International Museum Day (IMD) is back!

Ever the misnomer, IMD is not just any other day given a cool, official-sounding name, but rather a week jam-packed with family fun for the young and young-at-heart. Centred on the theme I Love Museums – Kid’s Edition, our museums have come up with a wide array of activities for the young ones that range from workshops to story-telling sessions and guided tours.

One of the main stars of IMD’10 is the return of Children’s Season! This year, the festival catered specifically to children promises to be bigger and better than before with both the National Museum of Singapore and Singapore Art Museum (SAM) joining in the fun.

At the National Museum, the third instalment of Children’s Season promises double the fun with an enchanting selection of theatre and musical performances. Trivia enthusiasts, pick up a copy of the trivia hunt entry form and go on a learning journey. Discover the National Museum’s colourful history, its beautiful architectural features and be charmed by public artworks. Complete the questions and stand to win attractive prizes in a bi-weekly draw!

Over at SAM, the entire museum will be transformed into a magical art garden showcasing artist projects and artworks inspired by nature. Parents are encouraged to make use of the interactive and fun environment to introduce the young ones to contemporary art whilst enjoying family bonding time. Displays will be accompanied with captions to engage the young, and activity sheets will be provided to enhance the children’s learning experience.

Colourful Journeys
Children’s Season at the National Museum of Singapore
In collaboration with I Theatre’s ACE! Festival 2010
14 May – 13 June

Go on a journey of discovery as the National Museum transforms its public spaces into a creative playground for its third instalment of Children’s Season. View the full programme line-up on www.nationalmuseum.sg.

credits: food for thought

Art Garden
Children’s Season at the Singapore Art Museum
14 May – 18 July
SAM (8Q)

Note: Museum admission charges apply.

Meet Walter, a curious colossal rabbit. Like Alice in Wonderland, kids will be immersed in an almost impossible dreamland. Step into enchanted forests where sheep fly and over 100 robot flowers herald the arrival of spring in tropical Singapore. This provides an excellent interactive platform to introduce the young ones to the joys of contemporary art.

Parents can look forward to their children being entertained, challenged and moulded into arts and heritage-savvy kids. Such valuable education doesn’t come at great expense either. The truth is quite the contrary with a whole range of free activities up for selection! The remarkable variety virtually guarantees that children of all personalities will find something to their liking.

For example, the creative ones can learn to design their own kites and fly them at the Marina Barrage or pick up novel hobbies during Hobbies Funnival at HealthZone! Make your own Nakamura plane which can really take flight, and indulge in some creative mosaic making! Your children will have their hands full.  For a more exotic workshop, try your hand at making your own money at the Singapore Coins and Notes Museum! Bring home a self-portrait souvenir note with you as the authorised signatory.

Let’s Go Flying at Marina Barrage
16 May, 2pm – 6pm
Free Admission

Learn to design your own kites and show them off at the Green Roof.

Hobbies Funnival at HealthZone
15 May – 9am to 11am; 11am to 1pm
Best for ages 4 to 12
Cost per child: $10 (inclusive of admission for 2 accompanying adults)

Note-Making workshop
15 & 16 May, 10am to 8pm
Come visit the new boutique museum – Singapore Coins and Notes Museum at Chinatown and enjoy a free* note-making workshop.

*Limited to the first 100 visitors per day.

Check out IMD’10‘s website at http://www.museums.com.sg/imd10/index.html for a full listing of activities.