Students at AISB-Hope International Enjoy Spring Showcase

On Apr 9, AISB-Hope International celebrated student learning at the Spring Showcase. The day began with musical performances followed by Market Day organized by the upper elementary classes. Elementary writing and art were exhibited. Lower elementary and secondary students hosted learning booths throughout the building, including testing physics with an egg drop challenge and exploring chemistry with an ice cream creation station. It was a fun day for all the students and teachers!

Science Week at 3e International School

3e’s “Early Years Science Week” captivated and inspired their young students as they explored the marvels of science through a multitude of hands-on interactive learning opportunities. The campus foyer was transformed into a science museum, where students could interact with four amazing pieces of equipment originally from the Exploratorium science museum in San Francisco.

Daddy-Child Day at House of Knowledge International Kindergarten

On Mar 26, House of Knowledge held a very exciting Daddy-Child Day at our Chaoyang Park Campus. The school invited all students’ dads to join the “Pinewood Train Derby” activity with their children. Everyone enjoyed themselves a lot in this Reggio Emilia-inspired activity by making their own trains, photo frames and racing on the track.

BSB Shunyi Celebrates Earth Week

The British School of Beijing, Shunyi’s Eco-Committee challenged their students during Earth Week to learn about the ways each person can protect the earth and make a difference! Activities included wearing green to raise money for Team Trees, eco crafts, flower planting, no electricity hour, meat-free lunch, reducing food waste and all things eco!

Chinese Culture and Music Concert at CISB

This past month at Canadian International School of Beijing, students from all backgrounds came together to showcase their love of the Chinese language and culture. Music-based acts included dances, piano pieces, violin performances and songs. Other acts included poetry reading and even the famous unique Chinese performance art “crosstalk.” The students worked very hard in preparing for their performances!

Spring in the Courtyard

In April, YueCheng Courtyard Kindergarten shined with splendor and beauty as the spring light passed through branches and leaves, and the fragrant scent of begonia flowers swayed in the spring breeze. Spring in the Courtyard slowly unveiled its secret face in such an ethereal environment. The school held three themed areas: “Spring of Nature,” “Spring of Culture,” and “Spring of Art” for children, parents, and members of the YueCheng community, to present a “Spring Family Banquet.”

NAS Beijing, Shunyi Is Officially Open

NAS Beijing, Shunyi officially opened its brand-new campus for the first time with the school building completion celebration on Mar 12. The school held an explorer-themed campus discovery day, which was the most comprehensive event to mark the opening of the campus.

During the event, NAS Beijing, Shunyi held parent information sessions, themed education salons, student demo classes, extracurricular activity experiences, and campus tours. These activities enabled participants to take a closer look at the school and to understand the school’s educational characteristics.

Harrow Beijing Students Performed Annie

The Harrow Beijing Upper School production of Annie was successfully performed in April. The students and performing arts staff have worked relentlessly to produce the musical. The talent showcased within the production was outstanding. It was a wonderfully collaborative event which brought the whole school community together.

Western Academy of Beijing Alumnus Wins Stanford University Engineering Award

Danny Du joined WAB in Grade 5, graduated in 2018, and went on to study engineering at Stanford University, majoring in computer science. He was recently named a winner of the prestigious Frederick Emmons Terman Engineering Scholastic Award. Du joined WAB high school principal Melanie Vrba for a podcast to discuss his academic accomplishments, plans for the future, and the system that supported him throughout his journey at WAB.

Congratulations to the Beijing International Bilingual School Class of 2022!

With 24 years of experience, BIBS believes in the power of growing! During the admissions season of 2022, BIBS graduates received offers from the world’s top universities, including Brown University and Williams College, as well as UCB, UCLA, UCSD, NYU, and UCL. Congratulations to all the seniors!

Former Executive Vice-President and CEO of IFC Delivered Speech at Daystar

In March, the co-founder of Daystar Academy, Mr. Cai Jinyong, returned to the school to deliver a speech to the high school students. This speech was the first of Daystar’s “Inno-Impact Distinguished Speaker” series. Outstanding individuals are invited to speak on campus to serve as positive examples and encourage students to take action and make a difference.

Dulwich College Beijing’s Drama Production of Romeo and Juliet

Dulwich College Beijing Senior School proudly performed its contemporary rendering of Shakespeare’s famous Romeo and Juliet! The double-cast main characters treated the on- and off-campus audience to two days of vibrant and engaging performances in a beautiful and entirely student-designed set, leading the DCB community through a poignant journey of forbidden love, violent bloodshed, and a few comedic moments!

This article appeared in the jingkids 2022 Graduation issue

If you’re the parent of a middle or high school student you’ve probably heard the term social innovation a lot lately. The concept is simple: What new social practices or designs can help communities live better? They can be tech-savvy like the translation app Facebook launched in 2017 to connect refugees with legal services, or purposely low tech like the paper spinner designed by engineer Manu Prakash, which can be used by doctors in remote areas to separate plasma from the blood for testing without expensive or heavy equipment.

In fact, social enterprise and impact investing now make up such a large portion of the global economy that the Harvard Business Review weighs it as 20 percent of the overall score when listing the 100 top-performing CEOs globally. What’s more, according to the World Economic Forum, a larger portion of new companies identify their mission as social impact than at any other time since the organization began keeping such data.

So how does this apply to our kids and their schooling? The idea is that they will use the knowledge and educational foundation acquired in the classroom and apply it practically to real-world social issues. This kind of practical learning is an offshoot of project-based programing that encourages students to focus on making an impact in their communities now, as opposed to 20 or 30 years from now. It is becoming an integral part of training empathetic and globally-minded citizen leaders because students can see first-hand how important their influence is.

Beijing schools have been actively embracing this philosophy, particularly in the form of Social Innovation Projects and Trips. To find out more, we spoke with Elizabeth Walker Sobhani, an 11-year Beijing expat, mom of two, and Social Impact Coordinator for Ivy Education Group.

What is a Social Impact/Innovation Project and is it different from a service project?

The concept of doing service is to volunteer and help out to address a need, while expecting nothing in return which is very admirable. As an educational organization, we believe that service is part of social innovation, but the framework is more comprehensive. It begins with understanding our passions, interests and character and developing these strengths, then deeply researching and connecting with a community challenge to learn more, and finally taking meaningful action to make a difference and inspire others by using our skills and strengths.

Why are they important for children?

Children have incredible potential and creativity to be social innovators, and when this is cultivated in childhood or adolescence, it will become a habit for life. In any career or community they live, we hope they will be looking for ways to make a meaningful difference.

Why are they important for communities?

We cannot rely on the government, businesses, or nonprofits to create a better world – research from the British Chamber shows it will take a generation of social innovators, so we all need to play a role, both adults and children.

What makes a great project?

I believe a great social innovation project is one where the student has a true passion and interest in this area so they are intrinsically motivated, where they do primary research to explore the issues deeply by talking to the community members and actively listening and understanding their points of view, and where they co-create solutions with the community – solutions that are sustainable and address the root causes.

What are some ways schools can inspire students to get involved?

It starts by learning about our communities and some of the challenges we are facing. How can we apply the knowledge students are learning in school to the real-world context? It can come alive with guest speakers that work in the field, or by taking students out to interview businesses or residents who live around the school to understand their needs, or perhaps visit the nearby park and test the water quality and create a biodiversity map. We do not want to live in a bubble of textbooks. I believe schools should be integrated into their local communities so all can benefit.

How can parents encourage their children to get involved?

Children are watching their parents on a daily basis, so we should strive to be role models, showing empathy and care to others and connecting with our communities at work, family or in our neighborhoods, always looking to make a positive contribution. Secondly, we can naturally have more meaningful conversations with our children about the environment, about inequalities, or about the things we care for. Thirdly, we can accompany our children, not force them, to be involved. So, we give them the opportunity to come along with us to a school for orphans to read books, or we support and encourage them if they want to do a trash pick-up with friends.

Once the project is over how can students ensure their work will have an ongoing impact?

Maybe your project is over, but if we really care for the cause, then please stay connected with the charity/community to see how they are doing and share and inspire others to get involved too!

Ultimately, social impact isn’t about making a difference once. It’s about doing something that will have an effect long term and thoughtfully finding ways to create sustainable change. That, in effect, won’t just make a world of difference, it will literally make the world different. Isn’t that what we all imagine for the next generation?

Images: Daystar Academy

This article appeared in the jingkids 2022 School Choice Guide issue

2021 was a challenging year for most international schools. With borders still closed, getting faculty, staff, and students back from overseas was an ongoing obstacle. What’s more, the continued battle against Covid-19 resulted in multiple closures and required extra security and safety measures, as well as a host of new government regulations regarding education, which left the international community guessing what did and did not apply to them, and how to best comply.

Even still, it was also a year filled with laughter and accomplishment too. From social innovation to the return of team sports, our community continues to grow and thrive. Below are a few of the proudest moments for our international schools in the past year, as told by the schools themselves.

Beijing City International School

Hosted by our Head of School, BCIS held the first of a series of panel discussions about the future of education and of life beyond school. The first panel included a diverse range of voices from students, alumni, parents, and community members who discussed how to address the changes taking place in education, work, and life; and how to shape the future of education at BCIS.

German Embassy School of Beijing

Finally able to hold our traditional sports day in June 2021, Grades 5-10 earned points for their class accounts at football tournaments, relay races, and game stations. While the students had a day of fun and laughter, they also showed great skill, sportsmanship, and a spirit of togetherness.

The British School of Beijing, Shunyi

Our favorite charity event each year is our parent-run Santa’s Secret Shop where students choose secretly wrapped gifts for family and friends. Choirs perform festive songs while raising funds for the underprivileged. This is the BSB community working together so that everyone can enjoy the love and magic of the special season!

Daystar Academy

We launched our new tradition with our inaugural Social Innovation Day. The unique activities included a Plastic Pollution Workshop, Art Upcycling Workshop to make bird boxes, a Gardening and Landscape Design Workshop, a Climate Change Workshop to calculate our carbon emissions, and a Reflection Workshop on Gender Diversity and Inequalities.

All students, whether they were facilitators or participants, developed a sense of connection to these global issues and learned how innovation and action can help make a difference and inspire others. In the future, we plan to make Social Innovation Day an annual tradition in the Daystar community!

Dulwich College Beijing

The Dulwich College Beijing Class of 2021 has undeniably shown academic rigor and engaged in many enrichment opportunities throughout their Senior School years to grow as well-rounded, independent, and passionate learners. While their graduation marked the end of formal schooling, it most significantly marked the beginning of a new chapter of their life, fully prepared to embrace future opportunities and challenges with resolve, resilience, and honor.

AISB-Hope International

Parents and students enjoyed our annual Christmas concert while families and loved ones watched online. The guitar club ASA began the concert with two lively songs. Then, our elementary and middle school students sang and played bells around the theme of “The Light Has Come.” To conclude the concert, our secondary school band led all students, staff, and online spectators in a few Christmas carols. It was a sparkling celebration enjoyed by all!

Images: Courtesy of Schools

This article appeared in the jingkids 2022 School Choice Guide issue

We spend a lot of time writing about what moms can do with their kids. But we also know there’s plenty of incredible dads amongst our community as well. So, I decided to conduct a “super scientific poll” (basically I asked my guy friends) to find out what dads would most like to do with (or without) their kids and the surprising answer was golf!

The great news is that there are plenty of places to play in Beijing. The not-so-great news: I know nothing about this sport. So I turned to my friend Darcy Au-Yeung for a bit of guidance.

Au-Yeung is an economics and social innovation teacher at Daystar Academy and a golf aficionado. He’s been golfing for more than 30 years, 18 of which have been spent right here in Beijing with his amazing wife Amber. When I asked him why he loves golf he said quite simply, “It keeps you humble.”

So here are the courses that have been keeping him humble on the weekends.

Favorite places to golf in general?
Mountain courses with elevation changes and views.

Favorite course?
27 Club in Tianjin because it’s the perfect combination of beauty and difficulty.

Best driving range?
City Golf, they have the nicest facilities.

Best place offering lessons for kids?
Beijing Country Golf Club (ask for Andy Friis) because they have all the right equipment for kids.

Most Challenging Course?
CBD International, the course design is elite!

Most Fun Course?
Orient Star – under the lights – because night golf is a lot of fun.

Fanciest, aka most costly?
Topwin Golf and Country Club. Save this one for special events and occasions.

Most Affordable?
Huanggang International Golf Club is the cheapest but you get what you pay for.

Best 19th hole, aka bar?
Schiller’s because they make a tasty cocktail to help you forget about all the double bogies.

Here’s hoping the cooler weather inspires you to go swing a club!

KEEP READING: Don’t Call Them Girls…They’re Ballers

Images: Pexels

Jacob (Grade 2)

It was Christmas Eve. We all fell asleep. Santa Claus came to my house, in secret, to give us gifts. He left quietly, afraid to wake us up.

Kira (Grade 7)

My art piece is called “A Warm Christmas Night.” It has a family in the picture on a Christmas night opening presents and having fun. The mom is baking warm cookies, and even Santa is peeking in at all the fun in the room. I wanted to make the art piece to seem warm and happy so I used bright color markers to draw it.

Jolie (Grade 6)

My piece is called Christmas Eve. It shows a tree surrounded by presents, which means that Santa has already been there and ate the cookies and drank the milk! I used markers to add texture and watercolor to the background so it can be soft.

Isabella, Katy, Jennifer (Grade 4)

These are the Christmas candles we drew. We drew this
picture because it brings us happiness and warmth, making us experience a pleasant Christmas.

Cathy, Natalie (Grade 4)

This piece of art is called “Wish Tree,” and we called it “Wish Tree” because we think everyone all should have a chance to wish and dream together at Christmas. The candles around the tree mean to bring light to the world.

Woody (Grade 2)

It is a Christmas-style restaurant. My parents and I came here for
dinner on Christmas Eve. There is an elegant environment and beautiful Christmas music here. We had a pleasant night.

Judy (Grade 2)

This is how we dressed our house for Christmas Eve. We had gifts under the Christmas tree, a warm fireplace, and gingerbread men on the table. Santa Claus was giving out gifts at one house after another, and he was about to come to ours.

Jade (Grade 2)

I think a lot about what gifts the reindeer is about to give me. It comes here, running, with a Christmas hat, and looks happy. I feel happy too. My heart becomes colorful, so I paint my background colorfully too.

This article appeared in the beijingkids December 2019 Giving Back issu

Honing Performance Skills at YCIS Beijing ISTA Festival

11 Lower Secondary students from Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing) improved their performance skills by taking part in the world renowned International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA) Festival, which took place in Shanghai from October 31 to November 3. There, students attended many drama workshops and took part in cultural activities.

BSB Choir Delighted Audiences at The British Ball 2019

The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (BSB Shunyi) Choir gave a great performance at The British Ball that had everyone in the audience singing and clapping along. They matched the theme of “Swingin’ Sixties” in their sixties accessories and tie-dyed t-shirts. They all had an enjoyable event together.

Enterprise Fair Halloween Edition at DCB

Dulwich College Beijing (DCB)’s annual Enterprise Fair crossed STEM with Business Management, and this year, also with Halloween. Student entrepreneurs showcased their products alongside professional vendors and organized fun activities for visitors of all ages while gaining firsthand design, marketing, sales, and event coordination experience.

ISB Middle School Show Impresses Audiences

The International School of Beijing (ISB) middle school show, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, or The Night They Missed the Forest for the Trees was an engaging high energy, family-friendly production that entertained audiences of all ages in three sold-out performances. Students built relationships and made memories to last a lifetime.

Creative Learning at BWYA’s Primary School

As part of their innovative curricula, Beijing World Youth Academy (BWYA) primary school students recently had two unusual and challenging learning experiences. The first was a series of performances on Friday November 8, the Fairy Tale Showcase. The second was a visit from musician and teacher, Mr. Nicky, creatively combining expressive arts and study.

A Lunch to Remember at BCIS

For International Day, Beijing City International School (BCIS) PTA held an international lunch to celebrate its diverse community with the one thing that brings everyone together – food! Culinary delights from around world were lovingly prepared and shared between community members, providing a great opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the BCIS community.

HoK Celebrates St. Martin’s Day

House of Knowledge (HoK) recently celebrated St. Martin’s Day at 3 campuses. St. Martin’s Day is a traditional German festival, and children hold their self-made lanterns in a procession. At HoK, they keep this tradition to deliver the message of kindness and sharing.

Little Pace’s Day Camping and Red Leaves Picnic

Little Pace Courtyard Preschool went on a day camping trip to enjoy the autumn scenery of the Beijing countryside. The students aged 2-6 years participated in setting up tents and singing before having their picnic under the red leaves. It was a refreshing excursion from their daily downtown hutong life.

An Unforgettable Day with the Royal College of Music at Daystar Academy

The sounds of music and laughter flooded Daystar Academy’s music classes on Nov 5, as two music workshops were given to the students by teachers from the Royal College of Music, who were impressed with the students’ creativity in solving compositional problems, their sense of rhythm and timing, and their enthusiasm.

Harrow Beijing Well-being Week

From October 28 to November 1, the Harrow Beijing community spent a meaningful week pausing, engaging, and reflecting on their well-being by identifying and practicing ways to incorporate five principles of healthy living with friends and family.

Culture Trip Activities with BJ55 International Students Section

The culture trip is an important part of the International Students Section’s curriculum at Beijing No.55 High School (BJ55). It is an extension of classroom learning and has been practiced for more than 20 years. This year, the students departed for a journey across the great rivers of Northern and Southern China.

Huijia Green Dragons Win Three Titles in BASE Volleyball League

The Beijing Huijia Private School Green Dragon volleyball teams (U16 women’s volleyball team, U19 women’s volleyball team, and U19 men’s volleyball team) won all three titles in the recent Beijing area international school sports league (BASE).

This article appeared in the beijingkids December 2019 Giving Back issue

House of Knowledge Held a Storytelling Event

House of Knowledge (HoK) recently invited Dream On to share with the students their storytelling skills and passion with a strong New Zealand cultural influence. Students learned about the history of Māori people and Polynesian culture.

Annual Pink Week at DCB

Pink merch, pink treats, pink lemonade, pink photoshoot, pink dress day, and the best part, sponge the teachers with pink, all for a good cause. For a whole week in October, Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) put the spotlight on Breast Cancer Awareness across the entire school.

Beijing TV Station’s Recording from Beijing No. 55 High School

30 students from Beijing No. 55 High School (BJ55) participated in the recording of the Beijing TV station’s “I grew up with the motherland – celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China”. They showed the school’s achievements of traditional Chinese cultural education with a unique artistic style.

BWYA Sports Day in the Autumn Sun

Earlier in October, Beijing World Youth Academy (BWYA) students stepped out of the classroom and into the sporting arena to show off their athletic prowess. With activities designed not only to highlight physical abilities, but also teamwork, a great time was had by all involved.

Harrow Beijing Leadership Service Week

Harrow Beijing Upper School students embarked on a series of expeditions all over China and beyond. As part of their Leadership and Service Week, students learned new skills, developed friendships, and challenged themselves in real-world scenarios.

CISB in the Beijing International Pop Music Week

Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB) Middle/High students were invited to take part in the Beijing International Pop Music Festival this year, and this unique experience was invaluable and one they will treasure and remember for the rest of their lives.

Hope International School Swings Into Fall

Hundreds of students, staff, parents, and friends played carnival-style games and devoured homemade food at Hope Internationals School’s annual Fall Fair. Students performed songs from the jazz and swing era. Ten percent of proceeds benefited the New Hope Foundation, to bless orphan children needing medical support.

One Book’s Adventure at Daystar Academy

The Book Exchange Fair was a great collaboration between the school and StarParents. Altogether, 2,921 books were collected prior to the event. Around 250 families attended the fair, exchanging close to 1,600 books. For the remaining books, they will donate 1,225 children’s books to elementary schools in remote areas.

Beijing Huijia Private School Autumn Sports Meeting

On this special day of sports at Beijing Huijia Private School, the soccer field was filled with interesting games, encouraging cheers, and joyful laughter. Everyone had a good time. They hope that every child can love and enjoy sports.

Keystone Academy Students Explore Learning Outside of the Classroom

Keystone Academy students ventured outdoorsz as part of the school’s Outdoor Education Program (OEP), allowing students to experience the world while applying concepts they have learned in the classroom. September’s OEP brought students to different environments in Beijing, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia.

BISS Held First Open Day Session for the New Semester

Last Friday, Beijing BISS International School (BISS) held its first Open Day in the new school year. With the theme of “How to Get Admitted to Your Dream University”, the Open Day provided all guests with information about useful application strategies.

October Holiday Workshop at Atelier

From October 2 to 6, a holiday workshop “A Journey into Abstract Art” was held by Atelier art school at both their Sanlitun and Shunyi campuses. The students learned about several artists of constructivism from different fields, and made their own quality artworks.

Photos: provided by schools

This article appeared in the beijingkids November 2019 Beijing baba issue

Do you have an upcoming family-friendly event that you want to be included in our listings? Maximize the reach of your event and promote it on beijingkids’ social platforms!

Let us know by leaving your message in the comments section below or by emailing us at webeditor@beijing-kids.com. Follow us on WeChat (ID: beijing-kids) or join our family events WeChat group by sending us your WeChat QR code. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned. For more events that may not be included in this list, please check our Events page. 

BSB Shunyi Summer Fayre, Jun 16

Come along for some summer fun at The British School of Beijing, Shunyi’s (BSB Shunyi’) Summer Fayre. This is one of the biggest events of the year at BSB Shunyi. Bring your friends and family along, it’s open to the whole Beijing community. Families can enjoy lunch, snack and drinks from our many food vendors, fun with games, water park, bouncy castles and enjoy visiting a variety of stalls indoors and outdoors. The Grand Charity Raffle will have many fantastic prizes to be won too. The charities supported are Migrant Children’s Foundation, Roundabout and Hope – Riding for Disabled Children. All ages. Free admission. 12-4pm. The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (BSB Shunyi)

Coaching and Coffee, Jun 14

Enjoy a morning of meaningful conversation with yourself and others in a session created just for moms to participate in positive psychology and mindfulness activities. Certified Positive Psychology and Wellbeing Practitioner, Siana Braganza will be showing moms how to let go of the “roles” they play; mother, partner, and daughter to support reconnecting with oneself. Adults. RMB 100. 11am-1pm. (WeChat: sianalynn) Moleskin – Yard 19, Sanlitun Road, S2 OF Taikoo Li.

Youth Flea Market

That’s Mandarin are hosting a Youth Flea Market, where you will find all your favorite local vendors selling beautifully handcrafted products, such as jewelry, jams, vintage clothing, and more. This is one for the not-so-little ones in your life; get the older kids out to enjoy their youth and all this flea market has to offer! Young Adults. Free. 5-9pm. That’s Mandarin – Dongzhimenwai 东直门外 1/F, Office Bldg B, Xinzhong Yuan, Xinzhong Jie Dongcheng District 东城区 新中街新中园写字楼B座1层

Romeo et Juliette, Jun 9 to Jun 23

This musical version of Shakespeare’s classic tale of love and loss is brought to life in French. Audiences have raved about the beautiful score, luxurious set design, and powerful performances. All ages. RMB 180-480 (buy tickets here). 2.30pm, or 7.30pm. Century Theater.

“A Night to Remember” Charity Concert, Jun 14

Daystar Academy, the Ivy Schools, and the Four Seasons Hotel Beijing join together for a charity evening cocktail reception… filled with a cappella magic! In their first-ever China tour, Harvard University’s all-female ensemble, the Radcliffe Pitches, and their brother group the Harvard Krokodiloes are providing a one-night-only evening of entertainment to captivate your heart and imagination. There will also be a silent auction, with proceeds going to Dew Drops Little Flowers and Educating Girls of Rural China. Treat yourself to an unforgettable evening while making a difference in someone’s life. All ages. RMB 688 per ticket (register here). Note that children aged 6 and above need a ticket. Ages below 6 can sit on parent’s lap. 7-9pm. Four Seasons Hotel Beijing. (186 0120 6155, jaw@daystarchina.cn)

Ownmade Indoor Composting Workshop, Jun 15

If, like most of us, your home in Beijing is an apartment with no garden, you may think that composting isn’t for you. This workshop will get you thinking again, as Dan from HomeGrown School shows you how you can turn your kitchen waste into rich fertilizer, even if you live on the thirtieth floor. The price includes an Ownmade Indoor Composting System. All ages. RMB 388. 9am-11am. Mammolina Children’s Home Model Montessori Kindergarten, 36 Maquanying Siqu, Xiangjiang Beilu, Chaoyang District. 

Night With the Dinosaurs, date changed to Jun 15

Explore the museum at night with Chinese Academy of Science paleozoologist Dr. Tom Stidham as your guide. With exclusive access to the museum’s exhibits after hours, you’ll get to spend the night in tents with cool dinosaur skeletons on display. Just let your imagination go wild. Awesome activities include making dinosaur t-shirts, watching a 3D movie, and even excavating your own trilobite fossil. Age 4+. RMB 580/Chaperon, RMB 680/Child. 6pm Jun 15-9am Jun 16. Paleozoological Museum of China. (1560 1647 912 Xiaofei, or 1500 1371 016 Katie)

The Wizard of Oz, Jun 13 to 30

“We’re off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz…” And you could be too, if you get down to the Tianqiao Performing Arts Center later this month. This is a revived and refreshed version of the stage musical, sure to delight all who love the classic film, and youngsters who are new to the story. Performed in English with Chinese subtitles. All ages. RMB 280-1080. 7.30pm, Sat-Sun 2.30pm matinee. Tianqiao Performing Arts Center. Bldg 9, Tianqiao South Street, Xicheng District. (400-635-3355) www.247tickets.com/t/broadway-classic-musical-the-wizard-of-oz. 西城区天桥南大街9号楼.

Deepen Your Relationships: Workshops for Couples and Families, Jun 15

Professional coaches Virginie Mangin and Eike Westerholt are holding a workshop on dealing with challenges in relationships. Participants will be able to explore concrete tools for effective communication, conflict resolution, and addressing needs in a non-assertive way.

Adults. RMB 350 per session. 10am-12.30pm. The Bookworm – Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu Chaoyang District. (eike@eikewesterholt.com, info@beyondcoaching.me) 朝阳区 工体北路4号院

Little Kickers Super Daddy Football Tournament, Jun 16

It’s time for all Little Kickers Daddies to show off their skills and teach their children their own unique game play. This Father’s Day, instead of standing and cheering from the sidelines, it is their chance to make their children proud and show all Little Kickers their ambition and courage on the field. All ages. RMB 299/Family. Register Date: May 24-Jun 14. 8.30am-12 noon. More info check this page. Beijing Side Park – No.9 Jiangtai West Road, Chaoyang District.

Photos: courtesy of event organizers

Do you have an upcoming family-friendly event that you want to be included in our listings? Maximize the reach of your event and promote it on beijingkids’ social platforms!

Let us know by leaving your message in the comments section below or by emailing us at webeditor@beijing-kids.com. Follow us on WeChat (ID: beijing-kids) or join our family events WeChat group by sending us your WeChat QR code. Please note that readers should confirm with each organizer if events are canceled or scheduled as planned. For more events that may not be included in this list, please check our Events page. 

Morning Cuppa by British Club Beijing, May 14
China may have invented tea, but the British definitely invented the cuppa! At this month’s cuppa, the British Club Beijing will be mixing it up a bit with a brief warm-up from Eris Fitness as an introduction to Fascial stretching and how it can energize you and help relieve stiffness and joint pain. So come and enjoy a light brunch and prosecco, win exciting prizes in a fabulous raffle, mingle, make new friends, and enjoy! All ages. RMB 150. Scan the QR code on the poster to register. 10am-noon. The Westin Beijing Chaoyang.

Relationship Workshop, May 14
Life coach Caneisha Berry conducts a workshop on May 14 to empower couples and help them create stronger and healthier relationships. She will discuss the truth about relationships, give tips on communicating effectively, and help you understand the reason behind disagreements. Adults. RMB 300 (early bird price before May 12), RMB 350 (regular price). Price includes workshop, workbook, and a free coaching session scheduled after the event. 6-9pm. The Bookworm.

i(COLOUR) – DCB’s Super Fun Colour Run, May 17
Be doused in happy summer colors! Join Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) on May 17 for i(COLOUR), the school’s super fun color run! Run, walk, or jog with friends and family, throw color, listen to music, and take part in special mini activities. Food, drinks, and more color will be available on site, and all proceeds go to support student STEM projects at DCB. All ages. RMB 100 (includes a branded event tee, two packets of color, and admission). Dulwich College Beijing. (rsvp@dulwich-beijing.cn)

Elisabeth Koch Millinery Hat Making Workshop, May 17
China’s only classically-trained milliner, Elisabeth Koch is conducting another hat-making workshop this week. Bring your children and come on over to Sunny Dental Clinic in Shine Hills to create a fashionable designer headpiece from scratch. All ages. RMB 500 (includes materials and hat box). 10am. Sunny Dental Clinic, Shine Hills. (WeChat ID: amazinghats, 15611224937)

IMC Sports First Aid Training, May 17
If you are doing sports, recreationally or professionally, as an athlete or a coach or audience, the International Medical Center (IMC) Beijing welcomes you to this course led by Elite Squash Academy to learn first aid techniques in case of sports injuries. Adults. RMB 300 per person. Scan the QR code on the poster to register. 1-4pm. The City, F2 West Tower, World Financial Center. (play@elite-squash.com)

京Sing-A Capella Concert, May 17
Jing Sing is a vibrant, long-standing international a cappella group in Beijing. With an eclectic mix of songs from swing to pop to Disney favorites, Jing Sing has entertained Beijing audiences for the past 5 years. Be cheered by Jing Sing’s renditions of contemporary songs as well as old classics from bands such as the Temptations at their concert at The Bookworm on May 17. Adults. RMB 60 (entrance only). Scan the QR code on the poster to register. 8-10pm. The Bookworm.

The Forbidden City Tour, May 17 and 30
Beijing’s premier tour operator, Bespoke Travel Company, is organizing a trip to the Forbidden City on May 17 and 30. It’s no surprise Beijing’s most fascinating sight, has inspired an Oscar-winning movie and countless Chinese soap operas: there’s enough murder, betrayal, and intrigue woven into its 500-year story to fuel hundreds more. With its rich cast of characters – concubines, court officials, eunuchs, the Emperor – and wildly changing fortunes (to say nothing of its stunning architecture and symbolism), this is one Beijing bucket list sight you need a professional to help you appreciate. Ages 12+. RMB 385 (including entrance ticket and tour guide). 2-5pm. Participants should bring their passport to enter the Forbidden City. Meeting point at TRB Hutong, Forbidden City East Gate.

Montessori Nights: “Montessori Elementary Curriculum in a Nutshell” Workshop, May 17 and 31
Blossom Montessori is conducting four late afternoon workshops to introduce their elementary Montessori program to prospective parents and families. The following topics will be discussed in the workshops: a day in an elementary Montessori class; movements and learning; an overview of their Mathematics curriculum; and another overview of their Language curriculum. Adults. Free but reservation required. 5.30-7pm. Blossom Montessori. (135 8188 7792, admissions@blossom-edu.com)

BIBA Family Fair 2019, May 18
Bring the family along for a day of lively entertainment to Beijing International Bilingual Academy (BIBA) on May 18, when they celebrate their annual Family Fair for the community. The fair includes pony rides, water activities, sports, a fashion world, and music, plus a food court along with many more entertaining features. This is a day for the whole community to enjoy. All ages. Free admission, but there will be a charge to buy vouchers to join games and activities. 9.30am-1.30pm. Beijing International Bilingual Academy.

Ivy Education Group’s Unity Day 2019, May 18
Ivy Education Group proudly brings a spectacular afternoon sure to entertain, energize, and inspire the Beijing community. At their Unity Day, there will be everything including a raffle corner, bouncy castles, arts and crafts, STEM, sports activities, carnival games, face painting, and more! Non-stop entertainment on stage such as Daystar’s Got Talent, an acrobat show, and three live bands including Beijing’s award-winning favorite “The Hunters” will keep your feet tapping. Then there’s mouthwatering food to satisfy all cravings. All ages. Free admissions and activities. 3-8pm. Daystar Academy Beigao Campus. (jaw@daystarchina.cn)

The Children’s House Art Exhibition, May 18
The Children’s House students will showcase their expression, interpretation, and development as individuals and artists at the school’s very first art exhibition. The works will display a diverse range of skills and techniques, creativity, and dedication. During the exhibition, an interactive art work inspired by Japanese artist Kusama Yayoi will be displayed, offering children and parents to create a collaborative piece of art that will be auctioned for charity. All ages. Free. 9-11.30am. The Children’s House Oceanwide Campus. (RSVP: 8556 4611, info-oceanwide@montessoribeijing.com)

The Beijing Flea Market Spring Edition, May 18
Beijing’s one-stop shop, the Beijing Flea Market, is back this springtime on May 18 at noon-6pm at Tech Temple Sanlitun. Shop around and find great deals from more than 40 vendors with the best local, independent design and crafts from both established and emerging makers in Beijing. All ages. Free. Noon-6pm. Tech Temple Sanlitun.

Mad Dogs China Fundraiser, May 18
Join Mad Dogs China for their annual fundraiser in support of Shepherds Field Children’s Village. Your ticket gets you into a concert with more than 10 bands, tons of kids activities, Bitburger and Chimay beer, plus a chili cook-off, and there are fabulous raffle prizes to be won. All ages. By donation. From 1pm. Beijing Riviera.

BlackEXPO Africa Week Edition, May 19
BlackEXPO organizes another edition of this booming market that connects and celebrates the black and African diaspora in Beijing. The May event is organized by Kente and Silk, and expect world-class vendors, amazing performers, and a transporting atmosphere. Adults. RMB 30. Buy tickets here. 4-10pm. 27 Yuan, 27 Neiwubu Street, Dongcheng District. 东城区内务部街27号

Rumble in the Jumble – Buddha’s Birthday, May 19
This month’s edition of the expat-favorite bazaar Rumble in the Jumble will be transcendental as they mark the birthday of Buddha on May 19 at Modernista. Come join the Rumble team and an array of vendors with products, services, and food items that will lead you into pleasure and harmony! All ages. Free admission. Noon-6pm. Modernista, Baochao Hutong.

Cultural Keys: Sugar Art Workshop, May 19
Chinese sugar art – sugar blowing and sugar painting – has been a staple folk art at markets and fairs for hundreds of years. Both can be eaten but are usually just bought for fun! Join Cultural Keys at Culture Yard on May 19 and learn how to use sugar to create beautiful pieces of edible art in a workshop suitable for the whole family. Ages 8+. RMB 188 (adults), RMB 158 (children). 2-5pm. Culture Yard.

“Run to the Beat” Musical Marathon in the Ming Tombs Scenic Area, May 19
Run to the Beat Musical Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K will take place in the Ming Tombs Reservoir Scenic Area in Changping District on May 19, 2019. Live bands and DJs will be playing on course to cheer for the runners. The music party continues at the center stage after crossing the finish line. Ages 16+. RMB 248 (half marathon), RMB 178 (5k), RMB 218 (10k). Register here. Starts 8am. Ming Tombs.

Finding Ways to Be Eco-friendly, May 19
Join this workshop with Natalie Bennett at the Goethe-Institute and learn simple things you can do right now to reduce your personal carbon footprint. Participants must come willing and able to make real change to their personal habits, so check at the link for the screening questions. Visit this link for more info. Adults. Free but registration required. 11am-3pm. Goethe-Institut, 1/F, Bldg C, Haixing Mansion, southwest corner of Haidian Zhonglu and Haidian Nanjie Intersection, Haidian District. 海淀区海淀中路和海淀南街十字路口西南角海兴大厦C座1层

The Many-Faced Fan: Game of Thrones Costume and Viewing Party at Caravan (Season 8 Finale), May 20
Game of Thrones fans in Beijing, hear ye! You think it matters who sits on the Iron Throne? If so, come in with your entire GOT regalia to Caravan and join other fans for a costume and viewing party of epic proportions! The Sounds of the Seven band will enchant everyone with haunting tracks of the series during the party! Join the other fans to mark the glorious end of this TV series. Ages 18+. RMB 30 (for attendees in GOT costume), RMB 50 (at the door). Price includes a welcome beer from Vedett or a soft drink. Buy your tickets here. 6.30-10.30pm. Caravan. (WeChat ID: anp3rd)

WAB Fun Fair, May 25
Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) will be hosting a series of community events with endless amounts of entertainment and activities going on. Tiger Field turns into a wild theme park of inflatable play areas, water games, and activities. Sponsored by the Parent Link community, this is the perfect time for younger children and families to enjoy some fun in the sun while staying cool. Make sure that children are wearing water-friendly clothes and shoes, and a hat and sunglasses might be a good idea, too! For a complete list of activities, check out this link. All ages. 3-6pm. Western Academy of Beijing.

Piyesta Kultura: The Kusina ni Kabayan Philippine Culture Festival, Jun 1
Celebrate the bright colors of Philippine culture… in Beijing! Filipino community group Kusina ni Kabayan, together with Pan Pacific Beijing, invite everyone to Piyesta Kultura 2019, a festival where everything is more fun. Indulge in native and tropical treats, revel in the festivities that include a karaoke sing-off challenge and a cultural pageant, and join the Filipino community in Beijing in celebrating their 121st Independence Day! All ages. RMB 178 (includes 4 hrs of selected free-flow drinks from 11am to 3pm and a food voucher worth RMB 20), free for kids below 6. 10am-6pm. Pan Pacific Beijing, 2 Huayuan St., Xidan, Xicheng District. (WeChat ID: Kusina-ni-Kabayan) 

Photos: Pixabay (featured image), courtesy of event organizers