Thailand with Kids: Guide for the Best Thailand Trip 

Picking a holiday destination good for your whole family including kids is more challenging than traveling solo. Thailand is the perfect destination for travelers of all ages. With a safe environment, welcoming culture, and loads of activities that kids will enjoy, it ticks all the boxes to make parents satisfied. 

Is Thailand Safe to Travel for Families with Children? 

The first question that comes to most parents’ minds is whether Thailand will be safe for their children. Don’t worry,Thailand is one of the safest countries in Asia. Thailand is a peaceful, tropical paradise, where violent crime is extremely rare. They’ve got a good healthcare system, and it’s a low-risk zone for malaria and other tropical diseases.

Even with these advantages, it is still important to be careful. Petty crimes like bag snatching and pickpocketing do occur, so make sure to keep an eye on your belongings. Traffic can be chaotic at times. Don’t let your children out of your sight near roads, and always use crosswalks. The same basic precautions you follow at home will keep your family safe during your travels.

Two children joyfully play in a stream of water

It’s Better to Travel to Thailand with Kids Between November and March  

November to March have the best time for visiting Thailand with kids. It’s the dry season when temperatures are cooler, and there is less chance of heavy downpours interrupting your plans. The cooler weather will help prevent kids from getting exhausted by the tropical heat.

The dry season is also the high travel season. Christmas and New Year are very busy in particular. The coolest weather lasts until February, so consider traveling later in the dry season to avoid the huge crowds. Calmer waters also persist, sometimes into April. Smooth seas make it easier to plan water activities that your children will enjoy while staying safe.

7 Days Classic Thailand Tour Package

Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Phuket

We Recommend Taking an Escorted Trip for Traveling with Kids

Guided tours are the most convenient choice for traveling in Thailand with children. At Indochina tour, our experienced, local staff will know how to make the right arrangements so that everything is taken care of, and you can sit back and enjoy the trip.

The logistics of getting around in a new country can be overwhelming for solo travelers. We’ll take you door-to-door from the airport to the hotel and to all the attractions in a safe vehicle with a professional driver. Your tour guide will arrange all the entrance tickets and help with any translation needs so you can interact more freely with the local people.

On our guided tours, you can be sure to get the most out of your travel experience. We’ll help you plan the right itinerary to visit the best places at the best times. Your tour guide will ensure you don’t miss any of the hidden gems not mentioned in the guidebooks. You won’t have to worry about finding child-friendly places. Let us know what you’re looking for, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Schoolgirls run along a narrow street after school.

Our Top 10 Tips for Traveling in Thailand with Kids

1. Don’t try to do too much in one day. Thailand can be busy and is often hot. Plan for at least half a day at each tourist site so you won’t be trying to rush around dragging tired children.

2. Book accommodations with pools. Swimming is always a fun activity, and having a pool at the hotel gives children a safe place to be in the water that is easy to reach.

3. Keep bottled water on hand. The hot climate and time outdoors make it easy to get dehydrated. You can’t drink tap water in Thailand, so make sure to have bottled water on hand to keep everyone refreshed. If you run out, it’s easy and cheap to buy at local stores, usually costing around 1 USD per liter.

4. Arrange beach time. The beaches in Thailand are world-class and offer endless entertainment for children. Popular beaches in places like Phuket and Koh Samui have white sand, clear water, and gentle waves. It’s a great opportunity for the whole family to relax.

A cute baby trys to bite a slice of lemon.

5. Ease children into the local food. Thai food is delicious, but it will be different from what your children are used to. Western food is easy to find, and classic dishes like Pad Thai are easier for children to accept.

6. Learn how to ask for a little spice in Thai. Saying ‘nid noi’ will ensure they know to keep the spiciness very mild.

7. Keep cool. Don’t be afraid to step into a local convenience store or shopping mall to cool down with the AC.

8. Extra immunizations are not needed. If you’re coming from a Western country with a standard immunization program for children, additional vaccines won’t be necessary before traveling.

9. Involve your children in the planning. Find out what activities and sites are available, and let your children tell you what they are interested in. It will be a happier trip for everyone if your children are interested in the activities.

10. Prepare your children to get lots of attention. Thai people love children, and foreign children will get a lot of attention from locals. It’s always good-natured but trust your judgment.

Three smiling little girls enjoy their afternoon in a park

Top 8 Things to Do in Thailand with Kids

1. Explore Bangkok: The vibrant capital of Thailand is packed with fascinating places to visit. See the Grand Palace and stunning temples like War Arun. Take a riverboat cruise to visit the floating flower market. Try the amazing cuisine, and have fun on a tuk-tuk ride through the city streets.

2.See the animals in Chiang Mai: Elephant Nature Park is the place to get up close with the magnificent animals and learn about conservation efforts. The whole family can zipline through the jungles for the chance to see the gibbon colonies and enjoy the wild outdoors.

3. Relax on the Beach: The beaches in Thailand are among the best in the world. Enjoy the white sands and blue water in Phuket, Koh Samui, Koa Tao, and Koh Lip, to name just a few. Children often don’t need any more than just the sand and the water, but there are plenty of activities to try, like jet skiing, kayaking, and speedboat tours.

A little girl is playing water happily

4. Take a cooking class: Thai people take their food very seriously, and it is deeply connected with the culture. Cooking classes will show you how to select ingredients and prepare classic dishes like coconut curries, soups, and green papaya salad.

5. Go snorkeling: Swimming around the island reefs are schools of brightly colored tropical fish. In shallow reef areas, the clear, calm water is perfect for exploring while snorkeling. Equipment can be rented from resorts or is provided on guided boat tours.

6. Make a temple offering: Immerse your kids in the local culture with a visit to a temple. There, they can learn how to make an offering from incense sticks and lotus flowers. Your children will leave with a deeper understanding of local traditions.

A Thai girl in traditional clothes sits next to a mural with a dragon and crocodile.

7. Try the food at a night market: Thailand’s night markets are bustling hubs for socializing and food. Street food stalls serve a range of treats, from kebabs and soups to mango desserts and ice cream.

8. Visit the national parks: National parks like Khao Sok are home to some of the oldest rainforests in the world and rare animal and plant species. The parks offer nature activities like jungle hikes and canoe trips, as well as camping sites for families who want to stay outdoors overnight.

Two Weeks In-depth Thailand Historical Tour Package

Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Sukhothai – Doi Inthanon – Chiang Mai – Pai – Chiang Rai – Golden Triangle - Hua Hin - Bangkok

The Most Recommended Thailand Tour Itinerary for Families with Kids 

Days 1-3  Bangkok
It’s possible to tour some of the best highlights of Thailand together with your children. On a 12-day tour, you can start with a few days in Bangkok exploring the city, including sites like the Grand Palace and Wat Arun. Children will marvel at the dynamic city and enjoy traveling the winding street by tuk-tuk, and taking a long tail boat cruise through the canals. The floating market has something for travelers of all ages, with delicious food, fruit, and local crafts in a unique setting.

Day 4 Chiang Mai
A short flight will take you to Chiang Mai for a visit to the Elephant Nature Park. The awe-inspiring animals can be observed freely roaming through the vast habitat. Park staff will educate visitors on the stories and needs of the animals.

Days 5-6 Khao Sok National Park
Another great attraction to see the natural beauty of Thailand is Khao Sok National Park. It’s a beautiful area of limestone cliffs, old lush forests, caves, wild animals, and pristine lakes. You can stay at a floating bungalow right in the park.

Days 7-8 Koh Phangan
A trip to Thailand wouldn’t be complete without free time on the beautiful islands and beaches. Koh Phangan is famous for its full moon parties, but your children will tire themselves out long before then, splashing in the water and running on the beach. Boat tours, kayaking, and other outdoor activities are also available.

A 30-minute speedboat ride can take you to Koh Samui to island hop through Ang Thong Marine Park. The limestone islands have great opportunities for snorkeling and swimming, as well as exploring caves and beaches.

Days 9-12 Phuket
Phuket is another family-friendly island great for a final few days of relaxing. In Old Phuket Town, you can visit the Big Buddha, enjoy the street food, and shop for souvenirs. There are endless beach and water activities for people of all ages, and temples and lookout points to see the island’s culture and nature.

12 Days Highlights of Thailand Tour Package

Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Khao Sok National Park - Koh Phangan – Koh Samui – Phuket - Koh Phi Phi - Phuket

Conclusion

Bringing your kids to Thailand, you’ll find them welcomed and well taken care of. There’s a bigger risk of them being spoiled by the endless entertainment and delicious food than encountering anything unsafe. Our private and small group tours are the most convenient way of ensuring that all the details are handled so you’ll have time to also enjoy yourself there. All of our tours are able to accommodate families traveling with children. Just decide where you want to go, and feel free to contact us, and we’ll take care of everything else.