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Thurs, July 22: 798 Art District

This well-known arts hub has seen some updates in the past year, including stroller-friendly sidewalks. Filled to the brim with funky cafes and cool boutiques, this the perfect place to spend a day. Ullens Centre for Contemporary Art (UCCA) has regular kid's workshops (usually in Chinese) and their store is well worth a visit. As an added bonus, UCCA is free on Thursdays. Ullens Centre for Contemporary Art. RMB 30, RMB 10 (students). Free for children under 1.3 meters. Tue-Sun 10am-7pm. Dashanzi art district, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (8459 9269) www.ucca.org.cn尤伦斯当代艺术中心, 朝阳区酒仙桥路4号大山子艺术区

Don’t Forget: Try Iberia Coffee nearby if you are looking for a caffeine jolt or need a place to feed the kiddies.

Fri, July 23: China Science and Technology Museum

An oasis of educational fun featuring hands-on exhibits, robots, optical illusions, IMAX films (in Chinese only) and more. No wonder this museum is popular with school-age kids. There's a vast, well-equipped indoor play area on the third and fourth floors of Building B, which can be mobbed by rugrats, so exercise common sense by avoiding peak times. RMB 30, RMB 15 (students), free (kids under 1.2m); Building B: RMB 30, RMB 20 (students), free (kids under 1.2m).  Tue-Sun 9am-4.30pm. 1 Beisanhuan Zhonglu (North Third Ring Road at Anhua Qiao - look for the geodesic dome), Xicheng District  www.cstm.org.cn (Chinese only)中国科技馆, 西城区北三环中路1号

Don’t Forget: Be ready to get dirty at the Happy Farm where kids can pull up carrots, milk cows and transport grains  

Sat, July 24: Schoolhouse Community Service Day

Participate in the Schoolhouse’s annual thank you to the village of Mutianyu by donating your services for a day of labor. If you show up at 9:00, your lunch is on the house. For everyone else, The Schoolhouse Canteen will remain open, and all gross proceeds from a la carte lunch service from 12:00 to 14:00 will go directly to the Mutianyu Village Charity Fund. So whether you lend a hand or join them for lunch, you're making a difference.  12 Mutianyu Village, Huairou District (6162 6506/6287) 怀柔区慕田峪村12号

Don’t Forget: On the way home, don't forget to keep an eye out for roadside vendors selling seasonal fruits - yum!

Sun, July 25: Ritan Park

This park packs a surprising amount of child-friendly stuff into a limited space. The playground area includes an inflatable playhouse, large trampolines, a mechanical bull, and a merry-go-round with Technicolor unicorns. Other attractions include the fishing pond, climbing wall and mini-golf. If you need a snack, Schindler's Tankstelle, the Stone Boat and Xihe Yaju all have terraces opening onto the park. Free. Daily 6am-8pm (summer), daily 6.30am-8pm (winter). 6 Ritan Beilu, Chaoyang District (8561 6301)日坛公园, 朝阳区日坛北路6号

Don’t Forget: Take bottled water and snacks to keep you and the kids energized for an entire day of fun in the park.