Relive your childhood with this guide to the MINT Museum of Toys!
I may be an adult now, but I’m still a child at heart. I love to collect all sorts of toys—plushies, dolls, even physical copies of video games. That’s why the MINT Museum of Toys is one of my favourite museums in Singapore.
Every visit heals my inner child. Appropriately called Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys (MINT), it has an impressive collection of more than 50,000 toys from all over the world. Some toys are even super old, like over a century!
This collection continues to expand every year, and there are always fun activities to look forward to. If you’re planning to visit, here’s a detailed guide to the museum.
Things to Know
Address: 26 Seah St
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday—9:30 am to 6:30 pm
Contact Number: +6563390660
Website
How to Get Here
By Bus: Riding the bus is the best way to get to the museum. Ride bus service 7, 32, 51, 61, 63, 80, 145, 175, 197, or 851, and then disembark at the bus stop in front of the Cosmic Insurance Building. Walk to the museum, which should take about three minutes.
By MRT: Riding the MRT is also another great way to reach the museum. Take the East-West Line to the City Hall Station, and then walk to your destination. It’s not too far, just around eight minutes on foot.
Admission Fee
The standard admission fee to the MINT Museum is S$30 (adult) or S$20 (child aged between 7 and 12 years old). This rate already lets you access all seven levels, including themed exhibitions like Outerspace, Characters, Childhood Favorites, Collectables, and the Public Gallery.
But there are special tours or experiences with their own prices. These are
- Around the World in 60 Minutes. A guided tour that takes you through the four permanent exhibitions: Outerspace, Characters, Childhood Favorites, and Collectables. It costs S$33 (adult) or S$23 (child).
- AR Storytelling Guided Tour and Workshop. A tour through the permanent exhibitions, only this time, there’s AR storytelling to spice things up. There’s also a colouring experience at the end, making it perfect for families. It costs S$33 (adult) or S$20 (child).
- Happy Hour in the Museum. An adult-only experience where attendees can drink alcohol and play games. It costs S$38.
Exhibitions to See
Childhood Favorites
From: mintmuseumoftoys
If I were to pick a favourite section of the museum (and trust me, this is a hard decision to make), I’d have to pick Childhood Favorites. This section hits me with a wave of nostalgia so strong, I feel like I’m a kid again!
This exhibit is all about the evolution of stuffed toys, so you can see how this type of toy changed over time as well as how different it looks depending on the location.
The standout for me has to be the Door of Hope Dolls, which were popular in 20th-century China during a time of political unrest. They’re made with wood, so they’re sturdy. They also look realistic, which is both amazing and low-key terrifying.
The Little Prince Experience
From: jyoti_yaj
The Little Prince Experience is another one of my favourite exhibits. It was my favourite book I read as a child, so now seeing an art exhibit themed around this makes my heart swell.
In a way, this exhibit is the museum’s take on the story. The Little Prince has left his native Asteroid B612 and landed here in the museum, and now, he’s checking out the wonderful toys only found on Earth and marvelling at their beauty.
This exhibit becomes even more fun if you download the MINT Museum app (available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store). The app launches the AR version of the Little Prince himself, and you can see his reactions!
Characters
From: mintmuseumoftoys
For people who grew up with animated films and comic books, the Characters exhibit is sure to brighten your day.
As the name suggests, this exhibit features action figures of popular characters from cartoons and comics. There are also copies of illustrated animations of characters from beloved cartoons like Bugs Bunny and Tom and Jerry.
I’m particularly fond of the Bugs Bunny toys here because I was obsessed with him as a kid. Many of the toys are old, dating back to the 1930s, and it’s interesting to see how Bugs Bunny used to look before I saw the cartoon in the early 2000s.
Bedtime Stories
From: sherylbiangco
Bedtime Stories is dedicated to the stories that parents tell to their children before going to sleep, and the atmosphere is just super nostalgic and cosy!
My favourite part of this exhibit is the Winnie the Pooh collection, which has storybooks and a few stuffed toys. They even have the stuffed toy with the original design, and it reminded me of the one I used to have.
Outerspace
From: mintmuseumoftoys
Outerspace is the exhibit for everyone who loves all things science fiction. If you were obsessed with robots as a child, then you’ll definitely love this exhibit!
There are so many robot toys on display here, and it’s fascinating to see how the designs have evolved through the decades. I’ve also spotted spaceships and action figures of beloved characters in popular sci-fi media.
Though I’m not super big on sci-fi, I do love some franchises, especially Doctor Who. So, when I saw action figures of Daleks and Cybermen, I was so thrilled!
Collectables
From: sherylbiangco
What I love about the Collectables exhibit is that it houses vintage toys that are no longer mass-produced. In a way, it’s a time capsule that lets you get a glimpse of what kinds of toys children in the past loved.
I’m fascinated by the Early Toys and Traditional Folk Games collection because it has toys commonly played during the kampong era, such as marbles, spinning tops, and kites.
Seeing these elicits a deja vu feeling in me because my parents taught me how to play with these toys when I was young. I also feel ancient because what do you mean these toys are considered old?
Spooky Horror
From: mintmuseumoftoys
For many people, horror is a lifestyle, a state of mind, not just reserved for Halloween. If you’re one of these people, the Spooky Horror exhibit is a must-visit. I’m too chicken to consume horror media, but I do enjoy seeing all the toys here.
My favourite is the shelf with kaiju figurines (kaiju is a Japanese term for giant monsters, so think Godzilla or King Kong). For a character supposed to be menacing and terrifying, some of the figurines are actually adorable.
This exhibit also has a collection of Japanese manga and visual media centred around kaiju. I find it interesting how this monster is used as a metaphor for the destructive nature of nuclear weapons.
Beatles Memorabilia
From: mintmuseumoftoys
I have to admit I didn’t expect to find an exhibit celebrating the Beatles inside the MINT Museum. But hey, as someone who was introduced to Beatles music as a kid by my parents, I won’t complain.
This exhibit takes you through the history of this iconic band—how they started, how they blew up, and how they disbanded. I’ve always known that the Beatles were big in the past, but it still blows my mind seeing all the news clippings and photographs!
Limited editions of their albums and novelty merch items are also available here. One item that caught my eye is the Corgi die-cast toy of the submarine; apparently, this was shown in the Beatles film Yellow Submarine.
Birth of Astroboy
From: iamtinetine_sg
I wasn’t surprised when I learned that the MINT Museum has a whole exhibit dedicated to Astroboy. After all, it’s one of the most influential manga series of all time, and the character of Astroboy is widely recognised all over the world!
In Birth of Astroboy, you can find all the toys and memorabilia inspired by this popular franchise. The standout toy here is the Astroboy Rocket, a lithographed tin toy with an actual internal friction motor. It turns on like it’s a real rocket!
The Public Gallery
From: feliseet
I like to call The Public Gallery the “vintage enamel exhibit” because that’s exactly what it is. It’s home to vintage enamel signs that were used to advertise household items and petrol in the 1800s, as well as vintage decorative tins that were all the rage back in the 1950s.
But as much as I like to call this the vintage enamel exhibit, it’s definitely more than that. It also displays paintings by local artists. One time, I came here when the museum was celebrating the works of visually handicapped artists, and I was in awe!
Other Fun Things to Do
Catch a movie in MINT Lumens
From: mintofmuseumsoftoys
One thing I’ll always love about MINT is that it’s not just a museum—it’s also a cinema! Okay, MINT Lumens is more like a home theatre than your typical cinema, but with its 250-in widescreen display and Invisa 650 speakers, the experience is still top-notch.
I love the variety of films being shown here; there are the classics like The Wizard of Oz, Golden-Age animated films like Cinderella, and even horror flicks like Goosebumps.
Sometimes, they even show silent films from the 1920s! I’m a casual cinephile, but I appreciate it every time MINT Lumens is screening an old movie I’ve never heard of.
Drink wine during Happy Hour in the Museum
From: mintofmuseumoftoys
I usually come to the museum with my young nieces and nephews, but sometimes, I do come alone or with my friends. When this happens, I book the Happy Hour in the Museum experience. How can I say no to drinking a glass (or two) of wine while exploring a vintage museum?
I definitely prefer coming here with friends because we’re a goofy group. Getting tipsy while checking out the toys on display lets us crack jokes that have us heaving in laughter. It’s so much fun, and I recommend you experience this for yourself!
Host a special event
From: fabercastellsg
If you love this museum, then you might be interested to know that you can actually host an event here! From intimate gatherings to grand birthdays, this museum can handle it.
There are several venues you can choose from, namely,
- The Public House. This is the space with the vintage enamel signs. The decor screams of the 1800s, making it perfect for an event with a vintage vibe.
- The Public Balcony. Perfect if you want lush greenery and a view overlooking the city.
- Event Spaces on Level 2–5 and the Basement. These event spaces are air-conditioned and equipped with their own speakers, microphones, and chairs. They’re perfect for just about any event, be it a corporate gathering or a birthday.
Check out POP-UP in the Museum
From: mintmuseumoftoys
Sometimes, the MINT Museum hosts POP-UP in the Museum, a themed event with its own toy collection and specific programs. The experience is different every time, so you never know what to expect.
My favourite POP-UP event I’ve attended is After Hours, which essentially extended the museum’s operating hours until 9:30 pm. It was held on the rooftop, so the vibe was cosy and intimate, and the view was beautiful. There were also fun cocktails to enjoy.
POP-UP in the Museum doesn’t happen often, so check the museum’s Instagram to stay updated!
Attend an Unbox event
From: mintmuseumoftoys
Unbox is another program that occasionally happens in the museum. This is a seasonally themed exhibition showcasing rare collections by private collectors, curators, and artists.
The most recent Unbox event I attended was Toy Figurines, which focused on toy figurines that sparked generational shifts. This event was such an eye-opener for me; I learned about how Barbie dolls challenged the gender stereotypes at the time and how Bratz dolls shook things up by embracing racial diversity.
Try their digital experiences
From: kate_insigne
Exploring the museum on your own is fun and all, but do you know how to make it even more fun? Try their digital experiences during your visit!
Essentially, these digital experiences are add-ons that, well, add an immersive quality to your tour. Sometimes, these experiences are just audio commentaries about the toys you’re seeing, but other times, they’re a storytelling session.
For example, the Punch and Judy Puppet Show tour takes you through the Punch and Judy puppets on display while telling a three-part classic Punch and Judy storyline. It’s a pretty unique experience.
Where to Shop: The MINT Shop
From: mintmuseumoftoys
If you’re like me, exploring the museum awakens your desire to buy toys for yourself. Fortunately, there’s a shop inside the museum, and it has all sorts of toys and trinkets. Some are even replicas of popular vintage items!
My favourite product I bought here has to be the box full of 1960s crochet dolls. I love crocheting dolls myself, so seeing these tiny, adorable toys from a long time ago definitely puts a smile on my face.
I also really like the figurines of vintage cars and ships. I use them both as decorations and paperweights for my desk at home.
Where to Eat: Vertigo26
From: liveloveatwithjie
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—5 pm to 12 am
- Friday and Saturday—5 pm to 1 am
Contact Number: +6564911391
Facebook
Did you know that right below the museum, there’s actually a bar where you can relax and enjoy music and good food? Well, now, you do, so you better check it out during your visit!
I love to get the Vertigo Burger, which is a classic burger made with a double Wagyu patty and topped with bacon, cheese, onion, and pickles. The patty is super savoury and fatty, and it complements the salty tanginess of the other toppings well.
Since you’re in a bar, you might as well order one of the cocktails. I really like Under the Milky Way, which tastes distinctly of butterscotch, spiced rum, and cane sugar. It’s sweet with bitter notes.