If you’ve yet to discover the diverse delights of Coconut Park, the school holidays are the time to do it. This refreshingly green and peaceful landscaped park on the banks of the Bassac River on Phnom Penh’s Koh Pich, next door to the DIB Club pool complex, is a welcome escape from the bustling city, with enough going on to keep the family suitably entertained for hours.

Imaginatively developed some four years ago by landowner Canadia Group in conjunction with T3 Architects, and using local materials, the eco-friendly project has matured into a haven of lush lawns, tropical flora, and an undulating rustic walkway among which nestle fun play parks, a state of the art roller dome, a kids craft centre, mountain bike hire, a spacious cafe and restaurant, and even a high-end night club.

When you arrive via the Koh Pich Road entrance you’ll be struck by the impressive CIS Roller Dome, a cool place to visit in more ways than one. This 1800 square meter, state-of-the-art, air-conditioned dome has a large roller skating rink and excellent roller hockey facilities. Visit for public skating, classes, Sunday pickleball or to enjoy the shows and other entertainment it hosts.

At the riverfront approach sits the airy, open plan building with cascading greenery that houses Penh @ Coconut Park, sister restaurant to BKK1’s Penh 278, a casual dining venue where you can eat, drink, and relax while keeping an eye on the kids as they make the most of the adventure playground directly outside. There’s a children’s menu too for when they need refueling.

When things heat up there’s a very tempting splash pad with assorted water jets and a mini water slide. It costs $2.50 to play there, pay at the nearby Makerspace Ceramik Art Studio next door to the restaurant.

Makerspace is a hive of creative activity, mainly — but not exclusively — for kids, with indoor (useful in the rainy season) facilities for all kinds of crafting, plus an area dedicated to Lego building. Craft activities include ceramic object painting from around $10, Diamond Dot art from $6, resin craft and bracelet making from $5, and tie-dying from $4. Lego costs $5 per hour. Makerspace opens 1:00pm to 6:00pm on Tuesdays and from 9:00am to 6:00pm Wednesday to Sunday. Both Makerspace and Penh @ Coconut Park are closed on Mondays.

If Coconut Park is a kids’ idyll by day, the location switches its focus to more grown up entertainment after dark at Chew and Bash. This upscale bar, restaurant, and nightclub, from the people behind Hops craft beer brewery, occupies a stunning rooftop space with views across the river and Koh Norea bridge. The venue has a sunset happy hour (4:00pm to 7:00pm) and later on hosts local and visiting DJs — legendary UK DJ Paul Oakenfold gigged there earlier this year — and often live music. Eat in the bar or the stylish air-conditioned restaurant.

Coconut Park opens from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day of the week and entry to the park is free.  Dogs are welcome but you’ll need to keep your pet on a leash. Look out for special events like night markets and outdoor movie screenings. The park is also available to host private events. There’s a separate entrance to Penh @ Coconut Park and Chew and Bash outside park opening hours on the Bassac River side, Phnom Penh. More information at facebook.com/CoconutParkPhnomPenh