Tour Singapore Museums With The Kids – 6 Historical Sites To Check Out
If you’re always looking for new experiences and activities for your kids, why not consider going to a museum?
From art, design, culture, technology, and history, Singapore is home to a myriad of museums that can allow children to expand their knowledge while having an entertaining experience all at once.
Here are 6 of Singapore’s best museums for the kids and the entire family!
6 Historical Museums To Bring The Family & Kids
Did you know there’s a Children’s Museum right here in Singapore?
The former Singapore Philatelic Museum is now a dedicated space designed for little ones aged 12 years old and below to experience joyful learning through a variety of interactive installations and exhibitions.
Apart from the ongoing fringe activities and events, the museum features two exciting exhibitions for both the young and young at heart not to miss: A Voyage Back in Time and Into The Hawkerverse.
Through an immersive theatre show and nostalgic replicas of historical shophouses, A Voyage Back in Time takes children on a time-travelling journey to olden-day Singapore, while Into The Hawkerverse introduces children to Singapore’s Hawker Culture and why it plays an important part in our heritage.
Not only will children be able to learn more about Singapore’s vibrant culture and heritage, but also have a deeper understanding of the world around them.
When you mix art and science into one place, it’ll leave anyone feeling captivated and inspired at the same time. That’s why kids will love the ArtScience Museum nestled in the heart of Marina Bay.
Coming in October 2024 is the much-awaited The World of Studio Ghibli exhibition that is sure to entrance kids (and older Ghibli fans alike) into the classic animated works of Director Hayao Miyazaki through the years.
Another exhibition not to be missed is the Future World: Where Art Meets Science exhibition which has been a permanent installation since 2016 yet is still a crowd favourite until this day.
A few other running exhibitions that children will love include Cesar Jung-Harada: An Ocean City Imagined and a VR Gallery experience that “celebrates curiosity, innovation and experimentation through cutting-edge virtual reality artworks”.
Typically, one wouldn’t have the Asian Civilizations Museum in mind as their first thought for a children’s museum. But this place holds thousands of years of history, featuring Asia’s artistic heritage and Singapore’s maritime history.
From daily guided tours and programmes to permanent exhibitions, visitors can explore a diverse collection of cultural relics and artefacts that children can learn from. Think of it as a historical tidbit that you get to bring home with you.
It’s important to teach them about their history at a young age to help them develop a broader understanding of the world and enhance their cultural awareness as they grow older.
Just from its majestic facade alone, the iconic National Gallery in City Hall is a landmark that will catch anyone’s eye. But once you step foot inside, it holds a myriad of historical treasures that your little ones will be eager to explore.
Known for its engaging and hands-on activities, the National Gallery Singapore is truly one of the best museums for providing kids with a fun and immersive learning experience.
One of the best features of the Gallery is the Keppel Centre for Art Education, designed especially for kids in mind. This exhibition features eight unique learning zones that allow children to try a variety of activities from digital art and 3D doodling.
Since it tends to get quite crowded on weekends due to high demand, it’s advisable to plan your visit ahead of time or try to pay a visit on weekdays instead.
5. National Museum Of Singapore
As the oldest museum in the country and one of the biggest in all of Asia, you should add the National Museum of Singapore to your list of museums to visit with the kids.
All year round, this national monument hosts various events, programmes, and festivals catered to all ages, including the annual Singapore Night Festival.
Within one of the museum’s most notable exhibitions, the Singapore History Gallery, visitors can explore Singapore’s deep and vibrant history from the British colonial era to the present day.
What’s more, the museum regularly offers programs specifically designed to capture the interests of the little ones. Be sure to check out these ongoing events and exhibitions:
- Play:Date – Unlocking Cabinets of Play (5 July 2024 to 5 January 2025)
- Story of the Forest (Until 13 October 2024)
- Wings of a Rich Manoeuvre
Last but certainly not least is the iconic Singapore Art Museum (SAM). While the main building located in Bras Basah has still been undergoing major renovations over the last few years, SAM has found a new temporary home base at the Tanjong Pagar Distripark along Keppel Road.
This museum always has an exciting lineup of immersive exhibitions by both local and international artists, including the following:
- Olafur Eliasson: Your curious journey (Until 22 September 2024)
- Singapore Pavilion — Seeing Forest (Until 24 November 2024)
- Learning Gallery (Until 29 June 2025)
Apart from the museum itself, you’ll also find Epigram Coffee Bookshop on the main floor featuring books from Singaporean artists to take a piece of local art home with you.
Did we mention that they also have a great selection of children’s books?
It’s always a good idea to start them young
Just as being immersed in art and history from a young age can do wonders for a child, providing them with a strong start in quality education can have the same impact or more.
From their pre-school to pre-university years, our team of educators here at AIS are committed to providing your child with the best international school education possible.
Book a tour with us today to learn more!
