From temples to theme parks, Thailand’s bustling capital of Bangkok gives families an exciting introduction to this enthralling Asian country.
We all know Bangkok is chock-a-block with things to see and do, but did you know just how kid-friendly the city really is? As one of the top Thailand family holiday destinations, it’s an amazing chance for kids to discover the country’s rich history and culture – not to mention the fun water parks!
Whether you’re planning a Thailand getaway or a quick stopover between Australia and Europe, read on for everything you need to know when visiting Bangkok with kids.
24 amazing things to do in Bangkok with kids
1. Take a tuk tuk tour of Bangkok Old City
Want to experience Thailand from a local perspective? Begin by exploring Bangkok’s old city on a electric tuk tuk tour before soaking up the views across the city from the Golden Mount. Offering insights into Thai religion and culture, this fun-filled experience also supports local flower market vendors and monks who will share their knowledge with you.
2. Explore the opulent Grand Palace complex
The dazzling Grand Palace, which was built for the king in the 1780s, is simply unmissable. Full of intricate golden roofs and shimmering decorations, the opulent palace will even keep kids enthralled with its glittering statues of mind-boggling mythical creatures and giant monkey gods.
3. Visit the city's awe-inspiring Buddhist temples
Bangkok’s many pretty temples are the city’s heart and soul and are definitely worth a visit. Neighbouring the Grand Palace, Wat Pho is home to Thailand’s largest reclining Buddha statue, a gold-plated giant 46 metres long and 15 metres tall. Whilst there, you can even sneak off for a traditional Thai massage at the country’s leading school of massage and visit Pak Khlong Talad, the biggest flower market in Bangkok, located just south of Wat Pho near the Memorial Bridge.
Other Bangkok temples to experience include the the intricately embellished riverside Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn), and Wat Phra Kaew with its revered Emerald Buddha.
4. Browse Bangkok's colourful floating markets
Floating markets – in which goods are sold from boats – also provide a colourful, fun and educational experience for kids. The chaotic floating market in Damnoen Saduak, about an hour’s drive from the city centre, is the most colourful of the cities myriad markets.
It is noisy and quite touristy but great fun to watch as hundreds of small boats jockey for premium position along the klongs to sell their wares. The market can also be visited on a guided tour. Other floating markets in the Bangkok region include Amphawa Floating Market, Khlong Lad Mayom Floating Market and Tha Kha Floating Market.
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5. Sail on the Chao Phraya River and canals
Once hailed as the “Venice of the East” a boat trip along the Chao Phraya River is a lovely way to let Bangkok’s mystique wash over you. There are a number of river cruises available but we suggest hiring a long-tail boat to go gliding through the klongs (canals) to see life as it happens amongst the traditional houses built on stilts over the water.
Alternatively, you can take to the water on the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat, a hop-on/hop-off service that connects some of Bangkok’s biggest sights. River ferries also operate on fixed routes up, down and across the river.
6. Have a blast at the magical Dream World Park
Bangkok also boasts several theme parks the whole family will enjoy, including Dream World Park. The affordable attraction offers exciting rides across a series of fun themed ‘lands’ like Adventure Land, Fantasy Land, Dream Garden, and the novel winter-themed Snow Land. There’s even a cable car and a giant’s house to explore.
7. Test your bartering skills at the Chatuchak weekend market
Bangkok’s Chatuchak weekend market is the mother of all markets and the ultimate place to hone your bartering skills. While not the floating variety, Chatuchak is one of the largest outdoor markets in the world, with over 15,000 individual stalls spread across 14 hectares.
If hunting for bargains gives you a rush, Chatuchak will have your head-spinning. It’s no easy feat to conquer this enormous and busy market but if you’re patient, well hydrated and stick together, the rewards are plenty.
8. Cool off at Bangkok's hidden water parks
To cool off, head to Fantasia Lagoon, a secret water park on the rooftops of The Mall Shopping Center Ngamwongwan and Korat. Flow House is another fun attraction which features flowboarding and bodyboarding on a simulated wave in the heart of Bangkok. There are activities for all ages and it’s a fabulous family day out, with food and drinks, shower and changing facilities.
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9. Spend a day at Safari World zoo and marine park
Safari World is an open zoo and marine park, with frequent wildlife feeding shows. See animals from all around the world at the Safari Park, including African elephants, lions, zebras and ostriches, and take a jungle cruise at the Marine Park.
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10. Sample Thailand's cultural diversity at SookSiam
If you don’t have time to explore all corners of Thailand, you can get a feel for the country’s diversity at Sooksiam, a ‘village’ within the ICONSIAM shopping and lifestyle precinct. This atmospheric attraction allows you to experience the arts, foods and traditions of all 77 provinces within the one space.
11. Take a Thai cooking class with the kids
In Bangkok, you can book into a class at the Silom Thai Cooking School, which includes a trip to the local market to buy ingredients. You can also pick fresh ingredients from their herb garden.
If your little ones aren’t so keen on Thai heat and spice, A Little Something Cooking School is another great place for families to learn to cook together.
12. Learn about Thai history at the Museum of Siam
Near the Grand Palace on Sanamchai Road is the Museum of Siam, an interactive museum within an elegant neoclassical house where visitors can play games and discover the story of Thailand for themselves. The Science Center for Education (Bangkok Planetarium) is also worth visiting for the observatory, fun exhibits and star gazing.
13. Dive into SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World aquarium
SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World has a seven-metre-high aquarium, with a mermaid dive show taking visitors to explore the lost city of Atlantis four times a day on weekends and public holidays. Dive with the sharks, do the Undersea Explorer VR experience, the Glass Bottom Boat adventure or experience the fun of the 4D Cinema. It’s conveniently located in the Siam Paragon shopping centre.
14. Shop up a storm at Bangkok's department stores
If it is shopping that makes your heart sing then Bangkok will have it positively crooning. A guided shopping tour is the best solution if you’re short on time and the tour operators can even organise to ship your purchases home should your acquisitions outgrow your luggage.
If you’d rather go it alone, the MBK Center has an abundance of bargains. Siam Paragon offers luxury goods and is also home to an enormous aquarium, SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World, to keep the kids entertained.
15. Experience an 'ancient city' on the outskirts of Bangkok
To see historical sites from all over Thailand without the travelling, visit the Muang Boran The Ancient City – the world’s largest outdoor museum featuring replicas of Thailand’s most renowned sites and monuments. Set in almost 130 hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens on the outskirts of Bangkok, it’s an awe-inspiring and immersive showcase of Thailand’s heritage, art, customs and culture.
16. Meet the animals at Farm Chokchai Khao Yai
About 90 minutes to the northeast of Bangkok is Farm Chokchai Khao Yai, which started off as a cattle farm famous for its steak and fresh milk. Now it’s an award-winning ‘agrotourism’ attraction with lots of aco-friendly farm activities activities for kids (and the whole family).
17. Watch a traditional Thai puppet show at The Artist House
Located along a canal on the Thonburi side of Bangkok is Baan Silapin (The Artist House). Here, you can see beautiful handcrafted puppets enact Thai folktales and scenes from the Ramayana, with three puppeteers bringing the marionettes to life. The free show starts at 2 p.m. on weekends.
18. Explore the eco-friendly Suan Sampran organic village
Riverside Suan Sampran is a 50-acre eco-tourism attraction showcasing Thai farming, tradition, culture and lifestyle, just 40km from central Bangkok. One highlight is Patom Organic Village, where you can see traditional products being crafted and dine at the glass-walled Patom Organic Café. It also hosts the Sookjai Farmers’ Market on weekends, and there are countless native plants to discover throughout the expansive gardens.
19. Delve into Asian art at Bangkok's art galleries
Visit “Thai silk king” Jim Thompson’s house, which is like an oasis in the middle of the city, to see the American businessman and architect’s collection of Asian art showcased in the home he designed. Another unique destination for art lovers is The Queen’s Gallery, with exhibits ranging from traditional arts and crafts to Thai clothing.
20. Experience Bangkok's own Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is just like the other versions of the iconic wax museum around the world, with exhibits of models of Hollywood stars and other famous people you can touch, hug and play with. You’ll find it in the Siam Discovery mall.
21. Take a day trip to Columbia Pictures Aquaverse
Columbia Pictures Aquaverse is a movie-themed water park located on Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard in idyllic Bang Saray Bay. It’s 90 minutes from Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok) International Airport and two hours from Bangkok itself, but well worth the drive to experience epic water rides themed to the Ghostbusters, Zombieland and Jumanji.
22. Enjoy a family walk or hike near Bangkok
Benjakitti Forest Park has a large lake, with walking tracks and playgrounds. For a more off-the-grid hiking experience head to Khao Yai National Park north of Bangkok.
23. Meet over 70 species of snake at the Siam Serpentarium
Don’t miss the snake museum, educational shows and and ‘snake farm’ at Siam Serpentarium. This unique immersive attractions lets you experience a day in the life of a snake, then come face-to-dace with the real deal! The colourful Snake Maze playground is sure to delight kids as well.
24. Tour the historic ruins of Ayutthaya
About 80 kilometres north of Bangkok lies the historic city of Ayutthaya. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed site served as Thailand’s capital from the 14th to 18th centuries, when it ranked as one of the most magnificent cities in the world. Late in the 17th century its population reached one million, and foreign visitors wrote awestruck accounts of its size and splendour.
Where to stay in Bangkok with kids
Bangkok is bursting with modern, conveniently located accommodation options―so much so that the choice may seem overwhelming! Some of the best Thailand hotels are surprisingly affordable and have supervised kids’ clubs, keeping children safely entertained while mum and dad sneak off to indulge in some shopping or a divine array of pampering spa treatments.
Deciding which one to book depends on your family’s preferences, but you’ll find four of our favourites below.
Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld
Located in the heart of Bangkok’s shopping district, the five-star Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld is a 55-storey hotel with spectacular views over the city from its hotel rooms and restaurants.
The hotel is a foodies’ paradise, with everything from European fare and creative cocktails from rooftop restaurant and bar Red Sky to tapas at UNO MAS, Chinese-Cantonese cuisine at Dynasty and CRU Champagne Bar. There are also more than 500 restaurants at the adjoining shopping centre. There’s a large pool with a sundeck on the 26th floor, along with an award-winning SPA Cenvaree, a gym and tennis courts. It’s around 10 minutes’ walk to Chidlom BTS SkyTrain Station.
Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok
On the northern side of Bangkok, Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok has a large resort-style pool and is close to the beautiful Chatuchak Park and Thailand’s largest market, which is a great place to try local cuisine. The five-star hotel is connected to the Central Plaza shopping centre, close to the BTS Ha Yaek Ladphrao Station and MRT Underground Phahon Yothin Station.
Centara Watergate Pavillion Hotel Bangkok
In the downtown Pratunam area, the four-star Centara Watergate Pavillion Hotel Bangkok has family suites with bunk beds the kids will love. Connected to Watergate Pavillion Shopping Mall, the trendy hotel has 281 rooms and suites, a rooftop lounge bar, a full-service spa, and a gym. Its central location makes it great for shopping and street markets, and it’s easy to connect to the city’s transport network, including the BTS Skytrain and the Ratchaprarop Airport Rail Link.
Centara Life Hotel Bangkok Phra Nakhon
Centara Life Hotel Bangkok Phra Nakhon is located near Khaosan Road in the backpacker district, known for its street food and for being a hub for travel and tours. Opened in October 2022, it has 180 rooms and suites spread across two low-rise buildings built around an inner courtyard. It’s also close to the Chao Phraya express boat piers Phra Arthit and Maharaj, walking distance to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, the National Museum and Pak Khong Talat flower market.
Where to eat in Bangkok with kids
Street food is the name of the game in Bangkok, with countless stalls selling local dishes. Think noodles, chicken or pork skewers, fried rice, and papaya salad. As a general rule, if you see Thai people eating there it’s probably good, and err towards busy vendors where meals are cooked fresh.
Yaowarat Road in Chinatown (also known as Paradise Street) is a great place to start, especially if you like barbecued seafood, while Thipsamai restaurant in Rattanakosin (Bangkok Old City) is known for its authentic Pad Thai.
French bakery Café Tartine is great for kids, providing high chairs, colouring pencils and paper and showing cartoons on TV on the weekends. It also has a terrace where children can run around, and a kids’ menu.
SookSiam in the IconSiam shopping centre is a great place to try dishes from throughout Thailand in a colourful space inspired by regional Thai bazaars.
Kids will also love painting their own cake at FUN Café, while you can also appease them with a break from Asian food with nachos and tacos at Charley Brown’s Mexicana. There’s also a Unicorn Café, which is swarming with the mythical creatures and offers colourful cupcakes, macarons and more.
Top FAQs about visiting Bangkok with kids
Best time of year to travel
Bangkok is a fantastic destination in all seasons, but the dry season between November and January is the most popular time to visit. Monsoon season is cheapest, and while there’s a higher chance of rain from June to October, it’s not constant, either.
How to get to Bangkok
Several major airlines fly between Australia and Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok’s international airport. These include Qantas, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, and others. Check the websites for schedules and plenty of great-value promotions.
How to get around
While Bangkok’s traffic gridlock is notorious, getting around the city isn’t difficult. Many tourist destinations in central Bangkok can be reached on foot or via public transport, including the BTS Skytrain and Bangkok MRT underground metro, which connect the main business, entertainment and shopping areas. However, the city traffic is hectic and there are lots of obstacles on the street, so if you’re using a pram, limit it to short stretches.
River taxis, barges and ferries are readily available to take you along the river to the many historic riverside sites. Taxis are super cheap and easy to find, as are the city’s less comfortable, but more quirky, tuk-tuks (motorised rickshaws). For attractions further afield, hire a car with a driver for the day, and plan your visit to see multiple attractions in the area.
Do I need a visa?
Thailand offers visa-free entry for tourists from many countries on short visits, ranging from 15 days up to 90 days (depending on nationality). Note that visa policies can change, so be sure to verify everything well ahead of your trip. From 1 May 2025, visitors on non-Thai passport must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within the three days prior to entry.
Content contributors: Angela Saurine, Elisa Elwin
Opening image: A young Thai woman spins silk threads in Bangkok
In partnership with Centara Hotels & Resorts
