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Tired of jostling with the crowds at Marina Bay or visiting water play spots around the island? It might be time to explore the “less happening” parts of Singapore.

While most Singaporeans go “alamak, so far!” when you mention Yishun, Sembawang and Woodlands, these ’hoods proudly offer exciting gems to those who dare to venture up yonder.

From a thrilling go-kart experience to the island’s most untouched wetland, this northerly neck of the woods is far from boring, simply because it boasts everything a fun-seeking family could ask for!

Whether you reside in the North or not, you’d want to investigate these fun activities to do with your family this weekend or during the upcoming school hols.  

Scroll through our photo gallery to take a look at SmartParents’ pick of the best things to do in Singapore’s northern outposts!

1.    Have fun go-karting at Maximum Drift Karting Arena

WHERE: #01-15, Orto Yishun, 81 Lorong Chencharu
OPENING HOURS: 3pm to 9pm on weekdays, 10am to 9pm on weekends and public holidays, closed on Wednesday (except public holidays).
PRICE: $18 on weekdays, $20 on weekends, as well as on eve of and during public holidays
Baby drift for $6 on weekdays, $8 on weekends, eve of and public holidays (rate applies to a 5 minute session).
WHAT: Driving without a licence won’t be a problem for junior at Maximum Drift Karting Arena. With special tracks that allow karts to drift, this attraction promises to offer you a very different experience from traditional go-karts focusing on high speeds and straight track movements. (Photo: Maximum Drift Karting Arena Facebook)
 

2. Amp up the adrenaline at Katapult Trampoline Park

WHERE: #01-11, Orto Yishun, 81 Lorong Chencharu
OPENING HOURS: Noon to 9pm on Monday, 10am to 9pm from Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 9pm on weekends and public holidays.
PRICE: $15 for 1 hour, $28 for 2 hours on weekdays; $19 for 1 hour, $35 for 2 hours on weekends.
WHAT: If you have your hands full preventing your offspring from jumping on the bed or getting them to leave bouncy castles, the Katapult Trampoline Park will be your kid’s idea of heaven on earth. With some 750sq m of custom-made trampolines that connect, Katapult is divided into zones for different purposes. With trampolines for workouts, dodgeball courts, professional Olympic trampolines and even one just for the kids, every visitor will be able to jump to their hearts’ content in a safe environment. Birthday packages and kid’s workshops are also available. (Photo: Katapult Facebook)

3. Learn horse-riding at Gallop Stable 

WHERE: 100 Turf Club Road
OPENING HOURS: Check here for lesson times
PRICE: Pony Trail Rides (ages 3 and above): $45 for weekday sessions, $55 for weekend sessions; Private Junior Rides (ages 4 to 6): $75 for weekday sessions, $85 for weekend sessions
WHAT: Horse-riding is not your usual kid’s activity, but children as young as 3 can sign up for riding lessons at Gallop Stable. In fact, for parents who may be worried about letting their kids try this sport, you can arrange private lessons for your mini-me to pick up basic skills such as mounting and dismounting from the horse, as well as leading and walking their mount. (Photo: Gallop Stable Instagram)

4. Play golf at My First Par

WHERE: 100 Turf Club Road
OPENING HOURS: 10.30am to 8.30pm from Monday to Thursday, 10.30am to 9.30pm on Friday, 9.30am to 9.30pm on weekends and public holidays.
PRICE: Visit here for full programme and rates.
WHAT: Mini-dynamos as young as preschoolers can learn and develop gold skills at this golf academy, since the curriculum is designed for different age groups. My First Par features seven progressive levels that each child can advance to. Besides its children’s programmes, My First Par offers parent-and-child packages ranging from 10 to 30 lessons, so that both parties can bond while engaging in this sport together. (Photo: My First Par Facebook)
 

5. Conquer obstacles at Canopy Sky Walk

WHERE: Yishun Safra Adventure Sports Centre, 60 Yishun Avenue 4
OPENING HOURS: 1pm to 9.30pm from Tuesday to Friday; 9am to 9.30pm from Tuesday to Friday during school holidays; 9am to 5.30pm on weekends. Closed on Monday.
PRICE: $30 per person.
WHAT: For kids (and parents) with nerves of steel, this high obstacle course that’s suspended 15m from the ground will hit the spot. Boasting obstacles like Cargo Net Trail, Broken Bridge, Island Walk and Flying Fox, you’ll enjoy a spectacular view of Yishun Park while mastering the course and overcoming your fear of heights. The Canopy Sky Walk is a great starting point to train your child’s sense of motivation, determination and accomplishment, and even to prepare them for the Outward Bound Camps in school! (Photo: Safra)
 

6. Go bowling at Yishun Safra

WHERE: Orchid Bowl, #02-V2 Yishun Safra Adventure Sports Centre, 60 Yishun Avenue 4
OPENING HOURS: 10am to 1am on Sunday to Thursday and public holidays, 10am to 3am (next day) on Friday, Saturday and eve of public holidays.
PRICE: From $3.30 per game. Rent shoes at $1.90 per pair.
WHAT: Fun doesn’t always have to take place outdoors. Besides comfy air-conditioning and snack bars nearby, bowling at Orchid Bowl Yishun Safra promises to be a different experience when its cosmic bowling night. Besides neon and glow-in-the-dark lighting, different types of music is played to match the theme of the night. This ranges from Malay and K-pop to Latin rhythms. Since Orchid Bowl organises bowling competitions and leagues, your munchkins can even watch experienced keglers in action during an actual bowling game. (Photo: TheSmartLocal)

7. Whip up pancakes at Slappy Cakes

WHERE: #01-20/21 The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Road
OPENING HOURS: 10am to 9.30pm on weekdays, 8am to 9.30pm on weekends and public holidays.
PRICE: Visit here for the full menu and prices.
WHAT: Pancakes are always a popular comfort food with the little ones. What makes the experience even more thrilling is when aspiring MasterChef Juniors get to create their own pancakes (without messing up your kitchen)! Slappy Cakes, a Tung Lok group eatery, lets junior choose exactly what to put into his hot cakes for that customised pancake experience. Whether you prefer yours savoury or sweet, you can cook your choice of batter on the built-in griddles at the tables, then crown your creation with your favourite toppings and sauces. (Photo: Slappy Cakes) 
 

8. Explore kid-friendly attractions at Lower Seletar Reservoir Park

WHERE: Bounded by Yishun Avenue 1 and Lentor Avenue
PARK LIGHTING HOURS: 7pm to 7am daily.
PRICE: Free entry to the park. Kayak rental costs $15 per person (from age 7).
WHAT: If you love going to parks but aren’t a fan of crowds and clamour at East Coast Park and Botanic Gardens, make Lower Seletar Reservoir Park your family hangout. The scenic and peaceful park features a bioswale rain garden, a heritage bridge and a jetty ― all fab spots for Instagram photos. Your mini-action terrors will be drawn to the ginormous water play area. If you have older kids, the PA Water Venture may pique their interest, since it rents out kayaks for use in the reservoir. (Photos: NParks, CPGCorp)

9. Make a splash at Causeway Point

WHERE: 1 Woodlands Square
OPENING HOURS: 10.30am to 10.30pm daily.
PRICE: Free.
WHAT: Located on level 7 of the mall, kids can be found at this water playground frolicking in delight. Parents love the convenience of this mall water play area as it saves them the hassle of hauling their kiddos to a water theme park or swimming complex. Features here that your little fella will grin over include water guns, water jet tunnels and a big tipping bucket. If your tykes are raring for a second round of fun, take them down to level 2 to enjoy the outdoor playground!  (Photo: Causeway Point)

10. Visit farms/Revisit history along the Kranji Heritage Trail

WHERE: Trail goes through Kranji, Neo Tiew, Lim Chu Kang and Choa Chu Kang
OPENING HOURS: Kranji Countryside Express Bus schedule
PRICE: $3 each
WHAT: Open your offspring’s eyes to 14 local historical and farm landmarks dotting Singapore’s “countryside” when you follow the Kranji Heritage Trail. History buffs will want to explore the Kranji War Memorial, Kranji Army Barracks and Kranji Railway Train Crossing, in addition to the WWII First Landing Site of the Japanese. Animal aficionados will be interested in the Lian Wah Hang Quail & Poultry Farm, Jurong Frog Farm, Hay Dairies for goats, Hausmann Marketing Aquarium and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Other farms worth checking out include Bollywood Veggies and Nyee Phoe Flower Garden. Since the Kranji Countryside Express bus runs through various farms, simply retain your bus ticket, so you can hop on and off to visit several farms throughout the day. (Photo: TheCultureTrip)

11. Satisfy your hunger at Common Chefs Bistro

WHERE: #01-13, 8 Jalan Legundi, 6659-120; Nearest MRT: Yishun or Sembawang
OPENING HOURS: Noon to 10pm on weekdays, 11.30am to 10pm on weekends.
PRICE: Visit here for full menu and prices.
WHAT: If your young ’un can’t resist truffle fries and burgers or must have waffles and ice cream, or you yearn some coffee while junior chows down, we have just the eatery for you. Common Chefs Bistro is a one-stop spot to gratify any family food cravings. Apart from the usual food suspects (think pizza and pasta) and weekend brunches, their menu proudly lay claims to the “Wazza”. This waffles and pizza combo has been dreamed up by the café to satisfy both sweet and savoury tastebuds. (Photos: Common Chefs Bistro Facebook)
 

12. Get close to nature at Kranji Nature Trail

WHERE: The trail starts at either the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve entrance or the Kranji Way entrance at Kranji Reservoir carpark.  
OPENING HOURS: 7am to 7pm daily.
PRICE: Free.
WHAT: Many people are familiar with MacRitchie Reservoir’s Treetop walk on its popular nature trail. But if you’ve been there, done that with your kids, it may be time to thrill them with a new and exciting route, Kranji Nature Trail. This walk, which connects two wetlands, Kranji Reservoir Park and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, is an exhilarating hike among mangroves and the rainforest. While walking, try and spot various wildlife and marine animal species, as even as you take in scenic views of neighbouring Johor, Malaysia. (Photo: Valery-shirley.blogspot.com)

13. Try more than 20 different slides at Admiralty Park

Where: 31 Riverside Road, Singapore 730000
Park Lighting Hours: 7pm to 7am daily
What: The  largest park in the north, located just next to Republic Polytechnic, boasts an astounding 26 slides — the most in Singapore! Besides three sections ― Junior Play, Adventure Play and Family Terracing Play ― this inclusive playground feature a wheelchair- friendly swing and merry-go-round. Parents with toddlers or younger kids should make a beeline for the Junior Play area to try the first-ever family slide ― it’s wide enough for a family of four to slide down together. At the Family Terracing play area, which has 9m-high slides, challenge your kiddo to see whom can zip down the twin metallic tube slides first! (Photo: Mothership)