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Celebrate Singapore's birthday at the National Museum of Singapore with a variety of fun-filled activities! Enjoy outdoor and inflatable playgrounds inspired by iconic local HDB designs, drop-in craft sessions, intergenerational programs, light-up installations, and a popular scavenger hunt.
In the days leading up to National Day, discover nostalgic light-up installations on the lawn that will take you back to your childhood. Explore the museum’s latest toy-themed showcase, Play:Date, and relive the joy of childhood play. Also, don't miss the Story of the Forest exhibition, set to close on 13 October.
On National Day, bring a picnic blanket and enjoy a "picnic under the stars" as you watch the live outdoor screening of the National Day Parade on the museum’s front lawn.
Friday, 9 August 2024
9.30am – 12am
Free admission to galleries
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The Good Old Games; A Light-Up Installation
1 – 9 August
7.30pm – 12am daily
Outside the Museum
Do you remember the fun days of yesteryear spent playing outdoors and games with friends? For this year’s light-up installation, think back on simpler times and pose with some life-sized old-school games that we played when we were young(er). Invite your friends and family and reminisce about the joy of playing with chapteh, five stones, gasing (spinning tops) and country flag erasers! #NationalDayatNMS
*This installation will feature lights and some illumination, and visitors are encouraged to be careful at all times. For your safety, please do not remove or cross any barriers and heed all warning signs onsite. The museum will not be liable for any incidents that take place due to non-compliance to onsite safety measures. Please note that lights for the installation will not be turned on in the event of inclement weather.
National Day Scavenger Hunt
10am – 5.30pm (closed from 12pm – 1pm, final registration by 5pm)
Registration/Redemption at Glass Atrium, Level 2
Free, pre-registration recommended
Discover more about Singapore by taking part in this fun activity as you search for answers around the museum. Complete the hunt with all correct answers and stand a chance to redeem a token from the museum, while stocks last. This activity is suitable for all – family and friends or individuals!
*Registration and redemption stations will be closed for lunch from 12pm – 1pm. This programme is supported by Khong Guan Biscuits and is suitable for participants aged 13 and above. Children aged 12 and below are welcome and must be accompanied by parents. Pre-registration is encouraged via https://ndoh24hunt.peatix.com. Walk-in participation is subject to availability.
The Singapura Life by Sengkang Green Primary School
9.30am – 10.30am (priority slot for persons with disabilities)
10.30am – 4pm (for public)
Glass Atrium, Level 2
Free
Guided by friendly students from Sengkang Green Primary School, showcase your personality with activities about life in Singapore:
My Ethnic Costume
Our multiracial identity allows us to appreciate and celebrate different ethnicities. Dress your paper doll with a choice of costumes that represent Singapore’s major ethnicities. Assemble the doll and take it home to add personal touches to make your doll unique!
*While stocks last. Each child is allowed ONE My Ethnic Costume template and ONE postcard to allow more children to participate in this activity.
Postcard Giveaway
Food and play are shared Singaporean experiences regardless of one’s race or religion. Choose from 4 different postcard designs featuring our hawker food and games that we played with while growing up, and share your experiences with friendly students from Sengkang Green Primary School!
*While stocks last. This programme is supported by Sengkang Green Primary School and recommended for children aged 5 and above. The station will be closed for lunch from 12.30 – 1.30pm.
Design A Keychain
10am – 5.30pm (final entry by 4.45pm)
Outside Explore Room, Level 3
Use the unique technique of pouring paint to create your very own keychain!
*While stocks last. This craft activity is suitable for participants aged 12 and above. Please note that this activity involves acrylic paint so please adhere to the facilitator’s instructions. Only ONE keychain is allowed per visitor to allow more participants for the activity.
My Dearest Friend; A Letter-Writing Activity
10am – 5.30pm
Get Curious Studio, Level 3
Get ready to unleash your creativity and reconnect through the art of letter writing at our upcoming drop-in activity! Join us for a casual and enjoyable session where you can craft heartfelt letters and messages to a loved one, friend or even to yourself, or simply enjoy the therapeutic act of putting pen to paper. Seal your letters with wax seals and look forward to them being received approximately 6 months later!
*While stocks last. Local postage only. This activity is suitable for participants aged 12 and above. There will be use of hot wax so please follow instructions onsite.
Craft Activity by STAEDTLER 9.30am – 10.30am (priority slot for persons with disabilities) 10.30am – 5.30pm (for public) Various locations Free
In this craft activity, pen messages and personalise designs inspired by the nation’s birthday before folding your creation into a unique fan inspired by traditional round fans of the past. *While stocks last. This programme is supported by STAEDTLER and recommended for children aged 5 and above. Each child is allowed only ONE set of craft materials to allow more children to participate in the activity. The station will be closed for lunch from 12.30 – 1.30pm.
National Day Colouring Competition
10am – 1pm (Registration at 9.30am)
Gallery Theatre, Basement Level
Free with refundable deposit of $10 per participating child
Unleash your creativity in this colouring competition featuring our local icons!
*This competition is open to 50 children, aged 6 to 13 years. Participants are encouraged to bring your own colouring materials (dry materials only, no paint allowed) or purchase a colouring pack at $5, while stocks last.
**The programme and prizes are supported by STAEDTLER. Walk-ins allowed if spaces are available, however pre-event registration via https://nms-ndoh-colouring-competition.peatix.com is highly encouraged to secure your spot due to the limited slots.
Outdoor Sustainable Play
9.30am – 11.30am
Front Lawn, Level 1
Do you recall using everyday items found at home or at the void deck to play with friends and family? Together with Chapter Zero, we are bringing back this popular programme to encourage imaginative play and sensory experience for the young ones.
*Suitable for children ages 4 & up. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times and are encouraged to dress comfortably for outdoor playing. Programme will involve playing with water and grass. Please adhere to the instructions and directions of the facilitators onsite.
Inflatable Playgrounds
10am – 5pm
Bus Bay, Level 2
Bounce away on inflatable playgrounds featuring colourful and bright castles.
*Suitable for children ages 6 & up. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. In the event of overwhelming response, playtime limits may be imposed to manage the crowd. Please adhere to instructions by the crew onsite. This programme is supported by Families For Life.
National Day Special: Experience Reunion Intergenerational Tour
9.30am – 11am
Reunion, Level 1
Tickets
Grandparent-grandchild pair ticket $25.60 (incl. GST)
Individual grandchild ticket $12.80 (individual grandchild ticket has to be purchased with 1 initial grandparent-grandchild pair ticket)
Calling all grandparents and grandchildren! Join our Care Facilitator volunteers on an inter-generational conversational tour of our galleries and discover Reunion, the museum’s social space for seniors. Engage with the museum’s handling objects in the activity area and look forward to creating your own digital exhibition at our Memory Lane immersive interactive experience. Light refreshments will be provided.
*The tour is conversational in nature and allows participants to share their experiences and stories while exploring familiar items from the museum’s collection. The conversational tour is led by our museum’s Care Facilitator volunteers. Purchase your ticket via Peatix at https://nmsnatday-igtour.peatix.com.
Community Art Mural Photo Booth
10am – 5.30pm
Gallery Theatre Foyer, Basement Level
Pose and snap a photo with the unique art mural at our outdoor staircase, painted by museum visitors as part of NMS’s Singapore HeritageFest 2024! Commemorate your visit to the museum this National Day, and don’t forget to share your digital photograph with us on social media with the hashtag #NationalDayatNMS.
*Please expect longer waiting times during the peak periods from 11am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm. Each person is allowed 1 printed photo. If you have a large group, you may be asked to return later to collect the prints.
A Lighter Side of History: Signed, Sealed, Delivered
2.30 – 4.30pm
Gallery Theatre, Basement Level
$65 per ticket
Dear Knowledge Seekers,
It is with great pleasure that we extend an invitation for you to join us on a journey to delve into the history of letter writing, tracing its evolution through time and the fascinating history of wax sealing, including its origins and significance through the ages.
During the programme, we will immerse ourselves in the art of crafting meaningful messages, allowing us to slow down and enjoy some self-care in the process, followed by decorating our beautiful messages with wax seal embellishments.
We eagerly anticipate the pleasure of your company as we embark on this journey together.
Warm regards
The National Museum of Singapore
*This programme is recommended for participants aged 13 and above. Limited spaces available. Purchase your tickets via Peatix at https://lsoh-wax-seals.peatix.com . There will be use of hot wax during the programme so please follow instructions onsite. Please note that photos and videos will be taken and may be used for future publicity.
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Intergenerational Special: Wear (We’re) As One
2.30pm – 3.30pm, 4pm – 5pm (1 hr per session)
Reunion, Level 1
$15 per family ticket
Join us for a multi-generational programme (an adaptation of Nat’s National Day Wish, presented in 2020) with fun and interactive activities for the young and young-at-heart to dress up together. The programme begins with a short video featuring a young boy, Nat, as he lives out his National Day wish of marching as a soldier with Papa and Yeye through our Singapore History Gallery, and learn about the history of National Service in Singapore. Be inspired and get creative in your multi-generational triad to dress up as ONE!
*This programme is recommended for children aged 5 and above and invites active audience participation. Purchase your ticket via Peatix at https://nms-ndoh-wear-as-one.peatix.com. Participants will get to take home a multi-generational family bonding tool kit.
**Each family ticket allows up to 5 persons, and must comprise at least 1 grandparent, 1 parent and 1 child. Tickets will be cancelled if ticket holders turn up without 1 grandparent, 1 parent and 1 child, and/or exceed the maximum capacity of 5 pax per ticket.
Drum Performance
5pm – 5.20pm
Front Lawn, Level 1
Be sure to catch this heart-thumping performance just before the live telecast of the National Day Parade on our front lawn.
Writings on the Wall
10am – 7pm
Glass Atrium, Level 2
Share with us your thoughts on what is unique about Singapore and what the Singapore spirit means to you, and you might see your responses projected on the museum’s LED wall!
Live Telecast of National Day Parade
5.30pm – 8pm (seated by 5.15pm)
Front Lawn, Level 1
Free
Have a picnic under the stars and enjoy a live telecast of the National Day Parade under the museum’s iconic Banyan tree with your family and friends.
*Visitors are encouraged to bring along your own mats, light bites and snacks to watch the live telecast but please ensure not to leave anything behind and to dispose of all food items and/or waste in the nearest bin.
Special offer by Cafe Brera
Enjoy a special offer presented by Café Brera to celebrate Singapore’s birthday! Red Velvet Cream Cheese Muffin with black coffee / white coffee / tea, $9 only (excl GST). While stocks last.
Story of the Forest
10 Dec 2016 - 13 Oct 2024
Daily from 10am to 7pm | Last admission at 6.15pm
Glass Rotunda, Level 2
Free admission for Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and visitors aged 6 and below.
Step into our Glass Rotunda and lose yourself in the enchanted nightscapes of Story of the Forest. Inspired by the museum's treasured William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings, the installation transforms 69 drawings from the collection into three-dimensional animations that invite you to interact up close with the wildlife and landscapes of 19th century Malaya.
Framed by the natural foliage of Fort Canning, our Glass Rotunda is a modern architectural response to our 19th century Neo-Palladian Rotunda that has existed since the museum’s opening in 1887. The second level of the original Rotunda is home to the Goh Seng Choo Gallery, dedicated to hosting the William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings – our museum's most prized collection. Story of the Forest imbues it with new life, infusing Singapore's colonial past with present-day modernity.
