Phuket for Kids: Top Child Friendly Activities, Attractions & Places in Phuket

by Jane Rowney (subscribe)

P is for Putt a hole-in-one at Dino Park Mini Golf
Dino Park Mini Golf is for mini-golfers of all levels. Even children who are too young to play will enjoy clambering over the dinosaur replicas. The course is 18 holes and is great fun to play; each hole has varied and unusual obstacles. The majority of the course is undercover or shaded, making it the perfect place to escape Phuket's steamy midday sun.
When: 10am - midnight, daily
Where: Karon Beach
Cost: 240 THB (adults) 180 THB (children) FREE (children less than one meter tall)
Website: www.dinopark.com



H is for Hike in the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park
Khao Phra Thaeo National Park is the last significant old-growth forest remaining in Phuket. The park has two entrances, which are approximately 15 kilometers apart by road. At one entrance is the Ton Sai Waterfall, and at the other is the Bang Pae Waterfall. There are short hikes through the jungle to both waterfalls, and at the entrance near the Bang Pae Waterfall is the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (GRP). The GRP has been working for over 20 years to end the illegal use of gibbons as tourist attractions and as pets, and to rehabilitate gibbons back to their natural habitat.
When: 9am - 4.30pm, daily
Where: Northeast Phuket
Cost: 200 THB (adults) 100 THB (children) to enter the National Park; it is FREE to visit the GRP, but donations are very much appreciated



U is for Unfurl an umbrella at the beach
Phuket does beaches well, and there are many to choose from. Great beaches for families are Surin Beach and Nai Yang Beach. Head to Surin Beach to feast on street food and to slurp on tropical shakes as the sun sets over the Andaman Sea; head to Nai Yang Beach to build sandcastles in the shade beneath the Casuarina trees. For a day to remember, join a half- or full-day boat tour to a beach on an offshore island. The Phi Phi islands and the Racha islands are the most popular; however, children will also enjoy Koh Khai, perhaps best known as 'the fish feeding island'.
When: Daytime
Where: Phuket's west coast, or an offshore island
Cost: Around 200 THB for an umbrella, two loungers, and a small table; around 1,000 - 3,000 THB to join a tour to an offshore island



K is for Kowtow at the Big Buddha
At the Big Buddha, bells ring, monks chant, gold statues sit, wax candles melt, rogue monkeys screech, and the cat that lies on the visitors' book sleeps. The Big Buddha can be seen from most locations in the south of Phuket. It is under construction (it has been for a long time); nevertheless, scaffolding and all, up-close the large, white statue will impress children, as will the views of Phuket and its surrounds.
When: 8am - 7.30pm, daily
Where: Nakkerd Hills, Chalong
Cost: FREE, but donations are appreciated



E is for Experience the extravaganza of Phuket FantaSea
This cultural theme park markets itself as 'a fantastical adventure into Thailand's myth, mystery, and magic', and this is not an exaggeration. Children will be spellbound. There are three main attractions: 'Carnival Village', which is a sideshow alley with carnival games, street performances, and souvenir stalls; 'Golden Kinnaree', which is a restaurant offering a sumptuous buffet of Thai and international cuisine; 'Fantasy of a Kingdom', which is a spectacular theater production featuring elephants, acrobats, and dancers.
When: 5.30pm - 11.30pm (closed Thursdays)
Where: Kamala Beach
Cost: Show and buffet dinner 1,900 THB (adults) 1,700 THB (children 4-12 years) FREE (children younger than four years)
Website: www.phuket-fantasea.com



T is for Thrill seek at Splash Jungle Water Park
If you're a kid, is there anything more fun to do in the tropics than to visit a water park? Splash Jungle Water Park does not disappoint. There's something for everyone, including a wave pool, lazy river, hot spring pool, kids' aquarium, and, my favourite, a 'splash bar' where you can enjoy a cool drink while you float in the pool. The water park is a long way from the main tourist beaches and admission is not cheap; therefore, crowds are rarely a problem.
When: 10am - 6pm, daily
Where: Mai Khao Beach
Cost: 1,295 THB (adults) 650 THB (children) FREE (children younger than 5 years)
Website: www.splashjunglewaterpark.com

Looking for more ideas of things to do in Phuket? Here are ideas to fill 7 Dreamy Days in Phuket and 7 Saucy Nights in Phuket.

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Why? Phuket is a great place for kids

When: When you're in Phuket with kids

Website: www.phukettourist.com/index.php

Where: Phuket, Thailand

Cost: Varies