Family Vacation in Thailand: All the Reasons to Take
A Holiday in Bangkok with Kids
- Written by Roi Alfassi
- Updated October 2025
Family Trip to Bangkok – An Experience Like No Other
Bangkok is the first stop for many travelers visiting Thailand. It is also one of the best family trips you can take in Asia. The city’s rhythm is fast, colorful, and full of life. With more than ten million residents, Bangkok blends modern energy with deep cultural roots. Some neighborhoods feel like Manhattan, while others bring you back to the days of ancient Siam.
For families, this is a perfect opportunity to experience the magic of Eastern culture without losing Western comfort. Thailand is no longer just for backpackers. Bangkok feels like a vast amusement park, with attractions for children of every age.
You can focus your family adventure entirely on Bangkok or spend a few days here before exploring other parts of Thailand. The heart of the city holds its most famous landmarks, vibrant markets, and warm hospitality. Let’s begin your journey through one of the best family trips in the world.
What’s on the agenda today?
Discover the best family trips and attractions in Bangkok for a fun-filled day together.
Getting Around the City Center
Before starting your trip in Bangkok, it’s recommended to ask your hotel for a city center map, which is typically divided by districts and attractions. This way, you can navigate the city on your own and combine visits to nearby sites. For your convenience, here’s a link to a map of the city center »
The heart of Bangkok is divided into several districts, each with its own unique character:
Shop in Style! – Siam Square District
Welcome to the city’s main shopping hub. Here you’ll find all the most famous and beloved malls, including Siam Paragon, MBK Center, and Siam Center. This area is also the most convenient for families, as it’s close to Skytrain stations, major tourist attractions, and a wide selection of high- and mid-range hotels.
Best Family Trips: Must-See Attractions in the Siam Square Area:
MBK Center
The MBK Center is one of the most famous and largest shopping malls in Bangkok, Thailand.
It offers a vibrant shopping experience with hundreds of stores selling clothes, electronics, souvenirs, and local food. Families can easily spend hours exploring its colorful corridors, making it one of the best family trips in Bangkok.
Beyond shopping, MBK provides entertainment areas, movie theaters, and authentic Thai dining options that reflect the city’s energetic culture. Visitors come for the bargains but stay for the atmosphere — an authentic glimpse into Bangkok’s modern local life.
Siam Paragon
A super-luxurious shopping center and one of the largest in Asia. Here you’ll find all the high-end fashion brands like Gucci and Rolex, alongside more accessible stores such as Zara and H&M. The mall also features luxury car showrooms, 15 movie theaters, and even a massive aquarium, which we’ll detail shortly.
Pantip Plaza
A shopping mall dedicated entirely to electronics! Six floors of shops selling everything from tablets and laptops to cameras and smartphones.
SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World
This giant aquarium is an incredible experience, located right beneath Siam Paragon Mall (about a 5–10 minute walk from Siam Square). It’s considered one of the largest aquariums in Southeast Asia.
What’s inside?
An immense underwater world with around 30,000 sea creatures—whales, sharks, stingrays, eels, and many more. The venue also offers fun shows and activities such as diving experiences and glass-bottom boat rides, allowing you to see the marine life from above.
Opening hours: Daily, 10:00–19:00.
Recommended Family Hotels in the Siam Square Area:
VIE Hotel Bangkok – MGallery: A 5-star luxury hotel in a central location, just one Skytrain stop away from Siam Paragon and MBK. Facilities include a rooftop outdoor pool, fitness center, spa, restaurant, and 24/7 room service. Check the best deals for VIE Hotel Bangkok >>
Pathumwan Princess Hotel: A 5-star hotel ideally located near Siam Square and right next to the MBK Center. The hotel offers tennis courts and a rooftop running track, a fitness center, spa, cocktail bar, and multiple dining options featuring Thai, European, Italian, and Korean cuisine. Check the best deals for Pathumwan Princess Hotel <<
Authentic Thailand Experience – Rattanakosin District & Khao San Road
Rattanakosin District – Bangkok’s Old Town
This district is the historic heart of Bangkok and home to some of the city’s most iconic attractions.
Must-See Attractions in Rattanakosin:
Royal Legends Come to Life – Magnificent palaces, kings and queens, princes and princesses, all surrounded by grandeur and splendor. You’ll find all this and more at the Grand Palace and Wat Pho – the Reclining Buddha, which both kids and adults are sure to enjoy.
A Touch of Culture – Bangkok National Museum
This is an impressive museum that is definitely worth a visit with children. Located about a 10-minute walk from Khao San Road and close to the Grand Palace, the museum is considered one of the largest in Asia.
The museum tells the story of the ancient Siam Kingdom and contains thousands of artworks, archaeological finds, sculptures, decorative items, and precious stones from Thailand’s rich and fascinating history.
Opening hours: 09:00–16:00.
Khao San Road
Located on the northern edge of the district, this area is the most popular spot among backpackers thanks to its abundance of guesthouses, budget hotels, bars, restaurants, and clubs. It’s well worth visiting with kids for the unique atmosphere—wandering between colorful stalls selling everything from souvenirs to clothing, swimwear, and accessories.
For picky eaters, you’ll also find plenty of food stalls and restaurants serving Israeli favorites such as falafel, schnitzel, and even a traditional Israeli breakfast. Chabad House is nearby, too, making it a convenient place to celebrate the holidays.
Guided Bike Tours (JUST NOK)
If you’re looking for a fun way to spend half a day or even a full day in Bangkok, guided bike tours with kids are a great option. Bring your good mood, sunscreen, and sunglasses. You can choose short or long routes that let you explore the city beyond the usual tourist spots. JUST NOK provides bikes of all sizes, helmets, baby seats, and child trailers for younger riders. It’s one of the best family trips to see the real Bangkok up close.
Canal Tours
For a slower pace, take a longtail boat through Bangkok’s canals. Glide past traditional houses, local markets, and quiet temples. The ride is relaxing, cultural, and fun for all ages. It’s another of the best family trips in the city, offering a glimpse into local life along the waterways.
Exploring Chinatown with Kids – Bangkok’s Chinese Quarter
Yaowarat – Bangkok’s Chinatown
Yaowarat is the main street of the city’s Chinese Quarter, located along the banks of the Chao Phraya River. You’ll easily recognize the entrance to the district by its ornate Chinese gate. The entire area is a unique experience: wander among bustling market stalls of every kind, explore Chinese shops selling spices, herbal medicines, and sweets, and enjoy a wide selection of authentic Chinese restaurants.
Fun Transportation with Kids in Rattanakosin & Chinatown
Tuk Tuk
A mix between a motorcycle and a rickshaw, tuk-tuks are very common across the Far East. They’re perfect for a one-time fun ride with kids—and, of course, for memorable photos! Less recommended for daily use.
Chao Phraya Express Boats
These public river boats operate along five different routes with fixed stops and schedules. Cruising on the beautiful Chao Phraya River, the tour offers a completely different perspective on Bangkok. It’s both an efficient way to get around and an enjoyable attraction that kids will definitely love.
Silom District
Silom is Bangkok’s main business district, filled with tall skyscrapers and busy professionals during the day. As evening arrives, the area transforms into a lively spot full of nightlife and restaurants. For families, Silom also offers a peaceful escape from the city’s rush.
Lumphini Park, often called Bangkok’s “Central Park,” is the perfect place to unwind. Children can play, parents can relax, and everyone can enjoy wide green spaces together. It’s one of the best family trips for a calm day in the heart of Bangkok.
Heading Out for a Fun Day Trip Outside the City:
Siam Park City
Get ready for a full day of fun for both kids and adults! This massive complex combines a water park and an amusement park. Located about 40 minutes from downtown Bangkok, you can get there by bus, rental car, or taxi.
What will you find inside? A giant wave pool, exciting water slides, swimming pools with Thai-style poolside massages, roller coasters, and even a mini safari. On top of that, the park offers plenty of restaurants, food stalls, and convenience shops—so there’s really nothing you need to prepare in advance.
Opening Hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Getting Around with Kids – Transportation in Bangkok
To move around the city efficiently with kids and get from place to place quickly, it’s important to know the different transportation options available in Bangkok:
BTS Skytrain: A modern, comfortable, and air-conditioned train with a digital screen in each car that shows your current location and the next stop in English. The BTS has two main lines and is especially convenient if you’re staying or exploring around Siam Square and Silom.
MRT (Subway): Trains arrive every 5 minutes and operate from 6:00 AM until midnight, seven days a week. The MRT takes you to many popular spots across the city, including Lumphini Park and Chinatown.
BRT (Bus Rapid Transit): This line has 12 stations and lets you tour both the city center and less touristy areas of Bangkok. The BRT runs on a dedicated lane, so you avoid the usual hustle and traffic jams.
Taxis: The most convenient option when you want comfort and don’t feel like navigating public transit. The only downside is the risk of getting stuck in traffic during rush hours. Most taxis allow you to either agree on a fare in advance or simply use the meter, just as you would at home.
Affiliate Disclosure:
This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Your support helps us keep TravelEast running and continue sharing authentic travel experiences.