Waves of Wonder Captions

The Once Upon a Tide exhibition features 11 child-friendly captions designed for children aged 4 and above. These interactive captions help children engage with selected artefacts through relatable content.

Each caption is presented across three spreads, in a lift-the-flap format:

• Spread 1: Bite-sized information about the featured artefact
• Spread 2: Interactive task / mission
• Spread 3: Answer key

Educators can use these captions to plan self-guided visits with your students.

The Waves of Wonder captions are created by the National Museum of Singapore, with support from educators from My First Skool Limited.

Programmes Cart

Pre-school groups visiting the Once Upon a Tide exhibition can request to borrow a mobile Programmes Cart with three hands-on activities, designed for children with cognitive ages of 4–6 years.

	Letter Explorer Children will learn to spell historical names of Singapore. This activity supports children’s English language and literacy development.
	Picture Puzzle Adventure Children can complete up to 5 designs of jigsaw puzzles inspired by the exhibition’s artefacts (24-piece to 45-piece). This activity contributes to children’s discovery of the world.
	Stamp & Create Children can create their own postcard using self-inking stamps and imagine what they would bring on a voyage to Singapore. This activity supports the development of children’s motor skills and creative expression.

Please see below for specifications:

• Size of cart: 1m(L) x 0.5m(W) x 1.2m(H)
• Duration of use: Up to 2 hours (subject to availability)
• Capacity: Up to 30 pre-schoolers at any one time
• Recommended for use at Section 2 seating area within the exhibition gallery or at a dedicated spot outside the gallery, depending on crowd levels.
• This cart is not for use outside the museum’s premises.

To book the Programmes Cart, please email nhb_nm_schools@nhb.gov.sg at least three (3) weeks before your visit.

The River Explorers Artefact Hunt

Play “I-Spy” with The River Explorers artefact hunt activity! Discover how the Singapore River connects our island to the world around us.

Download a digital copy of The River Explorers activity PDF below.

Limited printed copies in A4 size are also available for borrowing. Please email nhb_nm_schools@nhb.gov.sg for enquiries.

Pre-school groups must have a valid booking through the BookMuseums app to visit the Once Upon a Tide exhibition to be eligible for complimentary Milo drink redemption, courtesy of Milo. Our Programmes Officer will distribute the drinks to your group at the museum. Limited to one drink per pre-school student, while stocks last.

Note: This offer is exclusively for school group visits using The River Explorers hunt activity only.