As a parent, finding an activity that checks all the boxes of being safe, engaging, physically active, and actually fun for both kids and adults isn’t as easy to come by as one might think. Sure, the indoor playgrounds are fun for the kids, but how many adults can honestly say that they’re genuinely having a good time in there? There’s a reason why so many of them put massage chairs in there now…

SURFPARK 温泉冲浪·深水冲浪体验店 in Chaoyang is a bit of a different story. Rated #1 on the Chaoyang District Sports Venues list with a stellar 4.9 score on Dianping, this place isn’t just a trendy spot for young adults; it is a fantastic destination for families looking to make a splash any time of the year.

The first concern for any parent is safety. The idea of indoor surfing might sound intimidating for a child, but SURFPARK has mastered the art of the introduction. They offer zero-entry, 1-on-1 guidance that’s suitable for beginners.

Here, while the surfing pool is exhilarating, the facility is designed for comfort. The fact that it’s an indoor facility means you don’t have to worry about Beijing’s unpredictable weather or air quality. The inclusion of free showers and the warm spring amenities mean you can make a full afternoon of it without the usual post-swim scramble to warm up a shivering child.

SURFPARK is located in a cultural and creative industrial park, with ample space and well-maintained plastic flooring to prevent slips. Whether you have a teenager looking for an adrenaline rush or a younger child eager to try something new, this place adapts to your needs. They even offer free sliding experience tickets if you want to test the waters before committing to a full lesson.

If you are tired of the same old trampoline parks, SURFPARK is a breath of fresh air. Watch your kids build confidence, get some exercise as a family, and leave with huge smiles all while staying warm and dry when you’re not in the water.

Find it:
Opening Hours: 1-9PM daily
Building A, Chenyuan Cultural and Creative Industrial Park, 9 Jia, Shuangqiao Middle Road, Chaoyang District
朝阳区双桥中路甲9号院辰园文化创意产业园

Looking for more cool things to do with the family? Join our Family Friendly Events group on WeChat. Add Wilhelmina87 to join.

Images: Dianping

Haidian is a bit of a drive, but there are some amazing hidden gems. Inside the Zhongguancun ARTPARK Day City (Dashongcheng), a unique fitness phenomenon is taking flight. Leap-x Bungee isn’t your typical gym or dance studio. With a mission to prove that happiness has no ceiling, this venue has soared to the top of the charts.

At first glance, the concept of indoor bungee might seem intimidating. It involves being harnessed to bungee cords attached to the ceiling, allowing for low-impact, high-intensity movements that make you feel like you’re flying. However, Leap-x has masterfully softened the edge of this intense workout by creating a welcoming space for all ages. The facility isn’t just for elite athletes or adults looking to break a sweat; it is quickly becoming a hotspot for family bonding.

The studio offers standard newcomer classes for adults for RMB 99, but the real magic for families lies in the specialized youth and parent-child offerings. The studio offers “Baby Flight” small group class that’s quickly becoming a regular favorite. For RMB128, this class is specifically designed for younger children, focusing on fun, zero-based introductory movements that build confidence and strength in a safe, guided environment.

It’s a far cry from the usual weekend routine of movies or lunch.

These classes are meant for beginners, which means you don’t need to be a gymnast or a fitness guru to strap in. While it looks like a wild ride, the bungee cord actually absorbs impact, making it easier on growing joints and adult knees while providing incredible cardio and core strengthening. In a city filled with standard playgrounds and trampoline parks, indoor bungee offers something novel. It’s an activity that feels like a thrill ride but has the benefits of a structured exercise class.

Find it:
Zhongguancun ARTPARK Day City, West District, 1st Floor, B-L1-10, Haidian District
海淀区中关村ARTPARK大融城西区1楼B-L1-10号

Images: Dianping

At just 16 years old, Tony Ding is already thinking about how to grow lacrosse in China. A junior in high school who balances his passion for diabetic biology studies with his love for the sport, he recently launched Laxmeter, a website designed to connect players across the country and help build a community around a game still finding its footing in Beijing.

A former student at Beijing World Youth Academy, Tony’s own journey began only three years ago when he entered high school in the US as a freshman. He played thirds lacrosse and was, by his own admission, terrible at it. It took him a week just to learn to successfully catch and throw the ball. But despite the steep learning curve, he fell in love with the fast pace, the aesthetic motion of a well-aimed shot, and the way the varsity team celebrated a win where everyone sprinted onto the field to high-five their goalie. For Tony, the beauty of lacrosse lies in that tension between fierce body contact and delicate stick movement.

With lacrosse set to return to the Olympics in 2028, he saw an opportunity.

The sport is growing in China, but there’s no platform bringing players together. When his parents suggested that hiring a professional to build one would be too expensive, Tony took matters into his own hands. Drawing on what he learned in AP Computer Science and a post-AP data structures course, he programmed Laxeter himself.

Right now, the site features a rankings system meant to motivate more players to participate in games. But his ambitions are bigger: he wants to eventually rank players by stars and help them build profiles that college coaches can see.

His vision doesn’t stop online. Tony is now working to establish a school lacrosse league among Beijing’s international school communities. He’s calling it BALL (the Beijing Academia Lacrosse League), and he’s already reaching out to schools to invite them in.

The plan is to start with a 3v3 format and scale up to a more competitive Tier I league for players with real talent and drive. For anyone interested in starting, he recommends BUX Lacrosse Club and the Beijing Lacrosse Association as great places to begin, filled with passionate athletes and professional coaches ready to help.

For Tony, this moment matters. “This is a pre-Olympic stage of Lacrosse (as I would like to call it), so every player is a pioneer. They’re not just learning a sport—they’re building a community from the ground up. That sense of ownership makes their journey deeply personal, which not only creates future influencers in the lacrosse community to publicize this sport we love more, but also presents opportunities (colleges, national teams, branding, etc.)” says Tony. The story of lacrosse in Beijing, he believes, is ultimately one about belonging and identity.

When asked what advice he’d give to kids who want to pick up a stick, he quotes his high school’s varsity goalie, John: “Lacrosse is an easy sport to pick up, but a hard sport to excel in.” What matters most, Tony says, are the friends and connections you make along the way. Whether you’re playing in big games, tossing the ball with a neighbor, or doing wall-ball with music in your ears, you’ll find yourself improving with a smile on your face. And then he adds John’s signature send-off: “Let’s go hit the wall.”

For kids in Beijing who want to give the sport a try, it’s easy. “I am working to create lacrosse teams at every high school that shows interest in this sport. Not only can they come to play at BUX lacrosse club, but they can also aid me and convince their teachers about including this sport in their school. We have professional coaches who are happy to show up and teach you the tricks!”

Inspired? We know we are! If you’re a teen with an incredible achievement, let us know! Get in touch with Mina Yan via email at minayan@beijing-kids.com or WeChat (ID: Wilhelmina87).

Images: Tony Ding

It started, as many good things do, with a few friends and a ball. In 2022, a small group of lacrosse enthusiasts gathered on a football field in Beijing. Among them were members of the Chinese National Team, and Rebekah Liu — someone who had just discovered the sport and was already completely hooked.

Curious passersby kept stopping. Football players, frisbee players, families out for a walk all wanted to know one thing: what is that thing they’re holding? The sticks, they joked, looked like nets for catching dragonflies. So the group earned a nickname: the Dragonfly Catching Squad.

That curiosity never really went away; it actually worked in their favor. As curiosity grew, so did the group. Before long, what started as a few friends throwing a ball around became BUX, Beijing’s first lacrosse club.

If you’ve never seen lacrosse before, you’re not alone. When BUX first started, very few people in Beijing knew what it was. But that unfamiliarity turned out to be an advantage. People were intrigued. They wanted to understand. And once they tried it, many of them stayed.

Still, getting people through the door was only half the battle. The other half was helping them get past the fear.

Lacrosse is fast. It’s physical. And yes, there is contact.

For beginners, especially teenagers and adults, the idea of getting hit can be intimidating. So BUX changed its approach. Instead of diving into the competitive side, they introduced the sport using rules that limit intentional contact. Suddenly, it wasn’t about toughness anymore. It was about the rhythm of passing, the satisfaction of a clean catch, and the feeling of the ball landing perfectly in the pocket. Once people fell in love with that, their hesitation melted away and made space for newfound confidence.

That’s the kind of space BUX has built. Whether you’re a national team player or someone who has never held a stick before, you’ll find your place amongst them.

The training is structured so that beginners learn the basics in a safe, supportive environment, starting with how to hold the stick, how to cradle, and how to catch. And when that first catch happens? That’s usually the moment people get hooked.

More experienced players train at a faster pace, working on tactical drills and full-field scrimmages. But the groups aren’t kept separate. During games, veterans are spread across teams to play alongside newcomers. The beginners learn fast. And the veterans get the quiet satisfaction of watching someone else grow under their guidance.

Off the field, that same spirit carries through. Lacrosse is still niche in China, so finding each other feels a little like fate. Teammates become friends. They grab dinners after practice, host watch parties for NCAA games, and hang out on weekends. People who show up just to “try it out” often end up staying because of the warmth of the community. Watching someone go from their first catch to making their first tournament roster that never gets old.

For parents, there are always practical questions. What about the cost? What about the physical side of the sport?

The answer might be more reassuring than you expect. For first-timers, BUX provides everything. All you need to do is just show up in sportswear. If your child wants to continue, a beginner stick costs a few hundred RMB, similar to a decent pair of soccer cleats. And because the community is so close-knit, experienced players often pass down their old gear to newcomers for free or at a low cost.

As for the physical side, lacrosse is far more approachable than it looks. For young beginners, the focus is on skill, not contact. Kids learn in a safe environment, building confidence before they ever have to think about checking or body contact. And here’s something worth noting: in North America, where the sport is biggest, you see many Asian faces on high school and even NCAA Division I teams far more than in basketball or football. That’s because lacrosse isn’t about height or weight. It’s about technique, vision, and smart movement. It rewards what you build through practice.

The age range at BUX is broad. Members include young teens, high school students, working professionals, entrepreneurs, and even people who travel from other cities to train.

For younger kids, BUX partners with clubs that offer programs for elementary through high school students so for a complete beginner, the first session is about fundamentals: holding the stick, catching, passing. Game-based activities, no pressure, just fun. That moment a child catches the ball for the first time? That’s when the spark ignites. From there, they’re placed in the right group based on age and level. And it’s not just about skills but also about goals, and also learning to communicate, to trust, to bounce back. Lacrosse teaches things that stick with you long after you leave the field.

As with the most important life experiences, the best way to understand it is to try it. Bring your child to a free session. Let them run, pass, and feel the game. You’ll know within ten minutes if it clicks.

If Rebekah can bust just ONE single misassumption about lacrosse, it’s that it’s not rough. “Yes, there’s contact—but it’s controlled, rule-bound, and for beginners, entirely optional. We teach in a way that prioritizes safety and fun. If you’re curious, watch a session. Better yet, try it. You’ll see that lacrosse is a sport of skill, speed, and strategy,” she says.

To get in touch, add Rebekah on WeChat at wenxuan_jj or call her at 18510677142.

Images: Rebekah Liu

Recently, 17-year-old Beijing-born Simon Wang made history as the highest-drafted Chinese player in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born to a family that’s got ice in their veins, Simon first laced up his skates at one of the city’s few ice rinks, when the sport was still growing in popularity. His early years were spent balancing school and hockey, often practicing late into the night after the public rinks had emptied.

China isn’t known as a hockey powerhouse, but Simon’s talent was impossible to ignore. By his early teens, he was dominating local competitions, catching the attention of scouts who saw his potential. At 12 years old, he made the life-changing decision to move to Canada, where he could train at a higher level and pursue his NHL dream.

Wang’s transition to North American hockey wasn’t easy – new culture, faster play, tougher competition – but he adapted quickly. After honing his skills in British Columbia’s junior leagues, he became a standout defenseman for the Vancouver Giants.

On Jun 28, Simon made history as the highest-drafted player born in China when the San Jose Sharks selected him with the first pick of the second round of the NHL draft. He’s the third ever Chinese player to be drafted by the NHL, but he’s confident he won’t be the last.

“It’s an unreal moment for my family, for hockey in China,” Wang said. “Just a really surreal moment, a dream-come-true moment. … I hope I’ve inspired a lot of kids back home.”

For young players in Beijing looking to follow in Simon’s footsteps, here are some of the best places to train and play:

Capital Indoor Stadium 首都体育馆冰场
Find it:
56 Zhongguancun Nandajie, Haidian District
北京市海淀区中关村南大街56号
Tel: 6833 5552

Beijing Aoyuan Ice Sports Center 北京奥众冰上运动中心
Find it:
12 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District
北京市朝阳区酒仙桥路12号
Tel: 8437 2996

Shougang Ice Hockey Arena 首钢冰球馆
Find it:
Shougang Industrial Park, Shijingshan District
北京市石景山区首钢工业园内
Tel: 8829 5555

Joy City Champion Ice Rink 朝阳大悦城冠军冰场
Find it:
6/F, Joy City Mall, 101 Chaoyang Beilu, Chaoyang District
北京市朝阳区朝阳北路101号朝阳大悦城6层
Tel: 8556 2466

Le Cool Ice Rink 国贸Le Cool冰场
Find it:
B2/F, China World Mall, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
北京市朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸商城B2层
Tel: 6505 5776

Wukesong Ice Sports Center 华熙LIVE冰上中心
Find it:
69 Fuxing Lu, Haidian District
北京市海淀区复兴路69号
Tel: 6815 9111

If your child is trying it out for the first time, there’s no need to hit up Decathlon for a whole set of equiptment just yet. Most rinks will offer skate rentals for around RMB 100 an hour, and beginner places will have hockey gear you can borrow. Pick the rink that’s most convenient, but keep in mind that Joy City or Le Cool both offer beginner programs that are well loved by parents.

Images: Freepik, ESPN

Get active and make a difference this Sunday at the annual Run & Brunch from 9am – 1pm at Western Academy of Beijing (WAB). Organized by WAB’s student-led club KM for LOVE, all profits will go to Dew Drops where this year’s money will go help over 20 kids in need of cleft lip surgery and dental care.

Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just looking for a fun weekend activity, this event combines fitness with a good cause. Plus, enjoy a delicious brunch after your run with fresh fruit, snacks, and free-flow pancakes. We can’t think of a better way to spend time with your friends and family this weekend. For non-runners, no worries – simply come and enjoy the brunch and show your support for Dew Drops children!

Tickets range from RMB 160 – 260. Scan the QR code to sign up and be part of this heartwarming event. Let’s run for love and bring hope to these children! We hope to see many of you there! If you are not able to attend, you can still contribute by making a Virtual Donation!

Find it:
10 Laiguangying Donglu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区来广营东路10号

Images: Courtesy of KM for LOVE

Got an aspiring NBA star at home? Don’t miss out on this upcoming event at British School of Beijing Shunyi (BSB Shunyi).

Former NBA player and coach Bill Hanzlik is coming to BSB Shunyi to talk about his NBA career.

Hanzlik played for the Seattle SuperSonics and the Denver Nuggets from 1980 to 1990. He was a defensive specialist and was selected to the NBA All-Defense Second Team in 1986. Hanzlik is also the CEO of Gold Crown Foundation, a sports foundation whose mission statement is educating youths through sports and enrichment programs  – “Preparing kids for the game of life.”

Hanzlik’s talk will cover a variety of topics, including:

• His journey to the NBA
• His experiences as a player and coach
• The challenges and rewards of playing professional basketball
• The importance of sportsmanship and teamwork

This is a unique opportunity to hear from a former NBA player and coach.

Don’t miss out on this chance to learn from one of the best. The event is open to the community at large but space is limited, so book your spot as early as possible.

Tickets are RMB 50 per person and all the proceeds from the event will be given to BSB Shunyi’s Year 12 students’ Tanzania Charity Fund.

The Tanzania Charity Fund is a project undertaken with a charity called SeeWay (www.swtz.org), which provides a range of community projects in Tanzania. As part of their IB CAS trip, the Y12 students spend eight days in Tanzania working on a range of different community projects to develop their outdoor skills, learn about the local infrastructure, give back to the community, and spot some wildlife along the way. Sound pretty cool? We think so too! Check out the students’ trip from 2019. 

Date: Tue, Oct 10
Time: 5-6pm
Location: BSB Shunyi
Address: South Side, 9 Anhua Jie, Tianzhu Development Zone, Shunyi District
顺义区天竺开发区安华街9号南院
WeChat: BSBShunyi

Images: BSB Shunyi, Pexels

Rasping and heavy, but regular and mechanical breath. Dark and threatening music. Lightsabers flashing – one blue, one red. And the fight begins – we all know the scenes (and if you don’t, then go and watch Star Wars immediately). In popular culture, swordfighting has always been an effective way to catch the audience’s interest. There are many examples of it being incorporated into well-known stories – Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, Lord of the Rings, Zorro, and The Three Musketeers, just to name a few. 

In movies, though, fencing tends to be a lot more dramatic and theatrical than the Olympic sport actually is.

Fencing has a long history: It started out as a method of combat and murder in wars and in duels – the earliest evidence of swordfight is a relief in Egypt from about 1190 BC – and slowly evolved into a sport with a strict set of rules that is part of the Olympic Games since its revival in 1896. 

There are three types of weapons in modern fencing: épée, foil, and saber. The basic rules are the same in all three disciplines, but there are some differences: The main goal in fencing is to score more points than your opponent in a predetermined amount of time by touching your enemy with the pressure-sensitive tip of the blade (épée and foil) or hitting your adversary with any part of the blade (saber). In foil and saber, though, there are further restrictions: While you are allowed to hit your opponent anywhere on the body in épée, you can only score a point by hitting the torso in foil and hitting above the waist in saber. 

A match ends when one fencer reaches a predetermined number of points (usually five, ten or fifteen) or when certain amount of time is over (usually one, two or three times three minutes).  

Timur Paulouski, a former member of the Belarussian national fencing team, and currently fencing coach in Beijing, describes the sport like this:

“It is a form of combat that requires a lot of coordination. In fencing, for example, you use one arm a lot and don’t use the other one at all. This is quite difficult. I also often compare fencing to chess, but instead of moving pieces, you move your body: If you can’t think, you won’t win.” 

Paulouski first got into fencing in third grade, but then dropped it again. “I tried so many sports: wrestling, football, athletics, everything, and then, after five years, I came back to fencing and unlike the other sports, I really enjoyed it. So, I decided that I wanted to continue.”

He did so very successfully and became a member of the Belarussian national fencing team. 

When asked about the top moments of his fencing career, Paulouski told us how he once beat an Olympic Gold Medalist in the European Championship. “To be honest, I didn’t believe that I could do it. But I did beat him – this was a great moment in my fencing career. Talking about my time as a coach, the best thing was when one of my students fenced very well in the European Championship. He lost in the quarter finals – it was a psychological problem – but later, in another competition, he beat the same guy. That was also a very important moment for me.” 

This example underlines that you shouldn’t underestimate the mental aspect of fencing. Unlike team sports, for example football or basketball, you are on your own while you are fencing – there is nobody to help you out in a difficult situation, which is a challenge that can help you grow as a person. 

Might fencing be the right sport for you?

“Fencing is a sport that everybody can try”, Paulouski says. “But you need to be careful. I can’t teach everyone the same. Take a six-year-old and a thirty-year-old, for example, that’s a whole different teaching and learning process. And I can’t make everyone a master of fencing, of course, but it is my responsibility that all of my students enjoy the sport. So definitely, everyone can try it out.”  

Fencing is a sport that a lot of people don’t know much about, and popular culture does in fact present a distorted image of it: Fencing is not like in Star Wars – while watching movies you always have to remember that the director wants to keep the audience on the edge of their seats, but real fencing is just too economical and not dramatic enough for that purpose. That doesn’t make fencing less interesting, though, it just means that you have to use your mind rather than rattle your sword – or wave your lightsaber – theatrically.     

Images: Uni You

This article appeared in the jingkids 2022 Teen Takeover issue