PLANNER

AUG 26 - 29 Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong

The Affordable Art Fair is back. Browse contemporary artworks from 40 local and international galleries. Times vary. $120. Hall 1E, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. affordableartfair.com

gin when you spend over $500 at Stanley Plaza or Murray House. 12pm. Stanley Plaza.

linkhk.com

UNTIL AUG 6

SummerFest

This family-friendly festival includes a Monet Garden where visitors can recreate Monet’s masterpieces, a Summoji area and a variety of performances. Free. 9 Lung Wo Road, Central.

summerfest-centralharbourfront.hk

AUG 1 & 8

Summer Lovecation

AUG 12 - 16

HKTDC Food Expo

Hailed as one of the biggest food festivals in Hong Kong, this annual fair attracts trade buyers and brands from across the world. 10am-10pm. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai.

event.hktdc.com

AUG 13-15

ALICE

With costumes by Cirque du Soleil designer

Liz Vandal and sets by James Kronzer, Hong Kong Ballet’s latest performance of Alice in Wonderland is set to be spectacular. 7.30pm. $90. Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui. hkballet.com

AUG 21

Roméo et Juliette

Directed by award-winning Bartlett Sher, this adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic, Romeo and Juliet will captivate audiences. 3:40pm. $230. MOViE MOViE, One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty. cinema.com

AUG 27 - 29

Hong Kong Wedding Fair

One for the recently-engaged. Browse bridal gowns, wedding services and venue options. 12-8pm. $20. Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

wedding-show.com

AUG 28

Midsummer Race 2

Race across Shing Mun Reservoir in the second

installment of this popular race. 3pm. $220. Shing Mun Reservoir Main Dam, Lower Shing Mun Road, Kam Shan. xterace.com

AUG 29

Hong Kong Living Summer Kids Carnival

Enjoy an afternoon of family fun with dance classes from Sky Dance Avenue and Move for Life, interactive workshops and bowling. The theme is ‘Hawaiian’ with a prize for the bestdressed. 11am-4pm. $50. Tikitiki Bowling Bar, 4/F, Centro, 1A Chui Tong Road, Sai Kung.

hongkongliving.com/shop

Dad about town

Fun and games with our new dad on the block, Oliver Corrin

The heat is on, as they say (Beverly Hills Cop reference for you guys). As a result, us parents are trying to figure out how to keep the kids cool, happy and entertained.

So it got me thinking about what I could do with my one-year-old to keep us both entertained. Since we both get hangry and bothered by the heat, soft play cafes seemed, to me, a perfect solution.

So I set about looking for the best play areas for babies in Hong Kong. I’ve found that Hong Kong caters very well to the three and above category but not so much to the younger babies so I was delighted to come across One Small Step at the end of the red line in Tsuen Wan.

It’s a little bit of a journey, I give you that, but once there, I guarantee you, it’s worth it and what fun I (I mean, Sophia) had. The interior is designed with both adults and kids in mind, think beautiful handcrafted Scandinavian decor, fantastic coffee, delicious homemade pizza and baby bento boxes. Hourly sessions cost just $40 per child during the week with a $40 minimum spend on food and drink. Weekends are slightly higher at $60 per hour. (onesmallstep.hk).

For slightly older kids. It’s well-worth checking out Donut Playhouse and Peacock Playground at K11 (k11musea. com). We’ve also become huge fans of the free play areas at Lee Garden Two in Causeway Bay. While you’re there, be sure to grab a delicious coffee and one of the best avo toasts in Hong Kong at Ninety’s (ninetys.com.hk).

As a dad, there’s nothing better than seeing your little one living their best life, and if that means spending a few hours escaping the heat while swinging, climbing and sliding to my heart’s content, I’m happy to take one for the team.