You've had enough of being cooped up at home with the fan and aircon at fullblast and the kids just want OUT. Check out these family-friendly places where you can keep cool without burning a huge hole in your wallet. Since being in aircon 24/7 is not exactly the healthiest thing either, we've also included open-air places where the kids can cool off and work off their boundless energies at the same time.

1. Changi Airport
With its large arrival/departure halls and viewing galleries offering a peek at the runways,  there is plenty of space for families and kids to wander around at Changi Airport. Since the extension of the east-west MRT line to Changi Airport a few years ago, it has become even easier to get there.  You can stroll around Terminals 1, 2 and 3 which are connected via free skytrains - a favourite with children. Water coolers are easily located outside restrooms and when hunger strikes, there is a large variety of fast food outlets, food courts, casual cafes and restaurants to choose from (for what's happening at the airport, see www.changiairport.com).

2. Libraries
There can be so much going on at our libraries nowadays that borrowing books may be the last thing on your mind . You can get a cuppa while netsurfing or browsing through the latest reads, take in a lunchtime performance or talk, or sit in a storytelling session with your child. You can also let the kids watch an animated movie while you catch up on some blockbusters you missed some time back or old classics to warm your heart (see www.nlb.gov.sg).

3. IMM Mall
An open air semisheltered playground cum waterplay area on the third floor of this Jurong megamall is popular with families in the evenings and weekends. While kids work off their energies running around waterspouts and shooting watercannons, parents can do their shopping at the indoor mall. There is even a changing and shower area for kids, so you can wash up before heading back (click here for more info).

4. Sembawang Shopping Centre
This mall located in the north of Singapore became a family magnet after a waterplay area at its rooftop was created as part of extensive renovations. With lots of colourful waterplay structures,  it is a great escape for kids while their parents pick up groceries from the Giant hypermart several stories down (image on right from http://www.capitalandinside.com/index.php/spaces/leisure/161-splash-out.click here for more info).

5. Vivocity
Some people fret that this ‘super-mall’ is really huge, but its sheer size is the reason that you can fit in an outdoor playground and waterplay area, PLUS large rooftop wading pools that occasionally see kids and parents alike splashing through the water with their pants rolled up! The location of the playground in an open space, surrounded by fast food restaurants and kidswear shops is convenient too (image on left from http://www.capitalandinside.com/index.php/spaces/leisure/161-splash-out. See www.vivocity.com.sg).

6. Esplanade
Not many remember that ‘Esplanade’ used to refer to the seafront Queen Elizabeth Walk area, with the Satay Club and our iconic Merlion, rather than the ‘durian’ structure that’s impossible to miss. However, just as the spiky durian yields delicious secrets, there’s plenty at the Esplande to surprise and delight the kids and you – ticketed AND free performances, interesting installations to marvel at, programmes for children and families (including senior citizens as well) and cafes with great eats including ice-cream and chocolate-coated strawberries (see www.esplanade.com).

7. Science Centre Singapore

Among the various galleries at the Science Centre (with more than 850 exhibits in total), the one most popular with kids has got to be Water Works - an educational, fun and interactive space based on the theme of Water. Comprising both indoor and outdoor areas, the 11 hands-on exhibits there teach children water-related principles through water rockets, a giant dryer and more (see www,science,edu.sg).

8. Snow City
If you still feel the need to cool off after exiting the Science Centre Singapore, then you can’t get any cooler than a trip to Snow City, which is just beside it. Don a jacket and boots (included in admission price, and you can rent gloves) and you can engage in snowball fights, crawl into an igloo and slide down an icy slope in tyretubes – all in a subzero environment. You’ll have a icily good time – well until you step out into our tropical air again (see www.snowcity.com.sg).

9. Museums
If you’re planning to head to town, do take a few minutes to check out what’s happening at the museums in the civil district belt. Jewellery-making, painting, clay pottery, music and dance workshops are just some of the children’s programmes that might be taking place at the Peranakan Museum, National Museum or Singapore Art Museum. In addition, look out for ‘open house’ events during public holidays which may feature special performances and demonstrations, celebrity guests and freebies for visitors.(see www.nhb.gov.sg).

10. Sengkang Sports Complex (Anchorvale Community Club)
This large swimming complex incorporated into a community club at Sengkang has been drawing residents from the northeast of Singapore. Colourful tubular waterslides, an indoor sheltered pool, a large children’s pool with many delightful waterplay structures including a giant self-filling watercan are the main reasons why crowds flock there every weekend and on warm evenings (see right - image from http://www.singaporesports.sg/Portals/0/LetsplaySengkang.jpg. click here for how to get there).

Do you have other 'cool' places to suggest? Drop us a line