Beijing has plenty to offer your kids in the way of large open spaces and the monuments you'll visit: the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven are perfect examples. However, every kid can get tired and sometimes they need a little kid-centered time. When you see their eyes start to glaze over, choose one of these activities to lift their spirits.
The Beijing Aquarium
Chinese name :北京水族馆。
Add: 137 Xiwai Street, a 15 minute walk from the Zoo
Opening hours: Daily 9am-5pm
Admission: 110RMB (US$14) per adult includes Beijing Zoo (to be avoided)
If you can get around the fact that Beijing is not on a coast, the largest inland aquarium in Asia is a fun place to take the kids to see some beautiful fish.
Le Cool Skating Rink
Chinese name: 乐酷溜冰场
Add: B2/F, 1 in the World Trade Center, Jianguomenwai Street.
Opening hours: Daily 10am-6pm.
Admission: 30-50RMB (US$3.75-6.25) per person including skate rental.
A nice kid-centered activity to negotiate the next temple visit.
Fundazzle
Chinese name:翻斗乐
Add: 1)Gongti Nan Road; 2) Worker's Stadium.
Opening hours: M-F 9am-5:30pm, S-S 9am-7pm.
Add: 30RMB (US$3.75) per kid.
Fundazzle is the perfect place for kids on a rainy day. Take them there, exhaust them for several hours, then stick them in the stroller and off you go to the Forbidden City.
Splash Recreation Club
Chinese name:浪花俱乐部
Add：1F Sino-Swiss Hotel, 9 Xiaotianzhu Road.
Opening hours: daily 6am-10pm.
Admission: 100RMB (US$12).
Website: Sino-Swiss Hotel.
If you're visiting Beijing in the summer months, a stop at Splash will probably make your kids love you a little more.
Beijing World Park
Chinese name: 世界公园
Address: 158 Fengbao Road, Huaxiang.
Website: Beijing World Park
If China wasn't on the top of the list for the kids, take them to Beijing World Park to see their hoped-for destination in miniature.
Beihai Park
Chinese name:北海公园。
Add: 1 Wenjin Street.
Opening hours: daily 6:30am-8:30pm.
Admission: 10RMB (US$1.25).
Beihai Park is a fantastic spot to amble around enjoying a break from the city. Climb up to the white tower, a Beijing landmark, or have fun on the paddle boats.
Shijingshan Amusement Park
Chinese name:石景山游乐园。
Beijing's largest amusement park with rides and faux Disney characters.
Add: 25 Shijingshan Road.
Opening hours: daily 9am-5pm.
Admission: 10RMB (US$1.25).
Getting there: Subway: Line One (Bajiao Station).
The park's slogan is "Disneyland is too far." Indeed, Beijingers need not go all the way to Hong Kong as the park is basically a Disney rip-off featuring Minnie Mouse, Cinderella's castle and Snow White and the Seven, um, Munchkins...
Ancient Coin Exhibition Hall
Chinese name :古代钱币展厅。
Add： Desheng Men Jianlou.
Opening hours :daily 9am-3:30pm
Admission 5RMB (US$0.60)
Hundreds of different types of currencies used throughout China's history on display. The building, an old military tower, is fun to explore itself.
Milu Park
Chinese name:麋鹿园
"Milu Yuan" in Chinese, wildlife sanctuary housing descendents of an extinct deer-family animal "milu" as well as other endangered species.
Address: Nan Haizi Milu Yuan, Daxing District.
Opening hours: daily 8am-5:30pm
Admission: 10rmb (US$1.25)
Getting there: Take bus 729 from Qian Men metro stop (208) to Jiu Gong where you change to minibus no.4. The park is located in the Southern Marshes of Beijing where Chinese emperors historically went hunting and held military exercises.
Five-Color Earth Craft Center
Chinese： 五色土工艺坊。
The Five-Color Earth Craft Center is an interactive center for arts and crafts.
Add: Shaonian Gong,No.10, Dong Zhi Men Nan Road, East side of East Second Ring Road, green-roofed building north of metro stop, Dongsi Shi Tiao
Opening hours: daily 9am-6pm.
Admission: 50rmb (US$6) for 1 hour, 80rmb (US$10) for 2 hours
Getting there:Subway Line1 to Dongsi Shi Tiao ( Exit B)
Children can try their hands at tie-dyeing, embroidering and painting as well as pottery (though for that you'll need to book in advance 010-6415-3839).
