Update May 19: Out of an abundance of caution, we are postponing Jingkids Summer Fling from Sat, May 22 to Sat, May 29 (Rain date Sun, May 30). All bought and won tickets will be automatically transferred to this date. Full announcement, including how to request a refund, can be found here.

Summer is coming … and expats and local families alike are planning their June, July, and August. But international travel is OUT due to COVID-19 restrictions. So that means summer in Beijing… what are you going to do?

Come have fun and learn about everything there is to do under the sun at our Jingkids Summer Fling on Saturday, May 29!

Picture yourself popping a tent on the green grass of Dongfeng International Sports Park

You’ll join hundreds of families on the grassy knoll of downtown Beijing’s Dongfeng International Sports Park, where you can picnic, play, and interact with over 40 interactive booths staffed by summer camps, travel agencies, extra-curricular activity providers, youth sports leagues, academic skills providers and the like.

Each of them will be offering on-site activities as well as info on their summer offerings.

There will be food on-site, or you are welcome to pack your own picnic for the day of fun. You’ll have a great time with family and friends, AND you’ll leave with your summer plans sorted!

• Come play and have a picnic
• Meet and greet camp and activity personnel
• Try out new sports
• Snack on some summer food and drink
• Make a day of it!

Tickets are on sale now! Scan the QR code to purchase yours today.

When: Saturday, May 29 from 11am to 4:30pm (Rain date: Sunday, May 30, 10am to 6pm)
Where: Dongfeng International Sports Park (Just east of Chaoyang Park)
Tickets: RMB 100 for a family of 3 (+RMB 50 for each additional person).
Note: Small tents and picnic blankets welcome! Open flame cooking is not permitted.

Images: Unsplash, Pexels

Close to a decade ago I made Beijing my home. But now, thinking back to my first years in this city, there are so many things that I wish I had done differently. If only there was someone to show me the ropes. It would have saved me so much time and effort and I would have had the chance to fall in love with Beijing that much sooner.

Even though there’s still a travel restriction, there are still new families moving to Beijing every day. Well, Beijing newbies, don’t struggle blindly about the city. Make the most of your new adventure here by putting our 14 years of history as Beijing’s go-to source for everything family-related to good use.

Scan the QR code to follow us on WeChat for daily posts on all the cool things happening in Beijing

We cover all your family essentials including insights into the city’s international schools, one-on-ones with parents’ most trusted pediatricians, the latest news and regulations, summer camps, apps that make your life easier, WeChat groups to join and meet new friends, all the weekend activities that you could possibly want for your family, plus some lighthearted humor to add a touch of sunshine to your life.

Welcome to Beijing. You’ll love it here!

KEEP READING: Teaching Kids About Finances: The Expat Mom

Images: Pexels

Jingkids has been an essential family resource for Beijing international families since 2006. And just as kids grow up in the blink of an eye, Beijing has grown and changed almost beyond recognition in that time. In Throwback Thursday we jump in the time machine, traveling through our 15 year-strong blog archives to dig out the most entertaining, fascinating, and thought-provoking stories for your reading pleasure. Ready? Let’s go…

Beijing’s getting warm again and this Thursday we #TBT back to a scavenger hunt created last March by Shelby Gleadow. Gleadow is a trainer, teacher, smitten wife of artist Stephen Gleadow, and proud mom of two wild boys. She has lived in Beijing for 17 years working in the arts, education, and development. She is passionate about fun, practicality, gratitude, and getting the pengyou price.

The Gleadows live in the 798 area and the scavenger hunt was a perfect way to get to know the neighborhood. This hunt stays within 798 and the alleys to the South in an attempt to keep it walking friendly for even our littlest of Picassos. The hunt is great for all ages and is simple enough for pre-readers with a little help from mom and dad.

Getting to 798 Art District

Enter by car or bike through the South Gate: prepare for a 10-15 minute wait as you stop to scan two QR codes to show your health status, register, and of course take your temp. There is a parking garage to your left as you enter.

Enter by foot through the West Gate (Gate 1) on Jiuxianqiao Road where you will also have to register and get your temp checked.

KEEP READING: Throwback Thursday: No More DIY Bowlcuts!

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