Koh Samui with kids: entertaining children out of the sun

Koh Samui’s an ideal family destination – kids are welcome everywhere & there’s all sorts to keep them entertained. Beyond Samui’s tourist attractions & the call of the beach, here are a few more children’s activities to make the most of your Koh Samui family holiday.

Our 4 favourite travel games. We loved these as children, and play them still. Perfect for airport delays & beach cafés.

 

1. Uno – “Race to get rid of your cards by matching colours or numbers”. 7+
2. Pass the Pigs – ”These pigs are truly addictive – a classic game for generations”. 8+
3. Bananagrams – ”A fast and fun word game that requires no pencil, paper or board”. 5+
4. Scrabble – Travel version. 10+

Any age

• Mini golf – Mini Golf International. 79/53 Moo 5, Ban Plailaem, Choeng Mon. (Need details for grown-up golf?)
• Board games – Uno, Jenga, Gin Rummy? Perfect for playing in the poolside sala, or in a shady outdoor living areas.
• Bowling – Living Bowl Centre (12 lanes). In Chaweng, near Mcdonalds (OR)  Major Bowl Hit (8 lanes). 1/7 Ring Road at Tesco. next to the cinema.
• Cinema/Movie theatre – Spend some time out of the sun & catch a movie in the Cineplex within Tesco.

Older kids & teenagers

• Go karting – Samui Go Kart. Slowpokes and speedsters enjoy separate tracks. Samui Ring Road, near Chaweng.
• Elephant trek – Baan Chang Elephant Trekking. Various treks available from 30 mins to 1/2 days. Be prepared to hold on tightly!

Small children

• Toys – The market in Fisherman’s Village sells a variety of wooden toys every afternoon through to late evening. Jenga, musical wooden frogs & puzzles should keep them busy for 10 minutes. Also available at most tourist shops – bucket & spades & inflatables for the beach or pool.

• Marco polo. The house swimming pool is perfect for the water version of “Blind Man’s Bluff”. One child swims with his eyes closed & calls out “Marco”. Other children must respond “Polo” while trying not to get caught. Marco swims in the direction of voices and this continues until he tags another child. Repeat ad infinitum – in a private pool they have nobody to annoy but their own parents. (Bring your iPod?)
• Kiddie cocktails – Can you ever have enough grenadine? They’ll enjoy sunset cocktails as much as you. Most restaurants offer children’s menus.
• Dig a hole – Encourage your children to dig their way home. Buckets and spades on sale throughout the island. Choeng Mon Beach (located closest to the house) is especially family-friendly and (we think) has the nicest, whitest sand on Koh Samui.

As for things to enjoy as a whole family, consider exploring the island by renting a car or by boat on a private tour of Samui.