The Best Fun Places for Kids in Bangkok

The Best Fun Places for Kids in Bangkok

Posted by Mark Philip

Image by Mark Philip Barnett

Bangkok is an expanding, highly-populated, chaotic SE Asian metropolis, with many attractions to suit visitors from of a variety of regions and age groups.

The shopping malls, restaurants, bars, cafes and clubs are just a few of the places that visitors to Bangkok like to spend their time in. But one major consideration for anyone coming to Bangkok with young family is going to be — what about the kids? — is Bangkok even child-friendly?

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Admittedly, in many ways the Thai capital may not be the best place on earth to go for a holiday with young family – probably even less so with toddlers – mainly due to issues with congestion, crowds and access.

Many people find Bangkok a little too chaotic, and sometimes overwhelming even – especially in high temperatures and humidity, which is something that young families travelling abroad for the first time may sometimes not be entirely ready for.

Having said that, Bangkok is constantly evolving by way of forward-thinking entrepreneurial types who are always re-thinking tried and tested ideas and formulas for the modern generation. This includes entertainment and educational sectors, with a broader range of various leisure activities for kids evolving slowly but gradually.

Due to high temperatures and humidity pretty much all year round, Bangkok is not much of an ‘outdoor activity’ lover’s haven. Most Thais would much rather head for the nearest air-conditioned premises (usually a shopping mall) than go for a cycle round the park or practice skate-boarding.

In fact, pretty much all outdoor activity in Thailand is undertaken either early morning or in the evening in order to avoid the sun. This means this if you are looking for fun activities to occupy the kids for a few hours or so, they are most likely to be of the indoor variety.

And here they are – just a taste of some of the options which might allow hours, afternoons or days of fun for kids in Bangkok!

1. Funarium

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‘Fun-arium’ is an indoor kids’ playground and activity centre that has been around for a decade or so.

Situated close to one of Bangkok’s central residential and tourist districts, on the Sukhumvit Road, the huge 2,000-sq.m facility provides a morning or an afternoon’s fun of climbing, sliding, and chuting, and has different, safety-conscious areas that are well-staffed.

There is a section for anyone wanting to try their hand at scootering, cycling, or somersaulting on a trampoline — and just about anything else that comes to mind in this great kids’ activity centre. There are classrooms upstairs on the second level for art and cooking demonstrations and practice, as well as a restaurant and café area on the ground floor with the play area in view.

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The play area is split into four sub-zones, namely toddlers. Juniors, and sports, and outside there is a sand and water area which may be open or not weather and conditions permitting.

 The toddler area is designed for infants up to 4 years of age, and features soft play equipment designed to promote child development.  It is easy and safe for babies and toddlers to crawl or walk on a soft surface, and enjoy playing with the small and oft ball pool.

The junior section is aimed at children aged between 4 and 13, and features a two-storey-tall play structure ideal for hours of energetic climbing, jumping, crawling and balancing, and a large trampoline is situated in this area. There is a fairly large 4-lane slider that both big kids (adults) and small kids can use at the same time.

The sectioned-off play area offers the youngsters the opportunity to play within/on a basketball court that doubles as a football pitch.

Not exactly cheap at around 350 baht per person (depending on height of kid it may be cheaper), but all in all a great way to allow the kids to blow off some steam while you relax with a coffee, snack, book, etc.

Address: 111/1 Sukhumvit 26 Alley, Watthana, Bangkok 10120

Hours: 10 am-6 pm 

website: www.funarium.co.th

Phone: 02 665 6555

2. Bounce Thailand

Bounce presents an environment for kids geared towards adventure and fun. The Bounce mission is ‘to inspire movement, creative expression, and human connection’.

All of the Bounce venues are meant to be adrenaline playgrounds for the energetic youngster seeking to challenge themselves.

There are different sections and activities in the Bounce space such as the following:

A ‘free-jump’ arena

This area is a massive network of interconnected floor and wall trampolines. It is almost like an easier version of Free-Running and Parkour, and is the main stage in Bounce.

With more than 30 interconnected trampolines, tumble tracks and banked walls, kids are able to experience the joys of freestyling in this oversized playground.

Slam Dunk

This area contains full-height basketball rings, with runway trampolines, all surrounded by mega-safe padded walls and floors.

The idea here is to jump first to build the height of your bounce then slam! Throw in a few moves and you are away!.

Slam Dunk is a popular and somehow addictive attraction – You or your kids will find out why when you give it a shot.

Big Bag

This giant air bag is the softest of soft landings, so you can get creatively airborne and practice your aerial moves with no worries.

Working on moves could not be easier in the giant inflatable bag, which is located in a five-foot-deep pit.

Other attractions include the more recently added X-Park Adventure Challenge Course which has 9 different sections, and then there’s ‘The Wall’.

The Wall is a combination of high performance trampolines with vertical walls made for freestyle tricks and Wall Running. This area is a little like a trampoline skate park, in that you can use the ‘bounce and rebound’ properties of Performance Trampolines to climb walls

Hours of fun and it might be an idea to book online first. Ninja kids come on down!

Address: 693 Emquartier Shopping Complex, 4^th floor, the Glass Quarter, Sukhumvit Road, Klongton-Nua, Watthana, Bangkok 10110

Hours: 10 am – 8 pm

Contact: enquiries@bounceinc.co.th/ LINE @bouncethailand

BTS: Prompong

3. KidZania Bangkok

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Located in the Bangkok shopping mecca Siam Paragon, KidZania Bangkok is the place that may remind you of the time when you wanted to grow up and start working.

It is described as ‘a miniature city’ where kids are provided with the opportunity to role-play a variety of jobs and occupations.  Kids who come here can experience the ‘fun’ of being an adult through playing a particular role, while having lots fun along the way.

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More than 70 activities are offered at KidZania to inspire interest the younger ones, from being the town cook and whipping up a meal to putting out fires fireman-style — kids love it!

From every completed activity, the children earn money that they are then able to use to go shopping!

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One of the aims of KidZania is that your child will more likely consider things like responsibility, confidence and independence from participation in the activities, which will engage them for a few hours or more and allow them to put both their physical energy and their emotional intelligence to good use.

Address: Siam Paragon, 991 Rama I Rd, Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330

Hours: 11 am-6 pm

Phone: 02 683 1888

4. Art in Paradise Bangkok

Art in Paradise Bangkok is the first 3D art museum concept in Bangkok, although it is something of a different departure from other typical ‘museums’ as it exhibits interactive art.

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Actually this is a permanent exhibition that allows viewers to take highly interesting photos, in that the participant becomes a part of the artwork. All of the masterpieces involved are hand painted, and the art exhibitions are stunningly eccentric in a 3-dimensional manner, which makes each photo come to life.

Besides 3D painting concepts, there is also a corner focused on interactive media. This comes by way of a media exhibition that can interact with people in response to their facial expressions and body language.

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An interesting, arty, fun, interactive and modern way to enliven or occupy the kids when in Bangkok!

Located in: Esplanade Cineplex Ratchadaphisek

Address: 99 Ratchadaphisek Rd, Din Daeng, Bangkok 10400

Hours: 11.00 am-8.00 pm

Phone: 02 660 9130

5. Pororo Aquapark

Pororo Aquapark is Central Plaza Bangna’s fully renovated, themed, rooftop waterslide park!

On the 6^th floor of one of Central’s many, huge shopping complexes can be found 10,000 square metres of waterpark fun! The name and theme is courtesy of a popular Korean penguin cartoon figure

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The area has various sliders such as Pororo’s Funnel, which is a 58-metre-long of tubular water chute. This international-standard ride is a fast and fun slider experience! Then there is Petty’s Speed way, another fast rwater experience, this time on a body-slide fun through corkscrew turns, gradually building up speed for a big splashdown! And not forgetting Eddy’s Adventure, which is a twisty slider ride of unexpected surprises!

Along with a few other sliders and activities there are a bunch of other facilities and attractions such as a VIP lounge, rental store, retail area, and dining area.

A great afternoon’s fun in Bangkok for you and the kids!