My five-year-old daughter, Beatrice, and I travelled to Thailand on one of Intrepid Travel’s Family Holidays, which are crafted for people with young kids, teenagers and solo parents.
It might have been years since I left school, but on my last holiday to Thailand, it was like I was back in a classroom – without the four walls! Thailand just has so much to offer; from the local language and the customs and culture to life in the rural villages, there’s nothing short of things to inspire the kids.
Here are five things I discovered visiting Thailand with a young child:
1. Immersing in Buddhist traditions at Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep temple
An overseas holiday with kids can easily transform into series of unforgettable memories – or show-and-tell stories. But when you have Thailand’s top attractions to explore and a local leader to show you the way, it becomes a different ball game.
Being a mother herself, our leader was able to relate to the children and read the signs when they were tired or needed a break. She encouraged the children to immerse themselves in all experiences. One of the more memorable ones was at the Buddhist temple, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, in Chiang Mai province, where she invited the children to meet the local monk and find their birth statue.
🎆 KEEP EXPLORING: Experience Thai culture with these 11 festivals
2. Learning about conservation at ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary, Chiang Mai
Firsthand experiences are considered one of the most immersive ways for kids to learn. With included activities like visiting an ethical elephant sanctuary on the trip, young minds can learn about the importance of animal welfare, and how to be friends with all creatures while caring for them too.
I really do love elephants, but I also loved the educational piece. Seeing how these magnificent creatures are rehabilitated and cared for is amazing, and the kids came away having a better understanding about how to interact with animals in a respectful way.
Intrepid Travel’s take on animal welfare is industry leading and, in 2014, they removed elephant rides from all trips. “The ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary was the best because it’s also my mum’s favourite animal,” Beatrice says. “I fed them bananas and walked near them, but not too close. We learnt why we shouldn’t ride them, too.”
🐘 KEEP EXPLORING: 6 ethical animal sanctuaries to visit in Thailand
3. Experiencing the local lifestyle with a homestay in Ban Hua Tung
Picture what your dream sleepover might have looked like as a child – then throw in traditional Thai dancing, learning about the environment and local agricultural practices, wandering through the village to visit neighbouring farm animals and a home-cooked dinner to finish it off.
At the homestay, we had locally-made mango sticky rice – it was the best! All our meals where we stayed in the village of Ban Hua Tung in Chiang Mai were delightful in both taste and ambience. The kids also loved it.
🛕 KEEP EXPLORING: A family-friendly guide to Chiang Mai
4. Riding an overnight train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok
Long car journeys back home can be tiring, but on this trip I discovered that getting there is half the fun. It was Beatrice’s first time on an overnight train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok – and she loved sleeping on the top bunk – so the whole thing turned into an experience she’ll never forget.
I loved watching Beatrice play cards with everyone, because she can be shy at first. When she opens up, she turns into a different person. “I was a bit nervous travelling with other kids, because I didn’t know them,” she says. “But then I got used to them and it was really fun.”
🍜 KEEP EXPLORING: Where to eat, stay and play in Bangkok
5. Tasting new and delicious flavours across Thailand
Indulging tiny taste buds isn’t an easy task, but when teamed with a new destination and hands-on experiences, dinner at home might never be the same. “My favourite food was the fruit on a stick, the noodles and chicken and the pancakes,” Beatrice says. “I liked helping at the cooking school too.”
Learn more: intrepidtravel.com/au/family and amazingthailand.com.au
Dyan Mckie is Intrepid Travel’s brand and product manager – family adventures.
In partnership with Intrepid Travel and Tourism Authority of Thailand.
