Fun During Chinese New Year Break

Puppet Art at the National Museum of China, Feb 11-28

All ages. See one of China’s most unique art forms, Zhangzhou puppet carving, with works by master carvers Xu Chuchu and Xu Qiang on display at the National Museum until February 28. The artists integrate traditional techniques and their own life experience to create intricate and playful art. While these are likely the types a puppets that are too fragile for hands-on play, maybe you could pair it with a little crafty puppet building session at home, making for a fun filled afternoon when Beijing becomes a ghost town this CNY. 9am-5pm. National Museum of China

Chinese Family Reunion Dinner, Feb 15

All ages. Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner is an occasion to gather the family. Executive chef Ho Hau Yuen welcomes you to Jia in the Nuo Hotel for a memorable feast. Enjoy holiday classics at this stylish hotel’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.

Irish Traditional Tap Dance: Celtic Legends, Feb 17-21

All Ages. Get over to the National Centre of the Performing Arts and check out the Celtic Legends as they bring you 100% live traditional Irish dance, music and song. Celebrating over 10 adventurous years of touring worldwide, this will be an unique opportunity for the young minds of your household to experience this one of a kind celebration of Irish culture and it will no doubt have your kids attempting to “jig” for the unforeseeable future. 7.30pm. RMB 180-1080. Go here to purchase tickets. National Centre of the Performing Arts

Theatre for Children: Idioms Rubik’s Cube 4, Feb 18-21

All ages. This Chinese-language performance for kids brings classic Chinese morality plays to the stage. Kids can learn about inner and outer beauty, street smarts and book smarts and much more during this entertaining series of stage shorts. Visit the website for more information or to buy tickets. National Centre For the Performing Arts.

Drama Idioms Rubik’s Cube 4

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.

Dali’s Fantastic Universe Art Exhibition, Jan 1-Mar 31

All Ages. Salvador Dali is one of the founders of the surrealist art movement, one of the most magical and delightfully absurd advancements to modern art over the past century. From now until Mar 31, experience some of the masterpieces from this larger than life figure of art history at the Yang Art Museum, where they are featuring a combination of his work with some playful environments inspired by his sculptures and paintings. 10am-10pm. RMB 180, RMB 90 (student ticket), RMB 360 (family ticket). Yang Art Museum

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

[ Kids Can Code ] Workshop, Every Weekend

Aged 9+. Prepare your children for the future! Let your kid learn how to code, in a fun way, by building a simple game from start to finish. Saturday and Sunday, 2-day camp, 12 hours total, lunch and snacks included. This will run every weekend, and while the format is especially designed for children (from 9) it’s still great for anyone curious to learn how to code, but not sure where to start. So, parents (or anyone else, in fact) are also welcome to participate. Limited to 10 participants each weekend! Be sure to book now. All details can be found at the workshop website here. 9am-6pm. RMB 4,000 (12 hour course). Cafe Groove

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: China National Theatre, Pixabay, Fanpop, cits.net/, The Beijinger