This year, Children’s Day falls on a Wednesday, making it hard for working moms and dads to celebrate their kids. Don’t let guilt get to you! We’ve rounded up plenty of activities for this weekend or next, along with activities for stay at home moms during the week. Whether you pick a unique event or a strictly Children’s Day event, we know your kids will enjoy quality time with you in their honor.
The 2016 Burger Cup, May 28
All ages. This is especially great for kids who have grown out of kiddie or babyish events. We’ve got basketball arcades, henna, giant bubbles, and live bands along with activities for younger kids. RMB 20. 11am-8pm. Oasis International Hospital (events@thebeijinger.com).
Happy Children’s Day at Central Park Residence, May 28
Ages 3-7. Enjoy wonderful music, songs and dancing with Ms. Lampel and other teachers from Ivy Academy CP Campus. Meanwhile, there are also many interesting activities, such as ikebana, DIY umbrella, play dough, facepainting, clown, balloons, and a magic show. Sign in when you arrive so your child will get a little gift! 10:00-11:30. Yellow horse square, Central Park Residence, No.6 Chaowai Street.
Anatole’s Little Saucepan, May 28-31
Ages 3-12. Anatole is always dragging around his little saucepan. It fell on him one day and nobody really knows why. Since then, it gets stuck everywhere and it keeps him from going forward. Anatole feels so depressed and miserable until something beautiful happened… RMB 260, 10.30am-6.30pm. Beijing 9 Theatre (ponypiao@damai.cn)
R3 Readers Club Educational Trip, May 28
Ages 4-11. R3 Discovery Readers Club teaches and encourages young kids to be a good readers in a fun way. Fee includes transportation, reading session, materials, water, and snacks. RMB 150 (per parent), RMB 400 (one parent, one child). 7am-5pm. Li Yuan Library. (185 1555 2071 (English), 8595 0785 (Chinese))
Beijing Mamas Market, Saturday 28
All ages. This market provides a platform for Beijing mum-entrepreneurs to showcases their designs, aims to empower Beijing mamas to develop their business ideas, and facilitates networking. Taking place on the last Saturday of every month, the market will host more than 50 vendors. Free for vendors and visitors. 10am-3pm. Parkview Tower Chaoyang Park Road (WeChat id: beijingmamasmarket)
Monkey King – Hero is Back, May 28-29
All ages. The all-powerful Monkey King once roamed freely between Heaven and Earth but was imprisoned within an ice cage deep within the mountains.With the help and encouragement of a special child who releases him from his prison, the Monkey King saves the child’s village from evil monsters. RMB 21-180. 2pm, 7.30pm. Beijing Exhibition Theater (ponypiao@damai.cn)
Beijing Playhouse presents Rapunzel, May 29
Ages 6-12. This English language performance is especially for children. Actors engage children during the performance. Children sit on the floor on plush cushions while adults sit behind them in chairs. RMB 80 (kids), RMB 150 (adults). 2-3pm. International School of Beijing (childrenstheatre@beijingacademyofperformingarts.com)
Berlin Bazaar Children’s Day Workshop, BBQ and Market, May 29
All ages. Hot German sausages, educational workshops, fun games, and a flea market. Free. Noon-6pm. Zeit Berlin.
Children’s Day Workshop with Benedicte Guettier, May 29
Ages 3 – 5. In French and Chinese. Benedicte Guettier will host a drawing workshop for your favorite little ones. Kids will learn to draw Trotro, the main character in Guettier’s popular children’s books. Book signing will follow. RMB 50 (for members) RMB 80 (for non-members). Institut Francais de Pekin.
Children’s Day Brunch, May 29
All ages. Along with brunch, there will be a candy buffet, painting opportunities, cooking classes, a band and a bouncy castle! 198RMB+10% (for adults) RMB 100 (for kids aged 7-12) Free (kids 6 and under). Matrix in Crowne Plaza, Lido
Children’s Musical – Five Fools, May 30-June 1
Ages 3-10. Bilingual. Children not only watch the show but are also invited to participate. Five Fools tells the story of a circus with some rather unusual problems. Somehow, within all this madness, a touching story evolves in which love and support conquer fear, and a bright future unfolds for the characters. 10.30am-2.30pm. RMB 80-260. Fulong Theatre (ponypiao@damai.cn)
Children’s Day Family Buffet Brunch and Cupcake Classes, May 31
All ages. You’ll not only enjoy the various delicious dishes at this brunch, but can also join in the fun with many interesting games to take part in and make cup cakes! RMB 188 (Per Adult), RMB 94 (ages 6-12), Free (ages 6 under with paying adult). 11am-3pm. (Where?) 5911-9910
A Tribute to Little Angels – Children’s Day at Kerry Adventure Zone, June 1
Ages 3-12. Kerry hotel is pumping up their adventure zone to include contests, crafts, games, cupcakes, rugby, movies, prizes, and family photos. Free (Members) RMB 350 (Walk-in Guests), RMB 300 (Guests of Members). Noon – 5pm. Kerry Hotel (8565.2460)
Kids’ Wonderland at China World, June 1
All ages. Along with the international buffet, kids and families can enjoy cotton candy, face painting, and photo opportunities with character mascots. Free (Kids 6 and under) RMB 144 (Kids 6-12), RMB 288 (Adults). Noon – 3pm. China World Summit Wing, Level 80 (6505.2666)
MAMMA MIA – The ABBA Tribute, June 4
Ages 13+ Celebrate Children’s Day in a unique way with your older kids by enjoying the closest thing to ABBA you’ll get in Beijing. Performed by The Original Band China Tour with twenty four of ABBA’s best songs. RMB 280. 7.30 – 9.30pm Beijing Century Theatre (Register here)
Children’s Day at The Hutong, June 5
Ages 6+ Kids can enjoy creative art and baking classes while learning some of the most interesting Chinese historical stories and legends. Drinks and snacks for adults available for purchase. RMB 150. 10am-1pm. The Hutong (159.0104.6127)
BSB Shunyi Summer Fayre 2016, June 5
All ages. Families can enjoy a lunch from many food vendors, bounce and slide on the array of bouncy castles, enjoy an ice cream, have your face painted, have a go at some games and activities to try and win prizes and also enjoy visiting a variety of stalls inside and out. Free. Noon-4pm. The British School of Beijing (BSB), Shunyi (8047 3588)
