Forum The Shopping Mall with Kids: Hip Kids Play, 11 Classes and a Toys"R"Us (2026)

29 September 2026 · 12 min read

Forum The Shopping Mall is the Orchard Road mall built around children before that was a marketing idea. It opened in 1986 on the Singapura Forum Hotel site. Its five floors are a family checklist: Toys"R"Us on Level 3, children's bookshop, paediatric clinic and dentist on Level 2, nursing room on Level 1, and 11 enrichment centres across the basement, shopping floors and an office tower parents rarely notice.

One thing to know before you sign a term contract. HPL, which owns the mall, received URA approval in 2023 to demolish Forum, voco Orchard and HPL House for a mixed-use development with two towers. No date has been announced and the mall is trading normally, but ask any centre you enrol with what its plan is.

What it does not have is a free playground. Hip Kids Play on Level 2 costs $5 a child, and SMIGY in the basement is a paid indoor playground with a two-hour clock. Forum with kids is a place you come to for a class or a shop and stay for the play, not the other way round.

This guide covers every kids' reason to go, place by place, with the unit, the hours and the price. Where a centre publishes no fee we say so rather than guess. For the rest of the street, read our guide to things to do with kids in Orchard Road and River Valley.

Quick steer

• Best for a rainy hour with a toddler: Hip Kids Play, $5, Level 2.
• Best free thing: nothing inside. Tanglin Mall's Kids Play Zone, five minutes away.
• Best class to trial first: The Dance Place, complimentary, office tower Level 8.
• Best age for this mall: 2 to 8.

Family favourites: play at Forum

1. Hip Kids Play

Hip Kids Play is the mall's own play area on Level 2, next to the Information Counter, and it is the cheapest paid play on Orchard Road: $5 per child per entry, for children aged seven and under who are shorter than 120cm.

The mall runs it in timed sessions, booked at the counter, which is open 10am to 8pm. The published slots run from 11.30am on weekdays and 10.30am on weekends, with the last session ending at 5pm. It is a soft-play room rather than a climbing structure, sized for toddlers and preschoolers.

The Hip Kids Club membership is $25 a year, signed up at the same counter. It gives discounts at more than 30 tenants, including $50 off music lessons at Aureus Academy, and 100 bonus points per $100 spent. If you are enrolling in one class here, it pays for itself on the first term.

Why kids will love it: A room of soft blocks and slides they can have almost to themselves on a weekday morning. Best for ages 2 to 5. Bring socks in case, and come before a class on Level 2 rather than after, when they are tired.

View on Jungle: not yet listed
Website: Hip Kids Play
Address: 583 Orchard Road, Level 2, Forum The Shopping Mall, Singapore 238884. Google Maps
Opening hours: Sessions Mon to Fri from 11.30am, Sat, Sun and public holidays from 10.30am, last session to 5pm. Counter 10am to 8pm.
Price: $5 per child per entry. Hip Kids Club membership $25 a year.
Ages: Up to 7, under 120cm.
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS22/TE14), 5 minutes on foot.

2. SMIGY

SMIGY in the basement of Forum. Photo: SMIGY Playground, Jungle listing

SMIGY at #B1-05 to 08 is the basement's indoor playground, run by the same operator as the SMIGY at United Square and PLQ. It is a themed soft-play space with a ball pit, slides and a toddler zone, plus paid add-ons such as magnetic fishing, kinetic sand and painting. Entry is by the hour and one adult is included in the child's ticket.

The last published prices, from February 2024, were $23 for one hour and $35 for two hours for one child and one adult, with extra adults at $10 and under-ones free. SMIGY's own site lists the outlet but no current prices, so confirm at the door. Socks are compulsory.

Why kids will love it: Diving into the ball pit, then negotiating for the $15 magnetic fishing. Best for ages 1 to 6. Two hours is the right ticket; one is over before they have found the slide.

Book on Jungle: SMIGY Playground
Website: SMIGY
Address: 583 Orchard Road, #B1-05 to 08, Forum The Shopping Mall, Singapore 238884. Google Maps
Opening hours: Mon to Thu 10am to 8pm. Fri to Sun and public holidays 10am to 9pm. Confirm on the day.
Price: $23 for 1 hour, $35 for 2 hours for one child and one adult, as last published in 2024. Extra adult $10. Under 1 free.
Ages: 1 to 12.
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS22/TE14).

3. Gymkraft, inside Toys"R"Us

Gymkraft runs a gymnastics floor inside the Toys"R"Us at #03-03/25, and it is one of only three Gymkraft sites that sell open sessions rather than term classes only. That makes it the closest thing Forum has to a drop-in activity for a child who has outgrown soft play: a sprung floor, bars, beams and foam pits, coached. Open sessions and trial bookings go through the studio directly.

Why kids will love it: Cartwheels in a real gym, reached by walking through a toy shop. Best for ages 5 to 10. Book an open session by phone before you come; there is no walk-in counter.

View on Jungle: not yet listed
Website: Gymkraft locations
Address: 583 Orchard Road, #03-03/25, Forum The Shopping Mall, Singapore 238884. Google Maps
Opening hours: Mon to Thu 1pm to 9pm. Fri 1pm to 8pm. Sat and Sun 9.30am to 6.30pm.
Price: Gymkraft does not publish its session fees online. Call 9746 4644.
Ages: Best for 5 to 10.
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS22/TE14).

The rest of Forum's family floor does not need a numbered entry. Toys"R"Us at #03-03 to 15 is the reason half the families in the building are here. Books Ahoy! at #02-03/04 is a children's bookshop, playhao at #02-15 and The Toy Folks at #B1-10 sell the wooden and educational toys the department stores do not. Capezio at #02-17 sells the dancewear for the three dance schools upstairs.

Olive Tree Baby and Kids Clinic at #02-08/09 is a paediatric practice open weekdays 8.30am to 5.30pm and Saturday mornings, and Align Dental Surgery is on Level 1. Bonpoint and Kids21 on Level 2 are where the birthday outfit comes from.

Learn and play: classes at Forum you can book on Jungle

Eleven enrichment centres operate in the building. Three are in the office tower, reached by the lifts beside the Level 1 lobby, which is why parents who only walk the shopping floors count eight. Eight are on Jungle and come first below, the three unlisted ones after. Two offer a free trial.

4. Aureus Academy

Photo: Aureus Academy, Jungle listing

Aureus Academy has two units at Forum, #B1-01 to 04 and #03-16 to 25, which makes it the largest music school on Orchard Road. Lessons are one-to-one in piano, drums, guitar, violin and voice, with a Musical Adventure group class for the youngest.

Aureus publishes its prices, which none of the other Forum centres do: three monthly packages of four lessons at $279 for 30 minutes, $399 for 45 minutes and $519 for 60 minutes. Hip Kids Club members get $50 off.

Why kids will love it: A drum kit they are allowed to hit, and a certificate at the end of every grade. Best for ages 5 and up who want an instrument rather than a music-and-movement class.

Book on Jungle: Aureus Academy
Website: Aureus Academy Forum
Address: 583 Orchard Road, #B1-01 to 04 and #03-16 to 25, Forum The Shopping Mall, Singapore 238884. Google Maps
Opening hours: By lesson timetable. Call 6950 6158.
Price: $279, $399 or $519 a month for four 30, 45 or 60-minute lessons. Trial bookable online.
Ages: 2 to 18.

5. The Little Gym of Singapore

Photo: The Little Gym of Singapore, Jungle listing

The Little Gym at #B1-24 is the American parent-and-child gym franchise, and Forum is its west branch. Classes run from 4 months to 12 years in four bands: Parent/Child (4 months to 3 years), Wonderkids Club (3 to 4), Gymnastics 3 to 6 and Gymnastics 6 to 12.

The format is structured play on gym apparatus with a coach, songs for the babies and skills for the older ones. Fees are not published; the current offer is 15 per cent plus 5 per cent off for two full terms.

Why kids will love it: Walking the beam with a parent's hand, then without it. Best for ages 1 to 5. Ask about the trial when you call; the price is not on the site.

Book on Jungle: The Little Gym of Singapore
Website: The Little Gym Singapore
Address: 583 Orchard Road, #B1-24, Forum The Shopping Mall, Singapore 238884. Google Maps
Opening hours: By class timetable. Call 6238 6331.
Price: The Little Gym does not publish its term fees online. Current offer 15 per cent plus 5 per cent off two full terms.
Ages: 4 months to 12.

6. Children's Worklab

Photo: Children's Worklab, Jungle listing

Children's Worklab at #02-01/02 is a STEM camp studio: LEGO robotics from age 4.5 (Robocamp Apprentice) through SPIKE Prime from age 9, 3D modelling and printing from 8, Minecraft and Roblox game design from 7 and 8, animation and graphic design from 7. It runs mostly as holiday camps and weekend workshops rather than weekly terms, with the September and October camps listed on its site. Prices are not published.

Why kids will love it: Building a robot from a LEGO bin and driving it, or printing a keyring they designed. Best for ages 6 to 12 in the school holidays.

Book on Jungle: Children's Worklab
Website: Children's Worklab
Address: 583 Orchard Road, #02-01/02, Forum The Shopping Mall, Singapore 238884. Google Maps
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 10am to 5.30pm. Sat and Sun 9.45am to 3.30pm.
Price: Children's Worklab does not publish its camp fees online. WhatsApp 9729 7828.
Ages: 4 to 13.

7. KyungHee Taekwondo

Photo: KyungHee Taekwondo, Jungle listing

KyungHee Taekwondo's Orchard branch is at #02-33. Classes are banded by age: Tots 3 to 6, Level 1 for 7 to 10, Level 2 for 11 to 12 and a teens class for 13 to 17, with sessions between 9am and 8pm and the studio closed on Mondays. The free trial lesson is for toddlers and primary-age children only. Fees are not published.

Why kids will love it: Kicking a pad as hard as they like and being praised for it. Best for ages 4 to 10, and a good first martial art for a child who needs to run before they can sit.

Book on Jungle: KyungHee Taekwondo
Website: KyungHee Taekwondo Orchard schedule
Address: 583 Orchard Road, #02-33, Forum The Shopping Mall, Singapore 238884. Google Maps
Opening hours: Tue to Sun, sessions 9am to 8pm by timetable. Closed Mon.
Price: Free trial for toddlers and primary students. KyungHee does not publish its term fees online.
Ages: 3 to 17.

8. All That Jazz Dance Academy

Photo: All That Jazz Dance Academy, Jungle listing

All That Jazz at #02-05/06/07 is the general dance school on the shopping floors: ballet, jazz, street, K-pop, musical theatre, acro, contemporary, lyrical, tap and commercial, for ages 2 to 18. It teaches to several syllabi, including ISTD and Acro Dance Teachers Association grades, so a child can sit exams without changing school. Trial and term fees are not on the site.

Why kids will love it: Ten styles under one roof, so the four-year-old who hated ballet can try street dance next term without a new commute. Best for ages 3 to 12.

Book on Jungle: All That Jazz Dance Academy
Website: All That Jazz Dance Academy
Address: 583 Orchard Road, #02-05/06/07, Forum The Shopping Mall, Singapore 238884. Google Maps
Opening hours: By class timetable. Call 6235 7790.
Price: All That Jazz does not publish its term fees online.
Ages: 2 to 18.

9. The Dance Place

Photo: The Dance Place, Jungle listing

The Dance Place is in the office tower at #08-02/03, and it is the one to book if you want a complimentary trial: the school offers one to every new student. Styles run from ballet and jazz to hip hop, tap and K-pop, from toddlers to adults, and the studios are open seven days, until 8.30pm or 9pm on weekdays and 6pm on Sundays.

Why kids will love it: A studio on the eighth floor with a view down Orchard Road, and a free first class to find out if they like it. Best for ages 3 to 12.

Book on Jungle: The Dance Place
Website: The Dance Place
Address: 583 Orchard Road, Office Tower #08-02/03, Forum The Shopping Mall, Singapore 238884. Google Maps
Opening hours: Mon and Tue 9.30am to 8.30pm. Wed 9am to 9pm. Thu 9am to 8.30pm. Fri and Sat 9am to 8pm. Sun 10am to 6pm.
Price: Complimentary trial class. The Dance Place does not publish its term fees online.
Ages: 3 to 16.

10. The Dance Station

Photo: The Dance Station, Jungle listing

The Dance Station is four floors up at #12-02/03. It is the syllabus school of the three: Royal Academy of Dance ballet from Beanie Ballet and Pre-School Dance upwards, CSTD jazz and tap, and a Mummy and Me class for the smallest. Choose it over the others if graded exams matter to you. Trials are booked online; fees are not published.

Why kids will love it: Pink shoes, a proper barre and a teacher who calls them dancers. Best for ages 2 to 8 who respond to structure.

Book on Jungle: The Dance Station
Website: The Dance Station
Address: 583 Orchard Road, Office Tower #12-02/03, Forum The Shopping Mall, Singapore 238884. Google Maps
Opening hours: By class timetable. Trials booked online.
Price: The Dance Station does not publish its term fees online.
Ages: 2 to 18.

11. Spirit Stretch

Photo: Spirit Stretch, Jungle listing

Spirit Stretch at Office Tower #05-04 is an adult stretch and yoga studio with one class that belongs in this guide: Kid Parent Yoga, for ages 3 to 6 with a parent, taught in a room with animated underwater and safari projections on the walls.

Pricing is the studio's standard rate, $55 for a drop-in class and $200 for five, with an introductory two classes for $55. It is the only class in the mall you and your child do together.

Why kids will love it: Doing a downward dog under a projected whale. Best for ages 3 to 5 with a parent who wants the hour too.

Book on Jungle: Spirit Stretch
Website: Spirit Stretch
Address: 583 Orchard Road, Office Tower #05-04, Forum The Shopping Mall, Singapore 238884. Google Maps
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 8.30am to 9pm. Sat 10am to 5pm. Sun 9.30am to 4pm.
Price: Drop-in $55. Five classes $200. Introductory offer two classes for $55.
Ages: 3 to 6 with a parent.

12. Julia Gabriel Centre

Julia Gabriel occupies the whole of Level 4 at #04-00/01 and is the best-known name in the building. It runs PlayNest and PlayClub for babies and toddlers with a parent, speech and drama from nursery age to teens, and Readers and Writers and debating programmes for primary and secondary students. It is not yet on Jungle, and fees are by enquiry.

Why kids will love it: Speech and drama that is actually drama, with a stage and a costume box. Best for ages 2 to 6 for the play programmes, and 7 to 12 for drama.

View on Jungle: not yet listed
Website: Julia Gabriel Centre locations
Address: 583 Orchard Road, #04-00/01, Forum The Shopping Mall, Singapore 238884. Google Maps
Opening hours: By programme timetable. Call 6733 4322.
Price: Julia Gabriel does not publish its programme fees online.
Ages: 6 months to 18.

Two more centres on Level 2 are not yet on Jungle: Mathnasium at #02-19/20, the American maths tuition franchise, and MuzArt at #02-37, an art school for ages 3 and up. Both are enquiry-only on price.

Two of the eleven offer a free trial. For the island-wide list, read our guide to free trial classes for kids in Singapore. Browse Forum classes on Jungle.

Eat with kids at Forum

Forum's dining is the weakest part of the building for a family, so know it before you arrive hungry. There is no food court. Of the 14 food outlets in the 2026 directory, none publishes a kids' menu or a kids-eat-free deal. The one children's meal is the Happy Meal.

13. McDonald's, Basement 1

McDonald's at #B1-25 is the only place in the mall with a children's meal, and it is next to SMIGY, which is not a coincidence. It has the high chairs, the toilets are on the same floor, and the queue at 12.30pm on a Saturday is the whole of Level 2's class pick-up.

Why kids will love it: The Happy Meal toy, eaten on the way into the ball pit. Best for any age. Go at 11.30am or after 2pm.

View on Jungle: not yet listed
Website: McDonald's Singapore
Address: 583 Orchard Road, #B1-25, Forum The Shopping Mall, Singapore 238884. Google Maps
Opening hours: Mall hours, 10am to 9pm.
Price: Happy Meal. Prices could not be confirmed online; they are in the McDonald's app.
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS22/TE14).

The rest of the kid-friendly list

• Jade Palace Seafood, #B1-12/15: dim sum 11am to 3pm, the most child-friendly sit-down meal here. Steamed buns, egg tarts, round table.
• Kind Kones, #B1-27: plant-based ice cream, so a dairy-allergic child gets a cone.
• See's Candies, #01-K2: the reward for a completed class, sold by the piece.
• LINO, #01-01/04: Italian, with pizza and pasta a fussy eater will accept. Book on weekends.
• Hana, #01-17: Japanese, with sushi rolls and tempura a child will eat.
• The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, #01-45/46: open 24 hours, so a 7am breakfast before a 9am Saturday class.
• EAT., #B1-31/32: noodles and rice bowls, fast.
• 7-Eleven, #01-K4: the emergency snack.

If you want a real children's menu, Tanglin Mall is a five-minute walk, and the guide to Orchard Road linked above lists the kids-eat-free restaurants on the street.

Family facilities at Forum

• Nursing room: the Mother's Room on Level 1 has changing stations, nursing rooms and a wash basin. Diaper-changing stations are in the restrooms on Basement 1, Level 1 and Level 2.
• Stroller loan and family parking: neither is mentioned on the mall's site. Lifts serve every floor, and the office tower lifts are beside the Level 1 lobby.
• Car park: 206 lots on two basements, entry from Cuscaden Road.
• Car park, weekdays: 6am to 5pm, $2.60 for the first hour then $1.30 per half hour. $3.50 per entry after 5pm.
• Car park, weekends: $2.80 for the first hour then $1.30 to $1.50 per half hour, $3.50 per entry after 5pm. Same rates on public holidays.
• Parking rebate: spend $100 on one receipt on a weekday for a two-hour parking ticket, first 100 redemptions a day.
• Hip Kids Club: $25 a year at the Level 2 Information Counter, with discounts at more than 30 tenants.
• Mall hours: 10am to 9pm daily. The Information Counter closes at 8pm.

Getting there

Forum is at the western end of Orchard Road, on the corner of Cuscaden Road.

• By MRT: Orchard (NS22/TE14) is a five to six minute walk west along Orchard Boulevard. Orchard Boulevard station on the Thomson-East Coast Line (TE13) is about eight minutes.
• By bus: 7, 36, 77, 105, 106, 111, 123, 132 and 174 stop on Orchard Road and Orchard Boulevard outside.
• By car and taxi: the taxi stand is on Cuscaden Road, which is also the car park entrance.

Make a day of it

The free play Forum lacks is all within a short walk or a ten-minute taxi.

• Tanglin Mall, five minutes on foot: a free Kids Play Zone on Level 3, Impressions Kids Club at $35 a child including two adults, Lil Ninja Academy's obstacle course, and a Baby Care Room on Level 3.
• Jacob Ballas Children's Garden, at the Botanic Gardens: free, open 8am to 7pm and closed on Mondays.
• Great World, ten minutes by taxi: a free Playland on Level 2 from 9am to 10pm for ages 3 to 12, and four family car park lots.
• Paragon, on Orchard Road itself: the Level 5 forest playground opens 11am to 8pm.
• 313@Somerset: the Sky Terrace runs 10am to 10pm.
• Closed right now: the Jacob Ballas tree house is shut for termite repair until around the end of 2027.

At a glance

Forum is a mall where the classes are the reason and the toy shop is the reward. Book a trial before you go, and browse every enrichment class on Orchard Road on Jungle.