Family travel blogger Rene Young from Together We Roam shares her best tips for a stopover in Bangkok with children.
Magnificent palaces stand alongside enormous shopping malls in Bangkok's skyline, where tradition meets cutting-edge modernity at a rapid pace. This wonderfully diverse capital city offers countless opportunities for a unique family adventure.
Explore the magnificent Grand Palace
Plan at least half a day to explore the vast, 21-hectare grounds of the Grand Palace and its stroller-friendly paths. Divided into outer, middle, and inner courtyards, the palace contains countless temples, pavilions, and royal buildings to admire. The intricately decorated pediments and statues, the manicured gardens, and the golden spires of the palace are a true marvel.
Throw lucky coins into Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha).
Wat Pho is one of the oldest temples in the city, located south of the Grand Palace complex and houses an impressive 45-meter-long golden reclining Buddha with elaborate mother-of-pearl inlays and Buddhist Sanskrit inscriptions.
Let children rule the world in KidZania Bangkok
KidZania is a unique, Disney-inspired concept where children work and earn Kidzos (the KidZania currency) to buy experiences. It's capitalism for kids, presented in a playful and cute way. Children can "work" in various professions: they can solve crimes as a police officer, extinguish a smoke-filled hotel as a firefighter, care for the sick and injured in a hospital, become a flight attendant with AirAsia, or study and benefit from further perks as graduates.
Experience the world of the Museum Siam in Bangkok!
Just a short walk from Wat Pho lies Museum Siam, one of Bangkok's best museums for children. The former Ministry of Commerce now houses a modern, bright, and beautiful museum with a huge selection of exciting and interactive exhibits that bring the history of Thailand to life for visitors with children.
Cruise along the Chao Phraya River
The Chao Phraya River winds its way through Bangkok and is the city's lifeblood. Enjoying the view from the water is great fun for the whole family.
Explore the canals and discover Bangkok's best floating markets
Floating markets are a reminder of the time when rivers and canals (klongs) served as the main arteries, connecting Bangkok's districts for trade. Longboats, laden with fresh produce and goods—from silk crafts and mountains of vibrant marigolds to freshly caught fish—were transported to the central markets and sold directly from the boats. Here are three of the best:
Watch the trains rattle through the Maeklong Railway Market (day trip idea)
The Mae Klong Railway Market is a particular favorite in our family. It's a fascinating experience to see a market with fresh seafood right next to the tracks. What's especially appealing is discovering the authentic and unspoiled side of Thailand. Here we experience real Thai life up close – with the warm smiles of the stall owners who aren't trying to sell you cheap sunglasses.
Let off steam at BOUNCE inc Thailand.
Traveling with children requires a certain degree of compromise: You can swap temples and markets and let the children run wild on over 80 interconnected trampolines at BOUNCE INC Bangkok.
Shop till you drop
There's no doubt about it – Thais love shopping! Numerous neon-lit shopping malls invite you to stroll and browse. Enjoy Thailand's favorite pastime and immerse yourself in the shopping experience! Wander through clean, air-conditioned corridors and ride gleaming escalators through countless floors of shops.
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city in Lumpini Park – Bangkok's oldest park
Experience life in Bangkok up close, where your children can play with local children. Take part in Tai Chi or ballroom dancing classes, or observe the giant monitor lizards that roam the area.
Refreshment at Pororo AquaPark (day trip idea)
The Pororo Aqua Park, which opened in March 2018 on the 6th floor of Central Plaza Bangna, is the best way to escape the Bangkok heat with children. Just a 20-30 minute drive from the city center, kids can splash in fountains, whiz down slides, swim in various pools, or float along a lazy river (my kids' absolute favorite!).
Enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of Chinatown.
Chinatown is one of Bangkok's most fascinating districts and is full of restaurants, shops and cultural attractions that are definitely worth exploring.
Cuddly cats at the Caturday Cat Cafe
The Caturday Cat Cafe is home to around 40 beautiful felines who love to be petted and pampered while you enjoy a coffee or afternoon tea. For a small additional charge, you can order a cat treat and watch as the cats eagerly devour you.
Discover your inner rainbow unicorn at the Unicorn Cafe in Bangkok.
Anyone who prefers rainbow unicorns to kittens should definitely visit the Unicorn Café in Bangkok. It's located on an unassuming corner of a side street and is rapidly becoming a true Instagram institution in Bangkok.
Escape from everyday life at SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World
SEA LIFE Bangkok opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 21:00. Last entry is at 20:00.
If the children have had enough of Bangkok's temples, don't feel like visiting another shopping mall, and can no longer bear the sight of another Pad Thai in the heat, then SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World, conveniently located in the Siam Paragon Mall, is a simple, central indoor entertainment option that is particularly suitable for children.
For an incredibly comprehensive travel guide to Bangkok with children, including maps, opening times and detailed directions to each of these attractions, as well as a guide to the best shopping malls and restaurants for children, see the complete Bangkok travel guide on Rene Young's blog: Together we Roam.
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