Click on each month to see Tania's work as Kids Editor for Time Out Beijing

March 2008
The Beijing Bunny Trail

April 2008
Park Life

May 2008
Long Hot Summer Camps

June 2008
Weekend Getaway

July 2008
Chilling Out This Summer

Summer 2008
Little Olympics

November 2008
Turning Over a New Leaf

Magazine Contributions

tickle the imagination is an online magazine celebrating the handmade and creative community in Australia. tickle the imagination aims to inspire creativity, showcasing talented designers & makers, discovering emerging talent and sharing real-life stories and diy projects. Be inspired by gorgeous images, take a peek into the lives of designers and makers and discover ways to include creativity & handmade into your everyday living. Click on the logo for articles.


MAEVE Magazine is a quarterly online publication aimed at the conscious consumer. MAEVE targets 30-40 something’s + some 20 something’s too… women… grown ups… parents… people who want more from their media. MAEVE is an observatory on human kind, incorporating a plethora of ideas and inspiration to bring life to your life and your family. See my feature articles by clicking the above logo. Visit the magazine here.


HerCanberra is a website for women of the Canberra region. Featuring the voices of local writers, the website posts daily about topics of interest to the Capital’s female population. From ‘what’s on’ to reviews of places to eat; social commentary to health and fitness; beauty and nutrition to books and movies; fashion and motherhood to recipes and home style; if it’s part of ‘her’ life you’ll find it on HerCanberra. See my reviews and articles for the site by clicking on the logo.


Boomerang Books is your destination for books. The site's primary focus is to become Australia's leading online destination for book lovers. I wrote almost 150 articles and reviews for the Boomerang Books Blog. See my contributions by clicking on the logo.


Australian Women Online is a virtual magazine for women aged 25+. Tania is delighted to be contributing to the site as Parenting and Family Matters columnist, features writer, book reviewer and Book Club host. Click on the logo above for my reviews, columns and articles.


City Weekend is a reader fuelled, jam-packed listings mag with snappy and timely news items and events in Beijing. Tania wrote countless blogs and columns as Family Matters Colunist, as well as several feature articles and reportage. Click here to see a complete list.



Little Star is a schools/edcation bi-monthly publication run by the talented Xing Yangjian, who has launched his magazine in both Beijing and Shanghai. Tania contributed several articles to the magazine in 2008 and will be contributing again from August 2009. Click the logo to see a complete list.


Tania spent six month as Kids Editor for Time Out magazine in Beijing. She wrote the monthly Preview and also compiled comprehensive events listings for parents and kids. Click here to see a complete list of Previews for Time Out.


beijingkids is a very popular magazine for parents and kids in Beijing. Tania worked as Contributing Editor for almost 18 months, designing, writing, creating and styling feature articles, as well as travel, Family Favorites and more. Click the logo for a peek at her work or see a list of contributions here.


Click the logo for my contributions to this travel website.


Baby's Name - A Label for Life
Article for Parents magazine, Australia (April/May 1997)


Boys Will Be Boys
Article for Dolly Magazine, Australia (1988)

Magazines: Contributions to beijingkids

Click on each month to see Tania's work as Contributing Editor for beijingkids Magazine

August 2007

September 2007

October 2007

November 2007

December 2007

January/February 2008

March 2008

April 2008

May 2008

June/July 2008

August 2008

September 2008

October 2008

November 2008

December 2008

January 2009

The Beijing Bunny Trail

Tania McCartney hunts Beijing for the elusive Easter egg, and comes up with some chocolate-coated Easter ideas for kids all over the capital

Chocolate eggs, rabbits and the true cross may mean little to Beijingren, however just like Christmas and Halloween, it’s only a matter of time before the Christian festival of Easter really hits it off in China’s retail sector. The Chinese know how to celebrate, after all, and with chocolate addiction and a Sino-obsession with fluffy characters already a given, things are looking good for the Easter Bunny in Beijing.

For now, there is an echoing drought of Easter-related events around the capital, yet that shouldn’t stop the kids from hopping on the bunny trail – it just takes a little bit of savvy Easter-know-how. Hop to it!

HOT CROSS BUNS

Easter Friday would not be complete without the ubiquitous, warm and spicy hot cross bun. Heat in a slow oven and serve with fat dollops of butter and milky tea or coffee. Kempi Deli (8RMB), Mrs Shanen’s Bagels (10RMB) and Helen Sun Bakery (10RMB) will be selling the genuine article, along with the Bread of Life bakery (81RMB/dozen).

CHOCOLATE EGGS

Easter Sunday is D-day for The Bunny, and the lynchpin for kids is without question the chocolate egg. These can be a challenge to find, but Carrefour promises a hefty load in March, as do your friendly expat suppliers – Jenny Lou’s (chocolate egg in ceramic bunny cup – 52RMB, pack of five small hunting eggs – 18RMB), the Friendship Store and April Gourmet. Supermarket chain Olé sell chocolate eggs, with real Cadbury hunting eggs going for around 40RMB a box. Just be sure to check pop in frequently, as eggs sell out quickly. Expect to pay over 100RMB for a large Galaxy egg.

With chocolate addiction and a Sino-obsession with fluffy characters already a given, things are looking good for the Easter Bunny in Beijing

Kempi Deli sells chocolate bunnies in varying sizes (45-130RMB) and 100-gram eggs (85RMB), all made with French Varhona chocolate. The Delicatessen has good quality 100-gram eggs for 45RMB, and Helen Sun Bakery do varying sizes from smaller hunting eggs (3RMB) to whopper 30cm eggs (150RMB). Schindler’s German Food Center offer good quality 12cm eggs for around 20RMB and small hunting eggs at around 5RMB. Your wallet may groan, but La Place chocolates, Comptoirs de France and many major hotels have illustrious cocoa creations – eggs, rabbits et al, in European chocolate. Expensive but worth every jiao.

If, despite every effort, your choc-egg coffers still remain bare, do not fret. Head to Liangma Flower Market (second floor) and snaffle a bag of plastic egg shells (10-20RMB per pack of ten); these pop open to hide all manner of sweets treats. And your absolute last resort is to actually make your own eggs. Melt chocolate and pour into moulds in varying sizes from Exquisite Bakery (100-200RMB).

HUNTING SUPPLIES

What is Easter Sunday without a traditional egg hunt? Whether indoors or out, all you need is lots of sneaky spots to hide your chocolatey treasures. Liangma Flower Market has great hunting supplies like small baskets (2-8RMB), hand-painted hollow eggs (3RMB), fluffy bunnies (5-30RMB), traditional yellow chicks (3-5RMB) and other pascal creatures like straw rabbits (3-8RMB). All can be nestled in trees and the nooks of fences, where brittle chocolate eggs fear to tread. For decorating bushes (or lamps), pick up swirls of ribbons in pastel colours, too.

WHERE TO HOP

Many large hotels host Easter brunches complete with Easter egg hunts, egg-painting and other egg-citing activities. Etonkids often host a fab Easter event at every campus, to benefit the Magic Hospital; kids can enjoy an egg hunt, clowns, a petting zoo, egg-and-spoon races and much more - check with the school about this year's events. The Children’s Learning Centre of Beijing also holds Easter activities including a hunt, egg painting and Easter crafts. La Place chocolates has luscious sessions of chocolate egg decorating, so kids can get really festive (read: sticky).

LISTINGS

Bread of Life Bakery This dedicated bakery, located in Lang Fang south of Beijing, creates jobs for orphans and offers an impressive array of baked goodies including delicious hot cross buns for Easter. They will deliver to Beijing for orders over 800RMB. Contact Cheryl at bread.of.life.bakery@gmail.com or visit www.breadoflifebakery.org.

China World Hotel Gourmet Corner A luscious collection of chocolate eggs, bunnies and chicks as well as hot cross buns and traditional Easter breads and cakes. Usually on sale for the week before Easter only. China World Hotel (tel 6505 2266 ext 43), see event listings for address details.

Comptoirs de France Stunning pascal chocolates of every kind including white chocolate, as well as hot cross buns and other Eastery goods. East Lake Club, 35 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Dongcheng District (tel 6461 1525). 东城区东直门外大街35号东湖俱乐部1层. Open 7am-9pm daily.; Room 102, First floor, Bldg 15, China Central Place, 89 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District (tel 6530 5480). 朝阳区建国路89号华贸中心15号楼102. Open 7am-9pm daily.

The Delicatessen, Holiday Inn Lido This delectable range of Easter confections includes chocolate eggs and rabbits. Holiday Inn Lido, Jichang Lu, Jiang Tai Lu (6437 6688 ext 1542).

Exquisite Bakery For Easter-inspired chocolate moulds, cookie cutters (126RMB for 12 mini cutters), sugary cupcake toppers (36RMB per pack) and more. Shop 7, Riverville Square, Tianzhu, Shunyi District (tel 6450 9838). 顺义区天竺温榆广场07店. Open 9am-7pm daily.

Helen Sun Bakery Hot cross buns and chocolate eggs including those a-made-for-hunting. 806 Pinnacle Plaza, Tianzhu Real Estate Development Zone, Shunyi District (tel 8046 1190).顺义区天竺开发区日祥广场806号. Open 7am-9pm daily.

Kempi Deli Delicious Easter treats, including chocolates and buns. First floor, Kempinski Hotel, Chaoyang District (tel 6465 3388 ext 5741).朝阳区凯宾斯基饭店1层. Open 7am-11pm daily.

La Place Collection Divine chocolate Easter eggs, mini rabbits and flower pots. La Place, No 3, Building 41, Xin Yuan Jie, Chaoyang District (tel 6466 8090). www.laplaceC.com. Open 9am-6pm Mon-Fri.

Liangma Flower Market All manner of inedible Eastery supplies. South bank of Liangma River, Dongsanhuan Beilu, Chaoyang District (tel 6504 2446). 朝阳区东三环北路, 燕莎商城南, 亮马河南岸. Open 8.30am-6.30pm daily.

Mrs Shanen’s Bagels Fragrant hot cross buns. 5 Kaifa Jie, Xi Baixinzhuang (next to Capital Paradise), Shunyi district (tel 8046 4301). 顺义区西白辛庄开发街5号 (紧邻名都园). Open 7.30am-8pm Mon-Fri, 7.30am-8.30pm Sat-Sun.

Schindler’s German Food Center A cacophony of divine nibbles. 15 Zaoying Beili, Maizidian (800m east of Nongzhanguan Beilu), Chaoyang District (tel 6591-9370). 朝阳区麦子店枣营北里15号（农展馆北路往东800米). Open 10am-7pm daily.

First published, in part, in Time Out Beijing magazine, 2008.

Weekend Getaway

Aching for some greener pastures and a blast of fresh air outside Beijing? Tania McCartney heads out of town in search of kid-friendly daytrips and getaways

BEIDAIHE

A 90-minute train ride from Beijing, Beidaihe beach resort stretches along the coast southwest of Qinhuangdao. Once known as the Party’s summer retreat, the area is still caught in a retro haze, with holiday villages and bathing houses harking back to 1949 (Mao had a retreat here). The pebbled sands are packed in the height of summer, so go early and avoid weekends.

In the north of Qinhuangdao, don’t miss Laolongtou (Old Dragon's Head), the easternmost part of the Great Wall, which lolls 20 metres into the water, lapping up the Bohai Sea (0335 515 2996, open 8am-6pm daily, 50RMB). Qinhuangdao Safari Park is enormous and features tropical, herbivore and African animals, just to name a few (0335 418 2208, open 8am-5pm daily, 60RMB). Xin'Ao Underwater World has porpoise and sea lion performances (81 Haibin Road, Haigang district, 0335 801 1111, open 8am-5.30pm, 60RMB).

The area is still caught in a retro haze, with holiday villages harking back to 1949

A true salt-air experience for kids of all ages can be found at the Beijing Sailing Centre. With qualified English and Chinese instructors, Topper Omegas are also available for older teens and adults wanting spinnaker and trapezing experience. The Centre can organise weekend packages including accommodation in a tent or hotel (22 Wenti Road, Haigang district, Qinhuangdao, 0335 856 0916, www.beijingsailing.com, 秦皇岛市海港区文体路22号, open May-Oct; weekend packages from 2,000RMB (tent) to 3,390RMB (Holiday Inn) twin-share, including return train fares, meals, accommodation, sailing equipment and tuition.

GOOSE 'N' DUCK RANCH

Around one hour from Beijing, the Goose ‘n’ Duck Ranch is a real China experience – think large-scale Chinese kids’ park on a lakeside promenade, and you’ll get the picture. If you’re happy to kip in rustic accommodation and find a frog or two in the pool, then this is for you. Stay the weekend in a cabin, cabana or boardwalk bungalow (300-800RMB/night), or just enjoy a day trip, stuffed with fun activities for the kids including soccer, bowling, archery, volleyball, mini-golf, go-karting, basketball, fishing, paintball and swimming in the gigantic pool. There are also hiking trails nearby, and caving tours and trips to the Great Wall can be arranged.

If your kids want a little kitsch with their adrenaline rush, Shijingshan fits the bill

Make it super-easy by catching a shuttle bus from the Goose ‘n’ Duck Pub, and be sure to enquire about their overnight packages which include food, beverages and round-trip transportation (Huairou Beizhai, Huairou district, 怀柔区北寨, 6067 1097, open 24 hours, www.gdclub.net.cn; Goose ‘n’ Duck Pub, S1, Green Lake International Tower (east of Chaoyang Bridge), Chaoyang district, 5928 3045, open 24 hours).

SHIJINGSHAN AMUSEMENT PARK

Perhaps the ultimate form of flattery (and bravest – who wants to take on Walt’s Empire?), Shijingshan’s operators have insisted their Mickey Mouse rip-off is not a mouse but rather “a cat with very large ears”. Donald Duck, we suppose, is really a chicken, complete with sailor suit. Nonetheless, if your kids want a little kitsch with their adrenaline rush, Shijingshan fits the bill.

Little ones will love Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, Snow White and other Chisney characters, while older kids will enjoy high-tech rides like the Spinning Coaster, Worm Coaster, Crazy Mouse and Space Trip (think Space Mountain). There are also the typical bumper car and boat rides, race car circuits and a water park with slides. Each ride attracts a fee. (10RMB adults, 5RMB kids, 25 Shijingshan Lu, Shijingshan district, take subway number 1 line and get off at the Bajiao amusement park station, 石景山区石景山路25号, 6886 2547, open 8.30am-6pm daily).

First published, in part, in Time Out Beijing magazine.

Beijing Book Nooks

As winter tiptoes in, Tania McCartney scouts Beijing for the quirkiest spots to snuggle with a warm book

English-language kids books have been notoriously hit and miss in China, but Beijing has catalogued some interesting surprises. Forget the obvious haunts – thaw your toes at this spate of funky reading nooks that have slipped off the shelves and into the capital

Lunchtime tomes
Fancy chicken nuggets with your Maurice Sendak tales? These tasty book nooks will keep rumbling bellies content while the eyes happily feast––on a book.

Sculpting in Time will quickly fill little tums with its range of warm pastas and desserts, whilst stuffing sniffly noses into the depths of a book (3A, 2 Jiangtai Lu, near Lido Hotel, Chaoyang district 5135 8108).

Garden Books is a sunny spot with an extensive range of kids titles, especially paperback chapter books for older kids.

Lounge about in the kids zone for a lazy read, then nip downstairs for a scrummy sambo or macaroni cheese at Sequoia Café (44 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang district 6585 1435).

If syrupy pancakes are your kind of thing, head to Le Petit Gourmand’s cosy digs to browse a library of over 9,000 books while mum and dad surf the wifi net. Make sure you curl up like a cat and purr near the fireplace (3rd Floor, Tongli, 43 Sanlitun Bei Lu, Chaoyang district 6417 6095).

Bi-lingual books
For those clever bilingual tots, the place to hang is Poplar Kids Republic Bookstore, with its massive range of English and Chinese books, stacked onto very funky shelves that lope across the room. Kiddie features include snug floor rugs, psychedelic rainbows that disappear into the ceiling, porthole windows and carpeted tubes to loll in. Live performances and book readings with games and crafts make this a cool winter hotspot (Bldg 13, Jianwai SOHO, 39 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang district 5869 3032).

Peekabook House is China’s first and only non-governmental children’s library. Founded in 2005 by a group of book-loving mothers, the library manages over 10,000 kids books, yet still finds time to host a fabulous shindig or two at special times of the year (a little something called Easter, Halloween or Christmas). They also organise book donations and reading activities (HuaTeng Club, 54 Dongsanhuan Nan Lu, Chaoyang district 87738382)

Shopping spree
Next time Dad dashes out to pick up the milk, tag along for a spot of book shopping amongst the watermelon and waffles.

Jenny Lou’s stocks a surprisingly decent, ever-shifting range at most of its stores around town, and the Friendship Store Jianguomen also packs a solid punch in the adolescent paperback and picture book department (17 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang district 6500 3311).

When a bookstore is not a bookstore
If you like your book-hunting a little on the wild side, stalk a book at Panjiayuan dirt market (west of Panjiayuan Bridge, Chaoyang district 5120 4671) for a mixed goodie bag of English language titles from Tin Tin to Chinese fairytale classics.

If your kids are commitment-phobes, try the BookMark (1 Kaifa Jie, Xibaixinzhuang, Houshayu, Shunyi district 8049 9175) whose extensive kids library provides a satisfying obligation-free reading relationship, and they also have a selection of second-hand finds for sale.

Ivy Kids Bookclub is a bonanza for kids under six, especially those in need of a little guided reading (Bldg E, Ocean Express, 2 Dongsanhuan Bei Lu, Chaoyang district 8446 7286). At a pinch, your local Embassy could be a goldmine for dusty tomes; many Embassies have libraries of books available to expats, in varying languages.

But if winter is really closing in on you and the kids can’t bear to leave the house, there’s always www.shanghaikidsbooks.com. And yes, they deliver!

First published, in part, in Time Out Beijing magazine.

A Picnic in the Park

Beijing is caked in parks with elegant pagodas and historical gates, but forget them for just a moment… Tania McCartney finds some parks based on pure, unadulterated, let-me-outside fun!

Spring has sprung, and the kids are rubbing their weary eyes from a long winter’s sleep. In a pre-Olympic beautifying blitz, the city’s parks will be looking better than ever, so get outdoors and take advantage of the thaw before the real city heat sets in. Pack some baozi and go!

THE CLASSICS

Ritan Park日坛公园
Central, old-faithful, with historical grandeur to boot, this boutique park comes alive in late spring. The park’s long-retired sacrificial altar is where kids now run amok beneath a ceiling of bobbing kites. The play area has been freshened with a lick of paint and less Beijing grime. Take a spin on mini carousel rides and musical cars (5RMB) or fuzzy, leg-powered horses that lollop around a circuit (10RMB). A bounce on the trampoline (2RMB) and a rollick in the playground (5RMB) will shake their sillies out. The tuckered-out can sail remote control boats or fish under the shade of a willow. Parents: head to the tea garden for a green brew in the shade. 6 Ritan Beilu, Chaoyang district (tel 8563 5038). Open daily 6am-8pm. Free.

The park’s long-retired sacrificial altar is where kids now run amok beneath a ceiling of bobbing kites

Ditan Park 地坛公园
With historical beauty for parents to enjoy, Ditan also lays it on thick for kids, with typical playground rides near the north gate – bungy bouncing (10RMB), a go-cart track, bumper cars and ear-piercing games (6-10RMB). Go fishing for real or magnetic fish in a toddler pool (3RMB) or play a myriad of fair games as summer creeps in. Don’t miss the peony gardens, pond and arched bridges near the east gate. A2 Andingmenwai Dajie, Dongcheng district (tel 6421 4657). Open daily 6am-9pm. 2RMB/1RMB.

THE BIG ONES

Chaoyang Park 朝阳公园
Kitsch kitsch kitsch but who can resist the Central Park, New York feel of a large green space ringed by high-rise apartments? Basketball, volleyball, pingpong and tennis (10-90RMB) will appeal to older kids, with yawning spaces for kite-flying or frisbee throwing. Paddle, row or captain a boat on the lake (10-50RMB), take a dip in the outdoor pool or a bathroom break in a giant ladybird. The huge kids play has retro rides galore from sky swings to spinning dolphins and a roller coaster (10-25RMB). Sony ExploraScience is now a permanent resident here, and wait breathlessly for the Great Wheel of China, opening 2009. This is not a tree-laden park; take sunscreen and a brolly for shade. 1 Nongzhan Nan Lu, Chaoyang district, (tel 6506 5409/6591 5258). Open daily 6am-9pm. 5RMB/2.5RMB.

Yuyuantan Park 玉渊潭公园
This enormous park on a massive lake warrants a day-trip, and features two kids play areas (south central and north west) with the usual retro rides – from bumper cars (8RMB) to an outdoor play area (20RMB) and amusing train ride (15RMB). A café, aquatic park (with toddler area) and more boats than you can poke an oar at, complete the picture. Take a boat ride to the Summer Palace near the park’s south gate and be sure to view the park’s prolific cherry blossoms from early April. Xisanhuan Lu (across from CCTV Tower); south entrance (with car park) behind China Millennium Monument, Haidian district (tel 8865 3804/6). Open 6.30am-8.30pm daily. 2RMB/1RMB.

THE ALL-ROUNDERS

Si'de Park 四得公园
This deceptively large park of undulating hills features tennis (80RMB/hr), football pitches, a fishing pond (5RMB), rollerblading rink and boat rides on the lake. The play area includes a large carousel, a go-go-gadget style leg-powered monorail, sandpit, bumper cars (all 5RMB) and unlimited time in the outdoor playground (10RMB). There is also a shallow pool with fun paddle boats (10RMB) or escape the eventual Beijing heat in the indoor playhouse (25RMB). There is a small carpark at the southern gate (2RMB). Jiangtai Xi Lu, Chaoyang district (tel 6438 6093). Open daily 6am-9.30pm. Free.

Longtanhu Park 龙潭湖公园
This picturesque park boasts elegantly arched bridges and towering petrified rock formations. Take a duck-shaped boat (30-60RMB) to the island where kids can zip around on their rollerblades or ride in the Challenger, a virtual spaceship not for the claustrophobic (15RMB). The play area has an indoor playground (20RMB), an outdoor play area and the requisite rides – trampolines, mini ferris wheel, helicopter rides, etc (8RMB). Bigger kids can enjoy the plethora of Chinese gym equipment, badminton courts, sporting and games quarters. A climbing wall and an old MiG fighter jet complete the unabashed fun. 8 Longtanhu Lu, Chongwen district (tel 6714 4336). Open daily 6am-9.30pm. 2RMB/1RMB.

Kids under 1.2 meters usually gain free entry to parks. Kids play areas are open 9am-5pm daily; many stop selling tickets at 4pm.

First published, in part, in Time Out Beijing magazine.

Little Olympics

Beijing has finally come down with Olympic fever. Tania McCartney locates some venues that will keep the kids at the top of the world-class sporting arena

After an agonising wait, The Games have arrived! If you missed out on event tickets and the kids tire of being armchair athletes, send them out to these great Beijing sports spots for a swim, run or gallop.

Ball Games

If batting a shuttlecock in Ritan Park is a little passé, the kids might enjoy shooting hoops at East Gate Plaza’s basketball half-court. Get sweaty for just 50RMB an hour, or thrash a little black ball in the squash court right next door (20RMB/hour). Book ahead – it gets busy (B1/F, 29 Dongzhong Jie, Dongcheng district (tel 6417 1188 ext 5070)). Chaoyang and Si’de parks also have outdoor basketball courts, or you can work on your backhand at their tennis courts.

For true Sampras wannabes, there are plenty of other places to train for Wimbledon, including GS Tennis (www.gs-academy.com), Hot Shot Tennis (www.hotshottennischina.com) and Potter’s Wheel International Tennis School (tel 8538 2803; www.potters-wheel.net). For pigskin kickers, ClubFootball (tel 5130 6893; www.clubfootball.com.cn) and Dulwich College Community Programmes (tel 6454 9019; www.dcbeijing.cn) both run kickin’ football camps throughout the summer, and beyond.

The 1,500 metre freestyle is only a ripple away… if you dedicate every minute of the next four years to the pool

Martial Arts

Well, we are in China, after all. Watch with pride as your offspring become wushu, gongfu or kungfu masters at the Jinghua Wushu Association (tel 135 2228 3751; www.jinghuawushu.com) or Beijing Jiu-jitsu Academy (133 1121 0805). Vince Soberano, Muay Thai kickboxing world champion, runs brilliant fitness classes for kids that combine martial arts and team-building (tel 139 1071 2576; http://www.teamvince.com/).

Water Sports

The 1,500 metre freestyle is only a ripple away… if you dedicate every minute of the next four years to the pool. Strap on your goggles and dive into Ditan Park (8 Hepingli Zhongjie, Dongcheng district (tel 6426 4483)) or Chaoyang Park swimming pool. Both provide the quintessential Chinese swimming experience. For indoors training, try Dongdan Indoor Swimming Pool (A2 Dahua Lu, Dongcheng district (tel 6523 1241)) or Splash Recreation Club at the Sino-Swiss Hotel (9 Xiao Tianzhu Nanlu, Shunyi district (tel 6456 5588 ext 1217; http://www.sino-swisshotel.com/)).

If you need a little extra Olympic coaching, contact Kevin Hua for some serious Dragon Fire Swim-Training (tel 136 0106 4534; http://www.dragonfire.com.cn/).

For those amphibians who want an ocean of experience, Beijing Sailing Centre (tel 150 0118 9580; www.beijingsailing.com) is the spot for sailboating, and A2 Water Sports offers a myriad of water board tuition including surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking and more (tel 139 0138 2484; libin00@hotmail.com).

Strap on your goggles and dive in

Equestrian

Pony-lovers keen for dressage and show-jumping (or just a gentle gallop) can trot over to Asgard Horsemanship Club (Shunhuang Lu, Chaoyang district (tel 8459 5908)) or Equuleus International Riding Club (91 Shunbai Lu, Sunhe Town, Chaoyang district (tel 6432 4947; www.equriding.com)). Both offer tutelage at 350-450RMB for 50 minutes, with membership packages and boarding available. Weekends get busy.

For city kids, horses are only a whinny away, right within the third ring road at Wanfangting Park. Its Equestrian Centre has over 50 horses, and pony-rental is 150RMB an hour, with tutelage an extra 50RMB/hour (A2 Yangqiao Xili, Youanmenwai, Fengtai district (tel 6722 7339)).

For true Sampras wannabes, there are plenty of places to train for Wimbledon

Allsports

From track and field to cheerleading, Sports Beijing caters to the athlete inside every kid. This non-profit organisation provides quality programmes including basketball, football, dance, golf, roller and ice hockey, cricket, gymnastics and martial arts (tel 5838 5388; www.sportsbj.com). Now there’s absolutely no excuse to be a couch potato during this Olympic time in Beijing’s history. Go for gold!

First published, in part, in Time Out Beijing magazine.

Chilling Out This Summer

It may be hot in the city, but behind closed doors, it’s nice and shady. Tania McCartney finds some frosty spots where kids can keep their cool

Feeling hot hot hot? Your best shot at cooling the kids down this July may be to slip indoors, before the buzz of the Olympic Games lures us all outside again. Shelve the sunglasses for now and hotfoot it to these inner oases of kid cool.

A fresh flick
Dark. Frigidly air-conditioned. Alternate reality from Beijing’s sweltering heat. Perfect. This summer’s kiddie treats include Kung Fu Panda and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Wanda International (3/F, Bldg B, Wanda Plaza, 93 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang district (5960 3399). 35-70RMB) and East Gate (B1/F, Bldg B, East Gate Plaza, Dongzhongjie, Dongcheng district (6418 5931) 35-70RMB) cinemas are just two frosty theatres showing these treats, so snaffle an icy drink and immerse. Real cool, especially on Half-Price Tuesdays. Squirts under a certain height are free (usually 1.1 to 1.3 metres).

Alternate reality from Beijing’s sweltering heat. Perfect

Icy confections
Lick the heat with Beijing’s diverse range of ice creameries and gelaterias. Hover near the freezers to cool down, and be boggled by choice. Böccherini (23 Kuntai International Centre, 12 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang district (5879 7021), open 9am-9pm daily) and Sprinkles (Oriental Plaza, 1 Dongchang’an Jie, Dongcheng district (136 9927 1548), open 9am-10pm daily) offer fine assortments from full-cream decadence to sorbets and gelati, with the latter featuring a DIY topping-fest à la Cold Rock. For something a little more traditional, try Bellagio’s Taiwanese towers of shaved ice, condensed milk and fruit (6 Gongti Xi Lu, Chaoyang district (6551 3533), open 11am-5am daily) or the cold milk puddings at Wen Yu Nai Lao (49 Nanluoguxiang, Dongcheng district (6405 7621)).

On ice
Get cool from head to toe at one of Beijing’s nippy indoor skating rinks. Private instruction is available at both New World Champion Skating Rink (B1, New World Shopping Mall, Chongwen district (6708 9523), open 9.30am-9.30pm daily) and Le Cool (B2/F, China World Trade Centre, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang district (6505 5776), open 10am-10pm daily), with one-on-one sessions ranging from 120-300RMB for 45 or 90-minute lessons. Group lessons start at around 75RMB for 90 minutes. Take your beanie with you!

This ain’t no Ya Show market, but then – there’s no price on cool

A chilly read
Settle with a book into an air-conditioned nook. Chaterhouse Booktrader (The Place, 9 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang district (6587 1328), open 10am-10pm daily) and Wangfujing Foreign Language Bookstore (235 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng district (6512 6903), open 9am-9pm daily) both stock spooky tales that will make the blood run cold, like R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps and Kathryn Lasky’s Guardians of Ga’hoole series. If the kids would rather just browse or borrow, head to The Bookmark (1 Kaifa Jie, Xibaixinzhuang, Houshayu, Shunyi district (8049 9175), open 9.30am-6pm Tue-Sun) or The Bookworm (Courtyard 4, Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang district (6586 9507), open 9am-2am daily) where parents can grab an iced coffee or tea while the kids plunge into a chilling tome.

Hover near the freezers to cool down, and be boggled by choice

Cool Duds
Become cool personified with the hot range of summer kids clothes at Beijing’s hippest kids’ shops. Both Okaïdi (6587 1515) and Zara (6587 1341) at The Place (9 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang district, both open 10am-10pm daily) have babes to teens totally covered. Okaïdi’s tees feature funky slogans (from 52RMB) and girls’ hats start at 87RMB. At Zara, little princesses can frock up and big boys can cool it in hip shorts from 200RMB. Naturino (Pinnacle Plaza, Shunyi district (8046 1788), open 10.30am-6pm, Tue-Sun) has cool dudes catered for with sandals starting at 270RMB. Bring your money with you – this ain’t no Ya Show market, but then – there’s no price on cool.

First published, in part, in Time Out Beijing magazine.

Long Hot Summer Camps

Is the long, hot, school-less summer already bearing down on you like a Szechuan hotpot? Never fear – Beijing’s summer camps are here! Tania McCartney finds eight camps that will fire up the kids, while parents stay nice and cool

ABC Music & Me Half-Day Camp
Kindermusik educator Sarah Peel Li explores a different musical theme each week. What? African drumming, folk music, jazz, crafts, games and sports. Who? Ages 4 to 7. When? July 21 to August 29, Mon-Fri, 8am-4.30pm (half-day sessions), full-days possible. Where? Children’s Learning Center of Beijing (CLCB), Shunyi district. How? 139 1062 5893, kmwithsarah@yahoo.com.cn, kmwithsarah.com.cn. Cost? From RMB300/day half-day to RMB1500/week full-day. Single days available. Bus RMB25-100. Discounts available.

Yes, yes – it’s a true-life sleepover camp!

Beijing Playhouse Summer Camp
The Playhouse’s first two-week summer camp, culminating in a performance of Alice in Wonderland on July 12. What? Kids dance, sing, act and learn scripting, set design, costume making and more. Who? Ages 6 to 18. When? June 30 to July 12, Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm, plus Saturday July 12 performance. Where? Dulwich College Legend Garden campus, Shunyi district. How? 137 1890 8922, performance@beijingplayhouse.com, beijingplayhouse.com. Cost? RMB4,900. Lunch included. Discounts available.

Camp Adventure
Running eleven years now, Camp Adventure hosts its first Downtown camp. What? Activities include dance, cooking, art, tennis, track and field, basketball, swimming and a weekly field trip. Who? Ages 4 to 13. When? June 16 to August 7, Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm. Where? Beijing City International School (BCIS), Chaoyang district. How? 6532 3831 ext 5084, aeabeij@eastnet.com.cn, bcis.cn. Cost? RMB2625/week pre-camp, RMB2800/week post-camp. Bus service and lunch included. Discounts available.

Camp Beanstalk
Daily themes including Wet and Wild Wednesdays and Field Trip Fridays – what more could you ask for? What? Littlies can enjoy arts, crafts, sports, music and indoor/outdoor play. Who? Ages 2 to 6. When? June 30 to July 25, Mon-Fri, 9am-3.30pm, half-days available. Where? Beanstalk International Kindergarten (BIK), Chaoyang district. How? 6466 9255, bikoffice@bibs.com.cn, bibs.com.cn. Cost? RMB1,500/week half-day, RMB2,000/week full-day. Bus RMB800/4 weeks. Lunch RMB25/day. Discounts available.

Eton International Summer Camp
Two camps – Chinese Language & Culture and Playground Olympics! What? Games, sports, arts and music, including folk dancing, martial arts and Chinese language. Who? Ages 18 months to 6. When? June 30 to July 25, Mon-Fri, 8.30am-4pm. Where? Eton International School, Global Trade Mansion, Lido and Shunyi campuses. How? 6533 6566 ext 1035, education@etonkids.com, etonkids.com. Cost? RMB1,815/week full-day, RMB1,210/week half-day. Lunch RMB33/day. Discounts available.

Daily themes including Wet and Wild Wednesdays
and Field Trip Fridays – what more
could you ask for?

Haus des Wissens Summer Adventure Camp
Yes, yes – it’s a true-life sleepover camp! Kids board for five days in the countryside. What? Hiking, tae-kwon-do, theatre, games… and kids get to sleep in a ginormous tent! German, English and Chinese teachers. Who? Ages 6 to 12. When? July 14 to August 1, Mon-Fri. Where? Village View Resort, Huairou. How? 8470 5928, fdanicek@hausdeswissens.com, hausdeswissens.com. Cost? Approx RMB4,000. All meals and bus service included. Discounts available.

Neighborhood Chinese Center Summer Camp
A perfect opportunity for kids to brush up on their Mandarin. What? Learn Chinese through games and activities including gongfu, aerobics, swimming, field trips, Chinese painting, calligraphy and paper-cutting. Who? Ages 5 to 12. When? June 16 to August 22, Mon-Fri, 9am-3.30pm. Where? Beijing Riviera Clubhouse, Shunyi district. How? 8450 1789, mrwangs@chineseneighbor.com, chineseneighbor.com. Cost? RMB2,980/2 weeks. Bus 300RMB. Lunch included. Discounts available.

Summer Enrichment Programs
Multifaceted programmes for Elementary, Middle and High School students, encompassing language, arts and academic enrichment. What? Includes drama, reading, creative writing, public speaking, poetry, science, art, math and SAT preparation. Who? Ages 6 to 18. When? June 16 to August 8, Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm, half-days available. Where? The Learning Centre, Shunyi district. How? 8046 3886, registration@learningcenter.com.cn, thelearningcenter.cn. Cost? RMB1,400-RMB3,130/week depending on days and weeks registered. Bus service included. Lunch RMB25/day. Discounts available.

First published, in part, in Time Out Beijing magazine.