up on all the music videos on a large plasma whilst the sound is projected directly to your seat and an Xbox Kinect room for the active child to indulge in. Surely, this will pass the time quickly!

Terminal 2: Departure Transit Lounge, next to the Sunflower Garden, Level 3, Transit Area

If you’re Changi’s Terminal 4, there is also an Entertainment Corner which has Kinect and arcade games.

Terminal 4: Departure Transit Hall, Near G18

#12 – SOCIAL TREE

Standing 9 metres tall, the Social Tree is a psychedelic interactive installation. Take your photo at one of the touch screen kiosks, apply a filter of your choice and share it in this digital memory capsule. The Social Tree is designed to encapsulate your visit to Changi Airport for many years to come and may be retrieved on any of your return visits.

Terminal 1: Central Piazza, right after immigration counters, Transit Area

#13 – BUTTERFLY GARDEN

Enjoy this exquisite space filled with over 1,000 tropical butterflies amidst luscious greenery, flowers and plants. The grotto-waterfall adds to the ambience as you hope for a butterfly to land on your hand or shoulder.  The garden also boasts educational corners and if your kids are interested in breeding and feeding of butterflies, head over to the smaller enclosures. The fluttering of their wings as they gently brush past you is well worth the visit.

Terminal 3: Departure Transit Lounge, Level 2 & 3, Transit Area

#14 – OTHER GARDENS

Believe it or not, Changi Airport has another 3 gardens you and your family can explore.  Brighten up your transit by visiting the garden dedicated to Singapore’s national flower, the orchid. The Orchid Garden features more than 700 orchids of 30 different species in all its beauty and vibrancy.

Alternatively if you wish to catch some sun, head to the rooftop Sunflower Garden which boasts over 500 sunflowers that have be grown at the airport’s very own nursery. And if it’s all too frilly for your liking, the Cactus Garden will certainly tone things down. Here you can admire the huge array of cacti and arid plants. The Cactus Garden also has a bar and plenty of seating amongst the 100 species of cacti from the deserts and dry areas of Asia, Africa and America.

Orchid Garden – Terminal 1: Departure Transit Lounge, Level 2, Transit Area
Sunflower Garden – Terminal 2: Departure Transit Lounge, Level 3, Transit Area
Cactus Garden – Terminal 1: Departure Transit Lounge, Level 3, Transit Area

#15 – SWIMMING POOL

If you’re well prepared, you’d pack your swimmers in your carryon luggage and go for a dip at the airport’s rooftop swimming pool. It’s the perfect way to unwind and most kids can spend hours splashing about in the water. This space comes with the added bonus of a poolside bar as it overlooks the runway.

Terminal 1: Departure Transit Lounge, near D Gates, Level 3, Transit Area

#16 – AIRPORT WELLNESS

Open for 24 hours, this is the ultimate place for relaxation and rejuvenation. Enjoy a massage, facial, manicure and pedicure. It also has a fish spa and it’s so popular with kids, they have a special price for children. It’s the perfect preparation or end to a long flight enroute to your next destination.

Terminal 1: Departure Transit Lounge near Gate D, Level 2, Transit Area

Well, there surely isn’t a shortage of things to do with kids in Changi Airport is there! And really, there are also so many things to do for adults. Shopping in Changi Airport is one of the best duty free shopping you’ll find so even the adults won’t get bored.

BONUS TIP #1 – RELATED ARTICLES

12 Tips Before You Go To Night Safari In Singapore

10 Tips on How to Combat Heat Whilst on Vacation

10 Things To Do With Kids in Kuala Lumpur

 

 

Disclaimer: The Family Globetrotter’s website contains affiliate links which help us to maintain this blog and assists us with our travels, at no extra cost to you. Family Globetrotters have also posted articles based on sponsored products and/or services, but all opinions are our own, truthful and unbiased.