The Best Things to do with Kids in Bangkok

There are heaps of brilliant things to do in Bangkok with kids to suit all ages and tastes. But this is not a Disney vacation, the best way to get the most out of your trip to Bangkok is to embrace the culture, visit the temples, markets and parks with a few more traditional kid friendly activities thrown in.

There is a lot to go through in this article so feel free to jump to the section you are most interested in via the table of contents below.

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If you’re still in the planning stage, be sure to read my guide to Bangkok with kids which covers everything you need to know before you go.

Best Temples in Bangkok to visit with kids

Even if your kids aren’t particularly in to culture, you really must visit a few temples during your visit to Bangkok. They are stunning, of huge cultural importance and unique places to find calm in the bustling city. Remember to cover up during your visit – shoulders to knees. This rule is less important for kids but I feel it’s a good lesson in respecting other cultures so encourage them to do the same. Rules on footwear can be unpredictable, to be safe, watch what others are doing. If they take their shoes off, remove yours too. Don’t sit with your feet pointing towards Buddha, this is disrespectful. Tuck them under you and kneel if you choose to sit down or take a blessing.

Many of the temples are located close together so they can easily be visited in one day. There are no BTS or MRT stations around these temples, the most fun (and economical) way to reach them is by river ferry.

Here are three of the easiest and most popular temples to visit in Bangkok with kids.

Wat Phra Kaew – Grand Palace

This is probably the most famous temple in Bangkok if not the whole of Thailand. It’s here you’ll find the emerald Buddha carved from jade in the 15th century. Wat Phra Kaew is absolutely covered in gold, sparkle and stones. It’s breathtakingly beautiful. You will need to buy a ticket for entry to the Palace complex which costs around 500 Bhat.

Wat Pho – The Big Buddha

Wat Pho is only ten minutes walk from the Grand Palace. The most popular part of Wat Pho is the enormous reclining golden Buddha. It’s 43 meters long and 15 meters high. The temple is also home to many beautiful stupas and four chedis dedicated to the four chakri kings. Admission is 200 Bhat.

Wat Arun – The Temple of Dawn

Wat Arun has a really unique shape and feels very different to the other temples in Bangkok. It’s black and white design and many (many) steps has made it very popular on social media. Wat Arun is located on the other side of the river to the Grand palace. It’s easy to hop on the shuttle ferry to cross the river.

Family Friendly Markets in Bangkok

There’s nothing quite like a Thai street market and they’re a great place to chat to locals and practice your bartering skills. Kids seem to love the busy vibe and will enjoy trying their hand at a bit of negotiation themselves. 

You’re unlikely to find anything truly amazing at these markets, there are always plenty of knock off brands, cheap T shirts and elephant pants and a fabulous selection of street food. Kids may see some pretty wierd things in the markets – we have come across deep fried tarantulas, dried crickets and a full crocodile (or maybe alligator) being butchered for meat. These are mainly for the tourists and pretty easy to steer the kids away from them if they are sensitive. Here are some of the best markets in Bangkok to visit with kids. 

Khao San Road

This has always been my favourite market to visit in Bangkok. It’s not huge or particularly revolutionary but it has a great atmosphere. Khao San is home to many backpacker hostels so it’s a different crowd to the city centre. The market is lined with cheap restaurants and bars making it an ideal spot to grab a cold drink and people watch for a while. Khao San is pretty touristy but don’t let that put you off. 

Read more about visiting the Khao San Road with kids.

Chatuchak

Chatuchak is Bangkok’s largest market and in fact one of the largest outdoor markets in the world! It’s chaotic, noisy and lots of fun. It’s only open on Saturdays and Sundays so hopefully you’ll find a day to suit your itinerary. The market is split into several sections so if you’re limited on time just head to the one you’re most interested in. Information points will have maps showing you where each section is. The narrow alleyways are pretty cramped so keep a tight hold on little ones. 

Pratunam Market

Pratunam is the market to visit if you’re looking for cheap and cheerful souvenirs. Think handbags, shirts, sneakers and sunglasses. It’s conveniently located near Siam in the centre of Bangkok.

Asiatique

This is one of the more up scale markets in Bangkok. Asiatique is located right next to the river making it a lovely place to explore in the early evening. Kids will love the Ferris Wheel and Thai puppet shows. It’s also a great place to grab dinner as it has plenty of air conditioned restaurants. 

You can discover more markets and malls in Bangkok in my guide to shopping for kids in Bangkok.

Parks in Bangkok

A great way to beat the jet lag is to get outside exploring somewhere green. Luckily, despite being a massively congested city, Bangkok has some lovely open spaces to enjoy. 

Chatuchak Park

This is a good one to visit before a trip to the Chatuchak weekend market being located right next door. Kids will love cooling off with a splash in the shallow water play area and then a trip to the Children’s Discovery Museum which is located in the park.

Lumphini Park

Lumpini is a great place to visit to escape the madness of the city and is located very centrally near Siam MRT Station. This park is almost 100 years old and is on land donated by King Rama VI. Kids will love hiring the swan boats on the lake, spotting the massive monitor lizards that call the park home and the super fun play areas.

Benjakitti Park

This is another good one if your kids like play areas – there are two at Benjakitti Park! Again you will find it in the centre of Bangkok in Asoke. The green areas of the park surround a lovely lake in its centre with a 2km walking trail enclosing it. It tends to be quieter than the two parks mentioned above as it’s smaller and a bit further from other attractions. Again you can hire swan pedal boats on the lake and it has a great skatepark and some lovely kids play area.

Ancient City Muang Boran

I didn’t really know where to position this one. It’s part park, part miniature village on an epic scale. Located 30km out of Bangkok, Muang Boran is a Thailand shaped park which contains small sized replicas of all the famous buildings in Thailand. It’s massive and will take you most of the day to explore. But trust me, the kids will love it.

Have a splash in the Hotel Pool

This might seem obvious but if you’re visiting Bangkok with kids be sure to schedule some time to enjoy your hotels pool. The city can feel very hot and humid and a quick dip will do wonders to cool you down. It’s also a good way to get over the jet lag weariness and even for kids to make new friends. This is always a welcome distraction for us having an only child. All these family friendly Bangkok hotels have a fantastic pool.

Take a Canal Tour

Bangkok has an absolutely huge network of canals. They’ve been used for irrigation, trade and transportation since the 18th century. A canal tour of Bangkok is a great way to experience the city from the water. You can hire a pretty long tail boat to take you from the Grand Palace, past Wat Arun and through the waterways of the Thonburi District, the oldest area in Bangkok.

There are heaps of other canal tours available like this one which will take you to a floating flower market and into Chinatown. Kids will love speeding along the canals waving at the locals.

Have a look at some other family friendly Bangkok tours.

Try the street food

Please don’t be nervous about trying street food in Bangkok with kids. Thousands eat it every day and never get ill. Vendors will not be offended if you ask for “less spicy” for the kids. You’ll see stalls all over the city, pretty much wherever there are people there will be freshly cooked food. Only buy from the stalls that seem busy and if you’re opting for cooked meat or seafood watch them cook it in front of you to ensure it’s cooked through, not just reheated.

China town is a good place to try street food although it wont be authentically Thai. The streets around the Khao San road are another good option. But honestly you can get great street food all over Bangkok, just stop when you get hungry.

Street food is such a great value way to eat whilst in the city. A dish will cost £1 – £2 and it’s a lot healthier than fast food chains.

Ride a Tuk Tuk

I’ve included this as a family friendly activity in Bangkok rather than a mode of transportation as it really is an experience in itself. You can easily hail a Tuk Tuk from the side of the street, just make sure to agree on a price before you get in. If the driver wont agree, just hail another one. Kids will love the thrill of this open top ride, I recommend the adults just close their eyes and go with it. Make sure the kids sit between the adults and hold on tight. Drivers expertly dodge the traffic, veering down side roads, achieving speeds you’d never imagine possible in such a small vehicle. It’s fun, it’s exhilarating and perhaps a tadge irresponsible – but that’s Bangkok right?!

Ride the Chao Phraya Express Boat

Another well used form of transport I’m including on this list of things to do with kids in Bangkok is a ride on the Chao Phraya Express Boat. Again it’s a dirt cheap way to get across the city and a totally thrilling (and noisy) way to spend 30 minutes. The boats get up quite a lot of speed between stops and those on the end seats might get a little wet. You can hop on the boat at various ports along the river and get a full days ticket for less than 200 baht then get on and off as many times as you like. You’ll also get to see a lot of Bangkok’s most famous attractions such as Wat Arun and the Grand Palace from the water.

Many locals use the Chao Phraya Express Boat to commute – what a great way to get into work.

Visit the Mahanakhon Skywalk

Thrill seekers will love a trip up to the Mahanakhon Skywalk. Located 314 meters up this is Thailands highest observation deck and provides amazing 360 views across the city. You can walk out onto the glass tray experience for a birds eye view of the city below. Or if you don’t have quite that level of head for hights you can just enjoy a drink in the viewing area. Prebook discounted tickets to the Mahanakhon Skywalk.

Things to do indoors in Bangkok with kids

Sometimes you’ll just need to escape the heat or tropical downpours and find somewhere indoors. And sometimes kids will want a break from Thai cultural delights such as temples, markets and food tours.

Madam Tussauds

Loved around the World by selfie takers and celebrity stalkers, Madam Tussauds will be a very popular choice with the kids. The Bangkok outpost has models of all your favourite film stars, sporting heros and small screen celebrities. Madam Tussauds Bangkok is located inside Siam Discovery Shopping Mall so you can get your shopping fix after your visit. Use the BTS skytrain and exit at Siam Station.

Grab a massage

My daughter loves a massage, she loves any type of pampering so we always make time for a half hour foot and leg massage during our trips to Bangkok. It’s an amazing way to ease tired legs after a day of exploring and always seems to help with jet lag. The friendly masseurs will be happy to tailor the massage to you so feel free to ask them to use light pressure on little legs and “no stick”. The walk in roadside parlours are so, so cheap. Around £8 for half an hour, you’ll struggle to pay £100 in a posh spa again! Maybe skip this one if your kids wont sit still for over a minute, or give them half an hour of screen time.

Sea Life Aquarium

Another popular choice of things to do with kids in Bangkok indoors is a trip to the aquarium. The Sealife centre in Bangkok is the largest in the whole of South East Asia. It has a shark tunnel, penguin playground and the chance to ride a glass bottomed boat. Plus loads more. Kids will love the “underwater” 4D cinema experience and various feeding experiences.

Museums to visit in Bangkok

Some kids love them, some kids hate them but there should be a great museum in Bangkok to suit all personalities.

Children’s Discovery Museum Bangkok

This has got to be the top museum to visit in Bangkok with kids. It’s probably best suited to primary and pre-schoolers. Kids will learn heaps as they work their way around the museum trying interactive exhibits and getting the chance to be creative and curious. There’s also a brilliant outdoor play area, science zone and dedicated creative space. The museum is located within Chatuchack Park so it’s worth combining your visit with a trip to the weekend market.

Bangkok National Museum

Anyone interested in the Culture and History of Thailand will love a visit to the Bangkok National Museum. It’s located in old Bangkok so easy to combine with a visit to Wat Arun or the Grand Palace. There’s a lot to take in here and the museum is huge. Kids will not want to see it all so maybe just pick one section to explore and then go and grab an ice cream.

Museum Siam

With topics similar but dare I say it, more fun than the Bangkok National Museum but on a much smaller scale. The Siam Museum has plenty of interactive and multimedia exhibits which will be very popular with kids. You can basically touch, sit on or interact with every exhibit here. The whole museum speaks of what it is to be Thai with much of it related to modern Thai life. It’s located around 15 minutes from the Grand Palace so very easy to visit and free for kids under 15.

Jim Thompson House Museum

This stunning building was built in traditional Thai style by architect Jim Thompson in 1958. It contains many artefacts from his travels around South East Asia. American Jim Thompson revolutionised the silk industry in Bangkok and was a very popular person in the city, looking after his workers and selling his silks to New York. They even appeared in The King and I on Broadway. Your visit to the museum includes a guided tour which even young kids will love.

Things to do in Bangkok that active kids will love

I know you’re not coming to Bangkok for activities you can find at home but if you’re visiting with active kids, an hour or so doing an activity they enjoy will help keep the whole family happy.

Flowhouse Bangkok

If you’re heading south after your stay in Bangkok you’ll be hitting up plenty of beaches but a visit to Flowhouse, an urban beach club and surfing spot feels completely different. Teens and adults can hop on the flowrider to ride the artificial wave then enjoy some great food and drink at the beach club. Flowhouse is located in the A Square complex in Sukhumvit 26 so it’s very central and easy to get to.

Maple skatepark

For kids who love to skate, a visit to Maple Skate Park is a must. Located at Ichiba Station Japanese night market on Ramintra Road, this covered area has plenty of skate courses to try as well as several food outlets. Plus the Japanese night market is yet another fun place to explore. The nearest station for the skatepark is Ram Inthra Kor Mor 9 MRT.

Go Karting

The largest indoor go karting track in Bangkok is EasyKart at RCA Plaza Bangkok. Kids as young as 7 can try out their 100cc karts and all the safety gear you’ll need is included in the price. If you don’t fancy whizzing around the track, there’s a chill out area with a pool table and somewhere to grab a drink.

D Sports Stadium

Located in Donki Mall, a Japanese shopping centre in Ekkamai, D Sports Stadium has heaps of fun sports to try. They have batting cages, a boxing rink, climbing walls and badminton courts. It’s easily walkable from Ekamai BTS Station.

Bounce Bangkok

Younger kids love to bounce so a trip to a trampoline park is always a good way to spend an hour. Bounce Inc Bangkok is absolutely massive and has a fantastic free jump area, a big bounce cushion to practice your aerial tricks, a trampoline carpeted basket ball court, wall running areas and a parkour adventure course. Bounce Thailand is located in the EmQuartier shopping mall, the nearest station is BTS Prompong.

Ice Skating

I know that ice skating in a tropical climate may sound strange but it’s quite a fun, quirky way to cool down the kids. Bangkok has several places to skate. I recommend trying The Rink Ice Arena in Central World Shopping Mall. The ice fills an old exhibition space and is surrounded by shops. You can hire practice penguins for the kids and there’s loud music to keep the grown ups awake. Take the BTS to Chit Lom, it’s about 5 minutes walk from there.

Laser Quest

There are many places to try laser quest around Bangkok. I think one of the best is Siam Laser Games located in the Novotel in Siam Square. The game zone is split into three, Lava Red, Forest Green, and Ocean Blue, all with dark corners, loud music and neon painted walls. It feels a bit like a different world. Take the the BTS to Siam Station.

Roof top bars

Roof top bars are big in Bangkok, they’re expensive, lavish and offer amazing views across the city after dark. Just because you have children in tow doesn’t mean you have to avoid them, in fact I think they’re great places to show the kids the city from above. Many will have DJs playing later in the night and the atmosphere becomes less family friendly. I recommend visiting just before sunset when most of them will be almost empty. Order a fancy (and yes, expensive) cocktail for you and some kind of elaborate dessert for the kids and soak in the view. My favourite rooftop bars in Bangkok include Zoom at the JC Kevin Sathorn, The Red Sky Bar at the Centara Grand and Vertigo at the Banyan Tree.

Best water and amusement parks in Bangkok

There are heaps of water parks and amusement parks in and around Bangkok. Most of these will require a full day to visit so a good idea if you have plenty of time in the city.

Dream World

Located about an hour from Bangkok, Dream World is almost Thailands equivalent of Disneyland (without the giant mouse!). It has small rides for little kids, thrill rides for teens and adults, parades, instagrammable sculptures, water activities and even a snow play area. You can take a public bus to reach Dream World From Bangkok or hire a car or use the Grab App to get there.

Siam Amazing Park

Similar to Dream World but slightly closer to Bangkok is Siam Amazing Park, another amusement park you’ll need a full day to explore. It will take about 45 minutes by car to reach the park and a taxi will cost around £10. Siam Park is home to the largest water park in Asia so don’t forget to bring your swimwear. Other sections of the park include “small world” for little kids, “Xtreme World” for adrenaline junkies and “Family and Adventure World” for those who are in between.

Fantasia Lagoon

If you don’t fancy leaving the city for your thrill rides then head to one of two Fantasia Lagoon waterparks. There’s one on top of the Mall Bangkae and one on the top of The Mall Bangkapi. Both have several high slides for thrill seekers and kid friendly water play areas. There are waterfalls, whirlpools, a lazy river and pirate ship play areas. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon in the city centre. You’ll also find plenty of entertainment options and arcade games below in the Mall.

Zanook Wake Park

Not exactly an amusement park or a traditional water park but Zanook Wake park is a super fun place to spend a few hours. Home to an excellent inflatable assault course (think Wipeout), paddleboarding and wakeboarding. There’s definitely enough to entertain even the biggest thrill seekers. It’s around a twenty minute drive from the city centre.

Pororo Aquapark

Pororo Aquapark is an excellent choice for younger kids. It’s located in CentralPlaza Bangna so easy to get to from all over the city. It is based on a cute Korean penguin character that you’ll see all over the park and little kids will love. Pororo has plenty of slides, a lazy river, nine pool areas for various ages and a playground zone with interactive water activities.

Family Friendly Day Trips from Bangkok

If you’re staying in Bangkok for a while it’s well worth booking a day trip to explore the surrounding area. There is so much to see within a few hours bus ride.

Ayutthaya

The ancient city of Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage site just two hours drive North from Bangkok. It was once the second capital of old Siam and was founded in 1350. You can explore the ancient ruins of the city, its palaces, temples and monasteries. You can then head to Ayothaya Floating Market which is pretty touristy but ticks off the floating market box!

Kids will love the face sculpture peering out of tree trunks. Book ahead on Get Your Guide.

Maeklong Railway Market and the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

You may have seen videos of railway markets. Locals set up there stalls on actual railway tracks, speedily packing away their goods and retracting their awnings when they hear the train approach. It may sound crazy to us but it’s just part of life for the people of the Maeklong railway. You’ll find a huge variety of fresh food for sale, some of it a bit weird and wonderful which should entertain the kids.

Combine your visit with a trip to the Damnoen Saduak Floating market which is located just 20 minutes drive away. Here you can arrive by paddle boat and buy from sellers on small floating stalls. It is quite an experience. Make sure you treat the kids to some boat noodles, cooked directly on the boats.

Prebook your trip to these two famous Thai Markets to secure a great price and excellent guide.

Day Trip to the River Kwai

Surely we all know about the bridge over the river Kwai and its poignant and important back story. It serves as a good reminder of the atrocities of WWII and also the many labourers who lost their lives buidling the railway. The bridge can be found just after Kanchanaburi Train Station and here you’ll find a museum dedicated to WWII alongside heartbreaking memorials and cemeteries. Older kids with an interest in history will surely find it fascinating and I do believe it is so important to remember and learn from the bad that has been done in the past. It’s a pretty long three hours from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi so make sure you book a comfortable tour.

Khao Yai National Park

This one is a bit of a stretch in a day but if you’re craving some nature after a few days in the city it’s well worth the almost three hour drive. The park is huge so you’ll only be able to explore a fraction of it on a day visit but the whole area is so stunning you won’t be disappointed. There is a wild herd of elephants that live in the park so if you’re very lucky you might spot them. I’m pretty sure you will spot plenty of deer, some crazy bugs, snakes and monkeys. Perfect for animal loving kids. Khao Yai is home to heaps of stunning waterfalls. Make sure you visit Haew Suwat and Haew Narok for the best photos. Entry to the park can be a bit confusing and it’s easy to get lost within it so a guided tour to Khao Yai is highly recommended.

Where to stay during your trip to Bangkok

We tend to stay at the J C Kevin Sathorn Hotel near Sukhumvit. We love its outdoor pool, rooftop bar and central location – it’s easy to walk to the skytrain. Read my review of this family hotel in Bangkok to discover more.

We also really love the Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Riverside Menam Bangkok which has an absolutely brilliant pool and a perfect location next to the river for exploring the city.

Make sure to pin for later for planning your list of things to do with kids in Bangkok.

What are your favourite things to do with kids in Bangkok, I’m always looking for new ideas. Just leave a comment below.

To help you get ready for your trip to Bangkok, make sure to read my post on Traveling long haul with kids which includes heaps of hints and tips from planning, to the flight and getting over jetlag.