With its proximity to Singapore and budget airfares, Thailand is great as a quick getaway for us retail-mad Singaporeans. Everyone waxes lyrical about Thailand’s shopping and pulsating nightlife. However, it’s hardly a place you would bring young kids.
Or is it?
We have listed down 5 surprising activities you can do with your kids in Bangkok that we are absolutely certain your kids would love. These unique experiences that our sunny island would not be able to offer the little ones are fun ways for children to learn and the whole family to bond together.
1. Kidzania
By now, if you are a parent of a young kid, you would have heard about this kid-focused franchise. In case you haven’t, Kidzania is basically a kiddy microcosm of the adult world with its own currency and even jobs. Kids get to be adults for the day! With a myriad of experiences like earning a salary, drawing money out from the ATM to flying an aeroplane (simulated, of course!), its a great way to learn and have fun.
There are lots of roles your child will enjoy playing in the kid city
Kidzania Singapore is coming to Singapore only at the end of this year. If you would like a preview, head down to Kidzania at Bangkok. If your kid is above 8, you have the option of putting him there for the entire day and indulging in adult retail therapy at the massive Siam Paragon that Kidzania is located in – win-win!
Address: Siam Paragon, 5th Floor, 991 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Opening Hours: Weekdays: 10am – 5pm, Weekends & Public holidays: 10.30am – 8.30pm
Website: bangkok.kidzania.com/en-us/
2. Calypso Cabaret
Broadway extravaganza at your doorstep in Bangkok
Other than their warm hospitality, Thais are also famed for their transgender / transsexual subculture. The talented”Lady-boys”, or men who have been through the surgical transformation hog the spotlight every night in a broadway style extravaganza in Calypso. The cabaret show has had a hugely successful long run of 25 years and is highly entertaining. Despite being a cabaret show, it is appropriate for children of all ages. While not exactly educational, it’s definitely an eye-opening experience that challenges pre-conceived gender notions and provides early exposure to a phenomenon that is perhaps not as celebrated in Singapore.
The best thing about the Calypso is that you can take as many photos as you like. These gorgeous ‘ladies’ are more than happy to interact with the audience and indulge your touristy inclinations by posing with you. Watch your child’s eyes bulge when these beauties speak to him in their masculine voices!
Go check them out in their spanking new location in Asiatique. You can even book in advance to arrange for dinner while enjoying the show!
Address: Asiatique The Riverfront (Warehouse no.3); 2194 Charoenkrung 72-76 Rd.,Prayakrai, Bangor Laem, Bangkok 10120 Thailand
Show Times: 8.15pm and 9.30pm (Each show is approximately 1.5 hours)
Website: www.calypsocabaret.com/home
3. Traditional Thai Puppet Show
If you are looking for something a bit more cultural, you can bring your kid to the Bangkok Traditional Puppet Show at Aksra Theatre or the Thai Puppet Show at the Joe Louis Theatre.
Thai puppet shows are different in that the pupeteers are very much visible and are part of the mise-en-scene, wearing black that blends into the backdrop. Not only is being a puppeteer an artistic skill that requires years of training to perfect, the puppets themselve are elaborate pieces of craftsmanship. The songs and stories are also taken from traditional classics, with performances incorporating the cultural art form of Thai martial arts conducted to the beat of Thai musical instruments.
Intricate thai puppets are beautiful
This revered art form is definitely worth a visit! Besides, which child doesn’t love a puppet show?
Aksra Theatre’s Bangkok Traditional Puppet Show
Address: King Power Duty Free Complex, Soi Rang Nam, near Victory Monument
Show Times: 7.30pm (Mon-Wed) and 6.30pm (Thur-Sun)
Website: www.bangkok.com/product-reviews/thai-puppet-show-at-aksra-theatre-review.htm#
Joe Louis Traditional Puppet Theatre
Address: 194 Soi Charoen Krung 72-74, Charoen Krung Road |Asiatique The Riverfront, Warehouse 3, Bangkok,Thailand
Show Times: 7.30pm
Website: www.joelouistheatre.com/eng/
4. The Chao Phraya Tourist Express Boat
Sure, we have boats here in Singapore but the Chao Phraya is one of the longest river in Asia. The Chao Phraya is also integral to the historical development of Bangkok into the modern city it is now and can even be said to be the artery of the nation.
Exploring bangkok in one day is just a comfortable boat ride away
The Chao Phraya Express boat offers a relaxing way to take in all the local sights and sounds of Bangkok in a day. Your kid will enjoy the cool comfort of the high quality boat and running commentary of the local boat guides as they go from pier to pier. The fact that many landmarks of Bangkok are located along the piers that the boat stops over at is an added benefit that you and your child will appreciate.
Ticketing Locations: Sathorn Pier (Central Pier), Phra Arthit Pier, BTS Tourist services Unit, Siam Station (interchange station), Thaksin StationTi
Times: 9.30am – 4pm
Website: www.chaophrayaexpressboat.com/en/tourist/
5. Snow Town
The only place you can get cool in tropical Bangkok is Snow Town, and we mean really really cold!
Snow Town which recently opened its doors in July is a huge 3,000 square metre snow themed park laid out like a Euro-Japanese mountain village. Let your kids go wild in this sparkling new winter wonderland skiing, sliding and building snow strcutures!
If the kids get tired and hungry, the park houses a variety of interesting Japanese restaurants and cafes serving exotic Hokkaido specialities, ranging from sweet potato fries to ramen noodles and jengiskhan beef.
In addition, Snow Town also incorporates an area called Sketch Town, where kids can colour a picture of a vehicle or building is a novel concept. Their creations are then scanned and projected as interactive 3D images on the wall. Kids also get a printout of their picture that can be used to make a 3D paper model.
It’s cute, it’s a great respite from the killer sun and there’s tonnes to explore and do.
Address: 982/22 Sukhumvit Rd. Prakanong , Klongtoey , Bangkok 10110
Operating Hours: 11am-10pm (Mon-Thurs), 11am-midnight (Fri-Sat), 10am-10pm (Sun)
Website: www.snowtown.co.th/
Next time you plan for a family holiday with your little one in tow, skip the usual destinations and give Bangkok a chance to impress the whole family!
Do you know of any other kid friendly places in Bangkok? Share with us your travel experiences in the Land of Smiles in the comments below!