When planning a holiday with kids, Bangkok may not be the first place that springs to mind. You may think that a bustling metropolis with 9.6 million people and 37 million registered cars is no place for kids but guess what? Kids love Bangkok just as much as adults and there are plenty of fun things to do, see and learn about. Things the whole family will enjoy.
A boy walks among busy street vendors in Bangkok. Photo Credit Jennifer Morton
Here are 5 fun, kid-friendly things to do in Bangkok.
To Market To Market
When you first arrive in Bangkok, it feels like one giant outdoor market. There are street vendors everywhere selling clothing, luggage, toys, flowers, food, jewellery – you name, they’ve got it. But officially, the largest market in Thailand (maybe even the world) is the Chatuchak Weekend Market on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road. With over 8,000 stalls there is bound to be something for every man, woman and child. Try to get there early because by the afternoon it’s super busy and hot. Kids will love picking out little trinkets and toys or having a cool, colourful Thai popsicle.
Choosing toys at Bangkok market. Photo Credit Jennifer Morton
Street Eats
Let your kids experience the wonder of Bangkok street food. There are many different foods being prepared, cooked and served on just about every street in the city. And not just cooked foods; there’s plenty of fruits, drinks and sweets too. The best vegetarian spring rolls my son and I have ever eaten came from a food cart in Bangkok. Not only were they delicious – they were ridiculously affordable too: 5 for 100 Baht ($4CAD). Kids will also love the mango rice: sweet, sticky coconut rice served with fresh mango on the side. So good.
Deciding which flavour of popsicle to buy. Photo Credit Jennifer Morton
Learn, the fun way
‘Edutainment’ or educational entertainment is a great way to engage kids in learning. Just because the kids are on vacation doesn’t mean that can’t keep learning. Kidzania is a worldwide edutainment centre for kids aged 2-14, and naturally, there’s one in Bangkok. Kidzania is a kid-friendly city complex complete with a bank, barber shop, construction site, shopping mall, restaurants, fire station – even its own airport (and so much more). Kids can train in their chosen career at any of the “real life” activities or if they just want to have fun, they can sing and dance at the disco club.
More fun learning through entertainment
Keeping with an educational theme, head to the Children’s Discovery Museum, an indoor, outdoor interactive centre that aims to teach and engage kids. If your kids like being active and love science, dinosaurs and building stuff, they’ll love this place. Remember the kids’ bathing suits and towels too – there’s a water park to cool down during Bangkok’s hot afternoons. The museum is open daily and is near the Chatuchak Weekend Market. There’s one entire day planned.
Stinky, crusty feet? Go to the fish doctor
A visit to the fish spa is a must. Your feet will feel like a baby’s bottom afterwards. Photo Credit Jennifer Morton
Bangkok is well-known for its massage and spa treatments though they’re not really made for kids. But there is one treatment that is just fine for children: the fish spa. You’ll find this fish spa or fish doctor in shopping malls, hotel lobbies or in massage salon windows. It’s easy – you just pop your bare feet into a giant fish tank and let them go to work. The hungry sea creatures love to nibble dead skin off heels and toes. It may feel odd or tickle but your feet will feel like a baby’s bottom when they’re finished. Kids and adults alike will get a kick out of it too.
Need a fancy, kid-friendly hotel?
The Well Hotel Sukhumvit 20 is a beautiful, luxurious wellness resort in the heart of Bangkok. Featuring a cafe, bar and bistro; day spa, fitness club and outdoor swimming pool, it has everything a family could want or need in a holiday accommodation. The kids will love the open deck pool and the welcoming teddy bear on their bed.
The Author was an invited guest of The Well Hotel.
By Jennifer Morton
Jennifer Morton is a freelance travel and lifestyle writer and photographer. The homesick Canadian has lived ‘Down Under’ since 2001 when she left on a 12-month working holiday and never returned. Jennifer lives in Busselton, Western Australia with her husband and son. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram @jennifermortonwriter
