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.

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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