Fun With Kids: SG60 Changi Airport charity walk, The Smurfs books, Lego sets for girls
Walk for a cause at the SG60 Changi Airport Charity Walk and also get a Mr Merlion or Buddy Bear mini plush keychain.
SINGAPORE – Make family time all the more special with these ideas and activities.
SG60 Changi Airport Charity Walk
Walk for a cause at the SG60 Changi Airport Charity Walk on July 27. This 2km family-friendly evening stroll begins at Terminal 2's Race Village, winds along the Changi Airport Connector and concludes at the Finisher Carnival at Terminal 4.
Along the route, enjoy interactive trivia stations and local treats such as ice-cream sandwiches and gem biscuits.
All event proceeds will go to Community Chest Singapore's programmes for children with special needs and youth-at-risk. Changi Foundation will match the sum raised dollar for dollar, up to $60,000.
Registration fees are $60 a person, $110 for two or $180 for four. Each sign-up includes an event T-shirt and a bag, and finishers will receive a medallion and a Mr Merlion or Buddy Bear mini plush keychain.
Can't make it on July 27? Sign up for the free 60km virtual challenge and complete your walk or run anywhere, any time by Aug 31 to show your support for the initiative.
Go to
str.sg/J3gEg for more details.
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The Smurfs picture book series
Singapore author Ruth Wan-Lau (second from right) translated 12 Smurfs stories from French into English. She is seen here with Mr Max Phua (far right), managing director of World Scientific Publishing, and staff members from Peyo Company at the 2024 Frankfurt Book Fair.
PHOTO: WS EDUCATION
Computer-animated musical Smurfs opens in cinemas on July 17. It stars American pop star Rihanna as the voice of Smurfette, who leads the little blue creatures on a quest to save Papa Smurf (John Goodman).
Beyond the big screen, your kids can continue their adventures with the Smurfs through a series of picture books, which have a unique Singapore connection.
The Smurfs were originally conceived as French comic characters by Belgian cartoonist Pierre Culliford, known as Peyo, in 1958, with further development by his studio.
Now, 12 of these stories have been translated into English for the first time by Singaporean Ruth Wan-Lau.
Wan-Lau, a publisher at World Scientific Education and author of the Timmy & Tammy picture book series (2014 to present), met the Peyo Company at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2023 and 2024.
She told The Straits Times that she enjoyed translating the 'very funny and interesting' stories and ensured that the English versions were suitable for kids aged three to eight.
Six titles, including The Smurfs Turn Black, are now available and another six are slated for release in 2026.
PHOTO: WS EDUCATION
Six titles, including The Smurfs Turn Black and The Attack Of The Howling Bird, are now available at $9.90 each or $25 for a set of three at major bookstores and via its e-shop on Shopee (
bit.ly/TheSmurfs-EDM ).
These books will also be sold in Malaysia and Indonesia. Another six titles are slated for release in 2026.
Lego sets for girls
Disney fans will adore new building sets like the Lucky and Penny 101 Dalmatians Puppies, suitable for children aged six and up. Findings from Lego's research show that girls and mums often undervalue their building skills compared with boys and dads.
PHOTO: THE LEGO GROUP
Findings from The Lego Group's recent research show that girls and mums often undervalue their building skills compared with boys and dads.
The survey of 32,605 parents and children in 21 countries reveals gender stereotypes around building.
This disparity stems from perception that 'builders' are heavily associated with men (39 per cent) and boys playing with blocks (36 per cent). Some 80 per cent of adults believe boys are inherently better builders, leading to 70 per cent of girls struggling to see themselves as good at building.
To foster creative confidence in girls, the Lego Group has released a new range of building sets designed to appeal to varied interests.
The Lego Creator Typewriter with Flowers is a versatile set which can be reassembled into a keytar or a flowerpot.
PHOTO: THE LEGO GROUP
Among the collection is the Lego Creator Typewriter with Flowers ($47.90), a versatile set for kids aged eight and above. It can be reassembled into a keytar or a flower pot.
Disney fans will adore sets such as the Lucky and Penny 101 Dalmatians Puppies ($34.90), suitable for children aged six and up.
Find these sets at Lego-certified stores, official stores on Lazada, Shopee and Amazon, and at major retailers and department stores.
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That is nearly fivefold the reported value seized from 2019 to end-2023, according to numbers compiled by ST. Many students, from primary schools to institutes of higher learning, have been reported for possessing or using vapes. There were 2,000 such cases in 2024, up from 800 cases in 2022 and 900 cases in 2023. Vaping is not just a social ill. Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Faishal Ibrahim said in Parliament on Jan 7 that several studies have linked vaping to an increase in risk of drug use. Associate Professor Faishal said that the HSA and Central Narcotics Bureau have come across cases of people using vapes to consume controlled drugs. But he added that such cases still form a minority of cases here. Vape zombies Susan said her son's behaviour resembled those of young people, caught in a recent video on social media, who were stumbling as they walked near Punggol Waterway. She said he was constantly twitching and shaking, even when he was not vaping. "We were very worried about him and tried to talk nicely to him. At that point, he cried and promised to stop," said Susan. He broke his promise before too long. "He lost about 10kg within a month. He totally changed into another person. I couldn't recognise him any more," said Susan, who added that he also became more aggressive and agitated. "He started lying to us, cheating me of my money to purchase more Kpods. He would even ask for money from his grandma, his uncle and aunts," she added. It ended with his arrest over an unrelated offence earlier in 2025. "I really didn't know what to do. I didn't know where to put him, to help him end his addiction," said Susan. Helplines Mental well-being Institute of Mental Health's Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours) Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp) Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928 Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1 Women's Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm) The Seniors Helpline: 1800-555-5555 (weekdays, 9am to 5pm) Counselling Touchline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252 Touch Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555 Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366 We Care Community Services: 3165-8017 Shan You Counselling Centre: 6741-9293 Clarity Singapore: 6757-7990 Online resources
