Show Mom Some Love
On May 13, mothers everywhere will be spoiled with breakfast in bed, bouquets of carnations, and hand-drawn cards. Known as a blockbuster day for flower sales and greeting cards in the US, Mother’s Day is becoming more and more popular in China. In 2007, Communist Party member Li Hanqiu called for a “Chinese” Mother’s Day on the same date with lilies instead of carnations, which in ancient times were planted in sorrow by Chinese mothers when their children left home. For ideas on where to celebrate Mother’s Day, check out our roundup and Events.
Join a Summer Camp
Summer is almost here! Schools, organizations, and community centers are gearing up for the warm season with a variety of camps. Ranging from language camps to Waldorf-inspired wilderness camps, they offer toddlers, kids, and teens the chance to make new friends and hone a variety of skills. Don’t dawdle; many summer camps have early bird discounts or application deadlines in mid-May to early June. To see our updated list, check out www.beijing-kids.com and type “Roll Call: A Roundup of Upcoming Summer Camps” in the search bar.
Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’
From May 18-June 2, Beijing Playhouse presents Oklahoma!, the beloved Broadway musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Starring a young cast of students aged 6-14, Oklahoma! tells the story of a cowboy named Curly McLain and his love for farm girl Laurey Williams. Famous songs include “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top,” and “Kansas City.” For details, see Event.
Make Waves at the BSB Summer Splash
On May 20, the British School of Beijing is once again holding its annual Summer
Fayre at the school’s Shunyi campus. The Summer Fayre is a day of fun and shopping
where all the money raised goes to local charities. This year’s theme is “Summer
Splash,” with lots of water to keep everyone cool on the day of the fair. For details,
see Events.
Pick Up Artisan Jam at a Farmer’s Market
Every Sunday, the Country Fair and Beijing Farmer’s Market (CFFM) takes place at two locations: one in Xicheng District and a brand-new edition at Daystar Academy in Shunyi. Meet the farmers who grow the seasonal, organic produce and buy homemade goods like jam, cheese, rice wine, herbal tea, and more. For the Shunyi address, see Noticeboard.
Free. Every Sun 10am-2pm. 1/F, Bldg 3, Hongshan Shijia Residential Complex, 305
Guang’anmenwai Dajie (500m of the National Theater of China), Xicheng District (134 0105 6422, farmersmarketbj@gmail.com) http://weibo.com/1918547924 西城
区广安门外大街305号（中国国家话剧院往北500米路西）红山世家3号楼底商
Relax at the Summer Sizzle Family Barbecue
On June 2, OASIS Healthcare and AustCham host a fun-filled family barbecue
to celebrate the hospital’s grand opening. Located just north of 798 Art District,
OASIS Healthcare will have tasty eats, cool drinks, raffle prizes, and games for
the kids. Doctors will also be there to chat with families and offer tips for staying
healthy in Beijing. For details, see Events.
Pick Your Own Strawberries in Changping
Strawberry season is in full swing, so take advantage of the beautiful weather to pick your own berries with the entire family. Changping District in the northwest of Beijing is dotted with pick-your-own-berry farms that offer pricing packages by the jin and several varieties of strawberries to choose from. For ideas on where to go, read Day Tripper.
Enter the Dragon
Does your child quote Bruce Lee movies and perform jump kicks off the furniture? It might be time to sign them up for some martial arts lessons. Martial arts is a great way to build discipline and confidence while keeping fit, learning self-defense, and meeting new people. We profile three Beijing-based instructors and studios from different disciplines to give you a taste of what Beijing has to offer. To read more, see Playing Outside
Get in Touch with Your Inner Beijinger
Are you afraid to venture beyond Yashow Market? Do your eyes glaze over when locals attempt conversation? Boy, have we got you covered. This month’s feature is all about culture, with guides to Beijing’s less-traveled markets and parks, as well as activities to get into the spirit of the city. To get started, turn to Feature.
Visit Furry and Scaly Friends
Pack your sun block for a double feature day trip to the Beijing Zoo and Aquarium
in Haidian District. Easily accessible through subway Line 4, Beijing Zoo is home
to pandas, lions, tigers, monkeys, penguins, and more. The Beijing Aquarium,
located just behind “Lion and Tiger Mountain,” boasts several varieties of freshwater
and saltwater fish, as well as a dolphin and sea lion show. For the full story, see
What’s Fun In.
This article is excerpted from beijingkids April 2012 issue. View it in PDF form here or contact distribution@beijing-kids.com to find out where you can pick up your free copy.
