Staying in town for the summer holidays? While Bangkok might be limited on green space, it does have far more activities to keep the kids active than you might first realise. Here are some ideas for children and adults alike to have fun and get the blood pumping all at the same time.
Water Sports: Bangkok might not have its own beach, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still go surfing in the city. At Flow House Bangkok, the artificial surfing simulator lets you Bodyboard and Flowboard – a combination of surfing, snowboarding, wakeboarding and various other boarding-type activities. First timers get plenty of advice to get started and there’s a practice rope to hold onto as you get used to the waves. Flow House is suitable for ages 5 and up, although young riders need to be over 107cm (42″) to Bodyboard and 133cm (52″) to Flowboard.
Also, check out Taco Lake Wake Park, a freshwater pond with wakeboarding, wakeskating, kneeboarding and water skiing for both novice and expert riders (pre-teens through to adults). Boats have been replaced with a full circuit cable system that runs the span of the lake and enables up to eight riders at once. There are a series of ramps and obstacles, and renowned 90 degree turns.
Cycling Tours: Cycling in Bangkok is a great way to get active with the family and see a leafier side to the city. Organized tours give you the chance to glimpse hidden temples, verdant rice paddies and historic neighbourhoods that lead you off the beaten track. There are plenty of child-friendly operators who offer everything from easy half-day routes to daylong excursions, so you can pick a programme that suits your family best. For those with babies and toddlers, tour groups such as Follow Me also provide child carriers free of charge.
Golfing: Drop by the XCITE Golf Academy in Sukhumvit 24 and learn the fundamentals of golf (or hone your existing skills), based on XCITE’s proprietary 5 Step Game Improvement System, in a state-of-the-art indoor facility. Practice your swing with a coach on a simulated course, or try your hand at putting on their rooftop green. Bring the kids for a free trial lesson and trial pass, and/or sign up for your own group classes!
Ice Skating: Ice skating in Bangkok clearly has its benefits — namely, getting active and cooling off all at the same time. So when temperatures are soaring and you’re looking for a way to spend a fun few hours with the family, this is a clear winner. The Rink Ice Arena holds an Elite Learn To Skate course, which includes 10 classes that help children feel more confident on the ice and develop their skills. Classes are held on weekday and weekends at their Central Plaza Grand Rama 9, CentralWorld and Fashion Island branches.
Horse Riding: Horse riding is another fantastic activity. It’s something the whole family can take up together and it’s far more strenuous that you might imagine. On top of all that, it’s also great for building confidence. Situated on the city fringes, Bangkok Equestrian Center offers a variety of courses to help you get into the saddle, including the Pony Club for children. Not only does the club help little ones develop the technical skills needed to ride a pony, they’ll also acquire additional skills that involve learning about sportsmanship and horsemanship.
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