Pony rides, farm visits, baby spas: What to spend your $500 Child LifeSG Credits on

SINGAPORE – Thinking about what to spend your Child LifeSG Credits on?

From July 14, families with Singaporean children under 12 are getting a welcome boost – $500 in Child LifeSG Credits for each child to help offset the rising costs of child-raising.

Whether you are eyeing a weekend of adventure or simply need to stock up on essentials, the options are aplenty – the credits are accepted wherever you see the PayNow UEN QR or NETS QR sign.

Grocery runs and comfort eats

Every parent knows the grocery bill is non-negotiable. The good news? Local supermarkets such as FairPrice, Sheng Siong, Giant and Cold Storage accept the credits.

For a fuss-free meal, head to one of Botak Porridge’s outlets in Punggol, Bedok or Tampines – a fantastic, soothing option for toddlers transitioning to solids.

Or, for a crowd-pleaser that elevates the family dinner, Wild Olives in Pasir Ris Central offers western classics that even the pickiest young gourmand will enjoy.

For a small indulgence for the little one, head over to Udders – a popular local dessert parlour offering a variety of handcrafted ice cream flavours.

Fuel their imaginations

Whether hunting for storybooks, school supplies or activity workbooks to keep the kids occupied, you can use your credits at major bookstore chains such as Kinokuniya and Popular – the perfect excuse to refresh the home library.

Weekend adventures

Burn off your young adventurers’ excess energy at the four-storey Adventure HQ at HomeTeamNS Khatib, featuring high and low elements.

Want something more unique? Get back to nature with a pony ride or beginner’s lesson at Bukit Timah Saddle Club, a wholesome visit to Singapore’s only goat farm, Hay Dairies, or an educational day out at Bollywood Farms.

Alternatively, give your toddlers – aged four and up – an active start at any Climb Central indoor climbing gym. Make it a family activity too, since climbers under 12 must be supervised by a parent or guardian.

For parents of little ones, what about a short pampering session for your newborn at BabySPA in Punggol? Try soothing massages, water training to build strength or even a gentle first haircut.

The essentials

From upgrading your little ones’ gear to picking up necessary supplies, the credits cover the staples as well.

You can use them for retail needs at trusted family brands, including Mothercare, Kiddy Palace and even Optical 88 – splurge on a Jellycat plushie or two, and a new pair of fancy spectacles too.

For their futures

Looking to play the long game? If you are all set on gear and activities, why not invest those credits directly into your child’s future by topping up their savings account? It can be a gift that continues to grow long after the toys have been outgrown.

How will I receive my Child LifeSG Credits?

For children born between 2014 and 2015, the credits will be distributed automatically to the eligible Child Development Account (CDA) trustee’s LifeSG app digital wallet from July 14.

The CDA is a government co-savings account under the Baby Bonus Scheme – which Singapore citizens can apply for as part of their child’s birth registration. No separate application is required to receive the credits.

If you have a baby born in 2026, stay tuned – eligibility will be assessed on March 1, 2027, with disbursements following in April 2027.

Recipients will be notified via an SMS from gov.sg once the credits have been disbursed.

Can I withdraw my Child LifeSG Credits?

These credits are valid for 12 months and cannot be carried forward, so be sure to use them within the year.

If that deadline feels like added pressure, or if you want another way to access your credits, there is an easy workaround: You can “stash” the funds by topping up your preferred e-wallet, such as ShopeePay, or YouTrip.

Simply scan your e-wallet’s top-up QR code via the LifeSG app, and you are all set to spend at your own pace.

There are more than 200,000 merchants across the PayNow and NETS ecosystems where you can use the credits.

Do remember that for PayNow transactions, the credits must be used via a merchant’s Unique Entity Number (UEN) rather than a personal mobile number or NRIC PayNow account.