Exploring Design: Essential Eames Exhibition at Singapore ArtScience Museum, Marina Bay Sands

Are you ever put off doing something you want to, because you’re worried it’s not going to be kid-friendly? Well, a rainy day had us heading off to the ArtScience Museum (one of my great faves — here’s a full list of Singapore’s family-friendly museums!) and I was planning on hitting up the Mummy: Secrets of the Tomb exhibit, but at the last minute swerved towards the Essential Eames exposition instead thinking, “This is what this mummy really wants to see!”.

Charles and Ray Eames were just the most interesting couple in the history of design you see (Ray was the lady in case you’re scratching your head a little), and while the world might know them for their Eames rockers did you know that there was so much more to them than furniture? Their influence was felt across such diverse areas as fabrics and textiles, architecture, photography and film-making, toys and finally, furniture. Charles also came out with some absolutely fabulous quotes over the years, which you can also buy at the museum shop, helpfully packaged up into a little book.

As you make your way around the gallery, there’s plenty to get the kiddos involved with, from making rubbings of various interesting surfaces (and discovering finally what an “iota” is!), to building with blocks, checking out the toy displays and even making your very own piece of furniture! 

Yep, once you’ve marvelled at some of the most iconic chairs in history, you can sit down and try your hand at making your own. No pressure then! Especially when your tools are lollipop sticks, loo rolls and double-sided sticky tape. My nearly-3 year old got stuck right in to the crafting challenge, and while she may not have created anything quite worthy of displaying for posterity (see their “here’s one someone more talented made earlier” below) it whiled away the time very happily for her while mama was boring and read all the fascinating history about the Eameses.

Honestly, I was ready to leave before she was, she was having such a fun time… And there aren’t many exhibitions we can say that about are there? I definitely wouldn’t bring any munchkins who are any younger (unless they’re babes in arms), but kids will have a surprisingly good time at Essential Eames. My only bugbear? Charging children over 2 years old $9 to get in which seems a little steep. 

Sassy mama tip: If you’re looking for a family-friendly bite after the ArtScience Museum, head to the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands for a visit to Din Tai Fung, DB Bistro or Au Chocolat — all surefire winners!

The Essential Eames Exhibition will be on at the ArtScience until January 2014.

Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956
Tel: (+65) 6688 8868
Open Daily, 10am – 10pm
Admission: Adults SGD$18, Children (2-12 years) SGD$11
How to get there: Bayfront Station MRT station, then a 10-minute walk. There is also parking at Marina Bay Shoppes for those with cars.