8 Fun Things to Do in Hua Hin with Kids

2. Go to the Beach

While the southern beaches of Thailand are more well known, the ones in and around Hua Hin are no less beautiful.

From staying at a beach resort to staying in an Airbnb and walking to the public beach in Hua Hin, these scenic sandy spots are worth the effort.

Beaches are one of our favorite things to do in Hua Hin with kids because Little Man loves building and digging in the sand.

There’s a lot of it here, too! Plus, there are waves for kiddos to play in but they aren’t so big that they’re dangerous.

Hua Hin beach is also apparently well known for its fabulous sunrises. So when you’re already awake with early-rising kiddos, this is a great way to start the day.

Because the beach is over four kilometers long, it never feels very crowded.

There are even family-friendly activities like pony rides and banana boat rides, in addition to beach chairs and umbrellas for rent.

Most people who visit Hua Hin Beach come for relaxation, so this won’t be a Pattaya-style party beach day.

3. Visit Historical Sites

I love that temples in Thailand are true works of art. This makes them a top contender on our list of things to do in Hua Hin with kids.

Just wandering around the local neighborhoods, you can find ornately decorated buildings.

Fun Fact: Wat is the Thai word for temple.

However, Wat Hua Hin, Wat Huay Mongkol, and the Summer Palace are unique to Hua Hin.

👉 While it is fairly easy to get around by taxi within the city, families who want an easy trip can simply hire a car for the day.

The driver will follow your custom itinerary and will wait at each stop as long as you wish.

Wat Hua Hin

Wat Hua Hin is located at the very center of the city.

Despite its decadent appearance, the temple tends to be more of a place of worship rather than a sightseeing spot.

But since it’s so centrally located, it’s easy to stop for a quick peek. If you’re so inclined, stop by for a meditation class in the afternoon.

Wat Huay Mongkol

Wat Huay Monkol is a popular weekend pilgrimage site. It has a giant statue of Luang Phor Tuad, a famous monk who lived in the 1500-1600s.

The massive gardens, waterfalls, bridges, streams, and large lake surrounding the statue make this place worth visiting for families who aren’t Buddhist pilgrims.

There are also several restaurants and a few shops where you can buy fish food to feed the fish in the lake.

Little Man has been a fan of feeding animals as long as he’s been alive. So Wat Huay Mongkol is right up his alley!

Summer Palace

The summer palace is the vacation home of the Thai royal family.

Each member of the family has their own home on the extensive and lavishly manicured grounds.

It is open to the public for visiting if it is not occupied by the royals.

However, permission to visit must be granted in advance by the Bureau of the Royal Household. You can contact them here.

👉 If this seems like too much trouble, book a tour in advance so you can also attend high tea at the palace as well.

When visiting temples and palaces in Thailand, please ensure you wear conservative attire.

Everyone must have their shoulders and knees covered at all times. David prefers to wear pants with zip-off legs, so he doesn’t get too hot.

4. Spend the Day at a Water Park

There are two major water parks in Hua Hin, Vana Nava Water Jungle and Black Mountain Water Park.

After spending a day exploring temples, it’s fun for kids to change up the pace.

Both parks are well reviewed on Trip Advisor, so either one would be a fun addition to your Hua Hin itinerary.

Vana Nava was Asia’s first water jungle. This is a fancy way of saying it’s a water park located inside a jungle.

Basically, they didn’t clear away all the trees when they placed the water structures so it’s a unique atmosphere.

👉 Intercontinental Hua Hin and Holiday Inn Hua Hin both offer their guests free entry to Vana Nava water park.

There are over 20 slides and water structures as well as a wave pool. There’s even a VR water slide! There are options for little kids, big kids, and adults.

Families should note that bigger slides have a height requirement, so kids under 122 cm cannot ride them.

👉 You can also get discounted day passes to the park through Klook.

Rental lockers are also available for 150 baht (~$4.50USD).

👉 Black Mountain Water Park is a great fit for families traveling with smaller children.

It’s smaller than Vana Nava but also a bit cheaper. The water park is also located a bit outside the city center so it’s usually quieter.

Kids under 110cm get free entry and there aren’t as many large slides for adults.

Lockers are also free to use, so it’s one of the better things to do in Hua Hin with kids for families on a budget.

5. Play with Wild Monkeys at Monkey Island

Off the coast of the hotel is Monkey Island, where the monkeys have figured out that local fishermen bring tourists to feed them bananas.

It doesn’t have a formal name, but this is what all the locals call it. There are a ton of amazing islands in Thailand to explore, too, if you want to travel further afield from Hua Hin later in your trip.

Our hotel arranged for us to have a local fisherman take us out there on his boat.

As soon as we landed on the island, a whole troupe ran out onto the beach to greet us. Clearly, they get a LOT of visitors bearing bananas.

It was fun feeding and playing with the monkeys. They were not aggressive or hostile. In fact, soon they got too comfortable with us and one jumped on my shoulders.

While it made for good photos, I couldn’t get him off me until I walked into the water forcing him to jump back to the shore.

As we were getting back on the boat, we did see one monkey choose to go swimming in the water. He was a speedy little thing!

6. Sam Roi Yot National Park

The most unique feature of Khao Sam Roi Yot is the stalagmite/stalactite caves. There’s even a royal pavilion inside the largest one!

It was built for King Rama V and is sure to be one of your family’s favorite things to do in Hua Hin with kids.

While it is possible to hike here, we’ve heard it’s not for the faint-hearted. Taking a boat is a much easier option for families.

After getting off the boat, you walk five minutes in the woods and then take some stairs up to the cave entrance.

Bring a flashlight or headlamp, just in case the cave is too dark for your kiddos.

There is also a lovely beach to enjoy at Sam Roi Yot. It’s called Phraya Nakhon beach. The sand is so white that it is almost blinding at noon. After you return to the boat from exploring the caves, spend some time there.

👉 This tour company provides round-trip transport, takes you to the caves and the beach, and feeds you a tasty Thai lunch.

8. Stay in a Family-Friendly Hotel

Yes, your hotel can be one of the best things to do in Hua Hin with kids if you book at the right place.

👉 Dolphin Bay Resort has won TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards for family-friendly hotels multiple times, including in 2021.

One of its two pools has an 18″ depth for the little ones to play. The hotel also has a playground, a vintage VW play bus in the restaurant, an indoor playroom with toys and movies, a swing set, and a mini soccer field.

In our time there, we never ran out of things to do! It’s important to note that most pools in Asia are saltwater pools, which means they are not chlorinated.

This allows for more affordable maintenance of the pools. However, it can be a surprise for people who expected traditional chlorine when they first jump in.

The hotel is not all-inclusive, so food is an extra cost. However, the prices are very reasonable and the food served ranges from kid favorites (mac & cheese and chicken nuggets) to traditional Thai dishes.

David ate his way through the extensive curry offerings during our stay. The mixed seafood massaman curry was his favorite, probably because the protein was so fresh!

After all, the hotel does source a lot of its seafood from local fishermen.

Note: Our photos below are from before their recent renovation. We can’t wait to return and see it in its new glory once the pandemic passes! We’ll update our photos once we’ve visited.

Things NOT to Do in Hua Hin with Kids

Do not ride elephants or attend elephant shows. The metal benches you see them carrying are so awkward and heavy that they frequently permanently injure the elephants.

Once an elephant cannot work, it is often killed. However, even riding bareback is cruel because the elephant was trained by torture to accept humans on its body.

Those cute videos you see on social media of elephants dancing or painting are the results of years of torture. They are punished for non-compliance with their training.

The elephant knows if it does not perform for human amusement, that it will be tortured after the visiting group of humans leave.

In addition, do not be misguided by places calling themselves “nature parks” or “sanctuaries”. They are simply marketing words to falsely assure tourists the animals are well treated. 95% of the time, that is untrue.

Pro Tip: A true elephant sanctuary will never let humans ride them in any capacity or chain them at any time.

Plus, with the option to see wild elephants above, there’s no reason to waste time on captive ones.

Getting to Hua Hin

Hua Hin is so close to Bangkok that you don’t need to fly.

That’s one reason we chose to visit Hua Hin for some Thailand beach time, instead of Phuket or Krabi, on a limited vacation schedule. You can either hire a driver or take the train.

By Car

Depending on Bangkok traffic, a private car will take 3-4 hours. For many families, a private driver is best because they pick up and drop off right at your accommodations.

You don’t have to drag luggage and (possibly grumpy) children to and from the train stations.

👉 We are all about adventure but navigating a train with lots of luggage isn’t fun. We recommend families hire a private driver.

Our private driver even made a quick stop at the grocery store so we could buy more diapers, and we gave him a nice tip for the courtesy.

By Train

The train to Hua Hin from Bangkok takes 4-5 hours. There are generally over ten trains a day running this route, so it is generally easy to show up at the train station and buy tickets.

Pro Tip: During the pandemic, many train schedules changed and some were canceled. Always check scheduled departure times carefully to ensure that your preferred train time is still departing.

The bonus to taking the train is you arrive at one of the most beautiful stations in Thailand. It’s also the oldest train station in Thailand.

👉 Many travelers, including our family, use 12.Go Asia to book train transportation. It’s a reputable booking company throughout Asia. 

There’s even a separate Royal Waiting Room that used to house the royals when they were traveling between the Summer Palace and Bangkok.

It was built over 100 years ago, during the reign of King Rama VI.

FAQs for Visiting Hua Hin with Kids

Do you still have questions about family activities in Hua Hin? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.

Is Hua Hin child friendly?

Yes, Hua Hin is child friendly. The city is known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant night markets, and family-friendly activities like watching wild elephants and water parks. There are plenty of places to explore and activities to keep the little ones busy.

Is Hua Hin good for tourists?

Yes, Hua Hin is an excellent destination for tourists. It is a seaside town with beautiful beaches and plenty of cultural attractions. You can enjoy water sports and beach activities plus exploring the nearby national parks and ancient temples.

Why is Hua Hin popular?

Hua Hin is known for its beautiful beaches, proximity to Bangkok, and the chance to see wild elephants. Just three hours from Bangkok, Hua Hin is an ideal getaway from the city’s hustle and bustle without traveling to Krabi or Phuket.

What is the beach like in Hua Hin?

The beach in Hua Hin is beautiful and perfect for families. The waves are calm and the sand is white and soft, making it ideal for swimming, relaxing, and playing. Plus, the beach also offers stunning sunrises and views of the surrounding area.

Can you swim in Hua Hin beaches?

Yes, you can swim in Hua Hin beaches. The waters are calm and the beaches are perfect for swimming.

Is Hua Hin safe at night?

Yes, Hua Hin is generally safe at night. However, like in any city take common sense precautions like being aware of your surroundings, avoiding deserted areas, not walking alone late at night, and not carrying large amounts of cash.

👉 While we have global health insurance for our day-to-day lives, we also elect travel insurance with SafetyWing for our spurts of fast travel adventure!