The arrival of the June school holidays brings the annual challenge for parents to keep children entertained without breaking the bank. This year, the National Library Board (NLB) is stepping up with an extensive line-up of free interactive programmes, immersive exhibitions and innovative reading spaces designed to engage toddlers, teenagers and everyone in between.
From sun-soaked shores to high-tech shopping centre pop-ups, Singapore’s libraries are breaking out of their traditional four walls. Here is a curated guide to the best free activities to check out this holiday season.
1. Radical New Reading Spaces
NLB is reimagining where and how we read by launching several unique, temporary setups across Singapore:
- Stories by the Beach (Sentosa): Launching on 5 June at Palawan Beach (initially near the 7-Eleven at Angsana 3), a roving buggy stocked with pre-loved books will roam the sand. Beachgoers can pick up books for adults or children completely free of charge, with no formal borrowing process required. You can even take them home, though returning them for the next reader is highly encouraged.
- Sci-Fi Pop-up Library (Parkway Parade): Situated at unit #04-K3, this futuristic space boasts nearly 4,000 sci-fi novels, graphic novels and comics. Alongside an interactive eReads screen, visitors can view an exclusive exhibition featuring original paintings from iconic book covers like J.G. Ballard’s The Drowned World.
- Presidential Pop-up Library (Plaza Singapura): Open daily until 28 June 2026 at unit #03-85, this space showcases the biographies, self-published titles and personal book recommendations that inspired Singapore’s Presidents, alongside lists from 30 iconic local personalities.
- Snoopy Community TakeOver: The Peanuts gang is taking over Level 3 of Punggol Library and Level 1 of Jurong Library. Featuring the Snoopy & Friends™ Team Furniture Collection and a curated selection of Peanuts books, it is the ultimate nostalgia trip for fans of Charlie Brown and the gang.
2. Interactive STEM Workshops for Young Minds
For children who prefer building and problem-solving, several hands-on digital and science sessions are available (though do note that some require advanced registration online):
Brick by Brick: Building Thinking Skills with LEGO
- Where & When: Woodlands Library, 20 June (11:30am – 12:30pm)
- Best for: Ages 5 to 8
- Using “code cards” and debugging challenges, this workshop transforms standard LEGO bricks into tools for teaching foundational computational concepts like sequencing and pattern recognition.
Code & Construct: Smart Machines with LEGO WeDo
- Where & When: Clementi Library, 27 June (11:30am – 12:30pm)
- Best for: Ages 5 to 8
- An introductory robotics session where children learn how to command motors and sensors, building real-world items like a smart fan.
Spark!Lab™ Tinkering Space
- Where & When: Punggol Library (Level 2), Weekdays 2:00pm – 8:30pm / Weekends 10:00am – 8:30pm
- Best for: Ages 7 and up (children aged 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult)
- Created in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution from the United States, this drop-in space challenges children to invent their own solutions to global problems, such as designing ocean-cleaning contraptions. No registration is required, but entry operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
3. Cultural Adventures and Diverse Storytelling
To cultivate a love for Mother Tongue languages and local history, NLB has put together an inclusive calendar of multilingual story sessions and cultural activities:
The Marine Biodiversity Carnival
- Where & When: Central Library, 13 and 14 June (10:00am – 5:00pm)
- What to expect: Organised alongside the Singapore Oceanarium, this signature two-day carnival brings conservation to life via interactive booths, live demonstrations and the chance to meet actual animal care specialists and divers.
History Hunt at the Former Ford Factory
- Where & When: Former Ford Factory, 28 May to 30 June (Daily except Mondays, 9:00am – 5:30pm)
- What to expect: Children aged 12 and under can grab an activity booklet at the counter, hunt for hidden answers within the historic galleries, and exchange their completed sheets for an exclusive commemorative stamp.
Multilingual Reading Clubs & Festival Highlights
- Chinese Language: Celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival on 6 June at library@Chinatown (11:00am – 12:00pm) with the NTU Confucius Institute, where children turn into “Mini Explorers” to solve festival riddles. Monthly Avid Reading Clubs will also run at Jurong and Tampines libraries, blending stories with crafts.
- Malay Language: The Cerita Kita (Our Stories) school holiday special will take place across June at Choa Chu Kang, Sengkang and Yishun libraries. Led by librarians and volunteers, these sessions focus on Malay culture, history and heritage.
- Tamil Language: From Kokkarakko at Tampines Library to Kathaiyodu Vilaiyadu at Sengkang Library, there are weekly regional Tamil storytelling pop-ups happening island-wide. Virtual options are also available via the Book Ninjas and Book Rangers Zoom reading clubs.
4. Unplugged Hangouts for Teens
Teenagers haven’t been left out of the holiday planning. Under the Teens Takeover banner, older kids aged 13 to 17 can step away from social media and explore new hobbies:
- Book of Possibilities (Punggol Library, Level 3): A dedicated “Teenspace” installation that uses Web-based Augmented Reality bookmarks and comic panels to follow a spooky, fictional haunted house mystery.
- Tabletop Roleplaying with Sodalite Pop: Happening at Choa Chu Kang Library on 20 June (1:00pm – 5:00pm), friendly Game Masters will guide teens through indie roleplaying titles and classics like Dungeons & Dragons.
- Origami for Good: On 14 June (2:00pm – 4:00pm) at Bukit Batok Library, a student-led NGO will host a walk-in paper folding session. It is entirely beginner-friendly, with all materials provided to help teens create beautiful paper sculptures intended to bring joy to the wider community.
Screen-Free Wellness
If your family needs a collective digital detox, drop by Woodlands Library on 10 June between 3:00pm and 5:00pm for Unplugged. This open session invites families and friends to put down their phones and bond over classic tabletop games.
Insiders’ Tip: While all of these programmes are entirely free of charge, popular sessions like the LEGO engineering workshops and cultural festivals require pre-registration due to capacity limits. Head over to the official NLB portal or the NLB Mobile App to secure your family’s slots before they fill up!