National Gallery Singapore is doing something pretty brilliant this December – they’re helping kids understand their emotions through art, with a little help from Joy, Sadness, and that relatable ball of Anxiety we all met in Inside Out 2.
Starting December 3, 2025, the Gallery’s launching “Feel Your Way Through the Gallery,” their first-ever emotions-led trail. It’s part of their 10th Anniversary celebrations, and honestly? It’s about time someone made a museum experience that speaks directly to what’s going on inside our kids’ heads (and let’s be real, ours too).
What Makes This Trail Different
Here’s what sets this apart from your typical “walk quietly and don’t touch anything” museum visit: this trail actually wants your child to feel things. Each artwork and space in the Gallery connects to one of the five core emotions from Inside Out 2 – Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Anxiety.
Your family will wander through the Gallery’s historic buildings, discovering artworks from the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery that have been paired with specific emotions. These aren’t random matches – each piece was chosen for its visual mood and atmosphere, making it easier for young minds (and art-intimidated adults) to make that emotional connection.
The Activity Booklet That Actually Gets Used
The trail comes with a free activity booklet (while supplies last – first 100 visitors daily). This isn’t one of those booklets that ends up crumpled at the bottom of your bag. It features simple games, drawing prompts, and observation tasks that keep kids engaged without feeling like homework.
Pick it up at the Visitor Counter on Basement 1 when you purchase your General Admission ticket. Fair warning: get there early if you want to snag one.
What You’ll Actually See
Let’s talk specifics. The trail includes five artworks that pack serious emotional punch:
Anger is represented by Fernando Cueto Amorsolo’s “Liberation Manila in Flames” (1945) – a destroyed city that captures the raw intensity of that emotion. You’ll explore this in the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery 1 on Level 3 of the Supreme Court Wing, where even the red walls amplify the feeling.
Anxiety shows up in Lim Yew Kuan’s “Searching” (1951), depicting a group of people that captures that restless, uncertain feeling perfectly. If your child has started asking “What if?” about everything, this painting will resonate.
Fear comes through in Raden Saleh’s massive “Boschbrand (Forest Fire)” from 1849. Animals fleeing from flames? Yes, it’s intense, and yes, it’s a great conversation starter about what fear looks like and why we feel it.
Joy gets its moment with Ahmad Sadali’s “Skyline of New York” (1957) – a painting that practically vibrates with energy and possibility. The Gallery pairs this with bright, open spaces that feel naturally uplifting.
Sadness is embodied in Raden Saleh’s “Wounded Lion” (c. 1838). It’s powerful without being overwhelming, and gives kids permission to acknowledge that sadness is a valid, important emotion.
More Than Just Pictures on Walls
Here’s the clever bit: the trail doesn’t just focus on paintings. The Gallery’s public spaces themselves are tagged to emotions. Kids will experience how architecture, light, and scale can make us feel different things. The Holding Cells at Supreme Court Wing Level 1? That’s your Fear space. The bright Lower Link Bridge at Padang Atrium Level 3? Pure Joy.
This spatial element helps children understand that emotions aren’t just something we see in art – they’re woven into the world around us. It’s the kind of lesson that sticks because they experienced it physically, not just intellectually.
The Photo Op You’ll Actually Want to Post
At Padang Atrium on Basement 1, there’s a dedicated photo opportunity with Inside Out characters. Will your kids be excited? Absolutely. Will you finally get that family photo where everyone’s actually smiling? Quite possibly.
How to Do This Trail Right
Time it takes: Plan for 45 to 60 minutes, though you can absolutely go at your own pace. If someone needs a snack break or wants to stare at one painting for ten minutes, that’s completely fine.
Start here: Grab your activity booklet at the Visitor Counter, Basement 1, Padang Atrium.
Follow the prompts: The booklet guides you through the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery artworks and tagged public spaces.
End with photos: Don’t skip the character photo spot – it’s a nice way to cap off the experience.
Opening hours: 10am to 7pm daily, starting Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
Want a Guided Start?
If you’d rather not figure it out on your own, join the launch day briefing on Wednesday, December 3 at 2pm. Meet at the Holding Cells (Supreme Court Wing, Level 1) for a 15-minute intro, then explore at your leisure. Just give them three working days’ notice if you’re planning to attend.
Why This Actually Matters
Beyond being a pleasant way to spend an afternoon, this trail does something important: it normalizes talking about emotions. When a four-year-old can point at a painting and say “That looks like when I feel anxious,” you’ve given them emotional vocabulary they’ll use for life.
In a place where conversations about feelings don’t always come naturally, using art as the entry point is genius. It’s less direct than “Tell me how you feel” (which usually gets you “I don’t know” or “fine”). Instead, it’s “What does this painting make you feel?” Much easier, much more effective.
The Practical Bits
Admission: General Admission ticket required for the trail and booklet redemption
Booklet availability: First 100 visitors per day
Location: National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrew’s Road
Accessibility: The Gallery is stroller-friendly, though historic buildings mean some areas require lift access
Best for: Children aged 4 and up, though younger siblings are welcome
Nearby: Plenty of cafes and dining options within the Gallery and surrounding area for post-trail refreshments
Final Thoughts
This isn’t your grandmother’s museum visit (though grandparents are absolutely welcome). It’s a chance to help your child build emotional intelligence while experiencing world-class art in one of Singapore’s most stunning buildings. The fact that it’s themed around a movie they love? That just makes your job easier.
Book your visit, grab that activity booklet early, and prepare for some surprisingly deep conversations about why that lion looks so sad. Your child might not remember every artwork, but they’ll remember the day they learned it’s okay to feel all the feelings – even the complicated ones.
