Singapore Design Week 2023 is back with a bang with a whole host of fun activities in store for the kids.
Singapore’s design journey is incredible, from a tiny republic to an economic giant, and its design DNA is at the core of it all. Good news: Singapore Design Week is back from 21 September to 1 October 2023, and it’s even bigger this time as DesignSingapore Council celebrates its 20th anniversary! There’s something for everyone, with exhibitions and activities that’ll engage designers, businesses, and the entire design community, young and old. Yep, that includes the kids – they’ve got cool stuff too! It’s the perfect place to nurture your child’s creativity in the heart of Singapore’s design scene. So, bring the family and explore what makes Singapore so unique!
Guide to Singapore Design Week 2023 with kids
1. Playground of Possibilities
Get ready to dive into the Playground of Possibilities, led by the incredible Jackson Tan from BLACK. This event is a total standout at the festival, showcasing a dozen mind-blowing design projects straight from Singapore. They’re taking on some of the toughest challenges we face today, and you won’t believe what you’ll see: AI-powered robots, a tiny dementia-friendly town, 3D medical prosthetics, and super-smart ceramic tableware. It’s all about exploring, empathising, imagining, and adapting through these cool setups. So, grab your crew and get ready to be inspired by a world of fresh innovations that’ll have you cooking up new ideas like never before!
When: 21 Sep 2023 to 1 Jan 2024, 9am to 9pm
Where: National Design Centre, Atrium. Level 1. 111 Middle Road Singapore 188969, Registration: Free
2. FI&LD
Get set for a fun adventure with Lekker Architects! They’ve created an interactive space for inclusive design where everyone can join in the fun. You’ll find cool demos in five areas: Emotions, Fun, Senses, Care, and Social Life and Interaction. Tag the brood along because it’s going to be a blast! There’s even a new game with changing rules for different players, plus loads of cool stuff to explore, from the environment to graphics, products, services, and experiences that showcase inclusivity and creativity. Don’t miss it!
FI&LD
When: 21 Sep 2023 to 1 Oct 2023
Where: LASALLE College of the Arts City Court 1 McNally Street Singapore 187940
Registration: Free
3. School of Tomorrow
When it comes to sustainability, the learning never stops! Welcome to the School of Tomorrow, where classes have a unique twist. Maths means counting your carbon footprint, chemistry is all about giving the periodic table a fresh perspective, biology dives into understanding what’s not so great for our bodies, and the canteen menu? Well, let’s just say it’s an eye-opener with some interesting creepy-crawlies on it. Curated by Pann Lim of Kinetic Singapore, the School of Tomorrow is one of the festival’s awesome commissions. It’s a fun way to show young minds how they too can bring sustainability into their daily lives – get those cameras ready for lots of cool photo ops!
When: 21 Sep 2023 to 1 Oct 2023, 12pm to 8pm
Where: Selegie Arts Centre. 30 Selegie Road Singapore 188351
Registration: Free
4. Friday Late: Pop-up market, installations & more
Get ready to feel the creative pulse of our city come alive in the design and culture district of Bras Basah.Bugis (BBB)! Beyond the three fantastic festival commissions, there are design installations that will light up the district, live demos that’ll keep things buzzing, a pop-up retail market to satisfy your shopping cravings, and food stalls that’ll stay open until 11 pm to keep your taste buds happy. For you and your wee ones, it’s a night of good old-fashioned family fun with nostalgic school-themed food offerings, exclusive guided tours to pique your curiosity, and open game sessions to keep the excitement going. BBB is going to burst to life and kickstart SDW in style! Our advice? Bookmark the event directory page for the list of programme listings across BBB.
When: 22 Sep 2023, 6.30pm to 11pm
Where: Various spots across Bras Basah.Bugis.
Registration: Free
5. Gardens By The Bay Design Trail
Ready for an adventure? Take a stroll through Gardens by the Bay on your very own design trail! You’ll not only soak in the gorgeous greenery and wildlife but also stumble upon some amazing design highlights. Keep an eye out for the Bay South Garden, which snagged the President’s Design Award for Design of the Year back in 2013. So, bring out your inner adventurer and make some fantastic memories with your little ones as you explore this picturesque trail filled with design surprises at every twist and turn.
When: 21 September onwards, All day
Where: Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Registration: Free for access to the garden. Admission fee applies for entry to ticketed
Attractions.
6. Wunderground: Art jamming, VR games and F&B
Let’s dive into Wunderground 2023, an absolute blast of a lifestyle event! It’s all about celebrating dynamic collaborations between local and international brands, bringing together creativity and innovation in one awesome place. You definitely don’t want to miss out on the action-packed lineup of activities and programs they’ve got in store. Get your creative juices flowing with art jam sessions, strike a pose at curated photo opportunities, and dive into thrilling VR games with your loved ones. It’s going to be a wild ride!
When: 21 Sep 2023 to 01 Oct 2023, 3pm to 10pm
Where: Old Singapore Chinese Girls School Campus. 37 Emerald Hill Road Singapore 229313
Registration: Free with registration. Some attractions may be ticketed
7. Sustainability Comes in Pairs: Recycled Chopsticks to Lifestyle Objects Exhibition
Parents, listen up! Here’s a cool way to spark your child’s creativity: head on over to the Sustainability Comes in Pairs: Recycled Chopsticks to Lifestyle Objects Exhibition by NextOfKin Creatives. They’ve got a fantastic collection of mini wooden toys, and what makes them extra special is that they’re made from used disposable chopsticks. Plus, the exhibition will show you how they use animal imagery to give the wood a fresh start, breathing new life into it. It’s a great way to teach kids about recycling and the awesome possibilities of upcycling!
When: 21 Sep 2023 to 01 Oct 2023, 10:30am to 9:30pm
Where: Design Orchard 250 Orchard Rd Singapore 238905
Registration: Free
8. T.I.N.K.E.R Into the Unknown: Workshop for tiny tinkerers
Looking for a workshop to get your kiddos’ design thinking gears turning? Well, look no further! This is the perfect experience for them. Picture this: they’ll be diving into an exciting scenario and stepping into the shoes of fictional characters to come up with some seriously cool solutions. This workshop is tailor-made for kids and young folks. It’s all about teaching them to learn and brainstorm with their hands and, most importantly, instilling those awesome design mindsets. The goal? To empower them to tackle problems creatively and make a real impact on society. Sounds like a blast, doesn’t it?
When: 21 Sep 2023 to 22 Sep 2023, 3pm to 6pm
Where: VIVISTOP Sandbox 10 Kampong Eunos Level 2, Tinkering Studio Singapore 417775
Registration: Free
9. Next of Kin design exhibition by NAFA students
You know what’s super cool about design? It’s not just about making things look pretty – it’s also about tackling the big stuff like social and environmental issues. So, check out this rad design exhibition by the BA (Hons) Design Practice students at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. They’re diving deep into climate change and how it’s connected to our lives. And if your kid’s in primary or secondary school, these eye-opening creations in communication, spatial, 3D, and fashion could be the start of their journey to making a positive impact on the world. It’s all about getting inspired and taking action!
When: 21 Sep 2023 to 10 Oct 2023, 29 Sept 2023 – 6.30pm to 9.30pm (Opening performance + DJ), 30 Sept 2023 – 10.30am to 7.30pm (Installation)
Where: NAFA Campus 2 Fashion Gallery (Level 1) 38 Bencoolen St Singapore 189654
Registration: Free
And there you have it! A complete low-down on fun things to do with the kids at Singapore Design Week. There are lots in store for other age groups as well. Click here to find out!
