Bangkok is a melting pot of things to do with kids of all ages and while we focus mainly on babies and younger kids, by popular demand we are looking at the teens. It’s naturally assumed by the time the kids reach 13 plus, they have their own ideas on what they want to do and don’t need as much (or want) guidance from us!
But, just in case you can get a word in edgeways and they don’t actually know everything, we’ve compiled a great list of our top 20 places to go with, or activities for your teens. Here’s hoping these uber cool ideas may even score you some brownie points!
1. Train and Night Markets
The latest trend for teens is outside markets from the pop-up stalls that appear at weekends around Platinum city to the infamous train markets which can be found in Liab Duan Market, Ramintra , Srinakarin or The One Ratchada. These markets are popularly known for their vintage and timeless clothes, teens, kids and adults can all enjoy browsing the various thrift and eclectic stalls that pop-up. There are also many cool cafes to just generally chill-out at and some great vinyl record stores where you can hunt for the classics and listen to some beats at the same time.
2. Rock Climbing
Thrill-seeking kids can scale the heights at one of Bangkok’s numerous rock climbing facilities. The huge Climb Central boasts soaring industrial ceilings and an impressive overhang wall. Teens can take advantage of a ‘Youth Entry’ ticket, which includes a day pass and includes all equipment for 500 THB. Other popular rock climbing locations include Rock Domain Climbing Gym and The Racquet Club 49. There are so many destinations scattered across Bangkok to sharpen your climbing skills and explore!
3. Laser Tag
Blasting your mates with a hand-held laser in a neon-lit room never gets old. This retro game still holds mass appeal. Head to Rush B Laser Game for a sci-fi-themed experience in a spaceship maze that includes a 500-square-metre labyrinth. Gamers can pick from various scenarios, including “Last Survivors” – a solo game where players fight it out for individual glory.
4. Trampoline Parks
Bangkok’s trampoline craze has proven a big hit in recent years. One of the big favourites is the huge Bounce Thailand at The Street Ratchada and The Emquartier, boasting interconnected trampolines, a trampoline dodgeball court, and a huge course with angled trampolines and padded walls!
5. Street Art
Another trend is to explore and take numerous insta-worthy shots at some of Bangkok’s graffiti parks. The opportunities to capture Bangkok’s finest street art is endless. Here is a map of multiple street art locations around Bangkok. One of the more popular Graffiti parks is Chalerm La Park, a 5-minute walk from BTS station Ratchatewi. Be prepared to fully charge your mobile phones and cameras as there’s no better place to pose for the perfect capture!
6. Skate Parks
No matter if you’re an experienced skater or fresh off the block, skate parks are user friendly for people of all levels. Luckily the skateboarding scene in Bangkok is constantly evolving so the selections of skate parks are numerous. An easily accessible park in central sukhumvit is the park next to Emquartier. It’s a relatively small skate park but the size of it doesn’t stop the communal atmosphere made up of skateboarders and passing audience members, P.S. Entry’s free as well! If you’re looking for a bigger Skate Park then head down to the Hua Mak Skatepark. Here you’ll find a large space offering a wide variety of ramps, rails and stair sets to challenge skaters and impress the crowds.
7. Ice Skating
Grab the gang for an energetic day of ice skating, dazzling lights and loud music. Bangkok houses a number of excellent olympic-sized ice rinks, including multiple branches of The Rink and Sub-Zero.
Ice Skating is an effective antidote for the hot weather, great exercise as well as a fun experience. Some of the sub zero rinks have special student themed days from Roller disco to Halloween freight night so it’s worth checking out their social media pages for current promotions.
8. Karaoke Lounges
Form a band and rock out with your mates. Welcome to Rockademy, a performance-based music school housed in a two storey building on Sukhumvit 26. Kids learn their craft while being exposed to a huge range of musical styles. A bonus is they get to hang out with fellow musicians, share ideas, and watch the occasional live show from up-and-coming bands. Alternatively, if you feel like showing off your singing skills for the day, head on over to Blu-O for a karaoke hang-out with friends at one of their different venues around central sukhumvit.
9. Learn To Surf
Hit the surf at Flow House in central Sukhumvit — an artificial surfing simulator that lets you bodyboard or flowboard (a mixture of various board sports). Depending on your ability level you can have lessons or just surf freestyle for an exhilarating afternoon on simulated ocean waves and it’s a great way to beat the heat. They often have promotions for teens to surf after 6pm for half price so its worth checking out their social media pages. After riding the waves and getting thoroughly drenched, riders can refuel at the on-site Surf Cafe
10. Escape Rooms
Another really popular afternoon with teens is trying to escape from the various mystery rooms that have sprung up all over Bangkok. You can choose from logical thinking to murder mystery and an eye for detail is the name of the game at Escape Room or Puzzle Room Bangkok . Groups get to put their sleuthing skills to the test in one of four themed rooms (Space Adventure, Lost Symbol, Prison Break, and Bank Robbery). Hidden clues, codes, and hints must be deciphered to break out of the room before the 60-minute time limit expires.
11. Engage In Paintball Combat
Tweens and teens will love the high-speed adrenaline rush they get from a game of paintball. Bangkok offers an enclosed fields, international standard safety equipment and all players are given thorough safety instructions prior to the start of the battle. Get ready to burn off some calories and get your sweat-on during the combat style, paint exploding games.
12. Go-Karting
The ultimate way to get the adrenaline pumping! Older kids and teens will enjoy the go kart racing experience at the purpose-built IMPACT Speed Park and Easykart.net Go-Karting (Bangkok, RCA Plaza). one of the largest speed tracks in Asia and packages include tournament or F1-style races, with warm-ups, qualifying laps, a final race, and a podium and trophy for the winner. Kids can tear around an outdoor 800-metre track in zero emissions electric karts. Digital screens let everyone monitor what’s happening lap-by-lap, and the fastest drivers get to bask in their moment of glory on an F1-style rostrum.
13. Wake Boarding
Located 20 minutes from Suvarnabhumi Airport, Taco Lake is Thailand’s first cable wake park. A motorized cable system lets riders wakeboard, wakeskate, kneeboard or water ski around the lake. Perfect for a day out with friends as you watch each other turn some awesome tricks or funny fails. Taco Lake’s team of instructors offer expert tuition, and there’s an on-site restaurant to fuel up between sessions. Thai Wake Park also offers a similar experience to Lake Taco and offers students special promotions throughout the year as well as hosting competitions with professionals boarders who display some awesome tricks to aspire to.
14. Urban Biking
Located in Bangkok’s Co van Kessel bike tours give you the opportunity to see a part of the real Bangkok away from the concrete towers and let’s you discover a vast network of local streets, alleyways, footpaths and canals. You get to see and experience what lurks behind the modern facade and see hidden worlds giving you a picture of ‘real’ Thai life that has remained unchanged for countless decades and is largely unknown to visitors. This is a truly unique, bicycles or boat or combined tour, for those who want a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the sights, sounds and smells of Thailand. Kids bikes are available but remember to confirm their ages and proficiency levels when booking
15. Catch A Movie
This has to be one of the teens firm favourites and in Bangkok they are spoilt for choice, from the more basic cinemas like the popular Major Cineplex or SF Cinema, to the uber luxury at icon Siam and Embassy Diplomat screens. Sit back, grab a drink and some popcorn and you’re settled. A great idea for a chilled day out and the perfect opportunity to catch the newest film in town. Some teens may love the classics and the hidden indie gems of foreign films at BKK Screening room located in Sathorn. They provide a more intimate atmosphere with a large selection of lesser known films and the area boasts some pretty cool street art as you enter too!
16. Take A Class
Bangkok is never short of classes for kids and teens, catering to a myriad of interests. Explore the next generation in educational robotics at Kids Robotics Learning Centre or learn some new techniques with The Movement Playground. and Spin Academy and Spin & Slice Tennis and Fitness Club. Explore painting in a variety of media at Paron School of Art or develop skills in the performing arts at Curtain Up Drama, among other captivating courses and sporting classes.
Wannabe chefs can sharpen their culinary skills at The Courageous Kitchen Bangkok Cooking School. Offering Thai cooking classes “for kids and kids at heart”, Courageous Kitchen has a course just for tweens/teens (12-16 years old), and those aged 17 and over. All proceeds go towards helping feed, train, and empower young people at risk in Bangkok.
17. Fishing
Take a break from the big city and get out to Bangkok’s natural wonders. Fishing is a great way to spend time some quality time with your mates and compete for the largest fish while chilling out on the river banks and boardwalks. One of Bangkok’s most popular fishing sites is Bungsamran, this park is friendly for beginners and advanced fishers alike. Fishing Rods, bait, nets are all provided and available for rent when you’re there, just remember to bring your patience, and your sun cream!
18. Arcades and Bowling
The neon colours reflecting off eyes, the variety of racing games, air hockey and a friendly competition between friends, the list goes on – arcades are always fun. Arcades and bowling usually come in a pair, both require no equipment and there are plenty to choose from in Bangkok. Hero City Game Centre, located in MBK offers a great selection of classics and new games. Whereas the most popular bowling alleys are hosted by Blu-O where you can choose from classic style bowling or neon bowl. Remember to take your student ID as they offer student discounted prices and often have pay 2-play 3 promotions so definitely ask for what current offers they have before you book your lanes.
19. Just Get Them Outside
Bangkok has so many great parks where kids can just hang out. There are a number of centrally located parks that have outdoor sporting or recreational facilities suited for adolescents. From expending energy on the skate park and basketball courts at Benjasiri Park to exploring Suan Rot Fai by rented bicycle, there’s something for everyone. Lately some great dedicated bike parks have opened up making it a much safer option and many of them even hire bikes by the day.
20. Give Back To The Community
Engage your teen in a volunteer activity, broadening his or her perspective on different social issues and fostering a sense of community spirit. There are a range of Bangkok-based organisations that welcome volunteers; these include STEPS, the Gift of Happiness Foundation, Pakkred Babies Home, Operation Smile Thailand, In Search of Sanuk, and many more.
