Shanghai has a lot to offer your kids when they get tired of being dragged to another classical garden, one more Chinese meal or another shopping market. If you're bringing your kids to China, then it's easy to make Shanghai about them. Between watching the kites fly in Century Park to checking out the Pandas at the Shanghai Zoo, you'll be able to entertain your kids for an afternoon or two, and probably be able to bribe them into coming with you to one more Buddhist temple while you're at it.
11. Shanghai Sculpture Park (She Shan)
- Description: wide open spaces with grass to run on, a man-made beach and lots of free kids' activities around Shanghai's "largest man-made lake".
- Address: 1158 Linyin New Road, She Shan National Holiday Area, Songjiang District
- Opening hours: daily 9am-6pm
- Admission: 98rmb, 70rmb for kids under 1.2m (4 ft) and 70+ senior citizens
- Getting there: Your best bet is to take a taxi, getting back, walk to nearby Le Méridien hotel to hire one for the return trip.
- Comments: Really a fun place in the summer with the water park and beach, it's also a great spot to just get out of the city and walk, take a picnic and sit on the grass with a blanket.
12. Shanghai Public Security Museum
- Description: a museum dedicated to Shanghai's public security, i.e. the police and fire departments.
- Address: 518 South Ruijin Road (near Xietu Road)
- Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am-4pm
- Admission: 8rmb
- Getting there: Taxi
- Comments: If you have boy children and they're into guns, police and firemen, then this could be a fun short activity for you, though be prepared, there are some exhibits that are not appropriate for young children (photos of actual crime scenes and victims and a video showing gruesome traffic accidents - 3F). But there are a lot of interesting exhibits including old uniforms and guns, spy implements and stuffed carrier pigeons. The 4F is largely dedicated to firemen - the old firefighting tools are quite interesting.
13. YK Pao Summer Camp Program
- Description: 14 day Mandarin immersion programs for 7-12 year olds
- Address: YK Pao School Campus, Jiangsu Road
- Camp Operation: July-August
- Admission: 8400rmb for a two-week program
- Comments: This program is ideal for students who are just moving to China, families who are interested in having their youngsters learn Mandarin or for families on an extended holiday or work assignment and want their children to learn Chinese. YK Pao is one of the 2 international primary education facilities in Shanghai that offer students a fully bi-lingual education program and it has a very good reputation. Students combine learning through practical activities including exploring Shanghai and the area. Contact summercamp@ykpaoschool.cn for more information.
14. Huang Pu River Cruise
© 2007 Sara Naumann, licensed to About.com, Inc.
- Description: Short boat ride along the Huang Pu River
- Address: Buy tickets on the west side of the river promenade (Bund)
- Comments: This activity is great for everyone. Take a break from walking and see the buildings on both sides of the river from a tourist boat. Boats leave all day (last one around dusk) and kids usually love the novelty of riding on a boat.
15. Ride a Double-Decker Sightseeing Bus
© 2009 Sara Naumann, licensed to About.com, Inc.
- Description: Inexpensive ride on the open-top bus
- Address: Several routes, a good place to catch one is on the north side of Huai Hai Middle road between Shaanxi Nan Road and Xiang Yang Road.
- Comments: This is a fun, cheap activity that doesn't require much planning. All you need is some time and a nice day.
