Explore Singapore's history at Once Upon a Tide and Singapore Odyssea. Our Singapore History Gallery will reopen in October 2026.

Programmes for the Special Needs Community

As part of our museum’s commitment to inclusivity, our team has created a series of programmes and resources for children and students with additional needs to make the most of their visit.

Music Therapy

A Music Therapy Adventure and Respite Programme

15 Mar
10.30am – 11.30am
Meeting and end point: The Salon, Level 1
SGD 10 per group comprising 1 child and up to 2 caregivers (incl. GST). Suitable for children with special needs aged 12 years and below.

This programme offers two parallel music workshops – one for children, and another for caregivers – facilitated by music therapists from the Association for Music Therapy, Singapore and inspired by our SG60 special exhibition, Once Upon a Tide.

For children: Row, Sing, Explore

Participants will engage in a multisensory experience that promotes social-emotional skills, joint attention and motor coordination. This includes singing, movement activities and instrumental play, inviting the children to imagine and create soundscapes related to different groups of migrant workers featured in the exhibition.

For caregivers: My Home and Journey

Ground yourself and relax through breathing exercises and playing musical instruments, and take the opportunity to reflect on your caregiving journey.

Important notes

  • Please bring your own earmuffs or headphones if your child is sensitive to loud sounds.
  • 1 caregiver is recommended to stay with the child for the children’s workshop, while the other caregiver attends the caregiver’s workshop. Please prepare your child accordingly if he/she will be attending the children’s workshop on his/her own.

Register at the link above.

About the Facilitator

The Association for Music Therapy, Singapore (AMTS) is the sole professional body representing the profession of music therapy in Singapore. Outside of music therapy in clinical settings such as dementia and special education, AMTS also aims to provide the general public with an accessible way to connect with their inner selves and to others through the enjoyment of music.


Inclusive Showcase: Clay Stories of the Singapore River

14 – 29 Mar
10am – 7pm
The Platform, Level 2

Step into the world of young artists from Northlight School and Yu Neng Primary School, who reimagined Singapore’s past through ceramic artworks after visiting our SG60 special exhibition, Once Upon a Tide.

  • From 15 to 20 March, share your reflections on the showcase and redeem a mini set of clay (8 colours) to inspire your own clay stories! Limited sets available.
  • On 15 March only (10.30am – 12.30pm & 2pm – 5pm), craft facilitators will be present to provide guidance on making a boat using the clay set.
More March Holiday programmes

Resources for Self-Facilitated Group Visits

Special Education (SPED) schools can use the following free resources to enrich your students' visits:

1. Educational Resources

Print these out at home or school, or request printed copies which will be passed to you at the start of your self-facilitated visit!

The River Explorers Artefact Hunt
  • Related gallery: Once Upon a Tide
  • Recommended for age 4–6
PDF
Colouring Sheets
  • Related gallery: Once Upon a Tide
  • Recommended for age 4 and up
PDF
Programmes Cart
  • Related gallery: Once Upon a Tide
  • Contains three hands-on activities designed for children with cognitive age 4–6 years. Refer to the Educator's Guide PDF for details
  • To book the cart, email nhb_nm_schools@nhb.gov.sg at least three (3) weeks before your visit to Once Upon a Tide
PDF
A Navigator's Adventure
  • Related gallery: Once Upon a Tide
  • Recommended for age 9 and up
PDF
This Is My Country
  • Related galleries: Singapore History Gallery
  • Recommended for age 13–16
PDF

2. Craft Templates

Only available on-site. Request for them to be passed to you at the start of your self-facilitated visit!

Badang and Sea Monster finger puppet craft
  • Related gallery: Singapore History Gallery
Badang and Sea Monster finger puppet craft
Paper doll craft #1
  • Related gallery: Growing Up Gallery
    (Please note that the gallery is currently closed for revamp, but the craft templates are still available upon request.)
Paper doll crafts
Paper doll craft #2: School Uniform
  • Related gallery: Growing Up Gallery
    (Please note that the gallery is currently closed for revamp, but the craft templates are still available upon request.)
Paper doll school uniform crafts
Cube puzzle craft
  • Related gallery: Growing Up Gallery
    (Please note that the gallery is currently closed for revamp, but the craft templates are still available upon request.)
Cube puzzle crafts
School bag craft
  • Related gallery: Growing Up Gallery
    (Please note that the gallery is currently closed for revamp, but the craft templates are still available upon request.)
School bag craft

To Book Self-Facilitated Group Visits

Recommended visiting periods

For the best experience and to avoid peak periods, we highly recommend scheduling your group visit on weekdays during Sep – Nov.

For schools All bookings for school visits should be made through BookMuseums@SG. Find out more on how to use BookMuseums@SG to plan for a school visit to the museum.
For non-school organisations (e.g. VWOs) Please follow the instructions for General Group Visits.

Quiet Mornings

As part of the museum’s commitment to be more inclusive, we have designated the first Saturday (9am – 11am), and first and third Thursdays (9am – 12 noon) of the month as Quiet Mornings to provide children with additional needs with a quieter and calming environment to experience the galleries.

For schools These slots are not available for booking on BookMuseums@SG. If you are a SPED school planning to visit on a Quiet Morning, please email nhb_nm_schools@nhb.gov.sg directly.
For non-school organisations (e.g. VWOs) If you are planning to visit on a Quiet Morning, please email nhb_nm_hospitality@nhb.gov.sg directly.

Upon receiving your booking through BookMuseums@SG or nhb_nm_schools@nhb.gov.sg, we will get in touch so you can request your desired resources and their quantity.

For more information on the National Museum's commitment to ensure that the museum experience is accessible and enjoyable for all visitors, visit our Accessibility page below.

Accessibility at NMS