So, you’ve just booked your family holiday to Phuket, well done! But now you’re thinking, ‘What are the top things to do in Phuket with kids?’ Well, we’ve been here a while so we know all the best places you can go and visit. You probably chose to come here because of Phuket’s beautiful beaches, great weather and amazing resorts but we know kids can get bored easily, you’ll be very happy to hear that there are some great attractions to keep both them and you entertained during your trip. We’ve put together a list of our favourite ten family friendly activities for you to think about when you’re here, especially if you have children under five years old, so you can relax and not have to worry about it. You’ll get your time by the pool and they’ll have a great time too.
Phuket is a fantastic destination for families looking for fun things to do away from the hustle and bustle of the city. From the most obvious beach activities to the less obvious, like entering a topsy turvy world or learning to zorb, the island is brimming with family-friendly activities! So let’s take a look at which are the top 10 things to do in Phuket with families:
DISCLAIMER: Please note that the list is not in any particular order and always make sure to do your own research.
Great For Kids Of: Any age
Location: Cherngtalay, Phuket
Type Of Activity: Outdoor
Blue Tree Water Park is an absolute must if you’re here on holiday with a family. With its huge 17,000m2 lagoon pool and vast array of slides, zip-lines, jumps, paddleboards and beach area, there is something to keep everyone happy. If you have children from two to seven years of age, there’s the Kids Planet team to keep them occupied with fun things to do while ensuring that safety comes first. The Slip’n’Fly slides are particularly impressive with a 30m ramp that fires you up high in the air, and even if you’re not brave enough to try it yourselves, it’s great to watch especially when the professionals put on a show. All that exercise will obviously work up an appetite and with five restaurants and bars, the Treehouse beach lounge, Treehouse restaurant, Treetop, Bay grill and Sunset bar, and also some great food trucks, there’s no shortage of choice to sate your hunger. All in all, a visit to Blue Tree will be something you’ll remember for a long time, it’s such a great day out, a top thing to do in Phuket for families.
Great For Kids Of: 5+
Location: Phuket Town, Phuket
Type Of Activity: Outdoor
When you’re staying on Phuket, you have the luxury of having the glorious island of Phi Phi a short speedboat ride away. Sitting in one of Thailand’s finest marine parks, the pristine waters surrounding Phi Phi give you the chance to see some magnificent marine life. If you’re an experienced snorkeller, you’ll be in your element and if you’ve never tried it, there’s no better place to give it a try. If you’re a bit nervous you can use a lifejacket, so you don’t even have to know how to swim! There are some beautiful beaches to visit, including the infamous Maya Bay, and some lovely restaurants on the island of Phi Phi itself. What a great day out! It doesn’t get more picturesque than this.
Great For Kids Of: 5+
Location: Phuket Town, Phuket
Type Of Activity: Outdoor
One of the best things to do in Phuket for families is to explore the nearby islands, caves and marine life. Phang Nga Bay is breathtaking, a series of sheer karst cliff islands jutting up out of the turquoise sea, it has to be seen to be believed. An amazing way to see it is by sailboat. With small groups, a maximum of twenty people, you’ll pootle around the islands, stopping occasionally to transfer to a smaller boat to visit amazing hidden beaches and explore caves; you’ll need some beach shoes for this! For the brave amongst you, there’ll be the chance to jump from the top of the boat into the beautiful warm water, and there’s a delicious lunch served on one of the secluded beaches, there’s no restaurants, everything is brought for you by the lovely boat crew. A truly wonderful experience.
Great For Kids Of: 3 – 12 years of age
Location: Phuket Town, Phuket
Type Of Activity: Indoor
The upside down house does exactly what it says on the tin! When you first see it you’ll probably do what we did and turn your head to try to look at it the right way up. It’s beautifully built and the attention to detail is remarkable, there’s even an aquarium although they’ve not yet trained the fish to swim upside down. Obviously, you go in through the roof, and up the stairs to the downstairs – if you see what I mean! There’s everything you’d expect in a real house, a kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom with great photo opportunities galore, especially in the toilet. Once you’ve had your fill of confusing yourself by being upside down, you can carry on the theme by getting lost in the maze, aptly named ‘A Maze in Thailand’. From a view point you can see it’s quite a simple task to get from the entrance to the exit but when you’re inside, it’s quite a different matter.
Great For Kids Of: 6+
Location: Chalong, Phuket
Type Of Activity: Outdoor
Hanuman is the king of the apes and a symbol of courage and fortitude, and so the Flying Hanuman is aptly named. Set in the tropical jungle of Phuket, you’ll find yourself gliding past colossal trees, high up in the canopy along with all the birds and wildlife. There are 28 platforms, some of which are 40 metres high, with 15 ziplines and two sky bridges. To reach the beautifully designed wooden reception building, you’ll be picked up and delivered by minivan, where you can relax, maybe get a drink at the bar, before your course starts, there are four per day. What a great way to get close to nature.
Great For Kids Of: 5+
Location: Phuket Town, Phuket
Type Of Activity: Indoor
When you arrive in Phuket, the last thing you’ll expect to find is an ice rink. So prepare to be surprised! Phuket Ice Arena is open daily with several options for you to think about, the hourly rate is 590 baht for adults and 350 baht for children, or you can opt for a personal coach for 1,000 baht if you plan to take it a bit more seriously, you can book in for ten sessions but they’re no cheaper. Or, if you’re here for a while, there’s figure skating or hockey courses which are 5,000 baht/month. Whichever you choose, it’ll be seriously cool.
Great For Kids Of: Any age
Location: Khao Sok, Phang Nga
Type Of Activity: Outdoor
Situated a little to the north of Phuket is Khao Sok Elephant Sanctuary. Here the elephants come first, there’s no riding or bathing which is fantastic. One of the reasons this site was chosen is it allows the elephants to roam freely and you can enjoy the beauty and tranquility of this incredible location with them. It offers the chance to get up close to these magnificent animals, feed them and walk with them through the amazing countryside. Also, there are other activities such making elephant food, creating a banana leaf plate as a keepsake, making a traditional Thai dessert to enjoy and planting seeds when the season allows. If you love elephants, visiting a sanctuary such as this is the best way to support them.
Great For Kids Of: Any age
Location: Phang Nga
Type Of Activity: Outdoor
Phang Nga Bay is absolutely spectacular with white karst cliff islands, topped by precarious looking trees, sitting together in the beautiful waters of the bay, sheltered as it is on the east coast of Phuket. It really does look like something out of a film, and in fact James Bond Island in the bay is so called because it’s where some of the scenes for ‘The Man With the Golden Gun’ were filmed. You’ll kayak through caves and discover hidden beaches and mangroves, tour the islands on a very comfortable boat, swim in the beautifully warm waters of the bay before being amazed at just how spectacular the sunsets are. Then enjoy a delightful meal while the boat takes you home. An experience not to be missed.
Great For Kids Of: 6+
Location: Phuket Town, Phuket
Type Of Activity: Indoor
If you’re looking for something a bit more unusual to do, or heaven forbid it should rain, Rebel Rock Climbing might be just the thing. A three story, 700m2 indoor climbing centre which is ideal for children and adults of any experience, there’s something for every level. There are friendly staff on hand to make sure everything is done safely.
Great For Kids Of: Any age
Location: Phuket Town, Phuket
Type Of Activity: Indoor
An Instagramer’s dream or just lots of fun, the selfie Experience is a brand new tourist venue that offers 3,000m2 of photo-opportunity wonderland. There’s over 40 backgrounds to explore so make sure you’re fully charged and have plenty of space on your phone or camera! And when you’re done snapping you can try snacking in the cafe.
Great For Kids Of: 6+
Location: Kata Beach, Phuket
Type Of Activity: Outdoor
In the wet season, Phuket’s surf is impressive but if you’re here in the dry season, or you don’t feel confident enough to hit the beach, Surf House Phuket is just the thing. A purpose built, constant wave allows you to learn to surf safely, or you can opt for flow-boarding, a hybrid of surfing, snowboarding, wakeboarding and skateboarding! Suitable for all ages, it’s a great place to learn or ride the waves if you’re hanker after some excitement and there’s a flat, calm sea.
Great For Kids Of: Any age
Location: Phuket Town, Phuket
Type Of Activity: Outdoor
Andamanda Phuket is the island’s newest waterpark and it’s pretty impressive! There’s a 10,000m2 artificial sea with waves of up to three metres tall, there’s 12 slides and a 300 metre long beach. There are loads of children’s rides, and a large choice of food and drinks options at the various bars and restaurants, with the overall theme of “Thai Legend Meets Fantasy”. A lot to pack into the 53,000m2 venue but it’s due to get even bigger in the future with planned accommodation and lifestyle additions. It’s cheaper to book online before you get there, B850 online and at B1,500 onsite and child and senior tickets are priced at B550 online and at B1,000 onsite, plus children under 90cm get to go in for free.
Great For Kids Of: Any age
Location: Phang Nga
Type Of Activity: Outdoor
This Phang Nga nature tour from Phuket offers a whole new experience includes elephant bathing, bamboo rafting or river canoeing and elephant trekking through natural scenery and river or jungle to waterfall.
Relax while bamboo rafting amidst the lush-green environment and calming river water. Go with the flow as you bamboo raft through the meditative river water sounds. See the different types of entertainment from the friendly and well-trained animals like- Baby Elephant Show & Baby Monkey Show. Get to experience an elephant trek in between the dense human-friendly forest. get involved in various kinds of activities throughout the 10 hours of this tour, for example swimming in the nature’s pool, sightseeing and much more.
Great For Kids Of: Any age
Location: Phang Nga
Type Of Activity: Outdoor
The summer months from June to October are the best time of year to go white water rafting in Phang Nga. Day trip tours are available from Phuket, it’s 1-2 hours drive depending on where your hotel is. There is a stop on the water at the Wat Suwankuha monkey cave temple just outside Phang Nga town.
Tip: Visit on a weekday. Weekends are much busier.
The rafting starts at 11.00 am and the 5 km route lasts about 30 minutes. The rapids are grade 1-3. The extra 4km for those who choose the 9 km run are grade 2-4 rapids and are not available to kids.
You get a thorough briefing on how to paddle plus life jacket and helmet. There are two guides in each raft, one forward and one back.
After the rafting lunch is served and then other activities are available like elephant trekking and ATV rides. Before departure there is time to visit nearby Tonpariwat waterfall.
Great For Kids Of: Any age
Location: Mai Khao Beach, Phuket
Type Of Activity: Outdoor
Splash Jungle is a medium sized water park located in Mai Khao beach close to the airport. There’s a large kids pool and the 335m Lazy River in which you can just float along, the biggest attractions though, are the spinning funnel which will leave you a little dizzy and the Boomerango vertical wall, scary but very popular. The kids have their own pool called Aqua Play with plenty of fun and games, slides and waterfalls.
Well, I’m sure you’ll agree, there’s a lot to choose from to keep you and your family occupied while you’re here, whether it’s fun and excitement or relaxation and mindfulness, there’s definitely something here for every taste. On the whole, the weather is fantastic, and even if it does rain, there are things on this list to keep you happy, and off-season you can pick up some great deals – something to consider. If you’re travelling with children under five be sure to check out this blog: Best Things To Do In Phuket With Kids Under 5 Years. And if you’re keen to explore a little further afield make sure you have a look at our family friendly day trips to Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay, Koh Hong, Koh Phanak and more.
Should you have any questions or need any recommendations please feel free to message us on Facebook or Whatsapp.
