1 Week in Thailand - 6 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Family Fun in Thailand: Bangkok & the Beach

This city and beach holiday is a great option for families that want to visit Bangkok's highlights and spend some time at the beach—but don't want to travel all the way to Southern Thailand. With interactive activities, such as a Mon pottery experience and pancake-making with a local family in Ko Kret, and kid-friendly stops that include Vana Nava Water Jungle, it's especially suited to families with young children. 

Get an introduction to Thailand at Muang Boran Museum, an open-air park where the kids can check out nearly 200 replicas of the country's famous monuments. Take a long-tail boat to Ko Kret and visit the leaning pagoda, Wat Poramai Yikawat, before creating family keepsakes together while learning the Mon people's craft in a pottery workshop. Then make kanom krok (sweet coconut pancakes) with a local family before returning to Bangkok. The kids will be thrilled to hear your first stop in Ratchaburi province is a sugar farm where they can sample coconut sugar and juice before cruising to the floating market.

You'll have plenty of family photo ops and fun as you watch the sale of fruits, crafts, and more from the loaded boats, then continue to the mangrove forests, keeping an eye out for monkeys. The second half of your trip is dedicated to Hua Hin, where you can take the kids horseback riding and meet the macaque monkeys at Khao Takiap temple. If your little ones are keen on waterparks, spend an afternoon at Vana Nava Water Jungle. Next, take your budding conservationists and animal lovers to learn about rescue efforts at the Wildlife Friends Foundation, then celebrate your journey with a seafood dinner in Hua Hin. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Family Highlights Tour Thailand: Bangkok & Phuket

Swapping out Hua Hin and taking you and the family further south to popular Phuket, this classic highlights tour is perfect for first-time visitors interested in exploring Bangkok and the islands in the country's south. Kids of all ages will enjoy taking a tuk-tuk tour of Bangkok and beach-hopping around Phuket. You can add on activities, such as ziplining for older kids and the Rawai Waterpark for little ones, to accommodate a range of ages.  

Arriving in Bangkok, head for Yaowarat Road in Bangkok's Chinatown and refuel with pad thai, satay, and Chinese and Thai sweets after your flight. Children will likely enjoy zipping around in a tuk-tuk on a family-friendly tour of some of the city's famous sites, including Wat Pho and the ornately-decorated Grand Palace. Task the kids with counting the Buddha statues as they discover the importance of Buddhism here. Then head to Elephants World in Kanchanaburi, where you can learn about the significance of elephants in Thai culture and make some snacks for the gentle giants. On Day 4, you'll fly to Phuket and find a beach suited to your crew. 

The gentle waters of Mai Khao Beach and Kamala Beach are ideal for little ones, while Karon Beach is buzzing with activities to entertain older kids, and Kata Beach is great for snorkeling and sunsets. Make memories on a boat cruise in Phang Nga Bay. Kids of all ages will be amazed by the turquoise lagoons, stalactite-filled sea caves, and snorkeling at James Bond Island. Spend your final day soaking up the sun or opt for an activity: take the older kids ziplining at Flying Hanuman or bring the younger ones to Rawai Waterpark. Get your fill of street food and souvenirs at the Night Market before departure. Learn more 

Itinerary #3: Thai Family Adventure in Bangkok & Kao Yai 

Families traveling with older kids with a range of interests will appreciate the active outdoor experiences on this family adventure. You'll hike to waterfalls and go on wildlife safaris in Khao Yai National Park and experience the organized chaos of colorful markets, like the Mae Klong Railway Market, and shopping in Bangkok.  

In Bangkok, help broaden your kids' palates and sample street food on Khao San Road, then, if you've got teens in tow, head for King Power Mahanakhon Skywalk for a bird's-eye view of Bangkok. Tour the Grand Palace and Wat Pho Temple, then take your trendsetters to Platinum Fashion Mall to find unique pieces in the labyrinth of shops. The kids will be impressed by the variety of market experiences in Thailand, including the Mae Klong Railway Market, where vendors scoop up their goods when trains approach (you can observe safely from a trackside café), and Saduak Floating Market where vendors sell food, home goods, and more from their boats. 

Transfer to Khao Yai National Park and take a guided hike searching for elephants, gibbons, and other wildlife. Next, snap family photos at Haew Narok waterfall and spot nocturnal animals on a 4WD safari. Be sure to bring your swimwear for your second day in the park; you'll take a guided family hike to Haew Suwat for a dip in the waterfall. On your final full day, older kids can get their amusement park fix on the rollercoasters at Dreamworld while the little ones build a snowman in Snow Town. Enjoy the afternoon parade and stunt show, then sit down to one last Thai dinner before departure. Learn more 

Itinerary #4: Family Tour of Thailand: Bangkok & Hua Hin

Engaging activities, from food markets in Bangkok to canal cruises in Sam Roi Yot National Park, make this family tour an excellent choice for families of various ages and interests. Little ones will love spotting wildlife in the national parks, and older kids can try new sports, such as kite surfing. Foodies will enjoy the Bangrak culinary tour, and budding birders will be thrilled to see dozens of bird species in Kui Buri National Park. 

Your guide will engage the kids with stories of Thailand's past as you visit Bangkok's sites, including the Grand Palace, then zigzag through the food stalls and shops of Bangrak, learning about Thai cuisine while letting the kids find their favorite Thai dishes (mango sticky rice is a popular choice!). The whole family will be thrilled with a visit to the Mae Klong Railway Market, where vendors set up on the tracks and then quickly remove their wares every time a train approaches. Afterward, enjoy a more leisurely experience at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where you can invite the kids to test their bartering skills. 

Head to Pranburi Forest Park for some hiking on Day 5, then take a long-tail boat down the Khao Daeng Canal to Sam Roi Yot National Park. Give the kids a wildlife checklist and see who can spot pelicans, crabs, and monkeys. Spend your final full day enjoying the beaches of Hua Hin. The older kids can try watersports, such as kite surfing, while the little ones go on a horseback ride. If your crew is eager to see more wildlife, visit Kui Buri National Park, where you may spot tapirs, bison, and birds (more than 260 species live here). Then celebrate with dinner and Thai street food at Cicada night market. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Relax with the Kids in Thailand: Chiang Mai & Ko Samui

Blending rich history and culture of Northern Thailand's Chiang Mai with the laid-back island-living of Ko Samui, this itinerary is perfect for families interested in a more relaxed holiday experience. You'll sample street food and create keepsakes in a pottery lesson in Chiang Mai, then enjoy watersports and a sailing excursion in Ko Samui. 

Ease into your adventure with a stroll through Chiang Mai's Old Town, where you can refuel after your flight with Thai treats. Create your own souvenirs in a pottery workshop with local artisans, then take the kids to experience the monks chanting at the Wat Lok Molee temple. Sample street food in Chang Puek Gate market—the mango sticky rice and banana spring rolls are often a hit with the kids. Observe and learn about the elephants and how they are cared for at an elephant sanctuary, then spend one more night feasting on Northern Thai cuisine before catching a flight south to Ko Samui.

On arrival, enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the beach. Alternatively, if the kids have the energy, join a guided hike in the jungle or a kayaking excursion before diving into a dinner of Southern Thai flavors and seafood. Take a sailing tour in Ang Thong Marine Park, and stop by Talay Nai (Emerald Lake) for a picnic on the beach. Next, it's on to the famous James Bond Island, where you can snorkel as a family or try kayaking. Let the kids choose how to spend their final full day—swimming at Chaweng or Lamai Beach, souvenir shopping in Bophut, or snorkeling at Ko Nang Yan—before a farewell feast. Learn more

Itinerary #6: Culture & Nature Family Adventure in Thailand: Chiang Mai

Focusing all your time in Northern Thailand's Chiang Mai, a cultural capital, this itinerary offers outdoorsy families the chance to hike and bike, as well as take an in-depth look at the local culture. You'll hike at Doi Inthanon (Thailand's tallest mountain), bike to Baan Tawai, visit temples including Wat Doi Suthep, and explore craft markets. 

Let the kids stretch their legs with a hike at Doi Pui that includes a stop at Wat Doi Suthep, then fill their bellies at Chiang Mai's night markets. Transfer to Si Lanna National Park for a kayaking excursion that includes the joy of having lunch in a floating restaurant—sure to make everyone smile. Then, let the kids make like Spiderman and climb the Bua Tong Waterfalls, before packing a picnic and heading out for a hike at Doi Inthanon. Cool off in a waterfall, then continue to a Karen village to learn about their culture. Switch gears and hop on your bikes, for a family ride on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, peddling along the river and through rice paddies.

Invite the kids to pick out a handcrafted souvenir in the craft markets of Baan Tawai, known for its wood carving. Then on Day 5, spend a day getting acquainted with the gentle giants of an elephant sanctuary in Mae Sa, and take a leisurely walk in the forest. Enjoy your last full day soaking up Thai culture; budding artists can enjoy perusing the galleries east of the Ping River and appreciate the intricate details of Wat Sri Suphan temple (Silver Pagoda). Here you can chat with monks and learn about their lifestyle, and finally, do a little souvenir shopping and dine on street food one last time before it's time to head to the airport. Learn more

More Great 1-Week Thailand Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Thailand? Check out these other one-week Thailand itineraries, with outdoor adventures, family-friendly trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.