November 28, 05:18 PM 
514 Chai Chee Lane 03-16, Singapore 469029 For most students, the school year will be over soon (if it isn't already!) and the holidays are drawing near (or here!). What should you do, though, if you lack the extra allowance to go shopping in Orchard, or hit up Universal Studios Singapore (USS) with your friends?
Don’t worry, because here are 10 ways you can have fun without spending much money.
1. Karaoke at Teo Heng KTV studio
Photo: Thinkstock
I’m not getting paid to do an advertisement for this KTV company but after going for karaoke sessions at various companies in Singapore (KBox, for example) Teo Heng is definitely the cheapest place that I’ve been to so far. Instead of charging a flat rate per person, Teo Heng charges patrons per room and per hour.
If you are going karaokeing with a large group of friends, this is definitely the most priceworthy place to go. With a great collection of songs from singers of different nationalities and ages, you’ll be able to sing your favourite songs no matter what your tastes may be. Use the holidays to release your pent-up stress from the entire school year and sing your hearts out!
2. Singapore Art Museum
Source: Singapore Art Museum Facebook page
Who said that you had to be rich to be able to appreciate great art? For Singaporean citizens, admission to this museum is totally free. Though it looks small from the outside, its interior is filled with many kinds of art and there are attractions catered to people of all ages. Guided tours are also provided daily along with regularly updated exhibitions being held at the museum.
At the moment, there are a few exhibitions catered to teenagers, such as the “President’s Young Talents” exhibition which recognises the work of young artists and encourages artistic innovation. For those who are young at heart, there is also a gallery called “Once Upon This Island” which showcases contemporary and extremely engaging art pieces designed to encourage broad discussion on societal issues.
You don’t just get to enjoy the beautiful art pieces, you also get to learn a lot in the process — what better way is there to spend your holidays?
3. MacRitchie Reservoir Treetop Walk
If you’re a lover of nature, this trail is definitely the right one for you. Located deep in the ever-scenic MacRitchie Reservoir, this suspension bridge walkway is about 250m in length. Enjoy a great view of the forest’s canopy from a maximum height of 25m above ground.
A trip around Macritchie Reservoir Park including this trail has a distance of about 7 to 10km, so you could make multiple trips back here and always discover something new. You won’t just get to breathe fresh air or discover the interesting plants and animals around the park, you’ll get to work off your holiday calories too.
4. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
If you haven’t already been on a trip here with your school for a biology lesson, this nature reserve is definitely a must-visit spot. Sungei Buloh was opened in 1993 and has been developed several times over the years to provide visitors with a more enriching experience.
This reserve displays several mangroves, mudflats, ponds and forests, all of which make it a comfortable home for the many types of animals located here.
At any time of the year, you'll meet interesting creatures such as mudskippers and monitor lizards, and at extremely close proximity too! It's also quite a shady area because of all the trees growing around this nature reserve, so just remember to bring along your insect repellent; you’ll have a great time here!
5. West Coast Park
Known as the “Play Centre in the West” (according to NParks at least), West Coast Park is one of the biggest parks in Singapore, rivalled only by its other half, East Coast Park. Difference being, this park actually has a lot more fun activities for its younger visitors with its “Adventure Playground”.
Featuring a total of 7 different types of play areas which can cater to the needs of different age groups ranging from toddlers to teenagers, there’s something for everyone here. It’s a favourite location for school camps and outings, and for good reason.
If you get bored of playing on the long slides or the flying fox, you could always cycle or fly a kite. Even if you live far away from this park, allocate a full day and take a trip down with your friends or family anyway — it'll be worth your while.
6. Changi War Museum & Chapel
#changiwarmuseum #Changi #worldwarii #prisonerofwarcamp #Singapore #changichapel #changiprison A photo posted by Ellen Mcdonald (@ellenmcdonald1995) on
While Singapore may not have as rich or long a history as our regional neighbours or other countries around the world, it is no less interesting. As a country, we did go through some pretty tumultuous times in the past, the biggest of which would be the Japanese Occupation in Singapore during the Second World War from 1942 to 1945.
This museum consists of only a tiny one-storey building, but the information provided in it, along with the personal testimonies of the Prisoners of War gives visitors a very enriching and interesting experience. There, you'll discover the heartfelt stories of people who persevered through their persecution. (It'll also make you think, "What stress? What exams? What problems?")
Being able to visit the actual chapel where the prisoners used to attend and to read the well-wishes left there by other visitors is also a meaningful experience, and it'll really make you appreciate the peace and security we now enjoy.
7. Coney Island Park
Located near to Punggol Promenade Nature Walk, this island was recently opened in October this year to a lot of hype and excitement by local bloggers and several teenagers who have already visited it. It’s essentially something similar to Pulau Ubin, but without the ferry ride or the other extra costs.
There’s a 2.4 km cycling/walking trail, a play area, several spots of beaches to hang out at and tons of biodiversity to observe at a close proximity. There are even areas for birdwatching, making this an ideal place for nature enthusiasts as well as teenagers who just want to relax and have fun.
And hey, look out for the Coney Island Cow — also, beware the sandflies.
8. Singapore Botanic Gardens
Bandstand at Singapore Botanic Gardens #bandstand #singapore #singaporebotanicgardens #botanicgardens #garden #sunset #canon #eos #5dii #5dmarkiii #landscape #landscapes #photography A photo posted by Chester Lacson Sigua (@chestersigua) on
With the exception of certain areas such as the National Orchid Garden, this recently declared UNESCO World Heritage site is completely free every day, even on weekends.
For Singaporean students, this place gets even better during the holidays (now!) because admission to the National Orchid Garden is free upon the presentation of one’s student card. This offer only lasts till the 3rd of January next year so do take this chance to visit it for free while you can — don't say we bojio.
This park is more boring as compared to the other locations listed above, but the lush greenery and huge amount of free space found here allows it to become an ideal place to have a picnic or an outing, complete with lots of running around and group games.
It also tends to be very quiet and peaceful because the gardens are just so big, you'll be able to spread out across the park and enjoy time together with friends and family.
9. Esplanade Concourse
I mentioned the appreciation of visual arts above, but what if you want to appreciate other art forms such as music or dance for free? The performances held at the Esplanade Concourse are just perfect for you then.
Showcasing a range of art forms from visual art exhibitions to music and dance performances, there are several events going on at any one day. Head down to the Esplanade (you can walk around the outside and inside) and check out these possibly underrated but extremely talented artists, both local and international performers.
You can even take a stroll along Singapore River after your trip to the Esplanade — in the evening, the lights of the city provide quite a sight too.
10. Tiong Bahru
This estate is known for being hipster, with famous cafés and shops such as 40 Hands Coffee, Books Actually, and is a favourite hangout for teenagers. Rather than be mainstream and go with the flow of other teenagers, why not be unique and hang out at the more traditional places located in this historical estate instead?
These places such as the food centre or Tiong Bahru Bakery for instance don’t only serve delicious local food that is comparable or sometimes even of a higher quality than those found at cafes, you can also experience a different atmosphere from these environments that aren't as easily found in Singapore nowadays.
Through interaction with the stall owners or the elderly residents who live in Tiong Bahru, you can learn about how Singapore used to be like in the past. It serves as a good contrast to the other side of Tiong Bahru with all its modern cafes and shops, and is a fantastic learning experience.
Though Singapore is very small, it still has many places for us to visit even if we don’t have the funds to go overseas or to fun tourist attractions. Make full use of your holidays and have fun!
Top photo from Instagram user @nvms9889.
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