MINT Museum of Toys is a real hidden gem in the heart of Singapore. Nestled on Purvis Street, this private museum is considered to have the largest collection of its kind in Southeast Asia. It boasts a collection of over 50,000 pieces of vintage toys owned by one Mr Chang Yang Fa. With rare, one-of-a-kind pieces from more than 40 countries – some dating back to the mid-1800s – it's easy to get caught up in the past in this five-storey shrine to toys.
These toys were made to entertain, for sure. But they are no frivolous amusements or 'only for kids'. MINT's vast collection ranges from space-themed toys, childhood favourites, and World War II collectables, to spooky horror items and your favourite TV characters. They all tell fascinating stories of the unique time and place they come from. See MINT's collection of Mickey Mouse toys that showcase how the character has evolved over the years, or visit Small Girl, one of many wooden dolls created by women who were refused education or enslaved, and who found a safe haven with the Door of Mission Hope in China.
Do also keep an eye out for MINT's seasonal showcases. With Unbox, you can expect tightly-curated thematic exhibitions that shine the spotlight on private toy collections, international brands, and the museum's own stash of never-before-seen toys. Guerrilla showcases take things further – these pop-ups are a fun blend of exhibition, retail, and F&B. A previous Guerrilla event saw a MINT Museum space transformed into a living room space where visitors could shop for vintage Chanel Diana bags and chat with collectors. Another Guerrilla experience showcased childhood favourite characters from the 1960s onwards through exclusive merchandise, curated films, and photo-taking activities.
To cap it off, MINT has a breezy bar on the rooftop where you can relax with a tipple or two. Or head to the basement for some analogue goodness at Vertigo 26, a relatively new vinyl bar with a catalogue of over 1,000 albums curated by veteran local DJ Robin Chua (aka KidG of EATMEPOPTART).
Keep updated with all events and happenings at MINT Museum of Toys at emint.com.