As the city gears up for the traffic nightmare that is going to be the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference from November 7-15, all local schools and “non-essential” government offices will close for the event. Luckily, many recreational venues and culture organizations are rushing to fill in the gap with workshops, camps, and other kid-friendly activities. Here’s a survey of upcoming events taking place during APEC.

Fri, Nov 7
Rollerblading and Games with Imagine
Ages 7-14. Rollerblading is the first of three activities offered over the APEC break by multi-sports organization Imagine. Instructors will teach kids tricks according to skill level. Between rollerblading sessions, they’ll also participate in team challenges with ropes, balls, and blindfolds. Open to students from any school. RMB 180. 1.30-3pm. ISB Dome (186 1045 3101, info@imagine-china.com)

Mon, Nov 10
Trash Bash and Games with Imagine
Ages 7-14. Make music with objects at Trash Bash, where kids will improvise their own instruments, explore different sounds, and create rhythmic compositions together. In the afternoon, there will be team challenges and games. RMB 450 (non-members), RMB 400 (Beijing Riviera members). 1.45-3pm. Beijing Riviera (186 1045 3101, trashbash@imagine-china.com)

Tue, Nov 11
Indoor Skiing with Imagine Snowsports
Go skiing with international instructors from Imagine Snowsports; participants will be divided by level to be taught new skills. No experience or equipment needed. 10.30am-2pm. Qiaobo Ice and Snow World (186 1045 3101, info@imagine-china.com)

Mon, Nov 10 to Wed, Nov 12
Blue Bridge APEC Three-Day Workshop
Ages 3-12. Blue Bridge Education will hold art workshops for kids at both its CBD and Lido centers. Activities will be divided according to two age groups (3-6 and 7-12) and follow the themes of “Princes and Princesses” and “Book Illustration and Design” respectively. The younger group will explore stories like Cinderella, Snow White, and Aladdin while the older group will write and illustrate their own books. RMB 1,680. 9am-4pm. Blue Bridge Education (CBD Center: 5900 0270, Lido Center: 5947 2275)

Mon, Nov 10 to Wed, Nov 12
O’le Sports APEC Break Camp
Ages 6 and up. O’le Sports will hold a three-day sports camp with rock climbing, box climbing, soccer, bouldering, and slacklining. The activities will be supervised by the center’s instructors. RMB 1,100 (lunch not included). 10am-6pm. O’le Sports Center (oleclimbing@gmail.com)

Mon, Nov 10 to Fri, Nov 14
November Holiday Workshop: Back to the Future
Ages 5-12. Kids will imagine what it’s like to live in the year 3044 in this Atelier workshop, imagining and creating their own cars, cities, houses, and even daily objects. RMB 1,500. 9.30-11.30am (ages 5-8), 1.30-4pm (ages 9-12). Atelier (6416 1614, atelier@atelier.cn.com)

Photos: Courtesy of Atelier, Imagine, and O’le Sports

Hotels that will play host to official guests during the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) event in Beijing November 3-12 will be required to source their foodstuffs from 20 designated providers, state media reported Wednesday.

Beijing roast duck purveyor Quanjude was the only one of the 20 identified by name. An obvious choice given its history, although the Beijinger readers named Da Dong Roast Duck as their favorite in 2013 and 2014.

Primary among the organizers’ concerns is the provision of halal food and beverages, prepared in accordance with Islamic Shariʻah law.

"Fan Bao, deputy director at the Beijing Ethnic Affairs Commission, said it still has a lot to improve in terms of halal food preparation.

"’I have to say the standard of Beijing’s halal food is way lower than the international standard.’" Fan said.

The 34 hotels, of which the Yanqi Lake Kempinski Hotel Beijing and other Kempinski-run hotels at Yanqi Lake are central, are also not allowed to sell beauty and hair supplies during APEC. Don’t forget your toothbrush!

This post first appeared on thebeijinger.com on October 22, 2014.

Photo: Kempinski Hotels and Resorts

Nearly two weeks ago, the Chinese government mandated that local schools and non-essentials government offices are going to be closed during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) from November 7-15. Well as of today, the Canadian International School of Beijing and the Children’s House Montessori Kindergarten (all campuses) are both going to be closed as per the notices they have on their websites. So far we were only able to determine that the two schools located in the CBD area have been affected by the notice.

A quick scan through the websites of the schools in Shunyi did not show that their calendars have been affected. But that could or could not change. We will keep you informed.

We did write that the car restrictions will come into effect using the even-odd license plate rule as used during the Olympics. Find out what this means here.

Photo: Dadonenineseveneight (flickr)