Although the north side of Singapore has a reputation for being “ulu”, that assumption is untrue for the Upper Thomson area. Not only are there the usual cafes and playgrounds, the area is also home to many florists, a polo club, cooking and art studios.
Here are some places that you can take your kids to after picking them up from their childcare centre at Upper Thomson.
The Little Things
Cook up a storm after childcare at Upper Thomson
Cooking is a valuable life skill that everyone should endeavour to have, and at The Little Things, children can learn how to make delicious creations at this safe, fun place.
Started by Valerie Lee and ex-preschool teacher Emily Yeo, these lessons encourage kids to be independent and creative. Lessons are held in a real kitchen where kids will take on creative challenges like meal-planning, food preparation, home craft and team projects for the community. There are no open fires – only induction cookers – and small classes to ensure constant supervision of the students.
There are eight weekly classes per term, with each lesson lasting two hours.
Address: 244N Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574369
Opening hours: Class timings vary every month – head to their website for updated timings
Price: Single class sessions start from $52, terms start at $128
One Man Coffee
Cappuccinos for all
Pop by here after cooking a meal for a drink – preschoolers included – as One Man Coffee cafe serves complimentary “babycinos”. This simple cafe sells all-day brunch food with a selection of fresh pastries from the Bakery Artisan Original Bakery (BAOB). The food is simple but affordable, with offerings such as grilled cheese and egg sandwiches.
A tip for finding this place: they share their space with the nearby Crust Pizza which serves delightful gluten-free pizzas, so keep a lookout!
Address: 215R Upper Thomson Road, Singapore 574349
Opening hours: 9am to 5pm
Singapore Polo Club
For quality family time
Another interesting place you can take your preschoolers after childcare at Upper Thomson would be the Singapore Polo Club.
You do not need to be a member to dine here, although members do get a discount on food. The whole family can dine at The Verandah and enjoy the polo matches that take place on occasion. The restaurant serves a range of Western and Asian delights – anything from Fish and Chips to Laksa.
After a nice meal, take a walk around the stables to look at the horses or visit the shop. This is a good opportunity to introduce the sport of equestrian to your kids!
Address: 80 Mount Pleasant Road, Singapore 298334
Opening Hours: 8am to 11pm
Windsor Nature Park
Explore the flora and fauna
For some “R and R” in nature, head to one of Singapore’s newest parks, located at Venus Drive near Upper Thomson. This 75-hectare park links Upper Pierce with MacRitchie Reservoirs and is full of family-friendly trails. You can spot many plants and animals native to Singapore, like the Singapore ginger and even the Durian.
For more information about the trails and what to do, head to their website here.
Address: 7am to 7pm
Opening Hours: 30 Venus Drive, Singapore 573858
Ji Mei Flower
Admire the beauty of blooms
If you want to be among nature but feel that the trails are too “wild” for preschoolers, you can pay Ji Mei Flower a visit.
They import their flowers from all over the world – Kenya, Japan, Netherlands, Ecuador, Colombia, Australia and Taiwan. There is also a dedicated cold room to make sure the flowers stay fresh. It would be fun to go around identifying the various species of flowers and picking up a bunch for your home.
Address: 5 Joan Rd, Singapore 298898
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 8am – 9pm, Sun 8am – 7pm
Brownice Ice Cream Café
End the day with guilt-free ice cream
The benefits of adopting a plant-based diet are numerous – reducing our carbon footprint and propensity to develop chronic diseases, and this cafe is a good place to start.
Brownice Ice Cream Cafe provides a vegan spin on comfort foods like waffles, brownies and ice cream. Reviews have praised the creaminess of their ice cream and their signature mudpie. The cookie crust provides a nice contrast to the salted caramel peanuts and chocolate.
Address: Sin Ming Drive, 8 Sin Ming Rd 0103, S575628
Opening hours: 12pm to 930pm
Read also: “We’re amazed at how well they can read and write now!” – Parents, MindChamps @ Upper Thomson
There is definitely no lack of things to do in the Thomson area – other than these offerings, there are many outdoor playgrounds nestled among the HDB areas and malls. Take your time to explore the area – you never know what you may find!
Written by Steffi Wee
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