Dive into this week’s collection fun family-friendly events from all over the world that you can attend virtually from right here in Beijing.

As always, click the link in the event title or scan the QR codes for further details and ticketing info.

Thursday 11 – CNY Eve

PetSpace Pals – Live Puppet Show

Need to keep the kids occupied for 20 minutes while you get on with New Year’s Eve preparations? This live puppet show is just the ticket. Meet some adorable cat and dog puppets and their other PetSpace pals as they act out a variety of fun stories for the whole family. And if your kids like it, they can tune in again the following week. 

8am Beijing time. Free

Creative Kids: All Creatures Great and Small

Get crafty in the evening with this activity, suitable for kids aged about 2 years and older. The idea is to make a ‘stained glass’ decoration for your windows, following a wild animals theme. The session is free to attend, but you are encouraged to make a donation. 

 7pm Beijing time. Free, suggested donation of RMB 45 (£5)

Friday 12 – Chinese New Year

Family workshop with Colourful Minds: Recycled Big Bugs

When they said we should “bug in”, is this what they meant? This crafty event starters pretty early on Chinese New Year day, which again, could be useful if you need to keep the kids occupied while you prepare for the day. They’ll use found objects from around the home, plus glue, paint, and coloring materials to create fantastic Big Bugs. The organizers say it’s suitable for all ages, but kids under 8 will probably need support.

7.30-8.30pm Beijing time. RMB 45 (£5)

Saturday 13

Kids Paint-Along Class: Sleepy Fox

Bust out the canvas this Saturday morning with a fun paint-along class, in which US artist Sophie Mumford will guide your kids through a step by step class and learn some clever techniques so they can paint a cute sleepy fox just like in the image above. The event does start pretty early for us here in Beijing (7.30am) but if you purchase tickets you will receive a recording of the entire class so you can enjoy it at any other time. Suitable for kids 7 and older, you’ll need to prepare canvas and paints in advance. 

7.30-9am Beijing time. RMB 65 ($10 USD)

Sunday 14 – Valentine’s Day

The Kids’ Kitchen – Valentine’s Baking Edition

What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than baking some delicious treats? This kid’s baking class runs from 6-9pm, and guides kids through the process of baking a chocolate box cake. The class is vegetarian, and certain substitutes are given but you can also contact the organizers in advance if you have special queries or dietary requirements. 

6-9pm Beijing time. RMB 310 (£34.98)

Valentine’s Jewellery Making Workshop

Don’t fancy baking? Maybe your kids will enjoy this jewelry making workshop instead, especially if you already have some of the materials at home. Though not specifically aimed at kids, this workshop is suitable for all ages. During the 2 hour class, participants will learn how to make a range of items and accessories, including key rings, beaded necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, and even learn some tips on how to fix broken jewelry.

7-8pm Beijing time. Free

Monday 15

Yoga and Breathwork for kids

Take a deep breath… because this Monday is a holiday! This free workshop, running at 10am Beijing time, is all about yoga and breathwork for kids aged 8-12. 

10am Beijing time. Free

Tuesday 16

Zen Doodle for Children

Zen out this Tuesday evening with this mindful drawing workshop specifically designed for kids aged about 8 and older. Led by artist Ann O’Shaughnessy, all you need to supply is drawing materials and paper. During the 2 hour workshop, your children will get to practice drawing various patterns and designs, culminating in a beautiful ‘Zen Doodle’ inspired piece of wall art. The class is suitable for children aged 8 and above.

6-7pm CST. RMB 133 (£15)

Wednesday 17

Kids Interactive Music Sessions

Let’s finish the Lunar New Year break with a bang! A very melodic, musical bang, that is. Presented by The London Contemporary School of Piano, this free class is aimed at children between 6-12 and is designed to enhance their musical appreciation and lift their creative inspiration. Kids will be inspired to look at music differently, create their own songs, get them up on their feet, and cover other vital aspects of music appreciation and theory that are generally not found in standard school music programs. Sounds good to us!

7pm Beijing time. Free

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Images: courtesy of the event organizers

Being stuck inside has never looked so good! Dive into this week’s collection fun family-friendly events from all over the world that you can attend virtually from right here in Beijing.

As always, click the link in the event title or scan the QR codes for further details and ticketing info.

Friday, Feb 5

Free Kids Collage Hour

Wind down on Friday evening with this free and creative collage session. Guided by British collage artist Jodie House, this session is being held during the British Children’s Mental Health Week and is designed to be relaxing and fun. Sing up, and you and your little ones will have a fun hour of cutting and pasting, and letting your creativity run free. No prior art skills are required at all, you’ll receive a packet of printable resources via email to prepare beforehand.

6.30pm Beijing time. Free

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Images: courtesy of the event organizers

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

Friday, Dec 11

Pediatric First-Aid Training at Raffles

Nobody likes to think about bad things happening to their kids, but having up to date pediatric first-aid training could literally save a life one day. At this Friday’s training session at Raffles Medical, participants will learn how to respond to a wide range of incidents, including cardiac arrests, burns, choking, fever, and stings. The training will be led by Dr. Jennifer Caroline Chishol, who specializes in family medicine and emergency medicine and is also ALS certificated. All participants will receive a Raffles Medical Certificate and a pediatric first-aid booklet.

9am-1pm. Raffles Medical Center. RMB 560.

Saturday, Dec 12

Fit Bump with Alessia, Camila & Lainy

Three Beijing moms, friends, and professionals with a diverse range of fitness and wellness expertise will join forces to give expecting mothers a morning of connection, wellness, and fun. The morning will include dancing with Alessia, strength training with Camila, and after a tasty coffee break by Moka Bros, conclude with a prenatal yoga class with Lainey.

9am-12pm. Destination Multiculture Center. RMB 300 1 mom / RMB 500 2 moms

Mindful Mothers Present：Motivate Yourself With Radical Self-Care

This Saturday is all about moms, with this second event by the Beijing Mindfulness Center focussing on self-care, and discuss how modern women can use mindfulness to help balance the many roles they may be juggling: as parents, partners, friends, women, daughters, and careerwomen. The session is free and will serve as an introduction to an optional 8-week course that delves even deeper into these same important topics.

10am-12pm. Beijing Mindfulness Center. Free

The Hutong’s Winter Fayre

With a “warm winter” theme, The Hutong once again opens its doors to local vendors and neighboring families alike. Find everything from chocolates to jewelry to postcards, and a special mulled wine. If you’ve never attended a Winter Fayre at the Hutong’s gorgeous courtyard space, then now is the time. Plus, our sister site the Beijinger is a sponsor! 

11am-6pm. The Hutong. Free entry

Rumble in the Jumble Vintage Christmas Bazaar

Secondhand, handmade, and vintage specialties abound at this cool bazaar at Chez Soi, just opposite the Gongti Stadium site. Come along to peruse a huge range of one-of-a-kind decor, tasty food items, and gifts, and don’t forget to pop by our very own beijingkids table to add to our gratitude tree or grab another special treat. We can’t wait to see you! 

12-6pm. Chez Soi. Free entry

Christmas Art Market at El Nido

Running on both Saturday and Sunday, the El Nido Christmas Art Market is a great opportunity to get your hands on some local art, like zines, prints, and posters. Everything you’ll need for Christmas, and there will be different stalls on both days, so it’s a great opportunity to check out the diverse local arts scene.

1-7pm. El Nido. Free entry.

Sunday, Dec 13

Moka Bros’ Christmas Craft for Kids

Half the fun of the Christmas season is making crafts and preparing the house, don’t you think? This Sunday, Moka Bros are hosting special kids crafting afternoon with local artist and CAFA student Blanca Rosa. Well known in the arts community, she runs kids’ art classes at M Woods Art Gallery, embassies, and online, and has a bucketload of experience working with little ones. The Christmas crafts will be adapted to the age of the kids, but there are only 10 spots available so if you’re interested in signing up, don’t delay.

“Behind these Walls” Theatrical Experience

This Sunday, talented students from Grade 2 to 11 at Chaoyang Kaiwen Academy (CKWA) are putting on a performance of ‘Behind These Walls’, a story about a group of students who have to work together to save their beloved school. In the process, the students discover the importance of teamwork and highlight the school’s core values – courage, kindness, wisdom, and adaptability. Narrated by a group of rapping street dancers, it looks to be a fantastic show for all ages.

11am. CKWA Arts Center. Free.

Need to keep the kids occupied over winter? Take look at these Beijing Camps for Dec 2020 – Jan 2021

Images: Courtesy of the event organizers, Pexels