It’s early fall, school’s in full swing, but now that you finally got out of the house? It’s not too late to pack in family bonding time before summer’s gone for good and your kids are bombarded with assignments. So if you want to squeeze a little arts and crafts into your weekends, we’ve found some fabulous places to go, and best of all? It’s all right here, in Beijing.
798’s Arts-and-Crafts Corner 慢时光手作体验馆
We’ve all heard of 798 Art District, famous for its galleries and street art. But did you know that it also holds a spectacular place for DIYs? The most popular activity there is oil painting. Don’t worry if you’re not a big fan of the canvas. You can also weave dream catchers, make keychains, phone cases, and more. With over ten choices of DIY, there’s bound to be one right up your alley.
If your kids are fighting over which craft they should make for the afternoon, fear no more. There’s a variety of items for each family member! And after you’re done, why not go explore the 798 galleries and the art district? Turn this solo activity into an adventure-packed day!
Address: Next to Qixing Middle Street Ying Gallery in 798 Art District (Southern Area of 798 Art District), 798艺术区七星中街映画廊旁(798艺术区南门)
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 10am-6pm
Approx. Price: RMB 185/per person
Ph: 159 0130 1605
Leather Making 磐刻·鳄鱼皮·皮具定制·DIY手工坊
Have you had your eye on a designer handbag but thought it was missing a bit of pizazz? Then you’ll no doubt fall in love with this place. With different leather patterns and DIY choices, you’ll have something cool and unique to add to your accessories. And if your kids think handbags are for grown-ups? Don’t fret, with different choices like keychains, wallets, and watch add-ons, your kids will be cutting up leather in no time. With different difficulties of leather making, both your big and little ones can have fun. After you’re done, why not head over to China World Mall for a rewarding ice cream cone, knowing that the new handbag on your arm is one-of-a-kind and out-of-this-world?
Address: 1720, East Tower, Wangzuo Center, No. 1, Jinghua South Street, Hujialou Street, 呼家楼街道景华南街1号旺座中心东座1720
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 10am – 9pm
Approx. Price: RMB 256/per person
Ph: 183 1085 5886
Opening Oysters Pearl DIY 相蚌汝生珍珠开蚌DIY首饰体验馆
Okay, so maybe quarantine has ruined your plans for going to the beach. But let me tell you a secret, Beijing can be turned into a seaside trip in a second. That is, if you know the ways of doing so. We all know oysters holds pearls and pearls equals the seaside. (Okay, maybe we don’t, but let’s not break that to the kids yet.)
With this DIY, you get the full experience of opening up an oyster, picking out the pearls, cleansing, and finally jewelry making. Beats the stores any day. Get your kids to pick out their oysters and pluck out the pearls. Better yet, do it with them! Who knows what color you’ll find inside? And when all the washing steps are done, get them to choose the pearls and make it into a quirky statement piece. Whatever is made, your child’s got a piece of the ocean. And you just saved plane tickets and hotel fees.
Address: Room 616, Lisheng Office Building, No.201 Wangfujing Street, 王府井大街201号利生写字楼616室
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 10am – 8pm
Approx. Price: RMB 178/per person
Ph: 135 2166 6207
Enamel Making 凝蓝珐琅工作室
Enamel is one of the traditional Chinese handicrafts passed down from our ancestors. I know it sounds intimidating and hard, but what’s bonding time without a little challenge? It’s also the perfect way to get your teenagers (who’ll probably refuse to bond with the little ones or bond at all) to join in the fun. While the older kids can make a difficult design, the younger ones can do something much easier.
Scared that your kids might not get the hang of it? The staff members are there to help, encourage, and give advice to your kids so they’ll end up with a piece of jewelry they won’t want to take off. Instead of just sitting there and scrolling on your phone, you can also make one. And when everyone’s done with their piece of enamel jewelry, snap some pics and head out onto Gulou, where you can award your hard work with some delicious cuisine.
Address: No. 28, No. 18, Tofu Chi Hutong, Old Gulou Street (Intersection of Gulou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Anding Police Station), 旧鼓楼大街豆腐池胡同28号院-18号(鼓楼中医院与安定门派出所交接处)
Opening Hours: Monday, Wednesday to Sunday 10am – 9pm
Approx. Price: RMB 948/per person
Ph: 166 0104 3680
Woodworking 大小木作
Don’t you just love the smell of wood? Too bad the design lab at school isn’t open for the entire family. Guess you’ll have to miss out on the fun, right? Wrong, and if your family are all woodwork-aholics, you’ll love this place for sure.
With choices such as nutcrackers, spoons, and tiny carousels, you’ve got a lot of choices. Accompanied by endless sawing, sanding, measuring and painting, your entire family will stay busy. While the little ones might have a blast painting their nutcrackers (and maybe themselves), the bigger ones will be focused on perfecting their ukulele. And if you’re scared of your kids getting injured while working with tools, there are always employees watching them, making sure they’re safe (but there’s no harm in bringing a few band aids just in case). What’s more exciting than carpentry? Exploring Qianmen and its Chinese street food after you’re done, of course!
Address: No. 1, Wutiao, Xiangxiang, Dongcheng District (in the courtyard of Hanting Hotel, Qiandong Road) 北京市东城区长巷五条1号(前门东路汉庭酒店院内)
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am – 5.30pm
Approx. Price: RMB 435/per person
Ph: 158 1011 1301
Pottery & Painting & Pets 有间陶&画&宠
Pottery and painting are the two most popular activities when it comes to art. But in a city as big as Beijing, you can hardly find them at the same place.
Don’t worry, I’ve got you! This art studio offers both pottery and painting! No more listening to your kids squabble over which craft to do for the weekend. If that’s not enough fun, this store has cats! So if your children get tired painting, they can play with cute little kittens. But if you are afraid or allergic of animals, don’t worry, the cats are caged in their little playpen. You can always choose the table furthest away from them.
The staff members are there to help and assist your kids, so no worries about confusing steps, tools, and techniques. With two awesome activities, it’ll be a busy afternoon for all ages. And best of all, after you’re done, you can check out the restaurants in Sanlitun, taking this family bonding afternoon to the next level.
Address: Room 5515, 5th Floor, No. 5, Sanlitun SOHO, No. 8 Gongti North Road, 工体北路8号院三里屯SOHO5号商场5层5515室
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 10am – 7pm
Approx. Price: RMB 163/per person
Ph: 185 1973 7060
KEEP READING: Mommy and Me Yoga: Bonding and Health in Movement
Images: Unsplash
This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 October issue
