15 Best Things to Do in Phuket with Kids
A family trip to Thailand is different from a regular beach vacation, even if you’ve been to Thailand. Introducing your children to a new culture, like its cuisine, temples, and tuk-tuks, is an experience they’ll never forget. Phuket is ideal for families, offering both exciting attractions and useful services such as English-speaking guides and trustworthy transport.
Thailand's largest island offers calm swimming beaches, ethical animal encounters, world-class water parks, and cultural experiences that educate and excite younger travelers.
Here are the 15 essential things to do in Phuket with kids.
A family trip to Thailand is different from a regular beach vacation, even if you’ve been to Thailand. Introducing your children to a new culture, like its cuisine, temples, and tuk-tuks, is an experience they’ll never forget. Phuket is ideal for families, offering both exciting attractions and useful services such as English-speaking guides and trustworthy transport.
Thailand's largest island offers calm swimming beaches, ethical animal encounters, world-class water parks, and cultural experiences that educate and excite younger travelers.
Here are the 15 essential things to do in Phuket with kids.
2. Andamanda Water Park
When looking for what to do in Phuket with kids on a hot day, Andamanda Water Park is a top choice. Thailand's largest water park features 32 slides across five zones. The Great Naga plunges seven stories while the Kinaree lazy river keeps younger kids entertained. Located in Kathu 20 minutes from Karon Beach. Tickets: 1,800 THB adults, 1,200 THB children. Arrive at 10am opening to beat crowds.
3. Carnival Magic
Evening entertainment featuring the world's largest indoor parade with 40+ million LED lights, dancers, and floats celebrating Thai cultural heritage. The park includes carnival games with Thai themes, restaurants serving regional cuisine, and bird shows featuring trained macaws. Located in Kamala 25 minutes from Karon Beach, shows run nightly starting at 5:30pm. The main parade typically begins around 8pm and lasts 45 minutes.
4. Aquaria Phuket
Over 25,000 marine creatures across eight zones make this one of the most popular Phuket kids activities for rainy days. Explore on your own and let your kids enjoy interactive exhibits (under staff supervision). Located inside Central Phuket mall in the Floresta area, it's open daily from 10am-7pm with last admission one hour before closing.
5. Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve
Rescued elephants roam forested areas at this ethical elephant sanctuary in Chalong, where families observe natural behaviors, help prepare food, and walk alongside them through the jungle. This is one of those things to do in Phuket with kids that creates meaningful connections beyond typical tourist activities. Located about 30 minutes from Karon Beach, half-day programs run 3-4 hours. Advanced booking required.
This facility operates two cable wakeboarding systems, a beginner oval and advanced course with jumps and rails. Professional instructors provide English lessons starting with land-based training before hitting the water. Suitable for children over 6, and parents can watch from the restaurant and viewing deck. Located near Kathu about 20 minutes from Karon Beach, open daily 10am-6pm with full equipment rental included.
7. Old Phuket Town & Sunday Market
Sino-Portuguese architecture painted in pastels creates a photogenic backdrop for family exploration. The Sunday night market (Lard Yai Walking Street) on Thalang Road runs from 4pm-10pm, with food vendors, handicraft stalls, and live performances featuring traditional dancers and musicians. About 25 minutes from Karon Beach, Old Town is a must-see place to visit in Phuket with your family that blends culture with accessibility. Try roti pancakes, grilled squid, mango sticky rice, and fresh coconut ice cream.
8. Catching Waves at Nai Harn Beach
Nai Harn Beach, on Phuket's southern tip, offers excellent body surfing and surf lessons, particularly May-October when waves pick up consistently. Several surf schools operate along the beach offering lessons for children 6+ with experienced instructors and proper safety equipment. Between sessions, numerous beachfront restaurants serve fresh seafood and Thai classics. About 30 minutes from Karon Beach.
9. Island Hopping Adventures
Island hopping always ranks among the top Phuket kids activities.
Phi Phi Islands feature Maya Bay (now with limited daily visitor numbers) and are home to snorkeling stops where colorful fish swarm. About two hours each way by speedboat.
James Bond Island (Khao Phing Kan) showcases dramatic limestone cliffs jutting from emerald water in Phang Nga Bay. Tours often include kayaking through sea caves and mangrove forests, with calmer bay waters better for families prone to seasickness.
Khai Islands are just 15-20 minutes away and have crystal-clear shallow water ideal for beginning snorkelers, making them perfect for trips with younger children. Tours typically include hotel pickup, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and insurance.
10. Dino Park Mini Golf
Dino Park turns miniature golf into a Jurassic adventure across 18 holes with caves, waterfalls, and life-size dinosaur statues. Animatronic dinosaurs move and roar throughout the jungle setting, adding excitement to each putt. Located in Kata just 10 minutes from Karon Beach, open daily 10am-11pm with clubs and balls provided. The later you visit, the more dramatic the lighting becomes.
11. Family Spa Time
Many spas across Phuket offer family packages where parents and kids receive treatments simultaneously in shared rooms, creating a bonding experience. Child-friendly treatments typically last 30-45 minutes rather than the standard 60-90 minutes for adults, with therapists using lighter pressure and playful elements. Parental supervision is required. This works best as a midday activity during the hottest hours when outdoor activities lose their appeal.
12. Splash Jungle Water Park
For a more manageable water park experience, Splash Jungle provides a smaller-scale alternative to Andamanda. The park features slides, a 335-meter lazy river, and a wave pool with varying intensities. The compact layout makes supervising multiple children easier than at larger facilities. Located in Thalang near the airport approximately 40 minutes from Karon Beach, open daily 10am-6pm.
13. Thai Cooking Classes
Family-friendly Thai cooking classes teach both kids and adults to prepare classics like pad thai, green curry, and mango sticky rice. Many programs begin with market tours where families learn about Thai ingredients, spices, and produce selection, while others have kid-specific programs that adapt recipes to less spicy versions. Classes typically run 2-4 hours with many offering hotel pickup. Minimum ages typically start around 6-8 years old depending on the school.
14. Upside Down House & Trick Eye Museum
The Upside Down House flips gravity on its head. Kids delight in creating hilarious photos that challenge perception. Similarly, the Trick Eye Museum features 3D interactive art where families become part of the paintings. Pose with dinosaurs, appear to hang off cliffs, or "swim" with sharks through clever forced perspective. These attractions work perfectly as alternatives when figuring out what to do in Phuket with kids during rainy weather. Located in Phuket Town about 30 minutes from Karon Beach. Allow 30-45 minutes per attraction.
15. Adventure Activities for Older Kids
If you’re traveling with older children, try these adventure-based kids activities in Phuket.
Hanuman World is home to zipline courses and sky bridges throughout a jungle canopy, with multiple route options accommodating different skill and confidence levels—the longest zipline stretches 400 meters. Located in Kathu about 25 minutes from Karon Beach.
Go-karting venues are scattered across Phuket, with facilities in Patong and Kathu offering both junior and adult karts.
Phuket Bird Park houses hundreds of exotic birds that fly freely overhead. Scheduled feeding sessions let visitors interact with macaws, hornbills, and cockatoos. Located in Chalong, the park also includes playground areas and a restaurant, making it suitable for half-day visits with younger children.
Thavorn Palm Beach - Your Base for Phuket Kids Activities
After cataloging these Phuket kids activities, your choice of accommodation will determine whether your vacation succeeds or becomes a logistical nightmare. Look no further than Thavorn Palm Beach Resort, sitting directly on Karon Beach with immediate beach access and with every attraction within 5-40 minutes. Our resort features eleven room types and eight dining venues, plus a concierge to handle tour bookings, taxi arrangements, and activity reservations.
Our four-storey water slides and four distinct pools (Blue Heaven with slides, Lagoon Beach at beachfront, Paradise with ocean views, Chaba with swim-up bar) provide variety while the 12-acre botanical garden invites exploration. Add in the beachfront petting zoo and there are tons of onsite activities for everyone to enjoy.
Your family's dream Phuket vacation starts with the right Phuket family hotel. When researching family holiday deals in Phuket, the best value comes from accommodations functioning both as a destination and a launch point for adventure.























































































