As kids start filing back to class and families decompress from the holidays, there’s nothing better than having a lazy Saturday. If you’re looking for ideas on what to do during the rest of the weekend, the beijingkids Top Picks newsletter (February 2-5) can help. Published every Wednesday, the newsletter rounds up the best events from every week.

Today, bundle up the family and drop by the Bird’s Nest Ice and Snow Festival for some winter wonderland fun. Or, immerse yourself in traditional lore at the Beijing Temple Theatre, where a few special guests will be get to don Beijing opera masks and makeup to perform with professionals on stage.

For more ideas, see the rest of the newsletter, our Events or Directory. Happy Saturday!

Photo by eviltomthai via Flickr

Christmas is this weekend! So, in our weekly newsletter, we present the best Christmas activities in the Beijing.

The Familier prepares warm Christmas treats for you. Little ones can have fun on the playground.

Beijing Mom Jennifer Bushman shares her top five Christmas comedies to watch at home – films that are sure to warm the soul.

Also check out the various dining options for Christmas.

For more, head over to our online newsletter!

Photo: JY:) / J. Yeaman of flickr

Once again we here at beijingkids have been scouring the city for things to do with the family, and we have another great weekend of choices for you in our ever-changing events section and in our weekly Top Picks newsletter.

Summer means BBQ and whether you’re downtown or in Shunyi, we have choices for you — Downtown at the Belgian Embassy you can enjoy what has become an annual tradition — a huge barbecue with entertainment for adults and children alike, all to benefit Morning Tears, a charity that provides support for children whose parents are in prison.

Meanwhile up in Shunyi, Pinnacle Plaza is hosting weekend barbecues every weekend in June, so this weekend is as good as any to check it out!

And if you’re not interested in a party but just want to enjoy some traditional bbq from America’s deep south, you’re going to want to pay a visit to the newly-opened premises of Home Plate BBQ, located not too far from the Xiaoyun Lu Kro’s Nest. Get the homemade tortilla chips, you’ll love them (and the salsa is mild enough for picky kids).

OK so maybe you’re on a diet or BBQs are just not your thing — no problem, there’s tons for you to do as well — like enjoying a free concert by Grammy-nominated childrens’ singer-songwriter Red Grammer.

For those looking to do some good with your spare time, the Bookworm holds its annual NGO & Charity Networking Day Saturday which is a rare opportunity to see a lot of what Beijing has to offer in one place.

Artsy/craftsy? Musically inclined? Why not learn Chinese tie-dye with the Chinese Culture Center or bang the bongos at UCCA?

Speaking of UCCA, former Beijing mom Susan Conley is in town promoting her memoir The Foremost Good Fortune, which tells of her struggle with breast cancer while juggling family life as an expat mom in the capital city. She’ll kick off her book tour at UCCA Sunday afternoon.

Enjoy the weekend!

Did we miss an event or do you have one you’d like us to list? Let us know by sending an email to listings@beijing-kids.com.

Want to add one of your own? Simple — all you need to do is click here.

If you’re scratching your head looking for something to do this weekend, check out the beijingkids Top Picks newsletter. Subscribe to get the best kid-friendly events of the week sent directly to your inbox. If information is what you crave, keep up-to-date with all of the goings-on in this week’s Shunyi Happenings.

Check out our newly relaunched weekly Top Picks newsletter for some suggestions!

Welcome to the 6th edition our weekly Shunyi Happenings newsletter, where our Shunyi Correspondent Charlotte Moreau brings you all the goings-on from beyond the 5th Ring. Have a Shunyi tip for Charlotte? Click here to send her the details.

Things are coming back to life again in Shunyi, though the next big break — Chinese New Year — is just around the corner. Here’s some things to do and observations from this corner of Beijing we call home:

* Tina’s Workshop has Western cooking classes for ayis (taught in Mandarin) on Wednesday afternoons in the Shunyi area.  The specific schedule, location and menus change, so check www.wix.com/tinasworkshop/tws or e-mail tinasworkshop@yahoo.com for more information.  Classes are RMB 150 for a three hour class, and are currently held in Rits Garden Villas. 

*Is it time to work off those yummy holiday treats with a fun exercise program?  Try out these dance classes in Shunyi:

*Zumba, with Pilar Valdivia (Zumba instructor and certified Cali-Columbian salsa dance instructor from Columbia)

*Mondays from 10am-11am

*Lane Bridge Clubhouse, 2nd floor

*FREE CLASSES first two weeks only: January 10 and January 17

*Contact pilar.valdivia@pp.inet.fi

*Bollywood Dance Classes with Irit Namatinia
*Mondays from 2pm-3pm (first class January 17)
   
*River Garden Clubhouse Dance Studio
   
*Contact iritmike@gmail.com

*Dance opportunities for the little ones include:

*Danz Centre at the Yosemite clubhouse resumes a variety of classes, from ballet and tap, to jazz and hip hop.  Registration begins now.  Go to the website at www.danzcentre.com, e-mail at info@danzcentre.com or call 8041 7745 for more information.

*Those living in or near River Garden can try the Hip Hop classes available there on Saturday afternoons.  Kids aged 6-12 attend the class from 5-6pm; kids over 12 attend from 6-7pm.  The first two lessons are free.  Contact Adrien at 132 6318 2001 or tribuloison@hotmail.fr for more information.

*A drive-by today of the China Expo Center Subway Station still shows no sign of open car parking.  Entries from both Jingmi Lu and the access road beside the Expo Center are blocked off.  However, several cars were parked alongside this access road and it was evident that these were subway riders.  No parking tickets were on the car windshields, but I wouldn’t count on this being allowed for long, especially when an Expo is underway.

*If it’s time to brush up on your Chinese again, this is the first week to sign up for the new semester at HLCC in Capital Paradise villas.  Beginning through advanced courses are available, as are characters classes and ayi English classes.  Contact halida@hlcc.asia or call the 135 0115 3524 for more information.  Other nearby locations for Chinese lessons include Easy Way Chinese by Jenny Lou’s in Pinnacle Plaza, the Bridge School located in the Capital Paradise clubhouse, and Mandarin Express by the Yosemite villas clubhouse.

*The International Newcomer’s Network (INN) hosts Neighborhood Coffee Mornings.  These are purely social events in local cafes that allow you to get to know people who live close by, and pick up a few tips and tricks from those who have been around the neighborhood awhile.  Shunyi Coffee Mornings are held on the third Thursday of each month.  On January 20 from 10am-12pm, meet at Mrs. Shanen’s Bagels & Café.   For more information on INN, go to their website at www.innbeijing.org.

Hello 2011!

It’s January and that means time for frozen fun, be it in town in the skating and mini ski hills or heading out the the suburban ski resorts. Check out our weekly newsletter for some suggestions of what’s going on around town in Beijing this weekend.

We’ve got some suggestions for organized events not to miss as well as some ideas for how to generate some family fun on your own.

And don’t forget to visit our new and improved events directory if you want more options.

Keep warm!

Thursday 28: Workers’ Stadium iRENA Ice & Snow World
Another outdoor ice rink has been added to Beijing’s ever-growing collection of winter playgrounds. Head to the conveniently located Worker’s Stadium east gate for a day of ice skating and hockey. If your schedule is booked out this weekend, the Ice and Snow World will be open until March 20. Prices vary depending on the time of day. Bring your own skates, or rent a pair for an additional charge. RMB 30- 50 (students RMB 5 discount).

Don’t Forget: After an afternoon of skating, warm up with a hot chocolate at nearby Tous Les Jours, Element Fresh, Starbucks. Hungry skaters can head to Stadium Dog.

Friday 29: Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel (PG)
In this sequel to their 2007 movie, musical sensations Alvin, Simon and Theodore are on a mission to save their school’s music program by winning the USD 25,000 prize in a battle of the bands. Sparks fly as the threesome come face-to-face with a rival female singing group, The Chipettes. Voices by Justin Long, Christina Applegate, and acting by Jason Lee. Playing at Megabox, The Village at Sanlitun.

Don’t Forget: Pick up the 2007 version of Alvin and the Chipmunks from DVD stores around town. If its music your kids want, head to Amazon.com a Chipmunk sing-along album (we recommend “The Chipmunk Adventure”, cir. 1998).

Saturday 30: Sports Beijing Urban Ninja Parkour
Using the basic techniques of Parkour, kids learn how to safely, efficiently and quickly move through a series of obstacles by using the abilities of the human body. This non competitive activity teaches the fundamentals of climbing, balancing, tumbling, rolling, jumping, and landing in a safe and controlled environment. Head instructor, Khemit Bailey, is a Parkour expert with a black belt in Karate and has been practicing Parkour, urban free-climbing and martial arts for over 15 years. Details at, www.sportsbj.org, 6430 1370, or e-mail info@sportsbj.com. Every Saturday. International School of Beijing. Sports Beijing, Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, 2F Lido Country Club, Lido Holiday Inn朝阳区将台路丽都饭店丽都乡村俱乐部二层北京体育俱乐部

Don’t Forget: Safety first – kids should have an adult with them when practicing this demanding sport.

Sunday 31: Hike Intelligence Valley
Shake off those winter blues and head outside for a day of hiking, walking over icy streams and taking in scenic mountain views. The Intelligence Valley hike is almost entirely flat, making it the easiest walk for families and kids. Afterwards, walkers can replenish their energy and eat themselves to a standstill at a local Chinese restaurant. RMB 300. For details, call 5137 4906, e-mail info@beijinghikers.com or visit www.beijinghikers.com.

Don’t Forget: Wear thick socks and lots of removable layers.

Thursday 14: Have Fun On-line
Hide away from the bitterly cold weather, grab that book you have been meaning to finish since your summer vacation, and allow the kids to explore some fun websites on the Internet. The web is full of interactive gaming websites with an educational twist; here are a few to get you started: Funbrain is great for the younger kids , while dwkids and yahoo games are more suitable for the older ones. If your kids are looking to expand their minds, visit Britannica Encyclopedia or BBC Bitesize .

Don’t Forget: Too many hours in front of the computer can strain the eyes. Best to surf the net in small doses.

Friday 15: Avatar (PG 13)
Director James Cameron’s latest Hollywood blockbuster, Avatar, has amazed movie-goers around the world. An estimated USD 250- 300 million has been invested to produce spectacular, spellbinding visuals in a futuristic 3-D setting. The story follows the life of Jake Scully – a war veteran who lost his lower limbs in a previous battle – and his journey to the planet of Na’vi. Scenes of violence and brief intimate encounters means Avatar may not be suitable for the younger children, but it is suitable for children 10 and older. Playing at Megabox, The Village, Sanlitun.

Don’t Forget: Bring some healthy snacks to fuel bursts of hunger.

Saturday 16: Cooking at The Hutong
If you are tired of hearing, “Can you make me something to eat?” then take the kids to a cookery class at The Hutong this Saturday. Under the supervision of trained chefs and simple instructions, allow the kids to blend local and international ingredients into adventurous and fresh dishes. The Hutong intends to bring more events of this nature to you weekends in the future. RMB 150, RMB 130 for members. For more information or to book, contact Sophia Du at sophia@thehutong.com or 1590 104 6127.

Don’t Forget: An extra T-shirt – stray food often evades the apron.

Sunday 17: Longqing Ice and Light festival
Harbin remains China’s most famous ice and light festival, but the long journey and despairing temperatures can be off putting. Not to worry, the Longqing Ice and Light Festival takes place 80km outside of Beijing and boasts an array of ice sculpted animals, lanterns and temples set to rival their Northern competitor. More bearable temperatures are predicted for Beijing this weekend – so wrap up, grab the camera and take advantage of the transformed Longqing Gorge before it closes at the end of February.
By car: From Madian Qiao on the North Ring Road, take the Badaling Expressway to the Yangqing Exit. Follow the Shijnglong Ski Resort sign to the Mijiapou Beikou Intersection, turn right, and follow the signs to the gate.

Don’t Forget: Wear plenty of pairs of socks and bring a flask of something hot.