Travelling in Singapore with children becomes far easier once you have the right Singapore apps on your phone. The best family travel apps help you navigate the MRT, book safe rides like Grab, find child-friendly food and attractions, and keep everyone entertained and secure—without staring at a screen all day.
This guide to Singapore Apps Every Tourist Needs with Kids: Family Guide focuses on real, practical tools my own friends with young kids use when visiting. It is part of Homejourney’s wider safe travel and property pillar, and pairs well with: Singapore Apps Every Tourist Needs: Homejourney’s Safe & Smart Travel Guide 2025 and Singapore Apps Every Tourist Needs for Itinerary Planning | Homejourney .
Quick list: Best Singapore apps for tourists with kids
If you only have a few minutes, download these first:
- MRT / transport app: MyTransport.SG (LTA) + Google Maps for real-time routes and bus/MRT timings.
- Ride-hailing: Grab for cars and taxis with child seat options.
- Official tourism app: Visit Singapore app for events and family attractions.
- Weather & air quality: myENV (NEA) for rain, PSI and dengue cluster alerts.[4]
- Kid comfort & fun: NLB Mobile for children’s ebooks and stories; selected educational apps from local parents’ lists.[2][3]
- Money & bookings: Major attraction/ticket apps – see Singapore Apps Every Tourist Needs: Tickets, Prices & Hours | Homejourney .
Below, we’ll break these down with local, family-specific tips, safety pointers, and how they tie back to Homejourney’s trusted ecosystem.
1. Essential MRT & transport apps for families
Singapore’s public transport is one of the safest and most efficient systems worldwide, but when you are juggling a stroller, diaper bag and grouchy toddler, the right MRT app makes all the difference.
MyTransport.SG (LTA) – real-time buses, MRT and disruption alerts
Developed by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), MyTransport.SG shows real-time bus arrivals, nearby bus stops, taxi stands and traffic incidents. It also pushes notifications of MRT disruptions so you can reroute early, which is crucial when travelling with kids and tight nap schedules.[6]
- Best for: Planning stroller-friendly journeys (many MRT stations have lifts clearly marked in the app and on station maps).
- Insider tip: When heading to family hotspots like Singapore Zoo or East Coast Park, always check the bus frequency in MyTransport before leaving the hotel; some services are every 15–20 minutes, which can feel long with a toddler.
Google Maps & Citymapper-style nav
While not Singapore-specific, Google Maps pairs well with MyTransport.SG to show door-to-door timings (including walking) and step-free exits. From City Hall MRT, for example, use Exit B for stroller-friendly access to Raffles City and Esplanade link malls, avoiding multiple escalators.
- Safety note: MRT platforms have screen doors and clear markings, but keep younger kids behind the yellow line, especially on busy city lines like NSL and DTL.
2. Grab and ride-hailing: safer point‑to‑point with kids
Grab is the default ride-hailing app in Singapore and a must-have tourist app when travelling with children, especially in humid mid-day heat or after a long day at Universal Studios Singapore.
Why Grab is essential for families
- Door-to-door comfort: Ideal from attractions like Singapore Zoo (Mandai) or Jurong Bird Park’s new Bird Paradise, where bus connections can be longer.
- Multiple car options: GrabCar, GrabTaxi (metered), and larger vehicles for extended families or those with strollers.
- Cashless payments: Pay via card or wallet, so you don’t worry about small notes or coins while managing kids.
Child seat considerations
Singapore law requires appropriate restraints for children below 1.35m in cars (including GrabCar), though taxis are exempt. Some Grab services and third-party options allow you to book car seats, but availability can be limited at peak times. When in doubt, or with very young children, consider regular taxis (which are exempt) or bring a compact travel booster.
Insider tip: For short inner-city hops (e.g., from Orchard Road to Gardens by the Bay), taxis from official stands are often just as fast as booking Grab, and you can easily find them at malls like Ion Orchard or Plaza Singapura.
3. Official tourism & attraction apps for kids’ activities
To keep children engaged and to verify opening hours, wait times and safety information, a combination of official tourism apps and attraction-linked apps works best.
Visit Singapore app – curated family itineraries
The Singapore Tourism Board’s official app collates attractions, trails, and events across the island. It often highlights family-friendly programmes at places like Gardens by the Bay, National Gallery Singapore, and Science Centre, with maps and event details verified by official partners.[5]
- Best use: Pre-trip browsing with older kids to let them “choose” some activities, which cuts down on meltdowns later.
- Insider tip: Look for local neighbourhood events (e.g., heartland festivals in Toa Payoh or Tampines), which are usually less crowded and cheaper than big-ticket attractions.
Ticketing and time-slot apps
Many major attractions encourage or require timed entry bookings via partner apps. For a deep dive into these platforms and how to avoid overpaying, see Singapore Apps Every Tourist Needs: Tickets, Prices & Hours | Homejourney .
Money-saving tip: Compare attraction prices on the official site and at least one ticketing app before buying. Sometimes the Singapore Tourism Board-backed passes or promotions in CNA Property News features provide better value than ad-hoc bundle deals.
4. Weather, air quality and safety apps for kids
Singapore is safe by global standards, but with kids you still need to account for weather, air quality and health advisories. A couple of local apps can help parents make informed decisions each morning.
myENV – NEA’s official weather and environment app
myENV, developed by the National Environment Agency (NEA), provides real-time rainfall radar, 24‑hour forecasts, PSI (air quality) readings and dengue cluster maps.[4] This is crucial when planning outdoor play at parks, water playgrounds or the zoo.
- Rain planning: The rain radar helps you see if a thunderstorm will pass in 20–30 minutes, so you can duck into a mall or café instead of calling off the park entirely.
- Dengue clusters: If you are heading to residential parks or playgrounds near HDB estates, check for active dengue clusters and apply mosquito repellent accordingly.
Insider tip: For open-air areas like East Coast Park or Pasir Ris Park, early mornings (8–10am) usually mean cooler weather and fewer crowds. Use myENV to confirm cloud cover and PSI before committing to a full beach day.
LifeSG & GovTech family apps
While LifeSG and Parents Gateway are mainly for residents, GovTech’s family app ecosystem highlights how seriously Singapore treats digital safety and services.[4] Visitors benefit indirectly through the same quality of official data that powers apps like myENV and MyTransport.SG.
5. Library & educational apps: meaningful screen time
After a long day outside, kids often just want to “watch something”. Locally recommended apps can turn this into quieter, educational downtime that still fits into a thoughtful travel routine.
NLB Mobile – Singapore’s national library in your pocket
The National Library Board’s NLB Mobile app lets you borrow books, manage loans and access ebooks and audiobooks, including a large children’s collection.[4] If you register for a free visitor account at a library branch, older kids can browse local titles and learn more about Singapore.
Insider tip: Libraries such as Library@Orchard and Punggol Regional Library have excellent children’s sections and are air-conditioned, making them ideal mid-day breaks. Use NLB Mobile to find the nearest branch and children’s programmes.
