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Family outings

Family outings in Bangkok

Bangkok with children is a permanent adventure: huge parks where monitor lizards laze, museums free or nearly so, boats on the river, an Alliance Française that sings in French on Saturdays and weekends by the sea or in the jungle. Here are our addresses, all checked, with opening hours and the right time of year to enjoy them.

Verified on 30 October 2026

Parks, lakes and the green lung

The city has little greenery, but its big parks are free, open from dawn to night and designed for families: paddle boats, cycle tracks, playgrounds and easy-going monitor lizards. Go early in the morning or after 4pm, and never forget the repellent.

Good to know

  • Lumphini, the historic park of the centre, stretches over almost 58 hectares between Rama IV, Ratchadamri and Witthayu, open daily from 4:30am to 9pm: a lake with swan paddle boats, playgrounds and some 400 water monitors, impressive but harmless if left alone. Source
  • Benjakitti, next to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, became in 2022 the largest forest park of the centre, about 72 hectares: elevated walkways over wetlands, cycle paths, a lake, an open-air amphitheatre, open from 4:30am to 9pm. Source
  • Bang Krachao, Bangkok's 'green lung', is a farming peninsula of about 16 km² in a bend of the Chao Phraya, opposite Khlong Toei: you rent bikes to pedal among the palms to the Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan botanical park, and some families stay overnight. Source
  • Dengue is spread by mosquitoes that bite in the daytime: repellent on the children before every park outing, covering clothes at dusk, and a quick consultation in case of fever after an outing. Source

Addresses

  • Lumphini Park

    Park

    Rama IV Road, Pathum Wan (MRT Lumphini ou Si Lom, BTS Sala Daeng)

    The park of Sathorn and Silom families: paddle boats on the lake, playgrounds, picnics, cycling, and the famous monitor lizards. Open 4:30am to 9pm.

    Website Source

  • Benjakitti Park et Benjakitti Forest Park

    Park

    Ratchadaphisek Road, Khlong Toei (MRT Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, BTS Asok)

    The centre's newest forest park: walkways over the marshes, a cycle track around the lake, views of the Sukhumvit towers. Ideal at sunset.

    Website Source

  • Chatuchak Park, Queen Sirikit Park et parc Wachirabenchathat

    Park

    Kamphaeng Phet et Phahonyothin Road, Chatuchak (BTS Mo Chit, MRT Chatuchak Park)

    Three adjoining parks to the north, with a long lake and its bridges, themed gardens and, right next door, the children's museum and the weekend market.

    Website Source

  • Suan Luang Rama IX

    Park

    Prawet, à l'est de Bangkok (MRT Suan Luang Rama IX, ligne jaune, à plus d'un kilomètre)

    The city's largest park, about 80 hectares opened in 1987 for King Bhumibol's 60th birthday: botanical gardens, a large lake, and a flower fair every December.

    Website Source

  • Bang Krachao et le parc Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan

    Park

    Phra Pradaeng, Samut Prakan, de l'autre côté du fleuve face à Khlong Toei

    Bangkok's green lung: bike rental, jungle and orchard landscapes, botanical park, and the option of renting a house or a tent for the night.

    Website Source

Go further

Children's museums and rainy days

Many museums are free for children, sometimes for everyone, and most are air-conditioned: the ideal answer to monsoon afternoons. From the children's museum in Chatuchak to the aquarium at Siam Paragon, here are the ones little ones really enjoy.

Good to know

  • The Children's Discovery Museum, in Queen Sirikit Park in Chatuchak, is free and open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm: born of a royal initiative completed in 2001, it is designed for toddlers and primary-school children. Source
  • The National Science Museum, in Pathum Thani north of the city, is free for under-18s and gathers a science museum, a natural history museum, a technology museum and the Rama IX museum; open Wednesday to Friday 9:30am to 3pm and weekends 9:30am to 5pm. Source
  • Jim Thompson House is visited only with a guide, available in French, daily from 10am to 5pm; entry is free for under-10s accompanied by an adult. Source
  • The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, at the Pathumwan intersection, is free and open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 9pm, with an art library, cafés and bookshops; every autumn it hosts the young audience shows of the Bangkok Theatre Festival. Source

Addresses

  • Children's Discovery Museum

    Museum

    Parc Queen Sirikit, Kamphaeng Phet 4 Road, Chatuchak (BTS Mo Chit, MRT Chatuchak Park)

    The city's children's museum, free, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm: water play, hands-on science, mini town, garden. Opposite Chatuchak market.

    Website Source

  • Museum Siam

    Museum

    4 Sanam Chai Road, Phra Nakhon (MRT Sanam Chai)

    An interactive museum that decodes 'Thainess' with humour, in a fine neoclassical building of old Bangkok; open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm, a stone's throw from Wat Pho.

    Website Source

  • Musée national de Bangkok

    Museum

    4 Na Phra That Road, Phra Nakhon, à côté de Sanam Luang

    The kingdom's treasures in the former viceroy's palace: royal funeral chariots, Buddhas, puppets and instruments. Large spaces and gardens to breathe between rooms.

    Website Source

  • Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall

    Museum

    100 Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, Phra Nakhon

    The history of old Bangkok in multimedia, free for children, Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 5pm. Some rooms are under renovation until spring 2027.

    Website Source

  • Centre scientifique pour l'éducation et planétarium de Bangkok

    Museum

    Sukhumvit Road, sortie BTS Ekkamai

    The historic 1964 planetarium with its 450-seat dome, 4K films and science exhibitions for children; closed on Mondays and public holidays, tickets online.

    Website Source

  • SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World

    Museum

    Siam Paragon, niveaux B1 et B2, Rama I Road (BTS Siam)

    The aquarium under the mall: underwater tunnel, sharks, Gentoo penguins, otters and commented feedings; open 10am to 8pm, last entry 7pm, child fare for ages 2 to 11.

    Website Source

  • Maison de Jim Thompson

    Museum

    6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama I Road (BTS National Stadium)

    Six traditional teak houses in a tropical garden, guided tour in French, free for under-10s; daily 10am to 5pm.

    Website Source

  • Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC)

    Museum

    939 Rama I Road, Pathum Wan (BTS National Stadium)

    Nine floors of free contemporary art, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 9pm, with an art library and workshops; children love the central spiral.

    Website Source

Go further

Libraries and the French médiathèque

The Alliance Française médiathèque is the heart of French reading in Bangkok; alongside it, Thailand's oldest English-language library tells stories to toddlers, and TK Park reinvents the library on the eighth floor of a shopping mall.

Good to know

  • The Alliance Française Médiathèque offers over 18,000 items in French and Thai, and, through Culturethèque, over 70,000 digital resources including 300 newspapers and magazines; borrowing is reserved for members and students, and children's activities are regularly organised there. Source
  • The Alliance Française left Sathorn for 179 Witthayu Road, in Lumphini: the médiathèque opens Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 7pm and Sunday 9am to 5pm; from MRT Lumphini (exit 1), a One Bangkok shuttle drops you 150 metres away. Source
  • The Neilson Hays Library, serving the community since 1869, is Thailand's oldest non-profit: storytime for toddlers, family reading programmes, craft workshops, in a neoclassical building in Bang Rak. Source
  • TK Park, on the eighth floor of CentralWorld, is a new-generation public library open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 8pm, with workshops and exhibitions for all ages and a children's book club. Source

Addresses

  • Médiathèque de l'Alliance Française de Bangkok

    Library

    179 Witthayu (Wireless) Road, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330 (MRT Lumphini)

    Picture books, comics, children's novels, DVDs and French press, Culturethèque for members, children's activities, French-Thai team; Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 7pm, Sunday 9am to 5pm.

    Website Source

  • Neilson Hays Library

    Library

    195 Surawong Road, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500

    Bangkok's historic English-language library: children's corner, toddler storytime, family events and a garden café; Tuesday to Sunday 9:30am to 5pm, annual membership.

    Website Source

  • TK Park (Thailand Knowledge Park)

    Library

    CentralWorld, 8e étage (Dazzle Zone), Pathum Wan (BTS Chit Lom ou Siam)

    A playful public library in the heart of the mall: children's corner, workshops, exhibitions, junior book club; Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 8pm.

    Website Source

  • Bibliothèque nationale de Thaïlande

    Library

    Samsen Road, Dusit, Bangkok 10300

    The country's great public library, in Dusit, for readers learning Thai and for exhibitions; closed on public holidays.

    Website Source

Go further

Activities, workshops and camps in French

Keeping French alive when school is international, or finding French-speaking friends on Saturdays: the Alliance Française, the French-language theatre and Bangkok Accueil take care of it, with French holiday camps every break.

Good to know

  • The Alliance Française de Bangkok offers French classes for children aged 3 to 7, pre-teens aged 8 to 11 and teenagers aged 12 to 15, as a foreign language as well as a mother tongue, plus art classes for children. Source
  • Its holiday camps take 3 to 11-year-olds: French with native teachers in the morning, dance, crafts, painting and games in the afternoon, with a theme each week, an auditorium for screenings and the Alliance's French restaurant for lunch. Source
  • The Théâtre des Invités has kept French-language theatre alive in Bangkok for over seven years, with workshops for all ages and regular shows subtitled in English, in partnership with the Alliance Française and the LFIB. Source
  • The Bangkok Theatre Festival, from 14 to 29 November 2026, programmes over a hundred shows including performances for children and families, some free, at the BACC, TK Park and small venues around Siam Square. Source

Addresses

  • Alliance Française de Bangkok, cours et camps pour enfants

    Activity

    179 Witthayu (Wireless) Road, Lumphini, Pathum Wan (MRT Lumphini)

    French classes from age 3, art classes, the Pass Enfant Langue Française, holiday camps for 3 to 11-year-olds at every school break, dance studio and auditorium.

    Website Source

  • Théâtre des Invités (TDI)

    Activity

    Ateliers à l'Alliance Française et au Lycée français international de Bangkok

    Bangkok's French-speaking troupe: drama workshops for children, teenagers and adults, shows mixing young and old, theatre, magic, dance and music.

    Website Source

  • Bangkok Accueil, activités et grands événements

    Activity

    Dans toute la ville, selon le calendrier des adhérents

    Regular activities, family discovery outings, a francophonie group and six big events a year, including the back-to-school welcome, the Christmas market in December and the galette in January.

    Website Source

  • La Petite École, activités extrascolaires et camps

    Activity

    27/5 Soi Yen Akat 2, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120

    The accredited bilingual preschool in Yen Akat opens its after-school activities, childcare and holiday camps to 2 to 6-year-olds, in a villa with garden and pool.

    Website Source

  • Bangkok Theatre Festival

    Activity

    BACC, TK Park et Siam Square (BTS National Stadium ou Siam)

    Every November, three weekends of theatre including young audience shows and free performances; 2026 edition from 14 to 29 November.

    Website Source

Go further

Through the seasons and festivities

Three seasons set the year's rhythm: the cool one from November to February, the best for outings, the hot one from March to May, and the rains from June to October. Thai festivals are lived in the street, from the water of Songkran to the lights of Loy Krathong.

Good to know

  • The hot season, from March to May, can push the thermometer up to 40 degrees in Bangkok; the rainy season, from June to October, has its heaviest downpours in September; the cool season, from November to February, is the most pleasant for parks and getaways. Source
  • The air pollution season runs from late January to April, the dry season when field and forest burning adds to traffic: families watch the index on an app such as IQAir, bring out masks on bad days and fit bedrooms with purifiers. Source
  • Songkran, the Thai New Year, is celebrated from 13 to 15 April with huge water fights; Loy Krathong, the festival of lights, falls on the November full moon (25 November in 2026); Chinese New Year lasts three days; Mother's Day (12 August) and Father's Day (5 December) are public holidays when people dress in blue, then yellow. Source
  • National Children's Day, on the second Saturday of January, gives under-14s free rides on the MRT, BTS and BRT, and opens the doors of Government House, Parliament, army camps and air bases: a day of celebration for the whole city. Source

Addresses

  • Loy Krathong aux parcs Benjakitti, Lumphini et Benjasiri

    Activity

    Benjakitti Park (MRT Queen Sirikit), Lumphini Park et Benjasiri Park (BTS Phrom Phong), pleine lune de novembre

    Families float a little raft of banana leaves, flowers and a candle; the central parks and the Chao Phraya piers (Asiatique, Phra Athit) are the most popular spots.

    Website Source

  • Journée nationale des enfants (Wan Dek)

    Activity

    Dans toute la ville, le deuxième samedi de janvier

    Free transport for children, zoos and public buildings open, the Prime Minister's office to visit, aircraft to touch on air bases: Thais go out as families.

    Website Source

  • Songkran, le Nouvel An thaï

    Activity

    Dans tous les quartiers, du 13 au 15 avril

    Three days of water fights in the street, at the hottest time of the year: water pistols, spare clothes and phone in a waterproof pouch; the embassy and schools are closed.

    Website Source

  • Nouvel An chinois à Yaowarat (Chinatown)

    Activity

    Yaowarat Road, Samphanthawong (MRT Wat Mangkon), en janvier ou février

    Dragon dances, red lanterns and street food in Chinatown; very busy, come early and avoid the pushchair in the alleys.

    Website Source

  • Marché de Noël et galette de Bangkok Accueil

    Activity

    Lieu annoncé aux adhérents, en décembre puis en janvier

    Christmas for Bangkok's French-speaking families: Christmas market in December, galette des rois in January, back-to-school welcome in September; for members and their guests.

    Website Source

  • Fête des fleurs de Suan Luang Rama IX

    Activity

    Suan Luang Rama IX, Prawet, chaque décembre

    Bangkok's largest park is covered in flowers for King Bhumibol's birthday, in early December, during the cool season: flower beds, lanterns and picnics.

    Website Source

Go further

Trips one, two or three hours away

The BTS reaches the giant museums of Samut Prakan in under an hour, the train the ancient capital, and the road the waterfalls of Kanchanaburi or the jungle of Khao Yai. The sea, at Hua Hin or Pattaya, takes half a day's drive: you go for the whole weekend.

Good to know

  • The Ancient City (Muang Boran), the world's largest open-air museum with its replicas of monuments from across the kingdom, is reached in 45 minutes by BTS from Siam to Kheha, then a short shuttle; open daily 9am to 7pm, child fare for ages 6 to 14. Source
  • Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam, is a day trip: ruined temples of the historical park run by the Fine Arts Department, bike tours between the stupas and a boat around the island; Bangkok Accueil makes it one of its classic outings. Source
  • Khao Yai, the national park north-east of Bangkok, is in 2026 the Thai destination whose popularity is rising fastest among Thais themselves: waterfalls, wild elephants, farms and fresh air, two to three hours' drive away. Source
  • Kanchanaburi, to the west, combines Erawan National Park and its seven-tier waterfalls where you swim, the bridge on the River Kwai and the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, which tells older children the story of the 415 km of track built during the war. Source

Addresses

  • Ancient City (Muang Boran)

    296/1 Moo 7, Sukhumvit Road, Bang Pu Mai, Samut Prakan 10280 (BTS Kheha puis navette)

    The kingdom in miniature over 800 rai: reconstructed temples, palaces and floating markets, explored by bike or buggy; daily 9am to 7pm, ticket office until 6pm.

    Website Source

  • Musée Erawan

    99/9 Moo 1, Bang Mueang Mai, Samut Prakan 10270 (BTS Chang Erawan, sortie 2)

    The giant bronze three-headed elephant, visited from inside over three levels, in a tropical garden; daily 9am to 6pm, ticket office until 5pm.

    Website Source

  • Parc historique d'Ayutthaya

    196 Moo 4, Khlong Tho Road, Pratu Chai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (train depuis Bangkok)

    The UNESCO-listed ancient capital, an hour and a half away: brick temples, Buddha heads, bikes and boats around the island. Best in the cool season, early morning.

    Website Source

  • Musée national des sciences (Technopolis)

    39 Moo 3, Khlong 5, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120

    Four museums in one north of Bangkok, free for under-18s: science, natural history, technology and the Rama IX museum; Wednesday to Friday 9:30am to 3pm, weekends 9:30am to 5pm.

    Website Source

  • Dream World

    62 Moo 1, Rangsit-Ongkharak Road (km 7), Bueng Yi Tho, Pathum Thani 12130

    The classic amusement park of Bangkok families, north of the city: rides, roller coasters, shows and a snow town that is great fun in the tropics.

    Website Source

  • Kanchanaburi : cascades d'Erawan et musée du chemin de fer

    Kanchanaburi, à l'ouest de Bangkok (musée face au cimetière de guerre)

    Swimming at the foot of Erawan's seven tiers of waterfalls, the bridge on the River Kwai and the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre, an air-conditioned, educational museum; two to three hours' drive, ideal over two days.

    Website Source

  • Parc national de Khao Yai

    Nakhon Ratchasima et Prachinburi, au nord-est de Bangkok

    Jungle two to three hours' drive away: Haew Suwat and Haew Narok waterfalls, deer and wild elephants, farms and family resorts at the foot of the park.

    Website Source

  • Marché flottant d'Amphawa

    Amphawa, Samut Songkhram, à l'ouest de Bangkok (le week-end)

    Bangkok families' favourite floating market, at weekends: noodles cooked on the boats, a ride along the khlongs and fireflies after dark. Leave very early in the morning.

    Website Source

Go further

A place has closed, something has changed? Tell us: the mums of Bangkok will thank you.

Sources for this page

The public pages these landmarks come from. The official website always prevails.

  1. 1 Alliance Française de Bangkok, médiathèque et accès
  2. 2 Bangkok Accueil, visites, marchés et activités familiales
  3. 3 Jim Thompson House Museum
  4. 4 National Science Museum Thailand, tarifs
  5. 5 Toute la Thaïlande, fêtes et jours fériés
  6. 6 lepetitjournal.com Thaïlande, Bangkok Theatre Festival 2026
  7. 7 Wikipédia, Lumphini Park
  8. 8 Ancient City (Muang Boran), billetterie et horaires

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