Even though most schools are closed or winding down, and friends are leaving for the summer, there’s still plenty to do in Beijing. Check out our summer camps post if you’re wanting a long term solution for your child’s many free hours, as some camps might still be open for registration.
Free Events
Growth Mindset, June 22
Adults. Suzy Wang, Co-Head of Daystar Academy will lead this conversation about teaching and parenting children with growth in mind. Free. 10.30am-Noon. Daystar Academy, Cathay View Campus (Register here)
International Newcomers Network’s Sanlitun Coffee Morning, June 22
Adults. Come meet your Sanlitun neighbors and get the lowdown about what’s going on in Beijing. Free. 10am-Noon. Colibri Café. (http://innbeijing.com)
International Newcomers Network’s Beer Night, June 23
Adults. We will be exploring little gems along with some of our old standby favorites around town! Come join INN to meet new friends and fellow beer enthusiasts to talk beer, sports or wherever the topic goes. Free. 7-9pm. Contact William Frisby for location. (WeChat: 13141443186)
Hello, Greece! June 26
Ages 8+ This fun fair will include Greek cuisine, art exhibitions, Greek language workshops, Greek Instruments workshops, music, dance, and research based talks. Free. 2-7pm. W Stage (185.1868.2745)
Mandarin Month Mixer: Meet Beijing’s Best Mandarin Schools, June 25
Adults. After a great Mandarin Month, our sister publication, theBeijinger, is wrapping up with a meet and greet for students, schools, and tutors. Free. 2-5pm. Home Plate BBQ (Register here)
Massages and makeovers while kids are actively engaged and playing with one another? This is brilliant!
Unique Events
Beijing Zoo, June 21
Ages 3+ Take a walk on the wild side with That’s Mandarin at the Beijing Zoo. Home to animals from around the world, it’s fun for all the family. RMB 500. 1-5pm Beijing Zoo (info@thatsmandarin.com)
Rock Music Concert – Be Their Voice!, June 21
14+ This rock music concert aims to promote kindness to animals. Come and have a good time for a great cause, meeting like-minded people and be the voice for animals in China. RMB 80. 7.30pm-9.30pm. Poly Theatre (010-8451.8800)
Professional Development Series: Changing Jobs and Industries, June 23
Adults. JingJobs is teaming up with Beijing Women’s Network for this talk on the price of changing industries and jobs. This workshop seeks to answer the question, how much change is too much? RMB 50 (Door) 7-9pm. Inn Cube (Register here)
Science Museum Visit, June 23
Ages 3+ Join That’s Mandarin on a visit to China Science and Technology Museum in Beijing, where you can explore hands-on, interactive exhibits showcasing China’s contributions to the scientific field. RMB 500. 1-5pm. That’s Mandarin (info@thatsmandarin.com)
Chinese Kung Fu Class, June 24
Ages 7+ Everyone is welcome, even if you are not a student here. Reservation needed, signing deadline June 21. RMB 200. 1-3pm. (info@beijingmandarinschool.com)
Playdate for All! End of School Extravaganza, June 25
All ages. Sanfine has mixed up the perfect playdate for literally the whole family. There’s bowling, ballet, face painting, arts and crafts, and a bouncy castle for kiddos under six. For kids between seven and sixteen, they’ve planned competitions (basketball, scooters, and electric cars), and DJ training. For the most mature of the party people, they’ve gotThai massages, manicures, hair styling, and henna tattoos. Early bird tickets until June 16 cover two parents and two kids, RMB 100, then RMB 50 for each additional ticket. 11am-3pm. Sanfine International Hospital, Outdoor Sky Garden (Register here)
One Day trip to “Shilingxia Scenic Area” 石林峡, June 25
Ages 3+ Get a bit of a break for kids under 1.2 meters (as long as they sit in your lap) on this trip to this area which includes the now famous Flying Saucer. RSVP no later than today! RMB 200. 8am-6pm. Beijing Mandarin School E-Tower (6508.1026)
Chinese Hospital and Pharmacy Visit, June 25
Ages 12+ This 3 hour experience includes a brief lesson on Traditional Chinese medicine and a meeting with TCM doctors for a diagnosis. Visitors will be able to try one or two of various treatments such as acupuncture, vacuum cupping, moxibustion, massage and others. Concludes with a visit to their herbal pharmacy to look at strange herbs, weird bugs, and animals used for medicinal purposes. RMB 250. 9.30am-12.30pm. China Culture Center (6432.9341)
Storytelling for Kids: The Adventures of Poucher & Big Guy, June 26
All ages. Join Arthur Charles and Kate Anderson for a look at their popular Australian and adventure themed book series. RMB 30. 10am-Noon. The Bookworm (6586.9507)
Sometimes finding friends can be hard in the city, but not with Bumps 2 Babes.
Ongoing Events
Bumps 2 Babes Play Dates
All ages. Summer can be a hard transition for expat families staying in Beijing, especially if friends have left or are gone for vacation. Get to know other neighbors outside your normal circle with these regional play dates. Time and location varies. (wechat: vanessajencks)
Aerial Yoga Class, Tuesdays
Ages 16+ Join this sexy and fun class to nail those handstand poses you can’t reach on your own. RMB 49 (Groupon DianPing) RMB 199 (Drop-in). 12.30-1.30pm and 6-9pm. Wangjing Soho (WeChat: divadanceacademy)
Taekwondo Fit Girl’s Class, Wednesdays
Ages 13+ NB8 Taekwondo classes for women will help you achieve greater strength and improved self-control. Classes teach how to effectively stop an attacker who is bigger than you, while at the same time improving your balance, hand-eye coordination, and build faster reflexes. RMB 1250. 7.30-8.30pm. Shangdu Soho, (ntep3@me.com)
Cavalia, June 20 – July 31
All ages. Cavalia has extended its stay for the whole summer. Cheap seats sell out weeks in advance, so plan ahead if you want in on a budget. RMB 120-1980. 2.30pm, 7.30pm. Chaoyang Park Dong San Men Parking Lot (ponypiao@damai.cn)
Jazz-Pop Class, Fridays
Ages 13+ Got problems with coordination? Let Giselle at Diva Dance Academy whip you into shape with some moves to boot. RMB 49 (Groupon DianPing) RMB 199 (Drop-in). 6-9pm. Wangjing Soho (WeChat: divadanceacademy)
Multicultural Volleyball, Saturdays
Ages 16+ Laid back fun with a mix of volleyball-loving men and women is a great way to start off the summer. Fee is just for court costs. RMB 55. 2-4pm Shichaihai Sports School (WeChat: chubidubby)
4 Best of Next Week
Leadership and Management Training, June 27-28
Adults. The objective of this two day training is to provide teams with powerful and modern marketing tools and inspiring real-life case studies like Tesla, Red Bull, and Hermès, that will help them develop the right critical thinking, decision-making, and leadership skills. RMB 6,600. 8.45am-5pm. Regus. (https://amcham.eventbank.cn/event/5140/)
How to Help Your Child Survive the Long Summer Holiday, June 29
Adults. Join Daystar Academy’s teachers and community for a discussion about how to get the most out of the summer holiday. Free. 10.30am-Noon. Daystar Academy, Cathay View Campus (Register here)
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland In Beijing, July 1-2
Ages 4+ This kid-friendly one hour retelling of the childhood classic will be in English with Chinese captions. RMB 99-280. Performances held at 10.30am, 3.30pm and 7.30pm. Long Fu Theatre (Buy tickets here)
French Job Fair for French and Chinese Alumni, July 2
Adults. Specifically for graduates from France, the Embassy of France in China hosts this event every year. Last year 150 companies participated and gave 4,000 job interviews in six cities. Free. 2-6pm. Beijing Four Seasons Hotel (forumemploi.clubfrancechine.org)
Photos: en.damai.cn, Kurt Bauschardt (Flickr)
