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Header image courtesy of Vana Nava Water Jungle (via Facebook)
Getting ready for the summer holidays? When travelling with the whole family, finding a suitable destination with all the right activities and attractions to appeal to every member of the group—big or small—can be a challenging feat. At the same time, keeping little ones engaged in the long break between school also remains a priority.
Luckily, there are many exciting and educational options available in Thailand, where fun and learning go hand in hand. From cultural experiences and up-close encounters with nature and animals to cooling off in water parks, there’s something for everyone. Check out some of the most interesting summer camps and family activities in Thailand for a holiday that will create a lasting impact and shape unforgettable memories.
Food is the staple of our daily life, and yet, most of us are not familiar with the process of how it’s grown and nurtured before it arrives on our plate. At Suan Sampran, an eco-cultural complex in Nakhon Pathom near Bangkok, parents and kids can engage in a one-day “beyond-the-classroom” activity hosted by LocalAlike that allows participants to discover more about organic agriculture and organic farming practices, visit Sukjai Market to meet farmers selling their products, watch demonstrations of rice planting and try their hand at threshing, milling, and winnowing rice using traditional tools, learning about soil types, crafting natural jelly and steamed banana cake, and so much more.
LocalAlike also organises a thrilling nature-exploration programme in Kanchanaburi lasting five days and four nights suitable for older kids and teenagers, taking them on a trekking adventure to learn about forest and aquatic ecosystems and how to live in the wild through an overnight camping experience. Included in the itinerary are hikes, sharing sessions around a campfire, meeting elephants and learning about their habitats, insect- and snake-focused educational activities, and a visit to Erawan Waterfall.
Environmental Education Centre Thailand (EEC Thailand) was founded to promote sustainability and conversation, and the social enterprise organises programmes throughout the year to create meaningful change for local communities and engage children through hands-on education. One of the programmes they offer during the summertime is Tropical Rainforest: Nightlife Explorer, where kids and their parents can study the behaviour of nocturnal animals, go on a guided tour of caves, and spend two nights in Kanchanaburi learning about the secret lives of bats, insects, and more.
EEC Thailand also offers a five-day, four-night camp teaching kids about the “triple planetary crisis,” a term that refers to the simultaneous challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Learn about the roles and responsibilities of park rangers, marine veterinarians, aquarists, and researchers to become familiar with the needs of animals, nature, and the environment to tackle future challenges.
For a fun interlude between summer camps and learning activities, why not cool down at Vana Nava Water Jungle, the first water park of its kind in Hua Hin? Spread across 3.2 hectares, this expansive leisure destination is home to the country’s largest waterslide, longest slide, first anti-gravity tube-slide, tallest man-made mountain waterfall in Asia, and so much more to keep the whole family active and engaged. Lounge in the Coconut Beach wave pool, capture professional underwater photos at the Vanadio underwater photo studio, cruise down the Lazy River, sate your need for speed down the Master Blaster tube slide, and test your surfing skills at the Chang Surf Zone!
For another water park option with a noticeably cultural flavour, check out Andamanda in Phuket, which weaves energetic fun with traditional Thai heritage and architecture. Split into five different zones, each centred around a mascot, Andamanda provides rides and activities for the whole family, catering to all ages. Explore splash zones, water slides, wave pools, relaxation spots, and more across a 100,000-square-metre area.
Learn about the Karen tribe’s way of life at the Oh Poi morning market in Ratchaburi, where culture, lifestyle, and traditional arts meld harmoniously. Bamboo is a primary construction and handicraft material for the Karen people, and their mastery of the medium is embodied through the colourfully decorated market, where visitors can enjoy browsing through food stalls and crafts selections, and watch performances.
Looking for an authentic, rural experience in the north of Thailand? Head to the pastoral Ahsa Farmstay near the Doi Mae Salong foothills, where the husband-and-wife team of Aong and Thoo, and their two children, will be your charming hosts. Surrounded by tea plantations and farming fields, Ahsa has cosy guestrooms and a communal dining space, where meals prepared by the family are enjoyed by guests, and visitors can join in on cooking classes highlighting northern Thai cuisine. Join a tour through the estate to discover farming traditions still in use today, go on a guided visit to the Mae Salong Nai local market to connect with local residents, or trek with an expert to meet the Akha hill-tribe community, and enjoy a barbecue in the middle of the forest along the way.
Down-to-earth, authentic, and memorable, the understated Mekin Farm in Khon Kaen specialises in local farm-to-table dining. Fruits and vegetables are grown on-site by the owner, who also raises poultry on the farm. Other ingredients are sourced locally, and everything comes together on the table in the form of traditional Isan cuisine, with standout dishes such as the tender Isan thick curry with local fish. Aside from an authentic, open-air dining experience, guests can also join cooking workshops!
As the leader in driving Thailand towards experience-based and sustainable tourism, the Tourism Authority of Thailand delivers high-quality tourism products and services to better tourism in the country. Under the slogan “Amazing Thailand,” it promotes exciting events and discovery itineraries.
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