National Museum of Singapore Presents a Series of Onsite and Online Programmes for Families this March Holidays

From storytelling sessions to artefact hunts, National Museum of Singapore is teeming with fun activities for families this March school holidays!

Whether you wish to stay comfortably indoors or head out with your little ones, the National Museum of Singapore has something for you. You can look forward to bonding with your kids over a series of storytelling sessions, workshops, artefact hunts, and activities. 

Additionally, the museum has two drop-in activity spaces where families are invited to take a closer look at inter-generational artworks and exchanges, and get inspired to spark your own family conversations. 

Drop-in Activity Spaces

Drop-in Corner: Stories of You & Me

Venue: Glass Atrium, Level 2
Date: 12 - 18 Mar 2022
Time: [Weekends] 10.30 am – 12 pm & 1 pm - 6.30 pm | [Weekdays] 1 pm - 6.30 pm

Suitable for families with children aged 4 and above.

What is “Singapore” to our seniors and children? Visit the showcase of various inter-generational projects, such as mini HDB flat dioramas, questions posed by children to their senior pen pals, and a selection of fond school memories. Enjoy some quality family time exchanging your own schooling experiences, using the conversation prompters on each table. Or, draw a picture of your own modern home and to redeem a HDB flat diorama template!

Families who wish to redeem the HDB flat diorama template are encouraged to bring your own drawing/colouring materials (dry medium). Ballpoint pens will be provided at no cost, subject to availability. Alternatively, you can purchase colouring materials from the museum for a nominal sum.

Do note that while pre-registration is not required for the drop-in corner, the space is limited to only 26 pax at any time, on a first come, first served basis.

Drop-in Activity: Not Just an Otah Sticker

Venue: Glass Atrium, Level 2
Date: 12 - 18 Mar 2022
Time: [Weekends] 10.30 am – 12 pm & 1 pm - 6.30 pm | [Weekdays] 1 pm - 6.30 pm

Suitable for families with children aged 4 and above.

In this self-facilitated activity, you can create your own stickers based on the museum’s William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings and characters from Otah & Friends. Each participant will receive an exclusive A4 sticker sheet featuring creative prompts and characters. Customise your own stickers for yourself or create them as gifts for your friends.

You will either need to bring your own colouring materials (dry medium) or purchase them from the museum. 

Do note that while pre-registration is not required for the drop-in corner, the space is limited to only 20 pax at any time, on a first come, first served basis.

Onsite Programmes

Interactive Storytelling: Timmy & Tammy Talking to Grandpa about the War

Venue: The Salon, Level 1
Date: 12 Mar 2022
Time: 10.15 am, 2 pm & 3.30 pm (45 mins per session)
Fee: $10/adult and child pair - Register

Suitable for children aged 5 to 9 years.

In this storytelling session based on the popular children’s book Timmy & Tammy Talking to Grandpa about the War, children will learn about banana money and food ration cards that were used during the Japanese Occupation in Singapore, and speak with Great-grandma, who lived through World War Two. After the session, you can  explore the Surviving Syonan gallery in your own time with the help of a list of highlights.

This programme is presented in conjunction with Battle for Singapore 2022, organised by the Museum Roundtable.

Building Tour for Families

Venue: Rotunda, Level 1 (Meeting point)
Date: 12 Mar 2022
Time: 11.15 am & 4.30 pm (45 mins per session)
Fee: Free - $10/adult and child deposit required at registration - Register

Suitable for children aged 7 to 12 years.

Embark on a leaning journey around the museum and discover interesting gems about this 134-year-old building. Each session is limited to only 5 adult-child pairs due to safe management measures.

In-Gallery Performance: All I Have To Do Is Dream

Venue: Outside Growing Up gallery, Level 2 (Meeting point)
Date: 15 Mar 2022
Time: 10.30 am & 11.45 am (30 mins per session)
Fee: $7.50/pax - Register

Suitable for children aged 5 and up.

What does the 2022 Singapore Dream look like to museum docents Judy and Harry, a senior and a young man living with Down Syndrome respectively?

A mysterious figure wakes up in the National Museum of Singapore. He exists to collect dreams and has the ability to draw out deeper knowledge behind objects and people. Using sign language and sculpting meaning in the air with his fingers, he journeys through the Growing Up gallery with the audience, collecting dreams of the past and present.

Singapore Sign language (SGSL) interpretation and audio description (English) are integrated into the performance. A visual story of the performance is available.

Do note that each ticket admits one person only, regardless of age. Participants should obtain their gallery admission tickets at the Visitor Services counter on Level 1 before proceeding to the meeting point.

Going Camping with Otah & Friends Picture Book Workshop

Venue: The Salon, Level 1
Date: 17 Mar 2022
Time: 10.30 am & 1.30 pm (1.5 hours per session)
Fee: $30/adult and child pair - Register

Suitable for children aged 7 to 12 years.

Illustrate and write your own picture book featuring animals from the museum’s William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings and your favorite characters from “Otah & Friends: Camp Stardust”!

Led by Khor Ke Xin (visual artist, illustrator and Creative Director of El Masnou which created Otah & Friends), participants will be guided through the basics of character design and imaginative storytelling, followed by drawing, colouring and creative writing. Each participant will take home their very own unique picture book and a commemorative keychain.

Families are encouraged to bring your own colouring materials (dry medium) or purchase a colouring set (sponsored by STAEDTLER) for just $5.

Venue: Drop-in Corner counter near the Donor Wall at Glass Atrium, Level 2 (Starting point)
Date: 12 - 18 Mar 2022
Time: [Weekends] 10.30 am – 12 pm & 1 pm - 6.30 pm | [Weekdays] 1 pm - 6.30 pm
Fee: $6 - $8 (Free if you have previously purchased the ELR booklets) - Register

Suitable for families with children aged 4 and up.

Have you met Dennis, Mama Binturong and Papa Sunbear in the museum's Otterly Famtastic video? Now you can join them on two Artefact Hunts! Explore the galleries, solve riddles to discover little-known facts behind the mysterious artefacts, and complete the hunt to redeem a prize sponsored by Plano at the end.

Each ticket includes a set of Early Learning Resources (2 ELR booklets: Shapes and Opposites) which are the key to helping you along the way. Aside from the ELR booklets, you will need your gallery admission tickets and a mobile device with internet access for this self-facilitated treasure hunt.

This is a repeat programme first launched during Children’s Season 2021.

• Dennis the Otter’s First Day of School 
  $8/family | Themes: Alphabet, Numbers and Colours

Join Dennis, Mama Binturong and Papa Sunbear as they go around the museum in search of eight items that Dennis will need to prepare him for his very first day of school.

• Dennis the Otter’s Little Day Out
  $6 per family | Themes: Shapes and Opposites
  

Dennis is going to a party with Mama Binturong and Papa Sunbear but they are going to need eight of their favourite things and they will need your help to find them.

Do note that there are only limited spaces available.

Online Programmes

Inter-Generational Online Workshop: Building Our Home

Venue: Online via Zoom
Date: 19 Mar 2022
Time: 3 pm - 4.30 pm
Fee: $20/adult and child pair (inclusive of materials that will be delivered to address) - Register

Go on a virtual tour to learn more about the change in housing from kampongs to HDB flats in the 1970s to 1980s. Observe the unique features of these olden day flats, furniture and appliances before creating your own mini HDB flat diorama craft.

This workshop is recommended for grandparents with grandchildren ages 5 to 8 years old. Parent-child pairs are welcomed too!

Virtual Tour: Fun Facts about Artefacts

Venue: Facebook LIVE 
Date: 12 Mar 2022
Time: 11 am & 11.30 am

Suitable for inter-generational audiences from ages 5 and up.

How does a new nation create an identity for itself? What was the most treasured electrical appliance among families growing up in the 1970s to 1980s? Find out more in the virtual gallery tours led by the museum’s Care Facilitators to uncover facts and stories about some of the museum’s artefacts!

This series of virtual tours is created for viewers across generations to engage in conversations with one another.

Early Learning Resources: Online Resource Kits

Recommended for parents of children up to 6 years old.

If you own a set of the museum's Early Learning Resources (available for purchase at Supermama Museum Shop), you can double its value with these Online Resource Kits. 

To better support parents and caregivers in using the Early Learning Resources at home, the National Museum has also developed special resources kits with Wigglepods. The kit comprises activity guides and audio/video clips to
encourage children to learn about the museum’s collection through fun music and movement activities. 

Download Online Resource Kits 

• ABC - Online Resource Kit
• Numbers - Online Resource Kit
• Colours - Online Resource Kit
• Shapes - Online Resource Kit
• Opposites - Online Resource Kit

Image credits National Museum of Singapore