Enjoy the best that Beijing has to offer this weekend. As always, click the link in the event title for further details and ticketing info.

Friday, Oct 23

The 6th International Book Fair Picture Book Exhibition

The arrival of colder weather usually means more time spent indoors… and what better way to spend it than with a good book? This year’s International Book Fair Picture Book Exhibition is showcasing books in multiple languages across a two-story exhibition space. Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Disney princesses are among the featured themes, and there will be a range of immersive experiences to enjoy, including a jungle adventure.

From now until Dec 31, Tues-Sun. Cozybo2k Bookstore. From RMB 118

Saturday, Oct 24

The 2020 JingKids International School Expo (JISE)

With over 70 international schools in attendance, educational forums given by both parents and experts, activities for burgeoning student entrepreneurs, and much much more, don’t miss the Jingkids International School Expo (JISE) 2020 this coming October 24-25 at Beijing Renaissance Capital Hotel.

Attendance is free for all prospective parents, family members, and students. It’s the perfect opportunity to really get to know schools on a one-on-one basis before making important decisions on your child’s education. Click here to register in advance to attend this year’s JISE.

9am-6pm, Sat-Sun. Renaissance Capital Beijing Hotel. Free.

INN Halloween Family Fun Party

In case you hadn’t noticed, Halloween is right around the corner! And the Beijing branch of International Newcomers Network (INN) just couldn’t wait to celebrate it. This weekend, they are throwing a special Halloween party for families, with loads of fun activities including face painting, games, a raffle, and more. Come dressed in your best costume for a chance to win prizes, and enjoy getting to know other newcomers to the city. Best of all, kids under 12 attend for free.

2-5pm. Capital Mansion Athletic Center. RMB 60, kids under 12 free

Roundabout Book Fair & Charity Open Day

After their last successful book fair and open day, Roundabout is once again hosting a two-day event, the perfect opportunity to refresh your fall reading pile or pass on books of your own for other families to enjoy. There will be thousands of donated books available to purchase, and all proceeds will go directly to supporting children in need. Roundabout runs on a volunteer support basis, so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like to be involved in this event or future ones.

10am-3pm. Roundabout Boutique. Free

Sunday, Oct 25

Pink Party: A Women’s Wellness Event

Calling all Beijing moms: if you’ve been craving some me time, and a chance to connect with other like-minded moms and ladies here in Beijing, then this is the event for you. There will be workout and dance sessions, a healthcare presentation from United Family Healthcare’s Dr. Tian, a mini-market with plenty of local vendors, and a lucky draw with great prizes. This is a charity event and all proceeds will go towards breast cancer awareness.

10am-1.30pm. Chez Soi. RMB 100.

Pumpkin Carving Workshop at O’Steak

Every Saturday and Sunday from now until Halloween, O’Steak is hosting special two-hour pumpkin carving workshops for kids 4-10 years old. Parents are welcome to come along and enjoy the fun, as well as sample O’Steak’s extensive wine list. Reservations are required as each workshop is limited to eight children; each ticket includes a drink and snacks for kids and adults.

Sat-Sun, 10-12am and 3-5pm. O’Steak. RMB 98 for one child and one adult.

KEEP READING: A Journey Through Modern Manhood with GHC Modern Man

Images: courtesy of the event organizers

For the avid readers in Beijing, Roundabout is planning another Book Fair and Charity Open Day coming up on Oct 24 – 25 from 10am – 3pm.

The last Roundabout Book Fair held in September raised RMB 74,792.27 which was sent to aid children with blood disease. What an amazing achievement made possible by volunteers from all over Beijing and the local community itself.

Flip through thousands of fantastic books

This time, the Book Fair is in conjunction with their Charity Open Day which means that this is a fantastic opportunity for you to bring the family and learn more about all the charities you can help out with. In other words, it’s a weekend where you can restock your library at home and discover your new philanthropic passion!

Bringing the community together

Roundabout needs volunteers’ support to make these book fairs happen. For those who would like to volunteer at the upcoming Book Fair & Charity Open Day, Roundabout is still looking for people to help sort books, set up, help out on the day of the fair, and take down the booths when it’s over. Scan the QR code below or add them at 185 1044 9951 to get in touch with them about volunteering at the event.

Roundabout Cathay View Plaza
No. 2 Xiangjiang Bei Lu, Chaoyang District
Ph: 6436 8506

KEEP READING: What Else is Roundabout Good For?

Images: Courtesy of Roundabout, Unsplash

We know Roundabout as Beijing’s Salvation Army. When we need to redecorate, move, or spring clean, Roundabout is the first thing that our friends recommend to take away all furniture, clothing, gym equipment (like the treadmill that turned into a clothing rack after a few months) and give them all a second chance at finding new homes while raising money for a good cause.

But what else is Roundabout good for? As an expecting new mom, I’ve discovered a whole new reason to love Roundabout. More specifically, their book section.

Wall to wall of books at Roundabout

Located on the right side as soon as you walk in and taking up what looks like a good fraction of their giant warehouse store, the Book section is filled from wall to wall with donated books in every category. While the majority of the books are in English or Chinese, there is also a wide variety in other languages as well. Kids’ books are divided by age, fiction, non-fiction, art, cooking, test preparation (remember those dreaded SATs?), travel, young adult (for when you want to feel nostalgic with a copy of Harry Potter), and my personal favorite, parenting.

Never too old for Harry Potter

My first baby is on the way and were I back in the US, I’d be hitting up Barnes & Noble and reading everything from what to expect during pregnancy to birthing advice to how to care for my newborn and beyond. I know, everything can be downloaded, but what can I say? I’m old school and still prefer the feel and smell of an actual book. But not here. While Page One has a ton of sections to browse through, what they lack is a decent pregnancy and parenting one. The Roundabout books are all donated and the pregnancy and parenting section is filled with books brought over to Beijing by moms. Costing just between RMB 10 -15 per book, hitting up the Roundabout book section is like trips to the library. Roundabout receives a ton of donations that come in on a regular basis and the Roundabout volunteers work tirelessly to sort and shelf the new arrivals.

Roundabout volunteer sorting the newest donations

Nowadays, a trip to Roundabout to browse through their latest book donations, followed by seriously good Detroit style deep dish pizza at Pie Squared next door has become my new favorite “me time” routine.

Roundabout is a volunteer-run organization and the money from all purchases made at Roundabout goes to support children in need. Go ahead and get your shopping on knowing that everything you spend at Roundabout goes towards a good cause.

Got books you want to donate to Roundabout? Now’s a perfect time!

Roundabout Cathay View Plaza
No. 2 Xiangjiang Bei Lu, Chaoyang District
Ph: 6436 8506

KEEP READING: Roundabout Launches New Online Store 

Images: Mina Yan, pexels

With so many things put on hold this year, we’re so excited to hear that Roundabout is finally back to hosting events again! With school starting back up again, it’s a good time to load up on books for the kids and for yourself. Heck, who are we kidding? It’s always good to load up on some new reading material for the home. While tablets, phones, and Kindles make e-reading convenient, it still doesn’t compare to holding an actual book in your hand.

On Sep 5-6 from 10am – 3pm browse through thousands of donated books in multiple languages for sale at Roundabout. Prices start from as little as RMB 1 and all proceeds will go to benefit children in need.

Kids books start from RMB 1
Paperback books start from RMB 10
Hardback books start from RMB 20

If you’ve got books at home you want to donate, bring them along with you to drop off at Roundabout.

For those unfamiliar with Roundabout, it’s essentially Beijing’s Salvation Army. They collect clothing, shoes, toys, books, furniture, appliances, and more from families all over the city and house them in their giant warehouse. The entire program is run on a volunteer basis so the money you spend shopping at Roundabout gets donated to charities who provide aid to a wide range of people, including the elderly, children in orphanages and from poor families, mentally or physically challenged people and women from disadvantaged backgrounds all over China. So when you’re shopping, you’re actually doing charity work. Sounds like a win, win to us!

Roundabout is always looking for volunteers to help make these kinds of community events possible, so if you’ve got time to help sort books, set up, help out on the days of the book fair, or take everything down when it ends, contact them and let them through WeChat (185 1044 9951 or scan the QR code below) and let them know you’d like to help out.

Roundabout Cathay View Plaza
No. 2 Xiangjiang Bei Lu, Chaoyang District
Ph: 6436 8506

KEEP READING: Roundabout Launches New Online Store