Did you know we have a family events WeChat group? Join two hundred other internationally-minded families for the latest information on what’s going on in Beijing. Send an email to webeditor@beijing-kids.com with your WeChat ID or add KippWhittaker or anp3rd on WeChat. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned.
Featured Events This Week
Sports Beijing Winter Camp, Dec 18
Ages 7-15. This winter, Sports Beijing will be running a 5-day Winter Holiday Camp at the elementary school gym of the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB), offering the chance for your kids to train their skills in either Basketball led by Sports Beijing Gymnastics manager Sarah Yang, or Gymnastics led by SBBC basketball coach Aaron Yang, in a fun and friendly environment. RMB 1,900 (non-SBJ members), RMB 1,700 (SBJ members), 10 percent sibling discount available for both SBJ and non-SBJ members. 9.30am-noon. WAB. For registration, go to www.sportsbj.org/product-category/sports-camps/ (6430 1370, info@sportsbj.com)
2017 Christmas Holiday Fablab Workshops, starts from Dec 18
Aged 9+. Atelier Fablab offers two brand new workshops for the Christmas Holidays. Workshop 1: 3D printing workshop (DIY your Christmas present). Build your 3D printer from scratch and go back home with your new tool! Workshop 2: Build your own electronic musical instrument. During this 5-half-day workshop, students will imagine their own original instrument and learn basis of electronics and coding applied to musical creation.This workshop is a mix between coding, experimentation, and construction. 10am-4pm. Atelier Sanlitun. Follow WeChat Atelierartschool for more information.
CK Treasure Trove, Dec 23-24
All ages. Join the CK Treasure Trove vendors for a hugely Christmassy market! With lots of festive food, drink, gifts, and kids’ activities provided by over 40 vendors, you’ll find everything you need to get into the Christmas spirit – and buy some last-minute gifts. Many vendors ranging from Phoenix Design (ceramics), Liuba Draws (Beijing-inspired art), and the CK Culture Boutique (Chinese cultural gifts) will also be offering special holiday deals as well! Be ready for a merry day of holiday commerce. Free. Noon-7pm. Yongli Mall.
Workshop: Become a Positive Discipline Parent Educator, Dec 23-25
Adults. Teaching Parenting the Positive Discipline Way provides a step-by-step approach to starting and leading experientially based parenting groups. This program, covered over the course of a three-day workshop with international trainer Carol Dores, emphasizes experiential activities that reach the heart to inspire deeper understanding and change, equipping parents with a fun and effective way for them to get specific help with real problems. RMB 5,800. 9am-5pm. Hello Future. (152 1060 0619, zhangpan@hellofuture.com.cn )
Christmas at the Great Wall, Dec 24-25
All ages. Come out to the Great Wall at Mutianyu for a White Christmas and enjoy their annual Christmas Eve Dinner with live jazz. Later in the evening, everyone is welcome to join for caroling and hot chocolate in the lodge by their cozy wood burning fireplace. On Christmas Day, the festivities continue with their live jazz Christmas supper. Let the kids make cookies under supervision in the kitchen while the grown-ups sit back with something hot by the fire. Whenever you’re ready, sit down to a country Christmas supper served just to you. RMB 268 (adults), RMB 138 (4-18), free (under 4). The Brickyard Retreat Center. Go to https://yoopay.cn/event/christmaseve2017 and https://yoopay.cn/event/christmasday2017 for bookings.
Fun for Family
Israel Art and Culture Festival, until Dec 26
All ages. IsCham and FROOTS Gallery join together to co-host this month-long Israel Culture Festival atBeijing Israeli Business and Cultural Center (IBCC)·FROOTS Gallery. A series of events throughout this month will allow attendees to experience the charm and beauty of Israel. 10am-9pm. Israeli Business and Cultural Center. Follow WeChat IsCham_Beijing for more information.
Parade of Penguins at Indigo’s Christmas Castle, until Jan 2, 2018
All ages. This year the Indigo winter garden will be transformed for our annual Christmas tree lighting event, featuring a magnificent Christmas Castle ruled over by the lovely penguin duke. There will be many fun games and activities in the castle for all to enjoy this Christmas. Make a special Christmas wish as you slide down the magic castle slide, and see if the penguin duke grants your wish. Indigo. Check the website for more information.
Fun Learning
Ideas Winter Camp, starts from Dec 17
Ages 7-17. The Ideas School hosts a week-long winter camp. Kids 7-10 can stage a Broadway musical or learn more about science and math in a STEM Workshop. 11-14 year olds can choose between a Youth MBA program or a Design Thinking Workshop, while those aged 15 to 17 can try the Design Thinking Workshop or polish their rhetorical skills with public speaking and essay writing. Camps run for 14 days in two sessions. All day. For more information or to reserve, visit: http://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/-tPvWxFfrdzf8HqdJHzVAQ
New Karate & Martial Arts Classes at Daystar, until Dec 31
For kids 4-12. Come join Daystar to learn new skills, have fun, make friends, stay active. You are entitled to enjoy: classes taught in English by qualified international staff; great foundation for all sports; helping create a love of sport that lasts a lifetime. Daystar students receive a 10 percent discount. Visit their website for class schedule. RMB 1,560 for 12 classes. 1-7pm. Daystar Academy. Contact info@flipsandkicksplus.com or call 137 1846 2044 to arrange a free taster class.
Atelier New Class: Introduction to Architecture, until Dec 31
All ages. This year Atelier proposes a brand new class for teenagers and adults to discover and understand What is Architecture. Each class, discover a building, an architect, an architectural style. During this class, students will learn how to show a purpose in a project, how to share it with others as the basis for any creation. They will draw, make models to represent space and make architectural objects. Schedule:12-15 years old: Thursday 5:00-7:00pm; Adults (16 + years old): Thursday 7:15 -9:15pm. For more information please contact 010-64161614, email contact@atelier.cn.com or WeChat atelier_apas.
Forbidden City Tour, Dec 31
All ages. This unique tour brings the ceremony, pomp and intrigue of Beijing’s Imperial Palace back to life. Combining carefully researched information about how and why it was constructed, with shocking anecdotes about the 24 men to whom it belonged, this tour will help you realize how eccentric and unworldly ancient palace life really was. RMB 290 (adults); RMB 220 (kids under 14); includes native English speaking guide and all entry tickets. 1.30-3.30pm. Go to http://www.newmantours.com/beijing/forbidden-city-tour for more information. (138 1777 0229, info@newmantours.com
Recurring Events
Prenatal Pilates, every Mon
Adults. Prenatal Pilates is a low impact pregnancy workout, involving a series of controlled movements mostly on an exercise mat. It is certainly a very effective workout during pregnancy as it targets the tummy and pelvic floor muscles which tend to weaken during pregnancy. Most Pilates exercises for pregnant women are performed on the hands and knees, which is an ideal position during pregnancy and takes stress off the back and pelvis, and position your baby ready for delivery. RMB 100 per class. 11am-noon. Adler Kliniken. Contact Sabina (WeChat ID: SabinaKirchherr) for more information.
Weekday Deals and the Kid’s Corner, every Mon to Thu
All ages. Get ready to spend some good air days inside Feast, having a lazy lunch with mommy friends while the kids play in their new playroom. Order your main course a la carte, and check out the buffet for salads, cold cuts, and delicious starters. Kids under 6 eat free, and 7 to 12 year olds pay half price. The kids’ room is kitted out with bouncy horses, tents, dolls, rides, giant teddy bears and many more fun toys. 5.30-9pm. Price: RMB 145 per person. For reservation, call 8414 9820.
Baby Care Learning Center for Older Brothers and Sisters, every Wed
All ages. For those moms preparing to have your second child, you are welcome to bring your first born to United Family Healthcare’s special Baby Care Training Boot Camp! You can relax while soon to be older brother or sister can have lots of fun learning how to help you when the new baby comes. Of course, first-time parents and other family members can join in too. Camp attendees will learn skills like how to change diapers, correctly clothing and swaddling baby, and many other skills that will better prepare everyone in the family to assist you when the baby arrives. Free. 11am-noon. Beijing United Family Hospital.
Parent-child Yoga Class with Angelina in JKC, every Thu
All ages. Come join JKC to cultivate a close parenting relationship with kids under happy and healthy circumstances, as well as increase your kid’s body flexibility; improving blood circulation; and develop kid’s physical and cognitive skills. Yoga class presented by Angelina, founder of Incy Wincy Kids Yoga with a dedicated focus on children’s yoga. Eight families (1 adult +1 kid) per class. RMB 250 RMB per class per family. 9:00am– 09:45am Kid’s Age 0 – 1.5 years old; 9:55am – 10:40am Kid’s Age 1.5 – 3 years old. Contact 13269442485/010 – 84590369 for more information.
Kangaroo Tennis Club – Children Tennis Training, every Sat
Kids 6+. Come join Kangaroo Tennis Club for their tennis training program, to enroll your children for weekends of fun, exercise, and social interaction. All tennis instructions are in English. RMB 960 (12-week course fees) 9am-9pm. Beijing Tennis Center. (Contact Stanley at 136 8115 7367)
Fun-filled Mom and Child Playground, Every Sat
Ages 1.5-5. Join this fun-filled mom and child playground at Happy Family Kindergarten every Saturday morning. This playground is aimed for children 1.5-5 years old and moms to meet new people while spending some quality time together with their little bundles of joy. The kids will engage in storytelling, arts and crafts activities, as well as music and movement. Free. 9.00am-11.00am. (RSVP: 136 9573 7808)
Prepare for This…
2018 Beijing International School Expo, Jan 13-14
All ages. The 2018 Beijing International School Expo (BISE), hosted by beijingkids and Jingkids, provides an annual platform for parents, school leaders, teachers, and other educators to discover current trends in education and get a chance to meet and converse with many other schools located in Beijing. Free. Starts from 10am. Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel. Contact Jingkids 5941 3140 and beijingkids 5941 5379 for any questions about the event. Register at https://www.bagevent.com/event/860285.
Photos: Pixabay
