🌍✨ 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

Follow us on Instagram or subscribe to our emails for Early Bird codes and special discount codes!

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.

Contact the host of World of Wonders WOW School Holiday Series: Old Shanghai