Singapore may not experience all four seasons, but we do have the occasional flash floods that cause a flurry. While some of us might enjoy snuggling in bed on a rainy day, there’s a limit to how much you can entertain yourself at home. Instead of cancelling your plans altogether, look for things to do indoors – and we’re not just referring to aimlessly wandering around malls or hanging out at Singapore’s many cafés. Scroll on for more wet weather plans.

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Things to do indoors in Singapore

1. Surf, snow and skate at Trifecta

The rainy weather shouldn’t restrict you from being active. Trifecta, Singapore’s first surf-snow-skate facility, lets you experience the snow of Japan, the waves of Bali, and the skating bowls of California without leaving the country. The place provides a place for beginners and enthusiasts alike to practice turns and jumps at the virtual reality-powered snow arena, ride endless waves at the deep water wave pool, and practice skating and surfskating moves at the world’s first hybrid skate bowl.

Soak your stresses away, but not by standing under the rain. Joya Onsen Café brings a slice of Japan to Jurong, with communal baths separated according to gender so you can relax peacefully. Couples can also book the private onsen for some one-on-one time. After you’re done, put on a yukata and head on over to the in-house café for some refreshing Hokkaido milk ($5), ramen and udon (from $12.90), rice bowls (from $14.90) or desserts including seasonal wagashi ($6 for five pieces).

If you’ve been curious about the art of pottery making, let the wet weather be a sign for you to start. There are various ceramic classes in Singapore offering workshops for beginners, teaching the basics like throwing, trimming, coiling, slab building and glazing. Not only will you be able to go wild with your creativity, you’ll also get a cute piece of decor out of this.

Cue Tokyo Drift (Fast & Furious). There won’t be any scary aquaplaning at HyperDrive as the three-storey go-kart arena is fully indoors. With 308 metres of speedy straights and 14 thrilling turns on this track designed by former karting world champion David Terrien, you’re pretty much guaranteed hours of fun. Once you’re spent from all that furious racing, head over to HyperDrive Café on the second floor for diner-style classics like burgers and stacked waffles.

The intricacies of brewing loose-leaf tea require time and patience, so what better time to experience the whole process while you’re stuck indoors? Whether it’s Chinese tea or Japanese matcha, these teahouses in Singapore will transport you into the world of forgotten tea culture. These places offer workshops that teach the history of tea, as well as thorough guidance on how to brew the perfect cup of tea.

Attempt to break free from an escape room

This one’s not for the fainthearted. So if the thunder and lightning outdoors have already made you quake in fear, grab a couple of your braver friends and check out the best escape rooms in Singapore. These places combine difficult puzzles and scenarios that will put your analytic skills to the test. Fingers crossed that you’ll get out by the time the rain stops.

Listening bars are the place to be if you want to enjoy a sneaky glass of whisky while escaping to a rhythmic paradise. Places such as Swee Lee Clarke Quay and Slow Boat offer the option of listening to vinyl records – an audio format that’s rare in this digital age. These bars also have comfy sofas to chill on, and Swee Lee has a food menu if you get peckish.

Bring your Call of Duty skills offline and battle it out at a game of laser tag at Lasertech-X. There are different game modes to choose from, including Capture the Flag and Deathmatch, where the team with the most points wins. Here’s where you can work on your communication skills with your pals and run around till your heart’s content.

The weather might be dreary, but you can still plan a wholesome hangout with your friends and family. Put your wits to the test at King and the Pawn, one of the many board game cafés in Singapore. The café houses games including classics like Monopoly and Scramble, as well as cooperative games such as Flash Point and Harmonies. Fuel up with yummy grub like the spicy bacon mushroom aglio olio ($19) or get a plate of spam fries ($11) to share. The café also sells coffee and tea from $4.50 if you need a caffeine boost.

Get your creative juices flowing and try out tufting at Singapore’s only pet-friendly tufting studio, Studio An. Using yarn, a tufting gun and with the help of a projector, you can create rugs and other fluffy works of art that you can either use or hang on the wall as a nice display piece. It’s a simple activity you can do with your family, friends, or significant other.

Adulting can be overwhelming at times. But fret not, you can let loose at some of the city’s indoor playgrounds– think trampoline parks, obstacle courses, rock climbing walls, and even a mini-gold arena. If you’re a member of HomeTeamNS, gather your army of adrenaline junkies for Adventure HQ at Khatib Clubhouse which features a 233-metre-long roll glider, a 14-metre-long slide, a 165-metre-long artificial cave, a 15-metre cloud climb, and a two-tiered, 16-obstacle indoor challenge rope course.

12. Show off your best moves at HiRoller Indoor Skating Ring

Photograph: HiRoller Indoor Skating Rink/Facebook

Whether you’re jumping on the Tik Tok trend-wagon, or revisiting a popular pastime, HiRoller Indoor Skating Rink in Pasir Ris offers state-of-the-art experiences on both inline and roller skates – think disco lighting and thumping music. It’s also a great spot to introduce the kids to both inline and roller skates. You won’t even have to worry about your kids falling flat on their faces – there are inline skating athletes and certified instructors to guide them through the glide.

Take off on a completely unique adventure at the Flight Experience centre on Raffles Avenue. Here, you get some pre-flight training and fly on an ultra-realistic Boeing 737-800 simulator. A licensed pilot is also there to guide you through take-offs, cruising and landings. Choose over 24,000 airports and fly over some iconic cities either at night or day, including Hong Kong’s harbour airport and the Manhattan skyline. Packages start from $175.

14. Release your inner frustrations at The Fragment Room

Next time you’re having a crappy day, vent your frustrations at The Fragment Room. The rage room allows you to literally smash any objects you wish to release all that pent up anger. Each session at The Fragment Room provides you with items such as plates, cups and vases, and electronics like TVs and radio sets. Just suit up, and have a smashin’ good time!

Another activity that’s tucked away in air conditioning comfort is prawning. Fish @ Bugis+ has a rooftop indoor prawn fishing spot that is also family-friendly. There’s a tiny pond built for kids to fish in and a bar for you to grab a drink while admiring the skyline.

16. Scale some heights at a bouldering gym

The rock climbing and bouldering community in Singapore has been growing in recent years. No surprise – as it’s a fun indoor sport that you can take part in no matter the weather. Not only does it build strength, it also tests your mind as you have to figure out efficient and strategic routes up the wall. Climbing may seem like a solo sport, but there’s actually a wonderfully welcoming and supportive community of enthusiasts – so strike up a conversation the next time you’re at a climbing gym.

There’s something about crate-digging that will have us spending hours doing so. Finding a record, gently dropping the needle onto its groove, and hearing that initial crackle before the mahogany-rich sound takes over is an ethereal experience music lovers swear by. It escorts listeners through a rapturous sonic journey in a unique, multi-dimensional way. Retrocrates not only offers a range of turntables and a library of new and pre-loved records, but also has a second floor filled with comfy sofas for customers to relax and enjoy the music.

If Netflix and chill at home won’t do, you can opt for a new box-office screening at the cinema. For a unique movie experience, go to The Projector. You’ll recognise the place from its retro decor, and the cinema screens lesser-known independent films that might not be easily accessible.

19. Let your kids go wild at indoor playground Kiztopia

Families with active tots can also have some fun at the various baby-safe indoor playgrounds around the city. One of them is Kiztopia, where your little ones can spend the entire day running around and exploring different games. From obstacle courses, train rides to giant slides and VR experiences, it truly is a little piece of heaven for your toddlers.

Topple some bowling pins at the city’s various bowling alleys. Dance to the latest pop hits at the K-Bowling Club, conveniently located at 313@Somerset. This cosmic-themed bowling alley creates an almost club-like atmosphere, sans sweaty bodies and drunk patrons. While you’re waiting to score a strike, there are dart machines, arcade games and karaoke booths you can check out. Commemorate your time here with photos taken at the photobooth.

Aspiring Picassos can flex their skills at the various art jamming studios in Singapore. These studios provide an array of art tools including paint brushes, paint and canvases so you do not have to bring your own. Go to Wildflower Studio for an unconventional paint session – the place has charming rescue cats that’ll accompany you as you paint. Those who are new to painting can swing by My Art Space, where they host workshops to guide you on the process.

Photograph: Finbarr FallonThe Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre

You don’t have to be an art major to enjoy plays, dramas and musicals. Keep your eyes peeled for plays at the theatres including Singapore Repertory Theatre and Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre, as well as music performances at the Esplanade and Victoria Concert Hall. Other theatre companies that are worth checking out also include Pangdemonium, Wild Rice, and The Theatre Practice. Regardless of location, there are always performing arts events dotted around the city to showcase fresh talent, so you’ll always be entertained on a rainy day.

23. Get your culture fix at museums and galleries

When it comes to museums and art galleries in Singapore, there’s more than meets the eye. With a broad spectrum of genres, spanning from state-of-the-art science, vintage memorabilia, cultural artifacts and historic treasures with interesting backstories, their art exhibitions feed curious minds. These spaces have both permanent and temporary installations by local and international artists, so remember to check the respective websites for the latest updates.

24. Grab a bubbling bowl of hotpot

Perfect for rainy days, a bubbling hot pot meal always satisfies and nourishes. There are plenty of hot pot and steamboat restaurants in Singapore to visit. From the flavourful broth and an extensive range of ingredients to a host of side dishes and customisable sauces, the hot pot experience offers an irreplicable sense of communion between friends and loved ones.

If you’re craving a bit of greenery but can’t head to the park because it’s pouring, then you have an option: Gardens by the Bay. The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest are gigantic, air-conditioned, and filled with lush plants and beautiful blooms. See carnivorous pitcher plants and explore limestone forests and caves in Cloud Forest; meanwhile, Flower Dome is a beautiful showcase of the flora in the Mediterranean and subtropical regions of the world.

26. Be immersed in books at a library

Stick your nose between the pages of a fictional bestseller or learn something new from a non-fiction pageturner at one of the city’s cosiest reading spots or public libraries. There are a bunch of gorgeous libraries in Singapore, from the unique Rotunda Gallery & Archives located in National Gallery Singapore to the Library@Harbourfront that boasts stunning seaviews.

Changi Airport is known for being one of the world’s best airports for a good reason, and with Jewel Changi Airport, you’ve got a solid excuse to visit even if you’re not catching a flight. Here’s where nature, play and over 280 retail and dining options including the much-raved Shake Shack, Pokémon’s merch store, dessert haven Läderach and A&W, come together under one roof. Also marvel at the gorgeous attractions such as the Shiseido Forest Valley and HSBC Rain Vortex or keep yourself and your little ones entertained for the day with the Canopy Park and Manulife Sky Nets. Changi Airport Terminal 2 also recently reopened with new shops and amenities to check out.

28. Win prizes at Timezone arcades

This nostalgic after-school hangout will never get old. Whether you love shooting basketball hoops, playing pinball, battling a friend over air hockey, or driving in bumper cars, arcades provide endless hours of fun and entertainment. Timezone offers a variety of games and attractions, and they have 15 venues scattered all over the country, so find the closest one near you and go wild.

In need of some rest and relaxation? Take advantage of the cool weather by pampering yourself at some of the best spas in Singapore. From luxury therapies to pocket-friendly massages of various types, these spas offer relaxing full-body rubdowns, revitalising treatments, invigorating scrubs, or rejuvenating facials perfect for a gloomy day pick-me-up.

30. Ice skate at Kallang Ice World

If you’re yearning for a winter holiday, lace up your skates and immerse yourself in the cold at the city’s largest ice skating rink, Kallang Ice World. There’s a variety of courses, ensuring that skaters of all levels will have a good time.

The temptation to stay home and be a couch potato is real. Let this be your sign to conquer laziness and get your heart rate up instead. Strengthen your core at one of the pilates studios in Singapore and tone your arms so you’ll have no trouble carrying heavy groceries. Your body will thank you later.