13 great things to do this week
Things to do
Sign up for CNY camps
Image courtesy of The SLab
Keep the children busy with these Chinese New Year camps and activities, but make sure you sign them up sooner than later, lest they fill up. With a number of fun activities including horseriding, movie-making, science camps and even a football camp for kids as young as 18-months-old, there's bound to be something for every child.
Check out these outdoor skating rinks...while you can
It feels just like yesterday when the snow parks opened but it's becoming warmer so much so that some outdoor skating rinks are starting to close – the one at the Bamboo Park closes by CNY according to its official website. So here are four with a view to check out before they start melting away.
Art and culture
M Woods Educational Program
M Woods. Sun 27. 2.30-4pm. 260RMB for 1 parent + child.
If your kids have yet to try M Woods' Sunday art events on Swiss artist's Nicolas Party's works, this could be their last chance at it. M Woods bases its classes on themes from its current exhibition, which happens to be those of Swiss artist Nicolas Party. This weekend is about The Artist at Work, where students will consider how an artist relates to other artists and artworks in the history of art, and how an artist chooses to share information about his or her process and create an artwork that represents this manifesto. Now here's a class that will really make your child think as an artist would.
For those who would like to check out the Nicolas Party exhibition, be sure to head there before the exhibition ends this Thursday 24.
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Celebrating the Spring Festival in the Forbidden City
Forbidden City. Sun 6-Sun 7 April, Tue-Sun, 8.30am-4.30pm (last entry 3.30pm). 40RMB.
Image from the official website
Learn more about the history and significance of the Spring Festival this year as the Palace Museum, and the Forbidden City in general, celebrates the Year of the Pig with a special showcase of art, historical relics and traditional decorations. Try avoiding the palace on weekends, which is when some local students come with their families to write a report on this art exhibition. Instead, head on a weekday and have this special showcase all to yourselves.
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A crash course to the Forbidden City
The Forbidden City. Sat 26, 11am. 350RMB/adults; 160RMB/children 16 and under.
There's a whole lot of history surrounding the Forbidden City. And for a long time, this history was present in the middle of the city, but concealed behind the tall walls of Imperial China. Now that the Palace is open to the public, get a crash course into the secrets of the Forbidden City led by Beijing Postcards. It's a humble attempt to unlock the meaning behind the chambers of the palace, in a brief yet entertaining and accessible way. For more information and to register, click here.
Family events
Chinese New Year Family Day
The SLab. Sun 27. 2-6pm. 1,188RMB
Get a head start on Chinese New Year with The SLab's Chinese New Year family day special. The package includes an afternoon tea set from cafe 'La Palette', a workshop to paint your own Chinese paintings and lanterns, and a Chinese New Year-styled photoshoot session. Booking is required, so make sure to sign up with the curator before going. For more information or to book, click here.
2019 Australia Day BBQ
East Hotel. Sat 26. 11am-4pm. From 150RMB.
Photo from organiser
AustCham Beijing invites everyone to celebrate Australia Day with a tasty Aussie spread including an array of Australian food and drinks to satisfy the whole family. The event includes plenty of activities for everyone, including young kids. There is also a chance of winning a 15,000RMB Munro 2 scooter.
Prices:
Adults: 250RMB for members; 300RMB for non-members
Kids: 150RMB (6-12 years old)/free for kids below 6
Family: 700RMB for members and 800RMB for non-members (two parents and two kids)
RSVP: events @austcham.org
East Hotel, 18 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang district (RSVP at events@austcham.org) 朝阳区酒仙桥路18号颐堤港
BSB Sanlitun's Chinese New Year Temple Fair
British School of Beijing, Sanlitun. Sun 27. 11am-2pm. Free.
BSB Sanlitun is welcoming the year of the pig with a Chinese New Year temple fair. And everyone's invited. Get ready to experience traditional Chinese cuisine while children try their hand at Chinese arts and crafts. Guests are encouraged to come in traditional Chinese clothes, and to come early to catch a lion dance at its playground at midday, a kung fu performance at 1pm and a dragon dance at the playground at 1.30pm.
BSB Sanlitun, 5 Xiliujie, Chaoyang district (8532 3088) 朝阳区三里屯路西六街5号
Indo-Israeli cooking class
The SLab. Sat 26. 1pm. 380RMB.
Want to learn how to make some truly scrumptious Mediterranean fare? You don't need any experience and you can walk away from this class knowing how to make falafel, pita, chickpea curry and whole wheat roti. All ingredients and equipment are provided, just come with your enthusiasm and culinary hat on. Class is also open to kids 8 and up.
The SLab, 2F Building 2 7 Xinzhong Lu, Dongcheng district (www.theslab.space; WeChat Sarikadhami) 东城区新中街7号2号楼 2层
Activities for young kids
Mommy and me Grooves and Moves Dance (18 months to 3 years old)
LP Daycare Centre. Every Tue, 10-11am; Sat 10.30-11.30am. 150RMB.
Dance like no one is watching at this class for moms and toddlers. The class aims to encourage young children to practice their motor skills while having fun.
Image courtesy of LP Daycare Centre
Only 15 spots available. Reserve your spot by scanning the QR code below:
Safari Time and babies for toddlers
The Bookworm. Sat. 9.30-10.30am for toddlers and 10.30-11.30am for babies. 80RMB.
Image courtesy of Safari Time
Safari Time is a weekly kid-friendly event at The Bookworm that introduces babies and toddlers to cultures around the world through age-appropriate activities in both English and foreign languages through music, stories and dancing. ‘Safari’ in Swahili (the language spoken across East Africa including Kenya and Tanzania) means to travel, and this playgroup is a baby’s chance to travel and experience the world through a variety of sensory activities. The event is held every Saturday (except for holidays) and participation costs 80RMB per child.
Safari Time is divided into two age groups:
For babies 3 months to 2 years old at 10.30-11.30am
For toddlers 18 months to 4 years old at 9.30-10.30am.
For more information, please contact Hannah Ryder on Wechat (hmryder).
For a list of playgroups or more activities for young children, scan the QR code:
Music
Tea Time Concert Series
Western Academy of Beijing. Fri 25, 4pm. Free.
This weekend, the Western Academy of Beijing's IB music students is performing a free concert at its Founders' Theatre, the next installment in its Teatime Concert Series. The concert series is open to the public. Click here for more information.
Western Academy of Beijing, 10 Laiguangying Dong Lu, Chaoyang district (5986 5588) 朝阳区来广营东路10号
Parents
Fellas' charity date night
Fellas. Sat 26. 7pm. 350RMB per couple.
This weekend, head to Fellas for a night out with your partner while supporting a worthy cause. The organiser is hoping to launch a series of themed movie nights at Fellas, and they're starting it off with the fun comedy Game Night. For every couple that comes, 50RMB will be donated to the Wings of Hope charity. Register by Wed 23 to book your spot.
8 Laiguangying Dong Lu, Chaoyang district (8470 3821; info@fellasbeijing.cn) 朝阳区来广营东路8号
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