Don’t miss this week’s four excellent events that are fun for the whole family. E-mail newsletter@beijing-kids.com to get each issue sent to your inbox. Check the beijingkids website for full event listings, www.beijing-kids.com.
Friday 4th September – Africa Tourism and Culture Festival at Solana
Running from Sep 4-17, the Africa Tourism and Culture Festival will feature photography and painting exhibits, coffee and chocolate tasting, fun activities for the kids and the first Africa Film Festival in Beijing. For info, email info@touchafrica.cn or call 8495 0637. Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District
Don’t Forget: Try one of Beijing’s favorite Moroccan restaurants, Moro on Xin Yuan Nan Lu. The food is reasonably priced and very tasty, but the small space isn’t stroller-friendly. Best for bigger kids.
Saturday 5th September- Happy Feet Dance Party
Meet other parents and wear out the kids at the same time. This dance party at the Palm Springs campus of Etonkids is an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours. For families with kids ages 1 to 3. 10am-12am. For info, contact Rae Wu 6539 8967 or email raewu@etonkids.com.
Don’t forget: Pick up a copy of Happy Feet, the heartwarming animation voiced by Elijah Wood and Robin Williams, to get your little dancers warmed up.
Saturday 5th September– Video Games Live
Described as a mix between a rock concert, a symphony orchestra and a light show, this unique event is perfect for the music or video game nut (or both). Catch (amongst others) the familiar soundtracks of Mario, Sonic, Zelda, Halo, or for the older gamer Pong, Pac Man and Space invaders. It may be unusual but it’s all good fun. Best for kids 8 and up. Tickets from RMB 280. 7.30pm. www.piao.com.cn
Don’t Forget: Brush up on your gaming skills – in previous concerts members of the audience have been invited up onto the stage to play video games on the big screen.
Sunday 6th September- Dinosaur Kids Club and Workshops
The Bookworm is the place to be this month as it unveils a series of activities in honor of the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth, and the 150th anniversary of The Origin of the Species. This Sunday kids join teacher Hannah for a special dino-themed Kids Club with reading activities, games and competitions. RMB 20. 11am. Later on kids can learn how to make accurate reproductions of dinosaur claws bones and teeth from Ludovic Blein- a specialist in prosthetic dinosaurs and replica models. RMB 30-50. 2pm-4pm.
Don’t Forget: Kids club with Hannah is a regular event at the Bookworm every Sun at 11am for ages 4 and up. If you’re based in Shunyi don’t panic, kids club also takes place Sun 1pm at the Orchard.