beijing-kids.com - Beijing's essential expat family resource

For One Day Only, Hit the Ice for Half Price

Happy_Eggplant — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:00:00 +0800

This Saturday, take advantage of your beijingkids Club membership to get 50 percent off the ticket price at Sanlitun SOHO’s outdoor ice skating rink. For one day only, families can get in for RMB 15 per person (regular admission: RMB 30) by showing their beijingkids Club card at the door. Skate rentals are included in the price of admission.

Please note that this is a promotion, not an event managed by beijingkids.

Photo by jayhay2336 via Flickr

A Ball For Daisy Wins the 2012 Caldecott Medal

pandaroo — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0800

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a Caldecott Medal picture book is a mine rich in literary gems. For 2012, the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) (a division of the American Library Association), has awarded the Caldecott Medal once again to writer and illustrator Chris Raschka, this time for his book A Ball for Daisy. The ASLC’s website described the wordless book as, “The story of an irrepressible little dog whose most prized possession is accidently destroyed. With brilliant economy of line and color, Raschka captures Daisy’s total (yet temporary) devastation. A buoyant tale of loss, recovery and friendship.” Though we have not seen a copy of the book yet, it is said to be appropriate for children aged 2-7 and parents of all ages.

Chef Too

dibeijing — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:00:59 +0800

Cuisine: American
English menu? Yes
Kid’s menu? Yes
General kid friendliness of menu: Chef Too goes out of its way to be kid-friendly. There’s free breakfast for kids, and the regular menu has plenty of American favorites to choose from.
Kid-friendly staff? The staff speaks fluent English and is very attentive.
Bathroom: They are located outside and are quite small.
Best items for kids: Kids will like the sassily-named Yo Momma grilled cheese sandwich (RMB 58) and messy barbecue ribs to share (RMB 168). There are also sandwiches, burgers, and pancakes.
Kids’ play area? No, but Chaoyang Park is close by.
Seating: Booths, tables, and highchairs.
Price: RMB 300-350 (+10% service charge)
Accepts credit cards? Yes
Must-order item: Try the weekend brunch options, like the Eggs Sardou (poached eggs over artichoke hearts). If you’re missing the American classics, order the Ruben (RMB 98) or NYC Chicken Po Boy (RMB 68).
In a nutshell: Chef Too is wildly popular with families, especially on Sundays. The prices are definitely higher than at other brunch places, but regulars would argue that the stellar service and high-quality dishes are well worth every mao. With Chaoyang Park just across the street, this cozy eatery is the perfect starting point for a weekend romp in the park.

Slow Saturday? Check Out beijingkids Top Picks

Happy_Eggplant — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0800

As kids start filing back to class and families decompress from the holidays, there's nothing better than having a lazy Saturday. If you're looking for ideas on what to do during the rest of the weekend, the beijingkids Top Picks newsletter (February 2-5) can help. Published every Wednesday, the newsletter rounds up the best events from every week.

The Grass Is Greener (and Duller) on the Other Side

Happy_Eggplant — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0800

In a thought-provoking piece for The New York Times, columnist KJ Dell’Antonia wonders what effect her and her partner’s choice to move to the countryside may have had on their children’s independence. She quotes Dr. Richard Jackson, a professor of environmental health sciences at the University of California: “Children who grow up in suburbia can’t meet their life needs without getting a ride somewhere.” For many expat families living in Beijing, this sentiment is likely to hit home.

Be There

charcey — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0800

I have a pre-tween daughter, Leah, who is exercising her independence these days. She tests me with her words, and she certainly challenges authority. She's still a little girl, yet she knows that bigger things are just around the corner. To provide her with some much-requested liberation, I don't meet her at the bus stop anymore, and she doesn't have a great desire to hang out with me if there are other -- better -- options around.

Aroma’s Sunday Gourmet Brunch, The Ritz-Carlton Beijing

dibeijing — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:00:03 +0800

Cuisine: Brunch (International)
English Menu? Yes
Kids’ menu? Yes
General kid friendliness of menu: Kids will find plenty of choices in their rich variety of Thai, Japanese, Indian, Cantonese and Western fare, as well as delectable desserts.
Staff: Friendly, bilingual speakers.
Bathroom: Clean, sit-down toilets.
Best dishes for kids: The pizza and pasta selections in the Italian section, an extensive selection of Chinese noodles, freshly squeezed juices.
Kids’ play area? No, but China Central Place is next to Shin Kong Place and a few minutes walk from Soho Xiandaicheng.
Seating: Standalone tables with chairs. Highchairs available.

When Illness Strikes, Plans Change

pandaroo — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:00:09 +0800

A week before Chinese New Year (CNY), I was all set to depart in the morning for Hong Kong, but something about my daughter’s cough didn’t seem normal for a typical cold. It was persistent to the point that it made her agitated. So I skipped out on my flight and instead we made a family trip to Beijing United Family Hospital for what we assumed was a case of bronchitis. Half an hour later, my wife and I were both a bit shell shocked when the doctor told us she wanted to admit Reina for what was soon confirmed as pneumonia. What began as typical cold symptoms just four days prior led to a three-night stay at the hospital for little Reina and Savvy, whom Reina would not allow to leave for any reason.

Cornerstone

dibeijing — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:00:26 +0800

Cuisine: Italian
English Menu? Yes
Kids’ menu? No
General kid friendliness of menu: Kid-friendly with pasta, pizza, sandwiches and desserts
Staff: Attentive, English-speaking staff.
Bathroom: A clean bathroom is in the office tower next door.
Best dishes for kids: Davola Pizza with salami (RMB 69), a focaccia steak sandwich with roasted vegetables (RMB 59), baked spaghetti with meatballs (RMB 49), a burger (RMB 59), barbeque pork ribs with a side salad and spicy fries (RMB 99)
Kids’ play area? No, but Central Park is across the street.
Seating: Mostly standalone tables seat four to six. There is outdoor seating in warmer
weather.
Price: RMB 300
Accepts credit cards? Yes
Must-order item: There is a good variety of focaccia sandwiches and pizza that kids of all ages will enjoy.
In a nutshell: Cornerstone is mainly geared towards CBD office workers, but is entirely suitable for families, especially on weekends, which feature a Saturday brunch. The environment is clean, comfortable and contemporary.

Don't Vacillate – Vaccinate

Happy_Eggplant — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0800

Protecting and maintaining children’s health and well-being is the number one priority on every parent’s list. Childhood immunization is one weapon that helps prevent our children from getting devastating diseases like meningitis, pneumonia and polio. However, navigating the immunization process while living in another country or moving between countries can seem like a daunting process.