A magical, Disney-like production, the colorful Phuket Fantasea show thrills young audiences with its live animal acts, including dozens of costumed elephants. Kids will also enjoy playing carnival games, riding elephants, and witnessing exciting parades, pageants, and street shows at the theme park. The enormous Golden Kinnaree Buffet satisfies even the pickiest of eaters.
Kids can go for an elephant safari, which gives them the chance to take photographs with the animals, followed by the highlight – sitting atop a special padded chair tied to the elephant’s back as it plods across Phuket’s picturesque jungle trails. Siam Safari is renowned for taking excellent care of its animals.Siam Safari Nature Tours • 17/2 Soi Yod Sanae, Chao Far Road, Chalong • 07638 4456 • www.siamsafari.com
With twisting waterslides, a thrilling wave pool, and the 1,100-ft (335-m) long lazy river, this water-theme park (for further details see Splash Jungle Waterpark) in northern Phuket offers an exciting way to spend a sunny day. In the Boomerango water slide – one of the park’s signature slides – you plunge down, through a tube, into the Super Bowl, swishing up and down the side walls before hitting the splashdown pool.
Located at the Marina Phuket resort complex, this 18-hole miniature golf course navigates around a swamp, lava cave, waterfall, erupting volcano, and a roaring Tyrannosaurus Rex. A fun environment for a competitive round of putting, it also has a theme bar and restaurant.Marina Phuket Resort, Karon Beach • 07633 0625 • Open 10am–midnight daily • Adm • www.dinopark.com
Set on a scenic bay, this aquarium houses more than 150 freshwater and saltwater species, including electric eels, octopuses, sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays. Displays educate visitors about Thailand’s rivers, lakes, endangered coral reefs, and mangroves. More than 300,000 people visit the aquarium each year.Sakdidet Road, Cape Panwa • 07639 1126 • Open 8:30am–4:30pm daily • Adm • www.phuketaquarium.org
With kids’ karts reaching speeds up to 25 mph (40 kmph), and specially-designed karts driven by an adult with a child’s passenger seat, the Patong Go-Kart Speedway frequently hosts Mini Grand Prix races, including competitions for kids.Patong Go-Kart Speedway, 118/5 Vichitsongkram Road, Kathu • 07632 1949 • Open 10am–7pm daily • Adm • www.gokartthailand.com
The most popular attractions at this facility (for further details see Phuket Zoo Shows) are the live animal shows in which monkeys ride tricycles, elephants stand on two feet, and a zookeeper places his head inside a crocodile’s mouth. The zoo also houses an aquarium, a bird park, and an orchid garden. Visitors can take photographs with animals.
This sport provides an adrenaline rush with little risk of injury. The Phuket Shooting Range offers two fields for competition: the Wood Field is perfect for “capture the flag” games, while the Small Town field lets players simulate urban warfare. Protective headgear and eyewear are provided. Guests can also visit the gun and archery ranges.Phuket Shooting Range • 82/2 Patak Road • 07638 1667 • Open 9am–6pm daily • Adm
At this garden, visitors encounter more than 6,000 exotic butterflies that are bred each month. The facility (for further details see Phuket Butterfly Garden and Insect World) was established to preserve rare and endangered species. The insect exhibition displays termites, ants, scorpions, and more. Family packages include a welcome drink, plus free butterfly and fish food.
Located near Soi Bangla, these 13 inflated floating play stations are housed in a roped-off section of sea protected from motorized marine traffic. The park offers a climbing mountain, trampoline, waterslide, and seesaw.Patong Beach • Open Dec–Apr: 9:30am–6pm daily • Adm
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