15 Family-Friendly Things to Do in Chiang Mai With Kids

Discover the best things to do with kids in Chiang Mai, from nature-filled adventures to cultural experiences, perfect for creating lasting memories in this charming city.

Looking for family-friendly things to do in Chiang Mai with kids that adults will enjoy too? We were too! That’s why we created this guide on how to make the most of your time in Chiang Mai as a family.

From arts and crafts with elephant poo, picking out one-of-a-kind souvenirs crafted by local artisans, to learning how to whip up delicious Thai dishes together, we’ve covered it all.

We’ve included the best family-friendly activities in Chiang Mai that we found to be easy, non-kitschy, fulfilling, and, most importantly, interesting for everyone.

These are our favorite experiences in Chiang Mai for families that are sure to make your own trip just as memorable!

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QUICK LIST: Best Activities in Chiang Mai With Kids

• Baan Tawai Woodcarving Village
• Carp Cafe
• Cat Cafe Popo
• Tour of Wiang Kum Kam
• Ginger Farm
• Anusarn Night Market
• 7-Eleven
• Tweechol Botanical Garden
• Huai Tueng Thao Sheep Farm & Sculpture Park
• Night Safari
• Elephant Sanctuary
• Siam Insect Zoo
• Le Petit Zoo
• POOPOOPAPER Park
• Cooking Class

The Essentials for Visiting Chiang Mai With Kids

🚖 Gigantic intersections and the absence of sidewalks can make walking around less than ideal when traveling with kids. Be sure to download the Grab app beforehand so you can order a ride whenever you need it.

🚐 Heading on a day trip or exploring the mountains and jungle? Rent a private van. They’re not typically expensive, and the convenience for families with children is 100% worth the fee.

🍳 Kid-friendly food is available nearly everywhere. The most popular dishes among children with simpler tastes include sticky rice, grilled chicken, and fried omelets.

🐘 For an immersive experience at an elephant sanctuary, make reservations in advance. Don’t expect to just show up and join, as the best reputable sanctuaries often book up quickly.

👀 Night markets can get frantically busy. Have a plan in place to easily spot your family in the crowd, and dress your small kids in something that makes them stand out.

⭐️ Best Hotel in Chiang Mai for Families: Phra Singh Village
· 9.0 Rating and 900+ reviews
· Outdoor pool
· Large family rooms
· Child-friendly buffet and free baby cots
· Bicycle rentals + organized tours and transportation
➡ BOOK YOUR STAY

15 Family-Friendly Things to Do in Chiang Mai

1. Baan Tawai Woodcarving Village

Located in a quiet suburban corner of Chiang Mai, Baan Tawai is a must-visit destination for those interested in traditional Thai craftsmanship. Known for its exquisite hand-carved woodwork, the “village” is made up of various storefronts in a warehouse-like block where skilled artisans can be seen at work.

It’s also the best place in Chiang Mai to purchase one-of-a-kind pieces directly from the makers. Our daughter loved picking out little souvenirs, like coasters and wooden figurines, to bring home for us.

2. Carp Cafe

This has to be one of the most niche themed restaurants we’ve ever visited, and definitely made for tourists, but we didn’t mind because it brought our three-year-old an unbelievable level of enthusiasm.

The cafe is exactly what it sounds like, with koi fish swimming gracefully in ponds around the restaurant tables. It’s a great spot to relax, enjoy a meal, and feed the fish. You can buy “fish food” from the restaurant, which kept our daughter entertained for two hours.

Even the bathroom experience is unique, with carp swimming around you as you do your business in a mini aquarium.

3. Cat Cafe Popo

Cat cafes are incredibly popular in Thailand, and Chiang Mai offers plenty to choose from. However, some of the most well-known ones charge an admission fee. We visited Mali Cat Cafe & Bar, the city’s most beloved cat cafe, but the entrance price felt a bit steep, especially since you could barely interact with the cats.

Instead, take your kids to Cat Cafe Popo, tucked away on a residential street. This charming, family-run cafe serves delicious coffee and cakes, and it has plenty of friendly cats.

The staff encourages playing with the felines and even feeding them treats. Best of all, Cat Cafe Popo is free to visit, and you might even be lucky enough to meet Popo himself!

4. Tour of Wiang Kum Kam

We initially thought Wiang Kum Kam was just one temple, but upon arrival, we realized it was an entire archaeological site filled with various ruins and temples from an ancient city.

Instead of walking around to see just one temple, we decided to go for a private tour on a truck-like vehicle with bench seats (very much the Thai style).

This guided, and most importantly, motorized tour was perfect for sightseeing with a young child. We could hop on and off as we pleased, exploring historical landmarks without the strain of too much walking in the heat for our daughter.

5. Ginger Farm

Nestled in the greenery of Chiang Mai’s agricultural land is the Ginger Farm, which, despite its name, doesn’t actually have much ginger to see. However, it still offers plenty of other enjoyable activities, and we highly recommend it as a family-friendly destination in Chiang Mai as a place to unwind.

It’s a great place for kids to explore fruit trees, vegetables, farm animals, and even run around with the chickens (if your kid is anything like ours).

There’s also a playground with a hay bale obstacle course, while parents can relax and enjoy a farm-to-table meal or artisan cocktails.

6. Anusarn Night Market

As night falls in Chiang Mai, things really start to come alive, especially at the Anusarn Market. It’s a sensory overload, with noises, smells and textures coming at you from every angle.

The covered market is a place where you can find everything from antiques and clothing to jewelry, toys, and street food from local stalls. If there’s one place in Chiang Mai that hits you all at once, it’s definitely here.

We loved visiting the Anusarn Night Market as a family, mainly because of the variety of food options and the fact that everyone could choose a little something they liked. It’s also a great place for picking out trinkets to bring home.

For example, our daughter fell in love with a pair of house slippers with bells on them, so of course, we had to buy them.

7. 7-Eleven

No, typically a convenience store wouldn’t make it onto your travel itinerary, but 7-Eleven isn’t just any convenience store. Especially if you’re coming to Thailand from the U.S. or Europe, a visit to 7-Eleven might be just as memorable as meeting the king himself.

7-Eleven in Thailand is the finest example of snack heaven. And what kid doesn’t love snacks? The aisles are filled with all sorts of chips, nuts, seaweed, and an endless variety of crunchy, spicy, and sweet treats you couldn’t even imagine existed.

Trust us, this is an experience, not a shop. After just one visit to 7-Eleven, your kids will be hooked.

8. Tweechol Botanical Garden

Not only is the botanical garden a fantastic family-friendly activity in Chiang Mai, but it’s also not touristy—so, win-win right from the start!

The complex is quite large, so unless you plan on spending several hours there, we recommend renting a golf cart or hopping on a bicycle. We rented two bikes, one with a child seat so our toddler could just roll along with us.

If your kids aren’t particularly excited by plants and flowers, no worries! There’s an entire mini zoo for them to explore including cows, birds, ostriches, ponies and more. Plus, multiple playgrounds (and not just sad, lonely swingsets) are scattered throughout the park.

9. Huai Tueng Thao Sheep Farm & Sculpture Park

If your family enjoys a walk, head towards the Huay Tueng Thao Reservoir, where you’ll find the sheep farm and a sculpture park. The sheep farm is located along a popular bicycle route and near a path that circles the water, but you can also stroll through the field with the sheep and herders.

At the windmill, you can purchase pellets to feed the sheep. As a family, we had a blast trying to fend off a few determined sheep eager to nibble on our arms. This is one of the most low-effort and wholesome family-friendly activities in Chiang Mai, perfect for all ages.

Traveling with older children or teenagers? Check out the Zipline Adventure, which soars across the reservoir.

10. Night Safari

The Night Safari in Chiang Mai offers a unique wildlife experience, allowing families to observe animals in their natural nocturnal habitat. Yes, the Night Safari is only available at night.

With a tram ride through the park, multiple interactive animal shows, and a variety of wildlife from around the world, it’s an exciting and educational activity for both kiddos and parents.

Admission was one of the most expensive attractions we paid for while visiting Chiang Mai, but I have to say, it was worth the price for how informative it was and the many animals we saw up close.

11. Elephant Sanctuary

Chiang Mai is a go-to destination for elephant tourism, and what kid wouldn’t be excited to see an elephant right in front of them?! The well-known issue is that many elephant farms haven’t historically been very ethical, but thankfully, this has changed a lot in recent years.

If you’re looking to visit an elephant farm or tour, just make sure to read reviews and do your research to avoid supporting unethical practices.

We didn’t intend to have a fully immersive elephant experience in Chiang Mai, but we still wanted to visit a farm. Thankfully, we came across the Elefin Farm & Cafe, which turned out to be the perfect solution for our family.

Our daughter got to feed and pet the elephants up close and watch them roam the mountainside, while we enjoyed some fun drinks in the beautiful garden.

The Elefin Farm is free to visit; you only need to pay for the basket of food if you wish to feed the elephants.

12. Siam Insect Zoo

The Siam Insect Zoo in Chiang Mai is a visually appealing and educational destination for families, offering the chance to explore a wide variety of insects, including giant beetles and the world’s most dangerous insect – mosquitoes.

It’s a great spot for kids to learn about the insect world through interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences. With staff supervision, children can hold some of the insects and even larger creatures, like iguanas! The zoo also features a butterfly garden where visitors can walk among the butterflies as they float around.

13. Le Petit Zoo

Sure, a traditional zoo never fails to amaze children, but as parents, we’ve learned that we often prefer visiting a petting zoo instead. Our daughter is most interested when she gets to pet, feed, and interact with animals—and I’d be lying if I didn’t enjoy it just as much.

Le Petit Zoo is a mini farm with classic petting zoo residents like mini goats and rabbits, along with some surprising crowd favorites. Kids can walk into a pen with an enormous tortoise living alongside a capybara, who acted just like any old house pet.

With the option to purchase food for the animals or refreshments, this delightful little attraction is free to enjoy.

14. POOPOOPAPER Park

Depending on your family’s sense of humor, just the sound of “poo poo” will get your kids excited for this family-friendly activity. POOPOOPAPER Park offers a unique and educational experience, where visitors can learn how paper is made from elephant dung.

The park provides interactive tours, allowing guests to witness the paper-making process firsthand and even create their own eco-friendly paper souvenirs. Playing with poo? Sounds like fun!

Plus, the park prides itself on being eco-conscious—a concept that children are never too young to start learning about.

15. Cooking Class

There’s no better activity to get the entire family involved than a cooking class. Learning to make dishes from Thai cuisine is a unique opportunity to try something new, have a memorable hands-on experience, and of course, eat some really freaking delicious food.

You can search for family cooking classes in Chiang Mai, which should help narrow down your options for classes suitable for even young children. For example, the Thai Farm Cooking School is highly rated for families with kids, and they’ve been known to make fresh spring rolls, pad Thai, and sticky rice with mango.

Attractions to Skip in Chiang Mai With Kids

Grand Canyon Water Park

Unless you’re on day 14 of your trip or perhaps live in Chiang Mai, the Grand Canyon Water Park is not worth including on your itinerary. Aside from offering a place to cool down on an extremely hot day, the water park doesn’t provide anything unique that reflects the city.

Hidden Village 

It is not a real hidden village as the name implies, but rather a sculpture theme park. While this may be interesting to some kids, there are many other places in Chiang Mai that are more genuine, less kitschy, and, better yet, offer real-life animals.

Too Many Temples

Tourists tend to swoon over the magnificent temples in Chiang Mai, which feel like they are found on every corner. Alternatively, your kids have probably had enough after seeing just the first one. If you are short on time, leave the constant wat hopping for another time.

Yi Peng Lantern Festival

This may be the very reason you want to visit Chiang Mai, as the Lantern Festival has exploded in popularity. However, we recommend rethinking your plans if you’re traveling with kids who aren’t fond of fireworks.

Our daughter was young at the time, and the constant, very close proximity to fireworks made her (and even us) quite uneasy. Just something to keep in mind—the Lantern Festival isn’t just about lanterns, and you should expect a lot of noise and crowds.

FAQs Family-Friendly Trip to Chiang Mai

Is Thailand Safe for Families?

Thailand is a safe and welcoming destination for families. With common safety precautions like securing valuables and staying aware of your surroundings, it’s possible to enjoy family-friendly activities like walking through bustling markets and relaxing on beaches with peace of mind.

The biggest safety concern in Thailand is being aware of scams and tourist traps. While these aren’t necessarily life-threatening risks, falling victim to one could certainly put a damper on your trip. A good rule of thumb: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Additionally, it’s best to avoid paying for anything upfront whenever possible.

Is Bangkok or Chiang Mai Better to Visit for Families?

We love Bangkok. We love Chiang Mai. But, after visiting both of them as a family, we can confidently say that Chiang Mai is the better choice, especially with young children.

While Bangkok might be more appealing to older kids and teenagers, Chiang Mai offers a greener, less crowded environment with plenty of nature and animal-based attractions. For us, this is the perfect recipe for a family-friendly destination, especially with a child under 10.

How Many Days Are Needed in Chiang Mai With Kids?

A wrongful assumption I made about Chiang Mai was that it would feel small, especially compared to Bangkok, based on how it looks on a map. However, once we arrived and were actually exploring the city, I quickly realized it’s easy to spend three weeks here and still properly experience everything.

Of course, most of us don’t have an endless schedule—especially when traveling with kids—so I’d recommend a minimum of 5-7 days as the ideal trip duration.

Don’t try to squeeze Chiang Mai into just two or three days. Getting around the city isn’t always efficient and can take time, so plan for some travel between different parts of town.

How to Get Around Chiang Mai With Kids?

Among the most popular ways to get around Chiang Mai are Grab (the ride-sharing app), tuk-tuks, and private vans.

• Grab and Bolt are the two most widely used ride-sharing apps in Thailand, including Chiang Mai. For convenience, planning ahead, and competitive rates, these apps are a no-brainer for tourists, and most people are already familiar with how to use them.

• Tuk-tuks in Chiang Mai are often seen with tourists in the back, as locals typically don’t use them for everyday transportation. However, tuk-tuks are undoubtedly the most fun way to get around the city—especially with kids! You’ll need to hail a tuk-tuk or catch one waiting on the street. We highly recommend negotiating the price before your ride starts. The downside is that if you’re not a regular traveler in Thailand, you might not know if you’re getting a good deal.

• Private vans are the ideal transportation option for large families or those planning to explore all day. They’re also perfect if you’re heading into the jungle, hills, or going on a day trip from Chiang Mai. Private vans with a driver operate on your schedule and wait for you. Compared to the U.S. or Europe, a private van is not expensive, and the convenience factor far outweighs the small fee.

Related Travel Content:

• Top Tips for Visiting Thailand With a Toddler
• 15 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Chiang Mai
• The Best Places to Eat in Chiang Mai (By a Local Guide)
• Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Luang Prabang (Laos)
• What to Pack for Southeast Asia With Toddlers

Travel Tools for Families in Chiang Mai

☔️ TRAVEL INSURANCE: SafetyWing
📸 Activities: GetYourGuide
✈️ FLIGHTS: Trip.com
🚙 CAR RENTALS: Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com
🚊 TRAINS: Bookaway
🛌 ACCOMMODATION: Booking.com, Agoda or Trivago
📞 ESIM / CELL PHONE DATA: Airalo