Introduction
Bringing children to live in Shanghai can create lots of anxieties. People will tell you that there are no parks or green space, that it's dirty and polluted and that there is nothing for children to do.
To be honest, some of this is true, but the same can be said for all major cities and there are few who would disagree that the benefits of raising children here far, far outweigh the negatives.
The first thing parents notice is that Shanghai is an extremely safe environment. Chinese people adore children and will go to great lengths to entertain and spoil your offspring at any given opportunity (this can be a little overwhelming and strange at first). With inexpensive household help, you will also find yourself, instead of being loaded down with chores, able to spend more quality time with your children, taking them swimming, or to the park, or to one of Shanghai's amazing museums, or to play with other children in the neighbourhood.
You will find fellow expat parents much more open and friendly and willing to go places and try things than the folks back home. Living in this tight-knit community can be a truly positive experience, especially with children able to play in and out of each other's homes and parents not having to worry about tidying up afterwards! Inexpensive babysitting is a real benefit too. More often than not it is ayis who babysit, allowing parents a little bit of freedom that might have been harder to come by in their own country.
Toys and clothes are easy to come by and very inexpensive. Almost everything you need will be sold in the large department stores, malls or Carrefour supermarkets. Children's shoes, made from real leather, can be hard to come by, as can English children's books, so stock up before leaving home.
On the downside, the weather can be cruel in Shanghai, making it hard to get around and do things with your children. In February and March, it is so cold and windy that the parks are deserted. And, in July, August and much of September the temperature can be so hot and the humidity so high, that, other than a visit to the pool, your children will not want to go out. For this reason most expats leave Shanghai for July and August, returning to their home countries to see their families.
Addresses |
Mama's Classroom for Expat Mothers
Learn Survival Skills for Shanghai
Chiuna Home for Children
21 Donghu Lu
Email |
MOMS - Moms offering Moms Support
Tel: 5030 4222234
Email |
Shanghai for Kids
Guide for expat families
available from the Shanghai Community Center
all branches of Pines the Marketplace
Concordia International School Shanghai
Tel: 5899 0380 ext. 1105 (Michelle)
Email |
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There is not doubt that your children will get to experience new cultures, see new and exciting things, go to beautiful places and make new friends with children from all over the world. These experiences will make an invaluable contribution to their education and to their relationship with the world. But, it's important to be aware that when you move to Shanghai, particularly if it is your first overseas move, it will change your child's life forever. They will lose touch with their own culture, making them "third culture kids" - children who grow up "between worlds". Overall, it's a positive experience, but they will also have to deal with issues of rootlessness, identity, and having to say too many goodbyes.
Activities for Children
Addresses |
Active Kidz Shanghai (AKS)
ages 4 - 13 (English)
Nice YEar Villa, The Clubhouse
2/F 3333 Hong Mei Lu
Changning District
Tel: 6406 6757
Website |
Aquaria 21
South American Themed Underwater World Aquarium
Gate 4 Changfeng Park
451 Dadyhe Ly
Tel: 6286 6399
Website |
Dino Beach
Water activities for all ages
78 Xin Zhen Lu
Qi Bao Town
Minhang District
Tel: 6478 3333 |
China Welfare Institute Childrne's Palaces
limited English
64 Yan'an Xi Lu
Jing'an District
Tel: 6249 8661 |
Beluga Wahles Show Stadium
inside Changfeng Park see above |
Century Park
Outdoor Water Theme Park
78 Xinzhen Lu
Minhang District
Tel: 6478 3333
Website |
Fun Dazzle
Indoor Playground (Birthday parties!)
780 Changning Ly
Zhongshan Park
Tel: 6210 7288 |
Fuxing Park
Bumper Cars, jumping beds etc.
2 Gaolan Lu
Tel: 5386 0662 |
Gongquing Forest Park
2000 Junggong Lu
Tel: 6574 0586 |
Guyi Garden
Ming Dynasty Garden
218 Huyi Gong Lu
Tel: 5912 2225 |
Jingjang Amusement Park
201 Hongmei Lu
Tel: 5420 4956 |
Jing' An Park
1649 Nanjing Xi Lu
Tel: 6248 3238 |
Meadowbrook Equastrian and Rural Activity Center
3088 Shenzhuan Gong Lu
Qingpu District
Tel: 6983 0022
Website |
Lu Xun Park
146 Donijanwan Lu
Tel: 6540 0009 |
Shanghai Discovery Children's Museum
330 Yangqu Lu
Tel: 3606 0832
Website |
Renmin Park
231 Nanjing Xi Lu
Tel: 6372 0546 |
Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
158 Yincheng Bei Lu
Pudong
Tel: 5877 9988 |
Shanghai Botanical Garden Park
1111 Longwu Lu
Tel: 5436 3369 |
Shanghai Oreintal Green Boat Campsite
Biggest Campsite of China
6888 Huqingping Gong Ly
Quingpu District
Tel: 5932 3000
Website |
Shanghai Children Museum
61 Songyuan Lu
Tel: 6278 3127 |
Shanghai Wild Animal Park
178 South Road Nanhui
Pudong
Tel: 5803 6000 |
Shanghai Modern Children Imgaination Art Centre
no 4, Lane 681 Fahuazhen Lu
Inside Primary School
Changning District
TelL 6294 1150 |
Shanghai Zoo
2381 Hongqiao Ly
Tel: 6268 7775 |
Shanghai Science Museum
inddor rainforest and IMAX 3D cinema
2000 Shiji Da Dao
Tel: 6862 2000 |
Traffic Park
Electric vehicles drive the "streets" of Shanghai
101 Zunyi Lu
Tel: 6259 9446 |
Zhongshan Park
780 Changning Lu
Tel: 6210 5806 |
Xiangyang Park
Amusement Park
1008 Huaihai Zhong Lu
Tel: 5404 2208 |
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Creativity Classes (4-16 years)
Addresses |
Hands in Clay Pottery Studio
No. 1, Lane 210 Taikang Lu at Ruijin Lu
Tel: 5465 4042
Email |
Hanguang Pottery Studio
15 Lane 188 Changshu Lu
Tel: 5403 9440 |
Shanghai Scouting
Tel: 136 0164 7167
>Website |
Roots and Shoots
Tel: 6352 3580 |
Children's Palaces
Each district has a Children's Palace for
after-school activities like ballet and piano
for local kids. Classes are conducted in Mandarin,
but they will accept foreign children. Ask your
landlord / real estate agent to introduce you to the
Children's Palace in your district. |
Espace Pebeo
50 Moganshan Lu
Tel: 138 1787 3004 |
Active Kidz Shanghai
Creative dance, art classes and more for the expat child.
Website |
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Parties
Publication: |
Riding the Dragon
by Kathleen Lau, chapter on children
Shanghai Book Traders Press |
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Addresses |
The Party People
Creative parties for kids, with acrobats, magicians, jugglers, etc.
Tel: 1360 1640742, Sok |
Simply Catering
Leigh-Anne
Can arrange for entertainment as well
Tel: 6433 7365
Email |
Balloon Man
Email |
Bouncy Castle
Available from Shanghai Centre Playroom
1376 Nanjing Rd (W)
Tel: 6279 8888 |
Fumin Jie Smallware Market
This sprawling 'dime store' in the Yuyuan Gardens area has inexpensive toys, games, 'party bag loot' - first stop for planning any birthday party. |
Grand Hyatt Pastry Boutique
1st floor, Jin Mao Building
88 Shi Ji Boulevard
Cakes in every shape. |
Magic Show Party Entertainment
Magical Association Club
Tel: 136 2172 1595 |
JT Kids Party
125 North JiangSu Rd., Building C
Website |
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Costumes (Rent + Buy)
There are costumes available in Shanghai, but with tailors and fabric so inexpensive and creative here, many expats instead opt to buy fabric and have their tailor sew it up into the costume of their dreams.
Info: |
Holiday House
412 Hongqiao Rd
Tel: 6472 2284 |
Confetti
Santa outfits for kids, Halloween Costumes, Disney character costumes
Hongqiao Villas
1554 Hongqiao Rd
Tel: 6554 2339 |
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Kids' Clubs/Summer Schools/Camps
Address: |
Roots and Shoots Shanghai
Jane Goodall's program on the environment
Ocean Towers, 15th floor
550 Yanan Road
Tel: 6352-3580
Website |
Rainbow Bridge Summer School Program
Kindergarten through Grade 5
Preschool Classes
Activities include: swimming, soccer, field trips, computer, bowling, music,
dancing, trips to the zoo
Website |
Outward Bound Shanghai
Pulau Ubin
Tel:+65 6 545 9008 h
Website |
Sporty Joe (Shanghai)
Tel: +65 6546 9194
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Shujin Cultural Center
368 Baole Lu
Ninhang
Website |
Active Kidz Shanghai
Website |
Shanghai Racquet Club
hWebsite |
High 5 Holiday Program
Tel: 5899 3785 ext. 203
Website |
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Kids' Sport
Addresses |
Active Kidz Shanghai
Sports programs and creative arts for expat kids in Shanghai.
Website |
Shanghai Football Club
Rugby and football for kids
Website |
Network Coaching
Tennis and rugby
(with Shanghai Football Club)
Website |
I love Gym (ILG)
666 Tian Yao Road
Tel: 64265090 |
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