Bangkok for The Family Explorers: a Friday-to-Monday weekend

Giant monitor lizards sprawl on the paths and children can hire paddle boats for a few baht; the playground is at the far side of the lake.

A garden restaurant with easy, mild Thai dishes; the kids can order fried rice and chicken satay while you eat the real curry.

An indoor floating market with stalls selling snacks and crafts from every province; take the free shuttle boat from Sathorn pier.

A hands-on science museum with a climbing structure, a water room and a role-play town; plan on two hours and let them run.

Cross the river on a five-baht ferry and climb the lower terrace of the temple; the children will like the mosaics of porcelain and the shells.

An early table by the river: mild chicken, plain rice and grilled river prawns for the table, with a view of the boats.

A museum that likes children: the rooms of interactive displays let them dress up, pull levers and spin wheels; it is also air-conditioned.

A restaurant with a crab omelette that every child will eat, with plain rice and mild curries; there are high chairs and a calm room.

The 46-metre reclining Buddha is a big hit with children; give them the bowls of coins to drop in the offering row.

A new park built on an old tobacco factory with an elevated walkway through the trees, a lake and big lawns for running.

A teak house in a garden with koi ponds and a short guided tour; children like the lotus pond and the garden's ducks.

A traditional Thai restaurant of the 1960s with a long menu of mild dishes and a calm atmosphere; a good simple lunch.