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  Laos Children’s Activities
 
 
   

Due to the underdeveloped tourist infrastructure in Laos, there are virtually no organised activities. For the adventurous and resourceful, this can be a real boon but for others it means bringing your own form of entertainment such as a chess board, fishing tackle or a pack of cards with you.

Bird WatchingBird Watching is an excellent activity for the whole family and this is one country where you may discover feathered friends that haven’t been recorded yet and some that are unique to this part of the world. Not only that, often birds from other lands stop here for a breather en-route to/from breeding grounds, so one is never quite sure what one will see. If you can pick up a good bird book before you arrive it’s an added advantage.

CanoeingCanoeing is another wonderful activity for all but the youngest members of your family. There are a few companies operating tours along the Mekong, Xekong, Nam Ou and other rivers within this fascinating country. For more information either contact us or Aqua Terra Kayaking on kayaking@kayaking-canoeing-aquaterra.com

Elephant TrekkingElephant Trekking is a must do activity, whether travelling with children or not. From the lofty height of an elephants back much that one wouldn’t normally notice on foot, can be observed. Elephants make hardly any sound when walking, thus they tend not to disturb some of the more timid creatures you may encounter on your trip. Plus of course the views are great.

Fishing FunFishing is an excellent pastime for the whole family (and you will be surprised how patient kids can be). This can be done in the many rivers and streams that dot the country or along the coast. Try your hand at the local traditional fishing style or bring your own tackle with you and for the real littlies in the family a good old fashioned kids fishing net will do nicely. Some hotels offer this facility, with rods, reels and the like on loan (or for hire) to their guests.

Horse RidingHorse Riding can be done through a few hotels and resorts but there are limited facilities and the horses or ponies may not be as well maintained as many would like to see. If this puts you off then don’t ride or ride the healthiest animal/s you can find rather than the skinny ones with bad saddle sores. Tip: Mums and dads are advised to check the facility out BEFORE taking the kids to the stables as if you feel the animals aren’t in such great shape, it might be upsetting for your kids.

Mountain BikingMountain-biking is the next best way to take advantage of the terrain; there are bikes for hire in Vientiane and Luang Prabang and a few other towns and/or at the hotels. Few, if any places have children’s bikes for hire though, let alone children’s carry baskets/seats, therefore this tends to be an occupation for the older kids amongst you unless you want to bring the kid’s bikes with you.

Nightlife Vientiane and other areas have a number of ‘Discos’ which are mainly Lao affairs and may seem rather boring to westerners. The music is Lao, always played by a live band and compared to restaurants, the cost of drinks are quite expensive.

SpelunkingSpelunking is a worthwhile pastime in Laos as there are numerous caves that beg exploration. Do bring your own caving equipment though to ensure your own safety if intending to explore without a guide (though this is not advised as many caves are un-charted) or contact us for details on tour operators and whatever you do, ensure you carry a good torch with extra batteries.

SwimmingSwimming can be done at the beaches, in your hotel swimming pool and in some rivers.

TrekkingTrekking The hilly nature of the country makes it perfect trekking territory, though overnight camping is not allowed; ask around towns for a local guide. A good activity to do with the children while out trekking is to get then to see how many different types of birds or other flora and fauna they can discover while out walking.

WalkingWalking is an excellent way to discover new terrain and to meet the locals. On Don Khon, an island in the Mekong River, there's an interesting walk across the southern tip of the island, which offers the chance to see Irrawaddy dolphins in the late afternoon between December and May that your kids are sure to love.

White Water Rafting is an activity for the older family members and can be done on many of the rivers which flow through this rugged terrain. For more information on this sport contact us or get in touch with laos@paddleasia.com

Note: For more information on things to see and do in Laos please take a look at our Sightseeing pages, our Sport and Activity pages, our Top 10 Things to Do pages or Contact Us.

 

 
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