The complete guide to exploring Bangkok with kids

Vibrant, lively, and full of energy, Bangkok is known for its stunning temples, captivating markets, spicy cuisine, and vibrant nightlife. But is Thailand’s largest city family-friendly? Absolutely!

With careful planning and realistic daily goals, Bangkok offers exciting adventures that will leave lasting memories for young travelers. Even simple journeys across the city can become family fun when using a túk-túk or river boat.

To make the most of your family trip to Bangkok, choose accommodations with a pool. This way, you can enjoy some relaxation when the tropical heat gets intense. Whether you’re into dazzling temples, amusement parks, or museums, here’s our guide to the top family activities in Bangkok.

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Is Bangkok suitable for children?

Bangkok's historic attractions are a dazzling display of colors, featuring enormous statues and sparkling lights that create a festive atmosphere reminiscent of Christmas. The city is sprinkled with family-friendly museums and theme parks, while túk-túks, river ferries, and taxis turn every trip into an exciting adventure for families.

There are also numerous indoor play areas for children to enjoy. However, family discount cards are quite rare; that said, Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World offer a combo ticket that provides about 35% off the regular entry fee when purchased online ahead of time.

Bangkok is home to many international supermarkets, making it easy to find diapers, formula, and familiar foods from home. The city is also packed with shopping options if you need extra clothing or supplies.

To beat the heat, there are plenty of air-conditioned malls, such as Central Chidlom on Th Phloen Chit, which features an entire floor dedicated to kids. The restrooms in these malls are equipped with toilet paper, hand soap, and baby-changing facilities.

Top activities for families in Bangkok

By utilizing air-conditioned shopping malls and hotel swimming pools, escaping the tropical heat in Bangkok is easy, and there are also some amazing water parks to enjoy when temperatures rise. Additionally, consider a day trip to Ramayana Water Park, which is just a two-hour bus ride to Pattaya, where you can also enjoy a day at the beach.

For the ultimate water fun, the Buddhist festival of Songkran features a massive citywide water fight that spills into the streets of Bangkok every year on April 13th, offering a fantastic cultural experience for young visitors.

Here are some of the best family-friendly attractions in Bangkok.

Discover mythical giants at Wat Arun

Among Bangkok's impressive wat (temples), Wat Arun is a standout for families, thanks to its scenic riverside location, gardens adorned with statues, soaring prang (spire), and the massive guardian demon statues that greet visitors at its gates.

To make your visit even more enjoyable, the shrine is conveniently accessible by river using the Chao Phraya Express Boat or the small shuttle ferry that operates from Tha Tien pier.

Gaze in awe at the colossal reclining Buddha housed within Wat Pho

Bangkok's most renowned temple – actually a bustling teaching monastery and the spiritual center of Thai massage – is a whimsical assembly of mosaic-covered stupas, prayer halls, Buddha statues, and towering figures of deities alongside early European visitors to the city.

Children will be fascinated by the enormous reclining Buddha – one of the largest in the world – and the opportunity to make small offerings of coins and gold leaf at the Buddha statues.

Take a ride on the Chao Phraya Express Boat

When the heat starts to rise, make your way to the river. The hop-on, hop-off Chao Phraya Express Boat offers a quick tour along the riverbank, passing by Banglamphu, Wat Arun, Wat Phra Kaew, and Chinatown, where young explorers can get great value for their baht by shopping for vibrant Confucian charms and battery-operated beckoning cats. Just be cautious when boarding and disembarking, as the ferries make only brief stops at the piers.

Other enjoyable water excursions include the klorng boats that navigate Bangkok's canals – for instance, from Banglamphu to Siam Square and Th Sukhumvit – as well as river tours by long-tail boat (though these can be quite costly).

Uncover dinosaurs at the Children's Discovery Museum

Education is cleverly disguised as fun at this interactive museum, where exhibits range from construction to culture. Most kids will be excited by the Dino Detective Zone, where they can dig in the sand to discover and piece together dinosaur bones.

Experience all of Thailand in one place at the Ancient City (Muang Boran)

Just a short 10-minute taxi ride from the Kheha BTS station on the Sukhumvit Line, this open-air museum brings to life Thailand’s most iconic landmarks.

The attractions are connected by bike paths winding through serene, uncrowded grounds, designed for exploration and climbing. While the Ancient City is a bit far from the center, kids will enjoy it as a fun day trip.

Discover more about Thai culture at the Museum of Siam

Children will appreciate this engaging and interactive introduction to the history and culture of the Thai people.

The museum features a diverse collection, including an Ayutthaya-era battle game, a room filled with traditional Thai toys, and a street vendor cart where you can take a photo pretending to cook a pan of pad thai (fried noodles). It typically captivates kids for at least an hour, and adults even longer.

Relax and unwind at Lumphini Park

Central Bangkok’s largest and most frequented park was once a royal reserve, but was opened to the public by Rama VI (King Vajiravudh) in 1925. Today, it features an artificial lake surrounded by expansive, well-maintained lawns, wooded areas, walking paths, and impressively large resident monitor lizards.

Younger children can enjoy paddleboats and playgrounds. Refreshing drinks are available at the park entrances, and street-food vendors set up tables outside the park’s northwest corner starting around 5pm.

Meet Thai and global heroes at Madame Tussauds

The Siam Discovery shopping center houses a branch of this renowned wax museum, featuring nearly 100 celebrity figures ready for your kids to snap photos with. Icons from Hollywood and Bollywood, music stars, and sports legends are in attendance, along with world leaders and other notable figures.

Splash and ride at Siam Amazing Park

Home to over 30 thrilling rides, Siam Amazing Park (also known as Siam Park City) is the ultimate amusement park to excite your kids.

In addition to exhilarating rides, it boasts Bangkok’s top water park and one of the largest wave pools globally, making it the ideal destination for families when temperatures soar. Located about 20 minutes from Suvarnabhumi Airport on the eastern outskirts, plan to dedicate a full day to this adventure.

Maximize the excitement at Dream World

Snow in Bangkok? Only at Dream World. This vast amusement park located north of the city offers a variety of colorful thrill rides, spooky mansions, castles, space adventures, and even a snow room with sledding fun. It's a fantastic experience for both parents and children. Situated at the northern city limits, treat it as a day trip.

Fly a kite at Sanam Luang Park

If you're in Bangkok during kite-flying season (mid-February to April), take the kids to Sanam Luang Park and grab a kite to soar above the temple rooftops.

It's also a fantastic spot to watch kite-flying competitions, where teams fly either a 'male' or 'female' kite within a designated area, scoring points by forcing opponents into their zone.

Bargain for everything at Chatuchak Weekend Market

With over 9000 stalls offering everything from chopsticks to artificial flowers, Chatuchak Weekend Market is an incredible adventure for both kids and adults.

Must-see areas for children include the fish and pet section and stalls with miniature ceramic food models, often used as offerings in home shrines and spirit houses. However, be mindful not to overdo it; the crowds at Bangkok's largest market can test the patience of even the most easygoing five-year-old.

Chill out at the CentralWorld ice rink

With eight floors housing over 500 shops and 100 restaurants, CentralWorld is one of the largest shopping complexes in Southeast Asia, offering plenty of space for an indoor ice rink.

On hot days, you'll find kids—and entire families—seeking relief here, with numerous dining and snack options available nearby.

Experience the backpacker vibe on Khao San Road

Exploring the lively atmosphere of Th Khao San (Khao San Road) and browsing the market stalls is a must for anyone visiting Bangkok, regardless of age.

For children, it's a great spot to spend some pocket money on unique souvenirs and grab satay skewers or a paper plate of pad thai for a quick bite.

Discover a wealth of history at the National Museum for just a few baht

Kids can enter free at the National Museum, which offers plenty of engaging activities for young explorers aged ten and up.

Weapons, decorative arts, masks, traditional musical instruments, and the elaborate funeral chariots of former royals are typically what captures their attention—but don’t expect to keep them engaged all day. The on-site café offers affordable Thai snacks and meals.

Step into a miniature world at the Bangkok Doll Factory & Museum

This somewhat elusive museum features a vibrant array of traditional Thai dolls, both contemporary and antique. New dolls are constantly being added to the collection, making it a delightful stop for kids on rainy days, but you might need to have your cab driver call for directions.

Bargain for Buddhist items at the Amulet Market

The amulet market on Th Phra Chan is an excellent spot for kids to negotiate prices for affordable mini-Buddhas and charms to take home as keepsakes.

Locals are serious about amulet trading, often seen perusing stalls with reference books in hand, searching for particularly valuable items.

Get up close with sharks at SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World

Home to over 400 species of fish, crustaceans, and even penguins, this expansive underground aquarium is located in the Siam Paragon shopping center. Notable attractions include a transparent tunnel where sharks and schools of fish glide past amazed children, and a glass-walled penguin habitat.

Feed the fish at Thewet Pier

For an enjoyable and budget-friendly animal experience, kids can join novice monks and local Thai children at Thewet Pier, tossing food (available for purchase on-site) to countless eager fish. With perfect timing, the water will transform into a lively swirl of scales and tails.

What are the best places to stay in Bangkok with kids?

When it comes to accommodations, you can’t go wrong with Ratanakosin and the surrounding areas. Khao San Road in Banglamphu is a hotspot for backpackers and might be a bit too lively for many families.

There are excellent hotels and guesthouses on nearby streets and along the riverside, putting you within walking distance of major attractions, and the river is easily accessible for boat rides and river taxi trips.

Areas like Silom and Th Sukhumvit offer numerous comfortable mid-range hotels, but both are densely developed and urban, potentially leading to slow taxi rides to the historic old quarter. Banglamphu and the riverside provide a more relaxed and pedestrian-friendly atmosphere for accommodation.

Whenever possible, opt for a hotel featuring a pool and an on-site restaurant with reliable air-conditioning, so you won't feel pressured to leave to escape the heat. Recommended options include Chakrabongse Villas near the Grand Palace, Lamphu Tree House near the Democracy Monument in Banglamphu, and the quaint boutique Praya Palazzo on the west bank of the river at Bang Yi Khan.

Navigating Bangkok with children

Traveling around Bangkok with babies or toddlers can pose challenges due to the presence of steps and uneven, crowded pavements. Fortunately, all BTS (Skytrain) stations and most major MRT (Metro) stations are equipped with elevators that can accommodate pushchairs.

The city's budget-friendly taxis feature wonderfully cool air-conditioning, but due to heavy traffic, it's best to stick to short rides to avoid the constant refrain of “Are we there yet?” Note that taxis do not provide car seats, so be sure to bring your own.

Children will adore a ride in a túk-túk (autorickshaw), but be cautious as the open sides expose them to traffic fumes; opt for brief rides during early morning or late afternoon when traffic is lighter. The Chao Phraya Express Boat offers a fantastic way to explore the river, while longtail river taxis can take you to various city locations at a premium.

With the intense heat prevailing for much of the year, walking long distances isn't advisable, especially with kids. If you do venture out on foot, bring an umbrella for shade and consider carrying battery-operated mini-fans. Given the state of Bangkok's pavements, a sling may be a better option for carrying very young children instead of a buggy.

Kid-friendly dining options in Bangkok

Feeding children in Bangkok is surprisingly straightforward once you understand the local dishes. Not all offerings are spicy, and you can enjoy the delicious street food available throughout the city by steering clear of raw ingredients and opting for busy stalls where you can watch the food being made fresh right in front of you.

Consider options like fried rice, mild Thai-Chinese soups, Chinese bao buns, congee (rice porridge), pad thai (fried noodles), and freshly grilled chicken satay skewers or moo ping (pork in coconut milk). The incredible variety of tropical fruits in Bangkok will keep kids fascinated for hours; their first taste of a rambutan is sure to be unforgettable.

In the major shopping districts, you'll easily find Western-style fast food. Most large malls also feature Asian and international dining options (often equipped with high chairs), making it simple to introduce little ones to local flavors in a relaxed setting.