Gallery Children’s Biennale spotlights eight artworks from Asian artists and tons of family fun this school holiday! And all for free!
As a parent, I’ve often wondered what the future holds for my child, sometimes I even worry! But after hearing from the artists and visiting Gallery Children’s Biennale 2025, I am reminded that the future isn’t just something that happen to us – it’s something we get to shape. Just like how this year’s experience was co-created with students from Qifa Primary School, who actively shared their feedback and joined the artists in the making of the artworks.
Returning for its fifth edition, Gallery Children’s Biennale 2025 encourages both young (and old) to explore the endless possibilities of the future through art and play. This year’s theme, “Tomorrow, We’ll Be…”, features eight talented Asian artists who bring their hopes and dreams to life through playful, imaginative artworks that spark big ideas around Joy, Kindness, Dream, and Love. As a champion for inclusivity, this year’s experience is made, for the first time, baby-friendly! Yes, babies and toddlers will get to join in the fun, think baby-friendly experiences like downward-facing displays, padded areas, tactile and auditory stimulation in safe play spaces. Take a sneak peek into the play areas on our Instagram.
When: 31 May 2025 – 29 March 2026
Where: National Gallery Singapore, 1 St. Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957
Price: Free
Top tips to enjoying Gallery Children’s Biennale 2025
1. Allow at least three hours for slow, leisurely exploration
Allocate time to explore the artworks without rushing. The artworks encourage free play and it’s through this freedom that children are able to observe, discover, and notice details within each piece. In our media preview, we, the adults, took two and half hours to explore and play at all eight artworks. We think the children might need more time!
2. Look for the information boards at each artwork
As you move through the artworks, keep an eye out for information boards that share insights about the artist and their work. More importantly, they offer conversation starters so you can better engage with your child, alongside reflections from the children who helped in the creation of the artwork.
3. Collect stamps to redeem a prize
Make sure to pick up a copy of the My Biennale Buddy activity booklet onsite with a recommended donation of $2. Besides information about the artist and artworks, you’ll find a handy map that shows you how to get to the various artworks, and it even includes a stamping activity. Collect a stamp at each artwork you visit, complete all eight and redeem your gift at the Tours and Programmes Counter on level 1 (while stocks last).
4. Bring home Art Packs for only $8
Bring home a piece of the Gallery Children’s Biennale 2025 with Art Packs (from $8), available from four vending machines located of level 1 and B1. What’s cool is that the Art Packs are tailored for two age groups – one for children six years and below, and another for those seven and up.
Must-see artworks at Gallery Children’s Biennale 2025
Designed and built with creativity, curiosity, and for a whole lot of fun, here’s our rundown of the eight must-see, must-play artworks at National Gallery Singapore.
1. Colourful Play
In a first-time collaboration with ART:DIS, Singaporean artist Fern Wong brings joy to life with vibrant papercuts using magnetic papercut shapes and designs in Colourful Play. As you arrive at the interactive wall, think about what brings you Joy. Look into the odd-shaped mirrors, then move the magnetic pieces to express your emotions, a chance for children to co-create the artwork. There are also tactile shapes and rattling spin boxes which are mounted low on the wall, inviting babies and toddlers to explore through touch, movement, and sound.
Where: B1, City Hall Wing
2. Lessons in Being Kind
This cute stop-motion film tells the story of a blob on a journey of self-discovery and shares Lessons in Being Kind, to others and to self. Laotian artist, Souliya Phoumivong, took inspiration from an egg to create this 11,000-frame animation. Some of the clay figures in the animation are made by students from Qifa Primary school. If this inspires your kiddos to create their own stop-motion videos, there’s a corner with clay blobs to try it out. Sit and watch the animation on the floor, climb the little mounts, or try the fun balancing chair that encourages teamwork.
Where: B1, City Hall Wing
3. Fantasy
What will you do with 130kg of children’s clothes? Malaysian-based art collective Co2_karbondioksida turned them into a dreamy playscape in Fantasy, along with 400 donated toys! Dreams take flight in the safety of comfort and care. And that is what the artists envisions for everyone, to feel safe and secure to dream up the infinite possibilities for the future. The soft space draws children to jump and play, but you can also lie down and look up, just don’t fall asleep! Great for both big and small kids.
Where: B1, City Hall Wing
4. Imaginary Peach Garden
This is one of our favourite artworks for its interactivity and use of digital media in storytelling. South Korean artist YeSeung Lee invites children to dream up fantastical creatures which will be projected into the digital world. Younger children will delight making creatures out of modular foam puzzles, and you can add a touch of tech to their creations when you scan the QR codes on the table. The space also features large inflatable forms that breathe like living creatures—blurring the lines between reality and imagination. Scan the QR codes on the floor and see yourself in AR. Do note that this space is slightly dimmed due to digital projection.
Where: B1, Supreme Court Wing
5. I We Them
Sitting right across the Imaginary Peach Garden is the whimsical world of I We Them. Created by Singapore-based Spanish artist Vicente Delgado—aka Tito, find hand-drawn characters on inflatables, cushions, and everywhere. Parents will love this space as there are chairs – even a plush couch –all around. Don’t just sit there, make sure you look up and down for the secrets of these chairs. For the younger ones, there is a foamed flower bed for free play and tactile elements on the wall to spin and play. This is one place that celebrates love, togetherness, and connection. Another one of our favourites to hang out!
Where: B1, Supreme Court Wing
6. Home is Where the Heart is
A heartwarming tribute to community and belonging, Home Is Where The Heart Is, a charming installation by National Gallery Singapore for the Children’s Biennale 2025. Inspired by the late Mohamed Salehuddin’s nostalgic painting Malay House, Malacca, this interactive mural reimagines a vibrant kampung neighbourhood and HDB flats. Children can ring doorbells, peek into homes, and greet a friendly pushcart ice cream uncle, while parents and grandparents are invited to share stories of home.
Where: L1, Supreme Court Wing
7. Kindness Garden
Another of our favourite space is the Kindness Garden, Japanese-Australian artist Hiromi Tango. It’s a multi-sensorial artwork infused with thoughts of kindness. A mild lavender scent hits you once you enter the space and that comes from the Lavender dome – a calming nook to wind down in, before the kids takeover the play space. At the heart of the space is the sound flower, with petals that play a sound when you press down on them. They are inscribed with words of kindness in braille and words, offering a glimpse into the experiences of the visually impaired. There are also braille alphabets inscribed on the pillars. This inclusive space encourages emotional connection, sensory exploration, and a deeper appreciation of the diverse communities around us.
Where: L1, City Hall Wing
8. Dance Dance Chromatics
Get ready to get moving at Dance Dance Chromatics, created by Singaporean artist, Wyn-lyn Tan. Originally trained in Chinese landscape painting, she loves experimenting with different elements, including copper and patina, in her art. For this particular piece, she takes a playful inspiration from the game, Dance Dance Revolution. As an avid closet dancer herself, she encourages the Joy of movement and free expression through this artwork. Step on the pads on the floor and watch the painting flow in an almost ethereal way, keep moving to unlock special effects. You’ll know you’re there when you see the swirls – we, adults couldn’t keep up with it enough to get the swirls out, so get your kiddos involved in this one! We’re sure they’d love to dance and move along with you.
Where: L1, City Hall Wing
So, what are your hopes and dreams for the future? Share them with us on socials.
