Before smartphones and gaming consoles took over, traditional toys in Singapore brought endless fun to the everyday lives of kids. Kids spent hours flicking marbles, tossing five stones, and kicking “chapteh”, relying on nothing but simple tools and big imaginations. These toys turned void decks, corridors, and open fields into spaces for creativity and connection. Beyond just fun, they built quick reflexes, problem-solving skills, and lifelong friendships. Whether it was a heated game of marbles or crafting rubber band ropes, every moment was packed with excitement. Today, we’re revisiting the traditional toys in Singapore that shaped generations long before screens took over childhood.
Why Traditional Toys In Singapore Were More Than Just Games?
In the good old days, with no screens to distract them, simple games using marbles, “chapteh”, and five stones turned afternoons into lively adventures. Many of Singapore’s most popular toys were handmade or passed around among friends, proving that joy didn’t come with a hefty price tag. These toys reflected deeper community values: resourcefulness, social interaction, and skill-building. Children learned how to collaborate, compete respectfully, and improve their coordination, all while having a blast. Traditional games for kids, like rubber band skipping and marble battles, taught patience, resilience, and strategy.
Friendships built over these games often lasted a lifetime, strengthened by shared experiences that went beyond just play. The classic toys in Singapore weren’t about winning or losing; they were about connecting with others, laughing together, and sometimes even learning to settle disputes. Today, many of the best traditional toys for kids are celebrated for their timeless appeal and educational value. Whether it’s the swift flick of a marble or the precise kick of a “chapteh”, the iconic toys from Singapore’s past have left a lasting imprint on the hearts of generations.
Top 6 Iconic Traditional Toys In Singapore
Five Stones (Batu Seremban)
Five Stones is a game made up of five small cloth bags filled with rice, sand, or beans. The objective is to toss one stone into the air while picking up others from the ground before catching the tossed stone. It demands sharp reflexes, good timing, and precision. Five Stones was particularly popular among girls and taught fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Its simplicity made it one of the best traditional toys for kids, helping to sharpen focus and dexterity in a fun, social setting.
Chapteh
Chapteh involves keeping a feathered shuttlecock in the air using only the feet, mainly the inner side of the foot. Requiring balance, coordination, and speed, Chapteh was a favourite during school recesses and around void decks. Kids often challenged each other to see who could keep the Chapteh airborne the longest. The game not only built physical skills but also created plenty of friendly rivalries and teamwork moments.
Marbles (Goli)
Goli, or marbles, featured bright glass spheres that kids used in competitive matches. The goal was simple but required skill: flick your marble to knock opponents’ marbles out of a drawn circle. Mastering Goli involved aiming, strategy, and a keen sense of angles. Goli battles were a common sight in kampongs and housing estates, teaching both competitiveness and patience.
Rubber Band Skipping Rope
Resourcefulness came to life with the rubber band skipping rope, a DIY creation made by linking multiple rubber bands together. Mostly enjoyed by girls, this game involved intricate footwork, timing, and stamina. Jumping over the elastic rope sometimes raised higher and higher tested agility and balance. It’s a great example of how kids used whatever they had to create engaging games.
Paper Balls (Pam-pam Ball)
The pam-pam ball was a lightweight, inflatable ball made of colourful paper layers. Kids would bat it around carefully, trying to keep it from touching the ground. Easy to fold and carry around, it was often bought cheaply from provision shops. The pam-pam ball brought simple, joyful fun, and its colourful designs remain a nostalgic symbol of childhood for many.
Spinning Tops (Gasing)
Spinning tops, or Gasing, were a test of skill, strength, and finesse. Kids would wrap a string around the top, launch it with a sharp tug, and compete to see whose top spun the longest. Some tops were wooden; others were metal or plastic, depending on what was available. Mastery of Gasing wasn’t easy, but the bragging rights that came with a long spin made it all worth the effort.
Each of these games represents not just a piece of childhood fun but an important part of Singapore’s cultural memory. Today, the best traditional toys for kids are redesigned to capture the interest of new-age kids while boosting creativity, building coordination, and fostering real-world connection things no digital device can replace.
Summary
Singapore’s traditional toys remind us that the best childhood memories are often built from the simplest moments. These classic games sparked creativity, encouraged friendships, and taught valuable life skills all without the need for screens. Today, they still hold a special place in Singaporean culture, proving that timeless fun never goes out of style. Ready to spark your child’s imagination or relive your own memories? Bring home a traditional toy that carries the stories of generations.