The Peranakan Museum has just reopened, and it is a great occasion to bring your kids to discover the Peranakan culture and history which is so unique.
Photo Credits: The Peranakan Museum
*This article is contributed by KiddoTrip
Peranakan comes from a Malay word and means “locally born”. Lots of Chinese and Indians came to Singapore for work. They married Malay women from Malaysia or Indonesia. Their kids who are born in Singapore, Malacca… are called Peranakan.
So make a trip down to the Peranakan Museum to learn more about the Peranakan culture and here's some ways to make it more fun!
Why is it important to show this culture to our kids?
Photo Credits: Asian Civilisation Museum
The Peranakan culture is a mix of Chinese or Indian culture and Malay culture. It is a great opportunity to discuss with our kids about different cultures and origin and how each person act and think differently depending on where he is born and where his parents are from.
Developing cultural empathy will help your kids be tolerant, and open-minded and build better connections with different people.
How to visit the Museum in a fun way?
The Peranakan isn't the most fun place to go for the little ones, 1 or 2 hours at the museum might not be as appealing as an indoor playground But you can make it a fun family adventure by playing a treasure hunt - and the Peranakan Museum has developed a great activity book to help you too!
Some of the most important artifacts in the museum are explained to the kids with a fun activity to do too. Ask your kids to find each treasure with the map at the beginning of the book. It is a great way to engage them as they become the guide for the family, and they learn to read a map at the same time. It is also a collaborative adventure where siblings can play together, and parents can help if needed.
Once they find the treasure, let them do the activity on the book while you have some time to read the explanation and discover the Peranakan yourself.
Learn More About A Peranakan Childhood
The museum has a section downstairs about the Peranakan family and childhood. Spend some time looking at the family photographs with your kids. Ask them to describe the different members of the family. Ask them how they are different from your own family. Your child can remember things more easily by relating and comparing them to their own life.
Other ways to discover Peranakan culture and history with your kids:
Have an Explore&Play tour in Joo Chiat.
Joo Chiat is one of the most important Peranakan neighborhoods in Singapore. With the colorful houses, all the restaurants and small shops, the whole family can spend a nice time together.
KiddoTrip creates tours designed for families with young children (4 to 10 years old). Each tour contains:
- an activity book for each kid
- an audio guide for adults or older children.
The activity books are filled with fun and educative games to do at each stop of the tour. The immersive games like the “Treasure hunt” and “Find differences” help them to notice what is in front of them and remember better the history and culture part covered in the tour.
The audio guide is created with a professional tour guide who has lots of experience with children by guiding schools. She asks questions to them to keep their attention and engage them.
The Explore&Play tours are short, usually 1.5hours and don’t cover long distances so the children are not too tired. KiddoTrip’s tours are a great family bonding activity.
As Peranakan food is an important part of the culture, the Joo Chiat Explore&Play tour allows the children to taste Peranakan food. By exercising their 5 senses during the tour, your children will have a memorable and fun experience.
Eat at a Peranakan restaurant!
Photo Credits: True Blue Cuisine Facebook page
Food is an important part of any culture. By trying new foods and flavors, you can learn more about the unique ingredients, cooking techniques, and cultural influences that shape this cuisine.
But be careful, Peranakan food is usually very spicy! So, if your kids are not used to it, ask for recommendations from the restaurant.
Our favorite Peranakan restaurant in Singapore:
- True blue, 47/49 Armenian St, Singapore 179937
- Guan Hoe Soon, 200 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427471
And for just a snack you can head to:
- Kway Guan Huat, 95 Joo Chiat Rd, Singapore 427389
- Kim Choo Kueh Chang, 111 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428801