Travel to Thailand with Kids: Your Best Family Trip Ever!
Plan a magical and unforgettable Thailand family trip by discovering kid-friendly destinations and activities that children of all ages will love.
Between jungle ziplines, friendly elephants, and enchanting market districts, Thailand is teeming with destinations and activities that appeal to kids of all ages. Let’s explore some Thailand family trip ideas that your children will love.
Kid-friendly things to do in Thailand
Have a magical tuk-tuk night ride
While you are visiting Bangkok with your children, head out after dark on a tuk-tuk tour. This experience will take you through markets and temple districts, showing you the city in a different way than you experience it during the day. Your atmospheric adventure will also include plenty of opportunities for you and your kids to indulge in Bangkok’s delicious street foods, satisfying late-night cravings.
Street food tour with countless yummy bites
Speaking of snacks, vendors in Thailand’s cities offer delicious delights to sample at any time of day. Bangkok in particular is renowned for its street food. Take your family to Chinatown, Victory Monument, or Rangnam for a selection of street foods such as pad see ew, som tam, pad krapao moo khai dao, jok and others.
Get up close and ethically meet elephants
One of the most unforgettable things you can do in Thailand with kids is meet some of nature’s most lovable creatures. Thailand is home to many ethical elephant sanctuaries where these adorable and intelligent animals are being rehabilitated and kept safe from exploitation.
Just seeing the elephants would be incredible in and of itself, but while you are visiting an elephant sanctuary, you will be allowed to observe them in their natural habitats and even feed them.
Go snorkeling in the beach paradise
Did you know that there are around 500 islands off the coasts of Thailand? As you explore these tropical islands, you also will get a chance to experience the country’s many spectacular coral reefs.
Grab your snorkel gear and head to destinations such as Koh Tao (Turtle Island), Mae Head in Koh Phangan, and Chaweng Beach, Coral Cove, Silver Beach and Ao Phang Ka in Koh Samui. Kids and adults will love having a chance to swim among around 900 species of fish as well as other colorful sea life.
"Fly" through the jungle on a zipline
There is nothing quite like the sensation of zipping fast through the air among and above the jungle canopies of Thailand, taking in spectacular views while experiencing an exhilarating rush like no other.
There are a number of ziplining and adventure tour destinations in Thailand to choose from. Most provide the equipment, and some also include snacks and beverages. Depending on the adventures you choose, you may get to see wildlife, waterfalls, and areas of the jungle that would otherwise be hard or impossible for you to access.
Attend a local cooking class
If your family falls in love with the scrumptious cuisine in Thailand, consider signing up for a market tour and cooking class in Bangkok, Phuket, Silom, Chiang Mai, or elsewhere.
Trying to make Thai food on your own at home without any training can be tricky—a fact you may already know if you have ever attempted it. During your cooking class, you will learn how to shop for the right ingredients, then how to combine them to capture those elusive flavors that give Thai food its distinctive qualities.
With what you learn, you should have an easier time replicating Thai dishes at home. Every time you do, it will help your whole family reconnect with their memories of the special trip you shared.
Spot wildlife in its natural habitat
While roaming the jungles, beaches and wetlands of Thailand, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as Asian elephants, bears, clouded leopards, gibbons, binturongs, macaques, banded linsangs, deer, hornbills, pangolins, golden cats, crocodiles, pythons and more. In the treetops and skies, there are over a thousand species of birds at which to marvel.
Be respectful of wildlife in Thailand. Keep your distance, both for your safety and the well-being of the animals. And make sure you have your camera at the ready; you may only catch a momentary glimpse of many of these amazing creatures.
Cycle along the beach
With children old enough to ride bicycles, consider hiring some close to one of Thailand’s beaches. This is a popular activity in Koh Samui, Phuket, and many other coastal destinations in Thailand.
Most rental places offer some basic supplies (i.e. a helmet and a lock), but you will need to bring some items yourself (i.e. water to stay hydrated). You should be able to rent a bicycle for an entire day for around $5 or less at most locations. As you ride along the beach, you can enjoy the sea breezes while gazing out across the deep blue waters. It is a fun, convenient and flexible way to get around that keeps you fully immersed in Thailand’s seaside splendor.
Learn how to make a Thai offering
A visit to Thailand is a fantastic opportunity for you and your children to learn more about another culture and way of life. One powerful way to discover more about Buddhism in Thailand is to learn how to make a traditional Buddhist offering, known as “wat phra.”
To make this offering, you can purchase the required candle, flowers, gold leaf square, and three incense sticks at a Buddhist wat. Anyone is allowed to make the offering after they learn the basics, including Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. While there are steps to make the offering, individual variations are permitted, so you do not need to worry about getting it “perfect.”
Visit a local hill-tribe family
Something else to add to your itinerary for your family trip in Thailand is visiting the local hill tribes to get to know the locals and discover their traditions.
Keep in mind that the villagers are trying to go about their day-to-day lives in peace. As visitors to their communities, it is essential that you and your children treat them with dignity and respect. Strongly think about hiring a guide to bring you to the hill tribe villages. The guide will be able to show you around, telling you more about the tribes, while also helping you interact appropriately with the villagers.
Plan on spending a night in one of the village homestays for a firsthand look at what it is like to live in the village. Before you leave, be sure to purchase some of the tribe’s handcrafts. Doing so will support their local economy, and give you a way to remember this special part of your family trip in Thailand.
Thailand Family Trip FAQs
Is it safe to travel to Thailand with kids?
Thailand is a country that has a reputation for being warm and inviting toward families with children. That includes Thai families as well as visiting families from other countries.
So, yes, Thailand is a safe and welcoming destination for your next family vacation. Of course, you should use common sense. Avoid dodgy parts of town or dark alleys with your kids, and keep a close watch on them while doing activities to ensure they are participating safely.
What should I expect when I travel with kids in Thailand?
The better you research and plan for your Thailand family trip, the smoother and more enjoyable it will be for everyone in your family.
Thai food includes ingredients such as noodles, coconut milk, fish sauce, lemongrass, curry paste, chilies, lime, galangal, cilantro, mint, eggplant, meat and fish. The flavors can be described as “fresh,” with varying degrees of spiciness. There should be something on most menus to satisfy even picky eaters; just watch out for spiciness. Request mild food if your kids are sensitive to it.
In this post, we have shared a number of exciting activities that will go over well with most children. Run some of your ideas past your kids and see what they respond to with the greatest enthusiasm; they will appreciate having a say in your itinerary. Planning activities they can look forward to will also help keep them energetic and eager throughout the trip, which can make traveling more fun for your whole family.
When is the best time to travel to Thailand with kids?
Thailand has a wet season from May through October, a cool season from November through February and a hot season from March through May. During the wet season, you need to be prepared for rain and humidity, as well as strong coastal winds. The cool season tends to be drier and more pleasant, while the hot season is, well, hot.
When in doubt, a visit during the cool season will probably be most comfortable for your family. Regardless, bring what you and your kids will need to stay safe and comfortable for the conditions during the time of year you will be visiting.
Can you suggest places to visit in Thailand with kids?
If you need some help planning the ideal family trip to Thailand, please contact Exotic Voyages. We can help you design a fun and memorable Thailand vacation that every member of your family will love.
