Discover the ultimate guide to family fun in Bangkok, Thailand. From serene temples and bustling markets to water parks and cultural museums, learn how to navigate the city with kids, find the best family accommodations, and enjoy the local cuisine. Make your family trip memorable with our tips on where to stay, what to do, and how to get around Bangkok with children.
Things to Do in Bangkok with Kids
Thailand’s energetic capital city Bangkok offers a variety of entertainment options, educational opportunities, and cultural experiences, making it an excellent holiday spot for families with children, there’s a lot do in Thailand for kids. But just like any big city, a bit of organising is a good idea so the kids will have fun and feel comfortable.
This place is known for its striking temples, bright markets, fiery food, and busy streets. It offers adventures that will have travellers chatting for years, provided they plan ahead yet avoid being overly ambitious with their daily activities. Even the most basic act of moving across town by riverboat can be an enjoyable family outing.
Is Bangkok a good place for kids?
Bangkok’s historical sites are arranged in a visually appealing spectrum of colours, complete with towering monuments and glistening lights that give the entire city a wonderland-like atmosphere. Even transport provides fun-filled family adventures by travelling with túk-túks, riverboats, and river taxis. The cityscape is dotted with kid-friendly museums and amusement parks. And there are a number of indoor playgrounds where kids can run wild.
Furthermore, Bangkok boasts a high number of international-style stores, so it’s rarely a challenge to acquire home-style flavours, formula milk, and nappies. Plus, baby changing rooms are readily available in shopping centre bathrooms.
The best things to do in Bangkok with kids
Bangkok’s tropical heat can be easily avoided by taking advantage of the air-conditioned shopping centres and hotel pools. The city also has some excellent water parks for those extra hot days. You may also enjoy spending a day at Ramayana Water Park, which is reachable by bus from Pattaya within two hours.
Every year on the 13th of April, the Buddhist celebration of Songkran offers a massive city-wide water fight that spills into the streets of Bangkok for maximum water fun. This event can be a terrific way to introduce young visitors to Thai culture. It’s one of the best things to do in Thailand with family.
Other than that, here are a few of the best family-friendly attractions in Bangkok.
(Photo above: Wat Arun)
Hop aboard the Chao Phraya Express Boat
One of Bangkok’s main river transportation options is the Chao Phraya Express Boat. This hop-on, hop-off service, which runs on the Chao Phraya River through Bangkok, is a well-liked option for families to see the city’s riverfront sights and is an essential means of transportation for the local population. It’s also an excellent option for when the temperatures rise and you need a cool-down.
Other worthwhile water excursions are the long-tail boat river tours (although these can be expensive) and the klorng boat that travels through Bangkok’s canals, such as those that go from Banglamphu to Siam Square and Th Sukhumvit.
See the towering Wat Arun
Wat Arun is one of Bangkok’s many beautiful monasteries. It’s particularly family-friendly because of its serene riverbank location, statue-filled gardens, tall prang (spires), and enormous sculptures of guardian demons guarding its entrances. A small shuttle ferry buzzes across from Tha Tien Pier, making it easy to access the monument as well as adding an extra level of fun.
Enjoy a cheap trip to the National Museum
The National Museum is free for kids and has many activities to keep young explorers occupied. General points of interest include weapons, ornamental arts, masks, traditional musical instruments, and the elaborate burial carriages of former nobility. The on-site cafe also offers reasonably priced Thai dishes and snacks.
Discover Thai culture at the Museum of Siam
This fascinating glimpse into the history and rich culture of the Thai people will be a big hit with kids. The museum’s eclectic collection uses a range of media, such as a battle game from the Ayutthaya period, a room filled with traditional Thai toys, and a street vending cart where you can take pictures while pretending to prepare a pan of pad thai.
Visit the giant Buddha in Wat Pho
This is Bangkok’s most well-known temple, resembling a dreamlike scene, surrounded by prayer halls, Buddha and other sculptures. Youngsters will love the opportunity to give offerings of gold leaf and small change to Buddha sculptures, as well as the enormous reclining Buddha – one of the largest in the world.
Discover dinos at the Children’s Discovery Museum
Learning is a playful adventure at this captivating museum, where interactive exhibits blend education with enjoyment. From construction to culture, the diverse exhibits offer an engaging exploration for visitors of all ages. The Dino Detective Zone, a highlight for many children, invites little ones to embark on a hands-on excavation in the sand, uncovering artefacts that reassemble dinosaur bones.
See Thailand all in one place at the Ancient City (Muang Boran)
Located just outside the city and just a short 10-minute cab ride from the Kheha BTS station on the Sukhumvit Line, this outdoor museum meticulously recreates the famous monuments of Thailand. Bike trails wind amongst these monuments, designed to be explored and climbed on. While the Ancient City may be a bit of a trek from the city centre, it makes for an exciting day trip that kids will enjoy. The surroundings are peaceful and empty, too.
Enjoy a breather at Lumphini Park
Once a royal reserve, the largest and most popular park in central Bangkok was graciously opened to the public by Rama VI (King Vajiravudh) in 1925. Today, guests can relax on a man-made lake surrounded by walking trails, wooded areas, giant resident monitor lizards, and spacious, well-kept gardens.
Playgrounds and paddleboats are excellent sources of enjoyment for young children. Drinks are available at the park entrances to quench your thirst, and after 5 pm, street food vendors set up shop right outside the northwest corner of the park as the evening draws in.
Splash around at Siam Park City
With more than thirty thrilling rides, Siam Amazing Park, also known as Siam Park City, is the best place for a day trip with kids. This amusement park offers Bangkok’s best water park experience, featuring one of the world’s biggest wave pools. This makes it the ideal getaway for families during the hotter months. The park is conveniently located on the eastern fringes, around 20 minutes from Suvarnabhumi Airport. The whole family is guaranteed a fantastic day full of thrills and splashes at Siam Amazing Park, with everything from heart-pounding rides to soothing aquatic delights.
Have a day out at Dream World
Experience the magic of snow in Bangkok – a phenomenon that only Dream World can offer. This massive theme park, located north of the city, has a kaleidoscope of vibrantly coloured rollercoasters, haunted homes, stately castles, and thrilling space exploration activities. Don’t miss the fantastical realm of the snow room with sledging. Dream World guarantees an exciting day full of shared memories for both children and parents.
Get competitive in Sanam Luang Park
Visit Sanam Luang Park to get into the swing of Bangkok’s kite-flying season, which runs from mid-February until April. Upgrade the experience by joining in with a colourful kite of your own to fly over the surrounding temple tops. Witnessing these competitions brings a new level of excitement and friendly competitiveness to the lively atmosphere.
Hit the markets on Khao San Road
Checking out the market stalls of Th Khao San (Khao San Road) is a must for tourists of any age. Kids can spend some pocket money here on fun souvenirs and get plates of pad thai or satay skewers to eat on the road.
Places to stay in Bangkok with kids
Rattanakosin and the surrounding area are the best places to stay. Most families find Banglamphu’s Khao San Road to be a little too loud, as it is a hub for backpack travellers.
Most sights are accessible by foot from the excellent hotels and guesthouses that line the adjacent streets and the river. Additionally, boat and river taxi tours can be taken on the river.
There are many cosy mid-range hotels in areas like Silom and Th Sukhumvit, but keep in mind that these are urban and built-up areas, so getting to the historic old district may take some time by taxi. There are much more relaxed and pedestrian-friendly accommodations near the river, such as Banglamphu.
If at all feasible, pick a place with adequate air conditioning, a restaurant, and a pool so you won’t have to leave the hotel to cool off.
How to get around Bangkok with kids
Navigating Bangkok with small children or infants can present some challenges, as the city is known for its crowded, irregular sidewalks and prevalent staircases. Fortunately, all BTS (Skytrain) stations and most MRT (Metro) stations are equipped with elevators, making them accessible for buggies.
Taking a taxi in Bangkok is a budget-friendly option with the advantage of cool air-conditioning, a relief from the city’s heat. However, due to frequent traffic jams, it’s advisable to limit taxi rides to shorter distances to avoid prolonged periods in traffic, especially as taxis don’t come with child seats (you’ll need to bring your own).
All kids would enjoy taking a ride on an autorickshaw, or tuk-tuk, but be cautious and take short trips in the early morning or late afternoon when fewer cars are on the road as the open sides do not provide protection from traffic fumes. You can also explore the river aboard the Chao Phraya Express Boat, and longtail river taxis can take you (at a premium) to other parts of the city.
Since most of the year is filled with intense sunshine, it’s not advisable to travel long distances, especially with very young children. If you choose to walk, carry battery-operated mini-fans and an umbrella for shade. When carrying small children, a sling may be more comfortable than a buggy because of the condition of Bangkok’s pavements. Make sure kids drink plenty of water, put on sunscreen, and have sun protection gear like hats. Plan your outdoor activities for the cooler hours of the day, such as early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
It’s key to constantly watch over your kids because the city can get super busy. Instruct them on fundamental safety measures, and consider wearing identifying wristbands carrying your contact details.
What to eat with kids in Bangkok
Once you understand the local food, feeding kids in Bangkok is surprisingly simple. Not all food is spicy, and if you stay away from raw ingredients and stick to crowded stalls where you can watch the food being made fresh in front of you, you’ll find something to suit every taste.
Some good options are fried rice, Chinese bao buns, congee (rice porridge), mildly-flavoured Thai-Chinese soups, pad thai, grilled chicken satay and moo ping skewers (pork with coconut milk). Bangkok’s fantastic selection of tropical fruits will also be sure to surprise your young ones for hours!
The major shopping areas are good places to buy Western-style fast food, and most large shopping centres feature Asian and international restaurants (often equipped with high chairs) where you can gradually introduce the kids to the local fare in a calm setting.
