On our family holiday to Thailand we started in Bangkok and visited in the middle of the trip too. We loved finding the best things to do in Bangkok with kids (which adults will love too). It’s a city we fell in love with and enjoyed exploring. There are so many great things to do in Bangkok with children. We have rounded up all our top suggestions of things to do in Bangkok for kids.
Bangkok is one of the most exciting cities in Asia and, despite its busy streets and towering skyscrapers, it’s surprisingly family friendly. From beautiful temples and colourful markets to green parks and fascinating museums, there are plenty of activities that children and adults can enjoy together.
If you are planning a family trip to Thailand, spending a few days exploring Bangkok with kids is a fantastic way to start or end your adventure.
👩💻 About the author – Nichola is a family travel expert and has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, Lonely Planet Magazine and Wanderlust, amongst many others. She’s spent over a decade travelling the world with her children, finding the best places for you to explore too.
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Table of Contents
Why Bangkok is a great city to visit with kids
Bangkok might seem overwhelming at first, but it’s actually a brilliant destination for families. The city is full of colour, fascinating culture and exciting street life.
Kids will love exploring golden temples, spotting tuk tuks racing through the streets and tasting unusual tropical fruits from the markets. Many of the major attractions are also easy to reach using boats along the Chao Phraya River or the Skytrain, which adds to the sense of adventure.
Another great thing about Bangkok with kids is how welcoming people are. Thai culture is famously family oriented and children are often greeted warmly wherever you go.
With a mix of history, culture, food and outdoor spaces, Bangkok offers something for every age group.
Read our complete guide to Thailand with kids
1. Wat Pho – one of the best things to do in Bangkok with kids
Wat Pho is home to Bangkok’s largest reclining Buddha. It’s a beautiful sight, serene and mesmerising.
The whole complex here is wonderful to wander through. With various temples and Buddhist statues to explore it’s incredibly atmospheric. There’s a shop which sells ice creams and don’t miss the chance to bang the ceremonial drum.
This is one of our favourite Buddhist temples in the city and kids will love it. It’s got a very special feel about it.
Get your skip-the-line tickets here
2. The Floating Market, Damnoen Saduak
The Floating Market, Damnoen Saduak is a real sight to behold. It’s situated in Ratchaburi, approximately two hours from Bangkok city.
Come here to enjoy shopping by boat in the morning or evening which kids will love. The market sells fresh delicacies which you can all enjoy as you interact with the locals.
Take an English guided tour from Bangkok to Damnoen Saduak Market
3. Jim Thompson House
One of our favourite places in Bangkok with kids is the Jim Thompson House. This leafy complex is the perfect retreat from the busy city.
Here the American entrepreneur bought old Thai houses to recreate and build a home. This is a wonderful place to see some beautiful artefacts and explore grounds.
Jim Thompson went missing in the 1960s which adds to the mystique of this historic house. It feels like a breath of fresh air from the slightly chaotic city.
Get your skip-the-line tickets here
4. Hop on Hop off bus – things to do in Bangkok with kids
We love the Hop on Hop off bus tours which run all across the world. The Bangkok one is no exception and is a great way to sightsee in Bangkok with kids.
Use the bus to get around the city, but also find out about its history.
This one stops at all the great temples and markets.
Get your Hop on Hop off bus tickets for Bangkok here
5. Enjoy the vibrancy of Chinatown
Chinatown in Bangkok is one of the biggest in the world and is great fun. Come here for a wonderful atmosphere packed full of street stalls.
Wander the streets and pick up snacks as you go. There’s everything from ice creams to pancakes and insects to fruity drinks.
This is a great place to soak up the atmosphere but it can get very busy, particularly in the evening.
6. Lumpini Park – best things to do in Bangkok with kids
One of our favourite places to visit was the intriguing Lumpini Park.
This is a really peaceful corner of the city and has some great playgrounds. It’s a lovely place to visit while in Bangkok with kids to give them space to run about.
One of the really interesting sights here is the numerous Monitor Lizards. They are lazily strolling through the park and children, and adults, will love watching them.
These prehistoric-looking reptiles can grow up to two metres long and are often seen slowly wandering near the lakes.
While they may look intimidating, they are generally calm and tend to keep their distance from people. Watching them glide through the water or bask in the sun is fascinating.
It’s a reminder that even in the middle of a huge city like Bangkok, nature is never far away.
7. Try street foods in Bangkok
One of the fun things to do in Bangkok with kids is try all the different foods on offer. Whether it’s grilled corn on the cob, spring rolls or skewered tofu, there’s something for everyone.
Almost everywhere you wander you’ll find stalls selling their particular specialities.
Trying out all the different tastes and flavours is a wonderful experience.
8. Pick up some treasures at the Amulet market
The Amulet Market is one of our favourite places to visit in Bangkok with kids.
A warren of stalls is perfect for winding through and spotting Buddhist statues. There are also inexpensive amulets to pick up which is perfect for souvenirs.
This is also right next to a river crossing (see our next top pick).
9. Cross the river – best things to do in Bangkok with kids
You can take lots of river cruises through Bangkok. Seeing the city by water gives a really lovely perspective.
You can also take a really cheap crossing across the Chao Phraya River right next to the amulet market (see top thing to do number 8).
10. National Museum King Rama I’s Palace, the Wang Na Palace
For history-loving kids then the National Museum should be on your to-do list. Until the early 1970s, it was the only museum in the whole of Thailand.
It’s home to King Rama I’s Palace as well as the Wang Na Palace. There are ancient ceramics, weaponry and ceremonial artefacts. Don’t miss the incredible collection of Buddha figures.
11. The Royal Palace
The Royal Palace is another peaceful place to visit with kids. While it may be busy with tourists it’s still a lovely retreat from the city.
There are some beautiful temples to explore here. And the murals are particularly fascinating for kids of all ages with so much to spot.
The Royal Residence of Thailand from the 18th century the beautiful golden splendour of the palaces is really spectacular.
Get your skip-the-line tickets here
12. Enjoy all the different fruits
Along with the spicy snacks available, find some interesting fruits to taste. With dragon fruit and lychees available on most streets it’s a refreshing snack to enjoy.
Be careful of the dreadful (in our opinion) durian fruit though. This is an acquired taste and you’ll spot signs showing it’s banned on much of the public transport due to its smell.
13. Explore some of the lesser known temples
There are smaller temples throughout Bangkok. Don’t be afraid to step inside these enigmatic spaces.
We found the wonderful Wat near our hotel and the children loved picking up candles to light and burning incense there. There’s often great food stalls around temples too.
14. Chatuchak Market – things to do in Bangkok with kids
Chatuchak Market is one of the biggest weekend markets in the world.
With over 15,000 stalls there’s plenty here to discover from food, clothing, jewellery and much more besides.
All ages will love spending time here picking up some souvenirs and having fun bartering.
15. Learn some Thai cookery
The food in Bangkok is so diverse and interesting. Older kids will love the chance to try their hand at learning to cook some.
Have a go at cooking up a Thai storm with a class all the family will love. You’ll also get to explore a traditional market too.
Book your Thai cookery class here
Getting around Bangkok with kids
Getting around Bangkok can seem daunting at first, but there are several easy ways to explore the city as a family.
The BTS Skytrain is one of the simplest options. It runs above the traffic and connects many of the city’s main areas, making it quick and convenient.
Another fun option is travelling by boat along the Chao Phraya River. River ferries stop at many of Bangkok’s most famous temples and attractions, including Wat Pho and the Grand Palace. Children often love travelling this way as it feels like part of the adventure (see our account above).
Tuk tuks are also an iconic Bangkok experience, although it’s best to agree on the price before starting your journey.
When is the best time to visit Bangkok with kids?
The best time to visit Bangkok with kids is usually between November and February when the weather is cooler and less humid. During these months temperatures are more comfortable for exploring temples, markets and parks.
March to May can be extremely hot, with temperatures often climbing above 35°C, which can make sightseeing with children more challenging.
The rainy season runs roughly from June to October. While there can be heavy downpours, they are often short and the city is still very enjoyable to explore.
If you don’t mind the occasional shower, this can actually be a quieter time to visit many attractions.
Read all about our holiday to Thailand with kids (including Bangkok) here.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Bangkok with kids
Is Bangkok good for kids?
Yes, Bangkok is a fantastic city to visit with children. There are temples, parks, markets and boat rides that make exploring the city exciting for all ages.
How many days do you need in Bangkok with kids?
Most families find that two to three days is a good amount of time to explore Bangkok’s main attractions while still leaving time for markets and food experiences.
What are the best family attractions in Bangkok?
Some of the best things to do in Bangkok with kids include visiting Wat Pho, exploring the Grand Palace, spotting monitor lizards in Lumpini Park and taking a boat ride along the Chao Phraya River.
Is Bangkok safe for families?
Bangkok is generally considered safe for families. Like any large city it’s important to keep an eye on belongings and be aware of traffic, but overall it’s a welcoming destination for visitors travelling with children.
Read more of our Thailand posts here-
Find our round up of The best family holidays to Thailand along with A guide to Thailand with kids. You can read our first hand account of A family holiday to Thailand with kids and read about our trip Flying London to Bangkok on Etihad Airways.
