I spent two weeks in Chiangmai in December 2009 and it was lovely. We chose it because we wanted lots of activities for my son (aged 7) and these are our recommendations:

1) Flight of the Gibbon:  despite a lot of anxiety on both our parts before we first hooked up to the zipline, we found it was really easy and hugely enjoyable.  Dylan went flew from station-to-station accompanied by one of the guides, so he felt totally comfortable and secure. The last flight - which is really high above the forest floor (at the end of it you’re lowered 42 metres from the platform to the base of the tree!)  he felt confident enough to go on his own. Takes two hours to zip around, allow 6-7 for the whole trip/experience including a surprisingly palatable lunch (they cooked a non-spicy veg rice just for my son.)  The guides were very relaxed and friendly (accommodating the different levels of courage!) but I wished they’s told us more about the rainforest.

2)  Go-karting at the Xtreme Adventure Centre and at the Speedway.  The Speedway is easy to get to (take a yellow bus from Chiangmai Gate) but as their karts are pedalled controlled my son wasn’t big enough to go om his own - probably you need to be 9 or 10 to handle.  However, they do have a twin-seater so he steered while I controlled the accelerator/break.  It’s a much better track than at the X-treme Adventure camp - you can have a proper race at Speedway.  At the Xtreme Adventure Centre, the carts are controlled via the handlebars, so my son was able to drive his own kart.  The Management were understandably concerned about him  driving safely, but after a practice lap (with me walking behind him) it was clear he could go without crashing into the tyre barriers and he had a great time.  It’s a bumpy dirt-track so it’s  fun to drive: the downhill slope leading to a sharp right-hander at the bottom  is the best part.

We stayed at Studio 99, a serviced apartment off Thapae Rd - very spacious, clean, comfortable, very quiet and close to the Night Market (10 minutes walk with kid in tow). Most helpful reception staff too.  We had the one bedroom apartment; there  are 2 bed versions also available. We paid Baht 1700 per night and we felt it was well worth it for the space to chill out in, rather than a hotel room.

A lost part of a tooth and needed repair work  (and another filling) - Dental 4 U on Thapae Rd (5 minutes walk from  Studio 99) did a great job.  Two fillings + full cleaning cost me a little over S$100 - a definite saving over Singapore prices. Ming was my dentist. Luci, our Italian friend, had a teeth clean  there also and reckons the money saved (compared to an Italian dentist) paid for much of her holiday!

To get around when we didn’t want to wait for transport to Mae Rim (Elephant show, horse-riding, Xtreme Adventure Centre) we used tuk-tuk driver Mr Mao who was always friendly, spoke fair English and was a good safe driver too. 300 Baht to take us to the elephant camp + tiger kingdom + long neck village 086-9153526.

My son wants me to mention the magician Charlie at the junction of Loi Kroh and the main road in the night market. He was the standout among many peddling magic tricks for his friendliness and willingness to demo and explain tricks.