Beijing parents are always asking “Where can I throw a birthday party for my kid?” Well, we’re here to tackle that big bouncy question as we explore different types of venues all over the city and give you an in-depth look at your kids’ party options. Search #BigBeijingBirthdayPartyList for more recommendations from us.

As my daughter’s first birthday approached, I knew I wanted to mark the occasion with something special. Sure, she might not remember it years later, but she’d have loads of fun in the moment – and we’d get to celebrate her very first trip around the sun!

When I first researched party venues and packages, the costs were staggering. All-inclusive options – whether at indoor play centers like NeoBio or outdoor parks like Wootah – can easily cost up to RMB 20,000. While these packages might make sense for older kids, my daughter (and her friends) are toddlers who won’t even make use of them. Plus, most guests are adults, so no one’s racing down giant slides or joining in on science experiments aimed at Mandarin-speaking children.

Given the need to cater specifically to babies (without neglecting older kiddos), I decided on a DIY party. At first, it seemed daunting, but it turned out to be far easier than I’d imagined – thanks to Taobao, translation apps, and troves of options!

Step 1: Find the Perfect Location

After scouting multiple venues, we fell in love with Sheep Momo’s Forest (小羊Momo) in Dongba. Their pricing is straightforward:

• 1 adult + 1 child: RMB 109
• 2 adults + 2 kids: RMB 139
• Adults alone: RMB 39 each

For group bookings, they offer a 20 percent discount on the total bill. You can also rent:

• A wooden cabin (RMB 660/day)
• An outdoor deck with a canopy (RMB 500/day)
• Or both for RMB 1,100

The fee includes access to non-motorized play areas and their adorable petting zoo. Optional add-ons (like horse riding or archeology games) are available, but we skipped them – the babies and older kids were perfectly entertained without extras. The venue provides tables and chairs, and you’re free to decorate your space however you like.

Final Cost: With 30 guests (babies under 2 are free!) and the canopied deck, our total came to RMB 1,488. Parties can run from 9.30am to 6pm, but we opted for a 1pm start to allow setup time (highly recommend!) and because – let’s be real – babies have nap times and energy limitations that make a full-day party just too much.

What We Loved:

1. Helpful Staff – Staff were super helpful from start to finish, stored our cakes/drinks in their fridge, and brought extra tables and chairs as needed.
2. Astro-Turf-Like Grass – This was perfect for crawling babies, while older kids adored the playground, and all ages loved the animal park.
3. Great Value – The cost was amazing for the space and flexibility and inclusions that we got.
4. Rainy Surprise! A few unexpected drizzles on the day didn’t ruin the fun – the canopy kept our area (and food!) dry, and everyone still had outdoor fun without us needing to move the party to the cabin (which I personally found a bit dark and restrictive, so we didn’t want to book that).

Find it:
Sheep Momo’s Forest
Bashang Chunqiu Century Park, Chaoyang District (inside Xiaoyang Momo Senlin Wangguo)
东五环坝上春秋世纪艺术园
Tel: 130 7015 7312

Step 2: Plan and Prepare the Décor (Daunting but Doable!)

Pro Tip: Choose a theme with 2-3 core colors to simplify planning and sourcing. We went with a ladybug theme (red, black, white), which turned out looking great, and many of the things I got I have since reused for other gatherings.

What We Bought (All on Taobao!):

• Tablecloths (6 x RMB 15): 100 x 160cm, vibrant red and black.
• Photo Poster Board (RMB 128): 1.55 x 2.3m, personalized with my daughter’s name/photos (designed in Canva – no expertise needed!).
• Balloons:
  • Standard 10-inch balloons (100 for RMB 7)
  • Foil number “1” balloons (RMB 2.3 each)
  • Long modeling balloons (200 for RMB 10)
  • Ladybug foil balloons (RMB 10 each)
  • Printed ladybug/polka dot balloons + “Happy Birthday” banner and cake toppers (RMB 50)
  • Helium tank (RMB 160)
  • Black string (RMB 6)

How We Used Them:

• Built two balloon trees flanking the poster board (very easy to do!).
• Filled the canopy roof with helium balloons while tying bunches of mixed helium balloons to each chair.

Total Décor Cost: RMB 570. Bonus: Kids took balloons home, making cleanup a breeze!

Step 3: The Food (Outsourced + DIY Snacks)

We outsourced mains but handled sweets and cupcakes ourselves.

Snacks & Desserts:

• Ladybug lollipops (RMB 20)
• Ladybug candies (RMB 13)
• Red, black and white cookies (65-pack, RMB 14 each)
• DIY cupcakes in red/black liners (50 for RMB 8) with matching takeaway boxes (50 for RMB 20). The boxes worked great as they could hold individual cupcakes snugly for take-away without any chance of them squashing or smooshing.

Catering by Peter’s Tex Mex (RMB 2,500 for 30 guests):

• Tortilla chips and salsa (5 orders)
• Chicken quesadillas (8 orders)
• Chicken fingers (5 orders)
• Vegetarian chimichangas (8 orders)
• Chicken wings (5 orders)
• Tapas sandwiches – arugula and beef, mushroom cheese, and guacamole shrimp (30 pieces)
• Mini burgers (20 pieces)

Included were cutlery, plates, and ready-to-serve foil trays.

We ordered Coke, beer, juice, water, cups, and ice the morning of via HeMa (盒马) for under RMB 300.Why It Worked:

Lily Yang from Peter’s was amazing. I gave her the estimated number of guests, and she came up with the suggested menu items and quantities. She was very attentive to dietary requirements, and after we made one or two tweaks to her suggested menu, we ended up with the above-mentioned items that were a huge hit!

I baked the cupcakes a day in advance, and decorating them was as simple as icing them in red, adding black dots and edible eyes – et violà!

The drinks were ordered on the day of and delivered straight to the venue effortlessly and quick!

Step 4: Finally, the Party Favors (Budget-Friendly, Adorable & Optional!)

I wanted to add a little something extra to make sure the babies had entertainment while not excluding the older kids. Party favors were a great option because the babies played with them at the party while also having something to take home as a thank-you-for-coming gift! We even found a great store on Taobao that we could print quality personalized caps with, and the hats doubled as protection against the sun and drizzles while also doubling as a sweet gift to commemorate the event.

• Toys: Rainbow slinkies, giant bubble blowers, inflatable, walkable ladybugs (all for less than RMB 100).
• Goody bags (RMB 15 for 20): I, of course, ordered red and black, and these were great for taking home party favors, cupcakes, and leftovers!
• Personalized caps (RMB 10 each): Keepsakes for guests.

Lessons Learned:

1. Taobao Is a Goldmine –Though our chosen theme had us buying everything in red, black and white, the shops I shared for all these goodies (like balloons, table cloths, etc.) had a huge variety of colors to choose from, whatever your preferred theme is.
2. Prep Early – Fold cupcake boxes in advance, and you can even inflate non-helium balloons 2-3 days ahead to save time (and stress) on the day of the party.
3. Three Adults Were Enough for Setup – I could also fit everything we needed to bring in a single car trip. The venue provided a flatbed cart (or dolly) for us to cart everything from the entrance to the party area.
4. Total Cost Under RMB 5,500 – This was nearly a quarter of what I would have paid for any of the one-stop-party-planning shops I looked at (and I looked at MANY!), and not only did it include just as many things as those parties, but we had much better food, a more specialized experience and extra inclusions like goody bags and keepsakes that we wouldn’t have had otherwise, not to mention no limitations on your chosen theme!

My final thought is that doing the DIY party gave us flexibility, zero wasted extras, and a uniquely personal touch. Plus, we’ve reused décor for other events! I’ll be doing this for all our family gatherings and parties, and I truly found this experience stress-free, affordable, and it ended up being a baby birthday bash that everyone loved!

Images:

Beijing parents are always asking “Where can I throw a birthday party for my kid?” Well, we’re here to tackle that big bouncy question as we explore different types of venues all over the city and give you an in-depth look at your kids’ party options. Search #BigBeijingBirthdayPartyList for more recommendations from us.

Do you have a dinosaur lover at home like me? There’s a restaurant that’s perfect for a dino-themed birthday for kids. Dragon Planet Restaurant in Solana is the ultimate destination for a fun, exciting, and truly memorable celebration!

From the moment the kids walk in, their eyes will light up with wonder. The restaurant is a dinosaur lover’s dream, featuring a giant T. rex skeleton, prehistoric-themed decor, and vibrant dinosaur artwork that’s guaranteed to spark excitement and laughter. And don’t worry about noisy little guests; this place is designed for kids to be kids!

There’s a whole section in the back (the part that’s connected to the rest of the mall) that has large tables and is more suited for a private(ish) party. If you’re not picky about having other diners around, there’s no need to book out the whole restaurant. They’ll rearrange their tables in advance to fit as many guest as you’re planning on inviting.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Dragon Planet Restaurant goes above and beyond with its live bearded dragon encounters – a unique experience that will make your child’s birthday extra special. The gentle lizards are brought out for kids to pet and even hold (if they’re brave enough!). Watching their faces light up as they interact with these amazing creatures is pure magic.

And let’s talk about the food – because no birthday party is complete without great eats! Dragon Planet Restaurant serves up delicious, fresh dishes that both kids and adults will love. From cheesy mushroom pizza and flavorful pesto pasta to shareable sausage platters, there’s something for everyone. Even picky eaters will leave happy!

For a birthday party restaurant, this place is pretty laid back with its rules. There are no mandatory birthday packages that you need to purchase, and they even have decorations in the restaurant that you can borrow free of charge if they’re available on that day. You order everything for your party from their à la carte menu,and you’re allowed to bring in your own birthday cake

Pro tip: If you’re having your party on a weekend, large groups will have a minimum spending limit. For example, a group of 15-16 people will have a minimum spending limit of around RMB 3,000-4,000.

Whether your child is obsessed with dinosaurs, fascinated by reptiles, or just loves a fun atmosphere, Dragon Planet Restaurant delivers a fun birthday experience.

Find it:
L-VD1-21, 1/F, Bldg 2, Solana, Chaoyang District (Northeast of Steakhouse)
Tel: 158 0127 5556

Images: Mina Yan, Freepik

Beijing parents are always asking, “Where can I throw a birthday party for my kid?” Well, we’re here to tackle that big bouncy question as we explore different types of venues all over the city and give you an in-depth look at all your kids’ party options. Search #BigBeijingBirthdayPartyList for more recommendations from us.

I’ve wanted to take my little girl to Timmy’s World ever since I saw a picture of their gigantic entrance on Dianping. I knew I had a good feeling about this place… But, since it’s not in the center of the city, it took a bit of self-convincing before making the long drive towards Tongzhou.

But man, it was worth it!

Being a little out of the way from the center of the city and not part of a chain means that Timmy’s World charges less than half of what meLand charges for a day of all-inclusive fun.

The three-story indoor playground has everything a young child could want. Right as you enter, there’s the wooden pellet sandpit with dinosaurs and a little volcano in the middle. Then, in the room right across is a forest-themed two-story playground with tube slides, foam pits, swings, and obstacle courses.

Then, as you walk in a bit more, you’re met with a sushi restaurant with a rotating belt, a grocery store, an auto repair shop, ramps for the cars, a stage to sing and dance on, a ball pit with more slides and those ball suction tubes, a dress up room, an interactive video screen, another tube slide, a carousel, and a tiny kitchen.

Pro Tip: The staff does story time multiple times throughout the day.

And that’s just the first floor…

Venturing up to the second floor you’ll find a toy room that’s designed for very young kids. It’s filled with wooden toys and there’s even a small wall of light switches that they can entertain themselves with.

Then there’s the pièce de résistance of the place – their choo choo train. Unlimited rides are included in the ticket price but the train doesn’t run all day long. On the day that we went, kids rushed to queue up when the trains started running, but 30 minutes into it, there was no longer a line.

Up on the third floor is a trampoline and arcade room that has plenty of giant foam blocks for the kids to create and build with, as well as a small garden and barn with stuffed vegetable toys and chickens.

One of my favorite parts about Timmy’s World was their dining area. They sectioned out an entire large room just for dining. There are kid sinks conveniently located at the entrance, and even plates and cups for guests to use. They allow any sort of waimai food to be delivered, so if you’re not picky about having an exclusive party, you can set up your own lunch spread for the kid at a fraction of the price.

We arrived at Timmy’s World almost right when they opened at around 10am. By the time we left around 3pm, my daughter was still not done exploring the entire place. It’s like Disneyland for toddlers.

Pricing: 
RMB 143 for 1 adult + 1 child full day ticket
RMB 168 for 2 adults + 1 child full day ticket
RMB 95 for 1 adult + 1 child 4 hours at night on weekends
RMB 86 for 1 adult + 1 child for 4 hours on weekdays
RMB 128 for single child full day pass

Pro Tip: Bring a pair of non-slip socks for the kids. Adults aren’t required to wear them, but kids are. If you don’t bring your own, you’ll need to purchase a pair at the entrance.

Find it:
Timmy’s World 提米世界亲子乐园
E09, Daban International Art Zone, Yile Zhonglu, Tongzhou District
通州区怡乐中路大稿国际艺术区E09
Tel: 136 8134 6156, 187 1021 3591

Images: Mina Yan

Beijing parents are always asking “Where can I throw a birthday party for my kid?” Well, we’re here to tackle that big bouncy question as we explore different types of venues all over the city, and give you an in-depth look at your kids’ party options. Search #BigBeijingBirthdayPartyList for more recommendations from us.

Who said that birthday parties just had to be purely entertainment and fun? After all, all play and no work makes Jack, or Jill, just as dull as if the reverse were true. So if you’ve got a kid with a keen sense of discovery who enjoys mixing learning with fun, then a visit to Enlightment Space in the China Soong Ching Ling Science & Culture Center for Young People awaits. Yes the name is a mouthful, but the lengthy name reflects the many space and edutainment options available within!

Located in Haidian district close to Yuyuantan Park, the Center is a sprawling property seemingly dedicated to innovation and technology. When we visited, we passed by a Robot cafe on one of the floors on our way to Enlightment Space. As for the Space itself, it’s a huge kids’ wonderland with all sorts of fun, scientific games and activities from constructing boat passages in the water play area to encasing yourself in a bubble tube.

There’s a central party room inside the kiddy replica of the Forbidden City, which conveniently sits between two play areas that active kids will love. You can even climb to the top of the “Forbidden City” to hide away from the crowds and find a spot to spy on the party below. Food and drink packages are available through the party manager at the Space.

One unique selling point of Enlightment Space are the little nods to local culture, such as the Chinese dragon on the ceiling, as well as artefacts like the gong and drum, tucked around the place. Note that most of the digital games and information are in Chinese, with some English translation, but not always. Still, it’s nothing that kids can’t figure out by themselves through discovery and investigation!

So if you’re looking for a new indoor playground suitable for older kids from 6 to 10, check out Enlightment Space!

KEEP READING: Bouncing Birthday Party Where Kids and Adults Both Have a Blast!

Images: Vivienne Tseng-Rush

Surprise Outlets is one of my family’s favorite places to go on the weekend. Why? Well, for one, we love shopping, especially when they’ve got great deals all year round! But other than shopping, there’s also casual dining and a whole lot of space for our daughter to run around. It’s even dog friendly, and seeing the occasional pup go shopping really brightens up her day.

But there’s another reason to make the trip all the way out to Surprise Outlets – a gigantic indoor/outdoor play area and petting zoo combined.

爱伴family乐园 (ài bàn family lè yuán), located on the third floor of the indoor section of Surprise Outlet, is worth a trip on its own.

Prices:
RMB 328 for 2 adults + 1 child on weekends and holidays
RMB 238 for 1 adult + 1 child on weekdays
*Nighttime tickets are cheaper since the place tends to be relatively empty after shoppers leave.
RMB 157 for 1 adult + 1 child on weekdays
RMB 187 for 1 adult + 1 child on weekends and holidays
RMB 48 for packets of veggies to feed to the animals

Inside you’ll find a huge indoor play area similar to what you’d find all over the city. There are ball pits, slides, toys, and a beautiful small carousel for younger kids. But that’s not the highlight of the place.

Walk outside and you’ll find an open-air play area and a decent size petting zoo!

They’ve got cows, donkeys, alpacas, bunnies, sheep, a few curious raccoons, peacocks, ostriches, and many more animals. They offer snacks available for purchase if you’d like to feed the animals. If not, you can spend as much time admiring them as you want.

Pro Tip:
Surprise Outlets gets pretty busy on weekends and holidays.

Find it:
Surprise Outlets 斯普瑞斯奥特莱斯
2 Airport Express
机场第二高速
*If you’re taking Didi, it’s much easier to just input the name into the destination rather than the address

Images: Uni You

Beijing parents are always asking “Where can I throw a birthday party for my kid?” Well, we’re here to tackle that big bouncy question as we explore different types of venues all over the city and give you an in-depth look at your kids’ party options. Search #BigBeijingBirthdayPartyList for more recommendations from us.

So you’ve got a kid’s party coming up: You’ve secured a smashing venue that’s got great food, a variety of play spaces, and miraculously, all the decorations you ordered off Taobao made it in time! But wait, neither you nor your partner really want the job of wrangling 10 or more kids to come together for long enough to sing the birthday song, cut the cake, and open presents. Plus, if your kid enjoys magic, bubbles, juggling, and the like, then what you’ll want is a top-notch performer to bring the oomph factor to your party. We scour all our trusted sources to bring you a few tried-and-recommended kids’ party performers, what they offer, and for what price.

*Warning: If you suffer from coulrophobia, that is a fear of clowns, please stop scrolling as there are many images of clowns ahead.

Uncle Clown 小丑叔叔

Introducing himself simply as Uncle Clown, this busy performer does work for local events and corporate shows as well as kids’ parties, where he can also provide balloon sculpture decorations for your needs. Though he only speaks Mandarin, he doesn’t believe it’s a problem for the kids with the use of body language. What’s his specialty? He says, “The clown magic show!” His rates are as follows:

Clown magic balloon RMB600 / hour
Clown Magic Juggling Balloon RMB800 / hour and 20 minutes
Bubble show RMB1000 / hour
Science Show RMB1200 / hour

Scan the QR code to add him on WeChat

Mister Clown 小丑先生

Mister Clown is a service that has been around for over five years, serving over 1,500 birthday parties in that time. They offer up to nine comprehensive party packages, so there’s definitely one to meet your needs. Their top package includes a full set of clown performances (including magic, juggling, bubble show, science experiment show, and balloon art) led by an acting teacher and two clowns (only in Chinese though), for two hours! At RMB3,000, they say it’s absolutely value for money. Their promise? To make your kids feel like the star they are, and experience pure joy on their special day, while parents can sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. As an added bonus, there are no extra traveling charges within the 5th Ring Road.

Add them on WeChat for more details of their many packages!

Ah Yi 阿绎 Clown Service  

If face-painting is on your party checklist, then this could be the guy for you. Aside from the usual clown magic balloons, bubbles, and science shows, Ah Yi offers professional face-painting services, as well as sugar-blowing, straw-weaving, and get this, fancy cotton candy! That’s definitely less common than balloons! He conveniently offers videography and photography services as well. *Chinese-speaking only

Add Ah Yi on WeChat (ID: wd1122860) for more information.

中华绝技阿浪 (zhōng huá jué jì ā làng) 

We’re entering the big leagues here with this professional troupe of performers, who boast actual stage performances of their magic and stunt acts. For kids’ parties, Ah Lang 阿浪 specializes in illusions such as escapes, torn (but magically whole again!) newspapers, disappearing (and reappearing!) pigeons, etc, which they offer at RMB600/hour. *Chinese-speaking only

Add them on WeChat (ID: wxid_cmu5y750pr2v12)

Diimiile Kids’ Party 迪米乐派对

Last but not least, we have a full-fledged party planner that is devoted to putting your kids’ party together for you. From bouncy castles to mascots to popcorn machines to lion dancers, plus everything else you’ve read in this article, they have it all. Consider them your one-stop-party shop for kids’ events, and best of all, they provide English-speaking services as well as performers! Eric comes highly recommended by several expat parents in all our WeChat groups, so you know you’re in good hands.

Contact Eric at 18500605170 or scan the QR code below

KEEP READING: An Outdoor Birthday Party That’s More Than Just a Picnic

Images: Pexels, courtesy of the vendors

Beijing parents are always asking “Where can I throw a birthday party for my kid?” Well, we’re here to tackle that big bouncy question as we explore different types of venues all over the city and give you an in-depth look at your kids’ party options. Search #BigBeijingBirthdayPartyList for more recommendations from us.

When I saw that there’s an indoor play place that has no time restrictions, allows multi-entries, and only charges RMB 79 every Wednesday, I had to check it out.

Mo Du Honey Children’s Paradise is located in Shuangqiao on the ground floor of Joy Wood mall. Quite frankly, aside from a Xiabu Xiabu and a movie theatre on the second floor, this place doesn’t offer much else.

Walking in, you’ll feel a bit hesitant, like, “My God, what have I gotten myself into?” But ignore those instincts and keep going. As soon as you enter you’ll see Mo Du Honey Children’s Paradise, but the name isn’t very obvious. Look for the foam stand that says Ticket Sales and once you find that you’ll know you’re in the right place.

What I really like about this place is that they only charge per kid. There’s no additional cost for grown-ups. Tickets are RMB 108 per day and RMB 125 on weekends and holidays. But if you go on Wednesday (their least busy day) an all-day play pass is just RMB 79! There’s no need to purchase tickets in advance, you can do it at the door through the Dianping app, which offers a discount.  If you don’t know how to use Dianping, their staff is more than happy to show you.

Pros:
Pricing. RMB 79 all day is (so far) the cheapest indoor play place I’ve encountered in Beijing.
Plenty to do. There are sections inside with different things for kids to do and the rooms make it a bit easier for the place to keep from turning into a full madhouse.
Really nice staff. The best way to describe them is that they’ll go the extra mile for you. While they might not have much to offer there, the staff offered to help me watch my daughter while I ran to the bathroom, store my extra large bag under the counter to keep it safe, and even dispose of a dirty diaper for me.

Cons:
Distance. For most people who live in the CBD Shuangqiao is pretty far, and there’s not much to do in the area.
No restaurants. Aside from Xiabu Xiabu and a malatang restaurant, there’s not really anything else in this mall.
Bathroom. There’s no bathroom inside. You and your kids need to use the one in the mall.
Sanitation. The mall and Mo Du Honey both look like they’ve seen better days.
AC. I know the AC was on while we were there, but we were sweating…

As soon as you walk in you’ll see a giant ball pit with slides and climbing stuff. Keep going, and you’ll find a variety of toys along with a huge inflatable pink bounce house with two slides.

There’s a room that’s just designated for playing with bubbles, and one for playing dress-up on the left. The bubble room even has two elliptical machines that blow bubbles as you bike. Cool, huh?

On the right side of the place, you’ll find a “sand pit” that’s not filled with actual sand. The material in question is more like plastic Nerds candies, but there’s a slide in there and plenty of toys that the kids seem to enjoy. Finally, the coolest part, especially for older kids, is the ninja warrior-looking foam pit obstacle course!

For birthday parties, Mo Du Honey Children’s Paradise’s staff will put on a little show for the kids on their mini stage and, if you’re a member, give your child a little toy as a birthday present.

If you’re looking for a cheap place to pass the day and ambiance isn’t much of a concern for you, this could be the place to be!

Find it:
Mo Du Honey Children’s Paradise 萌嘟蜜糖儿童乐园
12 Shuangqiao Zhong Lu (under Xiabu Xiabu)
双桥中路12号院1号呷哺呷哺楼下

Images: Mina Yan

Beijing parents are always asking “Where can I throw a birthday party for my kid?” Well, we’re here to tackle that big bouncy question as we explore different types of venues all over the city and give you an in-depth look at your kids’ party options. Search #BigBeijingBirthdayPartyList for more recommendations from us.

Beijing has no shortage of indoor play places for kids, and usually they charge a lot, especially if you’re looking for a place for a birthday party. Soft Planet at Parkview Green is a relatively new, beautiful, and clean indoor playground that is suitable for kids of various ages.

Known as one of the Ritzy malls in Beijing, Soft Planet is surprisingly affordable, especially if what’s really important to you is fun for the kids and not just exclusive photos in front of custom-designed backdrops.

Like the name suggests, the place is soft and baby-proof and filled with ball pits, slides, and one super cool train that kids can ride over and over! And the best part for parents is that their food is delicious! It does, however, tend to feature primarily Chinese dishes.

Their menu offers items for kids like beef with rice (RMB 80), egg fried rice (RMB 45), and braised pork on rice (RMB 75), as well as adorable rainbow steamed mantou buns (RMB 42). But for grownups, they offer spicy hot pot (RMB 45), tomato and beef noodles (RMB 68), and fried instant noodles (RMB 42).

Pros:
– Safety. Kids are able to run around all over the place but they won’t be able to leave without adult supervision.
– Pricing. On weekdays, they charge RMB 168 for three hours of play for kids. Adults are free but will need to order something from the menu. On weekends and holidays, the prices go up to RMB 198 for three hours; the same rules apply for adults.
– Toilet. This is a pro and a con. There is a kids’ toilet inside Soft Planet, but for adults, you’ll need to use the one in the mall.
– Free socks! I’m sure we’ve all been guilty of accidentally leaving one of these places without returning their anti-slip socks. Soft Planet gives every kid a brand new pair of cute yellow anti-slip socks when they arrive.
– The train. You know how much fun the trains are for kids. The unlimited rides alone are enough to make a trip to Soft Planet

Cons:
– Menu. The food prices are great, but they only offer Chinese dishes, especially for adults.
– Additional items for purchase. If your kid is someone who won’t leave a place without bullying you into getting them a new toy, this place can make you roll your eyes. They’ve got a whole corner with toys and snacks that they sell. But, to be frank, Soft Planet is filled with so many things to do that are way more interesting.

If you’re looking to throw a birthday party, they can do all the heavy lifting for you. They offer birthday packages that include food, decorations, and three hours of free play for the kids. The minimum requirement for attendees is 14 people (kids and adults included) and the cost will be RMB 6,500 on weekdays or RMB 7,500 on weekends and holidays. Included in the package is your own space that’s decorated with the theme of your choice.

However, if the backdrop doesn’t matter, Soft Planet is great for a DIY party! There are plenty of tables that can be pushed together so that everyone can sit together. The pricing is still the same as how they normally charge (RMB 168 per kid on weekdays and RMB 198 per kid on weekends) and the grownups can just order off the menu.

Pro tip:
They tend to be less busy on weekday evenings. If you’re looking to do a DIY birthday party you might even be lucky enough to get the whole place to yourselves.

Find it:
Soft Planet 软软星球草地餐厅(侨福芳草地店)
2/F, Parkview Green Shopping Center
侨福芳草地购物中心2F
Tel: 6880 1567
Hours: 11am-8.30pm

Images: Mina Yan, dianping

I’ve given up planning birthday parties for myself years ago, but when it comes to my kid, the planning starts months in advance! Whether or not she’ll even remember her birthday, I want her, her friends, and all their parents to have a fun and memorable day celebrating with us.

And as you might know, kids’ parties can cost anywhere from a few hundred RMBs to costing tens of thousands of RMBs for a party that’ll last just a few short hours. So, we’re here to help!

We’ve covered everything from hotels that make for the perfect baby birthday venue to bouncing birthdays indoors to an outdoor day camping site that’s got a play area and petting zoo all in one!

We’ve answered as many of the must-know questions as possible including pricing, time, contact information, and real photos and videos of what you can expect there. Search #BigBeijingBirthdayPartyList on our website or WeChat account for our in-depth recommendations of family-friendly places in Beijing that have been parent-tested and approved!

Images: Pexels