It’s Playful Nostalgia Galore at the National Museum of Singapore’s Latest Showcase Centred on Toys and Play

The National Museum of Singapore (NMS) has launched an exciting new showcase, Play:Date – Unlocking Cabinets of Play, inviting visitors to relive our childhood memories through a nostalgic, toy-themed experience.

The pop-up, part of the Museum’s Collecting Contemporary Singapore initiative, is open to the public from 5 July 2024 until 5 January 2025.

I grew up in the 80s and 90s and it was super fun and nostalgic for me to see so many of my childhood toys now being exhibited in the museum (although it is also a dead giveaway that I am very old). I would highly recommend visiting this latest showcase at NMS for old classmates or childhood friends gatherings to take a walk down memory lane together, reminiscing on the toys we used to play with together.

An Immersive Journey through Childhood Memories

Play:Date brings together local artists and toy collectors to share the stories behind beloved childhood toys. The showcase features large-scale artworks, extensive toy displays, and interactive experiences designed to highlight the evolution of toys across generations.

“Toys are often our first teachers and helped shape our identities in our formative years. We hope this showcase will bring out the collective memories we share of toys across the eras in Singapore, and instil deeper appreciation for toys and play as treasured facets of our combined cultural heritage and the Singapore story,” said Chung May Khuen, Director of the National Museum of Singapore, emphasising the importance of toys in shaping identities and connecting people over shared memories.

Artworks Transforming Museum Spaces

The showcase begins with five large-scale, interactive artworks adorning the museum’s exterior, created by local artists Tiffany Lovage, Candice Phang, Shian Ng, Muhammad Izdi, and Kristal Melson.

These artworks illustrate various aspects of toy-making and collecting, inviting visitors to embark on a journey of play from the moment they arrive. It is also a clever way to masquerade the hoarding for the ongoing construction works.

Upon entering the museum, visitors are greeted by a digital parade of toy figurines by local artist Lioncolony, featuring his iconic Gman character. This installation sets the stage for the overarching narrative of local and global social histories intertwined with the evolution of toys.

A Collection of Over 250 Iconic Toys

Inside the museum, you get to explore an eclectic array of over 250 iconic toys from local collectors, spanning from the 1980s to the present day. The collection is divided into three main sections:

1. It’s a Small World: Showcasing miniature character figurines, including McDonald’s toys, Barbie dolls, and locally-designed figurines for global brands such as POP MART and Disney.

1. Drive-Through Time: Featuring familiar brands like Hot Wheels, Tamiya, and Matchbox, this section invites visitors to recall their childhood car races and adventures.

1. Batteries Included: Highlighting the shift from tactile to digital toys, this section displays retro game consoles and digital games like Tamagotchi and handheld consoles by Nintendo and Casio.

Interactive and Gamified Experiences

Play:Date also offers several immersive and interactive experiences inspired by old-school gaming arcades.

For just S$5, you can purchase tokens to play arcade-style games and design your own digital avatars at the ‘Discover Your Play-sonality’ section, created in collaboration with local artists and ActionCity.

Admission Details

Play:Date – Unlocking Cabinets of Play is a free showcase, though separate fees apply for the digital gamified experiences. Visit the official website for more details.