8 Reasons to Visit the Malay Heritage Centre with Your Kids this Year-End

Visit the Malay Heritage Centre, both physically and virtually, with your kids to explore their various offerings this holidays! 

Location: Online & On-site – Malay Heritage Centre, 85 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198501
Date: 21 Nov 2020 – 3 Jan 2021
Hour: 10 am – 6 pm 
Fee: Free & paid

This year-end, the Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) is buzzing with a wide array of online and on-site offerings that cater to children of all ages!

In this year’s special exhibition, MHC shines a spotlight on Singapore’s smallest Malay sub-ethnic group, the Banjar community. The exhibition, Urang Banjar: Heritage and Culture of the Banjar in Singapore, introduces the urang Banjar as well as their culture and identity through ethnographic objects, community stories and treasured family belongings. 

Based on the special exhibition, the annual Malay CultureFest that has gone digital this year and Children’s Season, the MHC is offering a host of children’s programmes! 

Here’s a look at what’s happening, both online and offline that you can explore with your little ones!

1. Ai Love Museums: Hide-N-Seek Virtual Game | Online

Source: National Heritage Board

21 Nov 2020 – 3 Jan 2021 
Free 

Meet Ai, an adorable little boy, who travels the world, and his grandfather through a virtual Hide-N-Seek game! In addition to the Malay Heritage Centre, you can explore the space of 21 other museums through panoramic 360° photographs to discover clues to hidden treasures. And when you find all the treasures, you will unlock Ai’s special outfit for the particular museum! Along the way, you can click on icons to read nuggets of information about the featured artefacts or selected spots in the galleries.

Additionally, from 3 Dec onwards, you will be able to go on a physical hunt to locate the individual Ai standees at their respective museums! 

2. Heritage Hunt | On-site

Source: Malay Heritage Centre

5, 12, 19, & 26 Dec 2020: All-day
Free | 6 – 12 years

Have you heard of the Urang Banjar (Banjarese)? Did you know that the Banjarese are part of the Malay community in Singapore? In this year’s Heritage Hunt, young Heritage Hunters will go on a self-guided quest to uncover the Urang Banjar. Heritage Hunters are to explore the Urang Banjar Special Exhibition for clues to help them complete their journey!

Once you’re done, all Heritage Hunters will get a goodie bag with exclusive Heritage Hunt giveaways. Please note that all kids must be accompanied by one parent or guardian. You can register a spot for your little explorers online. 

3. Sandpit of Treasures | On-site

5, 12, 19, & 26 Dec 2020: 11.00 am – 4.30 pm 
Free | 12 years and below

When you’re done with your heritage hunt, you can hop over to the sandpit for a little treasure hunting. Little ones will get to operate the excavator to find hidden treasures in the sandpit. Each dig is limited to 3 minutes, so no dawdling if you want to get your hands on those treasures! Although do note that only one child can operate the excavator at any time and each child can be accompanied by one adult. 

Don’t worry if you’ve never laid your hands on an excavator before as facilitators will be on hand to provide instructions, supervise proper handling of excavators and to ensure safety. 

4. Little Gem Collectors Workshop | On-site

Source: Malay Heritage Centre

5, 12, 19, & 26 Dec 2020: 12.00 pm – 12.45 pm | 1.00 pm – 1.45 pm 
$10 | 5 – 12 years

Little Gem Collectors Workshop will introduce participants to the different types of gemstones, how they are formed and how to categorise them. You might even get to bring a gemstone home for keepsake!

As a precaution, each participant will be provided with a personal gemstone collection kit. If you’re interested, you will have to move your hands fast to register as slots are limited. 

5. Little Gem Miners Workshop | On-site

Source: Malay Heritage Centre

5, 12, 19, & 26 Dec 2020: 2.30 pm – 3.15 pm | 3.30 pm – 4.15 pm  
$10 | 5 – 12 years

If thinking about gems and how they are formed made you curious about how they are found, this Little Gem Miners Workshop will answer your curiosity. The workshop will give participants the chance to experience how gem miners find their precious gemstones and if you’re lucky, you can bring a gemstone home! 

 As a precaution, each participant will be provided with a personal gemstone mining kit. This workshop also has limited capacity. Be sure to register online as walk-ins will not be accepted. 

6. Craft-efact! Create Your Own Kerongsang | Online

From Nov 2020 onwards
4 years and above

Inspired by the kerongsang (brooches) on display in Urang Banjar: Heritage and Culture of the Banjar in Singapore, this digital resource allows you to create your very own kerongsang to wear at home! Download and print out the guide before filling out the kerongsang with your favourite colours, stickers and gems!  

7. A Voyage to South Kalimantan Activity | On-site

5, 12, 19, & 26 Dec 2020: 2.30 pm – 3.15 pm | 3.30 pm – 4.15 pm
Free | 9 years and above

Embark on a voyage to South Kalimantan, Indonesia to trace the heritage and culture of the Banjar community and don’t forget to pick up this interactive activity trail booklet designed to complement your exhibition experience.

8. My Baba’s Studio | On-site

From 28 Nov 2020 onwards
Free | 3 years and above

A part of the Urang Banjar: Heritage and Culture of the Banjar in Singapore exhibition, My Baba’s Studio is inspired by actual childhood memories of two sisters whose father is a Banjarese diamond trader and jeweller. Explore the studio and uncover what a workday is like for a jewellery designer and trader.