Summer is almost over, but it doesn’t mean we don’t get to enjoy a few more super fun events in the sun. Here’s our pick of family-friendly things to do in Beijing this coming week:

Watermelon Run at Shangri-La Shougang Park

If you think summer fun is over, think again. For all of you who enjoy active family afternoons, why not join a super fun race this Sunday and spend an afternoon doing a special “fruit run,” participating in interactive parent-child games and maybe even taking home one of the prizes. There will be running, watermelon painting, a kids’ watermelon race, water fun and some great prizes. Purchase tickets through the official account by scanning the code on the poster.

Where: Beijing Shougang Park Shangri-La
When: Aug 27, 1pm
Price: RMB 99/adult (children over 12 must purchase a ticket for the 3km race), RMB 199/family of 2 adults +1 child aged 3-6

Longtan Park’s Festival of Lights

You don’t have to leave Beijing to enjoy a good light festival. Longtan Park is located in Beijing’s Dongcheng District and has been hosting a kid-friendly festival that features more than 17 light installation sculptures spread around the park. There’s also a waterplay area for the kids, so don’t forget to take water toys and a change of clothes for your little ones.

Where: 16 Longtan Lu, Dongcheng District
When: Ongoing
Price: RMB 98 for 1 adult + 1 child (RMB 79.9 discount tickets available on Douyin)
RMB 68 per adult (RMB 49.9 discount tickets available on Douyin)

BSB Shunyi Early Years Open Day

Join the British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi’s Early Years Open Day on Aug 29, from 9 to 11am!

Prospective parents are invited to come with their children ages 2-5 and experience the amazing teaching and learning at BSB.

RSVP is required as space is limited. Please scan the QR code on the poster to sign up today.

(Note the school only accepts students with foreign passports)
Contact: +86 10 8047 3558, admissions@bsbshunyi.com

Where: BSB Shunyi Campus
When: Aug 29, 9-11am
Price: Free

CISB Open House

Visit CISB’s Open Day and get the opportunity to meet their dedicated leadership team. You will also have the chance to witness the innovative and contemporary teaching methods used by their experienced faculty. Scan the QR code below to register.

Where: Canadian International School of Beijing, 38 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District
When: Aug 30, 9am
Price: Free

Sensory Scavenger Hunt with SENIA

SENIA, an organization led by a group of international teachers, educational psychologists, parents, and other professionals working with children with special educational needs, will be hosting a series of four events for kids and parents with the goal of fostering a harmonious and inclusive community atmosphere. This is the last event in this series and it is a bilingual sensory scavenger hunt. For details and to sign up, please scan the fourth QR code on the poster.

Where: DangDai MOMA, Dongcheng District
When: Aug 24, 5-7pm
Price: RMB 50

Images: Pexels, courtesy of the organizers

For many of us, the idea of pottery drums up the scene from 1990 movie Ghost with Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. But for Faye Wang, co-founder of MaJiang Studio, it’s the ultimate way to relax and explore your creativity all in one. And for most of us, the novelty of crafting with our hands never gets old. There’s just something oddly soothing about getting your hands dirty to create a piece of art, no matter what it ends up looking like.

MaJiang Studio offers group and individual classes, but for those who just want to unwind and disconnect from the world for a bit, their studio is open daily from 10.30am to 9pm and if there’s a free seat in the studio, you’re welcome to stay and make pottery for as long as you want.

Pottery is one of the oldest human inventions, dating back to the Neolithic period. Its influence is present in the history of countries around the world. In the Czech Republic, Venus of Dolní Věstonice figurines that date back to 29,000 to 25,000 BC were discovered, and pottery vessels that date back to 18,000 BC were found in Jiangxi, China. It’s one of the oldest forms of art that’s survived the test of time and while our ancestors made them for daily practical uses, today we work with clay to push the boundaries of our imagination.

For Wang, pottery isn’t just for grown-ups. They’re great weekend activities for parents who want to spend two quiet hours with their kids in a creative and constructive environment. “All kids love to destroy and create. The pottery class teaches kids how to create following their imagination, destroy the bad one, and make a better one. The kids enjoy making unique pottery pieces. In fact, most adults who come to learn how to make pottery for the first time feel that it’s very difficult, but for children as young as five, making pottery is simple because they follow their imagination. But the main purpose of a pottery class is to relax. The children can relax much easier than adults so they can make pottery better than adults.” Wang tells beijingkids.

With a love for pottery and art that started at a young age, Wang and her husband hope to share their passion with young Beijingers though MaJiang Studio. MaJiang studio encourages pottery as a group activity so the more people you bring the cheaper it’ll be.

To get in touch with Wang for more information on pottery or to make an appointment, call 186 1061 0957 or scan the QR code below.

Ages 5+
One person: RMB 189 per person
Two people: RMB 174 per person
Three people: RMB 165 per person
Four people: RMB 158 per person
Group (of 5 or more people): RMB 150 per person
JianNanghuafu ，No.10 建邦华府10号楼

Daily 10am-10pm
153 2192 0601, 186 1061 0957, WeChat: fei057142

Photos: unsplash, giphy, Faye Wang