Planning a trip to Thailand with your nearest and dearest? As school and work holidays abound over the next few weeks, it’s an ideal time period to relax and catch up on some quality bonding with loved ones. For those with children, Bangkok’s concrete jungle and congested streets can initially seem intimidating for a family-themed holiday. However, there’s more to this booming metropolis than meets the eye! With a little hunting, visitors will find that Bangkok can be one of the most fun-filled cities for children in all of Southeast Asia.
From another perspective, the islands of Koh Samui and Phuket offer much more than swimming at the beach, while Chiang Mai is packed to the brim with engaging excursions for all ages beyond hiking in its scenic mountains. We’ve combed through the country’s many events and activities to come up with a curated list of those geared towards the entire family. Keep your little ones (and teens!) entertained with these fantastic holiday experiences on your next visit to the Land of Smiles.
BANGKOK
Experience life in 1:87
One of Bangkok’s newest attractions recently arrived in town this past December! Stanley MiniVenture is the largest miniature town in Asia – where everything is built at a 1:87 ratio. Explore over 1,000 square metres of small-sized life in this newly built entertainment zone, located on the second floor of Gateway Ekkamai mall at Ekkamai BTS station.
Open every day from 10.00 am – 20.00 pm. Entrance fee: Adults THB 650, Children THB 450.
Image via https://www.facebook.com/StanleyMiniVenture/
Book a customised tuk tuk tour with Expique
Local tour operator Expique guarantees to show your family different side of Bangkok. Specialising in private tuk tuk tours, they offer a family-themed canal and tuk-tuk adventure priced at THB 2,000 per person (and free for children under age 5) to show you the best that the city has to offer. For a heightened experience, make sure to request one of their tuk tuks with a transparent roof!
Image via: http://www.expique.com/tour/bangkok/bangkok-family-canal-tuktuk-adventure/
Bounce the afternoon away with Rockin’ Jump
The Rockin’ Jump trampoline park franchise recently hit Bangkok with its location on Rama 3 road. Catch some serious air in open jump arenas, dive into pools of soft foam cubes, play trampoline dodgeball or try the ‘Tripwire’ – an exciting laser maze game that young folk will certainly enjoy. Trampoline time is available in increments of 60 minutes or 120 minutes for THB 350 and THB 700 respectively. The facility recommends to book ahead to ensure availability.
Open Monday to Friday from 14.00 pm – 20.00 pm and weekends and holidays from 10.00 am – 20.00 pm.
Image via: http://bk.asia-city.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/item_image/rockin_jumpin_0.jpg
PHUKET
Turn your world upside down
Lights on the floor and carpets on the ceiling – that’s what happens when a house is turned upside down, and it’s what visitors will find at Baan Teelanka, a quirky architectural phenomenon that’s ripe for photo-taking and exploration. Its location is also home to the A-Maze, a 1000 square-metre garden hedge labyrinth designed by one of the world’s most acclaimed maze designers, and the Chamber of Secrets – an entertaining escape room game.
Entrance fee: THB 350 for adults and THB 190 for children – combination packages for all activities are also available.
Image via: http://static.asiawebdirect.com/m/phuket/portals/phuket-com/homepage/phuket-magazine/baan-teelanka/pagePropertiesImage/top-baan-teelanka.jpg
See elephants and acrobatics at the Phuket Fantasea Show
Impress your children with the circus-like atmosphere at one of the island’s most popular attractions – the Phuket Fantasea nighttime theme park. Its undeniably entertaining live show features over an hour of Thai mythology stories, native dancing and elephants and acrobats performing on an impressive 40-metre wide stage. After the show, enjoy activities in the park’s grounds or a buffet dinner at the Golden Kinnaree restaurant.
Phuket Fantasea offers pickups from the city center, and show tickets are priced at THB 1,800 per person for both adults and children.
Image via: http://static.asiawebdirect.com/m/phuket/portals/phuket-com/homepage/phuket-magazine/phuket-fantasea/allParagraphs/05/image/phuket-fantasea-show.jpg
Get an adrenaline rush at the Flying Hanuman adventure park
Feeling adventurous? Explore Phuket’s lush forests from the trees in the Flying Hanuman zipline adventure park. Consisting of 28 adventure platforms, 15 ziplines, a skyrail and two sky bridges, this attraction caters to all ages! Be sure to partake in the 18-hole prehistoric themed Mini-Dino Golf Adventure, which features full-scale replicas of prehistoric creatures as well as caves, waterfalls and an erupting volcano!
Prices start at THB 2,300 per person for the Hanuman adventure. Adults and children over 12 years pay THB 240 for the Mini-Dino golf, while children between 4 and 12 years pay THB 180.
Image via: http://flyinghanuman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Flying-Hanuman-Phuket-Ziplining12.jpg
CHIANG MAI
Experience a day in the life of an elephant owner
Parents and children alike will be deeply touched by the ‘Elephant Owner for a Day’ experience at the Patara Elephant Farm, a responsible tourism initiative that aims to care for rescued Asian elephants. Experience the joy of being an elephant owner as you learn to understand an elephant’s temperament, feed it, bathe it and brush it in the river.
The special experience is priced at THB 5,800 per person.
Image via: http://www.pataraelephantfarm.com/ckfinder/uploaded/images/IMG_7530.JPG
Learn about eco-friendly paper made from…elephant dung!
For a cheaper yet distinctly unique elephant-related experience, try the Elephant Poopoopaper Park – yes, this is a real location in Chiang Mai which showcases the production of paper made from elephant dung. Children can learn about the steps needed to produce the paper and actively participate in the paper making process. They can even create their own paper for keepsakes such as notebooks, wallets or greeting cards.
Open daily from 9.00 am -18.00 pm. Entry fee is THB 100 per person (kids below 5 years enter free).
Image via: http://www.poopoopaperpark.com/en/
Marvel at life in 3D at the Art in Paradise museum
With over 130 3D paintings scattered throughout its two stories, Art in Paradise’s Chiang Mai location will bring you on a multi-dimensional photography adventure. Give yourself at least two hours to explore this museum, and show up before noon to avoid the crowds!
Open daily from 9:00 am -21:00 pm, with entry fees of THB 300 per person.
Image via: http://chiangmai-artinparadise.com/gallery.php
KOH SAMUI
Head off on a windsurf or paddle-boarding adventure
Stand-up paddle boarding is one of the preferred activities for Samui-island dwellers and visitors. At Samui Paddleboard, Windsurf & Yoga SUP, you can rent a stand up paddleboard for as many days as you’d like. Windsurf lessons are provided for children and adults of all levels, and those who prefer something less active can opt for a guided monofin swimming experience.
Services are available from Monday to Sunday, 10.00 am – 17.00 pm. Email contact@samui-paddleboard.com for more details.
Image via: http://www.isupsamui.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/slider5.jpg
Island-hopping adventure in Anthong Marine Park
One of Thailand’s best island-hopping adventures is to be found throughout the 42 islands of the Anthong Marine archipelago. Snorkeling and sea-kayaking adventures await for the whole family at this park, which lies one hour northwest of Samui. The best and quickest way to the park is by speedboat, which you can easily hire for a day tour.
Note that there are national park entry fees of THB 300 for adults and THB 150 for children (applicable to foreigners).
Image via: http://www.angthongmarinepark.com/wp-content/themes/striking/cache/images/viewpoint-angthong-marine-park-800×350.jpg
Floating waterpark challenge
Test your upper body strength at Aquapark Samui, a unique floating waterpark consisting of giant inflatable floaties scattered throughout the sea about 40 metres from the beach’s shores. This activity is suitable for those who are up for a more physically exhilarating experience, but not necessarily for very young children or those with lower stamina. Climbing onto the floating toys can be physically strenuous! All visitors are required to wear life jackets, and the staff maintains park rules to ensure safety amidst the fun.
Image via: http://static.asiawebdirect.com/m/phuket/portals/kosamui-com/homepage/attractions/aquapark-samui/allParagraphs/03/BucketList/0/image2/aquapark-samui3.jpg
Open daily from 10.00 am to 18.00 pm, the park is available to adults and kids ages 5 and up. Rates start at THB 200 per hour, THB 350 for half-day, THB 500 for a full-day.
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