Cao Zhen caozhen0806@126.com MANY children may have visited museums and scenic spots during the summer vacation to broaden their vision. As the summer vacation nears its end, the ongoing Bàng! Children’s Arts Festival at OCT-LOFT should not be missed. Themed “Stand by Kids,” the festival offers a wonderful opportunity for children to immerse themselves in creativity, art and unique experiences. This upcoming weekend, OCT-LOFT’s signature T-Street Creative Mart will host a special edition of the market, setting the stage for children to sell their paintings and handicrafts, encouraging them to express their creativity while gaining valuable communication skills. On Saturday afternoon, Shenzhen designer Zhang Yihan will captivate young minds with engaging stories about Chinese characters and animals. This session aims to foster an appreciation for the charm of Chinese characters while encouraging children to expand their knowledge of this rich cultural heritage. Over the past two weekends, the festival also featured lively parades, dazzling outdoor performances and interesting workshops. Children and their parents had the opportunity to create colorful installations under the guidance of Japanese and Shenzhen artists, including Sakura Toshie, Sakura Yasuyuki, Kaji Seiya, Shen Xiaoming and Du Fengsong. These collaborative experiences allowed children to explore their imaginations, learn from talented artists and interact with their parents. Visitors to OCT-LOFT can still admire the vibrant installations at C2 Space and the outside square through Sunday. Shenzhen, having been included in China’s first batch of cities dedicated to building a child-friendly environment, demonstrates its commitment to the well-being and development of its young residents. Initiated in 2021, the Bàng! Children’s Arts Festival further highlights Shenzhen’s dedication to fostering a child-friendly culture. “Bàng” in Chinese pinyin means “superb,” and the festival provides a perfect platform for children to explore their creative potential and unleash their creativity. With a range of activities such as markets, storytelling sessions, parades, performances and workshops, the festival promotes artistic expression in a child-friendly atmosphere. Chinese character story session Time: 3-4 p.m., Aug. 19 Venue: A3+, north area, OCT-LOFT (深圳華僑城創意文化園北區A3+空間) Metro: Line 2 to Qiaocheng North Station (僑城北站), Exit B Installation exhibition Dates: Until Aug. 20 Venue: C2 Space and outside square, north area, OCT-LOFT (深圳華僑城創意文化園北區C2空間及戶外廣場) Metro: Line 2 to Qiaocheng North Station (僑城北站), Exit B T-Street Creative Mart Dates: Aug. 19-20 Venue: South and north areas, OCT-LOFT (深圳華僑城創意文化園南區、北區) Metro: Line 1 to Qiaocheng East Station (僑城東站), Exit A; Line 2 to Qiaocheng North Station (僑城北站), Exit B | 