When we look back at some of the most memorable NDP moments, we think of the parachuting Red Lions, the iconic F-16 fighter jets, and of course, the fireworks. But no one can deny that these parades would be incomplete without the NDP fun packs.
Since their introduction in 1991, attendees have started looking forward to what the fun pack will look like each year and, more importantly, what’s inside. In celebration of our nation’s upcoming birthday, we picked out some of the most memorable NDP fun packs over the years.
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If you celebrated Total Defence Day in school, this one is sure to ring a bell. The NDP 2024 fun pack, inspired by the 6 pillars of defence, came in 6 different designs. Each one was hand- drawn by 40 student artists from 22 special education schools, showcasing artworks that uniquely represent Singapore.
The “shopping” bag was made lightweight and foldable, making for a handy reusable bag after the parade. It included drawstrings to allow for an expandable storage space, and was made using eco-friendly materials to promote Singapore’s efforts towards sustainability.
As for the goodies inside, they were pretty standard, with assorted snacks, hand clappers, temporary tattoos, and, of course, a mini Singapore flag.
Design: 2/5
Contents: 2/5
Nostalgic factor: 2/5
For Singapore’s diamond jubilee, every aspect of the National Day Parade was made extra special for the nation’s big 60th birthday, and 2025’s fun pack was no exception. First off, we’ve got to give props to the stunning design of the packs, all 7 of them.
These were created by 41 artists with disabilities from ART:DIS and special education schools, working hand-in-hand to create motifs that represented what our Little Red Dot stood for. Themes like multiculturalism, resilience, openness, and care were envisioned and splashed across tote bags.
This one is plastered with greetings in Singapore’s 4 official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil.
Image credit: Must Share News
Take a closer look, and you’ll notice a mosaic of iconic foods like ketupat, as well as uniquely Singaporean architecture like HDB blocks and the Gardens by the Bay. The packs, while all distinct, are a reflection of what aspects make Singapore strong and unique. They’re also an expression of hope for our country’s future.
As for what was in them, parade-goers reached into their fun packs to find beverages such as a carton of NEWater to quench their thirst with, and snacks like FairPrice potato chips and Khong Guan biscuits to keep them going throughout the parade. Also included was some much-needed protection from the blistering sun, in the form of sunscreen, a bucket hat and a collapsible fan, so we’re awarding bonus points for practicality.
Design: 3/5
Contents: 3/5
Nostalgic factor: 1/5
Image credit: @wowdealssg via Carousell
For a lot of Singaporeans, there’s only one thought that crossed our minds when we first laid eyes on the NDP 2021 funpack. That’s right, it’s chicken rice – specifically dabao-ed chicken rice.
Inspired by Singapore’s hawker culture, the backpack closely resembled the brown wrapping from takeaway meals we usually get at these stalls. In the interest of sustainability, the bag and most of its contents were made using biodegradable materials.
Although we wouldn’t call it the most fun pack since there were only a couple of items inside, it did serve well as a patriotic survival kit. Plus, we applaud the move towards encouraging Singaporeans to go green.
Design: 3/5
Contents: 1/5
Nostalgic factor: 3/5
Not only was the 2016 NDP fun pack cute, but the waterproof exterior was a bonus feature. So even if you got wet, you could rest assured that your goodies stayed dry. The main highlight of the pack had to be the huge red scarf that came within. It made us all want to stand up for Singapore while holding it above our heads.
Pros: Unique translucent design; cool and trendy.
Cons: You’re pretty much giving everyone a free tour of what’s in your bag. If you decided to use it after NDP, you would be likely to feel just a little too exposed.
Design: 3/5
Contents: 2/5
Nostalgic factor: 3/5
Image credit: Zero Waste Singapore via Facebook
If you’re thinking simple yet stylish, then the NDP 2019 fun pack has to be the winner. We think that this fun pack was one of the most fashionable bags over the years.
Some interesting items were the reusable bamboo straws that doubled as clappers – that’s not to mention the thick booklet of discount vouchers included in every bag.
Design: 3/5
Contents: 3/5
Nostalgic factor: 1/5
The NDP 2014 backpacks came in 6 colour combinations and added pops of colour to the NDP show. Included were clap banners to hype up the performances and adorable SG-themed badges that you could pin to the bag.
The combinations were all kinds of flashy, but the yellow and pink combination had to be the crowd favourite. Who wouldn’t want their very own free, neon-hued JanSport bag? Apart from the usual fun pack inclusions, there was even an LED bracelet that would light up in time with the tempo of the NDP music.
Design: 4/5
Contents: 2/5
Nostalgic factor: 2/5
Image credit: Sharon via Blogspot
Dubbed the “Fun Tote”, the NDP 2010 fun pack came in 7 different designs by local artists. Plus, the goodies in the fun pack weren’t just thrown inside; no, they were neatly packed into a red box.
It wasn’t just any normal, boring box though – it lived up to its Fun Box moniker – printed with classic board games such as Snakes and Ladders, bringing back forgotten childhood memories.
Design: 3/5
Contents: 2/5
Nostalgic factor: 3/5
Image credit: NDPeeps
In 2009, we bade farewell to the typical shades of red and white with the NDP 2009 fun pack. The fun pack was a reminder of just how colourful and diverse Singapore is, and we were presented with literally every shade of the rainbow. The bags were a huge hit that year thanks to their versatility. You could sling them across your body, remove the front flap for a tote bag moment, or swap them for endless colour combinations.
Goodies included a cute heart lightstick that you could wave during the parade. An iconic year if you ask us.
Design: 4/5
Contents: 2/5
Nostalgic factor: 3/5
Image adapted from: H55 Studio
The NDP 2007 fun packs basically screamed, “We’re the Power Rangers!” The bags that year were designed so people could use them even after the parade. Unzip the panels for a smaller bag, or leave the panels attached and stuff it to the brim – the possibilities were endless with this one. The range of colours also had owners swapping and trading colours with each other to nail the perfect colour combination.
The goodies that year were extra memorable, including cartoon animal visors and even a mini fan with LED lights on the blades, projecting words like “NDP @ Marina Bay” and “Happy Birthday”.
Design: 5/5
Contents: 3/5
Nostalgic factor: 3/5
Singapore turned 50 that year, and the NDP 2015 fun packs were simply the cherry on top. With 50 different tote bag designs, it was oh, so exciting to see which one we’d get. The bags were stuffed with nostalgic games and snacks such as the figure 8 chocolate candy and Old Maid card games. Among the goodies, the Singa Lion figurine and the country erasers were hot favourites.
Image credit: typicalben
SG50 easily tops our list by putting the fun in the fun pack. And the nostalgic factor is clearly on point.
Design: 3/5
Contents: 4/5
Nostalgic factor: 5/5
What is this year’s NDP fun pack design & what is in it?
Borrowing inspiration from its predecessor, the NDP 2026 fun pack is another collaborative work of art. This year, the fun packs were the fruits of labour of 36 artists, aged from as young as 6 to 65.
Image credit: @mindef via Instagram
They’ve employed the creative juices of artists from special education schools, social service agencies and early intervention centres to come up with masterpieces of their own that reflect this year’s NDP theme of “Majulah Singapura, Go Beyond”.
Image credit: @mindef via Instagram
The “Our People” design highlights our diverse culture in the form of everyday activities, while “Our Shared Memories” is an ode to the nation’s storied traditions passed down through generations. BTW, the bags are made from recycled polypropylene tote bags too; another win for our clean and green Garden City.
The contents of the bag is nothing to write home about; it’s as vanilla as an NDP fun pack can get, but it does its job of keeping you satiated during the 2.5 hour-long parade. It’s got the essentials like biscuits, bread, and packet drinks to keep you recharged, as well as hand sanitiser and wet wipes for easy clean up.
The NDP fun packs will be handed out at the National Education Shows, NDP Preview Shows, and the National Day Parade at the National Stadium on 9th August 2026. As of writing, these are the only ways of getting the 2026 NDP fun packs.
Based on previous years, you can expect to collect a free NDP fun pack by registering for and attending a National Day Heartlands Celebration event in various neighbourhoods in Singapore. There hasn’t been any word about these celebration sites for 2026’s NDP yet, but you’ll want to keep tabs on the People’s Association website as they are the ones hosting these events.
Ranking of NDP fun packs over the years
And there we have it – the final ranking of our favourite NDP fun packs that left us as proud Singaporeans. It has become a tradition that we look forward to every year, and we seriously can’t imagine what NDP would be like without them. Definitely a lot less fun-packed.
For more National Day content, check out:
Cover image adapted from: @wowdealssg via Carousell, Choo Yut Shing via Flickr
Last updated by Khoo Yong Hao on 14th July 2026.
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