MINT Museum Of Toys: Vintage Toy Museum In The CBD

MINT Museum of Toys

Whether you’re young or just young at heart, you’ll feel like a kid again at MINT Museum of Toys, which has an extensive collection of vintage toys and collectables from the 1980s all the way back to the 1840s.

The recently revamped museum has expanded its collection and is now displaying a whopping 8,500 items hailing from over 40 countries. These include toys, posters, confectionery tin boxes and larger-than-life displays.

From unique pieces like the world’s only known Batman robot toy to nostalgic childhood games like kuti-kuti, here’s what else to expect when you head down to this hidden treasure trove.

Other lesser-known places in Singapore to explore:

Biggest collection of vintage toys & collectibles in Asia

The museum was set up by a toy enthusiast – no surprise there.
Image credit: @myfavoritesingapore

MINT – which stands for Moment of Interaction and Nostalgia with Toys – has actually been around since 2007. But you’d have likely taken notice of it more recently as it was just revamped in November 2021.

You’ll want to dedicate a good couple of hours to explore the museum as its collections are divided into 4 themes: Outerspace, Characters, Childhood Favourites and Collectables.

Some unique pieces from these specially curated collections include an extremely rare Popeye & Olive Oyl Tank toy from Japan from the 1950s and even an Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland doll owned by the real-life Alice who inspired the novels.

The 26 wave-shaped glass panels on the facade of the museum protect the toys from SG’s scorching heat.
Image adapted from: MINT Museum of Toys

The entrance fee is $15/pax, and you can also sign up for free membership to get a goodie bag on your first visit. The fee includes a go at their giant gumball machine. So not only will you get to admire the museum’s antiques, you’ll also get to bring home your very own miniature version as a reminder of your visit.

This repurposed gumball machine was donated by the National Heritage Board.
Image credit: @mintmuseumoftoys

360° virtual tour of the museum for $5

If you’re intrigued and would like to have a peek into the museum from the comforts of your own home, MINT has a 360° virtual tour that includes animated clips, voice narration and minigames to guide you through the museum’s highlights – for just $5.

The virtual tour also includes an exclusive sneak peek of the museum’s permanent exhibits and 24-hour access to Level 2 of the museum, which houses the collectables.

The virtual tour is meant to complement your in-person experience.
Image credit: @avgeeksunited

Interactive workshops customised for children, adults & families

Kids and adults alike can take part in interesting hands-on workshops at the museum, either individually or as a family.
Image credit: VisitSingapore

The Learning Journey workshops are tailored to children according to their education levels. Preschoolers will learn about creative expression with real-life demonstrations using the museum’s toys. Plus, they will get to live out their spaceship fantasies on an Outerspace Trail, where they will build 3D robots to battle aliens.

Lower-primary kiddos with a knack for visual art will learn about its different genres, while those in upper primary will get an insight into the science behind the making of their favourite toys.

Not to be left out are adults, who can attend design skills and creative thinking workshops, learning how to use creative tools that might be useful in the workplace.

Those with kids aged 4-12 can also join a workshop as a fam. For $25, you can colour in augmented reality storybooks and watch the illustrations come to life, virtually.

Image credit: @myhoneytwins

Those collecting shots for their IG feeds can snap a shot with the artefact shown on their slip of paper from the gumball machine. Tag @mintmuseumoftoys and hashtag it with #gumballmachine, and you’ll be rewarded with a surprise gift to take home.

A collaborative art space for you to display your craft

A visit to MINT need not be one-off, because they often play host to pop-up events at their Guerilla section. Not to mention, the Unbox section also features rare artworks you can feast your eyes on. And if you’re an art collector or a craftsman yourself, the museum invites you to showcase your work.

An exhibition from last season’s Unbox, Masks of Singapore.
Image credit: @y_lyn

Vinyl listening bar serving small bites

Image credit: @kkkidggg

After exploring the museum, head down to the basement to Vertigo26, a neon vinyl listening bar that is open till midnight.

Image credit: @nat.lc

Their menu has hearty mains like Unagi Don ($20) and Aged Wagyu Sliders ($32), as well as small bites like Seafood Butter Clams ($14) and fries ($9). They also have unique draft beers like Brewerkz “Spirited Away” Fruited Sour ($19) and a variety of whiskies, cocktails and wines.

The records can also be purchased.
Image credit: @vertigo26.sg

The listening bar has a library of vinyl records consisting of various genres of music from over 1,000 albums, with turntables on the cabinets for you to jam to the beat. There’s also a DJ at the bar counter, so you can chill on the sofas with sick tunes playing in the background.

Visit the MINT Museum of Toys

Image credit: VisitSingapore

Before you leave the museum, check out the MINT shop if you’d like to browse or purchase their collection of old school games and vintage toys.

You’ll get a free guided tour of the museum and their toy collection during your visit if you pre-book admission tickets on their website. The tour happens every Wednesday at 10.30am and 3.30pm.

A place that’ll surely be nostalgic AF, the MINT Museum of Toys is worthy of a visit, if you want to go down memory lane with your childhood faves.

Admission fee: $15/pax
Address: 26 Seah Street, Singapore 188382
Opening hours: 9.30am-6.30pm, Daily

MINT Museum of Toys website

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Cover image adapted from: @myfavoritesingapore, @kkkidggg