Call me old-fashioned but I like to think of cooking and cleaning as essential life skills, amongst other things. It’s been said by members of the – *ahem* – older generation that kids nowadays lack all the basic survival skills their forebears held in high regard.

These same naysayers claim that children are endlessly pampered by the attendant comforts afforded the new wealth of developing countries such as China. Not to mention technology’s sheer obliteration of many skills, what with food delivery within 30 minutes. Plus, parental protection and attention, supplemented by an ayi – especially when you’re an expat kid – tends to run on the higher side. It may be that we’re living in a foreign country and whatnot, but all these reasons compound to create an environment that doesn’t exactly breed great self-sufficiency.

Or so you say. We decided to put this theory to the test by getting four interns, aged 13 to 17, to prove to us that they are indeed independent and self-sufficient young adults. The tests? We decided on some of the bare necessities needed for surviving on your own – cooking instant noodles, hard boiling an egg, and folding laundry!

Watch the video below to find out how they did!

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Images: Unsplash

Although it doesn’t feel much like Spring outside, there’s only four weeks of school before a lot of kids are on their holidays again for Spring break. So it’s time to switch our thoughts from goats and sheep, and instead to think about bunnies. House of Knowledge will be running plenty of activities to keep younger kids entertained this coming Easter, and whilst the kids are busy, you could try your hand at origami and perhaps make a few Easter gifts yourself. Music, movement, and dance play an important role in children’s development, and the International Montessori Teaching Institute is running a workshop for teachers and parents on how to incorporate music and movement into learning. There are plenty of places in Shunyi for dry cleaning your shirts and suits, but finding somewhere good for larger items is more of a challenge. So it’s good news that a new laundry store has opened up, making it easier to keep your carpets free from all that Beijing dust.

Easter Camp
If you’re looking for activities for your little ones this Easter, House of Knowledge (HoK) will be running a fun packed five day camp, offering a range of activities to keep those busy little minds active over the holidays. Activities will include crafts, games, and songs. The camp will run from Monday March 30 through Friday April 3, from 9am-3.30pm. RMB 2,200 (lunch included) or RMB 1,720 (lunch not included) for the full day camp, or RMB 1,350 for the half day camp. To register, email HoK with your child’s name, age, and the campus you would like your child to join info@hokschools.com

HoK also run a number of after school activities, which will be starting again on Monday March 9. Classes include art, ukulele, piano, football, kung-fu, and gymnastics. To register contact (6431 8452, qf@hokschools.com)

Spring Origami
If you’d like to try origami for the first time, or already know some basics but would like to improve your skills, then come along to an origami workshop. The sessions are held every Tuesday from 10am-12pm at 206 River Garden. RMB 100 per session. To register contact (138 1099 9694, happiesttomoko@hotmail.com)

Music and Movement Workshop
Music, movement, rhythm, and dance all influence children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Instructor Brittany Dunn from the International Montessori Teaching Institute (IMTI) will be leading an interactive workshop, for teachers and parents, which will explore ways of integrating music and movement into the early childhood classroom setting and at home. Participants will gain an understanding of how songs, playing simple instruments, and rhythmic rhymes can enhance children’s learning. The workshop takes place on Saturday March 28, from 9am-5pm. RMB 400 and a certificate will be provided. To register contact (8949 6877, 185 0061 7806, enquiry@imti-china.com)

BRANEW Laundry
Beijing BRANEW Laundry has opened a new store at Pinnacle Plaza. With over 20 stores across Beijing, BRANEW has been operating since 2009, specializing in professional cleaning of large textile items such as sofas, mattresses, carpets, and curtains. They also provide a dry cleaning service for clothing and cleaning of handbags. They use machines and detergents from France, Germany, Japan, and the US. Mattress cleaning ranges from RMB 280-560 per item, carpets RMB 120-270 per square meter, and curtains RMB 25-57 per square meter. For more information call 400 888 7090 or visit their website www.branew.com.cn

beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.

Photos: Cyndy Sims Parr, Sophy (Flickr), courtesy of BRANEW