Travel overseas has temporarily halted and working from home has become the norm, but it doesn’t mean leisure time has to be spent just lazing around the house.

To be our best selves, it’s important to take time off and experience a change in environment. Singapore has a plethora of things to do and sights to visit, including local businesses that could do with a boost of support – and the timing couldn’t be better!

The Singapore Tourism Board recently launched SingapoRediscovers, a campaign to encourage locals to explore Singapore. From November, Singaporeans aged 18 and above in 2020 will each receive $100 worth of SingapoRediscovers vouchers, or tourism credits, that can be used on staycation packages and local tours and attractions. These vouchers will last till the end of June 2021.

For all attractions and venues with group activities, be sure to follow the safe management measures: remain within your group of five and maintain a 1m distance in between groups or from other visitors.

Get your Creative Juices Flowing at Splat Paint House

Rough week at work? At this art jamming studio, you get to take it out on the walls and canvasses. “Splatter sessions” allow visitors to let loose and create original artwork by dashing multi-coloured paint onto their canvas.

If using paintbrushes is too mild for you, Splat Paint House offers the use of water guns, syringes and even your own body parts to create your masterpieces. The best part? You don’t have to worry about cleaning up after making a mess!

• Gloves, plastic raincoats, shoe covers and slippers are provided.
• Take your artwork home after two days.

View Splat Paint House’s various packages here.

Experience ’80s nostalgia at Hi Roller Skating Rink

As the pandemic pushes people to explore memories and experiences of simpler times, the roller-skating trend has resurged on Instagram and TikTok, with youths hitting the pavement in four-wheeled kicks. While roller-skating has a long history dating from the 18^th century, the roller disco rink trend peaked in the ’70s and ’80s.

At Hi Roller, the ’80s-esque roller disco vibes are in full effect. Skaters glide around the neon-lit rink to the greatest hits of music, with vintage posters decked on the walls. Rain or shine, you can count on this Instagram-worthy retro rink to be open for a good time.

• Helmets, guards and skates are available for rent.
• For hygiene purposes, long socks are compulsory.
• Hi Roller Skate Academy offers various skating courses.

Check out Hi Roller’s rink schedule and pricing.

Escape to a Winter Wonderland at Snow City

No travel? No problem. For families who want to experience different weather, head down to Snow City. The indoor snow park includes a three-storey high snow slope, interactive Arctic exhibitions and bumper cars on ice – all within an environment of sub-zero temperatures.

What’s more, the two-decade-old attraction just launched a new Winter Shooting Arena. Try target shooting (knock down targets within a time limit) or challenge yourself with close-quarter battles under the guidance of professionals. Visitors will be in designated groups of five, and the provided winterwear is sanitised after every use.

• Ideal for families with young children.
• Temperatures go as low -5 and -10 degrees Celsius.
• Ticket cost includes jacket and boots (compulsory to wear).

Find out more about Snow City’s admission charges and promotions.

Travel to Different Worlds with HeadRock VR

If you’re looking for more “extreme” adventures, Singapore’s first Virtual Reality (VR) theme park is the way to go. With VR sets, along with weapon props and harnesses, you can swing through jungles like Tarzan, shoot arrows like Robin Hood or play Spiderman as you jump from building to building in a city.

Other thematic games let you raft through the choppy waters of a jungle, brave through blizzards on a sleigh led by bounding huskies and even dive into an erupting volcano. With 11 attractions at different levels of intensity for beginners to thrill-seekers, everyone will find something they enjoy.

• Admits children aged 6 and up.
• Face masks are provided for hygiene.
• Closed on Wednesdays.
• SG Rediscovers promotion:
  1. $10 off every package purchase until October 30.
  2. Extra Fun Ride Promotion for every package purchased until December 27.

View more of HeadRock VR’s prices and promotions.

Paddle Out for a Different View of Singapore

This one is for the nature-lovers and fitness enthusiasts. See Singapore from a different point of view in one of Ninja Kayakers’ inflatables. A variety of routes cover urban, rural, and open waters, such as from Marina South Pier to a “secret” beach along East Coast Park. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, dig into the DIY meals provided by the canoe and kayaking company for a true outdoor experience.

• Prices:
  1. Half-day with lunch: $130
  2. Full-day with lunch and sunset dinner: $250

Browse Ninja Kayaker’s packages.

Find Peace of Mind in Nature

If you’d rather go on foot, some popular hiking destinations to trek in Singapore are the Dairy Farm Nature Walk and the Southern Ridges. On the Dairy Farm trail, you’ll find the Singapore Quarry, now transformed into a wetland habitat with diverse freshwater flora and fauna. Along the Southern Ridges path, time your walk to enjoy a refreshing sunset view over high-rise buildings at the iconic Henderson Waves Bridge.

While most of Singapore’s nature routes can be enjoyed on foot with minimal expense, renting bicycles and taking boats to islands such as Pulau Ubin will help support local businesses during this tough time.

• Before you go, you can check how crowded parks and trails are with Safe Distance @ Parks.
• Bumboats to Pulau Ubin cost $8 per person for a return trip.

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