Relive Your Childhood At The National Museum's New Toy Exhibition

Remember the joy of playing with a new game or the thrill of collecting the latest action figure? The National Museum of Singapore is helping you relive those precious memories, and calling all kids and kids-at-heart to dive into a world of nostalgia with their latest exhibition, "Play:Date – Unlocking Cabinets of Play”.

This fun-filled, toy-themed display runs from 5 Jul 2024 to 5 Jan 2025, and promises to bring back those childhood smiles with a mix of old-school toys, immersive experiences, and gigantic artworks. It is part of the Museum’s Collecting Contemporary Singapore initiative, which focuses on capturing and showcasing memories from recent decades.

The exhibition features a treasure trove of toys, curated by local toy collectors and artists, showcasing everything from classic dolls and miniature cars to retro game consoles.

On the museum's exterior...

The magic begins before you even step inside this National Monument of Singapore, which is being refurbished. Nevertheless, the museum has cleverly turned what is traditionally dead and empty space (hoarding) into something functional, and so camera-friendly.

"Playtime Pandemonium" by Shian Ng.| IMAGE: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

"Flea-ting Moments" by Muhammad Izdi.| IMAGE: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

"When I Was Big" by Kristal Melson.| IMAGE: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

IMAGE: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

IMAGE: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

These eye-catching large-scale pieces, created by local artists Tiffany Lovage (Night Shift), Candice Phang (Joy in the Making), Shian Ng (Playtime Pandemonium) and Muhammad Izdi (Flea-ting Moments), explore the joy and wonder of toys, making even the museum's renovations part of the playful experience. Some of these works are interactive too!

Now, let's head inside...

IMAGE: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

As you enter the museum, you'll be greeted by a tunnel adorned with a digital parade of toy figurines by local artist Lioncolony modelled after his iconic Gman character. The characters are inspired by popular toys from the '50s to the 2000s.

Inside "Play:Date", the exhibition is divided into three sections, each telling its own story about the toys that shaped our childhoods through the lens of local toy collectors who contributed to the display:

IMAGE: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

IMAGE: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

1) It’s a Small World

Kick off your visit with a trip down memory lane, featuring beloved Hello Kitty toys from McDonald’s from collector Tay Swee Hock, and a selection of Barbie dolls from Jian Yang, who owns more than 12,000 of them. Look out for unique collectibles like the Pucky Rose Knight, the first exclusive figurine from POP MART, and Daniel Yu’s Mickey Mouse-inspired art piece.

IMAGE: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

IMAGE: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

2) Drive-Through Time

Recall the excitement of toy car races with collections from Hot Wheels, Tamiya, and Matchbox from the collections of Clarence Tan, Jeffrey Wong, Ian Goh, Ridzal Ajis and Muhammad Noor Farhan. Highlights include a remodelled Tamiya Rover Mini Cooper, painted like Mr. Bean’s iconic car, and the original 1968 Hot Wheels collection.

IMAGE: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

IMAGE: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

3) Batteries Included

Celebrate the evolution of toys from tactile to digital with retro game consoles. Discover rare Tamagotchi designs from Rachel Liew’s collection, and Tony Saw’s classic Nintendo and Casio handhelds, including a unique calculator that you can play a boxing game on.

Before you leave... more fun!

IMAGE: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

IMAGE: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

IMAGE: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE

As part of the Play:Date experience, you can choose between four digital toy avatars, created as a collab with local artists together with ActionCity. Play arcade-inspired games at the exhibition to collect points that you can use to customise your avatar, then snap a pic with your custom creation at the accompanying photo booth. You can also print a photo of your creation with a donation to the museum.

The museum is inviting us to share our own toy stories and donate our cherished playthings. Who knows, your favourite childhood toy might just find a new home in the museum’s future displays.

Mark your calendars for the exhibition's opening weekend on 6 and 7 Jul, where you can participate in a series of nostalgic games and activities. Plus, look forward to special programming during the Singapore Night Festival, aligning perfectly with the playful theme of the exhibition.

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