Bangkok is one of those cities that feels loud, chaotic, colourful, and overwhelming… and yet somehow completely unforgettable. Before visiting with kids, I’ll be honest I wasn’t sure how much we would enjoy it. But Bangkok ended up being one of those places that surprised us in the best way possible.
From markets that literally move for trains, to boats floating down canals selling food, to golden temples and an incredible New Year’s Eve celebration, Bangkok is packed with experiences that feel like real-life adventures.
In this post, I’m sharing the best things to do in Bangkok with kids, plus where we stayed and why choosing the right area makes such a big difference when visiting as a family.
Visit a Floating Market
One of the most iconic things to do near Bangkok is visiting a floating market and for good reason. Seeing locals sell food, fruit, and souvenirs directly from boats feels like stepping into another world.
It’s colourful, busy, and fascinating for kids to watch. You’ll see everything from fresh fruit and noodles to snacks and handmade items, all being cooked and sold right on the water. One of the BEST pad thais I have ever had came from this market and it better be there when I return haha.
Most people visit the floating market as part of a half-day or full-day tour, often combined with the train market (which I highly recommend more on that below). With kids, this is definitely the easiest way to do it, as transport is all taken care of and you don’t have to figure out multiple connections yourself. They pick you up from your hotel and off you go!
The Maeklong Train Market (The Market on the Tracks!)
This was hands down one of the most memorable experiences we had in Thailand.
The Maeklong Train Market is a fully functioning market built directly on active train tracks. Several times a day, a train comes straight through the middle of the market. When it approaches, the vendors smoothly and efficiently pack up their stalls, pull back their awnings, and within seconds a train passes through. As soon as it’s gone, everything goes straight back to normal.
It’s completely surreal and something the kids absolutely loved watching. It feels like one of those “is this even real?” travel moments.
This is usually visited on the same tour as the floating market, and I’d strongly recommend doing them together. It’s a full day out but definitely worth it.
Explore Bangkok’s Temples
You can’t visit Bangkok without seeing at least a couple of temples. Even if you’re not usually into temples, the sheer scale and detail of them in Bangkok is impressive.
Some of the most well-known ones include:
- The Grand Palace
- Wat Pho (the Reclining Buddha)
- Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Everything is huge, gold, and incredibly detailed, and it’s a great cultural experience for kids too.
Tip:
Go early in the morning, dress appropriately (covered shoulders and knees as you will be turned away if you don’t meet the dress requirements), bring water, and don’t try to do too many in one day Bangkok heat + kids = slower sightseeing days.
Where We Stayed in Bangkok (Family-Friendly Area)
Narithwas Hotel & Residence, Sathorn
Choosing where to stay in Bangkok makes a massive difference when travelling with kids. We stayed at Narithwas Hotel & Residence in the Sathorn area, which had been recommended to us as a quieter and safer-feeling area for families.
And honestly it was a great choice.
What we loved about the area:
- Much calmer than the main tourist zones
- Local markets within walking distance
- Easy and cheap taxi ride into central Bangkok for:
- Restaurants
- Shopping malls
- Main attractions
- Felt more “liveable” and less chaotic at the end of the day
The hotel itself had spacious, comfortable rooms, and it was really nice to come back somewhere calm after busy sightseeing days. The room we had was probably one of the biggest we have ever had during our entire time traveling around Thailand over a few trips.
If you’re visiting Bangkok with kids, I really recommend not staying right in the most hectic areas unless you thrive on constant noise and crowds.
The hotel has since had an upgrade since we visited too and to be honest, it wasn’t tired when we went so I can imagine it is amazing now.
Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Bangkok
We happened to be in Bangkok for New Year’s Eve, and wow what an experience. I so nearly didn’t go haha. We had landed at around 9pm and I was EXHAUSTED but Mr Wilson declared I’d regret not going and dragged my butt out of the comfy bed.
The atmosphere was incredible. Fireworks everywhere, buzzing streets, celebrations all across the city it felt like the whole place was alive. It was also so surreal because once the fireworks had gone off, everyone just dispersed in an orderly fashion without any trouble – certainly not something you’d see in the UK! It’s one of those memories that really sticks with you and made Bangkok feel extra special rather than just a “stopover city.” It is one of our favourite memories of hopping in a tuk-tuk straight after and grabbing some food at midnight!
Celebrating New Year’s Eve here with the kids was unforgettable and definitely one of the highlights of our time in Thailand.
Is Bangkok Worth Visiting with Kids?
Absolutely, if you do it right.
Bangkok with kids works really well if you:
- Choose the right area to stay
- Don’t overpack your itinerary
- Mix sightseeing with downtime – get the hotel with the pool!
- Accept that it’s a big, busy city and plan accordingly
It’s exciting, culturally rich, completely different from anything most kids are used to and full of those “only in Asia” moments they’ll remember forever.
Final Thoughts
Bangkok isn’t just a city you pass through on the way to the islands or the north. It’s an adventure in itself and to be honest, the first trip we ever did to Thailand, I just skipped. I was adamant I wouldn’t like it.
Between floating markets, trains driving through markets, golden temples, amazing food, and unforgettable celebrations, it’s a city that deserves a proper place in your Thailand itinerary even when traveling with kids.
Further posts that may help you with planning your Thai itinerary:
Saving on your hotel and excursions: How we travel so often (and YOU can too!)
Traveling Around Thailand: How to Travel Around Thailand: A Complete Guide to Getting Around – Our Real Experiences
Making the most of your experience: How to make the most of Thailand this post includes top tips including common phrases.
As always, we are always happy to chat Thailand! If you’d like to ask any other questions then drop us a DM on IG @ourunlimitedchoices
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