PLAY + MAKE: A Food-Filled Adventure At CMSG

Got plans for a fun day out with your kids? The Children’s Museum Singapore (CMSG) is rolling out something super exciting for SG60! PLAY + MAKE, a creative space where kids dive into Singapore’s food heritage through play. It’s open from 20 July 2025 to 31 March 2026 in the Discovery Room, tying in with the Into the Hawkerverse exhibition. This isn’t just another museum trip. It’s a hands-on, sensory adventure that’s perfect for your little ones. Here’s BusyKidd‘s Guide with everything you need to know to make the most of it.

What’s PLAY + MAKE All About?

Think of PLAY + MAKE as a playground where food meets creativity. It’s designed to let kids explore Singapore’s food culture, think hawker stalls, kueh, and tingkats, through fun activities. Ms. Asmah Alias, the museum’s director, says it best: “Food is at the heart of our kids’ earliest memories.” This space helps them connect with Singapore’s traditions in a way that’s exciting and easy to understand.

Kids get to touch, smell, and create while learning about the foods that make Singapore special. It’s about getting messy, having fun, and making memories with your kids.

Why It’s Perfect For Kids

CMSG didn’t just guess what kids would love. They asked them! They worked with Star Learners Preschool students and their Little Ambassadors (cool kids aged 7–12 who help shape museum programs) to design this space. These kids shared what gets them excited, and the result is a space that feels like it was made by kids for kids.

They also teamed up with local makers like Reckless Ericka, Tuckshop, and Artisan Bricks to add a real creative vibe. Your kids will feel like mini-makers as they explore crafts inspired by Singapore’s food scene.

The Star Attraction: Maker’s Cabinet

The Maker’s Cabinet is the heart of PLAY + MAKE. It’s packed with awesome creations that tie into food culture, like:

• A durian-inspired dress by Reckless Ericka. Bold and spiky, just like the real thing!
• Hokkien Mee and Nasi Lemak shoes by Tuckshop. Wearable art that celebrates hawker vibes.
• A LEGO Tingkat by Artisan Bricks, bringing back memories of family meals.

These displays inspire kids to create their own stories and designs.

Fun Activities For Your Kids

Your little ones will love the hands-on stuff at PLAY + MAKE. They can:

• Dress up mannequins with their own fashion creations.
• Touch fabrics and check out cool patterns.
• Design a kamcheng, a traditional ceramic pot, with their own style.
• Make kueh and host a pretend tea party, perfect for foodie fun.
• Play with materials like wood and rattan to learn about local crafts.
• Tell stories through play, letting their imaginations soar.

The activities switch up over time, so you can visit again and try something new:

• July–September 2025: Make paper dolls to explore fashion.
• October–December 2025: Design your own plates and bowls.
• January–March 2026: Try weaving to connect with Singapore’s craft roots.

Bonding Made Easy

PLAY + MAKE isn’t just for kids. It’s for you, too. CMSG worked with BRB Kids, a local mental wellness service, to create a parental guide you can use during your visit. It’s packed with simple tips to help you and your kids connect through play. Think of fun prompts to spark chats, build confidence, and encourage creativity. It’s a great way to make your time together special while helping your kids grow.

Extra Fun With Special Programs

Starting September 2025, CMSG is adding more ways to enjoy PLAY + MAKE. You’ll find free drop-in activities like storytelling and crafts, plus paid workshops for deeper fun. One cool option is an excursion where you start at the museum and then hop on a bus to visit local makers’ studios for workshops. Picture your kids learning to make mooncakes with Tong Heng Delicacies or exploring sauces with Nanyang Sauce Academy. More details will drop closer to the date, so check CMSG’s website.

Take The Fun On The Road

Can’t make it to the museum? The PLAY + MAKE Travelling Exhibition brings the fun to you from August 2025 to January 2026. It’ll pop up at libraries across Singapore with storytelling sessions that kids love. Here’s where to catch it:

• 1–29 August 2025: Jurong Regional Library
• 1–30 September 2025: Ang Mo Kio Public Library (storytelling on 27 September, 3:00–3:30 PM)
• 1–30 October 2025: Bedok Public Library
• 31 October–1 December 2025: Woodlands Regional Library (storytelling on 1 November, 3:00–3:30 PM)
• 2–30 December 2025: Jurong West Public Library
• 2–30 January 2026: Punggol Regional Library (storytelling on 9 January, 3:00–3:30 PM)

These are great for a quick, fun outing with your kids.

A Special SG60 Treat For Schools

For school-aged kids, CMSG is launching a cool workshop called SG60 Into the Hawkerverse Special: Be a Changemaker. It kicks off with pilot sessions on 29–30 July 2025 and opens to more schools from 12 August 2025. Kids will roleplay and design to “save” a hawker business, learning about Singapore’s food culture in a way that’s fun and educational. It’s tied to the school curriculum, so it’s a win for learning, too.

Why You’ll Love It

PLAY + MAKE is a chance to spark your kids’ creativity while connecting them to Singapore’s heart and soul, its food. Whether they’re making kueh or designing a dress, they’ll learn about their heritage in a way that’s fun and unforgettable. Plus, it’s a cozy, safe space for you to bond with them.

The Children’s Museum Singapore is a must-visit for families. It’s in a beautiful old colonial building and designed just for kids 12 and under. It’s all about play, wonder, and learning through doing.Ready to go? Head to the CMSG website for tickets, program schedules, and more info. Grab your kids and dive into PLAY + MAKE for a day of food, fun, and family bonding. It’s a Singapore adventure you won’t forget!

Featured and Images Credit: Children’s Museum Singapore via Instagram