Go Green with beijingkids

Living green has never been easier, and this month’s beijingkids shows how you can save the planet in your daily life.

Discover the magical soapnut berry, find ways to compost in the capital, learn to spot certified organic products, get the scoop on reducing your carbon footprint, and find wild life in the most unlikely places. Check out our easy guide to birding in Beijing and get tips for minimizing pollution in your home.

Spring is in full swing, so pack up the car and head into Miyun county for a rustic weekend. Jackie Yu introduces the region’s best spots for families, including Cloud Cave Valley for easy hikes, White River for camping and rock-climbing, and Taoyuan Xiangu for waterfalls and lakes. But don’t worry if the family’s not ready to rough it; it’s easy enough to check into a resort. If you’re looking for a relaxing weekend in town, bring the kids to eat crepes at Season Café by 798 or hire a babysitter and book a table for sushi at Len Len in Sanlitun.

Kids addicted to the Internet? Experts from international schools give their two cents on how parents should view Facebook, Twitter and all the virtual socializing that teens do.

New moms can get fit with baby in our 30-minute yoga workout – designed by Yoga Yard’s own Isabelle Cyr. Strengthen your core and bond with your baby at the same time. Check out “Fast Food” for kid-friendly recipes from local chefs. On the menu this month: teriyaki chicken wraps from John Kotas of the Marco Polo Parkside and pasta with sun-dried tomatoes from Sandra Huang of The Hutong.

School’s almost over, but it’s not too late to sign your kids up for summer camp. Tom Melcher picks a wide array of excellent programs for teens and tweens in the US.

PLUS: Escape to Angkor Wat, meet Oscar-winning filmmaker Ruby Yang, get long hair in a hurry, and learn about tigers, kangaroos, and sharks from a local zoologist.

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