Celebrate 138 years of heritage and imagination at the National Museum with playful installations, a one-day carnival, and a whimsical animal trail for all ages.
From 11 to 26 October 2025, the National Museum of Singapore marks its 138th anniversary with an exciting lineup that fosters play, creativity, and community connection.
Highlights include the launch of A Whale of a Tale, a Magical Bridge Design, the first intergenerational playground at a museum in Singapore, alongside a celebratory one-day carnival, as well as a special anniversary Stamp Rally – a trail featuring a selection of animals from the museum’s prized William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings, reimagined with a touch of whimsy and spooky charm!
Below is an overview of the special events planned for the National Museum’s 138th anniversary, provided for your reference.
A Whale of a Tale, a Magical Bridge Design: The first intergenerational playground at a museum
In commemoration of its 138th anniversary, the National Museum of Singapore unveils A Whale of a Tale, a Magical Bridge Design – the first intergenerational playground at a museum in Singapore.
Located near the Front Lawn of the National Museum of Singapore, the playground reimagines the iconic blue whale skeleton once displayed at the museum from the early 1900s to the 1970s, when a selection of its zoological collection was still showcased in its spaces. Designed by Magical Bridge Foundation and generously sponsored by Amanda Toh-Steckler and the late Vince Steckler through the Steckler Charitable Fund, with support from RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Pte) Ltd and Pan-United Corporation Ltd, the playground also incorporates nostalgic details such as mosaic tiles inspired by some of the iconic playgrounds of our yesteryear.
The playground is built for people of all ages and abilities with accessible equipment that has features attuned to the needs of both young and old, and encourages intergenerational bonding. This includes senior-friendly workout areas, sensory play features, and picnic benches for everyone to enjoy.
A Whale of a Tale, a Magical Bridge Design provides a new space as part of the museum’s vision to be a social space where everyone can interact, bond, and engage with history and culture. It complements ongoing initiatives such as Reunion, a dedicated senior-friendly space for communities to gather; and other family-friendly programmes such as the museum’s annual Children’s Season offering, Get Curious.
