School Holiday Outdoor Activity Ideas in Singapore to Help Control Myopia in Children
March school holidays are the perfect time for children to rest, recharge — and spend more time outdoors. What many parents may not realise is that outdoor time is one of the most effective lifestyle strategies to reduce the risk of myopia (short-sightedness) and slow its progression.
At The Eye Clinic by Dr Cheryl Lee, myopia control is a key focus of our care for children. Research consistently shows that children who spend more time outdoors have a lower risk of developing myopia and slower worsening of existing myopia. I always include outdoor play in my son’s playdates as well.
Experts recommend aiming for at least 2 hours of outdoor time daily if the child is perfected sighted and one hour if the child is already myopic. Let us use the March holidays to build this healthy habit.
Below are some fun, practical outdoor activity ideas in Singapore that support your child’s eye health.
Why Outdoor Time Helps with Myopia Control
Outdoor light exposure supports healthy eye development in growing children. Time spent outdoors:
Encourages distance viewing instead of near work
Reduces continuous screen exposure
Provides brighter natural light that supports eye growth regulation
Promotes physical activity and overall wellbeing
Even simple outdoor play counts — it does not need to be structured sports.
Best Outdoor Activities for March School Holidays in Singapore
Simple Daily Outdoor Habits That Help
Parents often ask: does it need to be intense activity? The answer is no.
These also count:
Walking to meals instead of driving
Playing at the playground
Evening family walks
Outdoor reading time
Homework breaks outdoors
Pet walking
Consistency matters more than intensity.🌳 Nature Walks & Park Exploration
I also offer free audiobooks for eye breaks.
If you have more time
Singapore has many child-friendly parks and reservoirs perfect for relaxed outdoor time.
Good options include:
Bishan–Ang Mo Kio Park
MacRitchie Reservoir trails
Botanic Gardens
Lower Peirce Reservoir
Park Connector Network routes
Turn walks into fun games — spotting birds, clouds, or distant landmarks — to encourage distance focusing.
🚴 Cycling, Scooting & Skating
Cycling and scooting are excellent for both fitness and visual development.
Best spots:
East Coast Park
Punggol Waterway
Changi Bay Park Connector
Marina Bay area paths
These activities naturally involve looking ahead and scanning far distances — helpful for visual habits.
I will put up on Instagram of The Eyeclinic by Dr Cheryl Lee updates on out door fun activities many of which are free
⚽ Field Sports & Ball Games
Ball sports help with:
Eye-hand coordination
Tracking moving objects
Distance focusing
Reaction time
Simple options:
Football
Frisbee
Badminton
Catch and throw
Kite flying at Marina Barrage
No formal coaching needed — free play works well.
🌊 Outdoor Water Play
Outdoor water activities are great during Singapore’s warm weather:
Beach play at Sentosa or East Coast
Outdoor swimming pools
Water playgrounds
Splash parks
Children naturally spend longer outdoors when water play is involved.
🦜 Outdoor Learning Adventures
Make outdoor time educational and fun:
Mandai wildlife parks
Nature reserves
Farm visits
Outdoor science trails
Gardening activities
Nature photography walks
Learning outdoors reduces near-work strain compared to indoor worksheets and screens.
Combine Outdoor Time with Proper Myopia Control Care
Outdoor activity is powerful — but it works best when combined with proper myopia control treatment when needed, such as:
At The Eye Clinic by Dr Cheryl Lee, we provide personalised myopia control plans for children based on risk factors, lifestyle, and progression rate.
March Holiday Goal: Build the Outdoor Habit
Use the March school holidays to start a new routine:
1-2 hours outdoors daily
Less screen time
More distance viewing
More active play
Your child’s eyes will benefit — now and in the long term.
Dr Cheryl Lee in Singapore talks about how to prevent and control myopia effectively