If you are taking a family vacation in Thailand and your children are getting tired of visits to the temples and museums, we suggest a few places catering to children which sure to bring a smile to their faces.

Dusit Zoo (สวนสัตว์ดุสิต)
 Located beside the Royal Plaza, Bangkok’s oldest zoo contains a collection of popular African and Asian mammals and birds in an ornamental garden.  Exotic animals ranges from local wildlife such as deer, elephants and tigers to imported African lions and giraffes.  There is also a big pond in which you can hire a boat to paddle around.  The zoo is also and oasis of nature and greenery among Bangkok’s bustling city life.
Open: Daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
Admission: Adult 100 baht; Child 50 baht
Tel: 0 2281 2000, 0 2281 9027-8 www.zoothailand.org

Dream World (ดรีมเวิลด์)
Situated at km.7 of Rangsit-Ongkharak Road, this large amusement park houses a European style plaza, miniature land of major world legends, and offer exciting rides, shows and games. 
Open: Weekdays from 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Holidays from 10 a.m.to 7 p.m 
Admission: 450 baht
Tel: 0 2533 1152  www.dreamworld-th.com

Traditional Thai Puppet Theatre (นาฏยศาลา หุ่นละครเล็ก) It is located within the same area as Suan Lum Night Bazaar and presents the Hun Lakhon Lek puppet show. The establishment of this theatre was inspired by the intention of Master Sakhon Yangkhieosot or Joe Louis, a National Artist of 1996, who wishes to preserve the art of operating Hun Lakhon Lek puppets. In operating the puppets, the puppeteers require basic skills of Khon performance as they will have to also move their footsteps and hand gestures to coincide with those of the puppets. Each puppet is operated by three puppeteers, lending it lifelike movements. Hun Lakhon Lek usually performs the story of Ramakian, the Thai version of the Ramayana epic. Sakhon Nattasin is currently the only performing troupe of Hun Lakhon Lek in Thailand. The troupe received the Thailand Tourism Award presented by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in 2000 in the category of Recreational Attraction. 

There is 1 daily show of Hun Lakhon Lek at 7.30 p.m. There is also a corner inside the theatre where Khon mask making is demonstrated, with a gallery of the Hun Lakhon Lek puppets and their background. The theatre is open during 5 p.m.- 9.45 p.m.
Admission: Adult  900 baht; Child 300 baht
Tel: 0 2252 9683-4 or  www.thaipuppet.com