20 Best Things To Do In Thailand With Kids

Going on a family trip to Thailand? Here are our 20 best ideas of things to do in Thailand with Kids.

Amazing ideas for activities, attractions and experiences that would make your family trip unforgettable!

Best thing to do in Thailand - day at the beach

1 Feed Elephants

Unique experience for children of all ages, including the little ones who can overcome their initial fear of these amazing animals. There are places dedicated to elephants all over the country, including Koh Samui, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. Don’t miss out on such an experience!

2 Beach Fun

In Thailand, especially on the islands, there are stunning beaches! Warm waters, soft yellow sand, and a magical atmosphere. Each island and beach has its own uniqueness. Whether you love swimming, water sports (such as kayaking or paddleboarding), hammocks and swings with a view, snorkelling, or just sitting to play in the warm sand with a refreshing smoothie or coconut – Thailand has it all!
Here you can find recommendations for the best beaches in Thailand with kids!

3 Animal Interaction

Petting farms – If your kids love animals (which kids don’t?), in Thailand, there are many petting farms where you can interact with and feed animals. If you’re in the area, it is highly recommended to visit Malai Farm Cha-am near Hua Hin or Paradise Farm in Samui.

4 Water Parks

Water Parks – Thailand is blessed with excellent water parks! Pleasant, clean, and safe, with areas suitable for little ones. It’s a refreshing experience for a full day for the whole family. If you’re coming to Phuket, it’s recommended to visit Andamanda or Blue Tree (or even both!).

Best thing to do in Thailand - Blue Tree Phuket

Best thing to do in Thailand - floating market

5 Floating Market

A unique South-East-Asian experience – a market that takes place entirely on the water. If you visit a touristy market, it practically means a boat ride and a stop by boat stalls to look and buy souvenirs, with occasional vendors passing by on their boats offering fruits and various goods. A fusion of culture, fun, and a chance to snag souvenirs for friends—though a bit pricier than your regular market spree (yes, the boat ride itself isn’t a budget option at around 2000 Baht), the kids will forever boast about the unique gifts from this river adventure. For more tips and recommendations on Thailand travel souvenirs, check out this guide.

6 Fire Shows

Another thing that becomes very common in Thailand, especially on island beaches like Samui and Phuket. These shows of acrobatics and fire tricks take place in the evening, making it suitable for older children. It’s worth trying to get the little ones to take a nap or stay awake because it’s truly spectacular. Consider combining it with a beach sunset. If you’re in Koh Phangan during the full moon and feeling adventurous, you can go see the real deal at the Full Moon Party!
Here, you can read about how to experience the full moon magic with kids!

Best thing to do in Thailand - fire shows

Best thing to do in Thailand - try a new class

7 Take a class

Try New Activities – embark on a journey of exploration and learning! In Thailand, there are numerous local classes tailored for kids and the international community residing there, offering trial lessons for everyone. Older kids can experience traditional Thai boxing aka Muay Thai), widely popular in Thailand, or explore other experiential classes suitable for families and younger children, such as Jiu-Jitsu (we had an amazing time training in Koh Fight in Koh Samui), Aerial Yoga, and even Trapeze (we were in touch with MACA in Phuket that even offer family experiences).
Here, you can read about more ideas to add extra value to your trip with kids.

8 Night Market

Another experiential activity for children who stay up late. In almost every city or town, there is the local night market (sometimes only on weekends) – full of lights, colours, atmosphere, and the best local products. An opportunity to also shop for gifts and enjoy the special atmosphere.
If you’re in the area, don’t miss the Sunday Night Market in Chiang Mai and the night market in Hua Hin.

9 Hiking Trails

In Thailand, there is a lot of beautiful and exotic nature, and many hiking trails of various difficulty levels, including short and easy ones. From nature reserves to charming waterfall trails. If you decide to embark on this adventure, don’t forget mosquito repellent!
Here you can get more useful information and tips on what to pack for Thailand.

Best thing to do in Thailand - Volunteering

10 Volunteering

True, there’s a lot of fun for kids in Thailand, but it’s highly recommended to give them the opportunity to do some good. It enriches them, adds extra value to the trip, and, don’t worry, it’s also fun. We took the kids to an animal shelter in Koh Samui, and it was a very special experience.

11 Boating Adventures

In Thailand, you can discover various types of boating experiences, from sailing between large islands to navigating small and intriguing islets. The landscapes, the wildlife found on the islands, and the boating itself offer a fantastic adventure for kids.

12 Traditional Thai Dance performance

Dazzling performances blend vibrant costumes, enchanting music, and graceful movements. These shows are scattered throughout, even in places like water parks and zoos. An artistic and cultural treat that adds extra value for the kids.

13 Observing Monkeys

One of the fascinating phenomena for kids in Thailand is the monkeys that live in the trees and roam freely here. You can observe freely roaming monkeys in many areas, like in Phuket and Hua Hin. While it’s not recommended to approach them and definitely not to be in their vicinity with food in hand (they can be aggressive), if you’re in the area, it will be interesting for the kids to see monkeys outside the zoo walls.

Best thing to do in Thailand - Traditional Thai Dance performance

Best thing to do in Thailand - Thai food

14 Thai Food Tasting

Taste the flavours of the local cuisine. It doesn’t necessarily mean eating exotic seafood in local markets. There is simpler and more digestible Thai food for children, such as rice and mango or Pad Thai. It can definitely add more flavour to the trip.
Here you can get a lot of information and recommendations about food in Thailand.

15 Local Cooking Class

And if you’re going to taste it, you might as well prepare it! It’s also a nice and experiential activity for the whole family – to eat (it’s always necessary) and also to learn something new along the way.

16 Explore Temples and Monks

Another added value —immerse yourself in the authentic Thai culture, offering a glimpse into a different way of life with its fascinating and colourful traditions. When in Chiang Mai, visiting the temples in the old city with kids is highly recommended. The experience becomes even more magical at night when they are illuminated. It’s a memorable adventure for the whole family!

17 Exotic Fruits

A flavourful and nutritious must-try in Thailand (you’ll understand why when you visit the local markets). Thailand offers a wide variety of intriguing and, most importantly, delicious fruits.

Best thing to do in Thailand - Harborland

18 Hair Braiding

An unmissable experience found wherever tourists gather. You’ll discover salons offering intricate hair braiding for girls, with colourful threads woven into various patterns. Boys can enjoy a local-style haircut. Meanwhile, adults can indulge in a relaxing

19 Indoor Playground – HarborLand

On a rainy day in one of the major cities (like Bangkok or Pattaya), this is an excellent option for spending enjoyable hours. HarborLand features a giant indoor playground with slides, cars, and even creative activities. While not the most authentic experience, it’s definitely a fun one.

20 Museum Exploration

Another great option for a rainy or overly hot day is a visit to a local museum. In Thailand, you’ll find museums perfectly tailored for children, such as the Upside Down House Museum in Phuket or the Art in Paradise Museum in Chiang Mai. Bangkok or Pattaya.