Thailand is one of the best family vacation destinations in the world. In 2024, Bangkok was named the world’s most visited city. But where exactly are the best places to go sightseeing in Bangkok that are actually kid-friendly? If you’re planning a trip to Thailand with family, this guide will help you narrow down where are the best Thai heritage spots, the most kid-friendly temples worth visiting, and the best places to be visited in Bangkok.
But whether it’s your first time to the Land of Smiles or the 5th, these are the 9 must-visit child-friendly attractions in Bangkok Thailand that you just can’t miss (including 1 hidden gem and 8 other honorable mentions)!
#1 Must-Visit Attractions in Bangkok with Kids: Wat Arun Temple of the Dawn
Wat Arun, Temple of the Dawn
Wat Arun is the number 1 must-see tourist attraction in Bangkok.
The best way to see it would be riding on the Hop On Hop Off River Taxi .
I’m not usually a fan of the Hop on Hop off bus tours in any city around the world, but the Hop-On Hop-Off Bangkok River Taxi is a game changer. Since most of the famous Bangkok landmarks are right along the river, it’s a great way to see all the main Bangkok tourist attractions while missing the horrible gridlock traffic.
The benefits of taking the Hop On Hop Off Bangkok River Taxi:
- Kids will love riding the open air, double-decker boat
- Enjoy the scenic views while cruising along the river
- Avoid Bangkok's horrendous gridlock traffic jams
- 10 different piers, each has a famous tourist attraction
- Attractions are within a 10-15 minute walk from the pier
- Jump on and off an unlimited number of times in one day
Here is a step-by-step blog post of a one day itinerary for what to see and do from the Hop on Hop off Bangkok River Taxi including the best child-friendly cultural activities to do in Bangkok and some family-friendly temples you can visit including Wat Arun and the Grand palace.
Our Favorite Travel Resources for Exploring Asia
- The Best Deals on Hotels in Thailand: Agoda.com
- Most Family-friendly Airline: Qatar Airlines
- Renting a Car: EconomyBookings.com
- Getting around (ferry, train, flights, bus, transfers): 12go.com
- Booking an Activity or Tour in Asia: Klook.com
- Travel Insurance: VisitorsCoverage.com
- Internet and Cell Phone Service: Airalo
#2 Must-See Family Attractions in Bangkok: The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is a kid-friendly cultural landmark in Bangkok. The shiny golden architecture will mesmerize your kids. To get there, I highly recommend taking the Hop-on Hop-off River Taxi that I mentioned above. Then jumping on an unforgettable tuk tuk ride to get there from the pier!
TIPS FOR TRAVEL TO THAILAND WITH KIDS:Download the MuvMi app to easily book an electric tuk tuk throughout the city without the worry of being scammed by the infamous Thailand tuk tuk drivers.
BEST FAMILY HOTEL ON THE RIVER:
SHANGRI-LA BANGKOK
- Forbes voted the Shangri-La Bangkok as the ‘Best Hotel in Bangkok for Families’
- Get the Family Fun Experience Package that includes airport transfer, a 2 hour sightseeing boat tour on the Chao Praya River, and a family suite.
- Enjoy the luxurious pool overlooking the Chao Praya River
- Expansive breakfast buffet
- Only 220 meters to Saphan Taksin BTS Sky Train Station
- Very easy to take the river taxis
#3 of the Must-Visit Tourist Attractions in Bangkok: King Mahanakorn Skywalk
King Power Mahanakorn Skywalk
I would not want to leave Bangkok without getting to take in the incredible sunset views of this sprawling metropolis.
Not to mention, what a story you can tell friends back home that you dared to step out onto the glass floor that is 78 floors up on the Mahanakorn Skywalk.
The glass floor on the skywalk is not for the faint at heart and might be more fun for teenagers! My mom actually enjoyed the short thrill. Not to mention, the Mahanakorn Skywalk offers to best views of Bangkok.
#4 of the Must-Visit Attractions in Bangkok with Kids: Asiatique Market
Asiatique Market
For any of my friends who come to visit Thailand with family, I am sure to add a visit to the open-air Asiatique Riverfront night market.
Asiatique Market has such a great vibe to go souvenir shopping for those Muay Thai boxing shorts or cute elephant sling bags and locally sourced coconut oil.
What I love about Asiatique :
- It’s on the riverfront
- You can take the Hop-on Hop-off river taxi to get there
- Beautiful sunsets
- A huge Ferris Wheel
- Lots of homemade souvenirs and locally sourced products
- So many restaurants and food vendors
- A whimsical double-decker carousel with the cutest elephant your kids could ride (instead of the typical horse)
Why take the Hop on Hop off River Taxi in Bangkok?
- Kids will love riding the open air, double-decker boat
- Enjoy the scenic views while cruising along the river
- Avoid Bangkok's horrendous gridlock traffic jams
- 10 different piers, each has a famous tourist attraction
- Attractions are within a 10-15 minute walk from the pier
- Jump on and off an unlimited number of times in one day
Hey there, we're Brittany and Witt!
Where to Stay in Bangkok for families?
LUXURY STAY IN BANGKOK:
If you’re not on a specific budget, I’d highly recommend staying at the Shangri-La Bangkok Hotel, which was voted the most kid-friendly hotel in Bangkok.
MID-RANGE HOTEL IN BANGKOK:
If you’re like our family, you want a great stay at a reasonable price. Thus, I’d highly recommend staying at the Novotel Living Bangkok Sukhumvit because up to 2 kids aged 16 and under can stay free.
BANGKOK BUDGET-FRIENDLY FAMILY HOTEL:
We also really love the Jasmine Grand Residence because it has our favorite swimming pool in all of Bangkok along with 1-3 bedroom suites for just $75-$150 USD. Such a steal!
FAMILY-FRIENDLY AIRBNB HOMES:
One of the most charming vacation homes in Bangkok was this AirBNB Home near the main Sukhumvit Road. With a play room full of toys, 2 lounge spaces with Smart TVs for movie nights, and a soaking tub for mom, this is a perfect place to stay in Bangkok for families.
HOTEL TIP: Here are 10 must know tips before booking your stay in Bangkok.
#5 of the Must-Visit Family Attractions in Thailand: Icon Siam
ICON SIAM
This is an iconic Bangkok landmark and luxury mall that is also in my Top 10 list of the Best Things to Do in Bangkok with Kids. For a comprehensive list of fun things to do with the kids on 7 different floors at Icon Siam, get this FREE Bangkok with Kids Travel Guide.
Reasons Why Icon Siam is a Must-visit Destination in Bangkok:
- The ground floor was designed to resemble an antique floating market
- The ground floor is also a great place to buy handimade crafts and locally sourced products from Thailand
- Watch the outdoor water fountain with laser light show
- Icon Siam is also on the riverfront
- Another must-visit attraction in Bangkok that can easily be accessed via the Hop-on Hop-off River taxi
- My girls personally love to go to the 7th floor to watch the indoor water fountain that falls from the ceiling with it’s mesmerizing light show
- Then we head into Starbucks for the most epic sunset views at Icon Siam of the Chao Praya River and Bangkok cityscape
TRANSPORTATION TIP FOR BANGKOK:
Get a BTS Sky Train Pass called a ‘Rabbit Card‘.
This card has multiple benefits:
- It’s pre-loaded with 200 Thai Baht (about $7 USD)
- Saves time
- No queueing for individual tickets
- Automatically deducts the trip fare from the card
- Can easily top up
- Use for long-term or multi-day trips around Bangkok
*Recommended: Buy 1 Rabbit Card per person above 90cm tall (3 feet). Kids under 90 cm ride for free.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY FAMILY HOTEL IN BANGKOK:
JASMINE GRAND RESIDENCE
With 1, 2, and 3 bedroom suites that have a living room, dining area, kitchenette, washing machine, etc. for only about $55-$110 USD!
The delicious buffet breakfast, the friendly reception who are ready to help you 24 hours a day in a foreign country, and the epic swimming pool with a slide, fountains, and kiddie area make this a great choice!
#6 of the Top Kid-friendly Attractions in Thailand: Golden Mountain Temple
Golden Mountain Temple
Taking an urban hike up the 344 steps to the top of the Golden Mount Temple is high on my list of the best things to do in Bangkok.
I believe this is a family-friendly temple with the best sunsets over Bangkok. So be sure to arrive about 30 minutes before sunset for a truly breathtaking view over this sprawling concrete jungle. Oh and don’t forget to ring the golden gong once you reach the top!
Note: Please do not take this blog as legal advice or even as fully accurate. These are just my own opinions trying to offer helpful explanations. You can read my full disclosure here.
#7 This Hidden Gem in Bangkok is Super Special: Koh Kred Island and Market
Koh Kred Island and Market
This is one of those hidden gems that only the locals know about. But if you are visiting Bangkok with family on a weekend, then this is truly one of the most child-friendly cultural activities in Bangkok.
What’s so special about Koh Kred Island?
- This is not geared toured tourists, so oozes with Thai charm.
- You must take a small long-tail boat to reach this hidden gem located in the middle of the Chao Praya River.
- The Tops Handmade Market is really a top-notch market featuring handimade crafts and products sourced from all over Thailand
- You can rent bicycles to explore around this small island.
- You can make a homemade clay vase on a real potters wheel. If you do it early enough in the day, you’ll get to take your homemade vase home with you.
- There are lots of charming cafes and authentic Thai restaurants
- All of the prices are geared for the locals! Yayyy for no over-priced, bland Pad Thai noodles!
- Such a great way for your kids to see and experience the Thai culture first-hand (and in a fun way!)
Our Top 3 Recommendations for Great Family Hotels in Bangkok:
- For 5 Star Luxury and Quintessential Thai Charm: Siam Kempinski is the place to go all out — they even have kid-sized robes in the hotel room! (From US$390/night)
- One of the most charming vacation homes in Bangkok is this family-friendly AirBNB home with a playroom full of toys, a soaking tub for mom to relax, and a lounging sofa and Smart TV for a fun movie night with the fam (From US$160/night)
- One of the best all-around family hotels in Bangkok is Novotel Living Bangkok with an awesome pool with slide, a kids club room next to a co-working space for parents, and two kids up to age 16 stay free! (From US $98/night)
#8 of the Top Tourist Destinations in Bangkok with Kids: Ancient City
Ancient City
Ancient City, aka Muang Boran, is a huge 320 acre outdoor park and interactive museum that has more than 100 replicas of the most famous cultural landmarks from all over Thailand. The kids can interact and explore inside all of these cultural sites without fear of being too loud or rowdy. In my opinion, Ancient City is one of the most child-friendly cultural attractions in Bangkok. If you only have a one day itinerary in Bangkok with kids, then I’d highly recommend bumping Ancient City to the top of this list and just going there.
Here’s some reasons Ancient City is one of the must-visit places in Bangkok:
- You can bike or e-bike around the park
- You can rent Golf Carts to cruise around
- You can ride elephants -- very rare near Bangkok
- Free Thai Cultural Dance Shows
- You can take pictures in traditional Thai costumes
You can also rent bicycles or e-bikes instead of the golf cart.
Check out this blog post to get a step-by-step itinerary : Ancient City with Kids
Oh and grab the 50% discounted Ancient City Tickets Here from klook.com.
DISCOUNT TIP:
I recommend getting your Ancient City tickets in advance from Klook to save nearly 50%!
#9 of the Must-visit Tourist Sites in Bangkok with Kids: Jim Thompson House
Jim Thompson House
Visit the Jim Thompson House offers a unique experience to walk through an old, traditional Thai style house on stilts. Your kids will also get to learn the skill of making Thai silk from silk worms. I mean how cool will it be for your kids to learn that beautiful, fine silk comes from bugs! Bugs that the Thai people enjoy eating!
There’s also some Thai art and collectibles on display. You can buy a beautiful silk scarf as a souvenir to take back home. And our 3 girls also enjoy the free tuk tuk shuttle service to the National Stadium BTS Station.
Make the most of this Bangkok cultural experience by dining at the Jim Thompson Thai Restaurant that offers exquisite culinary dishes with inventive twists on the Thai classics. Book the three-course meal in advance on Klook for a nice discount.
Entrance Fee: 200 baht entrance fee (about $6 USD).
MOST LUXURIOUS FAMILY HOTEL:
SIAM KEMPINSKI HOTEL BANGKOK
If you're looking for a kid-friendly luxury hotel in Bangkok with 5 star accommodations, then Siam Kempinski is our top choice!
Between the massive swimming pool, the fun Kids Club room, the cute child-size robes and slippers, and the exquisite breakfast buffet, luxury is at every turn.
The best way to see most of these attractions in Bangkok is from the Chao Praya River!
Seriously take my advice, and choose at least 1 of these 3 options for the very best way to see the most iconic Bangkok tourist spots! You will not regret it!
- Like I mentioned above, take the Hop On Hop Off River Taxi . This is the most affordable way to see many of these must-visit family attractions in Thailand. It’s only about 150 THB (~$5 USD).
- Or enjoy the most famous Bangkok landmarks all lit up at night on a river dinner cruise. We’ve done quite a few dinner cruises on the Chao Praya River over the years, but our favorite one is the ; s.type = "text/javascript"; s.async = true; s.src = u; p.parentNode.insertBefore(s, p); })( document, "script", "https://affiliate.klook.com/widget/fetch-iframe-init.js" );
Other Blog Posts that might help you with your upcoming family trip to Bangkok:
If you’d like to visit the most famous landmarks in person, this is an epic One Day in Bangkok Itinerary with kids on the Hop on Hop off River Taxi.
The Best Things to Do in Bangkok with Kids with recommendations to the best cultural activities, museums, kid-friendly restaurants, indoor playgrounds, and what to do on a rainy day in Bangkok.
The Best Family-friendly Temples in Bangkok with helpful info like how to get there, opening hours, entrance fees, and how to keep the kids entertained while visiting.
Don’t forget to read up on the recently updated Tourist Visa measures.
Disclaimer: All recommendations in this post are my own opinions. But as an Amazon Associate and Travel Payouts member, I get a small commission from qualifying purchases.
This helps us keep sharing helpful travel content. Thank you for your support!
Thailand has a tropical climate, which means it is mostly hot and humid year round.
Temps range from about 75’F (22’C) to 100’F (40’C), but mostly stay in the high 80s (low 30’Cs).
Thailand generally has two seasons: wet and dry.
The Wet Season
- heavily influenced by the monsoon winds
- typically lands between June to September
- Doesn’t typically rain all day
- Short bursts of heavy rainfall
INSIDER TIPS FOR TRAVELING THAILAND DURING RAINY SEASON:
- Pack shoes that can get wet, quick drying clothes, and a poncho or umbrella.
- Wear mosquito spray at dusk because of the small risk of Dengue Fever and other mosquito-borne illnesses.
The Dry Season
- generally between November to April
- Has mostly clear, sunny days
- Can be quite hot
- This is also ‘Burning Season’ for local farmers, and the air pollution can be quite high in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and other farming towns.
*Do note that May and October are shoulder months. The days could be either dry or wet. It just depends if the monsoon season comes early that year or late.
That being said, the very best time to visit Thailand with kids is between December to February. But our family lives here year-round and love every season!
GREAT FAMILY HOTEL IN BANGKOK:
JASMINE GRAND RESIDENCE
With 1, 2, and 3 bedroom suites that have a living room, dining area, kitchenette, washing machine, etc. for only about $55-$110 USD!
-
The delicious buffet breakfast, the friendly reception who are ready to help you 24 hours a day in a foreign country, and the epic swimming pool with a slide, fountains, and kiddie area make this a great choice!
FLIGHT TIP: We’ve personally had the best experience flying to Thailand with our family on Qatar Airlines and also Japan Airlines. Both were child-friendly airline options.
- Families with small children could board early
- Automatically got bulk-head seating when we traveled with an infant
- Could pre-select kid-friendly meals
- They have great entertainment options for the littles
- They had ‘grab-n-go’ snacks available throughout the whole flight
- The best part : more legroom than the other international flights for families that we’ve taken
Get Great Internet Service while in Thailand
You’ll need to stay connected while traveling in Thailand — for GPS Maps, researching the best island hopping tour packages, or letting the kids have some downtime watching Bluey on YouTube.
Don’t do the T-Mobile or AT&T International Roaming plans for about $10 per day — save that money for a nice restaurant or fun activity!
E-SIM: I highly recommend getting an eSIM from Airalo to have great internet service all over Thailand. They are actually using the same local providers that AT&T, T-mobile and Verizon will use.
I have personally used Airalo many times traveling all over the world, and it works great and is SUPER easy to install.
To use your Airalo eSIM, you simply buy a package then scan the QR code from your email to install and activate the eSIM.
The packages run from only $4.50 for 1 GB of data to $35 USD for Unlimited Data in Thailand.
TIPS FOR TRAVELING THAILAND WITH KIDS: If you let your kids watch YouTube, Netflix, etc, then I recommend getting the Unlimited Data. But if you’re not video streaming, then 50 GB of data is enough to browse the internet, use Google Maps, and stay in touch with friends back home.
PHYSICAL SIM CARD: You could also pick up a physical SIM card at the airport upon arrival, at any mall, which would have a TRUE shop, DTAC shop, and/or AIS shop, or even some 7-Elevens have them. Just ask! You would need your passport on hand. The physical SIM + a prepaid service card would cost about 999 baht (~$30 USD), but it usually comes with 30GB of Data. So Airalo is a much better deal.
TIP #2: If you plan to use a physical SIM card, then be sure to contact your local phone provider (such as AT&T or Verizon) before traveling overseas to check that your phone is already unlocked. They can usually do this for you over the phone.
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