Five stones, hantam bola and a whole lot of giggling: about 5,000 preschoolers and their parents spent National Day weekend rediscovering old-school games, as Sport Singapore (SportSG) staged the Nurture Kids Family Play Date with M.Y World across 58 preschool centres island-wide on 6 August 2026.
Old-school games, brand-new memories
Held simultaneously at 58 M.Y World Preschool centres to mark Singapore’s 61st birthday, this year’s edition leaned into nostalgia with multigenerational games spanning the 1980s to the 2000s, from a five stones relay to hantam bola (poison ball) and a playful “delivery rider rush”. Crucially, the activities used everyday items, sports equipment and recyclable materials, a gentle reminder that active play can happen anywhere, with whatever is on hand.
Building movement skills from young
Behind the fun is a serious aim. The games are designed to develop fundamental movement and gross motor skills, such as balance and hand-eye coordination, in young children. Building on earlier Nurture Kids engagements during GetActive! Singapore, the play date is part of SportSG’s Active Parents movement, which encourages families to play and grow together and to build healthy movement habits early.
A National Day with a patriotic beat
Ms Elysa Chen, Member of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Culture, Community and Youth, joined families at M.Y World @ Canberra Eastlink. She took part in the National Day Observance Ceremony, singing the National Anthem and reciting the pledge, joined the GetActive! Singapore Dance of the Nation workout, and mingled with parents and educators during the parent-child activities.
It is a simple but powerful idea for SG61: get families moving together, and the healthy habits may just stick. For more National Day happenings, see our coverage of GetActive! Singapore 2026 and our guide to NDP 2026 drone and kite restrictions.
