24 fun family things to do in Phuket that will bring out everyone’s inner child

Phuket is a hot-spot for those travelers who want to experience Thailand. Why?

Well, Phuket’s booming tourist industry has made Thailand’s largest island a world-famous destination. Phuket has a little bit of everything, drawing on all aspects of its magnificent country. Phuket is Thailand’s one-stop-shop for all things THAI.

Beautiful, white-sand beaches. Year-round surf-able waves. Scubadiving. Rows of palm trees. Traditional Thai food. Thai massage parlors. Adventure jungle parks. Museums. Markets. The list goes on and on.

Most importantly for those travelling families, Phuket has plenty of kid-friendly and family activities.

Check out our list of the best 23 family things to do in Phuket!

1. Extreme sport lovers will have a ball – Anthem Wakepark

Anthem is a wakeboard park on a 50,000 sqm lake nestled in the Phuket jungle. Professional and experienced park attendees will teach you everything you need to know to become a competent wakeboarder. After the lesson, you’ll be able to tackle the course, set up with different obstacles and ramps for tricks.

Anthem also offers flyboarding; a board with a double jet-pack that shoots water straight down, propelling you straight up!

International professionals use this park as a training ground, so you might catch a glimpse of the pros take on the lake.

For family members who want to stay dry, Anthem has an indoor climbing wall and lounge with a view of the park and some delicious Thai food.

Note: Appropriate for kids over 8, as well as complete beginners to experienced wakeboarders. Small children can even double up with their parents on one board.

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2. Mini golf course brought to life with real-size dinosaur models – Dino Park

Kids will love playing mini golf in this Jurassic Park style course. The 18-hole course is complete with life size replicas of dinosaurs, displaying a different piece of history at every hole.

The park is built within a jungle, which adds an even more authentic feel. Upon entrance, you will walk through a tunnel of real bats, as well as see the (man-made) volcano spouting real fire!

The jungle-themed bar and restaurant caters to kids and adults – sodas and beers available. The course is well-kept and in very good condition. It’s a great family activity everyone can enjoy.

3. Experience what it’s like to be the boy (or girl) in the bubble – Zorbing at Rollerball

Zorbing is a fun and different way to spend the day with the kids.

Gigantic plastic balls (also known as spheres) are filled with 40 liters of water, equipped to take 2 passengers on “ride” down a hill. The ball rolls while the passengers stay safety afloat on the water.

Try go feet-first, backwards, or even roll right over Mom and Dad!

The zorbing track is 190 meters – the longest in the world. Children as young as 6 can participate. There’s also a seating area with picnic tables where you can relax with a view of the sunset and the Andaman Sea.

Go for a “one roll package” or make a day out of it with a 6-roll package.

4. Challenge the tallest trees in all of Asia – Jungle Xtreme Adventure Park

Also known as Tree Top Adventure, this park has the highest tree-climbing in Asia. Kids and adults will love the thrill of walking between the treetops on suspension bridges, cables, and nets.

A mini zipline runs between each platform, whisking you away to conquer the next challenge. This park has 69 different stations; never a dull moment here!

The stations are divided into blue for easy, red for difficult, and black for challenging. This ensures kids and adults of all levels of fitness can participate. There’s also a Kids Zone, suitable for children as young as three.

Upon entrance, you will receive complete training on how to use the equipment and harness. Experienced professionals are always fully supervising each activity.

It’s a safe, yet thrilling way to have a bit of family fun and adventure.

5. Take off for the day with an island excursion – Koh Khai Islands

Rent a private longtail boat for you and the family to head off the shores of Phuket to peaceful and secluded Koh Khai Nok, Nui, and Nai!

The views are enchanting in this trio of islands with lovely viewpoints and not much crowds. Perfect for the family to lay back and enjoy mother nature in her splendour. Go swimming or snorkelling – it’s up to you!

The whole family will enjoy the crystal-clear water, picture-perfect beaches around and colourful reefs.

Both half day and full day tours of Koh Khai Islands are available and includes snorkelling, swimming, and fish-feeding at all three islands. (The difference between the tours are more time at each location and lunch at a beach restaurant that has been included in the price.)

If you’re ever in the area with your kids and looking for a fantastic option to island-hop, the Koh Khai islands await!

PS: At Koh Khai islands, please be careful not to step on reefs, or kick up sediments that can kill a whole colony of reefs. If you hire a boat, do ensure that the boat isn’t moored by anchoring on the reefs. The government has recently put strict measures in place to ensure the marine life are being conserved and protected. Let’s do our part to conserve these beautiful islands too!

6. 6,400 square meters of pure wet and wild fun – Splash Jungle Water Park

Located inside Centara Grand West Sands Resort is one of Phuket’s biggest and best water parks.

At Splash Jungle, you’ll find a maze of waterslides, a Lazy River, and wave pool. There are also paddling pools and smaller slides for younger children and toddlers.

Adults will have a blast here with their kids; the slides allow for pairs to go together, making it an exciting experience for both parent and child.

There are plenty of lounge chairs and places to sun yourself if you’d rather work on your tan. Food, drinks, towels, lockers are all available inside at extra cost. Splash Jungle can also host birthday parties!

7. Hang ten in perfect conditions – Surfhouse Phuket

Have you got a budding surfer in the family? Or maybe an eager first-timer who’s a little intimidated by the idea of taking on the Andaman Sea for the first time?

Surfhouse Phuket is the ideal place for kids to practice catching the perfect wave.

There’s no need to check the weather or surf report before you go; this man-made wave house churns out perfect waves 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. Instructors are on hand to assist and give pointers.

The location on Kata Beach makes for a perfect transition to the real thing after a warm up session at Surfhouse. Parents and adults can relax at Surfhouse’s bar while they watch their kids hang ten. Cold beers, cocktails, western food, and Thai food available.

Surfhouse also hosts various events throughout the year. Anniversary celebrations, DJs, surf competitions and more!

8. For an exhilarating day at the track, head to – Patong Go-Kart Speedway

Head to Patong Go-Kart Speedway for a bonding family experience. This Speedway has go-karts suitable children and adults, as well two seater karts and super speed karts.

Race around the 750-meter track at speeds up to 110 km/hour! Safety is a top priority of the staff and there have been no reported injuries at Patong Speedway.

If you’re a family or group of 5 or more, you can arrange a mini Grand Prix, complete with practice runs, a final race, and a prize for the winner. The Speedway also has a separate 600-meter track for off road buggies. Guide your 4-wheeler over hills, around turns, and through the mud.

There’s also a restaurant with a view of the track. Friends and family members without the need for speed can relax here while they root on their favorite drivers.

*16-year old’s qualify for all events.

*The youngest age admitted to children’s events is 8, with a minimum height of 125cm.

9. Learn how to fly at the one and only circus academy! – Mid-air Circus Arts Academy Phuket

The Mid-air Circus Arts Academy is Phuket’s only circus academy that teaches the art of flying trapeze as well as all other major aerial arts. Kids and adults can learn simple flying trapeze tricks in one 90-minute lesson!

Adventurous kids (and adults) will love the thrill they get from flying through the air. No restrictions or prior training needed; anyone can try (as long as your age 4 or older).

Suitable for beginners all the way up to training professionals! All lessons are conducted under great safety standards.

Kids can also sign up for the Aerial Arts Program which using swings, silk straps, aerial hoops, and double trapezes as part of the lesson. There’s also the Cirque Ed program where kids can learn team-building and self-confidence.

Private lessons and intensive courses are also available.

10. Bounce the day away – 50Fly Trampoline Club Phuket

Phuket’s Trampoline Club 50FLY is all about fun and games – on trampolines. The club is sectioned off into several different “zones.” For those who are into games, check out the Fun Zone where you can play dodgeball, football, and basketball- with a trampoline court!

Are the kids into extreme sports? The Sport Zone could be a good choice – a trampoline where kids can play around with wakeboarding and freestyle tricks.

Just want to bounce around as a family? Visit the Acrobat Zone where you can learn cool moves while flying high. This Zone is suitable for both adults and kids.

There’s also teambuilding games and competitions to partake in.

All levels of experience are offered. There’s a place for beginners to have fun and experienced extreme sport fanatics to hone their skills in a safe environment (with a soft landing!) Coaching and non-coaching sessions available. The gym can be rented for birthday parties or private parties, too.

*Coming soon: climbing wall.

11. Take a break from shopping and let the kids loose – Kidzoona, Kids’ Club Phuket

Parents, if you’re looking for more options to keep your kids entertained, this kids’ park and club might just be what you’re looking for.

11-a. It’s a fun Japanese-themed park for kids under 12! – Kidzoona

Kidzoona is located inside Jungceylon Mall. It’s an indoor Japanese-themed fun park for kids under 12. Inside Kidzoona you’ll find a ball pit, slides, and a jungle gym.

There’s plenty of equipment and activities to keep young children entertained. There’s also a toddler zone for the really young ones.

Bikes and trikes also available to ride in the Vehicle Zone.

PS: Next to Kidzoona is Molly Fantasy, an indoor amusement park with small rides better suited for kids over 12.

11-b. Drop off your kids and leave them in the good hands of – Kids Club Phuket

Kids Club Phuket is a center dedicated to kids having fun. It houses games, activities, play houses, ball pits, jungle gym equipment and more.

Kids can even learn new skills with hands-on workshops – like cupcake-making. Perfect if the kids are sunburned and need a break from the elements.

The Kids Club also have many full-time staff on hand to supervise and entertain the kids. This means parents can safely leave their children here for a few hours (or even all day) and take off on their own.

12. Local culture meets beautiful vistas – Big Buddha Phuket

We’ve seen plenty of families bringing their kids along, and some even get to have their kids blessed by the monks residing here. It’s beautiful, eye-opening and can be quite the cultural activity for the whole family.

This is one of the must-see sights in Phuket for two reasons. The first is obvious massive Buddha statue standing 45 meters tall, which was finally completed in 2015. The beautiful sculpture, shrine, and surrounding walls are attractions in their own right.

The second are the amazing panoramic views from the top of Nakkerd Hill upon which the Buddha sits. If you go in the late afternoon, you will be treated to a spectacular view of the sunset over Phuket Town and Chalong Bay.

The Buddha is constructed of concrete and accented with white marble, making is a shimmering sight in the sunshine. Keeping the Big Buddha company is a smaller brass Buddha.

This site is maintained entirely on donations, so if you like what you see, you can show your appreciation to the donations box.

Nakkerd Sea View restaurant offers a nearby place for a cool drink after your visit to Buddha.

13. Experience Phuket’s unique ecosystem via river cruise – River Rovers

See Phuket in a different light with River Rovers. This company provides a variety of tours and presents a side of Phuket that’s often overlooked by outsiders.

Phuket (and Thailand in general) has a complex river system that usually goes undiscovered by many tourists. River Rovers gives you the chance to do what most will never know they missed.

Choose from a plethora of tours:

1. The Monkey Jungle Tour takes passengers into the mangrove jungle to spot and interaction with dozens of monkeys. Following this, the boat will bring you to a sheltered island for swimming, kayaking, and beach time.

2. Take the Bird-Watching Charter and discover the 920 bird species living in the thick mangroves.

3. Cruise Chalong Bay with the Hidden Treasures tour, enjoy the ecosystem near the mangroves as well as tour an authentic sea-gypsy village.

4. Check out In the Steps of Lord Buddha. The tour will take you to Bu Bu island, the place where Buddha is said to have left his footprints.

River Rovers also runs Phang Nga Bay trips, Romantic Cruises, or private trips.

If you choose the “5-star treatment” all food, drinks, and snacks are included with the price of the cruise. If you want to save money by bringing your own food, the price will be reduced.

14. We bet you’ve never seen an attraction like this before – Baan Teelanka

Baan Teelanka is also known as The Upside-Down House. This quirky attraction will amaze adults and kids alike. As the name suggests, this house is literally standing on its pointed roof, with the entirety of the building’s interior flipped upside down.

And it’s not just the house that’s been flipped. It’s also the theme of the surroundings. Check out the upside-down VW Beetle and the old-fashioned phone booth – both standing on their “heads”!

When you enter, you’ll see that everything is flipped; even the toilet. The house provides for some funny photo opportunities and great videos.

Baan Teelanka is an interesting attraction, but there’s more. Kids can navigate their way through the Garden Maze, play the Room Escape Game, or get dizzy in the Drunk Box. There’s also a video studio and virtual reality cinema where you can experience 5-D. You can purchase each experience separately, or a combo pack of all six.

Good for a few hours of entertainment rain or shine and easy to get to.

15. Explore the best local markets for a taste of real culture – Chillva Market, Indy Market

Local markets are full of new things that foreign kids will have never seen before. It’s a great place to expose your family to new and exciting aspects of another culture.

Apart from Phuket Walking Street, Chillva Market and Indy Market are other local markets that’s worth checking out! Everyone will love the shopping experience with clothes, shoes, bags, caps and more are on sale.

At Chillva Market, feel free to pick up some clothes, footwear (fur slides are sold here too!), pet clothes and collars and more. It’s very casual and laidback. When you tire of walking around, feel free to sit down at the mini amphitheatre where a live band will serenade you as you rest.

At Indy Market, Kids will love the hand-made personalised souvenirs, for example, getting their name stencilled on a grain of rice and made into a necklace or bracelet. You might also enjoy getting a caricature-style family portrait drawn at the artist booth.

These night markets are great for discovering tasty, cheap and authentic Thai food. Move from stall to stall, sampling the local cuisine. This is the best way to try as much Thai food as possible. Market prices are cheap, and usually smaller portions, so it’s easy for everyone to sample and share. Expect things like spicy Thai salad, (Som Tam), fish balls, Thai-style kebabs, gyozas, soup, and more.

16. Visit one of the most picturesque places in Thailand – Khao Sok National Park

This National Park is located a little outside of Phuket, but it’s a trip that can (and should!) be done in just a few days.

The park is massive (half the size of Indonesia’s Bali!) boasting thick jungle, waterfalls, limestone cliffs, and, most impressively, the massive lake dotted with hundreds of small islands. The gorgeous scenery makes for one of the best National Parks in Thailand.

There are many daily activities to partake in – swimming, kayaking, boat tours, bird-watching, hiking, camping, nature trails for walking and exploring.

The easiest way to do and see the most is to book a trip directly with the park. The park’s most popular tour includes elephant trekking, canoeing, and cave exploration as part of the 3D2N Jungle-Lake safari trip. You can even stay in floating bungalows right on the lake!

Note: All excursions include accommodation, meals, outlined itinerary, National Park entrance fee, and English-speaking guide. It’s easy to book round-trip transportation, as well as any excursion in the park right from the travel agencies in Phuket.

17. Visit the best museums in Phuket! – Phuket Trickeye Museum, Phuket Seashell Museum, Phuket Mining Museum

17-a. Hilarious and fun family photo opportunities – Phuket Trickeye Museum

One of Phuket’s newest attractions is one of its’ best. The concept of “Trickeye” is a 3D museum. The entire site is outfitted to make it look like you’re somewhere you’re not.

Pose “in” up to 100 different floor-to-ceiling sized murals that give the impression that you are part of the scene it’s depicting.

Become part of a world-famous painting, narrowly escape being eaten by a giant crocodile, hang from the ceiling, walk amongst the clouds, or morph into an action hero in the midst of a harrowing scene.

Parents and children will love the funny pictures and it will be an enjoyable way to remember your time in Phuket.

17-b. The perfect rainy day activity for your little merkids – Phuket Seashell Museum

Those who have a passion for shells will be impressed by the variety and rarity of the sea shells housed in this museum. If your kids love collecting seashells, then they’ll love to find all their favorites on display in the glass cases.

The shells have been collected from around the world, as well as the origin of many being Phuket and Thailand. Stimulate your kids by comparing the appearance or shells from different parts of the world. Highlights include the world’s largest golden pearl and ancient shell fossils.

The museum is well organised, with English placards that explain about each selection. Visit the gift shop for unique souvenirs and cool jewelry created from shells.

PS: We were there and we absolutely loved it!

17-c. Imagine the kids learning something on vacation! It’s possible – Phuket Mining Museum

A hands-on learning museum that will spark your children’s interest and keep it with cool displays and life-sized models. The whole family can learn the history of mining in Phuket as well as the basic geology of our planet here.

At Phuket Mining Museum, you will learn how tin-mining used to be a big part of Phuket’s livelihood, and drew many foreign workers from China. This is the reason for much of the Chinese influence on the island.

The museum displays old mining tools and methods used – there are even interactive displays where your kids will be able to get hands-on and ‘try’ tin-mining for themselves! Educate yourself and the kids about the lives and tough working conditions of the miners.

The displays are quite realistic and offer a glimpse as to what their lives looked like. Highlights include model mines and an opium den replica. It’s recommended to take a guided tour since most of the information signs are in Thai.

18. Support a good cause while learning about animal rights and protection – The Gibbon Rehabilitation Center

The Gibbon Rehabilitation Center was started in 1992 and is a division of The Wild Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailand. This non-profit organisation is dedicated to helping the White-handed Gibbons, now an endangered species.

Visiting the center could potentially be one of the most fulfilling things you could do on a family trip to Phuket. Your kids will have the opportunity to learn more about Gibbons, animal rights and protection – and it’s a great way to contribute to a social cause that really needs our help.

Photo Via Kristinamand

In the 70s and 80s, Gibbons were used excessively in Phuket for tourist photo ops. The Gibbons, native to Phuket, were a means of making money and became a highly sought-after animal on the island. Due to this, the species was brought to the brink of extinction.

The goal of this non-profit organisation is to reintroduce the species to Phuket, as well as educate the public about animal cruelty and responsible tourism. The program helps to rescue, rehabilitate, release, and repopulate this rare species.

Tour the center, view the Gibbons, and learn the importance of protecting animals and the environment all while supporting a good cause.

PS: While the center runs solely on donations, visitors are able to ‘adopt’ a Gibbon! This will definitely be one of the highlights of your visit here for both you and your kids.

19. SNUBA dive your way through the exotic aquatic ocean life! – Aloha Diving

SNUBA (not to be confused with SCUBA diving) is an out-of-this-world (literally!) activity that kids of most ages and adults can enjoy together. Children must be aged 10 or older to partake.

SNUBA is an introduction to SCUBA diving for those without any experience whatsoever. It is a completely safe and fun way to experience the exotic aquatic life in Phuket.

How does it work?

You’ll start from the surface next to a floating raft, wearing a mask, fins, light harness, and weight belt. You will have what is a called a “regulator” in your mouth, which is connected to a surface supply of air held in the raft. This eliminates the need for a scuba tank and allows you to spend as much time underwater as you’d like!

You will not obtain any certificate, which means no hours of studying the physics of scuba diving or passing exams. You will receive a quick but in-depth tutorial and then you will be able to go down to 7 meters and breath under the water!

If you love SNUBA, the staff at Aloha Diving would love to take you out for a try dive on SCUBA!

20. Explore the island from atop a horse! – Phuket Riding Club

Horseback riding is a fun and different activity that everyone in the family can enjoy. Phuket Riding Club offers a unique way to tour the beaches and jungles of Phuket. Australian horses lead visitors through the greenery to a beautiful beach with lots of opportunities for pictures.

Choose the length of tour and get going! It doesn’t matter if you’ve never ridden a horse before. Beginners through experts are welcome.

Lessons provided to newbies and as well as a riding ring for children. A tour guide accompanies riders the entire time, so this activity is safe and enjoyable for people of all ages and levels.

Note: There are 6 different times available to tour (morning and evening). For the chance to watch the setting sun from the beach, try the evening tours!

All set and ready for your big family trip to Phuket? We know we are!

Please let us know which activity you’d love to try in the comments below. We want to hear from you.

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PLEASE NOTE: All the above information is correct at the date of publication. If you come across any changes or updates, please let us know and we will update the information accordingly. Thank you! Tell us

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