P.S. I Love You, Mom
Once a year, moms around the world get the royal treatment for Mother’s Day on May 11.
Float Your Dragon Boat
This year, Dragon Boat Festival – also known Duanwu Jie (端午节) – falls on June 2. Eat zongzi (粽子) – glutinous rice balls steamed in reed or bamboo leaves with various fillings – and watch dragon boat races at Longtan Park or Houhai.
Who’s the Fair-est of Them All?
Whether to celebrate the peak of spring or the beginning of summer, there are several fairs to choose from in May. Host schools include The British School of Beijing Shunyi, Beijing Collegiate Academy, Yew Chung International School of Beijing, Dulwich College Beijing, and more.
All Kidding Aside
June 1 marks International Children’s Day, established in 1949 by the Women’s International Democratic Federation to raise awareness of children’s issues. Sun Village is a non-profit organization that fosters and teaches the children of Chinese prisoners. Their farm and greenhouses are open to the public for strawberry picking on weekends.
The Hiking Is on the Wall
Venture onto the lesser-known and wilder sections of the Great Wall, such as Zhuangdaokou, Chenjiapu, and Huanghuacheng to climb near-vertical ruins, take breathtaking photos, and lunch with the locals.
Once Upon a Time in Beijing
You might enjoy wandering through the hutongs, but how much do you really know about them? Learn about history and conservation through the lens of Shijia Hutong Museum, a restored siheyuan once owned by a literary family with roots in China and the UK. According to The Wall Street Journal, the museum’s renovation was made possible with a RMB 5.3 million grant from a charity started by Prince Charles.
Art with Heart
This month, our Feature section looks at all things arty in Beijing. We hang out with some of the city’s community crafting groups, pick up paintbrushes and sketchpads at art supply markets, and develop an interest in modern art by discovering the works of three prominent figures (Banksy, Delacroix, and Calder).
Run a Tight Ship
Allow your kids to feel the wind in their hair with sailing lessons. Sign up for individual or group classes at Beijing Aofan Sailing Club or the newly-formed O’le Afloat. Classes for both will take place at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park.
Out with the Old, In with the Slightly Newer
Next month will be summer; if you haven’t done your spring cleaning yet, now is the time. Donate unwanted clothes to Roundabout, which has a drop-off point at Links Moving Beijing for downtown dwellers. You can also sell your belongings at the House of Knowledge yard sale.
Digging for Dirt
June 5 marks World Environmental Day. Teach your kids about the life cycle of plants by planting your own vegetable garden or visiting an organic farm such as De Run Wu, TooToo Organic Farm, or Green Cow Organic Farm.
Photos: CleverCupcakes, Tom Hilton, Su-May(Flickr), Courtesy of BCIS
This article originally appeared on p12-13 of the beijingkids May 2014 issue. Check out the PDF version online at Issuu.com
