Bangkok’s riverside and Old Town areas offer families a slower, more meaningful way to explore the Thai capital city.
From riverside parks and museums to ferry rides and cultural landmarks. Here’s how to enjoy IconSiam, the Chao Phraya River, and Old Town with kids.
Why Families Love the Riverside & Old Town Area
Bangkok’s riverside and Old Town neighbourhoods feel worlds away from the city’s shopping malls and traffic-heavy streets. Life here moves at a gentler pace, shaped by the Chao Phraya River, historic temples, museums, and leafy pockets of green.
For families, this part of Bangkok offers something increasingly rare: space to walk, places to explore together, and activities that don’t revolve around screens. It’s especially popular for weekend outings, school holidays, and slow afternoons with curious kids.
Getting Around IconSiam, Riverside & Old Town with Kids
This riverside area offers a slower, more scenic way to move around Bangkok and it can be surprisingly family-friendly with a bit of planning.
- BTS Gold Line connects Krung Thon Buri to IconSiam, making mall access easy without a car
- River ferries and cross-river boats are a fun, practical way to travel and double as a mini sightseeing experience for kids
- Taxis and ride-hailing apps (Grab, Bolt) are widely available, especially around IconSiam and main roads
- Walking is enjoyable along riverside paths, but distances can be longer between Old Town landmarks
- Strollers work well inside IconSiam and riverfront areas, though pavements in Old Town can be uneven and narrow
Everyday Family Essentials in IconSiam, Riverside & Old Town Bangkok
- Restrooms & baby-changing facilities: Easily accessible at IconSiam
- Public transport: BTS Gold Line, river ferries, and nearby MRT connections
- Clinics & hospitals: Major hospitals are within short driving distance
What Parents Should Know Before Visiting IconSiam, Riverside & Old Town Bangkok
- Heat & walking: Bring hats, water, and plan indoor breaks
- Crowds: Weekends and holidays can be busy, especially at IconSiam
- Strollers: Mostly stroller-friendly, but Old Town pavements can be uneven
Who This Area is Best For
- Families with toddlers and school-age kids
- Parents looking for cultural, offline activities
- Weekend explorers rather than daily routines
- Families who enjoy walking, museums, and riverside views
Things to Do with Kids in IconSiam, Riverside & Old Town Bangkok
HarborLand
What’s a better way to tire out the little ones so they’ll happily crash into their afternoon nap? HarborLand is a mega indoor playground that feels like a kiddo paradise and a fun thing to do in Bangkok. Think towering slides, bouncy trampolines, climbing zones, and soft play areas for the tiniest tots who are just learning to crawl, climb, and explore. It’s not just about play, it’s about letting them run, jump, and zoom around. HarborLand is the ultimate spot to burn energy, spark imaginations, and make sure the kids are happy, tired, and smiling by the end of the day.
Best for: Kids that need to burn that sugar rush off
Where: Located in various locations in Bangkok, you can drop the kids off at any HarborLand in malls like One Bangkok, IconSiam, EmQuartier and more, just visit their website: www.harborlandgroup.com for all the branch information.
How much: Various based on branch, ranging from B180–760 for three hours
Opening hours: Daily 10:30am–8pm
HarborLand Instagram HarborLand Facebook
Read more: Best Indoor Playgrounds for Kids in Bangkok
Bounce
Bounce is classic and pretty much every kid gets excited when they hear the word, “Bounce”. This is the perfect thing to do in Bangkok for kids who love being active. This mega trampoline, wall-to-wall chaos (the good kind) comes with giant jump zones, dodgeball courts, slam-drunk hoops, parkour-style runs, and those big air bags perfect for practicing the ultimate epic flips they definitely shouldn’t try at home. The little kids get their own safety play areas here, while the bigger kids can go wild across the freestyle floor. This indoor play space will definitely make them giggle and guaranteed to knock them out for the night.
Best for: Kids that need to burn that sugar rush off
Where: There are many branches all over Bangkok but EmQuartier, The Street Ratchada and IconSiam are usually people’s fav.
How much: Day passes vary by location and time, ranging from B250-1,500.
Opening hours: Weekdays 11am–8pm; weekends 10am–8pm
Bounce Instagram Bounce Facebook
Canal boat ride in Thonburi
Taking a canal boat ride in Bangkok may sound like a touristy thing to do in Bangkok, but there’s a hidden cafe, Uruea Cafe which runs its own private canal boat. So you skip the pricey long-tail rentals and hop straight into “main-character mode” as you glide through Bangkok’s quiet, old-school waterways. Once you’re across the river in Thonburi, the vibe in Bangkok totally changes: calmer, greener, slower. Think wooden houses on stilts, sleepy canals, and cats sunbathing on porches. From the canal boat, you’ll get a front-row seat view of the big buddha at Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen and the boat will drop you off at the entrance so you can wander around, pay respect and immerse yourself in the beautiful architecture. Talat Phu, the Bangkok famous food market is also nearby, so if you get hungry after a day of doing kids-friendly activities in Bangkok, there’s where you need to be.
Best for: Adventurous kids who love exploring
Where: Uruea Cafe, Bangkok. Call: 061-363-6646
How much: B20 baht entry fee that will be redeemed at the cafe; B150 per person for their canal boat ride.
Opening hours: Daily 10am–7pm
Uruea Cafe Instagram Uruea Cafe Facebook
Read more: Best Things to Do in Bangkok with Kids
Chinatown Night Market
Also known as Yaowarat Road. This famous Bangkok street turns into a lively open-air food playground every evening. The main road and its tiny lanes light up with sizzling street stalls, bright signs and tasty aromas that make kiddos wide-eyed with excitement. They can munch on Thai-Chinese treats such as rolled noodles soup with crispy pork, oyster omelettes, fish maw soup and shaved ice. While Yaowarat Road is the busiest part, you can also turn a walk through the smaller alleys into a little treasure hunt, with hidden temples, traditional medicine shops and quirky snack stalls along the way. While the street is open every day, lots of stalls rest on Mondays, so popping by on another day will give you the full experience. Also, if you know where to look, you’ll find plenty of high-end cocktail bars hidden in the area.
Best for: Curious kids with big energy
Where: 5 minutes walk from MRT Wat Mangkon, Bangkok
How much: Starting at B100 for a meal
Opening hours: Daily 4pm–2am
Read more: Best Flea Markets to Visit in Bangkok
Ong Ang Walking Street
A breezy evening walk is always good for getting kids to take a break from screen time. This flea market stretches along a clean canal lined with colourful street art. As the sun sets, lanterns and fairy lights glow over the water. Set between Chinatown and Little India in Bangkok, you can explore your appetite in Thai, Chinese and Indian street food such as dumplings, skewers, pani puri and sweet treats. Stalls also sell toys, handmade items and souvenirs, while live music and street performances fill the air. You and your kids can even try kayaking or paddleboarding along the waterway.
Best for: Kids who love outdoor fun
Where: Bangkok Old Town, 10 minutes walk from MRT Sam Yot, Bangkok
How much: Starting at B70 for a meal
Opening hours: Fri–Sun 4pm–10pm
Sampheng Market
If your little ones are always losing their stationery, a trip to Sampheng Market is an easy fix. This wholesale market is packed with budget-friendly things kids love, including toys, gifts, dolls, accessories and all kinds of school essentials to choose from. You can also find fun party costumes for holidays and special events. Food stalls and simple street snacks are scattered throughout. Just a heads-up: for the best prices, it’s better to buy in bulk.
Best for: Crafty kids
Where: Bangkok Old Town, 10 minutes walk from MRT Sam Yot, Bangkok. Call: 095-891-4442
How much: Starting at B5 for stationery
Opening hours: Daily 9am–5pm; 11pm–1am
Pak Khlong Talat
Pak Khlong Talat is the place where your kids can enjoy the magnificent flowers up close. This famous market is filled with narrow walkways lined with fresh blooms in every colour. It’s where florists from all over Bangkok come to stock up on their daily inventory. Here, you can find all kinds of floral beauties, including roses, jasmine, lilies, chrysanthemums and tulips. Tiny humans can also watch skilled artisans carefully crafting delicate phuang malai (garlands) and bouquets right before their eyes.
Best for: Kids who adore blooms
Where: Bangkok Old Town 5 minutes walk from MRT Sanam Chai, Bangkok. Call: 082-258-0962
How much: Starting at B50 for a bag of flowers
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours
Klongthom Phatthana Market
If clothes and food aren’t what your kids are after, head to Klongthom Phatthana Market, where toys steal the spotlight. Stalls overflow with all kinds of merchandise and art figures, including second-hand and vintage finds. Tiny hands might even spot a replica lightsaber. Alongside the old-school treasures, you’ll also find popular art toys, which are at lower prices. Beyond these goods, there are retro prints, clothes and souvenirs. Street snack stalls are scattered throughout for easy refuelling during your shopping walk.
Best for: Little night owls
Where: Bangkok Old Town, 10 minutes walk from MRT Sam Yot, Bangkok. Call: 099-249-4699
How much: Starting at B10 for a toy
Opening hours: Fri–Sat 5pm–10pm
Asiatique The Riverfront
A riverside market where kids can burn off their energy, Asiatique The Riverfront blends the fun of a flea market with the comfort of a modern mall. Little ones can ride the giant Ferris wheel for wide views of the Chao Phraya River and the city skyline, then head straight to the mini amusement zone with a grand carousel for more fun. Built from restored old warehouses, the area is packed with more than 1,500 boutiques and stalls selling clothes, toys, souvenirs and Thai handicrafts. Expect a wide variety of food options too, including snacks, seafood, pizzas, grilled dishes, desserts and icy treats.
Best for: Kids who need space to burn off energy
Where: Bangkok Old Town, 15 minutes drive from BTS Saphan Taksin, Bangkok. Call: 092-246-0812
How much: Starting at B150 for a meal
Opening hours: Daily 11am–12am
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First One Talat Phlu
Firstone Talat Phlu is a flea market that’s quieter than the big tourist spots, so kiddos can wander without getting lost in the crowds. Here, it feels like a melting pot of flavours with food stalls serving a mix of Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Western dishes. Thai-style barbecue and hotpot are popular picks. You can explore budget-friendly goods, including clothes, shoes, accessories, toys, and souvenirs. The market even pampers visitors with services like nail art and relaxing massages and a pet-feeding area for little ones to enjoy.
Best for: Little night owls who enjoy evening adventures
Where: Bangkok Riverside 10 minutes walk from BTS Talat Phlu, Bangkok. Call: 099-154-4949
How much: Starting at B80 for a meal
Opening hours: Daily 4:30pm–12am
Kids Cinema
Kids Cinema is a game-changer for little ones who find it hard to sit still in a dark, quiet theatre. It’s basically an indoor playground with late flicks playing in the background. The space is bright and colourful. Kiddos can watch at their own pace from candy-coloured chairs. And when they’re ready to move, they can play in ball pits, zoom down slides and explore active play zones. There’s even a kid friendly toilet for quick and easy breaks.
Best for: Little movie fans who love to move
Where: Located in various Major Cineplex branches, including IconSiam, EmQuartier and Siam Paragon. Just visit their website for all the branch information.
How much: Various based on branch, ranging from B300–B1,300 for each screening.
Opening hours: Daily 10am–9pm
Kid-Friendly Cafes & Restaurants in IconSiam, Riverside & Old Town Bangkok
Genius Kid Cafe
If you think mega playgrounds only exist in malls, think again. Genius Kid Cafe is more than a kid friendly cafe. It’s an amusement park made for little adventurers. We’re talking about ten themed play zones. Little ones can plunge into a huge pastel ball pit, zoom down giant slides, climb through nets and obstacle areas and act out dream jobs in the role-play zone. There’s also an arcade room to race through, a mini carousel to ride, Lego corners to build in and a cosy reading nook to relax. When everyone needs a break, the cafe serves kid-favourite dishes like pizza and fried chicken, so they are ready for another round. Visits are session-based, with three play rounds each day: 10am–1pm, 1:30pm–4:30pm and 5pm–8pm.
Best for: Kids with endless energy
Where: 20 minutes drive from IconSiam. Call: 061-591-4888
How much: B480 per child per session; B180 per adult
Opening hours: Daily 9am–7pm
Genius Kid Cafe Instagram Genius Kid Cafe Facebook
Kid-Friendly Exhibitions, Galleries & Museums in IconSiam, Riverside & Old Town Bangkok
Museum Siam
Museum Siam is a children discovery museum that makes learning about Thai identity enjoyable. Its permanent exhibition, Decoding Thainess, takes children through 14 interactive zones that show how ideas of being Thai have changed over time. In Lesson in Thainess exhibition, you can step inside classrooms from different eras and see how Thai nationalism was taught through old-school lessons, catchy music and everyday routines. In the Taste of Thai exhibition, a life-size Thai kitchen comes to life, showing how favourite dishes like tom yum kung, papaya salad and pad thai first came to be, complete with QR scans for more information about the exhibition and gallery, and colourful motion graphics. It also features rotating exhibitions, sometimes teaming up with kid cafes to create even more fun experiences for families.
Best for: Kids who prefer interactive fun over traditional galleries
Where: Bangkok Old Town, connected to MRT Sanam Chai, 5 minutes walk from Wat Pho, Bangkok. Call: 02-225-2777
How much: No entry fee for kids under 15 years old; B150 per student; B100 per adult
Opening hours: Tue–Sun 10am–6pm (closed on Mon)
Museum Siam Instagram Museum Siam Facebook
Read more: Best Children Museums, Exhibitions and Galleries to Visit in Bangkok
River City Bangkok
Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, River City Bangkok is an art gallery and antique centre where kids can find interesting exhibitions at every turn. The first and 2nd floors are all about contemporary art exhibitions, with several galleries showcasing works by both new and well-known artists. Sometimes, the gallery even transforms for special themed events such as Snoopy and Friends or Naruto the Gallery. As you head up to the third and 4th floors, you’ll discover antique shops filled with rare treasure exhibitions like European dolls or Thai porcelain. The 5th floor is a rooftop that sometimes hosts events, such as an open-air cinema.
Best for: Little art lovers
Where: Bangkok Old Town, 10 minutes walk from MRT Hua Lamphong, Bangkok. Call: 02-237-0077
How much: No entry fee
Opening hours: Daily 10am–8pm
River City Bangkok Instagram River City Bangkok Instagram
National Museum Bangkok
A kid friendly museum where curious little minds can trace Thailand’s history all the way back to prehistory. Recognised as the largest museum in Southeast Asia, The exhibition is packed with fascinating objects, from tools used in ancient eras to treasures from Thai kingdoms. The gallery is split into three main areas. The Thai History Gallery guides you through local stories, starting with early humans and ending in the Bangkok era. The Archaeological and Art History Collection shows sculptures and artwork from different historical periods. The Decorative Arts and Ethnological Collection displays shiny gold treasures, colourful ceramics, beautiful textiles, traditional costumes and even carved ivory.
Best for: Kids who love ancient treasures
Where: Bangkok Old Town, 20 minutes walk from MRT Sanam Chai, Bangkok. Call: 02-224-1370
How much: No entry fee for students; B30 per Thai visitor; B240 per foreign visitor
Opening hours: Wed–Sun 8:30am–4pm (closed on Mon–Tue)
Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall
This exhibition takes kids on a journey into the city’s past to see how much life has changed since the Rattanakosin era, the period when Bangkok became Thailand’s capital. Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall brings this era to life through multimedia exhibitions. Kids can explore Thai history, culture and royal traditions through four-dimensional media, touch screens and playful animations. Among its nine exhibitions within this gallery, Remarkable Entertainments features a 360-degree projection of traditional performances like folk plays and Khon (traditional masked dance drama). Visits are organised into guided tours (available in English) so everyone can understand the stories and not miss key information.
Best for: Kids who prefer interactive fun over traditional galleries
Where: Bangkok Old Town, 20 minutes walk from MRT Sam Yot, Bangkok. Call: 02-621-0044
How much: No entry fee for students; B70 per Thai visitor; B100 per foreign visitor
Opening hours: Tue–Sun 9am–5pm (closed on Mon)
The National Gallery
A visit to Bangkok Old Town always gives your kids a chance to discover the stories behind Thailand’s past. Housed in the historic former Royal Thai Mint, the National Gallery is a kid friendly museum filled with Thai art of all kinds. The permanent exhibition in the gallery includes classical Thai works, 19th-century portraits influenced by Western styles and modern pieces. The gallery also features rotating temporary shows with Thai and international artists, displaying paintings, sculptures, prints and installations.
Best for: Little art lovers
Where: Bangkok Old Town, 10 minutes drive from MRT Sam Yot, Bangkok. Call: 02-282-8525
How much: No entry fee for students; B30 per Thai visitor; B240 per foreign visitor
Opening hours: Wed–Sun 9am–4pm (closed on Mon–Tue)
Royal Barges National Museum
It’s not often that kids get to see the Royal Barge Procession gliding along the Chao Phraya River, but this children discovery museum lets little ones admire these magnificent vessels up close. The permanent exhibition at this gallery houses eight ornate barges carved from massive teak logs, covered in gold and decorated with tiny shimmering glass pieces. The highlight of this exhibition is Suphannahong, the 46-metre-long golden swan barge with a swan-shaped figurehead. The gallery also features an exhibition on the history of the barges, showcasing ceremonial uniforms, ancient prow sculptures, oars and photographs of past Royal Barge Processions.
Best for: Kids who love eye-catching displays
Where: Bangkok Old Town, 5 minutes drive from MRT Bang Yi Khan, Bangkok. Call: 02-424-0004
How much: No entry fee for students; B20 per Thai visitor; B200 per foreign visitor
Opening hours: Daily 9am–4:30pm
Royal Barges National Museum Facebook
Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles
Known for her timeless style, the late Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother earned worldwide admiration and left a fashion legacy that still inspires people today. Set within the Grand Palace, the exhibition of this gallery showcases the elegant outfits she wore during her decades of service in Thailand and abroad. The Decades of Style exhibition displays her iconic looks, including gowns designed by French couturier Pierre Balmain, blending Thai silk with modern fashion. The Chud Thai exhibition highlights the eight official styles of Thai national dress created and refined by the Queen Mother. The gallery also features the Woven Dialects exhibition, where kids can see colourful textile art and traditional weaving techniques. In tribute to her passing, the venue has opened its doors to the public for free until further notice.
Best for: Young creators curious about fashion and textiles
Where: The Grand Palace, Bangkok. Call: 02-225-9430
How much: No entry fee (until further notice)
Opening hours: Daily 9am–4:30pm
Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles Facebook
Bank of Thailand Learning Centre
This kid friendly museum helps kids explore Thailand’s banking history in an engaging way. The Bank of Thailand Learning Centre transforms the old note-printing house and gold depository into an interactive gallery where young visitors can discover early forms of money, such as cowrie shells and bullet money, as well as modern banknotes. You can step into the Ancient Coins Room exhibition, the Thai Banknotes Room exhibition and the Note Printing exhibition, which features a real first-generation printing machine. There’s even a Gold Depository which is a secure vault where a country stores its gold reserves and plenty of interactive exhibitions.
Best for: Kids who enjoy money mysteries
Where: Bangkok Old Town, 10 minutes drive from MRT Sam Yot, Bangkok. Call: 02-356-7766
How much: No entry fee
Opening hours: Tue–Sun 9:30am–8pm (closed on Mon)
MEA Spark
This gallery offers loads of learning opportunities to discover electricity in Thailand from its first light to the future. The gallery is set inside the restored three-storey building of the country’s first power plant. This children discovery museum is all about light, power and electricity exhibitions. Step into the First Electric Light in Siam exhibition to see what life was like before lights switched on. Be wowed by displays showing how electricity spread and helped Thailand grow at the Sustainable Electric Light exhibition. At the Symphony of Light exhibition, futuristic light-and-sound art shows what smart cities and future energy might look like. Kids might even spot a large model electricity-generating machine.
Best for: Kids who prefer interactive fun over traditional galleries
Where: Bangkok Old Town, 10 minutes walk from MRT Sanam Chai, Bangkok. Call: 02-220-5200
How much: No entry fee
Opening hours: Tue–Sun 9am–5pm (closed on Mon)
Coin Museum
Coins may be small, but this children discovery museum shows kids just how valuable they really are. Supported by the Ministry of Finance, this gallery offers an engaging look at the history of money in Thailand. The Thai Coinage History exhibition takes little learners back to ancient times and guides them through the evolution of coins all the way to the ones we use today. The gallery adopts modern features like interactive panels and a 4D animation on a 360-degree screen that explains the barter system and the origins of currency. Kids can also see rare ancient coins, royal insignia and special decorations found at excavation sites.
Best for: Kids who prefer interactive fun over traditional galleries
Where: Bangkok Old Town, 10 minutes drive from MRT Sanam Chai, Bangkok. Call: 02-282-0818
How much: B20 per kid; B50 per adult
Opening hours: Tue–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm, Weekends 10am–6pm (closed on Mon)
Museum Pier
This kid friendly museum makes Thai art feel like it’s leaping straight off the pages of a book. Inside its sleek three-story building, kids can explore how local art has changed over 200 years via various exhibitions – from early Western influences to today’s modern styles. Following a timeline, the ground floor shows an exhibition about Thailand’s first steps into modern art, the 2nd floor exhibition highlights the rise of art schools and the top floor moves into contemporary creations. With rotating exhibitions and new works by emerging artists, every visit at this gallery becomes a new art adventure.
Best for: Little art lovers
Where: Bangkok Old Town, 10 minutes walk from MRT Sanam Chai, Bangkok. Call: 082-896-1929
How much: B50 per student; B100 per Thai visitor; B300 per foreign visitor
Opening hours: Daily 10am–6pm
Thainosaur Museum [NEW!]
If your list of things to do with kids in Bangkok includes a thrilling adventure, Thainosaur Museum brings dinosaurs roaring back to life. Families can move through curated displays of life-sized Thai dinosaurs, including a nearly 30-metre-long specimen, the largest ever discovered in the country. Along the way, they encounter authentic fossils verified by palaeontologists and explore environments that trace how dinosaurs once lived on Thai soil. Rather than feeling like a theme park, the exhibition unfolds as a slow discovery journey, combining scientific research with visual storytelling to help young visitors understand Earth’s ancient past in an engaging way.
Best for: Kids who love to explore
Where: Asiatique The Riverfront, 15 minutes drive from BTS Saphan Taksin, Bangkok. Call: 081-132-1557
How much: B150 per kid; B250 per adult on weekdays and B180 per kid; B290 per adult on weekends
Opening hours: Daily 11am–10pm
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Read more: Walk with Dinosaurs at Thainosaur: Bangkok’s new Jurassic adventure for families
Parks, Green Spaces & Outdoor Time for Kids and Families in IconSiam, Riverside & Old Town Bangkok
Princess Mother Memorial Park (Suan Somdet Ya)
This is the closest thing to a true public park in the Old Town area.
Why families like it:
- Quiet, shaded gardens with historical significance
- Small playground suitable for younger kids
- Calm atmosphere compared to central Bangkok parks
Local tip: It’s ideal for a short break between temple visits or museum hopping.
Read more: Bangkok’s Best Parks & Green Spaces
Final Thoughts
IconSiam, Riverside, and Old Town remind us that family time doesn’t have to be rushed or over-planned. Sometimes, it’s about slowing down like hopping on a ferry, sharing a meal by the river, or wandering through history together. For families seeking meaningful experiences in Bangkok, this part of the city offers space to explore, learn, and simply be present.
