Fun

Six Terrific Storybook Apps to Expand Young Minds

Happy_Eggplant — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:00:00 +0800

You can never have enough books for a child, and if you own a smart phone or tablet computer, you can never have enough storybooks apps for the little ones. Here are six stories about mice, dogs, pandas, mermaids, a fairy, and a grandma that we’ve recently come across and that your children will enjoy.

Break a Sweat for Harrowthon 2012

Happy_Eggplant — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0800

On March 18, Harrow International School Beijing will host the third edition of the Harrowthon 10km charity fun run to benefit Fengtai Orphanage. Taking place at Harrow’s Lower School in Grassetown from 10am to noon, runners of all ages and skill levels – as well as Harrow students and faculty – are expected to turn out for the run.

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.

Act It Out: Learning By Doing with Dreamaker

Happy_Eggplant — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0800

Growing up in a small town in Nova Scotia, Canada, Rebecca Shatford was painfully shy. That started to change when she discovered drama classes at age 10. She liked the experience so much, she ended up going into acting in university. Since then, she has taught drama in countries like South Korea, Russia, and Thailand. Now, Shatford is the educational manager at Dreamaker (卓美教育), a drama education company based in Beijing.

Get Your Knitting On!

dibeijing — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:00:48 +0800

If you are looking for something to do this Chinese New Year, come to Comptoirs de France at East Lake Villa’s and learn to knit! The Beijing Guild will hold a smaller than normal gathering from 1-4pm on Tuesday January 24.

A Blogging Mom Means a Happy Mom

Happy_Eggplant — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0800

New parents know that feelings of intense isolation can emerge when they bring home that “tiny, needy, crying, confusing” baby. Add a set of powerful language and cultural barriers, and that isolation can seem even more daunting. The good news is, the Internet can help. According to a research study led by a new father, blogging can help overcome those parenting blues.

Midweek Giveaway: Win An Afternoon Tea Set For A Family Of Four From Crêpanini

dibeijing — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:00:46 +0800

Chinese New Year is coming, so is Midweek Giveaway. This week we are giving away an afternoon tea set for a family at Crêpanini.

The tea set includes:

4 sweets: simple crêpes
4 hot drinks or soft drinks

To win, simply comment on the post below with the answer to the question: What is your favorite sweet treat?

Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Who's the (Temple) Fairest of Them All?

Happy_Eggplant — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:00:00 +0800

If you’re going to be in Beijing over the Chinese New Year holidays (like me), take the opportunity to visit a temple fair. Temple fairs (or miaohui) are traditional celebrations replete with religious ceremonies, folk performances, traditional crafts (such as paper cutting and scroll writing), vendors hawking toys and kitsch, and scrumptious snack stalls. They usually take place at temples and parks, but several international schools also organize their own. Click through for a rundown of 2012 temple fairs. Be prepared: temple fairs can get very crowded during the holidays.

A Sneak Peek for Chinese New Year: The BCIS Temple Fair

dibeijing — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 08:00:13 +0800

Before you embark on your holiday or before those fireworks start popping, stop by the Beijing City International School this Sunday for a sneak peek at Chinese New Year festivities.