Playtime Through the Ages: A Visit to the National Museum of Singapore

There are places in the city that don't require spending money to enjoy what they offer. In fact, there are many places where you can simply visit, explore, and learn from what you see and experience. One such place is the National Museum on Stamford Road (Singapore).

Last weekend, I explored Fort Canning Park, where I experienced the serenity of nature while learning about the history of the area. I believe this is one of the best ways to learn about a specific topic—more effective than just reading about it in books or watching videos. Plus, I got to take photos and post them, allowing me to revisit and reflect on my experiences. In a way, my posts on Hive serve as a personal record, an immutable archive of my memories. I think it's the best way to preserve them.

I digressed a bit, but I mentioned memory because after my walk around Fort Canning Park, I visited the National Museum, which is adjacent to the park. I decided to check out the current exhibit or event they were hosting. The exhibit was titled "Unlocking Cabinets of Play".

I think this is an aspect of life everyone can relate to. We all have stories from our childhood, and one of the central themes is often about the toys we played with.

Each generation has its own version of toys and what kinds of play were most enjoyable. In the past, most of the games or toys we played with required physical activity, whereas today, much of it happens in the digital world.

My journey into the world of toys began as soon as I entered the museum. I’m not sure why, but there didn’t seem to be any registration required before entering the hall, so I just walked in. The space felt inviting, especially with the exhibit already underway inside.

Some of you may remember this game from your childhood, especially those who grew up in the '90s or earlier.

After a few more steps and a left turn, I reached the actual entrance to the exhibit. The short journey from entering the building to arriving at this giant keyhole already had a fun element to it. It felt like an adventure, and I was excited to see the LED panels shaped like a keyhole. I think it’s a clever design!

What I really appreciate about the experience of walking through these passages is the sense of excitement it evokes. I can imagine how much fun it would be for a child to experience this. As an adult, it brought back fond childhood memories, especially since some of the toys displayed on the LED screens felt familiar to me. I didn’t recognize all of them, but I knew they weren’t from modern times. It’s amazing to learn about these things that were invented in the past.

The exhibit was divided into several zones, one of which was called "Unlocking the Cabinets of Play." I was excited to see the kinds of toys and games they had curated for us to explore.

As I entered this zone, the first display was a collection of dolls, each representing a specific country.

The next cabinet featured popular toys from the McDonald's series. I couldn't believe they had managed to gather all these historic toys, some of which I wasn’t familiar with.

And then Hot Wheels!

And who could forget this viral car racing toy from the '90s? This is the toy that got me tinkering with motors, batteries, and wiring as I tried to assemble and modify a race car—thinking I knew better, lol.

The next cabinet featured another viral collector's item that also gained popularity here in Singapore.

As I moved through the displays, I noticed that the oldest items were showcased here. These are toys that you would only recognize if you belong to the era when they were popular; otherwise, you wouldn't even be able to visualize how they worked, lol.

Nintendo arcade-style machines!

Donkey Kong & Zelda!

Some more Nintendo Games!

And then these Tamagochi!!!

The very first virtual pets became incredibly popular during the 1990s and early 2000s! Kids treated these toys as personal companions, caring for their virtual pets just like they would for real ones.

I think the exhibit organizers placed Tamagotchi in the last cabinet for a reason. It feels like one of the most memorable toys that people from the '90s would still remember, even after decades have passed.

After completing my tour of the exhibit, I went outside to explore the surroundings and check out some of the sculptures scattered throughout the area as well.

A large section of the museum is undergoing renovation, which is why it was surrounded by safety barriers. Even so, they managed to make it look playful with all the artwork printed on the surface. I actually think the artwork is so cool that it inspired me to create and practice my own artwork as well.

In conclusion, my visit to the National Museum's exhibit on memorable toys was a delightful journey through nostalgia, reminding me of the joy and creativity that these toys sparked in our childhood. It's fascinating to see how play has evolved over the years while still holding a special place in our hearts. I encourage everyone to take the time to explore these experiences, as they not only preserve our past but also inspire our future.