Child-Friendly Art Season opens at 'Kaleidoscope'

Get ready for a surprise at Shenzheners’ beloved “Kaleidoscope” — Shenzhen Children and Women’s Building — where “My City, My Home: 2026 Kaleidoscope Child-Friendly Art Season” is bringing more than 100 events, including exhibitions, workshops, and performances, this summer.

Upon entering the building, visitors are greeted by the iconic Wego installation, now decorated with children’s paintings of world landmarks, including China’s Great Wall, Russia’s St. Basil’s Cathedral, Chile’s Easter Island, and the U.S. Golden Gate Bridge. 

The Wego installation in the lobby is decorated with children’s paintings of world landmarks. Photos courtesy of the organizers unless otherwise stated

Easter Island

Visual designer Cai Yinan guided a group of children to paint the landmarks inspired by APEC member economies, welcoming the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, to be held in Shenzhen in November.

“I don’t want children to memorize geography. Instead, I want them to see that people around the world build different architectures — like building blocks — and to paint the world as they experience it,” Cai said.

In a corner of the lobby, three red phone booths turn into purposeful spaces: a plant shop, a bookcrossing booth, and a tree hole. Wang Feng and her team created a socially anxious cactus character, Momo, to raise awareness of youth mental health and isolation, while also offering psychological and legal support. 

Visitors can buy plants and Momo toys, read and exchange books, or leave messages inside the booths — small havens for healing and creativity.

Three red phone booths and Momo, a cactus character.

A visitor writes a note in the tree-hole phone booth, while a girl reads a book in the bookcrossing booth.

Other works related to children include photographs of Hong Kong children’s clothes and toys from the 1930s to now, on loan from CHAT (Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile) in Hong Kong. 

Another standout is Yin Hui’s assembly-line installation that weaves together objects and memories from Shenzhen’s first generation of female factory workers. Titled “Carefree Journey” and inspired by a 1990s hit song, the installation honors the women workers — and everyone who gives their all to create a better life.

Photos from CHAT (Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile) showcase Hong Kong children’s clothes and toys. 

Visitors observe the assembly-line installation “Carefree Journey.” Photo by Cao Zhen

A dedicated children’s council space invites young visitors to learn about the world through reading, find their voices, practice listening, compromise, and persuasion, and transform wild ideas into realistic plans. 

Creators Wang Jing and Chen Taiyu describe it as a multi-dimensional space with clear developmental logic based on the team’s experience in children’s deliberations. “Even if AI knows everything today,” they note, “we still need to learn how to decide — together.”

Artists and curators exchange ideas at the children’s council space on June 16. Photo by Cao Zhen

The art season has invited leading scholars in child-friendly studies and urban studies, including Huang Weiwen, Mary Ann O’Donnell, Ole Bouman, Liu Lei, and Tian Meng, serving as academic advisors. Renowned art institutions, artists, and curators from Shenzhen, Shanghai and Hong Kong collaborate with children’s education organizations and social groups, alongside children invited from across the city. 

Driven by a child-led, child-participatory approach, the artists guide children to co-create sustainable festival experiences. 

The entrance to the Shenzhen Children and Women’s Building.

Toys from the “Oh, Now I See” work hang from the ceiling. Photo by Cao Zhen

Now in its third year, the art season expands citywide, with the Shenzhen Children and Women’s Building as the main venue — linked to museums, the airport, book rooms, and community spaces across Shenzhen.

During the art season through Aug. 31, travelers can enjoy discounts at participating shops within the Shenzhen Children and Women’s Building by presenting any of the following: ferry, train, or plane tickets arriving in Shenzhen (paper tickets, e-tickets, or payment screenshots), proof of entry to Shenzhen for travelers from Hong Kong and Macao, the Jingju Hotel room key, a Shenzhen Children’s Exploration Museum wristband, or Women & Children Theater show tickets.

Children perform at the opening ceremony of the art season on June 1.

Dates: Through Aug. 31

Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Venue: Shenzhen Children and Women’s Building, Futian District (深圳市妇儿大厦)

Metro: Line 2 or 9 to Jingtian Station (景田站), Exit B