Central Public Library (Bugis): Ocean-Themed Reading Adventure for Kids

Children and parents reading in the marine-themed children’s zone at Central Public Library in Singapore, with coral-inspired decor, hanging fish, and red book bins.

An undersea adventure in the heart of the city—Central Library’s children’s section features colorful reef-themed shelves, soft carpeting, and plenty of space for kids to read and play.

Central Public Library (Bugis): Ocean-Themed Reading Adventure for Kids

Quick Overview

Located at 100 Victoria Street, B1-01 in the National Library Building, the Central Public Library is just a 3–5 minute walk from Bugis MRT (EW12/DT14). It’s large, modern, and situated right in the heart of Singapore’s civic and cultural district. This makes it a convenient and inspiring stop for families, students, and design-lovers alike.

Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

What We Loved

The ocean-themed children’s section at Central Public Library is truly a delight for young explorers. From the moment you enter, you’re surrounded by immersive marine visuals, complete with glowing coral reefs and swimming sea creatures projected onto the walls. This space is a collaboration with S.E.A. Aquarium, and the result is both stunning and educational. One of the highlights for our family was the touchscreen painting station—kids can color their own sea creatures and then watch them come alive on a massive digital aquarium screen, “swimming” alongside others in a shared virtual ocean.

The cozy, carpeted floor invites toddlers to crawl and play safely, while parents browse nearby shelves filled with ocean-themed picture books. Everything feels thoughtfully designed for families: self-checkout kiosks at child-friendly height, wide paths for strollers, and plenty of photo-worthy corners to capture the joy of the visit.

Family-Friendly Features

This branch includes many thoughtful amenities for families:

  • Child-height bookshelves
  • Multilingual kids’ book selection (especially strong in Chinese and Malay)
  • Family toilet and baby-changing station available

Nearby Attractions (Make It a Day Out!)

  • Bugis+ and Bugis Junction for food & play
  • National Library exhibitions upstairs (check what’s on!)
  • Bras Basah Complex for budget-friendly bookshops
  • Short walk to Fort Canning Park if weather allows
  • CHIJMES for dining in a heritage setting

Our Rating

Category Rating (★ out of 5)
📚 Book Variety ★★★★★
👶 Toddler Friendliness ★★★★★
🌟 Wow Factor ★★★★★
☕ Surrounding Amenities ★★★★★

Wrap-Up

This was our first stop on our Singapore library tour—and it definitely set the bar high! I loved how Central Library blends design, comfort, and accessibility. Would we come back? Absolutely.

Want to see how Central Library compares to others? Read our full guide to Singapore’s public libraries.

📸 Follow our journey @drift2shift for more hidden gems in Singapore’s public spaces.

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