As a parent, few things beat seeing your kid’s face light up as they tear into their birthday presents. But inevitably, the novelty of even the best loved gifts quickly fades. So this year, why not replace a material gift with an experience that may well just live longer in the memory? Here are 5 ideas to get you started…

1. Annual Pass to SEA LIFE Ocean World

One trip to SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World just doesn’t seem enough. With 30,000 native and exotic marine life creatures, live feeding demonstrations, a 4D cinema and a range of fun experiences including a ‘Dive with the Sharks Programme’, seeing everything in one visit is tricky. But with an annual pass, you can make unlimited visits within 12 months, as well as receive exclusive discounts off a range of activities, birthday party packages and food and drink.

2. Parent-Free Cinema Trip

While little ones might love going to the cinema with mum and dad, older kids inevitably get to a point when they’d rather watch a movie with their mates. And if your child has reached that age, their next birthday could be the perfect chance to treat them and a friend to a parent-free cinema outing. You could buy their tickets and throw in spending money for snacks and drinks, or go one better and a book VIP experience for them at somewhere like SF World Cinema at CentralWorld. As well as pre-movie appetizers and drinks, they’ll get unlimited refills and free popcorn during the show. Best birthday ever!

3. Sponsor an Rescued Animal 

For wildlife-loving little ones, getting to adopt their very own animal can be a dream come true. And adopting an animal as a gift can also have a real conservation impact. Dedicated rescue organizations such as The Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) rely on public adoptions to help fund their ongoing rehabilitation programme. You can make an adoption for the year from as little as $50 US, which includes an A4 personalized colour certificate of the named animal you’ve chosen.

4. Wakeboarding at Taco Lake

Located 20 minutes from Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand’s first cable wake park guarantees a memorable birthday treat. Riders can wakeboard, wakeskate, kneeboard or water ski around the lake while attached to a motorized cable system. While the lake is great for seasoned pros, first-timers can rely on expert tuition from Taco Lake’s team of instructors. This birthday treat is also seriously good value. ‘Sunset’ tickets (midday – 6 pm) are just 400 baht while ‘Night Ride’ tickets (midday – 10 pm) are a mere 600 baht, with all the safety gear and basic boards included.

5. Organized Bike Tours

Saddle up for a birthday bike tour and explore a whole new side of Bangkok. Tour groups such as Grasshopper Adventures run a whole range of trips with plenty of kid-friendly options to pick from. You’ll get to peddle around quiet sois, discover tucked-away temples, and cycle along ancient canals – giving you a completely different perspective on the city. You can pick from half day, full day and evening tours around Bangkok, while extended trips to Ayutthaya and the Gulf of Thailand are ideal for older kids looking for a real outbound adventure.

Image credit: Action Sports Asia

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