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| A band performs at Namsan Park / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
By Lee Suh-yoon
With temperatures back in the two-digit range in the afternoon and the worst of the fine dust waves over, more than 100 social and cultural events are scheduled at 21 public parks in Seoul. Here is a round-up of outdoor events that are children-friendly and perfect for enjoying the spring breeze at the capital this weekend and in the coming weeks.
Cherry blossom festival at Children's Grand Park
Home to over 500 cherry blossom trees, the Children's Grand Park in Gwangjin-gu, eastern Seoul, is hosting its annual festival from April 6 to 21. Costume parades and magic shows for children will be held on the weekends during this period.
Festivals, markets at Oil Tank Culture Park
The former oil reservoir site will hold a children's book festival every weekend throughout April, offering read-aloud storytelling sessions and one-on-one book recommendations for young participants. The park will also host the 2019 Seoul Circus Festival from May 4 to 6. Bamdokkaebi Night Market will also return with its signature food trucks and accessory booths here in the first three weekends of May.
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| A gardening class at Seoul Forest Park / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
Musical picnics
Namsan Park in central Seoul will hold music concerts for picnickers at 11:30 a.m. every day from April 10 to 12. During May, similar events will be held around sunset at Seonyudo Park on the Han River every Saturday and around noon at Yeouido Park, every Friday.
Beekeeping classes
Namsan Park and Boramae Park will each hold simple beekeeping classes for children from April to June.
Rice-paddy farming
Gildong Ecological Park and Seoul Forest Park in eastern Seoul will offer children and families a chance to try rice-paddy farming every Saturday. Gildong Ecological Park will offer the sessions during May and Seoul Forest Park, from April to June.
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| Children and families try rice-planting at a paddy field in Children's Grand Park. / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
Gardening classes
Seoul Botanic Park, western Seoul, will offer beginner gardening classes to families with children every other Wednesday and Saturday from March to June. Those closer to eastern Seoul can take similar classes at Seoul Forest Park, which will provide two different levels of gardening classes targeted at adults: beginner classes every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and advanced classes every Monday from April to June.
Healing in nature
Various parks will offer visitors a chance to reconnect with nature for supposed health benefits.
World Cup Park in northwestern Seoul will offer special group "forest bathing" (basically a walk in the woods) sessions for families every Saturday in April. Boramae Park in southwestern Seoul will carry out meditation classes every Saturday from April to June. Seoul Botanic Park will hold yoga classes for adults in its outdoor gardens every Wednesday and Friday from March to December.
For more information on each program or to make reservations, visit parks.seoul.go.kr and yeyak.seoul.go.kr.
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