Free Playgroups + Playgrounds for Your Next Playdate

Since having my boys, I’ve realized the importance of having a chance to have a cup of coffee and a friendly chat with other adults (which, let’s face it, we all need sometimes). But of course, it’s not all about what we need. It’s also about what our kids need, and playing with a bunch of exciting new toys and socializing with other children of similar age is highly beneficial for their development. Playgroups are an excellent way for both parents and kids to get out of the house and make new friends. Luckily, there are some great places you can visit with your babies or preschoolers to learn, interact, and have fun.

Playgrounds and Playdates

KIDults Playground

Even though it’s not an organized playgroup per se, parents do tend to use the B2B offer and make arrangements with other parents in a group and set up playdates for their kids. For B2B members, KIDults offers a great deal: Unlimited playtime from Monday to Thursday for RMB 100, and from Friday to Sunday for RMB 188. If you’d like to add a kids’ meal, the price is RMB 158 weekdays and RMB 238 on weekends. Adults also enjoy 20 percent and 10 percent discounts, respectively. The format usually involves free play – they have a slide, a kitchen and a bunch of other toys and spaces for the little ones to explore. The playground is really baby-friendly with wet wipes, diapers and changing facilities available. It’s also small enough so parents can pretty much let their older kids loose to explore while they enjoy a well-deserved coffee. Scan the QR code to join the group.

Find it:

KIDults playground, 3/F, Damei Center, Qingnian Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区青年路达美中心3层

Up Natural Park

Up Natural Park is a huge outdoor play space located near the South Gate of Longtan Zhonghu Park in Dongcheng District. You can easily spend a few hours there (we certainly have) with the kiddos burning off their energy whizzing down the slides, climbing structures and nets, balancing on swings, zip-lining and just running around. The playground features a huge range of play equipment, suitable for both toddlers and bigger kids. The best part of the playground (at least according to my almost-6-year-old) is a three-story tower with multiple slides, all accessible by rope ladders and stairs. The space also has a super fun ice slide during winter. Up Natural Playground is open Tuesday-Sunday, 9.30am-6pm, and B2B members get to enjoy this exciting wonderland at a special discounted price: RMB 138/one adult + one kid (weekdays) and RMB 158/one adult + one kid (weekends).

Find it:

Up Natural Park, Longtan Zhonghu Park, Zuo’an Men West Road, Dongcheng District (Walk 150m straight after entering Longtan Zhonghu Park southwest gate)
东城区龙潭中湖公园西南门入园直走150米右转

Little Oasis at The Place

If you have a little one aged 0-6, you must have heard about Little Oasis. As its name suggests, it’s a little piece of heaven for both kids and parents located at The Place shopping mall. Equipped with everything from a ball pit to a toddler-safe climbing structure, air-purification system, library, cafe and a lounge, this is a must-visit playground for parents with little kids. B2B members get to meet other parents and children at the morning playgroups every Tuesday, 10am-1pm, and afternoon playgroups on Wednesdays any three hours after 2pm. The discounted price for B2B members is RMB 120 for one parent and one child. It’s limited to ten families, so if you want to attend, you should sign up early. An invitation by a current group member is required to join the group.

Find it:

3/F, Shimao Tianjie Beijie, 9 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District

光华路9号世贸天阶北街三层

SPRING in Solana

B2B members can arrange playdates for their little ones at this super baby- and toddler-friendly playground in Solana every Tuesday from 3pm to 5pm. SPRING is perfect for crawling babies and toddlers, who get to explore the various fun play spaces while their parents get a well-deserved chat with other adults. There are only three spots available each week and the cost is RMB 180/two adults and one child. Babies younger than 12 months old get in for free. An invitation by a current group member is required to join the group.

Find it:

SPRING Early Childhood Learning Centre & Playground, A09, Bldg 20, SOLANA, 6 Chaoyang Park Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳公园路6号SOLANA蓝色港湾20号楼KA09号

Supported Playgroups:

HoK Playgroup

If you’re a parent of a little Calf, Tiger or a Bunny, you can join the weekly playgroup at House of Knowledge International Kindergarten. You’ll get to meet other like-minded parents, and give your child an opportunity to play with age-appropriate toys in their sensory room and socialize with their peers. If the weather is nice, you can take the playgroup outside to the garden and enjoy the fresh air. The playgroup runs every Friday, 9am-10am, and it’s free. To join the group, scan the QR code.

Find it:

House of Knowledge Kindergarten, 15 Victoria Gardens, Chaoyang Park Xili South Area, Chaoyang District
朝阳区朝阳公园西里南区维多利亚公寓好思之家幼儿园

Playgroups at BSB Sanlitun

There are three different groups you and your child can attend at BSB Sanlitun: the baby playgroup, book club and dance group. These classes are designed specifically for little kids aged 0-3, with lots of fun and interactive activities, opportunities for parent-child bonding and socializing with other kids. The playgroups are free, but registration is required as places are limited. To register, scan the QR codes below.

Find it:

7 Sanlitun Beixiaojie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯北小街7号

Playgroup at YCYW

The playgroup at YCYW is designed for 2-4 year olds and is held every Thursday at their Yizhuang Campus. Playgroups for toddlers are an excellent way to provide a safe, social interaction for children, and can help with language and fine and gross motor development. They are also tons of fun! To sign up for the weekly teacher-led playgroup, scan the QR code on the poster.