World of Wonders WOW School Holiday Series: Old Shanghai

🌍✨ World of Wonders (WOW): Old Shanghai

2-Day School Holiday Camp

Dates: 21 & 22 September

Time: 10:00am–4:00pm

Options: Half-day (10:00am–1:00pm) or Full-day (10:00am–4:00pm)

Ages: 6–12 years

📍 The Joyful Place

Part of our World of Wonders (WOW) school holiday series, this hands-on 2-day camp invites children to explore global cultures through food, stories and play — no passport required.

This time, we’re travelling back in time to Old Shanghai!

Across two days, children will discover Shanghai through its food, art and everyday childhood — from neighbourhood lanes and old snack shops to the simple games generations of children grew up playing together.

They’ll make some of Shanghai’s much-loved foods, try a nostalgic local drink, explore Chinese brush painting and discover how much fun can come from something as simple as paper, string, elastic or a shuttlecock.

What children will do

DAY 1 – Learn & Explore

• Discover Old Shanghai and life in its traditional neighbourhood lanes

• Make Shengjian Bao (生煎包 / Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns) for lunch

• Make Yan Qishui (盐汽水 / Shanghai Salted Soda), a nostalgic fizzy drink

• Explore Shuimohua (水墨画 / Chinese Painting) and create their own artwork

• Play childhood favourites including Ti Jianzi (踢毽子 / Shuttlecock Kicking), Tiao Pijin (跳皮筋 / Chinese Elastic) and Fan Huasheng (翻花绳 / String Figures)

• Explore simple Mandarin words and phrases along the way

DAY 2 – Create & Own

• Make Hudie Su (蝴蝶酥 / Shanghai Butterfly Pastries)

• Discover Shanghai’s old East-meets-West bakery culture

• Revisit savoury cooking with more independence

• Make and play Dong Nan Xi Bei (东南西北 / Paper Fortune Teller)

• Work in teams to create and run their own Old Shanghai snack stall

• Design their stall, menu and team roles before preparing, presenting and “selling” their food

• Recap childhood games

Half-day vs Full-day

Half-day (10:00am–1:00pm)

• Cultural learning

• Cooking one key dish

• Eating together

Full-day (10:00am–4:00pm)

Everything in half-day, plus:

• Drink-making

• Creative art

• Childhood games and challenges

• Independent cooking

• Food stall roleplay and challenges

Afternoon-only bookings are not available, as afternoon activities build on morning learning and shared routines.

Please contact us before booking if your child has dietary requirements or food allergies.

🧺 What to bring

Day 1: Please pack a snack and fruit box and a labelled drink bottle. Lunch is prepared as part of the program.

Day 2: Please pack a light lunch, fruits and a labelled drink bottle. As the morning recipe is sweet, some children prefer to have a savoury lunch and save their bake for afternoon tea.

💲 Fees & Discounts

$88 half day

$158 full day

Joyful Mates enjoy 20% off.

Want to be a Joyful Mate? Check out our annual membership perks:

https://thejoyfulplace.com.au/be-a-joyful-mate

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Book 4 workshops or more for an extra 5% off. Please email hello@thejoyfulplace.com.au

Bank Transfer option available. Please use code MANUALBOOKING upon checking out and we will contact you with the bank details.