Fun family-friendly things to do in Bangkok with Kids

Do you want to go to Bangkok for a family holiday?

Would you like a list of things to with kids in Bangkok that are less travelled? 15 things to do with the kids in Bangkok on your next trip might be short but it might be good to start with.

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand is a diverse city with a lot to offer to everyone who visits. There are plenty of things to do and places to see in The Big Mango or Krungthep.

From cultural places to visit to shopping to legendary traffic situations, scrumptious food and not to forget the warmth from the Thais this place has a lot to offer.

In the past, we were all able to enjoy the Bangkok scene like everyone did. But the last time we stopped by they were in lockdown so we stayed mostly in our hotel room.

Instead of dampening our spirits we looked at the brighter side. The restaurants were open for takeaway food which still gave us a taste of Thai food.

All the parks, pools and other non essential shops were closed so we spent our few days walking to the market and to the laundrette which was fun too.

This year we plan to go back and see familiar places and faces too. We have made a list of things that we would like to do when we go back to Bangkok in 2022.

Here is the list of things to do in Bangkok this year.

1. Visit Wat Pho

Temple hopping with the kids on an overcast day is one of the things to do in Bangkok.

It can get feel hot on sunny days to go around temple complexes. Make sure you bring along a bottle of water.

Keep in mind the dress code as well when planning to go to a temple. Sleeveless and shorts for strolling outside the temples grounds only please.

Now let us head to our first temple, Wat Pho.

Wat Pho is also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. The giant reclining Buddha is covered in gold leaf and the birthplace of Thai traditional massage.

The temple could get busy and touristy but move along and there will be enough space for everyone to see the Reclining Buddha and find yourself a quiet space under trees dotted around the complex.

2. See a film in IconSiam

Who does not like a film on a big screen with a bag of crisps on one hand a cup of drink on the other?

IconSiam is a newish shopping centre to visit on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya river. It is easy to get to by boat or sky train.

Shop or winndow shop until you drop in this place where you can find everything for every budget.

Cafes and restaurants even an indoor floating market offer food for every taste not to mention every budget.

Find your way to one of the largest shopping place in Asia for a whole day there or an afternoon.

3. Go for an afternoon stroll in Lumphini Park

Lumpini Park is great for stroll or a jog.

If you are lucky which is mostly likely. You will be met by a monitor lizard as you weave through the park.

There is a children’s playground for little kids to spend the afternoon on.

Bring a picnic and do not forget the mat as you will be lulled to sleep by the greenery.

This page might be helpful if you want to go to Lumpini Park.

4. Visit Wat Paknam

Wat Paknam is popular to Thais. You will see tourist every now and then as this might still be off the beaten track.

This temple is on the Phasi Charoen District of Bangkok which a few minutes walk or a short taxi ride from the BTS or MRT.

Wat Paknam has a vaulted stupa that is like a museum. It houses Buddhist arts and images, wooden furniture and vintage cars.

Walk around the grounds, feed the fish or watch the boats go past to add to the list of things to do to cool down.

5. Catch a train to Maha Chai

Plan an early morning train ride to Maha Chai with the kids.

Catch the train from Wong Wian Yai station to go to Maha Chai. It takes around an hour to get there.

Before the journey grab freshly cooked snacks from the stalls along the station. There are fresh fruit, vegetables, fried food, sweets or anything to snack on before the kids fall asleep.

Watch Bangkok buildings disappear and be surrounded by fields before another stop and eventually Maha Chai market.

You will be able to tell that you are in Maha Chai station when you arrive in the middle of the fresh market.

Yes the station is in the middle of a market! Cool!

Fresh produce from vegetables and seafood will be all around. As shopping for fresh seafood might not be in mind, one thing to do is be inspired with what you see for the next recipes and dishes you can cook when you go home.

The alleys will take you to the seafood restaurant on your left before the pier to cross the river. Stop for a meal now or cross the river and have a meal before getting the train back to the city.

Hop on a ferry to go to Tha Chalom, a fishing village with intriguing temples. The road will lead you to the Ban Laem Train Station to catch the train to Maeklong Railway Station. From there it is only a song taew away to the famour Amphawa Floating Market.

Going around Maha Chai is a trip in itself. The train ride, a walk around the market, a ferry ride then temple seeing and a seafood meal at the restaurant overlooking the Chin River is one thing to tick on a list to do.

Find useful train schedules here if you want to plan a trip to Maha Chai.

6. Go to the Snake Farm

A must do is a morning at the snake farm.

With its close proximity to BTS and MRT stations, the farm is not easy to get in and out to but also a fun morning activity for the whole family.

They have snake presentations and handlings if you are brave enough to hold one around your neck.

Do not worry as the staff will be there the whole time.

This map or page is useful to when you go to the snake farm.

7. Read and borrow books from Neilson Hays Library

The library is on a quiet road parallel to Silom.

To find it is easy get off a taxi at or opposite the Indian temple on Silom walk away from Silom Road along the market and at the end of the road on your right is the library.

There is a big selection of books and magazines to read and borrow for a small donation for the whole day.

The good thing is there is a cafe next door to have lunch or snack in between reading a page or a book.

Get to the Neilson Hays Library for a good read.

8. Visit Khlong Lat Mayom

Save a weekend to go to a floating market that is on the outskirts of Bangkok.

The market is easy to go to and it is only 10 kilometers east of downtown Bangkok. Yes, it is not far.

And that means taxi is only a short ride.

You will be delighted to find yourself in a place where there is good food to eat.

The boat tour will take you around the neighbourhood through the canals. You will feel the old part of Bangkok as you go through surrounded by green trees, homes, gardens and life.

9. Go to the Children’s Discovery Museum

This is a kid-friendly place to take your child to for a day.

They have loads of activities on offer like dinosaur bone digging.

There are more sections to engage into like building blocks, science gallery or experiments.

A variety of outdoor zones as they are called is on offer. Why not try the fountains, climbing frames, slides, suspension bridge and tunnels?

To get to the interactive museum, take the MRT to Kampaengphet or BTS Mo Chit station and walk from there.

For more information on opening times and maps please click here. 

10. Visit the Artist’s House

A quiet place in Bangkok where you can sit down, have a cup of coffee or tea, read a book or watch life go by.

Watch longtail boats whiz past.

Buy a bag of fish food and watch a school of fish swarm on them seconds after throwing them in the water.

Come in the mornings and you can have the house to yourself to walk around in. There are paintings, artworks, art materials and a white chedi just outside the house.

There will be shops open any day you visit but certainly busier at the weekends or when there is a traditional Thai puppet show.

Give them a call or find them on Facebook before you plan a visit. They are very helpful as to directions and opening times.

11. Walk around the local market near your hotel

Would you like to see fresh produce and buy a few like fruit and vegetables to snack on?

Head to the local market near you and you are in for a treat.

Fresh fruit and vegetables to your heart’s content. Grab some local Thai snacks as well like sweets or rice cakes.

And while you are there try the street food. Follow your nose or where the locals go to and your tummy will thank you.

12. Go shopping in Daiso

Looking for something specific or just one to have a look around and decide to buy something there and then?

Walk in to a Daiso shop!

Daiso sells a good mix of useful and affordable things.

This Japanese chain sells most items start at THB60 or £1.36 under the current exchange rate. Majority of their products are of excellent quality and made in Japan.

Buy good quality stationery, pens, scissors and origami paper for the kids to work with after a day out.

 While there find a cute bento box, bowl, mini pestle and mortar and look for something for a little present for a friend back home.

If snacks, toiletries, cosmetics or any household items is what you are after or just want a browse step in to a shop and a whole hour could be spent in there.

Thailand.yinteing.com has a useful article about Daiso store location and telephone numbers in Bangkok. The most accessible to us is the Silom Complex branch which is next to the Saladaeng BTS Station.

Daiso is on Facebook so check them out.

13. Have fun at the Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World

Siam Ocean World is an aquarium located at the basement of a shopping mall in Central Bangkok. How cool is that!

With hundreds of marine species to see, it is an interesting place for both the young and old to go to.

The ocean tunnel is one we always look forward to as it makes you feel you are underwater and surrounded by schools of fish.

Ocean World is one of the things to do with the children. It could become busy but when you choose to go in the morning just after opening the crowd will be avoided.

Book a ticket before going or plan ahead using apps or online ticketing systems.

Take a virtual look before a visit by checking their website out.

14. Have a good old massage

Treat yourself to a massage after a long day out.

There surely be one at the foot of your hotel or more nearby.

Walk into a massage place with the kids. They will like it too. Mine declares it as one of the best things about the trip.

The masseuse or masseurs will be gentle with the children as Thais do.

For a small amount of money this could be a big hit to any family.

15. Go around the city in a Sky Train, Underground, tuktuk, ferry, taxi, bus and bike

In the City of Angels hop on a Sky train to go up and down the city. It is a quick and convenient way to get to shopping places and tourist spots from the north to the south of the city.

MRT or Underground

The Underground is another option. It runs along with the main road in Bangkok which is useful.

Tuktuk

Tuktuk or rickshaw is an interesting way of transport from point A to point B at short distances. A bit of advice from years in Bangkok is to avoid them at tourist spots or in front of hotels.

We hail a tuktuk from time to time but we make sure how much the locals pay by asking at the hotel reception or our good old ladies on the streets. You might think it is strange that we ask anyone but once you stay at one area a few times the locals are friendly and helpful.

Ferry and Boat

One of the best things to experience is a ferry and boat ride along the Chao Phraya river and canals. Not only best way to see old and new Bangkok but also fun to see how Bangkokians still use the river and canals as a means of transportation.

Taxi

Bangkok traffic could be a nightmare but it is not too bad with the right frame of mind. Jump in a taxi which will have aircon and let the driver tackle the roads.

Passengers aka the whole family will find ways to entertain themselves while on a taxi journey. Spot the different colours of taxis on either side of the road, adverts, shops there are endless things to see around.

Buses

A local non-aircon bus for short distances in another thing to do with the kids. There is something enchanting about getting on a bus with loud music on and then watch how local life is lived this way.

If you feel a non-aircon bus is too much there is the aircon alternative which might be more comfortable.

A good old push bike is great fun to go around on. Go around the market. Cycle to the river and take it with you to the other bank to look for a restaurant before in the afternoon to watch the sun set.

These are a few suggestions of means of transport to see and go around Bangkok to add to the list of to dos.

This site is going to help in going around Bangkok by public transport.

Are you excited about your next family holiday? Where are you planning to go to? 

Do you have a list of things to do or places to choose from to spend the long awaited getaway with the kids?

We are all looking forward to go away and discover the world after two years of rethinking from the travel restrictions.

Here are a couple of videos from our trip in 2021 which might have restricted us to a few things but we still enjoyed our time in Thailand.

How about a little read about life in the UK too?

I/we would love to hear from you.

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