“I am sad. I want to go out in the sun.”

That’s how my three-year-old expressed his feelings on month three of quarantine last spring. We had a small porch that faced the quiet parking lot where our company had housed us until our return to Beijing.  Really just a rectangular concrete block, this patio usually turned into my conference call area and the one place where the boys could dig into dirt with no consequence, so long as the dirt stayed off the shared sidewalk.

But that day he needed more. We were lucky in that our apartment was across the street from a little lake and woodsy area. So even though I hadn’t showered and my husband had a virtual meeting, I threw on some flip flops, sunglasses, gave him a hat, and said, “Let’s go kid. I need some sun too.”

This is not easy for me, to slow down and just enjoy being outdoors. It’s even harder now, back in the city of Beijing, when all of our moments are about going somewhere and doing something. Add to that how many families might feel if there’s an empty time slot in a day, it should be filled by enrichment activities or tutoring or lessons. It’s hard not to hear how well your neighbor’s kid speaks Mandarin and wonder if you, too, should hire a tutor for them 3 days a week.

But playing outdoors is important too, and so I sought out the advice of some of the best Forest School educators in Asia.

Kelly Goddard, based in Singapore and Founder of Forest Adventure Club, explains how the outdoors relieves stress. ”Children aren’t limited by small, contained, pressured environments. The outdoors offers space, more freedom, fresh air, sounds of nature, the ever-changing colors of the seasons, exposure to natural light and it has no expectations of us.”

I still find it difficult to remove myself from the hustle and bustle emanating from my mobile phone, even when outside. But Allison McGilligan, Founder at KindiZoo Nature Play and Creative Director at BalletZoo in Malaysia, reminds me that it is possible if we really try. “When we all go into nature, we take a breath. Nature has this magical recipe for calming all of us, no matter whether you like it or you don’t like it, it’s just a scientific fact.”

Discovering Mud and Slowing Down Time

We used to live in more temperate climates, and outdoor playtime was always important to our family. I distinctly recall when a barely crawling baby (the sun worshipper from the first story) saw a mud pile that his older brother had formed and carefully put one hand into it. Then he raised his other hand and fell into it as if in slow motion – face first. As I rolled him over onto his back, that huge smile couldn’t be denied. He loved it. For the next 30 minutes, his hands and feet just explored that mud.

Well, that’s what spare clothes are for. That’s also when I learned that my youngest will take his sweet time learning and exploring everything when outdoors, and I needed to adjust my mentality and schedule to accommodate him. As I said before, this is really really hard for me. I don’t like it. I like going from point A to point B and then experiencing the world at my destination. But his idea of a great walk is turning every crack in the sidewalk or brick design into a game that he must discover then conquer.

I just need to remind myself that this is how he learns, and in a much more detailed way than in his classroom, no matter how wonderful the school he attends.

Goddard in Singapore explains how outdoor play allows children to “have the confidence to run with their innate curiosity, creativity and take risks through their hands-on experiences…that empower them.” Parityada Punthapong (Kiki), co-founder and director of Outdoor School Bangkok, agrees that “The outdoor environment offers space which allows children to experience play-based learning and hands-on engagement. It enhances children’s understanding of the world – [fostering]relations with all living and non-living things around them.

Just Learning How to Climb on a Stack of River Rocks

For some reason I’m sure therapists would have a field day discussing, I was way more protective of my younger child than my oldest. So imagine my parental delight when he wandered off from a playgroup one day, took off his shoes, and started climbing up and down uneven, sharp rocks that lined a stream. He was only 20 months old at the time.

His balance and focus were so intense, I was able to stand back and only support when asked. We hear a lot about risk-taking for kids, especially as we try to overcome the label of “helicopter parents.” But Punthapong sees a particular avoidance of risk in Asia, and Thailand specifically: “Parents or caregivers can deny children the opportunity for learning and development in outdoor play, replacing it with the fear of what might go wrong..”

Risk goes beyond whether or not they can stop themselves from breaking their necks, however, and McGilligan breaks down how just the simple childhood act of climbing a tree will aid children in their development of activities we might see as more “educational”.

“Climbing a tree develops the hand to eye coordination in a young child…. Those fine motor skills you need to manipulate a pencil, to draw something that is recognizable – starts in the head, starts with balance, starts with walking, then climbing, then rolling, then hanging upside down, then swimming. So all of those dangerous things that we used to do as kids on a playground, we’ve become too health and safety conscious mainly from a liability point of view.

But a child that falls over and bangs her knee, she is actually going to learn far faster how not to do that the next time if you allow her to do it the first time.”

Every Morning is Forest School at the Lake

After that day last May when my son had to ask to see the sun, we spent every morning from around 10am to lunchtime at the little lake across the street. Sometimes I had an educational idea in mind, but more often than not, I just took my nice camera, put away my phone, and let the kids do their thing.

Yes, it meant that my husband met me at the door, where we stripped them down and chased them into the bathtub, where they could enjoy more uninhibited play, and it also meant they came at us with questions. Parts of the world they could only discover by getting dirty in the lake and avoiding fire ants came out in their curious questions, which often led us to an afternoon researching and playing with the gifts that nature gave them.

They would run, they would experiment, they would give each other mud baths, they would play. They would learn.

And they would smile.

KEEP READING: Explore Some of Beijing’s Best Kid-Friendly Parks

Images: Kelly Goddard, Cindy Marie Jenkins

Your team is down by one. The ball is in your hands. Everyone knows you’re going to take this shot, and you’re as confident as ever. You slowly dribble towards your defender. The attack begins, you drop your shoulder and drive right in an attempt to blow by your defender, and as your defender, out of place, rushes to stop you, you counter by changing direction, crossing the ball between your legs, and jump up to take the open shot. Cash, the ball falls through the net cleanly, making that distinguishing “swish” sound. You clench your fist in triumph… and wake up from your daydream.

Sadly, due to lockdown measures, basketball courts across the city have been forced to close for months since the pandemic began. Without real basketball, players can only imagine the rush and excitement of knocking down shots and crossing people over. But as coronavirus concerns subside, public basketball courts are among the many public venues and businesses that are reopening.

Here’s a list of some of the best indoor and outdoor public basketball venues in Beijing. Many of them are bookable via Dianping, simply search the Chinese name in the app.

Chaoyang District

Hooplace (The Place)
East side of World Trade Center, 9 Guanghua Road
光华路9号世贸天阶东侧

The location, as well as the squeaky clean and high-quality hardwood courts, makes it the most expensive indoor basketball court in Beijing (legends say that booking the court costs  RMB 2000 per hour but we were unable to confirm that).

主场篮球公园·美凯地板 Home Game Park
Borui Sports Complex, 5 Chemical Road
化工路5号博瑞体育综合体内

There are 4 full basketball courts inside this Indoor “Game Park”, and this is one of the most popular venues. RMB 55 per person per session.

Jingju Basketball Hall 京聚篮球馆
228 Beiyuan Road (courtyard of the LPG plant on the north side of Exit B1 of Datun Road East Metro Station)
北苑路228号大屯路东地铁站B1口北侧液化石油气厂院内

This venue requires minimum of two-hour bookings. RMB 800- RMB 1000 per hour for a full court depending on the time of day, half-court 60% of the full court fee.

Hongchang Junhuaxiang Basketball Stadium 宏昌竣花香篮球馆
In the Hongchangjun Net Badminton Center, 88 Laiguangying East Road
来广营东路88号宏昌竣网羽中心内

There are two courts at this venue, which is covered by an air dome. I have been to this court several times, and although the lighting is dim, the courts provide good feedback and aren’t slippery. You can book either a half or full court on DianPing, but the spots fill up very quickly. RMB 70 per person per session.

“MY COURT”
Building 1, 10 Jiuxianqiao East Road
酒仙桥东路10号1幢

Referred to as the most famous indoor court in Beijing, many professional players who have trained and visited this court. Is it worth the seemingly extortionate price? I’ve been there once and I would say no, but the courts are undeniably outstanding. RMB 1838 for a half-court for two hours. RMB 3060 for a full-court for two hours.

Olympic Forest Park North Park 奥林匹克森林公园北园
100 meters west of the intersection of Yangshan Road and Anli Road
仰山路与安立路交叉口西100米

This outdoor court is located within the northern section of the Olympic Forest Park.

Dongcheng District

LongTanHu Sports Center 龙潭湖体育馆
76 Zuoanmen Inner Street
左安门内大街76号

LongTanHu Sports Center has tennis courts, badminton courts, and soccer fields in addition to basketball courts. You can book hours on DianPing, but spots fill up quick.

Dongdan Sports Center Basketball Hall 东单体育中心篮球馆
Southwest Corner, Dongdan Intersection
东单路口西南角广发银行大厦南

An outdoor court located south of the Guangfa Bank Building.

Beijing Ditan Sports Center-Basketball Hall 北京市地坛体育中心-篮球馆
168 Andingmenwai Street
安定门外大街168号

An outdoor court in the Andingmen part of Dongchen district.

Fengtai District

Digital Space Basketball Stadium 数字空间篮球馆
2F, Xin’ao Shopping Center, National Stadium North Road
国家体育场北路新奥购物中心地下二层大中庭篮球场

The price of these courts depends on the time of day you want to play, and one-hour bookings seem to be available only before 8pm. RMB 450-650 for one hour before 8pm, then RMB 1300 for two hours from 8-10pm.

Motive Basketball Forest Park 动因篮球森林公园
3F, Block G, Jinghui Industrial Park, Meishikou Road
梅市口路京荟产业园G座3楼

This venue is easy to book, with lots of available time slots and reasonable prices. RMB 600-1100 for a half-court for two hours, or RMB 1200-1800 full-court for two hours. The price depends on the court material (wood or rubber) as well as the duration.

Game On 篮球中心
3F, 111 Jingshun Road
京顺路111号比如世界三楼顶层
This outdoor court is located on a rooftop and costs RMB 180 for a half-court for one hour.

Xicheng District

EMOTION ZONE 篮球中心
Unit K3, Building 4, 346 East Street, Zhushikou
珠市口东大街346号4幢K3单元

RMB 50 per person per session on weekdays, RMB 100 per person per session on weekends.

Guang’an Stadium 广安体育馆
26 Denglai Hutong
登莱胡同26号

Shoot hoops in with the locals at this hutong outdoor court.

Shunyi District

New China International Exhibition Basketball and Badminton Stadium 新国展篮球羽毛球运动馆
Courtyard of Tianzhu Real Estate Development Company, Yufeng Road, Houshayu
后沙峪裕丰路天竺房地产开发公司院内

This basketball and badminton complex offers a range of price points, depending on if you want to come alone and shoot some hoops, or book a private court. RMB 40 per person per session for individual access, or RMB 600 for a half-court for two hours on weekdays, and RMB 700 for a half-court for two hours on the weekend. Price for a full court for two hours is RMB 800 on weekdays or RMB 900 on weekends.

Evolution factory 进化工厂
1 Jichengzhuang, Yizhuang Town
亦庄镇吉成庄甲1号

RMB 260-400 for a half-court for one hour, RMB 260-1200 for a full-court for one hour. Prices vary depending on the time of day and week.

Daxing District

World Flower Holiday Plaza Basketball Court 世界之花假日广场篮球场
Jiujingzhuang Road, Jiugong Town
旧宫镇久敬庄路

Book a full court at this outdoor Daxing spot for an hour for RMB 300.

KEEP READING: Put Your Trust in Beijing’s Best Local Tour Guides and Agencies

Photo Credit: Unsplash, DianPing, Pexels