Singapore’s story has long been shaped by the sea. COASTAL LIVES invites families on a living heritage journey across Children’s Museum Singapore and Reflections at Bukit Chandu to explore Singapore’s maritime heritage—through the nets of fishermen and the patterns woven into batik cloth.

Begin at Children’s Museum Singapore, where WOVEN WAVES - Conceptualised by batik heritage expert Aqilah Zailan from Studio Gypsied and led by visual artist Cherlyn from Art Away Studio -  reveals the stories hidden in batik patterns. Then board a charter bus as storyteller Kamini Ramachandran shares original audio tales and hands-on discovery activities en route to Reflections at Bukit Chandu.

There, explore kelongs, fishing nets, and the rhythms of coastal life. Encounter vanishing kelong traditions with arts collective C.O.O.E., and learn about traditional fishing tools and knotting techniques.

COASTAL LIVES is curated by Kamini Ramachandran and produced by The Artground for Singapore HeritageFest 2026.

Recommended Age: 6 to 12 years old

Programme Schedule:

• 9:00am – 9:20am:  Free & easy museum exploration at Children’s Museum Singapore
• 9:20am: Gather at Children’s Museum Singapore’s lobby and proceed to Lewin Terrace
• 9:30am – 10:15am: WOVEN WAVES: Reading Stories in Batik workshop
• 10:15am – 11:15am: Bus Journey with accompanying audio story to Reflections at Bukit Chandu + free & easy museum exploration of Reflections at Bukit Chandu upon arrival
• 11:15am – 12:00pm: TIED TO THE TIDES: Kelongs, Knots & the Fisherman’s Craft workshop
• *(Optional)12.15pm: Bus Journey back to Children's Museum Singapore / Harbourfront MRT station

Get Tickets Here

For further enquiries, please email rbc@heritage.sg

Want to explore just one museum? Register for the Children's Museum Singapore, Reflections at Bukit Chandu, or Changi Chapel & Museum sessions individually.

• WOVEN WAVES: Reading Stories in Batik by Aqilah Zailan (at Children's Museum Singapore)
• TIED TO THE TIDES: Kelongs, Knots & the Fisherman’s Craft by C.O.O.E. (at Reflections at Bukit Chandu)
• TASTES OF THE TIDES: Laksa Siglap & the Flavours of Coastal Kampongs by Emylia Safian & Minh Le Tien from Seia Home Dining (at Changi Chapel & Museum)

Terms & Conditions:

1. Please arrive 10 minutes before the programme start time (9:00am) for registration at the Children’s Museum Singapore lobby.
2. Participants will begin with free & easy exploration at Children's Museum Singapore before the workshop activities.
3. Families are required to gather at the designated meeting points at the stated times for each segment of the programme.
4. The programme includes a bus journey between Children's Museum Singapore and Reflections at Bukit Chandu; all participants are to ensure they arrive punctually.
5. The total duration of the programme is approximately 3 hours, including museum exploration, workshops, and travel.
6. All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
7. The optional bus return to Children's Museum Singapore / Harbourfront MRT will depart at approximately 12:15pm.