Betwixt Mother's Day and Father's Day, International Children's Day falls on June 1st as a celebration of the little ones in our lives. Shanghai is full of family-friendly spots, and several are throwing special events for this sweet occaision. Check out the list below of our favorite Children's Day festivities around town this weekend. From cooking classes to treasure hunts to an underwater dinner, we've found something fun for kids of all ages.

Image courtesy of InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland

Kick off your Children's Day celebrations with a special brunch at Commune before diving into the rest of your holiday plans. Located on the ground floor of InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, Commune is the hotel's all-day dining restuarant that redefines 'buffet' as something truly upscale. International cuisines are served hot and fresh at open kitchen stations, and the restaurant offers many additional à la carte options. There's also a separate play area for kids because, as we all know, sometimes even breakfast is too long to sit still! 

June 1, Noon-3pm, RMB1,588 for two adults and one kid between 6 and 12 years old. Individually, RMB388 per kid, RMB688 per adult age twelve and older. InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, see event listing.

Image courtesy of Radisson Blu

Located just steps away from People's Park, the Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai is hosting two brunches for Children's Day. The revolving restuarant Epicure on 45 is arranging pizza-making lessons for young diners and a kid's corner with assorted crafts, in additional to standard brunch fare for the whole family. Windows on the Park will be serving a holiday spread of its own and will offer a culinary Children's Day activity, too. Kids dining at Windows on the Park can participate in a waffle class, donning their very own chef's outfits supplied by the hotel.

June 1, 11.30am-2:30pm; Epicure: RMB268 per person; June 1, 12-2.30pm Windows on the Park: RMB185 per person; Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai, see event listing. 

Image courtesy of Campanile Hotel

On top of all-day pentaque and table tennis tournaments, Campanile Hotel has organized a long list of festivities to celebrate Children's Day this year. Just to name a few: magic showds, a pastry chef's master demo, arts and crafts, an outdoor BBQ, French desserts and other delicious eats. Entrace to the event itself is free, but there is a registration fee for both table tennis (RMB30/person) and pentanque (RMB60/person, including a RMB20 food/drink voucher). Registration for the tournaments starts at 10.30am, and the first round begins at 11am, so make sure to arrive early if you plan to play.

June 1, 11am-6pm, free entrance, tournament registration fee varies. Campanile Hotel, see event listing.

Image Courtesy of InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland

The InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland's Kids Club is a dedicated space for children to play games, run around and, you know, just be kids. For Children's Day, Kids Club has arranged an extra-special event to celebrate the pure magic of childhood. The Wonderland Alliance is a fun, fantasy treasure hunt where kids work together to discover a legendary gem's hidden location. Starting at 2pm every day, from May 31 to June 2, your little one can jon the Alliance and make new memories with new friends. After the treasure hunt, the Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland will host a small party and present rewards for participation. 

May 31 – June 2, from 2pm. Kids Club at InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, see event listing.

Image courtesy of Camphor Tree Valley

According to Camphor Tree Valley, a boutique resort near Ningbo, summer officially begins on Children's Day this year. Start off the season with free kayak and paddle-board classes, a bonfire party, fireworks and more. An onsite children's playroom is furnished with slides, trampolines and climbing walls, and each space on Camphor Tree Valley's grounds was designed to be both family-friendly and aesthically chic. While you're visiting, let the hotel service arrange a hike to one of the many ancient villages surrounding Ningbo, a white-water rafting journey, or a riverside picnic. Classes are conducted every first Saturday of the month on June 1, July 6 and August 3, kayaking 2-3pm, and SUP 3.30-4,30pm. To make reservations for Children's Day or another weekend away, call 0574 8778 6682.

June 1, classes begin at 2pm. Camphor Tree Valley, see event listing.

Image courtesy of Amara Signature Shanghai

Kids love to eat sweets, and we bet they'll enjoy making them, too. Bring your family by BLU at Amara Signature Shanghai for a two-part Children's Day celebration designed for foodie families. First off, BLU's pastry chef will teach your littles one how to make delicious homemade pastries. Afterwards, everyone will gather together for a sprawling dinner buffet where the kids can tell you what they learned in class. We already know these won't be their usual schoolday stories!June 1, 5-6pm class; 6-10pm dinner, RMB 228. BLU at Amara Signature Shanghai, see event listing.

Image courtesy of InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland

One of Intercontinenal Shanghai Wonderland's most impressive dining spaces is Mr. Fisher, an uspcale restaurant built below sea-level. As guests enjoy fresh seafood and other western-style dishes, fish and other underwater creatures swim around in their 10-meter-high custom-designed aquariums. Not only is this restaurant an impressive destination for adult guests, it's an absolute dream for younger diners. If your kids are interested in the ocean, there's no better place to celebrate their curiosity. And, with Children's Day this weekend, there's also no better time. 

June 1, Noon-2.30pm, RMB1288 per couple. InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, see event listing. 

Image Courtesy of InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland

Cai Feng Lou is InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland's refined and elegant on-site Chinse restaurant. Throughout the venue, there's a theme of Chinese bird-keeping culture, making it a mature but dreamy destination for busniess banquets and family dinners alike. Cai Feng Lou's specialities include suckling pig and clear matsutake soup, in addition to other popular flavors from the Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces. We can assure you that this won't be like other noisy Children's Day acitivites. Instead, the whole family can enjoy a lunch or dinner specially curated for the holiday in a serene, natural environment.

June 1, Lunch 11.30am-2.30pm, Dinner 5.30-10.00pm, RMB700 per set. InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, see event listing.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

If you've already made plans for Saturday, Shanghai Brew House is giving you the option to keep the festivities going with a pizza-making class on Sunday. The head cook will show your budding little chefs how to make dough and perfectly select toppings, and they'll be able to watch their pizzas cook live-action in the open kitchen. Meanwhile, parents can celebrate themselves with a cold brew. There's no cover fee for the cooking class, but we do recommend you call ahead to reserve a spot.

June 2, 11am, Free. Shanghai Brew House, see event listing. 

[Cover Photo via Pixabay]

For more things to do in Shanghai, this weekend and beyond, check out our Events Section.

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