Hannah Leung

Soft-baked chocolate chip cookies are hard to come by in the capital, probably because ovens are not a standard household item in Beijing. Nevertheless, Lin Zhong, founder and CEO of The Fig Tree, remains undeterred in her quest to bring the craft of European baking to Beijing residents. The Fig Tree is a pastry school specializing in Western treats, the first of its kind in Beijing. It is a unique spot where families can spend an interactive day together in the kitchen.

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Wooden furniture, a glass display of pastries, huge pots of rosemary lining the counter and doorway, and a corner stocked with children's books - these simple yet soft touches make Boulangerie Nanda the perfect nook to sip coffee and munch on baked goods with the family. The books belong to Nanda, the daughter of owner Jennifer Yeh, whom the bakery is named after. The air is infused with the smell of herbs and warm bread. In the back room, several cooks hustle about, making homemade quiche from scratch. That's right - everything from Boulangerie Nanda is made on the premise, a far cry from chain stores like Bread Talk, where dough arrives frozen and is assembled on a greased tray. Here, the emphasis is on quality; the European-style breads are made with imported ingredients and baked in the early morning, making their way out of the oven right in time for opening hours. And the offerings extend delightfully beyond just bread. The selection of muffins rotates daily, with orange, blueberry, and almond whole-wheat in hot demand (RMB 10).

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In times of old, Qianmen Dajie was famous for its restaurants, shops, street vendors, and performance artists. Though more streamlined and commercialized, the newly reconstructed Qianmen Dajie offers entertainment of a similar flair. Qianmen literally translates to "front gate," and when you see the looming archway that frames the entrance to this bustling street, you'll know why. Whether the idea of Starbucks and H&M masked in traditional Chinese architecture excites or unnerves you, this bustling area assuages your consumer desires while providing plenty of distractions for kids, including a tram ride and a museum.

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Tommy Siu, 15, Hong Kong, has lived in Beijing for six years

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At Ganges' lunch buffet, kids will enjoy alternating between plain or garlic naan (good finger food) and much-loved (and kid-friendly) Indian staples.Before diving into finger foods, kids can wash their hands off at a sink on the second floor. Meat lovers and avid vegetarians have plenty to choose from, with everything from mild potato curries to fiery vindaloo. On the topic of spice, dishes can get a little heated so test the options first before piling on a full plate. If you can't find your favorites at the buffet table, order a la carte from the menu, which features cuisine from both northern and southern India. High chairs are available, but kids seem to have a blast crawling over the plush sofa dining chairs. Attentive English-speaking staff and a pleasing ambiance make Ganges an ideal place for families to draw out their weekend. To take advantage of sunny days, we recommend picking a spot on the second floor outdoor terrace. Remember your sun screen, though. If it's color and movement you're are after, check out the fun Bollywood dancing every Thursday night for some quality family entertainment. RMB 42, kids under 12 half price.

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Society has come a long way: International Women's Day, universal suffrage, and most recently, paternity leave. But just how far have we come in dismantling gender roles? beijingkids talked with students from Harrow International School to find out their views on gender equality, expectations, and what it means to be a feminist. Discussions got heated, proving that gender is still a hot topic.

Do you think men and women are equal?
Fiona: In some aspects I think they are equal, but not in others. For instance, women are still discouraged from serving in the army.
Simon:  If by "equal" you mean having the same rights, I would say they have the same rights. But I think it also depends on the country you live in. Different societies have different views.
Daniel: Women do deserve the same rights as men, in all cases. Just because you're a woman doesn't mean you can't do the same things.
Aurelie: In the 21st century, women should be able to get to the top, but I don't know if things are equal.

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Touted as Beijing's Central Park, Chaoyang Park carries the burden of living up to its Manhattan counterpart. While it's not located in the center of Beijing, its northeast location offers an unrivaled escapist quality. Officially called Rising Sun Park, this green giant covers 288 hectares. With the boat pier opening this month, now is an ideal time to ease out of hibernation and onto a giant floating duck. Avoid the high rises and speeding cars and follow our suggested clockwise route around the park's South Lake. Chaoyang Park is more than just a cookie-cutter derivative of its Western sister, it's a one-stop location for all things kid-friendly.

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Jin Ding Xuan Restaurant
This 24-hour Cantonese chain serves fresh and authentic dim sum. The Hepingli Xijie branch (near Lama Temple) is perfect for boisterous kids was Ditan Park is located just next door. Expect to find crowds of other hungry patrons.
77 Hepingli Xijie, Dongcheng District (6429 6888) 东城区和平里西街77号

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Date Night: Patara
With the little ones tucked away for the night, sink into one of the wood and wicker booths against the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a warren of hutongs, and straddle the border between Beijing and Bangkok. As the lamps of lemongrass oil diffuse tropical fragrance throughout the dining room, a bottle of well-matched wine or a green mango margarita sets the tone for an evening of relaxation. With decorations, key ingredients, and most essentially, a chef imported from Thailand, this branch of the Bangkok-based Patara chain delivers an authentic Thai culinary experience. House specials like the lemongrass-marinated rack of New Zealand lamb with papaya salad (RMB 198), and the shelled crab claw in mild yellow curry (RMB 168) highlight an impressive menu offering skilled Thai interpretations of sumptuous ingredients. Finish off with Thai coffee and milk tea along with a choice of delectable desserts, such as the poached pear in coconut syrup (RMB 58). A plethora of set-meal options are available, including lunch (RMB 58, 88 and 158), supper (RMB 198), and ultra-deluxe (RMB 280-RMB 999/person). Gabriel Monroe

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