Top 10 SG50 Events for Kids (and they’re mostly FREE!)

With Singapore’s Golden Jubilee on 9 August fast approaching, it seems everywhere you turn something seems to be SG50-themed. We’ve done the legwork for you, mama, to find the most worthwhile SG50 Events for kids; from LEGOs, to sandcastles, to nature walks, to historical storytelling, here are our fave ways to learn about and celebrate everything that’s Singaporean!

1. Visit Fort Siloso for FREE
Learn about Singapore’s turbulent World War 2 history in this interactive, child-friendly museum. Kiddos will love exploring the original tunnels and seeing authentic cannons up close, and a brand new playground has also just opened up. Tours are usually $12 per person but are FREE every day through 10 August (excludes 9 August). Click here for more details on Fort Siloso.

When: Daily through 10 August (excludes 9 August)
How Much: FREE
Where: Fort Siloso, Siloso Rd, Singapore 099981

2. LEGO’s “Rebuild Your Memories”
Help LEGO Certified Professional Nicholas Foo build an 8.5-foot high LEGO Dragon Playground, a reconstruction of a classic Singapore childhood icon. It’s part of the “Rebuild Your Memories” campaign to celebrate the Singapore spirit, commemorate, and reflect upon our journey as one nation. Collectors and kids will also want to look out for special limited-edition Singapore icon “mini-builds”, including an HDB Flat (available at Robinsons Raffles City through 20 July) and a mini “Dragon Playground” (available at Raffles City Atrium Level 3 from 21-30 July). Click here for full details!

When: 21-25 July
How Much: FREE
Where: Raffles City Atrium, Level 3, 252 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179103

3. Make a “Deliciously Singaporean” dish together
Singaporean food guru (and friend of Anthony Bourdain) KF Seetoh has teamed up with the National Heritage Board to create a series of short videos introducing Singapore’s most iconic local dishes, along with recipes and cooking demos so you and the kiddos can make them right along with him. Also look out for the “SG50: Deliciously Singaporean Showcase” exhibit at the Singapore Food Festival from 17 July – 2 August.

How Much: FREE
Where: SG50 Deliciously Singaporean YouTube Channel

4. 50% Off Discounts at Jurong Bird Park, Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and River Safari
Singaporeans, permanent residents and employment/dependent pass holders can enjoy a variety of discounts at Singapore’s most popular wildlife attractions through “SG50 Treats” from Wildlife Reserves Singapore. Through 31 July, take 50% off your River Safari ticket price when you also purchase a Singapore Zoo or Night Safari ticket for the same day. Enjoy 50% off admission to Jurong Bird Park from 1-31 August. And get 50% off Night Safari tickets from 1-30 September (Sunday-Thursday only).

When: Various from now through 30 September
How Much: 50% off
Where: Wildlife Reserves Singapore; click here for full details

5. Green Snapshots Telok Blangah Trail + Exhibition
As part of the SG50 “My SG Trails & Exhibition” community series, students from Blangah Rise Primary School will lead tours inspired by their school’s Outdoor Education programmes that highlight the rich, green heritage of the Telok Blangah District and the Southern Ridges. Student guides will lead 2.5-hour tours to teach participants about the area’s flora, fauna, unique architecture and history.

When: 25 July, 8 August and 29 August (click here for timings)
How much: Free!
Where: Telok Blangah Hill Park Stream Garden, 10 Telok Blangah Garden, Singapore 109178

6.  26 July: Youth Celebrate!
This Youth Day event at the Singapore Sports Hub will bring together nearly 4,000 performers and athletes from schools across Singapore, and in total the joint sports and arts event will host more than 53,000 students, educators and parents. Festivities kick off at the OCBC Aquatic Centre, with students attempting to set the record for the largest floating Singapore flag!

When: 26 July
How much: FREE!
Where: Singapore Sports Hub, 2 Stadium Walk, Singapore 397718

7. SINGAPURA: 700 Years Storytelling Sessions at the National Museum
Put on by the National Museum, these stories for children ages 4-8 will inspire with intriguing and colourful tales from Singapore’s past! With engaging dramatization and interaction, kiddos will be keen to learn more about Singapore’s fascinating history!

When: 25 July; 7-9 August
How much: Free! But the session is limited to the first 20 children on a first come, first service basis so make sure to register on-site in advance, mama!
Where: Temasek Polytechnic (25 July) and River Valley High School (7-9 August)

8. That’s So Singaporean! Art Workshops at The Art Room
These 3-hour kids’ art workshops held Monday to Friday honour everything that’s So Singaporean through creative expression. From building a ceramic Marina Bay Sands in the Tuesday “Clay-a-thon” to designing a 3D shophouse collage in the Thursday “Art of Shophouses lah!” workshop, it’s a fabulous weeklong creative celebration of the Little Red Dot. Click here for more details!

When: Mondays-Fridays in July, 11am-2pm or 3-6pm
How much: $90 per child for a 3-hour session
Where: The Art Room, One Commonwealth, 08-14, Commonwealth Lane, Singapore 149544

9. Peranakan Wedding Pageant
Learn more about Singapore’s unique and fascinating Peranakan culture through a gorgeous wedding pageant at the Esplanade Concourse. From the grand arrival of the groom to the tea ceremony to the gloriously colourful costumes, it will be like a fairy tale come to life for imaginative little ones. There’s even a sing-a-long joget dance party! Make sure to dress up for the occasion, mamas!

When: 8 August; 3-3:30, 4-4:30, and 5-5:30pm
How much: Free!
Where: Esplanade Concourse, 1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981

10. Sands of Time at Sentosa
Look out for a 100-metre long sand sculpture along Siloso Beach that chronicles Singapore’s dramatic transformation over the last half century. Sculpted by award-winning Singaporean sand sculptor Tan Joo Heng, the display will include cool 3D elements, and there will also be fringe activities for kids along with some yummy local delights available to eat! Look out for lots of other great SG50-themed discounts on Sentosa too, mama!

When: 7-10 August
How much: FREE (Sentosa admission and parking rates apply, though)
Where: Siloso Beach, 51 Imbiah Walk, Sentosa, Singapore 099538