Time for a beach holiday!! But, oh wait, how do you keep the kids, with their neverending supply of energy, happy? Luckily, Phuket is as family-friendly a location as they come! You can hardly turn a corner without finding something great for the little ones. So that you can plan, we’ve put together our complete guide on family-friendly activities in Phuket – from action-packed adventure to rainy-day outings – that both you and your minis will adore.
What to do with the kids in Phuket
Get their Adrenaline Pumping
#1 Splash around at Splash Jungle Water Park
On Mai Khao Beach, the Splash Jungle Water Park covers 6,400 m² of land and has a series of exhilarating rides and slides, like the Boomerango, which slingshots you and your inner tube up and down a vertical wall. The water park has a 335-metre-long ‘lazy river’, a six-level wave pool and children’s aqua-play pool. There are also plenty of gentle slides and pools for toddlers to enjoy!
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 – 17:45
Address: Centara Grand West Sands Resort, 65 Moo 4, Mai Kao Soi 4
Phone: +66 (0)7 637 2111
Website: https://splashjungle.com
#2 Learn to surf on a FlowRider
If the surf is on your kids’ minds, stop by Surf House. The surf-themed location features a FlowRider surf machine that allows you to surf on a beautifully consistent sheet wave. While the kids are in lessons, you can grab some food and a drink at the adjacent bar and restaurant.
Minimum Age: 6 years old
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 – 22:00
Address: 177 Soi Khoktanod, Tambon Karon, Kata Beach and 162/6-7 Taweewong Rd, Patong Beach
Phone: +66 (0)81 979 7737 for the Kata Beach location
+66 (0)88 156 1555 for the Patong Beach location
Website: https://surfhousephuket.com/
#3 Go Wakeboarding with the whole crew
Let the kids feel the wind in their hair and the water at their feet, while you cling to the pulley for dear life. Enjoy wakeboarding with a cable at either of Phuket’s wakeboarding parks (wakeboarding with a cable is way easier than getting pulled along by a boat). And since the parks are on a closed course, you know they won’t be able to run off!
Anthem Wake Park
Minimum Age: 8 years old. Must be able to swim.
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 18:30 (Closed Mondays)
Address: 194/6 Moo 7, Sri -sunthorn Road, Cherng Talay, near Bang Tao
Phone: +66 (0)7 662 0034
Website: https://www.anthemwakepark.com/
Phuket Wake Park
Minimum Age: 6 years with parents. Must be able to swim.
Opening Hours: Daily, 09:00 – 18:30
Address: 86/3 Moo 6 Vichitsongkram Road, Kathu
Phone: +66 (0)89 873 0187
Website: http://phuketwakepark.com
#4 Practice the Flying Trapeze at KidzSole
Give your little ones the opportunity to learn to fly on a flying trapeze. On KidzSole’s smaller version of the circus apparatus, and in a harness instead of just dangling from a bar, kids can learn the basics of the trapeze and begin swinging back and forth.
In addition to the trapeze, KidzSole also has a 40-piece obstacle course with trampolines, vaulting horses, human hamster balls, and more.
Minimum Age: 4 years old
Opening Hours: Daily, 11:00 – 18:00
Address: Micky Monkey Beach, Mai Khoa
Phone: +66 (0)93 761 6777
Website: https://www.facebook.com/KidzSole/
#5 ZipLine through the beautiful rainforest with Flying Hanuman
By ziplining, not only will you get to glide around the treetops, but you’ll get to enjoy Phuket’s abundant natural beauty as the hills here are thick with forest.
Flying Hanuman is an eco-friendly adventure too! The zipline site was almost entirely unaffected by the construction, and the team behind the adventure worked hard to ensure their course didn’t harm the trees or species living in the area.
Minimum Age: 4 years old
Opening Hours: Daily, 08:00 – 17:00
Address: 89/16 Moo 6, Soi Namtok, Kathu
Phone: +66 (0)7 632 3264
Website: https://flyinghanuman.com/
#6 Go Zorbing Down a Hill at Rollerball
On the hills overlooking Kalim Beach, crawl into a soft plastic ball (zorb) and roll on down a 190-metre-long track. The rush of the ball rolling about could make anyone break into a fit of giggles. Rollerball has two tracks – one that goes straight downhill and another that twists and bends.
The zorbs are filled with 40 litres of water to help you more gently descend (the water reduces the friction between you and the plastic), so make sure to bring swimwear and towels!
Minimum Age: 6 years
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 – 18:00 (Book online)
Address: Kalim Bay View, Soi 7, Kalim, Patong
Phone: +66 (0)89 872 6532
Website: http://rollerball.co/index.html
#7 Fulfil their need for speed at the Patong Go-Kart Speedway
Let your speed racers behind the wheel of one of the Kid Karts (up to 40km/h) while you settle into your 200cc Adult Kart that goes up to 60 km/h and somehow still lose to them as you go round and round the 750-metre-long track.
And so you know, safety is the track’s primary concern. Staff members are trained to be highly vigilant, they explain clearly what to do and what not to do, and they work hard to make sure the race track is always in tip-top shape.
Minimum Age: 8 years old and at least 1.25 metres tall
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 19:00
Address: 118/5 Vichitsongkram Rd. M.7 Kathu
Phone: +66 (0)7 632 1949
Website: http://www.gokartthailand.com/
#8 ATV around the island
This might be far from the first thing that pops into your mind when you think of family-friendly fun in Phuket, but trust us, your kids will LOVE it. It fulfils their need for speed and those instincts that say they must be covered in mud at all times and, well, it gets them outside and experiencing new and beautiful things.
Minimum Age: Typically, kids over ten can ride their own bike, and those over four can ride as a passenger with you.
Other information: There are several ATV tour providers around Phuket. You can go through the mangroves for a bit of a daredevil experience or head up to the Big Buddha for something a little more cultural.
Enjoy the Natural World
#9 Go on a Snorkeling Trip
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With crystal-clear azure waters, Phuket has some fantastic places just off of its beaches to take the kids snorkelling. Find Nemo and discover all sorts of fish and corals, and realise that mermaids are real!
There is a wide range of providers like Andaman Leisure Phuket that can get you to neighbouring islands and out on the water.
Minimum Age: Must be able to swim
Where: Some of the best beaches for snorkelling in Phuket include Ao Sane, Kata Noi, Paradise Beach, Ya Nui and Laem Ka Beach.
Read also: Into The Blue: The 20 Best Dive Sites in Asia
#10 Take a Hike to a Waterfall
You and your kids will love stretching your legs and finding your way to one of the island’s many waterfalls. Some even have shallow pools that they can go for a swim in.
Where: Some of our favourite spots include Bang Pae Waterfall in Khao Phra Thaeo National Park and Kathu Waterfall near the Loch Palm golf course.
For more hiking routes, head to our article on 8 Phuket hiking trails for nature lovers.
#11 Our go-to favourite: Island hopping!
You’re in Phuket; you’re surrounded by clear waters and some of the most extraordinary island formations you’ll ever find – you must go island hopping. Charter a boat and head out to Phang Nga Bay (where you’ll find James Bond Island), the Phi Phi Islands and more.
Where: Wherever your boat and imagination can take you.
Explore the Animal Kingdom
#12 Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
The first and only ethical elephant sanctuary in Phuket, the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is a home for rescued elephants who would have previously suffered in the logging and tourism industries. At the sanctuary, these majestic creatures can roam, bathe and socialise on their own terms. Here, you can feed them pineapples and bananas, and watch them as they enjoy their freedom.
Opening Hours: Daily, 09:30 – 13:00 or 13:30 – 17:00. All visits must be booked in advance.
Address: 100, Moo 2, Paklok, Thalang, Chang Wat
Phone: +66 (0)76 529 099
Website: https://www.phuketelephantsanctuary.org/en/
Read also: World Elephant Day: 5 reasons to visit an ethical elephant sanctuary
#13 Meet the Gibbons of the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project
To see and learn about Gibbons and their environment, it’s worth taking the whole family to visit the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project. The project works to rescue, rehabilitate and release gibbons back into the jungle. Only the gibbons that cannot be released, for a variety of reasons, are available to be viewed by visitors. This makes it a great way for kids to get to know these animals while keeping the gibbons that can be released away from human contact and ensuring they can survive in the wild.
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 16:30 Sunday – Friday or 09:00 – 15:00 on Saturdays
Address: 104/3 Moo 3 Paklock, Talang
Phone: +66 (0)88 590 9714
Website: https://www.gibbonproject.org
#14 Join the flock at the Phuket Bird Park
Set on 12 acres of land, Phuket Bird Park is home to thousands of birds across 100 different species from around the world. The park is beautifully laid out with lots of exotic flora on its hillside perch to best mimic the birds’ natural habitat. The kiddos will love interacting with some of the birds and checking out the bird shows!
Opening Hours: Daily, 09:00 – 17:00 with shows at 10:30, 13:30, 15:30
Address: 6/2 Moo 3, Chaofa West Road, near Wat Chalong
Phone: +66 (0)7 636 7576
Website: http://www.phuketbirdpark.com/
#15 Learn about the local aquatic life at Phuket Aquarium
Been out snorkelling and the kids are now trying to know more about all the fish they saw? If so, the Phuket Aquarium is home to all sorts of local species from the lakes and rivers of Thailand, as well as the Andaman Sea.
Opening Hours: Daily, 08:30 – 16:30
Address: 51 Moo 8 Sakdidet Road, Mueang, Cape Panwa
Phone: +66 (0)7 639 1126
Website: https://phuketaquarium.org/
#16 Go for a pony ride on the beach
We don’t know many kids who don’t love horses, so surprise your mini with a day to remember and take them horseback riding. On their mighty steed (pony), they can triumphantly ride (with guide) through the jungles and beaches of Phuket.
Phuket Riding Club
Opening Hours: On request, tours must be organised in advance
Address: 60/9 Thepkasattri Road, Maikhao, Thalang
Phone: +66 (0)81 787 2455
Website: http://phuketridingclub.com/index.html
Phuket International Horse Club
Minimum Age: 3 years old
Opening Hours: On request, tours must be organised in advance
Address: Bandon-Cherngtalay Rd, Thalang Amphoe Thalang
Phone: +66 (0)81 797 0710
Website: http://phuketridingclub.com/index.html
Fun-Filled Rainy Day Activities
#17 Deceive the senses at The Phuket Trickeye Museum
The Phuket Trickeye 3D Museum will give the kids plenty of opportunities to stimulate their creative minds. The interactive painting exhibition offers the chance to engage and interact with about 100 modern art installations. They get to become part of the artwork!
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 19:00
Address: 130/1 Phang Nga Road, Taladyai, Muang
Phone: +66 (0)7 621 2806, +66 (0)90 065 8822
Website: http://phukettrickeyemuseum.com/
#18 Go Topsey-Turvy at The Upside Down House
For more hilarious photo opportunities, head to Baan Teelanka, which features an upside-down house. All of the furnishings are on the roof instead of the floor too! There’s also a garden maze and an escape room.
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 – 18:00
Address: 51/11 Bypass Road, Phuket Town
Phone: +66 (0)7 637 6245
Website: https://upsidedownhouse-phuket.com/
Drop them off and Have a Couples Day
#19 Explore the Kids Planet at Blue Tree Phuket
Set on 56 acres of land, Blue Tree is a massive entertainment destination with a range of facilities like a lifestyle retail mall, 17 restaurants, enormous human-made freshwater lagoon with water activities, beach club, fitness centre and yoga retreat.
It’s an excellent place for you to spend the day with the kids, but also a great place for you to relax and do your own thing. Blue Tree has a kids club, Kid Planet, where you can drop the kids off with their team of professional childcarers, while you get a well-deserved massage or try out Blue Tree’s fully equipped gymnastics area.
Address: 4/2 Moo 1, Srisoonthorn Rd., T.Cherngtalay, A.Thalang
Phone: +66 (0)7 660 2435
Website: bluetree.fun
#20 Play the day away at Catch Junior Beach Club
Catch Junior is full of kids activities, and your little ones will be begging you to come back again and again. There’s a pool for with slide for older kids to enjoy while toddlers have their own shallow pool. Kids can build skills like balance and dexterity by playing on the slack rope, climbing on the spider line, or making their way up a rock wall. If they’d rather just bounce about, there’s a huge floating jumping pillow too. And for the up and coming rock star, they can get DJ lessons!
Catch has child-minders on staff, so you can retreat for a little while and get some well-deserved R&R.
Opening Hours: Daily, 9:00 – 19:00
Address: Catch Beach Club, 202/88, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand
Phone: +66 (0)91 165 0235
Website: https://www.catchjunior.com/
Read also: Cara G McIlroy tells us how to do Phuket with an infant
#21 Let them be kids at The Kids Club Phuket
If you want good, wholesome fun for your kids in an environment that is super safe and held to rigorous standards of cleanliness while you go about your day, drop the kids off at the Phuket Kids Club. The club has tons of slides, crawl tubes, and swings with the bonus of a trampoline, ball pit, flying fox ride and indoor soccer pitch, perfect for extracting all your kids’ energy.
Seven full-time nannies watch the kids, and they can’t leave until a recognised guardian collects them, so you know they’ll be ok.
Minimum Age: One, but most activities are designed for those over the age of 5.
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 – 21:00
Address: 152/1 Thawewong Rd, Tambon Patong, Amphoe Kathu, Chang Wat – The Kee Resort
Phone: +66 (0)85 578 2114
Website: https://www.facebook.com/thekidsclubphuket/
What are you doing with the kids?
