CNY and winter camps this 2019
According to the official Chinese holiday announcement, this year's Spring Festival holiday is from Monday 4 to Sunday 10 February. With barely a month away from a week of many closed restaurants and fewer Didis, it's probably high time to look for some activities for the kids during the break. So hello, CNY camps!
While you could consider cozying it up indoors with a good selection of age-appropriate books with the kids or start getting ready for the amazing line-up of kids' movies this year with a movie marathon, you could also check out some of these creative camps happening during the 'break' – which probably isn't the same for all our kids.
For some local public schools, the Chinese New Year holiday is just a part of the Winter holiday and lasts for nearly two months. For international and some private schools, the break lasts one to two weeks. So we're listing events not just during Chinese New Year but including those that happen before and after, in case your child has an extra week or two of holiday mileage to spare.
Atelier Chinese New Year holiday camps
Atelier Shunyi and Sanlitun. Dates and times vary. From 2,000-4,500RMB.
Video courtesy of Atelier
The creative minds behind Atelier are at it again this Chinese New Year with camps to keep creative juices a-flow. For five consecutive weeks, join Atelier at its Shunyi and Sanlitun campus where they take kids on a journey from 2019 to the land of Ancient history. (Dates, location and ages on poster)
Choose from these five camps:
1. The Vikings and Drakkar Boat. An in-depth exploration of the history and mythology of Vikings where students get to build an animated wooden boat. Students will be immersed in culture, history, electronics, wood-working, mechanisms, simple electrical circuits and more.
2. Discovery of Ancient Egypt through the Nile River. Students will delve into the importance of the Nile River in ancient Egypt by creating a creative diorama animated by mechanical movements, LED lights for starry lights, a secret box and more.
3. Greek mythology. An art camp where students will study the extent of Greek mythology’s influence on the culture, arts and literature of Western civilisation. Students will also learn about the different gods, heroes and mythological creatures and use different art techniques and tools to recreate these old stories.
4. Design and build a musical instrument. An Atelier Fab Lab camp where children will discover the world of electronics applied to acoustic science, to experiment and design their own musical instruments and to learn how to make a design using CAD 2D software.
5. Discovery of the Mayan civilisation.
An art camp that explores the importance of the Mayans in art,
culture and history and create a series of art works inspired by the
Mayan culture using molding and engraving techniques.
PINGO SPACE: Beijing winter camp 2019
Pingo Space, Mon 28 Jan-Fri 1 Feb, Mon 11-Fri 15 Feb, Mon 18-Fri 22 Feb; 9am-4pm.
Image courtesy of Pingo Space
Pingo Space is holding a winter camp with a different theme each week broken down into even smaller themes. Each day will include input sessions, STEM-related activities, 60 minutes of voluntary reading, sports or a drama-related class or extended project work. At the end of each week, students will be asked to showcase their work to their parents.
Week 1: Space Exploration, Mon 28 Jan-Fri 1 Feb
Daily themes: The Solar System; the history of Space Travel, Working in Space, Aliens, The Future
Week 2: Medieval times, Mon 11 Feb-Fri 15 Feb
Daily themes: Kings and Queens; Knights in Armour; Castles; Medieval Tech; Marco Polo
Week 3: Pirates of the Carribean, Mon 18 Feb-Fri 22 Feb
Daily themes: Pirates of the Carribean; Buried treasure; Ship-wrecked; Pieces of Eight; Storms
Pingo Space, 23 Xidawang Lu, Chaoyang district (Chen Chen 136 7118 9171) 朝阳区西大望路甲23号
Ninja Education winter chess camp
French Institute (tentative); Mon 28 Jan-Fri 1 Feb. 9am-3pm including lunch. 7,400RMB including lunch and snack
Image courtesy of Ninja Education
The only bilingual (English/Chinese) chess camp in Beijing taught by FIDE (International Chess Federation) recognised instructor following the popular method of ChessAfter3 program from New York City. This camp aims to waken the inner chess ninja in your kids while introducing them to chess rules via games and activities. Feel free to ask for more private courses information if your kids seek higher level tutoring.
For more information, please add the organiser on Wechat (ninjatutor).
Kids' CNY Fashion Camp 2019: Metalsmithing 101
The SLab, Mon 28 Jan-Fri 8 Feb, 10am-3pm, 1,888RMB
Image courtesy of The SLab
When your child isn't satisfied with just collecting beads on a string and call that 'jewellery', you know it's time for an upgrade. Children 12 and up will design and conceptualise their own jewellery and accessories, then use brass and silver to pierce, saw and finish to bring their imagined concept into reality. Now here’s a lovely gift for the parents…if the kids are willing to part with their creations, that is.
The SLab, 2F Building 2, 7 Xinzhong Lu, Dongcheng district (156 0120 1550) 东城区新中街7号2号楼 2层
Kids' CNY Camp: Sewing 101
The SLab, Mon 28 Jan-Fri 1 Feb; Mon 4-Fri 8 Feb. 10am-3pm. 1,888RMB.
Image courtesy of The SLab
So you wanna sew? Children eight and up will learn the basics on how to use a sewing machine. Students will complete the program with a drawstring bag that they would have designed and sewn all by themselves. Prior experience not necessary and lunch included.
The SLab, 2F Building 2, 7 Xinzhong Lu, Dongcheng district (156 0120 1550) 东城区新中街7号2号楼 2层
Le Petit Fashion Designer 小小时装设计师
Le Brun, Shunyi, Sundays till 21 Apr, 9am-midday, 380RMB for a single class, 3,500/10 classes, 4,800RMB/15 classes
Image courtesy of Le Petit Fashion Designer
Your child can now say goodbye to their doll's limited fashion options and start designing their own. If your kid is at least six years old, sign them up and let them learn how to design new clothes for her doll. Each three-hour class introduces a different theme, iconic designer or ethnic culture and also includes a historical and cultural overview, introduction to the template and style, pattern cutting, sewing (done by the teachers) and creative decorating. At the end of each class, students will take home their very own doll dress creation, which also fits on an American Girl Doll.
For more information, including address, please contact the organiser by adding her on Wechat (hwawu001).
Kids' CNY Camp: Digital Photography
The SLab. Mon 4-Fri 15 Feb, 10am-3pm. 2,200RMB.
Image courtesy of The SLab
Goodbye point and shoot and hello DSLR. Start your child’s picture-perfect journey with this digital photography class for kids eight and up. The class introduces the ins and outs of photography by understanding compositions and how to use a camera correctly. Photography is a skill that applies the elements and principles of design, through the use of a medium that takes time and experience to develop. With a good handle on the camera and a refined eye, your child will hopefully be able to show you photos and pictures that speak a thousand words.
Requirements: Students will need to bring in their own DSLR camera with at least 32GB of space on their SD cards. Classes will be in English and are open to students with no prior experience. Lunch will be provided.
The SLab, 2F Building 2, 7 Xinzhong Lu, Dongcheng district (156 0120 1550) 东城区新中街7号2号楼 2层
Kids' CNY Camp: Editing in iMovie
The SLab. Mon 18-Fri 22. 10am-3pm. 2,888RMB.
Image courtesy of The SLab
This class is for kids 12 and up and teaches students the foundational tools of using iMovie in this camp where they will learn editing techniques to best create a coherent film that’s created by the Movie Making camp of the previous week. Classes are taught in English and no experience is necessary. Lunch is included.
The SLab, 2F Building 2, 7 Xinzhong Lu, Dongcheng district (156 0120 1550) 东城区新中街7号2号楼 2层
Kids' CNY Camp: Movie Making
The SLab. Mon 4-Fri 8 Feb, Mon 11-15 Fri Feb. 10am-3pm. 2,888RMB.
Image courtesy of The SLab
What kid doesn't dream of sitting in a director's chair, a video camera in front of them as they record the story unfolding in front of them and, with a careful director's eye, say...'and cut!' Quite a lot of kids, we'll guess, but if yours is one of the few kids 8 and up who dare to be different, then this course is for the movie maker in your child. Start off like every new director using tools and equipment that are available to low-budget film-makers including filming and photographing on iPads, iPhones, and home cameras. Kids who are deemed qualified and responsible enough by the instructors' professional opinion will get the chance to use professional cameras and recording devices. Classes include lunch, will be taught in English and is open to students with no prior experience.
The SLab, 2F Building 2, 7 Xinzhong Lu, Dongcheng district (156 0120 1550) 东城区新中街7号2号楼 2层
Spring Festival Horse Riding Camp
Oriental Equestrian Club. Dates vary. 9am-4.30pm. 7,720RMB/9,720RMB
Image courtesy of the organisers
Ride on at this four-day horse riding camp for all levels. Learn about horse care and theory lessons in order to educate independent horse-loving riders. A team of four French professionals and nine Chinese coaches will all be teaching according to the French Equestrian Federation system called “Galop”.
There are three sessions:
1. From Tue 29-Fri 1 Feb
2. From Tue 12 Feb-Fri 15 Feb
3. From Tue 19 Feb-Fri 22 Feb
Price:
7,720RMB for a Chinese coach in Chinese language
9,720RMB for a French instructor in English language
Discount is available for members
Oriental Equestrian Club, Shunyi district, Gaoliying, Xiwanglu Village (Chinese 中文69457995 / English 13811233647; lina@horseschool.cn) 顺义区高丽营镇西王路村西东方马汇马术俱乐部
Flips & Kicks Plus
Kerry Sports, Mon 21-Fri 25; Mon 28-Fri 1. 9am-midday; 9am-2.30pm. 3,200RMB/4,500RMB.
Image courtesy of Flips and Kicks
Sporty kids, sally forth to Kerry Sports this holiday break to try sports like Martial Arts, gymnastics, swimming, fencing and more. Bilingual professional sports coaches lead the way, but slots are limited so make sure to book your spot soon. Transportation from/to WAB (for full day camp only) is available and costs 250RMB/block per person.
Age groups: Group A (four to seven years old) and Group B (8-12 years old)
Dates: Mon 21-Fri 25; Mon 28-Fri 1 Feb
Times: 9am-midday; 9am-2.30pm
Prices: 3,200RMB/half day block; 4,500RMB/full day block (including lunch)
Time: Half day: 9am-midday; Full day: 9am-2.30pm
Kerry Hotel Beijing, 1 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang district (8565 2460; hbkc@thekerryhotels.com) 朝阳区光华路1号
Little Kickers Winter Camp
Side Park. Mon-Fri except Wed, Mon 11-Fri 22 Feb. 10am-midday. 1,380RMB/child (1,480 for non-members)
Image courtesy of Little Kickers
Let your kids unleash all that unspent energy at this football winter camp for children as young as 18 months to seven years old.
Age groups:
Little kicks: 1.5-2.5 years old
Junior kickers: 2.5-3.5 years old
Mighty kickers: 3.5-5 years old
Mega kickers: 5-7 years old
Dates (except Wed):
Camp 1: Mon 11-Fri 15 Feb
Camp 2: Mon 18-Fri 22 Feb
Side Park indoor basketball court, 9 Jiangtai Xi Lu Chaoyang district. (WeChat: LK-BJ-10001) 朝阳区将台西路9号
Winter Creative Camp 2019
Beijing Mandarin School, Mon 21-Fri 25; Mon 28-Fri 1 Feb. 9am-2.30pm. 2,500RMB/week
Image by Pan Xiaozhen on Unsplash
Beat the winter chill by exercising your little ones' minds with this Chinese winter camp. Learn the basic fundamentals (speaking, listening, reading, writing, building vocabulary and more) and various Chinese cultural activities. Open to children 3-18 years old.
Schedule:
9am-midday daily: Chinese classes
1-2.30pm: (Mon) Chinese cooking, (Tue) Chinese painting, (Wed) Calligraphy, (Thu) Handcrafts, (Fri) Chinese knots
Beijing Mandarin School, E-Tower 904-905, 9F, E-tower Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang district (6508 1026; 6508 1126) 朝阳区光华路12号数码1大厦9层904-905室
Beijing Mandarin School, Guangming Hotel, 709, 7F, Guangming Hotel, Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang district (8441 8391) 朝阳区亮马桥路42号光明饭店（办公区）7层709室
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