Bangkok with a Toddler: Travel Tips + Things to Do

Wondering what to do in Bangkok with a toddler? I can help!

We visited Chiang Mai with Little Man as a toddler, and since becoming digital nomads we’ve spent over 18 months exploring Southeast Asia. Including Thailand!

Our visit to Bangkok with a toddler was sandwiched between relaxing in Hua Hin and adventuring in Chiang Mai. It was a fabulous trip and we found some great things to do there.

It’s easier than you think to have a good time in the bustling Southeast Asian city with little ones. So much so that we’re planning a return trip to Thailand (including Bangkok). And I can’t keep all that information to myself!

Based on my personal experience and ongoing research, here’s everything you need to know about exploring Bangkok with a toddler.

Getting Around Bangkok with a Toddler

There are several ways to get around Bangkok, depending on what areas of the city you wish to visit. The best part is especially compared to visiting major cities in the US or Europe, each is very affordable!

There’s no need to rent a car here. I actually recommend that you don’t. Driving in Thailand, especially Bangkok is not for the faint-hearted!

BTS & MRT Trains

Similar to the elevated trains in Chicago, the BTS and MRT train lines are a public transit train system in Bangkok that connects various areas throughout the city. It’s faster, quieter, cleaner, and more efficient than Chicago, too!

Single ride tickets range from 16 to 44 baht (~$.50 to $1.40 USD), depending on how far you’re traveling.

You can also buy a one-day, unlimited-ride pass for 140 baht (~$4.35 USD). Just walk up to any BTS or MRT station to buy the type of ticket you need.

River Ferry

Taking the Chao Phraya River ferry is very easy. The signs are well marked, and it was both faster and more direct than taking a cab or a bus. Each of the ferry stops also had small shops and food stands in front of each one.

Since we traveled there around lunchtime, we found the food vendor with the longest line and stood in it.

Pro Tip: We get in the longest line to ensure the food is fresher. It’s not foolproof it does help us avoid getting sick from contaminated food.

We ordered by pointing at pictures, and ended up with some type of shrimp fried rice meal that was very flavorful!

Our long-line theory has yet to fail us in discovering tasty, fresh meals from carts and shops when we don’t speak the language.

Grab Taxi

If public transit isn’t your thing, Grab is a similar type of service to Uber. But it’s much cheaper than US prices! Just download the app, add a payment method, and call a vehicle to pick you up.

The fare will be quoted before you book so you’ll know exactly what you’ll pay before you go. I love Grab because it even includes the cost of tolls, if any, in the fare quote.

This is helpful since unfortunately taxis on the street in Bangkok are notorious for overcharging tourists. We avoided them completely during our visit to Bangkok with a toddler for that reason.

Bangkok Train Station

In addition to traveling around town, there’s an inter-city train that connects trains traveling all over Thailand. The Hua Lamphong Railway Station is more commonly known as the Bangkok Train Stain.

We went there at the end of our time in Bangkok to take the sleeper train to Chiang Mai. That was a real adventure! I highly recommend it to families traveling in Thailand.

Since we didn’t want to go back to the hotel to get our bags at the end of the day, we stored them at the train station instead of the hotel. It was much easier!

Storing our bags at the train station was incredibly useful since we didn’t have to carry them around the temples with us.

The rates were very affordable, too, ranging from $1-$2.50USD per day depending on each bag’s size and weight. Since we just had a couple of backpacks and some messenger bags, we spent about $5 to store our stuff all day.

Avoid Strollers in Bangkok with a Toddler

Bangkok is a busy city. While the sidewalks are paved, there are a lot of people. Public transit is very crowded, too. Leave your stroller behind. Instead, invest in a quality baby carrier. It’s so much easier to get around.

All the adults can take turns wearing their toddler in either a front or back carry.

👉 I recommend the Tula Carrier for its durability and comfort. Plus it has different carriers that fit little ones from 7-60 pounds.

Little Man napped in his all over Asia. This allowed us to pretty much do what we wanted while he napped on the go. The naps weren’t as long as they usually were at home. However, he got some daytime sleep in during our family vacation.

Dress Code in Bangkok with a Toddler

For new visitors to Thailand, it’s important to note that pretty much every temple has a strict dress code. It does not apply to young children, though.

Only adults and older kids. You can rent attire that puts you in compliance with the dress code.

David wore his zip-off shorts so that he could put his pant legs on for temples. I had capris and thought a shawl over my shoulders would suffice.

However, several places refused me entry until I rented what they considered proper shirt attire.

Pro Tip: be prepared by dressing appropriately. Sleeveless tops and shorts above the knee are prohibited for both men and women.

These temples are holy places to the people of Thailand. So it makes more sense to dress for success than to wander around in tank tops and micro shorts.

Some temples also require visitors to remove shoes and/or prohibit bare feet. So putting a pair of ankle socks in your day bag isn’t a bad idea either.

Things to Do in Bangkok with a Toddler

Don’t think that just because you have a small kid in tow you can’t do some fun adult-ish things.

It’s often easier to do them with a toddler in tow than with an elementary-age child who wants to stay in the room and watch tv.

Wat Pho

The Temple of the Reclining Buddha houses an enormous statue that’s 50 ft tall and 140 ft long. It’s also entirely covered by gold, except for the feet. Those are black and have an intricate mother-of-pearl footprint design.

The statue barely fits in the building that houses it, so getting a great photo is rather difficult. Although the giant Buddha statue is the biggest draw, the surrounding buildings in the complex are beautiful, too.

The amount of effort that went into the ornate designs is breathtaking, although our son was much more enamored with the miniature pony statue.

Bambini Villa

Bambini Villa is a local shopping area tailored to all things kids. It’s incredibly family-friendly. On weekends, they offer special activities from making crafts, slime, or play-doh to workshops on dancing, singing, or painting.

The mall has a variety of cafes, shops, and outside soft play areas with climbers and slides. They even have a special kid’s hair salon called MILK! The kid’s book stores often offer story times while the playground areas will have special themed events.

Pro Tip: Stop here for lunch. Many cafes and restaurants there offer themed menus and also have kid-friendly activities, play areas, and toys.

One of the best kid-themed cafes in Bangkok is in Bambini Villa. It’s called Lilliput cafe and has several different areas.

There’s a fully stocked creative play area that has a beauty parlor with all the princess trimmings, a camper van with an outdoor grill, a play kitchen area and a grocery store filled with many quality wooden foods.

There is also a ball pit area, which is always Little Man’s favorite, with an interactive wall. The mini carousel in the center of the cafe was a hit, too! You can easily spend a day at this oasis for toddlers in Bangkok.

Wat Arun

Wat Arun was very different from many of the other temples we saw in Bangkok. Instead of a traditional four-walled building with an orange or gold roof, it’s comprised of ornately designed spires.

It also has steps up to the top for a beautiful view of the river and the city on the other side. We were told that Wat Arun is most beautiful at and after sunset.

This is when the lighting makes it glow like the Eiffel Tower. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see that due to catching the night train around dinner time.

If you want to see several of the amazing temples around Bangkok without navigating between them on your own, take a guided tour.

👉 This temple tour has gotten amazing reviews!

The operator has even received a Badge of Excellence for their quality service standards.

Playmondo Children’s Amusement Center

This immersive playground for kids 1-13 offers unique play activities found nowhere else. When they opened, the company purchased play structures and areas designed just for them.

There are two Playmondo locations in Bangkok, one in the eastern neighborhoods and one in the center of the city. Each play area has an educational theme, like volcanos or oceans.

In addition, each play activity in Playmondo focuses on cognitive, physical, and social development. This helps your kiddo(s) learn through play more effectively.

While not one of the must-see or top things to do in Bangkok with a toddler, it’s certainly nice to give your little one some time to free play after a day of sightseeing.

Grand Palace

Also known as Wat Phraw Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, this sprawling complex holds the most sacred relic in the country. Construction started in the late 1700s and has continued during the reign of each successive Thai ruler since then.

Throughout the years, it has become a treasury as well since each king has donated sacred and valuable objects to the temple.

While parents enjoy the architecture and artwork inside, toddlers enjoy wandering in the gardens outside. Take an activity toy for them to play with while you’re touring indoors if this is your third temple of the day.

👉 If you want to make sure you see the best bits without wasting time wandering, then consider booking a tour in advance.

The complex is pretty massive and takes up an entire city block.

👉 If you want to see Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and the Grand Palace in addition to seeing the city from the river this tour is a perfect fit.

It gives you the perfect single day in Bangkok itinerary, especially if you’ve never visited the city before. It’s what we did, and it helps you to see the sights in an efficient amount of time.

Bangkok Butterfly Garden

Located inside Rod Fai Park, this dome-covered garden accommodates many butterflies in a natural environment. The sanctuary also includes a waterfall as well as various plants and wildflowers.

It’s all part of a bigger area that contains a playground, insectarium, exhibition area, and a breeding and embryo room. Little ones are often fascinated by seeing larvae and cocoons.

It’s a great way to teach the kiddos about butterfly life cycles, plus it’s just a really pretty spot to visit. An oasis of calm in the big city.

Visit a Floating Market

There are over 25 floating markets around Thailand. Each one is crowded with hundreds of vendors floating in small boats to sell agricultural products and local foods.

Many of these items are brought from the sellers’ own orchards or farms. Most of them are located in and near the rivers Chao Phraya and Mae Klong.

The floating markets are a very traditional way of buying and selling goods in Thailand. It’s a fun and interesting way for tourists to see Thailand’s old style of shopping.

Parent Note: If you visit a floating market, keep your little one(s) secure in a carrier so you don’t have to worry about them running off or falling into the waterways.

Since kids love water and boats, it’s fun to bring them to a floating market to experience Thailand in a different way.

Taling Chan is one of the closest floating markets near Bangkok. It’s only 12 km from downtown and offers boats as well as a large market on solid ground. It’s open from 9 am to 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

👉 If you don’t want to navigate that far from Bangkok on your own, book a floating market tour!

Plus, there are small longtail boats offering cruises to local canals that give you a relaxing view of the surrounding area. We didn’t make it here, sadly.

However, we’ve heard from other visitors that while it lacks some of the old-world charms of other markets, it still has a more genuine feel to it overall.

Lumpini Park

Also called Lumphini Park, this public park is the oldest and largest in Bangkok. It’s bigger than Gardens by the Bay in Singapore!

It’s in central Bangkok and is just a short walk from the Lumphini or Silom MRT stops. After a long day of sightseeing, spend the next morning here to feel refreshed.

Lumpini Park’s onsite facilities include paddleboats, playgrounds, and an outdoor gym. Local jazz groups, and occasionally a classical orchestra, usually give free performances late on Sunday afternoons. 

If a stroll through the park is more your style, just follow the maze-like pathways that overlook lush gardens, picnic areas, and an artificial lake. You can even ride the swan-shaped paddle boats there!

Siam Amazing Park

More commonly known as Siam City Park, this expansive Bangkok theme park is five theme parks in one spot. It’s pretty big; almost twice the size of Disney in Hong Kong.

It opened in 1980 so parts of it are a bit tired. However, it’s still a great place for fun family time in Bangkok with a toddler!

👉 Buy your tickets online in advance to save time waiting in line!

Your entry fee gains you access to Water World, Aventure World, Xtreme World, Family World, and Small World. Kids under 100 cm get in free so it’s a great place to spend time in Bangkok with a toddler.

Families in Bangkok with a toddler will likely skip Xtreme World and hang out the longest in Small World. Everything there is designed for kids under 130 cm.

SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World

Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World is an aquarium in central Bangkok. It’s the largest in South East Asia! Considering we’ve been to other SE Asia aquariums in Kuala Lumpur and Legoland Malaysia, that’s pretty impressive!

SEA LIFE Bangkok covers approximately 10,000 square meters and has hundreds of different species on display. They have some really fun educational shows and interactive experiences for kids, too. The penguin show is always a big hit!

👉 Buy your tickets in advance with Klook!

Kids also love the Ocean Tunnel, a horizontal automated walkway that takes you through a tunnel under and among a variety of sea creatures. We love doing these any time an aquarium offers one!

Khao San Road Markets

Although this is typically known as the backpacker center of Bangkok, kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring during the quieter morning hours while all the partying backpackers are still sleeping.

Khao San Road is known for the street-side vendors dressed in Northern Hill Tribe clothing and selling hand-made textiles and handicrafts from up North.

If you can’t make it to Chiang Mai on your trip to Thailand, this is the place to get a taste of it.

You’ll also love the affordable, knock-off clothing, pirated music, sandals, sunglasses, swimwear, and knick-knacks. There are also shop fronts along the street selling souvenirs and handicrafts.

Do note that this is not the market for an authentic Thai experience. However, it is pretty great as a morning out to buy some cheap souvenirs, ride a tuk-tuk, or eat some tasty local street food.

Family-Friendly Hotels in Bangkok with a Toddler

Many hotels in Bangkok are family-friendly. That’s the case throughout SE Asia. Here are some of our top picks based on especially family-friendly amenities.

👍 Luxury Recommendations: Four Seasons or Mandarin Oriental

👍 Mid-Range Recommendations: Shangri-La or Grand Centrepoint Hotel Terminal 21

👍 Budget Recommendations: Pannarai Hotel or Baansuanprannock Hotel

Final Thoughts on Bangkok with a Toddler

We’d love to see more of this bustling, chaotic city someday. We enjoyed our time in Bangkok with a toddler. I’m sure that family travel here is equally impressive when visiting with older kids, too.

One thing that impressed me about our time there was how open the Thai people were to us as a family with a young child. Traveling with toddlers isn’t always easy, but Thailand made it more so.

We loved all of our time in Southeast Asia with an 18-month-old in tow, including our visit to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.