Children get acquainted with their emotions through play at Southeast Asia’s only Inside Out 2-themed outdoor carnival with large-scale installations
Visitors delved into the fascinating world of emotions as Gardens by the Bay Singapore’s Children’s Festival returned for its 10th edition – this time, featuring an exciting collaboration with Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2.
Kicking off on 25 May at the iconic Supertree Grove, this was the only Inside Out 2-themed outdoor carnival in Southeast Asia with large-scale installations. Children learned about their feelings through play at the various interactive areas inspired by beloved Inside Out 2 characters, such as Joy, Anger, Sadness, Fear, and Disgust – alongside new Emotions Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment! Visitors got in touch with their emotions ahead of the release of Inside Out 2 (13 June: Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, 14 June: Indonesia).
Gardens by the Bay, a premier horticultural attraction, hosted its Children’s Festival as a signature school holiday event. Most of the activities were free, and this year’s edition ran until 22 June.
Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2 returned to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley, who was about to begin high school, just as headquarters underwent a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joining the core Emotions was a group of new arrivals perfectly suited for the teenage years!
Families embarked on a journey of self-discovery inspired by Inside Out 2 characters
At this year’s Children’s Festival, families looked forward to an array of installations and activities inspired by both the core and new Emotions of Inside Out 2.
- Kaleidoscope of Memories
This centrepiece installation was inspired by the Long Term Memory storage facility that houses millions of Riley’s memories in the Inside Out story.
Children’s Festival brought this scene to life with colourful, illuminated Memory Orbs at Supertree Grove. Visitors created their own Memory Orb by scanning a QR code at the installation and completing three simple steps: selecting the character that best reflected their emotion, posing for a photo, and uploading their very own Memory Orb to the Kaleidoscope of Memories, where it was projected alongside others’ memorable moments on the animated wall of this installation.
- Mood Swings
The Emotion Joy was the theme of this installation, featuring swings that delighted children and all who were young-at-heart.
- Expression Doodles
Coping with complex emotions was explored at this installation. With designs themed after Sadness and Embarrassment, children “painted” with a water brush and watched doodles on the installations appear before their eyes.
- Emotion Mirrors
Inspired by the Emotions Fear and Anxiety, visitors attempted to complete the mirror maze and gigantic buzz wire games in nerve-wracking time challenges.
- Fort Pillowtown
Inspired by Ennui, children lay back and relaxed at the Fort Pillowtown installation, or let their imaginations run wild within the cozy pillow fortresses that they could build.
- Memory Orb Mountain
The whirlwind of emotions experienced throughout the evocative journey culminated in harmony and balance at this play area of large inflatable balls symbolic of embracing and balancing all our emotions. Visitors came in the evenings to catch the balls aglow!
Visitors also looked forward to a special edition of the nightly Garden Rhapsody light and sound show during the duration of Children’s Festival. Garden Rhapsody is a signature night show at Supertree Grove, where the lights on the Supertrees dance to a musical soundtrack every evening at 7.45 pm and 8.45 pm. The special edition, titled The Medley of Emotions, saw the lights on the Supertrees as well as the Memory Orbs within the Kaleidoscope of Memories installation synchronize their illumination and change colours in harmony with the Inside Out soundtrack.
Complimentary Disney and Pixar themed activities, movie screenings and more
Free activity trail booklets were available, with suggested activities to keep kids entertained such as collecting stamps. Visitors who completed their booklets and collected all the stamps redeemed an Inside Out 2 sticker sheet exclusive to Gardens by the Bay’s Children’s Festival. Visitors with a complete set of stamps also redeemed a souvenir keychain with a Gardens by the Bay exclusive design that could be customized with little charms inspired by Inside Out 2, while stocks lasted. Members of the public were also invited to enjoy complimentary outdoor screenings of Disney and Pixar favourites such as Coco, Elemental, Finding Dory, and Incredibles 2 on the first two weekends of 25 May and 26 May and 1 June and 2 June. Visitors looking for a different experience buckled up and hopped aboard the Train of Emotions for a scenic train ride through Supertree Grove. Separate charges applied for the train ride.
Fringe performances and carnival games
Fringe performances such as bubble blowing, juggling and magic shows took place during the evenings of the first three weekends for all to enjoy. There were also carnival games for the active ones and, for those who liked to get hands-on, craft workshops to create their own Memory Orbs, musical boxes, friendship bracelets, and more. Separate charges applied for these activities.
Be among the first to bring home Inside Out 2-themed merchandise in Singapore
Gardens by the Bay’s Children’s Festival was also one of the first places in Singapore where shoppers could get their hands on Inside Out 2-themed merchandise at a special retail pop-up. Inspired by fan-favourite Disney and Pixar characters, visitors discovered a delightful range for all ages, spanning apparel, reversible bucket hats, tote bags, drinkware, cushions, stationery and more.