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#MuseumFromHome: Get Curious!

Free

A timeless repository of online resources and programmes developed by the National Museum for families to enjoy the #MuseumFromHome. Gather materials around the house and follow our craft video tutorials to make your own toys, engage in music and movement activities inspired by our Early Learning Resources, and more.

Recommended for families with children aged 1 to 10 years.

Email nhb_nm_programmes@nhb.gov.sg for enquiries.

 

ND Storying Programme

Nat’s National Day Wish Storytelling Programme
Ages 5 and up

“I wish I can be a soldier with Papa and Yeye (Mandarin for grandfather) in an aircon room!”

In conjunction with National Day 2020, the museum presents Nat’s National Day Wish, a storytelling programme for families. Join 5-year-old Nat, Papa and Yeye on their visit to our Singapore History Gallery, where they share their stories and learn about the history of National Service in Singapore!

 
Workshop Kelly Reedy

My Colourful Self Workshop
Ages 4 – 12

In this live-streamed art-making workshop, art therapist Kelly Reedy shares how art can help us express who we are and how we can enjoy the process of drawing and painting using mixed media materials. Learn more about the characteristics of Singapore’s national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim, and how it represents Singapore’s identity. 

Recommended materials: Participants should prepare 3 pieces of A4 (or larger) size paper, either a set of oil pastels or wax crayons along with watercolour paints OR a set of watercolour pencils. Please also have available a brush, a container with water and paper towelling. Don’t forget to download and print out your own orchid template here! 

Watch a recording of the session below!

This programme is presented in collaboration with STAEDTLER and ArtWorks.

Dragon boat stationery tray

Dragon Boat Stationery Tray Craft Activity

Do something fun with your little ones in celebration of Duan Wu Jie (Dragon Boat Festival) and watch our video to create your very own stationery trays using milk cartons and craft materials that can easily be found at home. These trays are great for storing letters, stationeries and knick-knacks.

Download the craft template here!

Photo courtesy of Happier Singapore LLP.

Quill Art
Paper Quilling Craft Activity

Learn a creative way to craft decorative paper art through quilling. In this DIY video, all you need are coloured papers and glue to create unique designs such as a mosque and ketupat! These art pieces can then be used to beautify gift boxes, picture frames or cards.
Colouring Fun
Colouring Fun! Our Childhood Toys
Ages 2 and up

Young children can have fun colouring in these images of some of our favourite childhood toys. If you have any of these games at home, you could also have a fun afternoon playing it together!

Five-stones & Pick-up Sticks Download template here
Hungry Hippos Download template here
Gasing Download template here
Wind-up Toys Download template here
Moving Memories

Moving Memories Colouring Activity
For children, parents and grandparents

Want to get creative and find out more about the heritage scenes and sights in Singapore? Grab your colouring materials and download our latest Moving Memories Colouring Activity, which consists of seven mural scenes created by Yip Yew Chong from the Moving Memories installation. The Moving Memories installation, which was first presented at the museum in 2017, can now be enjoyed online, anywhere and anytime.

Enjoy viewing the installation as a family! You might want to invite your parents/grandparents to join you in this activity, and to share stories about their experiences with these heritage scenes and sights of the past.

Download the colouring templates below:

1. Kampung template | Download

2. Kopitiam template | Download

3. Barber template | Download

4. Putu Mayam Hawker template | Download

5. Laksa Stall template | Download

6. Satay Club template | Download

7. Provision Shop | Download

For more inter-generational activities and resources, you may wish to check out our Senior Programmes webpage.

Craft Templates 2

Crafty Fun! Cube Puzzle, Toy Car & Matchbox
Ages 4 and up

Print out these templates for an afternoon of crafty fun! Visit our Growing Up gallery to see the real artefacts and many other toys popular with children in the past!


Cube Puzzle Download template here
Toy Car & Matchbox Download template here
NMS_Postcard_Individual2

"Dear Senior,": A Digital Inter-generational Pen Pal Corner

On-going

In this specially curated digital showcase featuring questions posed by children to their senior pen pals, find out what life was like for our seniors when they were young! Click here to view the showcase.

Enjoy the illustrations? You can download them as colouring templates here

For visitors who have submitted a Pen Pal Corner card at the Our Home installation during Children's Season 2021, you may also check here from Dec 2021 - Feb 2022 using your serial number to see what your senior pen pal has written back to you! 

 

Family Mindfulness at the National Museum

Family Mindfulness at the National Museum

Ages 5 and up 


Join us for this two-part programme where you will visit some of the museum’s most well-loved spaces virtually, and practise mindfulness through fun activities, breathing exercises and relaxing stretches.


Part 1: Daily Mindfulness Techniques


Part 2: Mindful Living


Activity sheets related to the videos can be downloaded below. You can use them when you visit the museum or while watching the videos!
Finding Balance: Strong and Sturdy Like a Tree! 
Mindful Movements: Spot the Plants and Animals!
Mindful Consumption & Being Creative: Cube Puzzle craft template, Toy Car & Matchbox craft template
Mindful Eating: Thinking About My Favourite Food!

DSC09044edited2

Childhood Memories: Virtual Gallery Tour and Inter-generational Art Jamming 

Ages 5 and up with a parent/grandparent


Ever wondered what it was like growing up in the 1950s, and just how much has changed over the years?


Calling all parents, grandparents and children –  join artist Tham Pui San and his grandson on a virtual tour of our Growing Up gallery, in which they compare their childhood experiences.

 

Don’t forget to have your favourite art materials ready as the session will end with everyone sketching and painting your fondest childhood memories! 

 

This programme is conducted in collaboration with ACE Seniors.



Setron Show

Through My Eyes: Conversation with a Setron TV 

Ages 5 and up


What if objects could speak? What stories would they tell? Grab your chance to chat with a Setron TV and its owner, as they bring you on a journey of growing up together.


A recording of the live-streamed session is now available for viewing below:

Get Curious My Family Stories Kit 1
“Get Curious: My Family's Stories” Kit
For children, parents and grandparents

Discover stories of family members from different generations through this set of conversation cards that cover six topics. Take turns exchanging your stories and look forward to lots of laughter, surprise, empathy and I-never-knew moments!

Developed in conjunction with our past special exhibition Home, Truly: Growing Up with Singapore, 1950s to the Present, the kit includes a step-by-step preparation guide to create a dedicated and meaningful family chat session, and “One Step Further” prompts for you to get even more out of the experience.

Are you curious about what family stories you might uncover? Click here to download the kit!

Home, Truly was presented in collaboration with The Straits Times, and explores moments and experiences in our history that express our identity and collective memory as Singaporeans. Featuring archival photographs, artefacts and digital interactives, the exhibition aims to encourage reflection and conversation on what it means to be Singaporean, and to include opportunities for the public to contribute their stories. Home, Truly previously ran from 19 Dec 2020 to 29 Aug 2021 at the National Museum's Exhibition Gallery, Basement Level.
Hoop Throwing Game

Video Tutorials: Be A Creative Toymaker
Ages 4 and up

Did you know that many children who grew up in the 1950s to 1960s would use everyday materials they found around their kampong to invent and make their own toys and games? For example, a slingshot could be made by carving fallen branches and discarded car tyres. You too can get creative with a little inspiration from our video tutorials!

Parachute Soldier Toy

A fun and easy toy which many of us learnt to make during primary school Science lessons.
Try out different materials for your parachute and “soldier”! Does a heavier soldier fall faster than a lighter one?


 

Hoop Throwing Game

Test your dexterity with this game, featuring birds from our William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings! Have you seen any of these birds in Singapore before? You can also design your own birds for this game if you prefer!

Download the Hoop Throwing Game template here


Rocking Horse
This craft activity is inspired by a horse-shaped baby rocking-chair on display in our Growing Up gallery, which was commonly found in households in the 1960s. You might not be able to sit on this one, but perhaps one of your other toys can?

Download the Rocking Horse template here.

 

Bola Tin

The ball game of choice before bowling alleys existed! The aim of the game is not simply to knock down all the tins, but also to rebuild the pyramid of tins as quickly as possible (depending on which team you’re on)!


Bite sized heritage

Bite-sized Heritage
Ages 4 and up

Bite-sized Heritage brings Singapore's history to life through a video recipe series of edible treats, inspired by selected artefacts from the National Museum. Explore Singapore's history from your kitchen through bite-sized facts and trivia about fascinating artefacts, such as the Singapore Stone! These simple video tutorials are suitable for everyone to enjoy, and a great family bonding activity. Create your very own slice of history today!

Bite sized Heritage Cookies and Cream Puff inspired by the Singapore Stone!
Click here for the recipe!

 

Bite-sized Heritage – Layered “Cup” Cake inspired by Gold Earrings and Armlet
Click here for the recipe!

  

Bite-sized Heritage – Kaya & Coconut Charcoal Tart inspired by Police Shield
Click here for the recipe

Timmy Tammy1
Timmy and Tammy at the National Day Parade Storytelling and Games Session
Ages 4 and up

The National Museum marked National Day 2020 with this live session where children could listen to the story of Timmy & Tammy at the National Day Parade, and have a fun-filled time with activities such as a game of charades and a finish-the-lyrics challenge.

Pre-session activity: Watch this video to make your very own Parachute Soldier!



Watch a recording of the session below!
Performer Puppet

DIY Craft: Performer Puppets

Try out this fun craft activity with your little ones! Download the template here and watch the video on how you can create your own performer puppets using materials that you can find at home.

Family Time

Visit our permanent galleries with your little ones and play spot-the-artefact! Our colourful Early Learning Resources introduce pre-schoolers to our artefacts according to the themes of Numbers, Colours, and ABCs. Available at $8 per set from the Museum Label shop. For more children's activity booklets, click here.

Museum guide

Download our museum guide (English, Chinese, Bahasa Melayu, Tamil) to find out about the many treasures in our various galleries. In this guide, you will also find the floor plan for easier navigation. Enjoy your visit!