24 FUN FAMILY-FRIENDLY THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN BANGKOK THAT WILL BRING OUT EVERYONE’S INNER CHILD (Part 2)
Not always thought of as the most family-friendly city, Bangkok has a lot to offer under-18s.Rather than a necessary stop on your way to the islands or the cultural north, the Thai capital will be firmly on your itinerary after you discover these 27 kid-centric attractions.From cultural shows to wet and wild water parks, as well as ‘edutainment’ centers, there are many points of interest to keep everyone from toddlers to teens occupied.Whether you’re traveling to Bangkok as a stop-over or coming to stay for a month – you’ll have at least 24 options for some family fun in the capital of Thailand!
9. Toy Fans Rejoice – Tooney Museum
When it comes to toys, there’s no better place to turn to than the Tooney Museum. The museum features a variety of toys, mostly new but with some antiques mixed in. There’s Woody and Buzz from the Toy Story, the Joker and Batman and even Barbie.
The museum was started by a private collector. His collection eventually became so impressive that he couldn’t keep it to himself any longer. So he built this 800 square meter facility to share all of his toys with the public.
The toys are separated into different categories to make for easy viewing.
On top of the fascinating displays, there’s also a small cafe just outside. And for those who would like to start their own toy collection, a shop selling many of the items seen in the museum is also on the premise. Even if you don’t make it to the museum, you can still shop online at their website.
Tooney Museum
Address: 69 275 M.1, Soi Si Saman 8, Si Saman Rd.,Pak Kret 11120, Thailand
Getting There: The museum is located near Don Mueang International Airport. You can reach the museum using public buses, but it is far better to catch a taxi or use your own private transportation.
Contact: +66863370136
Opening hours: Fri – Sun 10AM – 8PM
Entrance Fees: Adult entry from 150 Baht / USD $4.33; Child entry from 100 Baht / USD $2.86
10. Immerse Yourself in Thai Culture – Siam Niramit
After dining and shopping, seeing a show is the next major thing to do in Bangkok, and Siam Niramit is the perfect cultural performance for you and your family.
In fact, Siam Niramit is regarded as the largest cultural performance in Bangkok. Opened in 2005, the auditorium can accommodate up to 2,000 standing spectators. The backstage staff consists of nearly 300 people and the stang is almost 65 meters wide and 40 meters deep, making it one of the world’s largest stages.
The nearly two-hour show boasts gorgeous costumes, great actors, real animals, big sets, water play, fireworks and high-tech special effects. A variety of Thai cultures are demonstrated throughout the 80-minute show.
Before you head to the performance, make sure you have enough time to visit the cultural village around the theater. There is a Thai massage area, a snack area, handicrafts for sale and cottages to represent various districts in Thailand.
If you wish to enjoy dinner and a show, a buffet dinner is available for purchase prior to the start of the show.
Do note that cameras are not allowed in the theater so it’s best to leave yours in your hotel room.
Siam Niramit
Address: 19 Tiamruammit Road, Bangkok 10320,Thailand
Getting There: The nearest MRT station is Thailand Cultural Center
Contact: +6626499222
Opening hours: The show starts at 8:00PM Daily
Price: Tickets from 1500 Baht / USD $43.27
11. Snap a Selfie with a Celebrity – Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
Have you ever wanted to sit on the Queen of England’s throne? Or act like the president in the Oval Office? How about meeting a movie star?
You can do all of these things without leaving Bangkok. That’s right! You only need to visit Madame Tussauds Wax Museum to fulfill all of your dreams.
This museum is full of wax figures representing the most famous celebrities, including President Obama, the Queen of England, Vin Diesel, Cristiano Ronaldo, Serena Williams and David Beckham. Guests are free to approach and pose with the wax figures. This is the perfect time to get a photo with the celebrity you or your family have always dreamed of meeting.
PS: if you plan to visit both the Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, be sure to enquire about combination tickets. These usually save you a bit of money on general admission to both attractions.
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
Address: 989 Rama 1 | 6th Floor, Siam Discovery Shopping Center, Bangkok 10300, Thailand
Getting There: The nearest BTS station is Siam.
Contact: +6626580060
Opening hours: 10AM – 9PM
Entrance Fees: From 590 Baht / USD $17.02
12. Swim with Sharks – Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World
On the bottom two floors of the new Siam Paragon Centre in Bangkok, Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World might just be the most marine-tastic experience you’ll have in Thailand’s capital.
The Sea Life center hosts more than 30,000 marine animals, including but not limited to seals, ragged-tooth sharks, leafy sea dragons, blue-ringed octopus, stingrays, giant spider crabs, leopard sharks and more.
Ocean World is the largest aquarium in the whole of Southeast Asia and one of the largest “edutainment” centers in Bangkok.
Upon entry to Ocean World, you’ll be introduced to seven different marine environments starting with the “Weird and Wonderful.” Then you’ll explore the “Open Ocean,” “Rainforest,” “Deep Reef,” “Rocky Shore,” “Sea Jellies,” and “Living Ocean.”
Walking through these environments may be adventure enough for some. But for those looking to get a little more up close and personal with the marine life, Ocean World offers a diving adventure into their 2.8 million liter oceanarium.
During the experience, you’ll come face-to-face with marine life while being guided by fully qualified instructors.
If you don’t feel like getting wet, yet still want to get closer to the animals, consider a ride in the glass-bottomed boat.
This will take you over the oceanarium so you can observe the sharks, rays and fish below. Alternatively, sign up for one of the organized tours with aquatic life experts who guide you through the aquarium and answer all of your most pressing questions.
We’re sure your children will be asking to return to the aquarium again and again after a visit to Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World!
Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World
Address: Siam Ocean World Co., Ltd.; B1-B2 Floor, Siam paragon; 991 Rama 1 Road; Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
Getting There: The nearest BTS station is Siam.
Contact: +6626872000
Opening hours: 10AM – 9PM
Entrance Fees: Adult entry from 450 Baht / USD $12.98; Child entry from 280 Baht / USD $8.08
13. Feel the Need for Speed – EasyKart
If you’re in the mood to open the throttle but are restricted by Bangkok’s traffic, EasyKart is the perfect solution for your adrenalin needs. This indoor go-karting track in downtown Bangkok is suitable for all ages. You can race with (or against) your kids.
There are three sizes of kart for different experience levels, ranging from 100CC to 270CC with a maximum speed of 60 kilometers per hour. Each race lasts 8 minutes and the necessary safety equipment is provided and required.
The track itself will keep you on your toes. There are several sharp turns and a few stretches where you can really test the speed of your machine.
This track is technologically advanced too. Your lap times are recorded on an electronic board overhead, and each driver is given a printout of the times after the race.
If you want to sit a race out but still cheer on your family and friends, head up to the observation deck where you’ll have a bird’s eye view of the action!
EasyKart
Address: 31//11 RCA Plaza, 2nd Floor, Rama 9 Road, Bangkapi, Huaykwang, Bangkok 10320
Getting There: The nearest BTS station is Petchaburi and the nearest MRT station is Rama 9.
Contact: +66860280880
Opening hours: 1PM – 12AM
Price: From 450 Baht / USD $12.98
14. Have a Sing-Along – Playhouse Magical Cabaret
It wouldn’t be a list of things to do in Bangkok without a ladyboy show. While you may question whether this is family-appropriate, Playhouse Magical Cabaret is less cabaret and more performance dance, making it safe for the whole family.
Recently settled into their new location in Suan Lum Night Bazaar, the show includes a huge range of genres such as musicals, singing, dance, magic and humor. Many of the song and dance numbers are set to well-known hits, making the performance fun and memorable to all.
And don’t get us started on the costumes! Each and every performance features another gorgeous outfit. The singers and dancers glitter as they move across the stage.
The venue itself is small, but perfectly laid-out to give everyone in the house a good view. The new technology used at the Bazaar Theater serves to add to the mystique of the show.
Overall, if you and your family would like to see a ladyboy and cabaret show in Bangkok, it has to be the Playhouse Magical Cabaret.
Playhouse Magical Cabaret
Address: 5 Suan Lum Night Bazaar C floor Ratchadaphisek Ratchadaphisek Rd, Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Getting There: The nearest MRT station is Lat Phrao.
Contact: +666622150571
Opening hours: Showtimes at 7:00PM and 8:30PM
Price: Tickets from 1200 Baht / USD $34.62
15. Creativity even your kids will appreciate! – Bangkok NANTA Theatre
NANTA Cooking show originally began in South Korea. The show is still very popular in that country and has been running for over 16 years! Because of its success, NANTA has been able to begin performing in several Asian countries, including Thailand.
The performance consists of a bland of acrobatics, musical magic, dance, comedy and mime as a part of the Korean percussion tradition. In addition, NANTA is a non-verbal performance.
But we haven’t even touched on the coolest part about NANTA yet. The performers are actually chefs preparing a wedding dinner, so all the items used as percussion instruments can be found in the kitchen! This additional element makes NANTA a must-see!
Do note that cameras are not allowed in the theater so it’s best to leave yours in your hotel room.
In addition to musical performances, NANTA also features interactive sessions with the audience. All visitors can participate, so be ready to get your percussion on!
Bangkok NANTA Theatre
Address: 31/9 Soi Soonvijai, New Petchburi Rd | Bang Kapi, Huai Khwang, RCA Plaza Bldg, 1F, Bangkok 10310, Thailand
Getting There: The nearest MRT station is Petchburi.
Contact: +6626414407
Opening hours: The show starts at 8:00PM Tuesday through Sunday
Price: Tickets from 1100 Baht / USD $31.73
16. It’s more than just 3D! – 4DX @ Paragon
Perhaps you’ve ridden a 4D ride at an amusement park (like Dinosaur Planet). The 4DX at Paragon is similar to those rides, but it takes the 4D experience to a new level. By that we mean, it gives entire Hollywood films an extra ‘D.’
The theater itself is slightly larger than normal, and you might notice some extra features as you sit down. For example, there are speakers surrounding your head and what looks like the barrel oThese additions make the 4D experience possible. As you watch your film of choice, the theater will be filled with different scents, you’ll be sprayed with water, fog will lift from the screen, your seat will tilt and vibrate, and you’ll get blasted with strong winds, just as if you were actually in the movie.
Combine this with normal 3D and you have one of the world’s best movie experiences at your fingertips.
4DX @ Paragon
Address: Paragon Cineplex 6th Fl., Siam Paragon | Pathum Wan, Bangkok, Thailand
Getting There: The nearest BTS station is Siam.
Contact: +66212946356
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM
Price: From 500 Baht / USD $14.42
Source: Trip canvas