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All the Toys on Display at Singapore’s Mint Museum That’ll Make Your Playful Imagination Run Wild
Whenever I go to a museum, I tend to gravitate towards the outdated day-to-day wares on display. I try to imagine if any of these things used to be their owner’s favorite, in the same way that I have a favorite mug and a favorite blanket.
Little did I know that there was a place I could go to for a whole collection of beloved items. Singapore’s very own MINT Museum of Toys showcases over 50,000 once-cherished playthings.
All of these cute little trinkets and novelties were sourced from around 40 countries all over the world. They offer a look into the lives of the kids (and the kids-at-heart) who once owned, loved, and played with them.
Like me, you might be surprised at how much there is to see inside. But don’t worry, use this guide to traverse the various themed exhibits and imaginative worlds within the MINT Museum of Toys.
Where is the MINT Museum of Toys?
The MINT Museum of Toys can be found at 26 Seah Street. It’s right beside the National Library and is a short walk away from Raffles City Shopping Centre.
How to Get to MINT Museum of Toys
Via MRT: Hop on the MRT and exit at any of these stations: Bras Basah Station (CC2), Bugis Station (EW12/DT14), City Hall Station (EW13/NS25), Esplanade Station (CC3). These all have exits that are a short walking distance from the museum.
Via Bus: The bus stops closest to the MINT Museum of Toys are Cosmic Insurance Building and Raffles Hotel. Look out for the following transport lines which stop here: 7, 32, 51, 56, 57, 61, 63, 80, 100, 107, 145, 175, 197, 851, 961.
All of these are around a 5-minute walk away from the MINT Museum of Toys.
Via Taxi or Ride-Sharing Service: You can find a taxi or contact one using your preferred ride-sharing app, like Grab or Gojek. Let the driver know that you want to go to the MINT Museum of Toys and they’ll be able to take you there.
Via Private Car: Type in ‘MINT Museum of Toys’ into your GPS to find the best route. There are 3 parking areas for you to choose from: National Library, Raffles Hotel, and Bras Basah Complex.
Best Time to Go to the MINT Museum of Toys
The best time to go to the MINT Museum of Toys is on weekday mornings right after it opens at 9:30 am. This is when you can enjoy the museum’s exhibits without much of a crowd and long wait times.
The museum sees the most number of visitors, sometimes up to thousands, on weekends after lunch until its 6:30 PM closing time.
What to Do and See in MINT Museum of Toys
The Outerspace Exhibit
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Even before putting a man on the moon was possible, kids have been playing with spacecraft, aliens, and robots. There’s just something about the vastness of outer space that makes the imagination go into hyperdrive.
The Outerspace Exhibit proudly displays all the toys that reflect the technologies of their era. Here, you’ll be able to see how people imagined spaceflight and all the different creatures we used to think we’d find in galaxies far far away.
Among the shelves sits an original 1974 battery-operated Dalek from the longest-running sci-fi TV show Doctor Who. These villains, set on conquering the universe, have become one of the show’s hallmark characters.
The Characters Exhibit
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Animation has brought us some of the most recognizable characters throughout the years. From the princesses trapped in their castles to the rabbit constantly asking “What’s up, Doc?”, children have been entertained by them for decades.
The Characters Exhibit has plenty of animated figures that have graced the silver screen and have wormed their way into children’s (and their parents’) hearts. It also serves as a time capsule, showing how much character designs have changed over the years.
The museum even has one of the first ever manufactured Bugs Bunny dolls made in the 1940s. Its torso carries the signatures of the character’s two creators, Tex Avery and Bob Clampett, making it an important historical artifact.
The Childhood Favourites Exhibit
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Regardless of what country they’re from, there are staples in almost every kid’s toy box. These are your classic stuffed bears, dolls, cars, and puppets.
However, where the Childhood Favourites Exhibit shines is in what it highlights. Although these staples may be the same, their uniqueness lies in how they showcase the culture of their origin country.
For instance, you might catch a glimpse of a Chinese Door of Hope Doll from the 1920s. Far from Barbie’s high-heeled shoes and sparkly pink outfits, this doll wears “civilized new clothes” that portray the shift in women’s roles in Chinese society back then.
The Collectables Exhibit
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Nowadays, children aren’t the only ones clamoring for toys. Adults have also begun collecting sought-after pieces that either come with a piece of history or are highly rare and difficult to come by.
The MINT Museum participates in acquiring vintage collectibles for the sake of preservation. These toys aren’t just for fetching a high price, the museum keeps and displays them to show just how far we’ve come as a society.
The Mickey Mouse Talkie Jecktor is a perfect example of this. The toy was made to provide audio at home back when black-and-white cartoons were still silent. Although it wasn’t very easy to use, it was an exciting technological development at the time.
The Around the World in 60 Minutes Tour
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If you’d like to know more about specific pieces in the collection, you can join in on the Around the World in 60 Minutes Tour. A guide will take you through the four permanent exhibits mentioned above.
They begin the tour with some history about the museum and its founder to give you an idea of how this all started. Afterwards, they’ll offer background on the cultural and historical importance of the toys they have on display.
It’s a great way to pick up on interesting factoids and tidbits to impress your friends with. Although, take note that this has to be booked in advance before the day of your visit.
The AR Storytelling Guided Tour and Workshop
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The MINT Museum of Toys has found a way to bring imagination into the real world. With the help of augmented reality, families can now see characters and sceneries come to life in front of their own eyes.
You’ll get to choose between 4 book titles, depending on which main character you’d like. Inside, there will be plenty of pages for you to color.
Once done, you can scan your vibrantly colored characters and see them move across the pages. What’s even better is that your family can bring these books home and scan them from anywhere you want!
Happy Hour in the Museum
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For grown-ups who are looking for something a bit more adult, the museum offers happy hour every day between 12:30 PM to 6:30 PM. But since it’s the MINT Museum, naturally toys are still involved.
You and your friends can drink while you entertain yourselves with some classic board games or traditional Singaporean games. You can also play with some of the museum’s toys without worrying about other adults judging you for it.
You’ll have the option of enjoying a bottle from their curated selection of wines, which includes La Petite Gargotte (White) and La Petite Gargotte Merlot (Red). Of course, you can only participate if you’re above the Singaporean legal drinking age of 18.
Where to Eat near MINT Museum of Toys
Mr Punch Public House
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Address: 26 Seah Street
Phone: +65 8339 8966
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday – 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM
- Monday – Closed
MINT Museum visitors will love this hidden gem tucked away in the building’s basement. With vibrant posters and pop art all over its walls, Mr Punch Public House fits in perfectly with the rest of the toy museum.
This high-spirited bar and restaurant tends to be packed due to its ambiance. Diners are serenaded with live music as they enjoy all the gastronomic delights on the menu.
To start off, their seared tuna appetizer is stellar and will leave you wanting more. On the other hand, meat lovers will rejoice in their BBQ Pork Ribs which are so tenderly cooked that the meat slides off the bone – yum!
Entre-Nous Creperie
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Address: 27 Seah Street, #01-01
Phone: +65 6333 4671
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM, 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Saturday – 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM
- Monday – Closed
Dining at Entre-Nous Creperie will have you feeling like you’re vacationing in the French countryside. Apart from the quaint decor, this cozy restaurant is one of the few places in the country where you can get an authentic French crepe.
Contrary to popular belief, crepes aren’t always sweet. In fact, some of Entre-Nous Creperie’s best offerings are its savory options, such as its buckwheat crepes and the very cheesy Geraldine’s Favourite, which also seems to be their customers’ favorite.
These crepes are best paired with their dry cider, imported all the way from Brittany, France. With these foreign flavors, you’d be surprised that they’re all available at affordable prices.
Zheng Swee Kee
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Address: 175 Bencoolen Street, #01-34
Phone: +65 6988 7734
Pricing: $
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Despite how small their restaurant is, Zheng Swee Kee has stayed in business for years and the reason behind it is simple. They’re known as the purveyors of undisputedly the best Hainanese chicken rice in the country.
You can tell how much care has been put into cooking the chicken because of how juicy and tender it is. Similarly, the rice is fluffy and fragrant. Their flavorful fried vegetables are also the perfect side dishes.
Locals are also very fond of this place because of how inexpensive it is. That doesn’t mean they skimp out on service though. They serve food quickly and always keep the place spotless.
Yhingthai Palace Restaurant
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Address: 36 Purvis Street, #01-04
Phone: +65 6337 1161
Pricing: $$$
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Thai food lovers should already be familiar with Yhingthai Palace Restaurant, but the restaurant also gets new diners all the time. That’s because the food here has stayed consistent year after year, so many choose to come back repeatedly and spread the word.
From the moment your food reaches the table, you’re in for a visual feast. Each plate is carefully crafted, which is to be expected from a Michelin-awarded restaurant.
They don’t shy away from authentic Thai flavors so be warned. Bestsellers like their Clear Tom Yum Soup pack a punch that’ll have you placing another table reservation as soon as possible.
Where to Stay near MINT Museum of Toys
Pullman Singapore Hill Street
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Address: 1 Hill Street
Phone: +65 6019 7888
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Although relatively new, Pullman Singapore Hill Street Hotel is swiftly becoming known for its aesthetics. Designed with a railway theme, the architecture pays homage to Pullman’s roots as a luxury rail travel experience.
A stay here is guaranteed to be invigorating for the spirit. You can luxuriate in your room with all of its modern amenities, such as high-speed wifi and a smart TV, as you look out into a scenic view of the Singapore River.
The hotel also wants you to keep in touch with your creative side. They have an art corner in the lobby called the ‘Artist Playground’ where they feature up-and-coming artists to further boost the local art scene.
Hotel Mi Bencoolen
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Address: 41 Bencoolen Street
Phone: +65 6251 8822
Pricing: $
Operating Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Hotel Mi Bencoolen is determined to be your home away from home, but better. Every spot of this hotel is so comfortable and impeccably maintained that you just might end up extending your stay.
The staff is also guaranteed to become your next best friends. They are passionate about giving you a personalized stay and will happily cater to all of your requests.
The hotel is strategically located right next to an MRT station and several bus stations so you can easily get anywhere you want to. Staying here is like having the rest of Singapore at your fingertips.
