Once again, the approach of New Year’s Eve has us thinking about the events of the past year. For beijingkids, 2012 marked several “firsts,” including the successful launch of the School Choice Fair and the arrival of our School Editor. At the same time, we continued several beijingkids traditions, such as our annual Halloween and Christmas celebrations. As we move towards the New Year, here’s a look back at our top events of 2012.
1. First Annual beijingkids School Choice Fair
Taking place on March 25 at Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center, our first School Choice Fair attracted around 500 people looking at 34 international schools. Exhibitors included well-established schools like ISB, WAB, DCB, Harrow, and YCIS Beijing, as well as more Chinese-focused schools like Beijing No. 55, NIT, THIS, and BSRPS. The fair complemented the launch of the beijingkids School Choice Guide 2012-2013, containing education-related features and extended listing information for 49 schools in Beijing.
Recently, we’ve been hard at work on the next School Choice Guide, slated for release in early February. This year’s edition promises to be bigger and better than ever, with the next School Choice Fair confirmed for Sunday, March 3 from 10am to 4pm at the same venue. Stay tuned for further announcements.
2. beijingkids Father’s Day Pool Party
Dads, we think you’re pretty cool. On June 16, we showed our appreciation by inviting the whole family for a refreshing dip in the Westin Beijing Chaoyang’s pool. Inflatable rafts, life rings, water wings, beach balls, water guns, and kiddie pools galore ensured that kids were well-occupied. After the swim, families headed to Seasonal Tastes for a five-star brunch. Kids got to make Father’s Day cards with beijingkids editors; at the end, all dads received a bottle of wine and a free family portrait. Click here for an online gallery.
3. beijingkids Halloween Costume Brunch Ball
Arguably the biggest beijingkids event of the year, we once again partnered up with Hilton Beijing Wangfujing to welcome over 500 boys and ghouls for a day of ghastly games, culinary creations, and trick-or-treating. This year, the centerpiece of the two-day event was a homemade swamp (complete with zombie and eerie lights) created by the hotel that made more than one little monster cover their eyes in fear. Activities included pumpkin bowling, mummy wrapping, popping balloons, a costume parade, and more.
4. beijingkids Santa on Ice 2012
Once again, beijingkids laced up for an afternoon of icy fun at Le Cool Ice Rink. On December 16, around 100 parents and kids showed up for face time with Santa Claus, family portraits by Littleones Kids & Family Portrait Studio, seasonal treats by A Food Affaire, and ice skating with Mrs. Claus (a.k.a. Camilla from Ice Breakers Beijing). All boys and girls got a gift from Santa and Christmas-themed stickers from the beijingkids team, then hit the ice to slip, slide, tumble, and glide away the afternoon.
Photos (in order of appearance): ginnerobot (Flickr), Judy Zhou, Sui, Ricky Zhang, Sui
