Looking for a fun family day out without having to put your hand in your pocket? Here are 6 free attractions in Bangkok we’ve frequented with kids!
1. Children’s Discovery Museum
It’s all about hands-on learning at the Children’s Discovery Museum. Located on the premises of Queen Sirikit Park in Chatuchak, the museum has three buildings covering over 7,000m², and there’s also 3,000m² of outdoor and exhibition areas. So, a lot to discover! Kids can take part in a range of outdoor interactive activities, including digging up dinosaurs in the large archaeological site; play in a dedicated area fitted with water jets, rain showers and fountains (bring swimwear and a towel); and have fun on a climbing gym and a tree house with slides, ladders and nets.
2. Suan Rot Fai
Located just north of Chatuchak Market, a visit to Suan Rot Fai gets you well away from the hustle of Bangkok. The lush green spaces of this 150 acre park are ideal for tranquil walks, and you can bikes and cycle (bring your own or rent them for a small fee) around the park’s three-kilometre track. For those with babies and toddlers, it’s also a fantastic place to bring the stroller. The on-site Bangkok Butterfly Garden and Insectarium is a must-visit – home to an exotic collection of species including the Golden Birdwing, Plain Tiger and Giant Silkworm Butterfly.
3. Root Garden
Hurry over to this wonderful urban farm in Thonglor Soi 3, as it’s scheduled to close this year (no definite date has been set, though). This small patch of previously unused land has been transformed into a working farm with its own vegetables gardens, chicken coops and goats. Children can help out by feeding the animals or watering the crops. There’s also a small cafe out front if you fancy a snack and coffee while the kids play, and there are often events such as a farmer’s market and live music on the weekends.
4. BACC
The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) frequently runs programmes for art, music, theatre, film and design. The main gallery, from floors 7 to 9, houses major and special exhibitions year round. Children will enjoy walking up the circular ramp and stairway to floor 7, particularly young children who can hide and play in the architectural nooks. The gallery space is best suited to older children who can understand and appreciate the exhibition information, labeled in English. Floors 1 to 6 accommodate a range of retail outlets, including art, books, jewelry, handicrafts, toys and fashion. It is not uncommon to see students and local artists sketching on site. On your way in or out of the Centre, grab a coffee from Gallery Drip Coffee, a quaint café on the ground floor (the traditional drip espresso is fantastic!).
5. Royal Thai Air Force Museum
Located in the Royal Thai Air Force compound behind Don Muang Airport, this small museum documents the history of Thai aviation, including defense articles and rare aircrafts of different periods. Children will be fascinated by the flying machines of yesteryear. The indoor and outdoor setup allows kids to walk around freely, and most exhibits are labeled in English. The rarest planes are housed in an air-conditioned building, but the majority lay in hangars outdoors. There are no regular guided tours available for individual visitors.
Located on the fourth floor of Chamchuri Square (Rama 4 Road), this small branch of the National Science Museum is great fun for kids. With a modern design, it features simple hands-on exhibits demonstrating principles surrounding probability, magnetism, and physical forces, among many others. There is also a skeleton and fossil exhibit, virtual reality displays, and an area for kids to build with giant blocks, fiddle with computers, and play with educational toys.
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