The Magic Bean House 豆豆家科技馆
Ages: 0-8
Focus: Educational
The Magic Bean House lays claim to being the first American-designed Children’s Museum in Beijing. There are eight different play areas for children to explore: Tale of the Magic Bean, Toddler Land, Green Foods, World of Water, Bricks and Blocks, Car Services, Experimental Hall, and the Art Gallery. Each area encourages children to think creatively, independent of parental assistance. Among the highlights are opportunities for kids to role-play as ancient kings; a wide variety of both Chinese and English picture books; as well as regular storytelling events (in Chinese and English) in The Art Gallery. Friendly English-speakingstaff presides over the clean, safe, shoes-off environs of the play areas. The Magic Bean House hosts regular events, so it’s worth checking their easy-to-use English-language website.
RMB 40 (adults), RMB 80 (kids 2-8), RMB 40 (kids 6-24 months), free (0-6 months); annual memberships start from RMB 2,980. Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun 9am-8pm (closed every last Tues of the month for maintenance). 7 Chaoyang Park Xilu, Chaoyang District (400 888 0722) www.magicbeanhouse.com 朝阳区朝阳区朝阳公园西路7号
My Gym Early Childhood Development Center 美吉姆国际儿童教育中心
Ages: 0-13 years
Focus: Physical activity and health
My Gym is a chain with locations in 25 countries. They offer structured, age-appropriate, weekly classes that incorporate music, dance, relays, games, gymnastics and sports. The aim is for children to have fun as they gain strength, balance, coordination, agility and flexibility while developing social skills, confidence and self-esteem. Parents are also encouraged to get involved with the several parent participation classes available. The facility is large, light-filled and modern, with colorfully decorated activity rooms. The staff is trained in English and the low student/teacher ratio means kids have access to individualized care. For older children who need to get out of the house more often (8-13 years), My Gym has created a program that combines a cardio workout with strength and flexibility exercises. Birthday party packages are available as well as camp programs with rotating themes.
Average RMB 3,000 (12 classes). Mon-Sun 9am-7pm. 15/F, Blue Castle international Center, 3 Dawang Xilu, Chaoyang District (6582 0092, 6582 0072) www.my-gym.com 朝阳区西大望路蓝堡国际中心1座15层
Gymboree Beijing 金宝贝
Ages: 0-5
Focus: Music
Gymboree is an international chain with locations across 30 countries. This play center has a focus on music and parent participation, and offer music, play and art classes in English. Classes are all held in a clean, colorful room painted with primary colors. The music class offers kids a chance to play instruments, sing songs and practice saying basic words. After class, participants are welcome to play on the gym equipment located inside each classroom. The most popular class is The Gymboree Play and Learn, a seven-level, age-appropriate program designed to support your child’s growth at his or her own individual pace. Gymboree also holds birthday parties – pick your child’s favorite theme and they will create a personalized private party. All classes are in English and children must be accompanied by an adult. The reception staff speaks limited English, so you may have to seek out an instructor for if you need assistance.
1) RMB 3,120 (12 classes), RMB 14,976 (96 classes). Daily 9am-6pm. Guanghua SOHO, 7/F, Bldg 3, 22 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District (5900 6186) 朝阳区北京市朝阳区光华路22号光华路SOHO三单元7层; 2) RMB 284 (per class), RMB 3,720 (12 classes). Daily 9am-6pm. 2/F, Bldg E, Wangjing International Commercial Center, 9 Wangjing Lu, Chaoyang District, Chaoyang District (5166 0516) www.gymboreeclasses.com
朝阳区朝阳区望京街9号望京国际商业中心E座二层01
KindyROO International Early Childhood Development 菁童启育咨询中心
Ages: 0-5
Focus: Skills development
Catering more to Chinese parents, KindyROO offers music, dance and play classes designed to encourage spatial awareness, balance and coordination. Interestingly, the focus of their programs is parent participation with the aim of teaching parents how their toddler’s brain develops. Parents are encouraged to follow a home-based therapy program with their little ones as part of each program. Their programs include BabyROO (6 weeks and up), Kindy GymbaROO (toddlers), as well as classes for children up to 5 years old. Each program includes information evenings for parents and an initial parent interviewand child assessment. Based on the interview, a program will be designed, discussed and taught to both the parent and child. The friendlystaff speaks decent English and the facility is clean, but smaller than some international play centers in Beijing. Program prices are availableon application.
Daily 8.30am-5.30pm. 10/F, 18 Jianwai Soho (west area), Chaoyang District (5869 8002/3, 800 810 0052) www.kindyroo.com 朝阳区国贸中心.北京市朝阳区建外Soho西区18楼10层
Beyou World 比如世界
Ages: 3-12
Focus: Career-oriented
At this colorful, interactive educational canter, children participate in role-play and real-world simulations of day-to-day life. Children can dress-up and test their skills as a police officer, teacher, nurse, builder, doctor or any one of the various professions available for exploration. Beyou World contains a simulation city, managed by the children themselves. (Of course, the city still has social rules which kids are expected to adhere to.) Kids have a range of setting-themed play stations to choose from, including a supermarket, post office and hospital. The purpose is for children to learn how this "society" functions and how they can succeed within it. Parents can monitor their children at all times and even participate if they like. Staff can speak English.
RMB 80 (Sat-Sun, holidays), RMB 20 (Tue-Fri), RMB 200 kids. 10am-7pm (Tue-Fri), 10am-2.30pm and 3.30-8pm (Sat-Sun, holidays). BuildingA-3F, China Career International Center, 39 Dongsihuan Zhonglu,Chaoyang District (8571 1199) www.beyou.cn (Chinese) 朝阳区京顺路52号
The Familier
Ages: 0-5
Focus: Play
Located in the heart of CBD, this two-level center is designed to provide a convenient, safe and friendly environment for families to come and play. Just walking into this light-filled center you makes you feel comfortable and at ease. While classes are available, the emphasis is on self-directed fun – simply use the ball pit, gym equipment and crafts at your own pace. If you need help, The Familier maintains a child to educator ratio of 3 to 1. For moms and dads with busy schedules, a half-day drop-off service allows parents to leave their little ones in the care of The Familier’s professionally trained staff. One of the highlights of this center is its recently revamped café menu, with healthy options designed by Singaporean nutritionist, mother and beijingkids columnist Olivia Lee. The staff is very friendly, and the facility is clean and quiet. Kindermusik classes with Yuliya are available as well as a range of art classes. If your family has special language needs, inquire about language assistance.
RMB 50 (2 hours for one kid and one adult), RMB 88 (full-day for one kid and one adult), half price (additional kids), free (kids under 12 months and one parent). Daily 9am-8pm. Suite 0753, Tower A, Chaowai Soho, 6B Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District (5869 2904) 朝阳区朝外大街乙6号朝外SohoA-0753
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6th Sense Tennis Academy
Ages: 4-18
Focus: Tennis
Price: Courses start from RMB 800
1 Langxinzhuang Lu, Chaoyang District (8538 1073/3269, china@6sensetennis.com) www.6thsenseacademy.com 朝阳区郎辛庄路1号
Beijing Playhouse
Ages: 6-18
Focus: Theater
Price: Approximately RMB 5,000 for a two-week camp
performance@beijingplayhouse.com, www.beijingplayhouse.com
ClubFootball
Ages: 4-18
Focus: Football (soccer)
Price: Approx. RMB 750 (nine-week course)
Unit A212, Door 3, A1 Zone, Huadeng Building, 14 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (5130 6893/4/5/6, coaching@wanguoqunxing.com) www.clubfootball.com.cn 万国群星足球俱乐部,朝阳区酒仙桥路14号兆维华登大厦A1区3门212室
Dragon Fire Swim Team
Ages: 4-18
Focus: Swimming
Price: Starts from RMB 60 per lesson
49 Beisanhuan Xilu, Haidian District (8263 2789, 136 0106 4534
dragonfireswimming@gmail.com) www.dragonfire.com.cn 北京龙火游泳队,海淀区北三环西路49号
Family Box
Ages: 0-12
Focus: Educational play
Price: RMB 320 (day pass for two adults and one child, does not include access to the pool)
Bldg 4, 51 Wangjing Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6478 6163)
www.familyboxes.com.cn 家盒子,朝阳区朝阳区望京北路51号院4号楼
J-Ballet School
Ages: 6-12
Focus: Ballet
Price: Starts from RMB 60 per hour
Main School: 1/F, Bldg D, Jingxiuyuan Apartments, Xingfucun Lu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区幸福村中路景绣园D座1层西侧
Kempinski School: Pulse Health Club, Kempinski Hotel, Lufthansa Centre,50 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (8453 3003, 138 0103 6364)
www.j-ballet.com 朝阳区亮马桥路50凯宾斯基饭店北京燕莎中心都市脉搏健身俱乐部
The Learning Center
Ages: 4-18
Focus: Professional tutoring
Price: Starts from RMB 160 per hour
Mon-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 9.30am-4.30pm. 2108 Gahood Villa (opposite Capital Paradise), Houshayu, Xibaixinzhuang, Shunyi District (8046 3886, registration@learningcenter.com.cn) www.thelearningcenter.cn 顺义区后沙峪西白辛庄嘉浩别墅2108号
O’le Climbing
Ages: 5-18
Focus: Rock-climbing and bouldering
Price: RMB 320 (10-pass card)
Mon-Fri 10am-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-8pm. 5 Dongshimencun Lu, Baiziwan Qiao, Dongsihuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District (6776 4705, oleclimbing@gmail.com) 朝阳区东四环中路百子湾桥东石门村路5号
Sports Beijing
Ages: 4-18
Focus: Offers a range of team and individual sports
Price: Memberships RMB 200, prices vary based on program and age2/F, Lido Country Club, 6 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District(6430 1370/1176, info@sportsbj.com) www.sportsbj.org 朝阳区将台路6号丽都乡村俱乐部二层