THE two-month summer holidays are always eagerly welcomed by children anxious for a break from classroom tedium and the chance to have some fun. Many parents, however, want some of that free time devoted to educational pursuits and self-enrichment. Can the holidays satisfy both? Shanghai Daily looked around Minhang and beyond to answer that question. Lu Feiran reports.

Entertainment on tap

It’s likely that many children will want to visit the newly opened Shanghai Disney Resort, even though their parents may groan at crowded venues, costs and waiting in long lines under the sun. For those who can’t easily get tickets, other entertainment venues in and out of Minhang offer worthwhile diversions.

Air Jump Trampoline Park

One of the biggest trampoline parks in the world, Air Jump in the Minhang District is rapidly becoming a favorite destination.

The park is divided into Big Air and Small Air sections, each with activities for adults and children.

The park also accepts birthday party bookings, offering a memorable venue for that special occasion. Be sure to take lots of photos!

For more information, see www.airjumpsports.com.

Note: The English on the website may be a bit too awkward to easily understand.

Address: 28, Lane 289, Huxing Rd (3/F, Bldg C, Shunheng Plaza)

Dino Beach

After two decades operating in the city, Dino Beach has become part of many a child’s happy summer memories. It was the first water park to open in East China. Though competitors have mushroomed since then, the popularity of Dino Beach has never faltered.

To be sure, there are always some niggling complaints. Some people say food and beverages are too expensive in the park. Others decry the ban on visitors bringing in their own inflatable rafts. Well, you can’t please everyone all of the time.

Open: Through August 21, 9am to midnight; August 22-September 4, 9am-10pm; closed after September 4

Address: 78 Xinzhen Rd, Minhang District

 “The Great Andersen: Classic Fairy Tale Exhibition”

Most children love fairytales, and with new techniques like visual reality and 3D holograms, the adventures of make-believe take on new depth.

This exhibition is being staged simultaneously in three places in Shanghai. Each of the venues features different stories by the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen. At Xintiandi, you can experience “The Ugly Duckling,” “The Little Match Girl” and “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” At the Hub in Minhang, “The Little Mermaid” and “The Princess and the Pea.” And at Ruihong World in the Hongkou District, “Little Tin Soldier.”

Various sessions on children’s literature are also featured in the exhibitions.

Date: Through August 28

Address: The Hub, 29 Suhong Rd, Minhang District

Ruihong World, Ruihong Rd, Hongkou District

Xintiandi, Lane 123, Xingye Rd

The silver screen

Movie theaters this summer offer an array of family-friendly films, aimed at children of different ages. What can be more enjoyable on a hot day than relaxing in air-conditioned comfort, with popcorn and soda pop, while watching a movie?

‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows’

The cute ninja turtles are back! In this outing, they are faced with a new challenge as Shredder escapes and joins forces with Baxter Stockman, a mad scientist planning to dominate the world. The motion-capture technique is perfectly used in the movie, giving the audience a new visual feast of smooth moves and refined details.

Starring: Megan Fox and Stephen Amell

‘The Legend of Tarzan’

The story of the jungle hero has been retold for many times. Directed by David Yates, who is known for his “Harry Potter” series, the new movie gives us a new take on Tarzan and his wife Jane, a decade after they left Africa. Now they live in Victorian England, but danger still lurks as a treacherous envoy for King Leopold lures the couple to the Congo. When Jane becomes a pawn in this devious plot, Tarzan must return to the jungle to save the woman he loves.

Starring: Alexander Skarsgård and Margot Robbie

‘The Secret Life of Pets’

Movies with fluffy animals are always popular and this film is expected to be the animation hit of 2016. The plot follows the fortunes of Max, a spoiled terrier who enjoys a comfortable life in a New York building, until his owner adopts Duke, a giant and unruly canine. During a walk outside, the two dog buddies encounter a group of ferocious alley cats and wind up in a truck that’s bound for the pound. Max and Duke join a gang of abandoned pets to take revenge on their previous owners.

Release date: August 2

Voice: Louis C.K. and Kevin Hart

‘Suicide Squad’

Amid the countless superhero movies screened nowadays, “Suicide Squad” is like a breath of fresh air. Unlike traditional superhero movies where protagonists come from the ranks of justice organizations, this film features a group of dangerous, incarcerated villains recruited for a covert mission.

Release: August 5

Starring: Jared Leto, Margot Robbie and Will Smith

The pleasures of good books

Summer fun can include reading. Books don’t necessarily have to be tiresome textbooks. As Japanese writer Natsuhiko Kyogoku noted, “There is no boring book in the world.” Shanghai Daily has compiled a list of books that older children and teenagers might enjoy. Some of the books may not be available in mainland bookstores, but they are available at online retailers.

“Seven Brief Lessons on Physics”

By: Carlo Rovelli

This subject may sound a bit heavy-going for the light summer holidays, but this small, 78-page book may intrigue youngsters who wonder “Why?” Rovelli tries to show how physics is both beautiful and awesome, explaining about stars, Einstein’s theory, black holes and particles far too small to see. For children with an interest in science, his simple explanations should motivate fascinating ideas.

“We Are Not Ourselves”

By: Thomas Matthew

This is no easy book to read. It is thick and may leave readers in tears at the end.

The debut work of Matthew tells the story of a patient suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, told through the eyes of his caretaker Eileen Leary. The story stretches through Leary’s entire life, telling readers how her early life affected her later choices in life.

“Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window”

By: Tetsuko Kuroyanagi

This best-seller in both Japan and China is a collection childhood stories. It describes an unusual school in Tokyo during World War II, where learning was mixed with concepts of freedom and love. The school was held in old railway coaches and led by headmaster Sosaku Kobayashi, who believed in freedom of speech and activity.

“The Jet Sex: Airline Stewardesses and the Making of an American Icon”

By: Victoria Vantoch

The book is both fun and eye-opening. It traces the evolution of the stewardess profession, dating back to the 1960s, and shows how politics and other forces shaped the career. For this work, Vantoch received numerous honors, including a Smithsonian Institution Guggenheim Fellowship and a NASA Aerospace History Fellowship.

“Me Before You”

By: Jojo Moyes

This New York Times bestseller has been adapted into a movie. It is a good read for teenagers who are just discovering love and life. The book is about two people who encounter unpleasant accidents in their lives before meeting each other and discovering a new meaning to life. The story will make readers laugh and sob, and then perhaps think about how to deal with everything that fate puts in one’s path.