Fun For Free SG: East Coast Park

One of the places in Singapore that we like to go is East Coast Park, specifically the Big Splash. We usually go early in the day, reaching there by 9am, so we try to get the most of the morning sun. It is also a good time because it is relatively less crowded. Plus it's also free! Well, unless you drive and have to include the parking charges.

Big Splash holds special memories for me. I remember my parents bringing me there when I was just a toddler. It was one of our favourite swimming haunts. Especially exciting was the wave pool, where I grabbed my daddy tightly with every wave. The long slide was something that I watched older kids do, and aspired to do myself one day. And when I finally did it, it was a big achievement. I didn't like walking all the way up to the top though.

So in a way, I feel a pinch of sad nostalgic every time we visit. We now bring our two toddlers, just like how my parents brought me there. But now, the slide and wave pool are gone, and Big Splash is nothing more than a gathering of eating establishments, enrichment centres, and retail shops. The building which I hated climbing is still there though, and I can only help EV and AA imagine what it was like.

From Big Splash, it's just a very short walk to the beach. Along the way, one has to carefully cross the bicycle track and look out for cyclists or roller bladers, especially when with young kids.

Out at the beach, there are barbecue pits and shelters that can be used for putting bags, while the kids play on the sand. If there are unavailable, then just sit on the beach. It's advisable to bring a ground sheet or something similar. Depending on how long one plans to stay there, a picnic is also possible.

Morning sun is good, and it’s easy to seek comfort in the shade if necessary. Remember to bring buckets and spades and moulds for sand play. No fancy shaped moulds? A simple bowl or cup should do the trick. Besides that, the beach is a haven for other materials to whatever sand structure is being constructed, such as shells, sticks, and even seaweed.

Sometimes, it’s good to let the kids do something else other than just play sand. Just as taking a moment to enjoy the wind and reflect…

Or making footprints in the sand, as AA did here.

Or just telling mummy ‘See! A boat!!’

There's also a fish pond nearby, and it's hard to pull the kids away from it.

We usually stay there for an hour or so, and leave for an early lunch before the mighty noon sun comes up. It’s good for us too, because by that time, EV and AA are usually getting tired or hungry. Lunch would be one of the eating places there, or we just venture elsewhere.

Details:

East Coast Park is accessible by car, taxi or the following bus services:

Bus 401 (Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays only)

Buses 16, 155, 196 (alight at Marine Crescent or Marine Terrace and walk across the underpasses)

Buses 16, 31, 36, 55, 76, 135, 155, 196, 197 and 853 (alight at Marine Parade Road, and cross the underpasses)

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Who’s next? Joey from Joey Craftworkz is! Joey is a stay-at-home-mum with two lovely daughters (Big E and Small E). She enjoys sharing sewing, quilting, scrapbooking and integration of crafts into her children's life on her blog, and tomorrow, she will be sharing all about a playground somewhere in Sembawang.

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Can't get enough of FUN FOR FREE SG venues? Here's the whole list - 31 days of free fun in Singapore! This list will be updated regularly; you will be able to click on the location to be brought directly to the blog post when it goes "live": 

1 Aug: Tiong Bahru Park by Gingerbreadmum
2 Aug: Queenstown Heritage Trail by Princess Dana Diaries
3 Aug: Jurong Regional Library by Finally Mama
4 Aug: Singapore Maritime Gallery by Peipei Haohao
5 Aug: Singapore Philatelic Museum by Kids R Simple
6 Aug: Sculptures of Singapore by Gingerbreadmum
7 Aug: Fire Station by The Js Arena
8 Aug: Esplanade + Merlion by Prayerfull Mum
9 Aug: Bukit Batok Nature Park by Meeningfully
10 Aug: Lower Pierce Reservoir Park by The Kam Family
11 Aug: I12 Katong - water playground by Universal Scribbles
12 Aug: IMM by Mad Psych Mum
13 Aug: Tampines 1 Water Playground by Amazingly Still
14 Aug: Sengkang Riverside Park by Itchy Finger Snap
15 Aug: East Coast Park by Toddly Mummy
16 Aug: Sembawang Shopping Centre Playground by Joey Craftworkz
17 Aug: Animal resort by Raising Faith
18 Aug: Botanic Gardens by Mum's The Word
19 Aug: Police Heritage Centre by Mummy Ed
20 Aug: Venus Loop, MacRitchie by Scrap Mum Loft

21 Aug: Road Safety Park by Miracule
22 Aug: Marina Barrage by J Babies
23 Aug: Gardens By The Bay, Children's Garden by Finally Mama
24 Aug: Changi Airport T3 by Mother Kao
25 Aug: Pockets of Nature by Mum in the Making
26 Aug: Changi Airport T1 by Growing with the Tans
27 Aug: Pasir Ris Park by Ingspirations
28 Aug: Gardens by the Bay Supertree Grove by My Lil Bookworm
29 Aug: Vivocity Play Area by Amazingly Still
30 Aug: Punggol Promenade + Punggol Waterway by Chubby Anecdotes
31 Aug: Westgate Wonderland by Xavvylicious

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