Unique Ideas on Where To Go and What To Do With Your Non-School Going Toddlers / Young Kids In and Around Bangkok
Since my son turned 18 months old and dropped down to only one nap a day, I have found it both easy and hard to keep him entertained and engaged. He’s not in school yet so the days can get very long if I don’t have things for him to do and places to go planned out.
On one hand it’s become a lot easier with planning because with only a single nap guaranteed to happen between 12-2PM on most days, I can plan my days much better. I know now there’s a solid “morning chunk of time” and an “afternoon chunk of time” I need to plan out for him. Most baby and toddler playgroups / classes in Bangkok meet in the mornings between 8-11AM and before my son turned 18 months and dropped his nap, I really struggled to take my son for any activities and often felt bad that he was stuck at home. But now that morning playgroups and classes are an option, it’s become one good way to keep him engaged and expend his energy. Check out this post for my review on playgroups and activities for babies and toddlers in Bangkok.
And on the other hand, it’s also become a littler harder because now that my son is older and developing his language and concept skills, he’s seeking a different kind of engagement. I can see that he doesn’t want to sit on a play mat and play with toys; he wants to run, jump, explore, drive toy cars, read books, listen to songs, people watch, and have conversations (and sometimes all at the same time!). He’s learning about the world around him and he wants to experience it and figure stuff out.
So while playgroups and classes have been a staple in my son’s schedule since he was about 6 months, I have also discovered some new ideas and activities in and around Bangkok that keep my very busy and dizzy almost 2-year old toddler engaged in a way that satisfies his growing curiosity about, well, anything and everything.
Play Ville Thailand
Address: 8/3 Sukhumvit Soi 49, Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana
Bangkok, Thailand 10110
Telephone: 02 297 0091
Website:Â https://www.facebook.com/playvillethailand/
Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
A new addition to Bangkok’s kid-friendly scene, Play Ville is an indoor play area with soft mat surfaces, a large climbing frame, slides, a huge ball pit and a separate baby area as well as as small activity corners for arts and crafts, kitchen play, car and books. It also has a small outdoor play area which includes a trampoline and sandpit with toys. I like the space a lot because it has so much variety to offer and my son can easily spend 2 hours there without getting bored. And another nice factor is that it is designed to suit babies and kids of all ages. I recently went with a friend who’s son is 5 years old and he had an equally good time. The overall design of Play Ville is thoughtful, warm and welcoming and I highly recommend it.
Added bonus: there’s a dog park and dog-friendly cafe with great food on the ground floor of the Play Scape 49 complex where Play Ville is located.
Icon SiamÂ
Address: 299 Soi Charoen Nakhon 5 Charoen Nakhon Road Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San Bangkok 10600
Telephone: 02 495 7000
Website: www.iconsiam.com
Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
I recently visited the Icon Siam mall with my toddler son and was pleasantly surprised to see how entertained he was at the Apple store. In the centre of the store there are these leather stools with large balls that rolls out. My son spent almost 30 minutes just rolling on the ball and falling off and then wandering around the whole store rolling the ball. And just outside the Apple store, facing the Chao Phraya river, is a lovely garden where my son really enjoyed walking around and exploring.
Icon Siam is located by the Chao Phraya River so it’s a little further out from the city centre. To make a day of it with kids, take a long ride on the BTS train to Saphan Taksin station, get out at Exit 2, and head to the Sathon pier where a free ICONSIAM boat shuttle will drop you off right in front of the mall.
Day trip to PattayaÂ
Pattaya is just a 1.5-2 hour drive from Bangkok, making it a really easy day trip. Pattaya has a lot to offer depending on what you’re in the mood for and how old your children are.
We reached the main Pattaya beachfront around 11AM and it was quite sunny so we found a shaded spot and ordered food and drinks from the local vendors. Under the shade of the umbrella my son played in the sand for a long time and had a blast. Once it got too hot in the afternoon, we headed across the street to the Royal Garden Plaza mall, which has lots of restaurants and some entertainment options.
In the late afternoon / early evening once the weather cools down a bit, you can head back to the beach or visit some local attractions. We visited Mini Siam, which is a park attraction that features mini recreations of famous Thai temples and buildings from around the world such as the Sydney Opera House, London Bridge etc. My son enjoyed looking at all the building replicas and walking around the park. And finally wrap up the day with dinner at any of the hotels or restaurants located on Pattaya Beach Road before heading home.
I hope you found this post helpful and inspiring. Have you visited any of the places mentioned? Do you have any other suggestions for entertaining a non-schooling toddler in and around Bangkok?
Please share you thoughts and comments below.