The 20 best things to do with kids in Beijing this week

If you haven't started preparing gifts yet, then this week's events line-up may inspire you to start. There are several Christmas workshops taking place this weekend for both kids and adults alike, and some markets for those still looking for something to give their loved ones.

The listing only contains 20 of the many events happening this week. For even more promotions and things happening around town, be sure to visit our website. Check out our menu for easy access. And in case you're an event organiser with an upcoming event you'd like us to know about, here's how to add your event to our website. More information about each event in the qr codes below.

And as always, have a great week, Beijing!

   School open days   

Open Day at House of Knowledge

Photo: House of Knowledge

For families looking for a new school for their children, check out House of Knowledge (HoK)'s upcoming Open Day and learn about the Reggio Emilia approach. Meet the school principal and teachers to learn more about this teaching philosophy and how HoK approaches it. You'll also get to see the creative project works showcased by the students themselves and get a clear understanding of the core concepts of the Reggio Emilia approach. Kindergarten: Tue 10 9.30-11.30am at HoK, Chaoyang Park branchElementary school: Wed 11 9.30-11.30am at HoK, Xinglong CampusMore information here

   Christmas-themed workshops   

Christmas for the Little Master Chefs

Photo: East Beijing

Domain. Sat 14, Sun 15, Sat 21 and Sun 22. 10.30am and 2pm. 328RMB. Head over to East Beijing with your little ones and have them try their hands at making their own gingerbread houses. Classes are available both in the mornings and afternoons, but booking is required. 

Christmas Gourd Painting Workshop

Photo: Cultural Keys

Cultural Keys. Sat 14. 2-5pm. 228RMB. 

Make Christmas decorations with a Chinese twist. These small painted gourds make a fantastic alternative to plastic Christmas decorations, and can even be carried on over to the Spring Festival. This family-friendly activity makes for the perfect workshop to attend with your little ones, though parents are also welcome to drop their children ages 12 and above.

Waterpaint Watercolor Christmas Card Workshop

Photo: Penelope Joey Pan

Blossom Montessori. Sat 14. 10am-noon. 240RMB. 
Why buy a card when you can make your own? Let your creativity flow in this upcoming workshop by Beijing artist Penelope Pan where students will learn the basics of water colouring to make their own personalised Christmas cards.

Beginner Brush Pen Calligraphy class

Photo: Mishiscripts

Tribe, Solana. Sat 14. 9am-noon. 280RMB. 
Was learning calligraphy part of your 2019 bucket list? Then here's probably one of your last chances to learn it. Mishiscripts and Tribe team up to bring you yet another Brush Pen Calligraphy workshop, this time with a Christmas twist. Come in dressed in your favourite Christmas colours (red, green and even Santa if you'd like) and learn how to beautifully write Christmas messages for your loved ones this season. Learn more here:

Kids' Christmas Craft Party

Photo: Moka Bros (Solana)

Moka Bros (Solana). Sat 14. Noon-2pm. 100RMB. 
Moka Bros is celebrating the season on December 14 with crafts, cosy drinks and merry cheer. Join the Kids' Christmas Craft Party to make fuzzy snowmen, Santa’s reindeer and Christmas trees. The crafts are appropriate for ages 2 - 12 and, of course, we encourage parents to get involved. Attendance is 100RMB per child and includes class, materials and a hot drink (choose from Hot Chocolate or Cloudy Cranberry Cider). Spots are limited and first-come, first-served.

The Peninsula Beijing's Christmas activities

Photo: The Peninsula Beijing

The Peninsula, Beijing. Every Sat and Sun until Sun 22. 3.30-5.30pm. 300RMB net per classEvery weekend, get crafty with The Peninsula, Beijing and their Christmas-themed activities. Here are some upcoming events to expect:Saturday 14: Christmas Macaroon-making classSaturday 21: Christmas Craft classAdvanced booking is required for all these events. At 5pm, children also get to watch the Christmas tree light up and wait as Santa Claus comes out with a little surprise for the kids. 

   Film   

Downtown Abbey

Video: qq

In cinemas from Dec 13.
In a cinema landscape crowded with superhero smack-downs and CG apocalypses, it’s sometimes nice just to watch a film that wants you to worry about the whereabouts of some vegetables. That film is Downtown Abbey, a big old comfort blanket of a movie stitched together from vignettes involving missing paper knives, a problematic ball gown and an unfortunate outbreak of rain. It’s as nourishing as one of Mrs Patmore’s crumpets, and about as edgy. Fans of the much-loved TV show will love it. America may need to be prorogued while it’s showing. Rated PG.See our full Time Out review here:

Jumanji: The Next Level

In cinemas.The American fantasy adventure is back, but the game has gotten even more challenging. The sequel of the 2017 film Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and the fourth instalment of the Jumanji franchise gets a bit more complicated when Spencer's friends realise that he has been sucked into the Jumanji video game and go back in to save him. But they are inadvertently followed by Spencer's grandfather Eddie and his friend Milo Walker before any of Spencer's friends could select their avatars. Now throw in this mismatch of in-game avatars and confused elderlies, watch the gang as they attempt to escape this other-worldly game once and for all. PG-13.

   Activities   

Dulwich Christmas Bazaar

Photo: Element5 Digital/Unsplash.com

Dulwich College, Beijing. Tue 10. 3.30-6.45pm. Free. 
Browse through festive stands with both student entrepreneurs and established vendors touting their wares. Chat with friends over a cup of mulled wine. Unique seasonal crafts, bright gift ideas, Yuletide roast and more from over 50 stalls await you at the Dulwich Christmas Bazaar.

Christmas Book Fair at House of Knowledge

Photo: House of Knowledge

House of Knowledge, Shunyi campus. Thu 12-Fri 13. 8am-4.30pm. Free. 

The House of Knowledge's Shunyi campus is hosting a Christmas Book Fair, and everyone's invited. A wide range of books appropriate for a variety of ages will be available, including picture books, early years literacy books, science books, and more. Teachers on campus will also be there to help you with the book selection if needed. Visit and see what treasures of knowledge await you and your children.

A to Zine Indie Publishers' Fair

Photo: Hole in the Wall/WeChat

El Nido at The Other Place. Sat 14. Noon-7pm. Free. 
Looking for a unique gift for Christmas? Huddle up in this Gulou hutong courtyard and browse through dozens of locally made zines and quirky art as you enjoy your mulled wine and cool music as well. Expect to see indie magazines, fiction zines, fanzines, comics, street art, and more. See more snapshots of the last indie zine fair here.

The First AcaLab Christmas Charity Concert

Photo: AcaLab

Miss K Cafe. Sat 14. 7-8pm. 120RMB. 
Join AcaLab this holiday season as they fill the night with a harmonious blend of Beijing’s voices. The event is the group's first-ever year-end holiday charity party: an evening of sweet harmonies, free-flowing drinks, and even a bit of ‘totally voluntary’ audience participation. As well as songs from AcaLab’s various singing groups, the audience will also be entertained with guest performances from 京Sing, 蛮星 (ManSing), and Peking University. All proceeds will be donated to Educating Girls of Rural China (EGRC), an organisation working to empower women in rural regions of Western China through education. Doors open at 6.30pm.

Give a Present Christmas Market

Photo: Cafe Zarah

Café Zarah. Sat 14. 11am-4pm. Free. 

This Christmas, give both the environment, the less fortunate and yourself a unique gift with Cafe Zarah's Give a Present Christmas Market. Buy local, donate your pre-loved items to the Migrant Children's Foundation under the cafe's Christmas tree, dine on some German goodies and let the kids make beautiful handicrafts at the kids' corner run by Kids' Planet Hutong. 

Carols for a Cause 

Photo: Beijing Riviera

Beijing Riviera Country Club. Sun 15. Noon-5pm. The Migrant Children's Foundation's annual Christmas bazaar and event is back, and you'll find them spreading yuletide joy at the Riviera Country Club. Expect Christmas shopping, kids activities, Christmas carols, a raffle and more at this upcoming winter festival.

   Workshops   

Flavours of China Food Tour

Photo: Jackie ParkLost Plates. Every Mon, Wed and Fri. 6-9.30pm. (156 9210 9030) 

Explore the country's food scene without leaving the Capital with Lost Plates' newest food tour, Flavours of China. The one-night adventure takes you cuisine-hopping through Xinjiang, Yunnan, Beijing and Sichuan at restaurants serving certified authentic flavours from those regions.

Atelier's Anish Kapoor exhibition workshop

Photo: Anish Kapoor/CAFA Art Museum

Atelier. Sun 15. Noon-6pm. 800RMB.This weekend, Atelier is leading students to discover the works of Anish Kapoor, one of the most influential sculptors of his generation, whose major solo exhibition in Beijing is on display at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) Museum. The class will be led by teachers from the art school to understand his works better. After the visit, students will sketch and draw one model of the sculpture which they will, later on, turn into 3D models. 

Shaolin Warriors' Workshop with Cultural Keys

Photo: Cultural Keys
Cultural Keys. Sun 15. 2-5pm. 200RMB; 100RMB for kids. 250RMB for parent + kidNot everyone has the time or ability to go to the Shaolin Temple for a year or two to discover the true meaning of kung fu. But for those who still want a taste of traditional Shaolin kung fu culture and training without venturing too far from the city, this workshop is for you. Learn more here:

Book a winter camp

Photo: Beijing Playhouse Christmas Kids Theatre Camps

For those looking for classes for their children during the winter break, here are some upcoming winter camps happening in Beijing:

For more events in Beijing this week,
tap 'Read More' below

MORE FROM TIME OUT FAMILY
Clothing Auction Network: sustainable fashion with a fun twist

The best ski destinations in Beijing and Chongli for families