Tucked away in an industrial estate at Henderson, The Playground feels like a secret hideout for closet race car drivers. It has the feel of an underground garage but it is really welcoming, with a mini 4WD track that is open to one and all.
The Playground: Place for Mini 4WD Enthusiasts
We’ve come across The Playground online several times but never had a chance to visit – until now. It is located just beside the office of NGO It’s Raining Raincoats and a block away from the Henderson branch of school uniform supplier Bibi & Baba.
The Playground can be found on the second floor of the industrial building at 217 Henderson Road. When the lift door opens, you can find the hobby store just to the right.
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Those who grew up in the 1990s would remember the heyday of Tamiya Mini 4WD cars. These miniature versions of the full-sized RC (remote control) cars was the stuff that childhood dreams were made of. They could be assembled stock out of the box, or customised with endless modifications to go faster and faster.
The Playground hobby store is where you can still feed these dreams today – and parents can even enjoy this hobby together with their children.
Tamiya Mini 4WD Cars & Track
There is everything you need to get started with the Mini 4WD hobby at The Playground.
For those who are just getting into the hobby, you can buy the 4WD car kits to assemble your own racing car. Choose from different types of chassis and designs, like a front motor layout, rear motor layout or midship, double shaft motor layout. A basic Mini 4WD drive kit will cost you between $20 to $30.
The fun is in assembling the car and there is a sense of accomplishment when it is fully assembled too. The Playground has benches that you can use to fit together your car kit.
We just want to mention that the staff at The Playground are very helpful and friendly. As enthusiasts, if they are not too busy with other customers, they can also offer help and advice if needed.
The real payoff for assembling your own car is to put in on the track and watch it go round, guided by the rollers.
The mini 4WD track at The Playground is free-to-use and open to all. Once your car is ready, you can let it loose on the race track and watch it do lap after lap.
Tune Up and Customise
For those who want to go beyond the stock car kits, The Playground offers plenty of parts that can be purchased and used to tune-up your car.
You can find the original Tamiya parts available for sale. You can change your tires, the wheels, the motor, the gears and the list goes on and on!
There are also after-market parts available for sale. These are suitable for beginner customisers as they are more affordably priced.
Beyblade
Fans of Beyblade can also head down to The Playground to check out the Beyblade sets that are on sale.
You can also design your own Beyblade too by choosing the parts that you want and assembling them together.
There are a 108 combinations that are possible!
The Playground Hobby Store
Looking to get into a new hobby with the kids or just want to revive your old one? It may be time to check out The Playground and its mini 4WD track at Henderson.
Address: 217 Henderson Road #02-06, Singapore, Singapore 159555
Contact: 8950 0680
Opening Hours:
Tuesdays to Friday – 4 pm to 11 pm
Saturday and Sunday – 1 pm to 11 pm
Website: The Playground
Instagram: The Playground (check for race days when the track may be closed to the general public here)
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