What's New In May: NEW Artground Playground, A Train Hotel, Mario Kart @ Jewel & More!
New month, new finds! This month, Jewel Changi Airport welcomes Mario Kart and Nintendo pop-ups, and there's an exciting new innovation hub in the West that'll have you planning your visit ASAP! Plus, we explored a refreshed indoor playspace at The Artground, packed with hands-on fun that the kids will love.
Click here for past What's New Mama finds!
Disclaimer: These are external events not owned or managed by Sassy Mama. Always check with the organiser for changes or cancellations.
Train Pod: New train hotel using upcycled MRTs
If you're a fan of trains, the new Train Pod at one-north is your next must-visit staycation spot. Opening in the second half of 2025, this new co-living hotel has eight tiny pods, each converted from a decommissioned MRT carriage and designed to sleep up to two guests. Look forward to MRT elements inside, including LCD panels in the driver's compartment that play real footage of the train's previous tunnel journeys. Guests can also enjoy a 24/7 vending machine café, an outdoor dining area, and public benches repurposed from actual MRT seats! Read all about the Train Pod @ one-north here!
Deets: Train Pod @ one-north, 69 Ayer Rajah Crescent, Singapore 139961, www.tinypod.com
Lotte Mart Express: First store in SG opens at VivoCity
If you've ever visited South Korea, you've probably set foot in their popular hypermarket chain Lotte Mart. We've got good news–they have just opened its first store in FairPrice Xtra VivoCity, so you can satisfy your cravings for tasty Korean snacks, instant noodles and treats. From choco pie to soju highballs, corn chips and fried chicken, Lotte Mart Express has everything you need to put a smile on your face.
Deets: Lotte Mart Express, FairPrice Extra VivoCity, 1 HarbourFront Walk, #01-23 & #B2-23, 1 HarbourFront Walk, #B2-23 VivoCity, Singapore 098585, www.vivocity.com.sg
Geneo @ Singapore Science Park: New integrated Work-Live-Play hub
Westies, there's a new hangout spot to add to your list! Geneo @ Singapore Science Park is a new live-work-play hub that comprises offices, labs, serviced apartments and retail spaces. Here, you'll find familiar F&B favourites like Luckin Coffee, Swensen's, and BreadTalk. While you're there, be sure to check out Singapore's first-ever distributed cooling system, which is powered by rooftop solar panels (over 1,800 of them!)
Deets: Kinokuniya, opening August 2025, Raffles City, Level 3, www.kinokuniya.com.sg
Civic District Children's Season: Little Explorer's Trail, hands-on workshops & performances
Children's Season in the Civic District is back with exciting activities that promise fun for the whole family! Step into a world of wonder and discover the world through the eyes of little ones through thrilling performances, hands-on workshops and interactive exhibits designed to spark curiosity and imagination. Drop by The Arts House at the Old Parliament, Asian Civilisations Museum, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, National Gallery Singapore and Victoria Theatre & Victoria Concert Hall for family-friendly activities.
For the first time, Children's Season will introduce the Little Explorer's Trail, where kids can embark on an adventure trail in the Civic District. Drop by any of the three (out of the five) arts venues to collect three stamps on the trail map to redeem a free sticker sheet. This family-friendly activity allows families to explore Singapore and discover cultural gems in the heart of the city. Plus, don't miss various arts programmes happening within the precinct such as the 'Look At The World' concert by the Singapore Symphony Youth & Children's Choir at the Victoria Concert Hall and The Arts House Story Tour (part of Monstrous Fun! at The Arts House).
Deets: Children's Season, May to June 2025 (The Little Explorer's Trail is from 30 May – 29 June 2025), various locations in the Civic District, www.artshouselimited.sg
Kinokuniya: New store at Raffles City this August!
Kinokuniya is opening a brand-new outlet at Raffles City Shopping Centre this August! Spanning 3,433 sqft on the third floor, this cosy new space promises quiet moments of discovery with Kinokuniya's signature blue shelves and a dedicated Blue Room, a serene nook for immersive reads and literary escapes. The announcement follows news that the brand's iconic 38,000 sqft flagship store at Ngee Ann City will be downsized. Additionally, the brand has also closed its other outlets in recent years, reflecting the challenges of the shrinking book retail scene. Still, we know that this new store is a dose of good news for book lovers, and we're all for it!
Deets: Kinokuniya, opening August 2025, Raffles City, Level 3, www.kinokuniya.com.sg
Yamaha Music School: New primary course for ages 3 to 5.5
Got a little musician at home? Yamaha Music School, AKA one of Singapore's most popular music schools, has just launched a brand-new Yamaha Primary Course for kiddos as young as 3! Designed for ages 3 to 5, this refreshed programme is packed with catchy new tunes, updated content, and new digital learning tools. Kids will benefit from Yamaha's distinctive teaching method: 'Listening,' 'Singing,' 'Playing,' and 'Reading.' With instruments like the Piano or Electone in hand, they'll build a solid musical foundation while learning to express themselves with confidence.
The Yamaha Primary Course also helps little ones build social skills, teamwork, and other lifelong skills. Lessons are led by certified Yamaha teachers who possess extensive musical knowledge and excellent communication skills, ensuring high-quality instruction. Yamaha Music School is hosting an Exclusive Primary Experience Corner at Plaza Singapura branch from April to June, which includes hands-on activities and more. More information here.
Deets: Yamaha Music School, www.app.yamaha.sg
The Cathay: Revamped mall after 2-year renovation
Everyone's go-to hangout spot in Dhoby Ghaut has just reopened following a 2-year renovation! The revamped 16-storey Cathay Building features a shopping mall from Levels 1 to 6, and from Levels 7 to 16, The Cathay Residence. While the iconic cinema is no longer there, there's still plenty to do. From a 24-hour gym to burn off those snacks to delicious F&B spots to satisfy every craving. One of the main highlights is the new three-story, 360-degree multimedia screen featuring dynamic visuals in HD! Check out our full guide of The Cathay at Dhoby Ghaut here.
Deets: The Cathay, 2 Handy Road, Singapore 229233, www.thecathay.com.sg
PropNex Family Zone: Free outdoor playground @ Gardens by The Bay
Heading to the iconic Gardens by the Bay soon? Good news because there's a brand-new outdoor playground, and it's inspired by the Supertrees themselves! This sizeable play space features towering wooden structures that mimic the look of the Supertrees, and yes, they even light up at night! Older kids will love the climbing structures and tall slide, while little ones will enjoy the giant sandpit that glows after dark. There's even a mini marketplace that is perfect for pretend play. Check out our full review of the Propnex Family Zone at Gardens by The Bay here and watch our Reel here.
Deets: Propnex Family Zone, Gardens by The Bay Active Garden, www.gardensbythebay.com.sg
The Artground @ GAC: New 'Lost Islands' indoor playspace
The Artground has just unveiled its newest playspace, and we guarantee you'd want to check this one out! This play space presents three different interactive exhibitions for kids throughout the year, and its latest exhibition – Lost Islands – invites little adventurers to journey across the islands of Singapore and Indonesia, where myths, folklore, and legends come to life. Just opened in April, this new indoor playground features climbing elements and a sensory path set along the back of a majestic mythical sea dragon! Watch our reel here.
Deets: The Artground @ GAC, Goodman Arts Centre, www.theartground.com.sg
Revamped Museum of Ice Cream: New installations including a Banana Maze
Possibly one of the most colourful, kid-friendly museums in Singapore, the Museum of Ice Cream has just reopened after a sweet revamp, complete with new interactive installations that'll have you chasing your next sugar rush. New highlights to look forward to include the adorable Animal Cookie Ride, a brand-new bouncy castle, the Infinity Mirror Party Zone as well as Singapore's first-ever Banana Maze! The carnival area also has nostalgic games for a dose of childhood fun. Plus, you can now indulge in up to 19 ice cream flavours and 8 toppings during your visit! Check out our full review of Museum of Ice Cream and watch our Reel here.
Deets: Museum of Ice Cream Singapore, 100 Loewen Road, Dempsey, Singapore 248837, www.museumoficecream.com
Nintendo Pop-Up store @ Jewel Changi Airport: New and exclusive merchandise
The popular Nintendo pop-up is making a comeback at Jewel Changi Airport, and this year, it's bigger than ever! Expect 150 new and exclusive merchandise items from fan-favourite games like Super Mario, Animal Crossing, The Legend of Zelda, Splatoon, Pikmin and more. Think stationery, figurines, apparel, and plenty of collectables! Plus, be sure to spot Mario-themed installations located around Jewel, including a massive Rainbow Road centrepiece!
Deets: Nintendo pop-up store, Jewel Changi Airport, www.jewelchangiairport.com
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Independent Singapore
20 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
French woman hears ‘Happy Happy' in MRT announcement, asks Singaporeans what it means
TikTok screengrab/ Audrey Thiloy SINGAPORE: Puzzled at an announcement she heard on the Blue Line, a woman from France asked Singaporeans to let her know what 'happy happy' could possibly mean. As it turns out, like other visitors to the Little Red Dot, she misheard 'Berhati-hati di ruang platform,' which means 'mind the gap' in Malay. Audrey Thiloy posed her question in a TikTok video posted on Friday (Aug 8), which has since been viewed almost 700,000 times. @audreythiloy HAPPY HAPPY ✨ in sg MRT #tiktoksg🇸🇬 #tiktoksg #sgtiktok #mrt #metro ♬ original sound – Audrey Thiloy ૮ • ﻌ – ა 'I'm in the MRT in Singapore, and every time I am on the Blue Line, the MRT lady keeps telling, 'Happy, happy.' Please, people from Singapore, tell me what 'Happy Happy' means,' said Ms Thiloy in her video. 'I have it in my head. Like it's stuck in my head and I don't know what it means, the Happy Happy,' she added, which everyone who has ever had an earworm is likely to relate to. So far, her post has received over 2,000 comments, and many TikTok users have been more than happy (see what we did there) to oblige her with answers. One wrote, 'It's 'Hati-hati' (ha-tee ha-tee), it means be careful. Not 'happy happy'.' To this, the post author replied, 'Hahaha, oh ok 😭🙏🏻 I'll be careful then.' Another had an even more complete explanation, writing, 'So in Singapore when (the announcement) tells you, 'Please mind the yellow gap' in English, there are 3 more languages besides English, which are Mandarin, Malay: 'Berhati-hati di ruang platform', and last in Tamil.' One noted that in places such as Chinatown or Kovan, the announcement is even in Hokkien as well. A TikTok user provided a YouTube link as an example: Another took the opportunity to deliver a mini-lecture on languages in Singapore: 'The national language of Singapore is Bahasa Melayu (Malay), as stated in the Constitution of Singapore. However, Singapore has four official languages: Malay (national language) English (main working and administrative language) Mandarin Chinese (spoken by the Chinese community) Tamil (spoken by the Indian community) While Malay holds symbolic importance, used in the Singapore national anthem, 'Majulah Singapura', English is the most commonly used language in government, business, and education.' She is not the first visitor to the city-state to have heard 'happy happy' instead of 'Berhati-hati'. In 2014, a travel blogger from the UK wrote , 'There are 3 things I like about the Singapore Mass Rapid Transport (MRT),' one of which was 'when you stop at a platform, a lady says 'Happy Happy'.' 'Causing amusement every time, these two words seem to make everything better. Like she is saying, 'Hey, thanks for riding this train, you're rad, stay extra happy happy for your journey ahead, you wonderful person, you'.' /TISG Read also: F oreigner with kids in a stroller complains about not being given way in MRT lift () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
New Paper
a day ago
- New Paper
'We feel very connected to Singapore': The migrant workers who serve the country
When Mr Rayhan Md Abu first saw the blueprints for Jewel Changi Airport in 2017, he could not believe his eyes. An indoor waterfall? A large glass dome? A five-storey indoor garden? The Bangladeshi worker, who had just joined a construction firm working on the project, wondered if a building could truly look so spectacular. But over two years spent toiling 11 to 12 hours a day, six days a week, at the site, Mr Rayhan saw those plans slowly taking shape as a mammoth retail complex. When Jewel Changi Airport opened to much fanfare in 2019, he was struck by immense awe and satisfaction. Six years on, those feelings remain. Said Mr Rayhan, who had performed electrical works at the site: "I am proud that I helped to build something so beautiful. Mr Rayhan Md Abu is one of over a million migrant work permit and S Pass holders who have left their home countries to work in Singapore. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR "When I saw all the lights we installed come on for the first time, it was a very good feeling." Mr Rayhan, 29, is one of over a million migrant work permit and S Pass holders who have left their home countries to work in Singapore. These migrant workers play a crucial role in building and maintaining Singapore's infrastructure and caring for families, the elderly and those who are ill. After years here, many of them have also come to consider Singapore their second home, even as they support their families back home. The recent rescue of a woman from a sinkhole by seven workers brought the contributions of migrant workers here to the fore. It has also sparked conversations about their welfare and safety. Mr Rayhan, who is currently a supervisor for an underground substation project, said: "Every construction site needs migrant workers. We are helping to build Singapore, and helping it to develop and progress." Leaving his hometown of Dhaka at the age of 20 in 2016, Mr Rayhan has been working here ever since to earn a living for his family of six. This includes his elderly parents, who both suffered strokes in recent years and have to take medication daily for heart conditions. Nine years on, the Jewel Changi Airport project remains Mr Rayhan's most memorable, as the sheer scale of the complex still amazes him. "Sometimes on my day off, I go to Jewel. The shops are quite expensive, and as a foreign worker, I cannot afford to buy the things inside. "But I like to just go and jalan-jalan because everything looks so nice. Sometimes I will also eat at McDonald's or KFC there," said Mr Rayhan, using the Malay word for taking a walk. Attractions such as Marina Bay, the Singapore Botanic Gardens, Sentosa and places near his dormitory like Punggol Waterway Park are among his other go-to places to relax on his rest days. Some of Mr Rayhan's best memories from his nine years in Singapore are of watching the National Day Parade (NDP) fireworks with his friends at Marina Bay. Mr Rayhan, who plans on doing the same on Aug 9 this year, said: "We enjoy the fireworks and National Day 'feel'. We work very hard, and our families are far away - doing things like this together makes life happier." The Straits Times spoke to three other migrant workers who have contributed to Singapore's development in their own ways. Pride in helping to build Woodlands Health Campus For some, morning commutes are often sleepy, unremarkable affairs. But for construction worker Senthil Selvarasu, the drive from his dormitory in Senoko to worksites around Singapore offers a daily reminder of the fruits of his labour. Every morning, his company's lorry travels past the new Woodlands Health Campus, where he spent six months doing concrete works in 2019 for the construction of the hospital that started receiving patients in December 2023. Mr Senthil Selvarasu spent six months doing concrete works in 2019 for the construction of Woodlands Health Campus. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Mr Selvarasu said: "Seeing the hospital on the way to work every morning makes me happy and very proud that I was a part of making this place, where many lives are saved and where people get help." To the 35-year-old, who came to work in Singapore in 2016 from Tiruchirappalli in southern India to support his family, helping others is something he was inspired by Singaporeans to do. He recalled strangers patiently giving him directions when he did not know how to go back to his dormitory from places like Little India in his early days here. "This was my first lesson in Singapore - that whatever, whenever, people you see will come and help you with a smile," he told ST. There are also many groups that support and organise activities for migrant workers, like ItsRainingRaincoats, where he has taken English classes, said Mr Selvarasu. He added that such initiatives help migrant workers like him feel a greater sense of belonging to Singapore, which he considers his "second country". Said Mr Selvarasu: "Every day, when I sit in the back of the lorry, I see the big Singapore buildings, the parks, the trees, and I wonder how this extraordinary place was built. "A lot of workers come here and work very hard - a lot of sweat, some injuries, and in some places, workers have even died. People might see the beautiful buildings afterwards, but actually, there was a lot of hard work behind (them) by hundreds of workers." She picked up Mandarin and Malay to care for patients On her first-ever flight in 2008, Ms Panchavarnam Porkodi was a bundle of nervousness and excitement - and that was not just because of the thrill of being in the air. She had just turned 26 and was on her way to Singapore to work as a nurse after several years at a hospital in her home city of Chennai in India. Ms Panchavarnam Porkodi came to Singapore to work as a nurse in 2008 after several years at a hospital in her home city of Chennai in India. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Seventeen years on, the 43-year-old is now an assistant nurse clinician at Ren Ci Community Hospital, where she manages a team of about 30 nurses who care for patients undergoing rehabilitative and recuperative care. Her confident, chatty demeanour today is a far cry from her early days as a staff nurse, when she could not understand patients who spoke mainly Mandarin or Malay. By attending conversational Mandarin and Malay classes, and learning from patients who taught her basic phrases and corrected her pronunciation, Ms Porkodi grew to connect with her patients better and adapted to life in Singapore. "Our patients stay here for about three to four weeks, so we feel quite connected to them, and I look forward to coming in to take care of them at every shift," she said. "Singapore has become a second home for me... and (Ren Ci) is like a family. The entire journey for me is really wonderful. I really don't have words to express it." Ms Porkodi's husband, an electrician and safety supervisor here, is also from Chennai, and they share a Housing Board flat in Sembawang with several flatmates. The couple have a 13-year-old son in India, whom they visit once or twice a year. In the long term, the family intends to apply for permanent residency. "We feel very connected to Singapore, and want to make this our home," said Ms Porkodi. While she is rostered to work this National Day, she plans to turn on the television in her ward's activity area for patients to follow the parade and, when the time comes, sing the National Anthem with them. NDP among the highlights in her 23 years here Despite having watched the NDP on television many times before, nothing could have prepared Ms Leizle Menez for the emotions of the live show at the Marina Bay floating platform, which she caught with her former employer about a decade ago. Ms Leizle Menez came to Singapore to work in 2002. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY "It was so amazing and everything was so colourful. When the planes flew past with the Singapore flag, and when the fireworks began, I almost cried," said the 46-year-old Filipino domestic worker, who came here to work in 2002. Hailing from Bacolod, a coastal city in central Philippines about an hour's flight south of Manila, she is the eldest of seven siblings and the family's main breadwinner. "As domestic workers, we are part of Singapore's growth too. Our work means that people can work without worrying about their kids or their elderly parents," said Ms Menez. Besides her job, she has also volunteered as a health advocate with the migrant worker non-profit organisation Home for 17 years. "Celebrating NDP makes me feel even more like I'm a part of that story, and that I belong here in Singapore." Every year, Ms Menez, who has watched the NDP live only once, celebrates Singapore's birthday with friends at a park on Aug 9. Dressed in red and white and sporting Singapore-flag face tattoos, they catch up over food. Said Ms Menez: "It's also a celebration for us, of our time here as helpers."
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
NDP 2025: Hope and anticipation as Singapore's 60th birthday bash kicks off
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Spectators at the National Day Parade at the Padang on Aug 9. SINGAPORE – A sense of anticipation thrummed at the Padang on Aug 9 as the crowd waited for the kick-off to the National Day Parade (NDP) celebrations. The slight drizzle and relentless heat had nothing on the audience, who sang along to familiar national favourites piped through speakers and thumped energetically to the beat with inflatable thunder sticks. It was, after all, Singapore's 60th birthday bash – and the 27,000 people in attendance were ready to celebrate. A segment in the pre-show of wishes penned by Singaporeans drew laughter, and some crowd favourites were 'I want to do well for Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE)!' and 'I want to be on television!', and heartfelt ones like 'I want us to feel safe and welcomed!' and 'I want us to support each other!'. A segment in the pre-show of wishes penned by Singaporeans drew laughter. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO Several Padang waves later, the giant screens showed hosts Joakim Gomez, Sonia Chew, Ebi Shankara and Siti Khalijah 'teleporting' from the stage at the Padang to an MRT train. To the soundtrack Makin' Our Way, written and composed by home-grown artist Benjamin Kheng, a film showed the hosts riding the train to scenes in Singapore's history, before they hopped onto a Singapore Big Bus. There was a surprise appearance made by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in the film, who played a riff on an electric guitar at the back of that Singapore Big Bus – to loud cheers from the audience at the Padang. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 4 men arrested after police search operation in forested area near Rail Corridor Singapore SAF regular serviceman dies after being found unconscious at Hendon Camp swimming pool: Mindef World Three wounded in shooting in New York's Times Square Singapore Driver taken to hospital after car hits lamp post in Orchard Road Singapore Urban farming, robots, AI exhibitions: Public invited to share ideas for new Science Centre Asia 2 Malaysian tourists critically injured after being set on fire in Bangkok World Trump and Putin to meet on Aug 15 in Alaska Life The crypto bros are back: 'The hubris never really left' It was then when the hosts pulled up in person at the Padang. The National Day Parade hosts arriving at the Padang on Aug 9. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI The atmosphere turned electric when it became clear that the show had started proper, with the four hosts breaking into song and dance on the Padang stage. Not a moment was wasted thereafter, as thrilling music drew eyes skywards to the impending arrival of the Red Lions parachutists. Phones were whipped out, necks craned, and breaths bated as the seven skydivers – leaping from the aircraft at 3,050m above ground and at first appearing as small dots in the sky – spiralled downwards. Phones were whipped out, necks craned, and breaths bated as the seven skydivers spiralled downwards. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG The Red Lions linked their arms together to form a circle, before dispersing in a 'bomb burst' manoeuvre complete with red smoke trails to resemble a flower opening. The Red Lions linked their arms together to form a circle, before dispersing in a 'bomb burst' manoeuvre complete with red smoke trails to resemble a flower opening. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY At about 1,220m above ground, the Red Lions deployed their parachutes for their descent onto the Padang to resounding cheers from the audience. At about 1,220m above ground, the Red Lions deployed their parachutes for their descent onto the Padang to resounding cheers from the audience. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY The Red Lions' arrival was just half of the perennial crowd favourite. In the inaugural Jump of Unity at the 2025 parade, seven naval divers parachuted into Marina Bay from a helicopter at about 1,830m above ground. In the inaugural Jump of Unity at the parade, seven naval divers parachuted into Marina Bay from a helicopter at about 1,830m above ground. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG Their splashdown in Marina Bay was similarly met with thunderous roars from the massive crowd gathered at the promontory on the bay. The naval divers waving to the crowd at Merlion Park. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG After their dramatic jumps, the 14 Red Lions and naval divers performed a combined simultaneous salute from their separate landing sites. Audience members then turned their eyes to a video featuring Singaporeans from all walks of life talking about their wishes for their community and themselves. As night fell, the camera panned to members of the crowd holding up their wish placards, illuminating the idea of collective hope for the nation's future.
