This year, Spring Festival falls unusually late on February 18-24. Many international schools let out today, meaning families will need to fill the time leading up to the official holidays. Or, if you’re staying in Beijing for Chinese New Year, you may be wondering how in the world you’re going to cope with kids in the house for three weeks. To help take the pressure off, here’s a survey of Spring Festival activities and camps happening around town.
One-Off Events
Sat, Feb 7
Baobei Disco
Ages 0-6. Our own family dance party! The idea is to have a safe space for families with young children to dance and have fun together. Two DJs will be playing mostly 80s hits and there will also be finger foods, refreshments, and games. beijingkids Club members: RMB 100 per child (all ages), RMB 200 per adult. Non-members: RMB 150 per child (all ages), RMB 250 per adult. 2-5pm. Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel
Shunyi Temple Fair
All ages. Dulwich College Beijing is hosting a Spring Festival temple fair with performances, vendors selling a variety of goods, and traditional Chinese snacks. Kids will also be able to make traditional arts and crafts with Dulwich teachers. Free. 10am-1pm. Beijing Riviera Country Club
Sun, Feb 8
Jiaozi Arty Party
All ages. On Sunday, Atelier is hosting a dumpling-making party for kids. No need to register, just bring RMB 20 and you’re good. Participants will learn why people make jiaozi for CNY and trivia related to the holiday. Kids under 4 can’t participate in the dumpling-making, but they get in for free. RMB 20 (ages 4 and above), free for kids under 4. 2.30-5pm. Atelier
Fri, Feb 13
Spring Festival Temple Fair
All ages. Ivy Bilingual School is holding a temple fair with activities like art, animated movie screenings, Chinese games, cooking classes, a photobooth, storytelling, and performances. Free. 9-11.30am. Ivy Bilingual School
CNY Camps
There are a number of Spring Festival camps and events going on if you’re stuck in Beijing for the holidays. Stay tuned over the weekend for a roundup of traditional temple fairs.
Feb 6-13
Meerkats Tennis School Winter Camps
Ages 4-18. Led by professional tennis coaches, this camp will allow kids to improve their game, make friends, and have fun. RMB 1,500 per week. 9am-4pm. Chaoyang Sports Center
Feb 16-20
Flips & Kicks Spring Festival Camp
Ages 5-12. Flips and Kicks is a multi-sport organization run by coaches Fredrik and Kai. The camp’s focus is on gymnastics and martial arts. Campers will be divided into two groups: ages 5-8 and ages 9-12. All BSB students and Flips and Kicks members are eligible for a 10 percent discount. All ISB, WAB, Daystar, Ganeinu, and DCB students get a 5 percent discount. RMB 1,800 (half-day), RMB 2,800 (full day). Lunch costs extra. 9am-noon (half-day), 9am-2.30pm (full day). British School of Beijing, Shunyi (info@flipsandkicksplus.com)
Feb 9-Mar 6
Atelier Winter Workshops
Ages 5-12. Throughout February and the beginning of March, Atelier is holding weekly workshops for kids to explore different artistic ideas and techniques. Students will explore a new theme each week, with groups divided into ages 5-8 and 8-12. RMB 1,500 per workshop. 9.30-11.30am (ages 5-8), 1.30-4pm (ages 8-12). Atelier
All Feb
Winter Ski Camp with Imagine.Snowsports
Ages 6-13. Running Monday to Friday throughout February, Imagine’s winter ski camps include classes from international ski instructors, ski passes to Huaibei, all equipment, and lunch. The camps are open to all ability levels. RMB 700 per day (pick-up costs an extra RMB 250 per day). 9.15am-4pm. Huaibei Ski Resort
Feb 23-27
Dulwich CNY Camps
Ages 5-18. DCB is running CNY camps that are open to the whole community, including soccer, swimming, and figure skating. The last day to register is Feb 12. The camps range from three to five days and cost anywhere from RMB 390 to 1,500. There’s also public skating on the ice rink, which costs RMB 50 and is open to everyone. Dulwich College Beijing
Photo: IQRemix (Flickr)
