What began as a hunt for cool birthday party digs turned out to be a blast for all the adults in the room instead! See, I came across a video of a human claw machine on Douyin and had to find out where I could experience it for myself. It was one of those bucket list things that I didn’t even know was missing from my life.

Located in the basement level of Hopson One, VS Sports Park is a gigantic indoor venue filled with virtual reality and actual reality games. Adults pay RMB 218 to enter, however, with the exception of the human claw machine (RMB 70 for adults and RMB 50 for kids), and a few other amenities, everything is included. Meanwhile, kids under 90cm are free and those between 90cm to 18 years old pay RMB 198 each.

We started out with some virtual reality games including skeet shooting, archery, and our favorite – a giant slingshot that feels like you’re living in Angry Birds.

Then there’s the other stuff like a batting cage, pool tables, bowling, virtual skiing, and a decent roller skating rink complete with elbow, knee, and butt pads for beginners.

Not the old school DDR machines from our teenage days

Basically, it was like reliving our teen years, but on a whole new level. For instance, remember Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) from back in the early-00s? Well, there’s a much more advanced version filled with jumps, drops, and even the moonwalk. Needless to say, it made me feel like I was back in middle school trying to show off at Dave and Busters all over again.

Then there are the games that I wish we had like Hado, a virtual reality team sport where you put on VR glasses and strap a blaster to your wrist so that you can destroy the opposing team while ducking their laser blasts. Feeling a bit like Iron Man, we lived out our Marvel superhero fantasy and got a pretty decent cardio workout in the process.

Your ticket to VS Sports Park includes a bracelet that lets you go in and out as you please. Hopson One has plenty of restaurants where you can enjoy a fine meal. And while there are vending machines, the staff is also cool about letting you bring food and drinks inside.

What started out as a mission to find a cool birthday party for teens turned into a discovery of not only that but also a totally unique date night spot! Forget dinner and a movie while desperately trying to avoid discussing the kids, because when you’re fully immersed in the virtual reality world of games and your competitive side takes over, it’s hard to think about anything else.

Scan the QR code to check out the video from our visit to VS Sports Park.

Address:
VS Sports Park
B3 Level Hopson One West Dawanglu
西大望路合生汇B3层
Open daily from 10am-10pm

KEEP READING: WATCH: Kiddos’ Day Out at MeLand, a 3-Story Indoor Playground

Images: MIna Yan, Vivienne Tseng-Rush

What is it about the indoor soft play centers in Beijing? A while back I was planning my daughter’s fourth birthday party. During that season of deliberation, I had the brilliant idea to host the party at an indoor soft play playground. As I was researching venues, I was struck by the astronomical prices of some of these places. I kid you not, one mall-based establishment was actually charging RMB 268 for a two-hour play session.

I believe in investing in the youth and providing stimulating learning environments but there’s just a part of me that doesn’t see why it should cost the equivalent of over £20 to jump around in multi-colored plastic balls (like they’re even BPA-free).

When a friend introduced me to the soft play facility at Dynasty Garden Clubhouse (丽斯花园), the experience really helped to restore my faith in the fact that not every child-focused establishment in this city is a rip-off.

Admittedly, this playground is smaller and perhaps a bit more trickier to get to than some of it’s extortionately priced counterparts, but at RMB 30 per child it’s worth putting in the extra effort to visit. Besides, the cozy environment lends itself very nicely to being the venue for a playdate or even a children’s party. The compact size of the room means that children can truly be let loose to freely explore the various playful contraptions. There is comfortable padded seating where parents can sit and chat without the need to constantly pause the conversation and run around a mammoth sized facility in search of one’s child.

In addition to the chilled and relaxed vibe that results from it never being overrun with patrons, this place is super clean which I particularly appreciate because I have a thing about grotty soft play equipment (especially the ball pits).

In terms of scale, this playground is definitely not on a par with some of the larger, more popular indoor centers. My three children (who are all under the age of four) enjoy playing here. However, older kids might just be underwhelmed. In any case, this playground is only for children under the height of 130cm.

The closest subway station is China International Exhibition Center.  From the subway station it’s a short bus journey (bus 31) to Dynasty Garden.

Although this playground is located in the clubhouse of an upmarket gated community, it’s open to the general public. To reiterate the words of the receptionist, “Anyone under 130cm can play here as long as they purchase a ticket”. So, if you’re looking for a sensibly priced, indoor, air-conditioned, soft-play playground, this place could be for you.

Dynasty Garden Clubhouse (丽斯花园)

RMB 30 for children. Daily 10.00am-9.30pm. Dynasty Garden, 16 Tianzhu Street, Shunyi DIstrict (6457 0623) 北京市顺义区天竺开发街16号丽斯花园会所 

For more of Pamela’s writing about life in Beijing, visit her blog: www.itisreal.net

Photos: Pamela Djima

Like so many parents in Beijing, Liu Yue was disappointed with play areas for kids like Fundazzle and those ones in the middle of shopping malls. Sure, the kids have fun, but there is nothing for the parents to do. Unlike most parents, Liu Yue decided to do something about it. The result of her hard work and creativity is Lazyroo Kids Café in Wangjing.

Lazyroo offers kids a safe, fun, and even educational play environment while the café serves up meals, drinks, and WiFi so that parents can relax, get a bite to eat, and even get some work done. The café offers up a wide range of food options and beverages and even has DIY pizzas and a juice area for kids to make their own fresh-squeezed drinks. There is a tri-level climbing structure with slides and a ball pit, interlocking foam blocks, a reading area with English and Chinese books, a pellet box (think sandbox without the mess), games, and an X-box.

Liu Yue didn’t leave anything to change. Lazyroo has its own bathrooms with kid-sized toilets and sinks, changing tables in both the men and women’s bathrooms. There is a cozy room for nursing mothers who wish privacy. I also noticed about half a dozen Blueair filters on both floors.

Lazyroo is open seven days a week from 10.00-21.00 on weekdays and 9.30-21.30 on weekends. Admission is RMB 80 per child during the week and RMB130 on weekends and holidays for three hours of play-time. Membership cards are available with the benefit of 10-30% discount on entry depending on which membership you buy.

A-2F,Wangjing Commecial Centre, No.9 Wangjing Street 北京市朝阳区望京街9号望京国际商业中心A座二层
Call 13601315960 or email stephanie@lazyroo.com for more information

For years, there has been a blocked-off corner across the street from Jenny Wang’s in Lido. Recently that wall came down and suddenly, where there was once nothing, something great appeared – Baby International Blu and Pirate Bay.

Mix one part baby store, one part family restaurant, and one part play center, with equal measures of German and Chinese management and you get the one thing that has been sorely missing from the Lido neighborhood – a great hybrid family hang out.

Owner Nils and Lynn recently decided to relocate the Beijing branch of Baby International Blu from its CBD location. But in doing so, they wanted to create a space where parents could not just shop, but also relax over a great coffee and enjoy a meal while their children burn off some steam in a safe and fun indoor environment. With multiple stores in Shanghai, and plenty of experience to build on, the dynamic couple are certain they have crafted the perfect blend in their 600sqm Lido location.

Fueled by a German chef with over 20 years of experience, the restaurant will serve healthy salads, pastas made from scratch in the open kitchen, soups, and more. They also have fresh coffee (great espresso), a small selection of beer and wine, fresh juices, ice creams, and waffles. While you sit back and enjoy the Wi-Fi, a book, or chat with friends, your kids can romp in the pirate-themed play area that is geared to kids aged 5 and under, though it will also attract the eye of older siblings.

And then there is the fantastic selection of imported goods for all things related to babies – strollers, high chairs, car seats, diaper bags, bottles, blankets, educational toys, and doohickeys galore. The selection is of such high quality that the products will outlive multiple generations of children and look great in any home. I couldn’t help walking through the store and thinking, “I wish we had two of those, and I should buy two of that, and a pair of these, and a couple of those!” (we have twins after all).

Nils told me that they want the store to feel like a place where you can ask the staff for help and get real advice and answers without feeling pressured to buy. To assist in that endeavor, they even designed the showroom floor with a path of brinks and other surfaces so that parents can take strollers for a real test stroll right inside the shop.

All in all, Baby International Blu is a great hang out, in a great location, made by great parents for others to enjoy. And your kids will love it too.

If you would like to find out more about Baby International Blu or shop online, visit www.baby-international.com. You can also call 8450 1189 for information or directions, or drop in at 2 Jiangtai Lu daily from 10am-7pm.

 Photos by Christopher Lay