Bangkok isn't necessarily the most kid-friendly city on the planet. The traffic is insane; sidewalks are as likely to have motorcycles as pedestrians on them; and the packed, narrow market areas are certainly not a place you want to get lost in.
While there are some notable family-friendly attractions like Siam Ocean World, the "City of Angels" doesn't go overboard when catering to things for youngsters to do in a safe and controlled environment, at least not for the average tourist.
Thus, the new Imaginia Playland located in the revamped Emporium Shopping Mall's EmPlayground Zone is a breath of fresh air.
Zipping down the Time Tube slider at Imaginia Playland — Photo courtesy of Imaginia Playland
The gigantic space takes up 1,400 square meters of the third floor, and it's a dedicated learning playground for children, with 19 zones focused on different themes and activities for kids to take part in.
Start out at the DJ Canopy Station, where kids can give their own performance selected from classic, jazz or electronic music. Or head into the Sound Cloud, where a flashing raindrop lets you know that you can start composing songs.
If you head over to the Art Gallery, you can learn about and reproduce interactive masterpieces from throughout the art history world.
Meanwhile, in the Book Cave, lots of children's classics and other reads for young ones are stacked up, both in Thai and English.
Kids climb Mount Meteori at Imaginia — Photo courtesy of Imaginia Playland
For the active minds, there's a Dream Jungle and Dragon Cave, where there are trampolines, a slide and other obstacles set in a giant net, where kids can climb to their heart's content. Those who want to go high can head up Meteori Peak, an inflatable mountain that's got a slide down to reward the alpinists.
Other highlights include a Shadow Forest, where kids' shadows are reflected. Children are urged to act out their own shadow shows. And the Time Tube slider sprints through a wooden mountain range.
Builders and mechanics-to-be can get their fill at the Builders Studio, where there are wooden toys that enhance eye-hand coordination and concentration, or the Art Cabin, where there are creative arts and crafts workshops. At the Wonder Car zone, children can custom design their dream car on a touch screen and then see a mock-up.
The Dream Jungle at Imaginia — Photo courtesy of Imaginia Playland
Imaginia Playland is aimed at the five- to 10-year-old crowd, although they do have activities suitable for those two to four, and they also base their pricing by size. Those under 70 centimeters pay the least; 71 to 90 are in the middle; and 91 and up pay the most.
Those over 91 centimeters can't be over 15, but they can come in alone, whereas the other size brackets must have an adult with them. Unfortunately, adults pay about the same price as the kids and don't get to join in the fun areas as well! There are also promotions, group rates and birthday party options for visiting.
Imaginia Playland is certainly a spot where Mom and Dad can chill out and just let their kids be entertained all day.
