Children Museums Guide 2025 - Big Fun for Little Ones in Singapore

Published 14 July 2025 at 10:47

Tickikids Blog Singapore >  Digest >  Children Museums Guide 2025 - Big Fun for Little Ones in Singapore

Looking for enriching adventures with your kids this summer?

Good news — Singapore is brimming with museums designed just for children, where curiosity leads the way and learning feels like play!

Singapore enjoys a lush tropical rainforest climate, which means rain is a regular guest! In fact, on average, it rains every other day — a rhythm that locals know well. But far from being a setback, these rainy days present the perfect opportunity to explore Singapore’s most engaging indoor treasures: museums! 

And to help you make the most of it, TickiKids is here with a new guide — not just to inform you about the best family-friendly museums in town, but to inspire you with ideas on how to turn each visit into meaningful memories. When skies turn grey and playgrounds get puddled, a visit to the museum becomes more than just a backup plan — it’s a rainy-day adventure waiting to happen.

So pack your sense of wonder, and let the adventures begin — Singapore’s museums are ready to guide your family into a season full of discovery!

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Secure your spot by pre-booking your free timed entry through each museum’s official website — it’s quick, easy, and ensures a smooth experience for the whole family. Be sure to explore the museum’s calendar of events — from interactive workshops and pop-up performances to engaging lectures and exciting temporary exhibitions happening all year round. There’s always something new to discover, so every visit feels fresh and full of possibility!

Image Credit: AI-Generated 

For many of us, the thrill of a childhood visit to a museum is etched into memory — a moment of magic that never quite fades. We recall gazing wide-eyed at ancient artefacts or towering dinosaur skeletons, creeping through exhibit tunnels and climbing ladders, or getting lost in a maze of discovery. There was a special kind of awe in those moments — the kind that lives in the heart of every curious child.

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Do you remember the longing to touch everything? The gentle reminders from grown-ups: “Look with your eyes, not your hands”? And yet, despite the boundaries, those visits sparked something enduring — a sense of wonder, of possibility, of being part of something much bigger than ourselves…

How fortunate today’s children are to have museums designed just for them! In children’s museums, kids aren’t just allowed to explore — they’re encouraged to. Step inside a children’s museum and you’ll find a world alive with movement, laughter, and discovery. Babies and toddlers crawl through soft tunnels, stack giant foam blocks, splash in water tables, and press every button they can reach — delighting in the simple joy of cause and effect. Just steps away, older kids are deep in exploration: climbing through giant models of the human body, navigating historical mazes, experimenting with light and sound, or pretending to run their own marketplace.

Here, there are no velvet ropes or ‘do not touch’ signs. Instead, the guiding principle is: “Please touch, please explore, please play!” The goal isn’t to preserve artefacts behind glass, but to let kids get up close, get curious, and get involved. Children’s museums are places where children could learn about the world around them in an environment designed just for them!

Children’s Museum Singapore (CMSG)

Image Credit: Children's Museum

Housed in a charming 100-year-old colonial building, CMSG is an immersive, sensory-rich, educational playground for young children to explore Singapore’s heritage and culture through play.

• Permanent, Special & Rotating Galleries – 1–2 hours of enjoyment for children up to 12, well-curated interactive displays
• Designed with thoughtful height‑appropriate installations, open to touch-and-play exhibits
• Hands-on activities: tying knots, pumping water, smelling spices, operating mailboxes—all child‑accessible without glass cases blocking interaction 
• The fixed timeslot system ensures a manageable, safe, and enjoyable visit
• A shoes‑off zone for toddlers (2–4 yrs), playful stalls, soft tunnels and pretend food
• Regular programming such as Hari Raya storytelling, kueh-making workshops, and other cultural sessions 

Currently:

Into the Hawkerverse – A foodie-themed journey through hawker culture with mini-stalls, sensory exhibits, and a “Hawker Master Action Challenge” on making teh tarik!

A Voyage Back in Time (also Hidden Chamber, Ahoy Singapore!, The Marketplace, My Neighbourhood) – Follow Captain and WonderBot on an immersive journey through Singapore’s past with trades, street‑barbers, and a mock-up post‑office to design stamps.

Age: 2-12

Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday (closed on Monday), 9am - 5:45pm (closed for cleaning: 12:45pm - 2:00pm).

Tickets & Admission:

• Singaporean/PR: Free entry (pink/blue NRIC needed) 
• Tourists/Foreigners: Child $10.90, Adult $15 (family bundle $40 for 2 adults + 2 children) 
• Booking is open 30 days ahead

Helpful Tips:

• Aim for 9 am slots for lighter crowds, booking early in the morning.
• Bring water, and take advantage of nursing room and water refill stations

KidsSTOP™ at Science Centre Singapore

Image Credit: Science Centre Singapore 

Established in 1977, the Centre hosts over 850 science and technology exhibits across eight galleries, including the iconic OMNITHEATRE, Snow City, and outdoor water playground.

KidsSTOP™ is a one-of-a-kind science haven just for children! Spanning over 3,000m², this interactive space is specially designed to spark curiosity and inspire young minds to ask, explore, and create in a safe and exciting environment.

Focused on introducing children to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), KidsSTOP™ offers hands-on experiences that turn complex ideas into fun and accessible adventures. Themed zones like Flight and Space, Built Environment, and Supermarket Science invite kids to step into real-world scenarios and experiment through play.

Highlights include the Planet Warriors exhibit, where immersive tech brings marine conservation to life, and the Dino Pit, where young explorers can dig up fossils and uncover ancient secrets. Every corner is designed to ignite imagination and make learning a thrilling experience!

Age: 8+

Opening hours:

• Session A: 10.00 am - 1.00 pm (Last Entry 12.15 pm)
• Closed for Disinfection: 1.00 pm - 2.00 pm
• Session B: 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm (Last Entry 4.15 pm)

Tickets & Admission: Book your tickets online here!

Location: 21 Jurong Town Hall Road, Singapore 609433

Helpful tips: 

• Kids will be climbing, digging, and exploring—so come in comfy clothes and shoes!
• Consider combo tickets with Snow City or the Science Centre to make it a full day!

Singapore Discovery Centre

Image Credit: Singapore Discovery Centre 

Step into the stories of Singapore at the Singapore Discovery Centre, where history, innovation, and imagination come together! Perfect for families, this interactive museum brings the nation’s past, present, and future to life through engaging exhibits, immersive simulations, and hands-on experiences. From exploring national defence to testing your reflexes in a crisis simulation, every visit sparks curiosity and national pride. There's even a serene lake and pedal boats — so expect fun both indoors and out!

Currently:

SingaPaw Saturdays — New family fun on every first Saturday of every quarter! Get ready for a day full of exciting activities — from Meet & Greet sessions to Kids' Silent Disco!

Age: 3+

Opening hours:

• Monday — Friday, 12am - 6pm
• Saturday&Sunday, 11am - 7pm

Tickets & Admission: Bye tickets here!

Location:  510 Upper Jurong Rd, Singapore 638365 (Shuttle buses run from Joo Koon MRT station — super convenient)

Helpful tips:

• There’s a large outdoor space and even pedal boats at the lake — picnic-friendly!
• Don't miss the XD Theatre and Crisis Simulation Theatre — great for older kids!

Mint Museum of Toys

Image Credit: Mint Museum of Toys

Journey back in time through toys from around the world at the MINT Museum of Toys! This hidden gem in the heart of the city houses one of the world’s largest collections of vintage toys and collectibles—spanning tin robots, classic characters, and nostalgic treasures dating back to the 1840s. It's a wonderland for both children and grown-ups, sparking joy and storytelling across generations. A must-visit for curious minds and collectors alike!

• Action Figures
• Advertising Enamel Signs
• Confectionary Biscuit Tins
• First-edition comic books and novels
• Newspaper and Photograph Archives
• Collectible Cards and Board Games
• Clothings, Costumes and Accessories
• Movie Posters and Vinyl Records
• Bicycles and Pedal Cars

Age: 5+

Opening hours:

Tuesday – Sunday, 9:30 am – 6:30 pm. Last admission at 530pm

Tickets & Admission: Book online now!

Location: 26 Seah Street, Singapore 188382

Helpful tips:

• It's stroller-friendly but narrow—keep younger children close.
• The toy shop has retro treasures and collectibles perfect for souvenirs.

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Trickeye Museum

Image Credit: Trickeye

Get ready to step into your own storybook at the Trickeye Museum Singapore — where art pops off the walls and comes to life! Using 3D illusions and augmented reality, this playful space invites kids and adults to become part of the artwork. Strike a pose with dragons, dangle over cliffs, or surf giant waves—imagination is your only limit! It’s a fully indoor experience that guarantees laughs, photos, and unforgettable memories for the whole family.

Age: 3+

Opening hours: Monday — Sunday, 11am - 7pm

Tickets & Admission: Bye online here! 

Location: 80 Siloso Road, Southside, Blk B, #01-04, Singapore 098969

Helpful tips:

• You’ll be snapping tons of pics—bring power banks if needed.
• Combine with a visit to HeadRock VR or Madame Tussauds nearby.

Listening to Your Child’s Curiosity: The Secret to a Meaningful Museum Visit

It’s easy to feel the urge to see everything in one visit — after all, you want to get the most out of your time at the museum. But for children, the magic often happens when they’re given the space to dive deep, not wide. For them, quality beats quantity every time.

Every child walks into a museum with unique sparks of curiosity — and the most memorable experiences come when we, as adults, slow down and truly listen to what captures their attention. So don’t worry if your child spends nearly the whole visit at just one exhibit — whether they’re building, pretending, or asking endless questions. That focused engagement means something is clicking. It’s not about checking off every station — it’s about savouring the wonder of what truly captures their imagination.

Here’s How to Tune in and Make the Most of Your Time Together:

• Watch Where They Linger — Instead of directing their path, observe what draws them in. Let them stay as long as they like — engagement is a sign of deep learning.
• Ask Open-Ended Questions — Swap “Did you like this?” with: “What do you think is happening here?”, “How would you explain this to a friend?”, “What would you change if you could design this?” These spark imagination and invite your child to take the lead.
• Let Them Touch, Build, Move — If they reach for a gear, button, or costume — let them explore! Many children express interest through action, not just words. Support that natural drive with encouragement, not redirection.
• Follow Their Lead, Even If It’s Not ‘Educational’ — If they spend 20 minutes pretending to be a hawker vendor or flying a cardboard plane — that is learning. Role-play builds storytelling, logic, empathy, and confidence.
• Document Their Discoveries — Bring a notebook or use your phone to jot down funny quotes, cool facts they share, or questions they ask. These can guide future activities at home and show them their thoughts matter.
• Make Space for Feelings — Sometimes kids feel overwhelmed or disappointed if they can’t finish everything. Validate their feelings with: “You really liked that exhibit — shall we come back next time just for it?”

Ways to Carry the Museum Magic Home

The true treasure of visiting a children’s museum isn’t just the visit itself, but the afterglow — the ripple effects it creates in a child’s mind and heart, and how families can extend that spark of curiosity into daily life.

Reflect & Talk Together

• At bedtime, reimagine a favourite exhibit as a story — with your child as the main character.
• Ask each member to share “one surprising thing” they saw or learned. Kids love it when adults join in!

Recreate Through Art & Play

• Encourage your child to illustrate something they remember. It doesn’t need to be realistic — their interpretation is what counts.
• Use LEGO, cardboard, clay, or recyclables to recreate museum scenes, like a ship from a maritime gallery or a food stall from a hawker exhibit.

Extend the Learning

• Pick books related to what you saw — dinosaurs, old trades, famous artists, local history.
• Watch a documentary, craft tutorial, or science experiment on YouTube together (child-safe channels, of course).
• Create a family travel or discovery journal — with drawings, stickers, and fun facts about each place you visit.

Bring the Themes to Life

• Cook a Cultural Dish: If you visited a museum with food exhibits (like “Into the Hawkerverse”), try making a simple version at home.
• Recreate a gallery using bedsheets, paper signs, and costumes. One day your home becomes an art gallery; the next, a post office!

Plan the Next Exploration

A museum trip can become a launchpad for weeks of imagination, creativity, and bonding. The trick is to not treat the visit as a “one-and-done” event, but as an ongoing story — one your family is co-writing together.

Modern Museums and the Child’s Perspective

Modern museums are evolving from being quiet, contemplative spaces into dynamic learning environments that welcome families, particularly children. They understand that early exposure to art and culture fosters not just creativity, but empathy, curiosity, and critical thinking.

The best museums today don’t merely “allow” children; they welcome and inspire them, offering immersive, hands-on gateways into the world of art and knowledge. Most modern museums now intentionally design for multi-generational visitors, featuring:

• Hands-on creative zones (e.g., clay modelling, digital drawing walls, sculpture stations)
• Tactile and sensory exhibits tailored to young learners
• Art scavenger hunts, storytelling corners, and interactive screens
• Workshops for families to create art together
• Comfort features like stroller-friendly layouts, family restrooms, and nursing areas

Fun for All Ages

• National Museum of Singapore: This isn’t your typical quiet museum—it’s full of stories, sounds, and surprises! Museum is perfect for families and curious kids, with interactive exhibits, immersive digital displays, and special activity zones during school holidays.
• Singapore Art Museum (SAM): Through interactive exhibitions, playful installations, and hands-on programs, kids and families can explore creative ideas in fun and unexpected ways.
• ArtScience Museum: Combines art, science, and technology for immersive exhibitions that appeal to creative and inquisitive children alike
• Forest Discovery Centre (Botanic Gardens): Educates about local ecosystems—mangroves, rainforests, and freshwater swamp forests—all in a cozy, nature-themed setting
• Changi Experience Studio: This interactive space lets kids explore airport operations, “pilot” virtual planes, and learn how Changi became one of the world’s best airports

Need more after-school ideas? Check out our Guide to the Best After-School Activities for Kids in Singapore!