National Gallery Singapore has free and ticketed school holiday activities for children in December 2026. For a free visit, go to the Keppel Centre for Art Education, City Hall Wing Level 1. Its published cleaning closures are 12.30–1pm and 3.30–4pm, with last entry at 6.40pm. For a booked activity, the Gallery lists GalleryToddlers! on 5 December, Gallery StoryMakers! and a mask workshop on 12 December, and ARTventure Camp on 4, 11 and 18 December.
Choose by age and how much time you have. GalleryToddlers! is designed for children aged two to three. StoryMakers! suits ages four to eight, and the December drop-off camp and mask workshop are recommended for ages seven to twelve. Start at City Hall MRT if you are arriving by train. Details checked on 8 November 2026.
- Free entry: Keppel Centre for Art Education, City Hall Wing, Level 1.
- Free drop-in art-making: check the Centre’s current activities and capacity.
- GalleryToddlers!: 5 December, S$15 per adult–child pair as listed.
- Gallery StoryMakers!: 12 December, S$15 per person, including each accompanying adult.
- ARTventure Camp: 4, 11 or 18 December, S$75 per child as listed.
- Mask workshop: 12 December, S$25 per person as listed.
Find your route
Free Keppel Centre activities and opening hours · Which December programme suits your child’s age? · How to get to the Gallery and find the right room · Three routes for a school holiday visit · Which parts of the Gallery need tickets?
Full guide contents
- Free Keppel Centre activities and opening hours
- Which December programme suits your child’s age?
- How to get to the Gallery and find the right room
- Three routes for a school holiday visit
- Which parts of the Gallery need tickets?
- Which free art spaces should you try first?
- A December calendar for parents with more than one child
- What to do nearby while you wait
- Frequently asked questions
| Activity | When | Age and admission |
|---|---|---|
| Keppel Centre | Daily, with two cleaning closures | Designed for ages 4–12. Free, subject to capacity. |
| GalleryToddlers! | 5 Dec, 10.30am or 11.30am | Ages 2–3. S$15 per adult–child pair. |
| Gallery StoryMakers! | 12 Dec, 11am–noon | Ages 4–8. S$15 per participant. |
| ARTventure Camp | 4, 11 or 18 Dec, 10.30am–4.30pm | Recommended ages 7–12. S$75. Drop-off. |
| A Mask Like Me | 12 Dec, 2–4pm | Recommended ages 7–12. S$25. Drop-off. |
Free Keppel Centre activities and opening hours
The Level 1 art centre is free
The Keppel Centre visitor page identifies the Centre as a free family space in the City Hall Wing. The Gallery designed it for ages four to twelve. The Centre offers ways to explore colour, light, materials, movement and art-making. Check what is currently open when you arrive. On a first visit, choose one area and see how your child responds before planning another.
A child who likes to build may want to start with a making activity. Someone who enjoys looking can spend time comparing colours or shadows. The same child may have different preferences on different days. This is an easy place to try one short activity and let the child decide whether to spend longer. The Gallery’s family programme guide gives a list of the areas and current activities.
Avoid the two cleaning windows
The Centre closes from 12.30pm to 1pm and from 3.30pm to 4pm for cleaning. The current visitor page lists last entry at 6.40pm. A practical first visit starts earlier in a window so the family can settle in and take its time. If you arrive during a closure, choose a nearby part of the Gallery or a meal while you wait. Confirm whether that gallery or exhibition requires its own ticket.
The Gallery advises that weekends can bring longer waits and asks people to avoid queuing at the Centre entrance if it is full. Follow staff directions for the day. A weekday morning can be easier for children who need a quiet start, although school holidays and group visits can change the pattern. Have one short activity in reserve in case the Centre is busy.
Use free drop-in art-making for a flexible visit
The Centre lists free drop-in art-making, subject to the current arrangement. Ask what material or artwork is being used. Give children time to make one decision independently, such as choosing a colour, shape or way to join two pieces. A parent can ask what changed between the first and final version. This makes the experience more meaningful than simply following a model from beginning to end.
Contents · Next: Which December programme suits your child’s age?
Which December programme suits your child’s age?
Ages two to three: GalleryToddlers! on 5 December
The Gallery lists two sessions on Saturday 5 December, 10.30–11.10am and 11.30am–12.10pm. It quotes S$15 per adult–child pair. The programme uses sensory play inspired by an artwork. Check the exact venue and current availability before travelling. For a toddler who is more comfortable in the morning, choose the session around their usual food and rest schedule, with room to arrive without rushing.
A pair ticket works differently from an individual ticket. If two adults or a sibling want to attend, check the programme’s actual attendance rules and purchase the required places. It may be easier for a second adult to take a sibling to another part of the Gallery and meet afterwards. Choose a named meeting point and an approximate time so the booked session can finish without one group waiting at the door.
Ages four to eight: Gallery StoryMakers! on 12 December
The Gallery lists StoryMakers! for 11am to noon on Saturday 12 December. It quotes S$15 per person, with the accompanying adult also requiring a ticket. A child and one adult would therefore cost S$30 at the published price before any applicable fees. Two children and one adult would total S$45 if that group arrangement is accepted. Read the programme’s booking terms before relying on a particular ratio.
This is a useful choice for children who like stories, imaginative play or looking for clues in pictures. After the programme, choose one picture or detail to discuss. Ask the child what happened just before the moment in the artwork or what might happen next. A short conversation can give the visit an ending while it is still enjoyable.
Ages seven to twelve: choose between a camp and a shorter workshop
The Gallery lists ARTventure Camp on 4, 11 and 18 December, from 10.30am to 4.30pm, at S$75 per participant. It is a one-day drop-off programme, so choose the individual date you want. The Gallery describes activities connected to artworks and hands-on making. The ARTventure Camp listing says lunch is provided, requires online tickets and asks participants to arrive at least 10 minutes early for registration. Confirm collection instructions and contact the Gallery before booking if your child has access or dietary requirements.
Let’s Create! A Mask Like Me is listed on 12 December, 2–4pm, at S$25. It is a shorter drop-off workshop with materials provided and no previous experience required according to the Gallery. It takes inspiration from Pop Art and asks children to make a mask using colour and other materials. A child who enjoys concentrated making may prefer this to a full day of activities. For a child trying an independent session for the first time, talk through where to meet at the end.
Contents · Previous · Next: How to get to the Gallery and find the right room
How to get to the Gallery and find the right room
City Hall MRT to the City Hall Wing
Use City Hall MRT on the North–South or East–West Line. Exit B is a useful approach towards the Padang and National Gallery Singapore. The Gallery visitor information has current directions, entrances, opening hours and access information. The buildings and wings connect internally, so use the room name and level when telling others where to meet.
If you are going to Keppel Centre, look for Level 1 of the City Hall Wing. If you have booked a timed event, look at the booking confirmation before assuming the session starts in the Centre. The Gallery lists some programmes at varying locations. Allow time to enter the building and check in. A group that meets outside can agree on a clear entrance or a landmark rather than choosing a vague point inside the museum.
Check access and the sensory environment
The Centre describes step-free access to its activity areas, a stroller parking area and an accessible toilet near the Book Nook. Some areas have dimmer lighting, sound or interactive feedback. Check the Centre’s access advisory if these details matter to a child or adult. If a child is more comfortable in a bright, quieter area, choose the first stop with that in mind and allow a pause whenever they need it.
A family with mixed mobility may want to plan the path from the station all the way to the Centre and back. Building entry, lift access and seating are separate questions. For a booked activity, ask the venue about the actual room if you need a particular accommodation. Give yourself more travel time if you are walking from the train with a stroller or need a lift at a busy moment.
Contents · Previous · Next: Three routes for a school holiday visit
Three routes for a school holiday visit
A free 60–90 minute plan
Choose a morning or afternoon session outside the cleaning closures. Start at Keppel Centre, try one activity and give the child time to look at something they choose. After the visit, pause for food or make a short trip to the Padang if the weather is suitable. If the Centre is full, follow staff instructions and use a public area nearby as a fallback. A short and unrushed visit works well as a first trip.
A booked activity with a free stop
Choose one December programme by age and book it only after checking the number of tickets needed. Set the booked time as the anchor. Add the free Centre before or afterwards if the child wants more time with art. On 12 December, StoryMakers! and the mask workshop have different ages, ticket rules and formats. A seven-year-old may be eligible for either, but the adult’s role is different. Choose according to whether they want a shared experience or a drop-off session.
A rainy day with a younger and an older sibling
Choose a short family visit and decide who needs the quieter start. The older child can choose one part of the Centre to investigate, while the younger one gets time to look or rest. If a paid programme only suits one child, arrange a nearby activity with a second adult when possible. Share the return meeting point. Avoid promising a particular station or activity if it may close or fill during the day.
Contents · Previous · Next: Which parts of the Gallery need tickets?
Which parts of the Gallery need tickets?
The Centre and exhibitions use different admission rules
The Gallery lists Keppel Centre among its free non-ticketed areas. Some exhibitions and programmes use a separate ticket or registration, and general admission terms depend on the visitor and exhibition. If you plan to take relatives into an exhibition after the Centre, use the Gallery admission information for the exact ticket category. Also check age guidance before adding an exhibition to a family itinerary.
A paid programme may count an adult differently
GalleryToddlers! quotes a pair ticket, while StoryMakers! quotes a per-person ticket and requires the adult to have one. The camp and mask workshop are presented as drop-off options. Before you buy, read who stays in the room, what the child needs to bring and who will collect them. These questions make an activity easier to choose than looking at the price alone.
There are also neighbourhood art activities
The Gallery’s family guide lists its roving Art on Wheels programme at Tampines Library on 28 November and Jurong Library on 5 December. Check the programme for the specific activity, time and registration. These stops are separate from the Gallery building, so choose the neighbourhood destination if it is closer to your group. A library outing and an art activity can fit comfortably together if both times work.
Contents · Previous · Next: Which free art spaces should you try first?
Which free art spaces should you try first?
For children who like colour and movement
The Gallery’s family guide lists Colour Play Corridor as an area for exploring how colours affect one another, and Illuminate! for light, shape and shadow. Let the child spend a little time looking from different positions. Ask them which part changes when they move and which part stays the same. This is a good question for a child who wants to explore without having to name a particular art technique. If a room is dim or crowded, choose a quieter start and return when it suits them.
For children who like to make things
Look for Makers Studio or the drop-in Expression Workshop and ask what is available on your date. A child can try changing one variable, such as using a larger shape or a different colour, and compare the result. Encourage them to describe their choice before giving your own interpretation. If you are visiting with two children, let each choose a different starting idea. Their work can have different aims even when they use the same materials.
For children who need a quieter pause
The Gallery identifies a Book Nook and a Calm Pod in its family guide. Ask staff what is available if a child needs a change of pace. A family does not need to progress through the spaces in a set order. It can begin with a book, watch another activity from the edge and join in when the child is ready. If the Gallery has become too busy for the group, take a break or finish the visit before the next planned stop.
Make one artwork the starting point for the conversation
A child can choose a detail from a work or installation and explain what made it stand out. An older sibling might notice how the artist directed their attention through contrast or scale. A younger child may remember a shape or sound. Invite them to give their own examples rather than trying to reach a single correct answer. For a family revisiting the Gallery, choose a different activity area each time. That gives children something new to try without having to learn the building again.
Contents · Previous · Next: A December calendar for parents with more than one child
A December calendar for parents with more than one child
Friday camp dates for older primary-age children
Compare 4, 11 and 18 December and check which date works for both the child and the person collecting them. The programme’s day runs six hours. Give your child a simple picture of the day beforehand and read the venue’s instructions about check-in, lunch and pickup. If the family needs a shorter format, look at the two-hour mask workshop on 12 December. The shorter option also gives someone a chance to try a drop-off activity before committing to a full day in a later holiday.
Saturday 5 December for toddlers or a neighbourhood activity
The GalleryToddlers! booking is at the Gallery and the Art on Wheels listing for the same date is at Jurong Library. These are different destinations and age considerations. A family in the west can check the library activity before committing to a trip into town. A family with a toddler who wants a structured session can choose one of the Gallery’s two morning times and use the rest of the day for a flexible meal or quiet visit.
Saturday 12 December for one shared activity or one drop-off workshop
StoryMakers! is in the morning and asks an adult to attend with the child. The mask workshop runs in the afternoon as a drop-off session. For a child within the overlapping age range, compare what they would rather do. If two siblings are interested in different programmes, decide whether they want to spend the whole day in town and allow time for lunch. You can also choose one programme and spend a shorter time in the Centre as a family.
Contents · Previous · Next: What to do nearby while you wait
What to do nearby while you wait
Stay near the building during a short gap
If the Centre is cleaning or you are early for a session, start with a short break in the Gallery or one of its free areas. The visitor information lists the Chief Justice’s Chamber and Office, the Rotunda Library and Archive, and the ArchiGallery among its non-ticketed spaces, subject to their opening conditions. Pick the closest place that interests your group and check signs before setting off. A small child may appreciate looking at a detail in the building more than climbing several levels for a different exhibition.
Let the Padang be the outdoor extension
When the weather is suitable, use the area beside the Gallery as a short change of scene. Ask the child to compare what they can see at the entrance with the view from a little farther away. A gallery visitor can spend time thinking about colour and scale inside and notice how the same ideas work in the buildings outdoors. If rain has set in, stay close to the route you will use to return to the MRT or your pickup.
Give the person collecting a child the exact room
If the child is at a drop-off programme, send the collection time, wing, floor and contact details to the adult who will collect them. A person joining for the first time can follow the same route from City Hall without searching the whole building. Leave a buffer for toilets or a meal afterwards. A busy family day is easier when the person who bought the ticket has shared the information with the person doing the pickup.
Contents · Previous · Next: Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Is the Keppel Centre free for families?
Yes. The Gallery lists free entry, subject to capacity and operating hours. Certain workshops and separate Gallery exhibitions may be ticketed.
When does the Centre close for cleaning?
The published daily cleaning windows are 12.30–1pm and 3.30–4pm. The Centre’s page lists last entry at 6.40pm. Check for updates before travelling.
Can I leave my child at a workshop?
The December ARTventure Camp and A Mask Like Me are listed as drop-off programmes. Check each programme’s rules before booking. StoryMakers! requires an accompanying adult.
What should I do if all paid sessions are full?
Try the free Keppel Centre or its current drop-in activity. Check the Centre’s operating windows and capacity guidance before going.
Where can I find other school holiday outings?
Consider the Singapore Botanic Gardens festive guide for an outdoor route or ActiveSG Punggol’s opening and school holiday guide for sports, library and waterway options.