Beijing abounds with interesting things to do for kids and adults alike. Whether you are a sports enthusiast, arts aficionado, or just seeking to learn more about China, there is something for everyone.
ClubFootball
In 2010, just under 2,500 kids participated in ClubFootball’s soccer programs. They offer teams for all ages, genders and ability levels. According to David Niven, ClubFootball’s COO, there’s more to learning
the beautiful game than learning how to kick a ball: “Kids learn to play as part of a team and how to behave whether they win, lose or draw.” Teams train midweek after school in the CBD and Shunyi, and play matches every Sunday morning against other teams, clubs and organizations. Junior league team tryouts will be held from August 20 to September 4 (see Events, All Month for details), and courses begin September 11. Visit their website for an updated fall schedule.
Unit A212, Entrance 3, Bldg 51, Zone A1, Zhaowei Huadeng Plaza, 14 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang (5130 6893/4/5/6 ext 8006) www.
clubfootball.com.cn
朝阳区酒仙桥路14号兆维51号楼兆维华灯大厦A1区3门A212房间
China Culture Center
China Culture Center (CCC) provides cultural education for anyone looking
to deepen their understanding of China. They offer a wide variety of classes, seminars and language training options. At CCC, kids get a hands-on cultural experiences – whether it is making Chinese dumplings or learning how to tie-dye Batik prints. At the end of each class, kids will have something that they can take home with them. For families and groups, CCC also hosts tours in and around Beijing. Check their website for an updated list of kids programs and activities.
Rm 101, Kent Center, 29 Anjialou, Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (6432 9341 ext 18, info@chinaculturecenter.org ) www.
chinaculturecenter.org 朝阳区亮马桥路29号安家楼肯特中心院内中国文化中心
Beijing Playhouse
Beijing Playhouse is China’s largest English Broadway theatre company with over 100 cast, crew, professional staff and volunteers working together to produce theater productions every year. In addition to putting on plays, the organization runs a drama club, a talent agency, and various camps throughout the year. After school programs are also available. At the Beijing Playhouse Academy of Performing Arts, kids learn about theater, both on stage and backstage. This is a great option for kids who love the spotlight.
(6538 4716, performance@beijingplayhouse.com)
www.beijingplayhouse.com
Ullens Center for Contemporary Art
UCCA is not only a contemporary gallery for adults, it’s also a kid-friendly arts center. UCCA hosts a range of activities specially tailored for families, including screenings of international cartoons and short films, craft workshops, reading seminars, and more. In addition, UCCA regularly invites well-known artists and designers to lead unique and enriching workshops for children. Family memberships (RMB 1,200) are available. For the latest UCCA events, see Events (p14) or visit beijing-kids.com/events.
798 Art District, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (8459 9269/9387) www.ucca.org.cn 朝阳区酒仙桥路4号798艺术区尤伦斯当代艺术中心
Dragon Fire Swim Team
A 300-strong international swim team, these water enthusiasts hail from more than 25 different countries and range in age from pre-school to retirement. Dragon Fire Swim Team’s head coach and founder Kevin Hua, together with a dozen experienced and qualified assistant coaches, provide training and instruction according to FINA requirements. During the swim season, training is offered seven days a week at three different locations (Canadian International School, British School of Beijing and Western Academy of Beijing) to give swimmers as many opportunities as possible to improve their skills while having fun. Dragon Fire also hosts annual swim camps. For adults wishing to swim and improve their technique, they offer master classes. Baby Swim, a new program for 3- to 4-year-old swimmers, is soon to begin.
(136 010 64534, Kevin Hua, head coach; dragonfireswimming@gmail.com) www.dragonfire.com.cn
Sports Beijing
Sports Beijing is a community based non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality sports and recreational programs to kids living in Beijing. They organize safe, well-staffed weekend activities that are designed to develop social and physical skills. With sports to suit all preferences and age groups, kids can try their hand at baseball, basketball, flag football, golf, gymnastics, martial arts, rock climbing, rugby, soccer, tennis, track and field, and more. Camps are also
available. Sports Beijing membership and sports sign-up forms can be completed online. After you’ve registered online, print out the payment form and take it to the Sports Beijing office to make your payment.
2/F, Lido Country Club, 6 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District (6430 1370/1176, info@sportsbj.com) www.sportsbj.org 朝阳区将台路6号丽都乡村俱乐部2层
J-Ballet Studio
“Ballet is the foundation of all dances,” says founder and director of J-Ballet Studio, Japanese Junko Takeda. While Takeda is not a professional
dancer, she founded J-Ballet Studio in 2004 after seeing the lack of ballet classes for young children in Beijing. Following the popular Russian Vaganova style of ballet, children can learn the beauty and grace of ballet in a fun, welcoming environment. Classes are offered for dancers age 5 to 12.
1) Main School: D-1/F Jingxiuyuan Apartments, Xingfucun Lu, Chaoyang District; 2) Kempinski School: Pulse Health Club, Kempinski Hotel, Lufthansa Centre, 50 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. 1) 朝阳区幸福村中路景绣园D座1层西侧; 2) 朝阳区亮马桥路50号, 凯宾斯基饭店, 北京燕莎中心, 都市脉搏健身俱乐部
O’le Climbing
O’le is an indoor climbing facility that features a bouldering area, a 12-meter-high wall for top roping and lead climbing, as well as a dedicated slackline area. Bilingual instructors provide one-on-one and group classes for kids and adults alike. Don’t have any climbing gear? Top-quality shoes, ropes and harnesses are available for hire. When you’re ready to upgrade to your own gear, O’le’s small climbing store stocks a range of kids climbing equipment.
5 Dongshimencun Lu, Baiziwan Qiao, Dongsihuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District (6776 4705, oleclimbing@gmail.com) www.ole-climbing.com
双井东四环, 朝阳区东四环中路百子湾桥东石门村路5号
Black Tiger Fight Fitness Studios
A foreign-owned fitness and martial arts studio, Black Tiger offers Muay Thai, boxing, and mixed martial arts (MMA) training for all ages. The kids club MMA classes are a fun and exciting option for young warriors and trains kids in a mixture of Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, freestyle wrestling and Western boxing. Budding martial artists are also trained in MCore: a strength and conditioning system for martial athletes. For a more traditional self defense class, try Karate For Kids, which focuses on developing self-confidence, listening skills, coordination, agility and flexibility. More than teaching little fists to punch straight, master instructor Vince Soberano hopes to impart a sense of responsibility in all of his students. “We focus on character development through
confidence-building, teamwork and the courage to take responsibility.”
1) Suite 201, Riviera Plaza (above Annie’s Restaurant), 5 Laiguangying Donglu, Chaoyang District; 2) Hyundai Motor Building (inside Gorilla Fitness Gym), B/101, 38 Xiaoyun Lu, Chaoyang District (134 8866 4100, info@blacktigerclub.com) www.blacktigerclub.com
1) 朝阳区来广营东路5号尚古城2层健身房(香江花园 附近); 2)朝阳区霄云路38号现代汽车大厦地下1层
This article is excerpted from beijingkids August 2011 issue. View it in PDF form here or contact distribution@beijing-kids.com to find out where you can pick up your free copy.
