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 on WeChat. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned.

Fresh Event This Week

3e Open House, Feb 5
All ages. 3e International School is hosting a series of Open House sessions for prospective Nursery (2 years old) to Kindergarten (6 years old) families to visit and tour 3e’s Lido campus. Families are invited to learn and ask questions of their experienced leadership and admissions team members to understand more about 3e’s dual-immersion bilingual program. Each Open House session will provide the opportunity to meet the Principal and Director of Research and Curriculum, listen to an overview of the 3e program and philosophy, tour classrooms and facilities, and discuss Admissions procedures. Free. 9.30-11am. Contact 6437 3344 or admissions@3einternationalschool.org for registration. 3e International School.

3e Open House

Temple Fair @ YCIS, Feb 6
All ages. The Yew Chung International School of Beijing’s annual Temple Fair celebrates the Chinese New Year, as students, teachers, vendors, and performers join together to create a truly festive atmosphere. Stalls replete with seasonal treats, handicrafts, traditional games, and even goldfish (representing wealth and prosperity) line the walls of the school gymnasium, and bright red banners and lanterns are hung from the ceiling. The fair is a valuable activity for students and the wider expat community. Free. All day. Contact 8585 1836 or info@bj.ycef.com for more information. Yew Chung International School of Beijing.

Distinguished Speaker Series: New York Times Bestselling Author Livia Blackburne, Feb 6
All ages. New York Times bestselling author Livia Blackburne still tries to get into people’s heads, but now without the help of an MRI scanner. The former neuroscientist wrote her first novel while studying at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is now a full-time author. Hear about Livia’s journey at this special DSS event. Free. 6-7.30pm. Contact 5986 5588 or wabinfo@wab.edu for more information. Western Academy of Beijing.

Chinese New Year Temple Fair at Dulwich, Feb 7
All ages. Each year, Dulwich College Beijing kicks off its celebration of Chinese New Year with its popular Temple Fair. This year, their teachers and parents will organize over 10 activities that allow children to experience traditional Chinese folk art, such as paper cutting, Chinese calligraphy, lantern making, beading, and knotting. Children will also have the chance to learn how to make dumplings and mooncakes. Also, expect to find unique gifts and yummy food on sale from 20+ vendors. Mark your calendar and bring along your festive spirit for a fun day of celebration! Free. 9.30am-3pm.Contact 6454 9068 or maggie.jiang@dulwich-beijing.cn for more information. Dulwich College Beijing.

The Children’s House International Montessori Kindergarten information session, Feb 8
All ages. Everyone is invited to attend the Children’s House information sessions and workshops at their brand new Oceanwide Campus. These sessions will give you the chance to receive a tour of their facilities, to meet and get to know the principal and teachers, and even more so to experience firsthand what a Montessori environment feels like and to be able to explore the materials created and designed by Maria Montessori. Free. 9.30-11am. Contact 139 1070 6224 or info-oceanwide@montessoribeijing.com for more information. The Children’s House International Montessori Kindergarten.

Fun for the Weekend

Ideas Winter Camp, until Feb 10
Aged 7-17. The Ideas School hosts kids 7-17 for 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. RMB 24,800 (for 14 days). Full day. Please contact 185 1012 7957 for more information or to reserve. Ideas Camp.

LAX: Lacrosse For Kids, until Feb 10
Aged 7-14. Kids can learn lacrosse at this workshop at the Beijing City International School, held in an indoor facility. Known as the ‘fastest game on two feet,’ Lacrosse is popular in North America and growing around the world. This program will allow kids to learn the fundamentals of the game with experienced coaches, and jump right into the game. RMB 1,700. 4-6pm. Contact 8771 7171 or admissions@bcis.cn  for more information. Beijing City International School.

Talk/Hands-On: Spring Festival & Spring Couplets, Feb 11

All ages. This talk will explain the history, symbol, custom and activities of the whole month for Chinese New Year. Then the teacher will talk about the Spring Couplets, which was written in black ink on large vertical scrolls of red paper, and were put on the walls or on the sides of the gate-ways, and colorful new year pictures (nian huar) were placed on the walls. Come and learn all about Chinese New Year preparation, custom and the spring couplets. And then try your hand writing one to hang it up at your door. 2.30-4pm. RMB 250 per person. Check the website for more information. China Culture Center.

People do calligraphy at China Culture Center.

Fun During Chinese New Year Break

Chinese Family Reunion Dinner, Feb 15

All ages. Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner is an occasion to gather the family. Chinese executive chef Ho Hau Yuen welcomes you to Jia in the Nuo Hotel for a memorable feast. Enjoy holiday classics at Beijing’s signature Chinese restaurant. Check the website for more information or to RSVP. Nuo Hotel.

Family Reunion Feast at Kerry’s Grand Ballroom, Feb 15
All ages. Savor an abundance of traditional and symbolic dishes at Kerry’s Grand Ballroom with your family for a prosperous and fortunate Year of the Dog. Plenty of entertainment and lucky draw prizes are also up for grabs, promising a night full of excitement. RMB 458 or RMB 558. 6-9pm. Contact 8565 2608 for more information or to RSVP. Kerry Hotel.

Children’s New Year Symphony Orchestra Concert: The Lion King, Feb 19

All ages. The first Beijing Children’s New Year Concert is a great resource for parents and grandparents seeking to pass their love of music to children in their life. This musical story introduces children to the orchestra and provides free educational materials to teachers for their classroom activities. Specially designed for young concertgoers, the Children’s Symphony Orchestra weaves together live music performed with visual animation, vivid storytelling, sets, costumes and pictures. In addition, kids will be invited to the scene with the orchestra where they have a chance to interact with the orchestra and each other. RMB 180-580. 2.30-4.30pm. Check the website to book your reservation. Beijing Theatre.

Children’s New Year Symphony Orchestra Concert: The Lion King

Atelier CNY Fablab workshops in Sanlitun, Feb 5-23

Aged 9+. After the success of the past years, Atelier comes up with 4 weeks of amazing, unique and brand new workshops– Build your own 3D printer and DIY Remote Vehicle for Chunjie this year. During the first workshop, students will understand the fundamentals of 3D printing while making their own 3D printing machine. During the second workshop, students will imagine their own original vehicle and learn the basics of electronics and coding applied to robotics and vehicle. RMB 4,000. 10am-4pm. Check the website for more information and reservation. Atelier Art School, Sanlitun.

Atelier CNY Workshops in Shunyi, Feb 12-23
Aged 5+. After the success of the past years’ ChunJie Art Workshops, this year again, Atelier Shunyi comes up with two weeks of unique and brand new workshops for Chunjie. Atelier’s teaching team has gone far beyond the limits of creativity, and designed this series of workshops mixing art, engineering, history, and literature, taking the kids through adventurous paths or on a journey through art history. RMB 1,440-2,000. 10am-4pm. Follow WeChat ID ateliershunyi for registration. Atelier Art School, Shunyi.

NANSHAN Skiing Camp, Feb 12-23
Aged 7+. The ski camp is instructed by a group of professional English-speaking skiers. Equipment can be rented in the resort. Skiers can bring their own equipment if they wish so. Transport is provided from the Starbucks at Lido Place, Riviera, and the north edge of the roundabout at Houshayu. Skiers will be picked up every morning, and send back to the same location the same day in the afternoon. Parents need to make sure kids bring a packed lunch. RMB 950 per day per child (at least 3 days). All day. For more information please contact Info@imagine-china.com  or WeChat ID Imagine24x7service. Nanshan Ski Resort.

Chinese New Year Kid’s Camp, Feb 5-28

The SLab continues to offer exciting new workshops for kids this Chinese New Year, with a wide variety of classes to choose from. Classes: Qipao sewing; Resin & shringky dink; Leather accessories; Fabric printing, embroidery & decorating; Resin & wire wrapping. 10am-3pm. RMB 888 for 2 days, RMB 1,188 for 3 days, RMB 1,888 for 1 week (lunch and all materials included). Check out the website for more information. The Slab.

Ongoing Events

Ink Painting Class, every Monday and Saturday 

All ages. Chinese painter Huang Lin who has been painting for over 20 years, and has extensive experience teaching art will demonstrate Chinese calligraphy, Chinese ink painting techniques for birds, flowers and landscapes. Students will be able to bring home a piece of art after each lesson! Minimal materials required. 2-4pm (Mondays), 10am-noon (Saturdays). RMB 800 per person for four classes. Contact WeChat : chenshihhan for more information and registration. Riviera Clubhouse.

Kids Storytelling @ Bookworm & TONG Playroom, every Saturday

Aged 4-7. There can’t be too many little ones or parents whose lives haven’t been enriched by one of Julia Donaldson’s funny, rhyming stories. Come to Bookworm to discover the joy of storytelling at The Bookworm with Karin followed by story and craft and a cup of hot chocolate for little ones. Each session will host 15 children maximum. RMB 80 per child. 10.30-11.30am. Check the website for more information and registration. The Bookworm.

Flips & Kicks Plus Karate and Martial Arts @ Daystar, until June 10

Aged 4+. Flips & Kicks Plus focus on Goju Ryu Karate but do take influence from other martial arts. The instructor is a fully-licensed PE-teacher with over 20 years of teaching and coaching experience. Karate and Martial Arts is a great way to achieve focus, learn self-defense, self-awareness, and build strength/flexibility. All classes are conducted in the spirit of flips & kicks plus. RMB 2,340 (aged 4-7), RMB 2,700 (aged 8+). 2-6.30pm. Please contact info@flipsandkicksplus.com or phone 137 1846 2044 for more information and registration. Daystar Academy.

Photos: courtesy of 3e International School, China Culture Center, Fanpop