The Top Activities for Families in Phuket, Thailand

Plan the perfect Phuket beach holiday with kids

The best souvenirs you can bring home from a tropical island paradise are cherished memories with loved ones. Making those memories may need a bit of research. When staying at a family-friendly Phuket resort, there are plenty of activities for families to do.

With its dozens of beautiful sandy beaches and generally laid-back atmosphere, Phuket is a great place to take a relaxing holiday. However, if you’re traveling with teenagers and children who want to do more than just kick back and relax, you may need more entertainment options. 

One of the first things to consider when it comes to planning your family holiday in Phuket, is finding out about some of the main attractions to explore and things to do. For instance, Phuket is famous for the beautiful Wat Chalong temple and Big Buddha, where you can appreciate architectural marvels and experience the tranquility of the spiritual setting.

In this article, we’ll help you explore more activities and attractions with our list of things to do in Phuket with your family. We’ve organized the list by category:

• Phuket night markets 
• Beachfront petting zoo on Karon Beach
• Waterparks and water play areas
• Phuket museums and historical landmarks
• Old Phuket Town heritage restaurants 
• Elephant nature parks and sustainable, eco-friendly, and ethical Phuket tours
• Nature activities and zoos
• Aquariums and ocean life activities
• Shopping malls and movie theaters
• Adventure activities in Phuket 
• A unique private beach in Phuket

Phuket Night Markets

One of the most fun things to do in Phuket with family is to visit a range of cultural and food-focused night markets. These night markets will have interesting street food, local desserts and snacks, and locally crafted merchandise for your family to check out. Night markets are a great way to experience the local way of life, as they’ve traditionally been the place for locals to shop, eat, and relax. Night markets often offer various stalls selling local dishes, delicacies, apparel, and second-hand goods, plus live music and activities for kids.

One of the most famous night markets is the Phuket Sunday Night Walking Street or Lard Yai in Phuket Old Town. Set in the first residential area of Phuket, this walking street is a fantastic throwback experience for visitors looking to get close to the Sino-Portuguese colonial mansions once occupied by tin ore barons 100 years ago.

Other markets include the Chillva Market on Yaowarat Road, open Wednesday to Saturday. It’s a newer night market where the younger and trendy crowd go, while the Naka Market, open Saturday and Sunday, is one of the largest weekend markets, offering a wide array of street food and various goods for sale. 

Those staying near Karon Beach should also consider Karon Temple Night Market—a smaller yet interesting market located within the grounds of Karon Temple. It opens every Tuesday and Friday.

Beach Petting Zoo on Karon Beach

One of the unique activities for families to do on Karon Beach, Phuket, is visiting Thavorn Palm Beach Resort’s beachfront petting zoo. Here, you can meet friendly and cuddly farm animals, from giant tortoises to rabbits, sheep, goats, silky chickens, and parrots—free of charge! 

Near the petting zoo are several restaurants offering tasty dishes and treats, as well as excellent views of Karon Beach. There’s a Neapolitan pizza and grill restaurant, a dessert and ice cream shop, a relaxing cafe, and an activities hut. Activities here are offered according to season, such as drawing and painting classes and pizza-making classes. The following are links to the official sites of the restaurants and cafes for more information:

• Karon Beach Hub: an activities center
• Ciao Bistro and Grill: a beach-facing pizza and grill restaurant
• Sweet Talk Phuket: a dessert and ice cream shop
• Coffee Talk Karon Beach: a coffee shop

Waterparks & Activity Centers in Phuket

Phuket’s world-class waterparks offer plenty of water fun and activities for families; they’re one of the best things to do with kids. There are large standalone waterparks as well as unique beachfront waterpark resorts for you to consider.

Thavorn Palm Beach Resort

Located on the famous Karon Beach, its waterpark-worthy slides will satisfy thrill-seekers. It’s one of the few waterpark and beachfront resorts in Phuket. Facilities include:

• Direct beach access to Karon Beach
• Giant water slides 
• Beachfront petting zoo
• 3 massive swimming pools facing the ocean
• 3 beachfront dining outlets
• 12 acres of tropical and botanical gardens
• Kids club

Andamanda Phuket

Located in Kathu, this massive Thai heritage-themed waterpark includes five exciting zones with thrilling waterslides, a kid’s water play area, a shopping center, and more.

Rawai Park 

A standalone waterpark that is best suited for children at the ages of 1 to 6 years old. It features indoor and outdoor playgrounds and gardens that are perfect for those visiting Phuket with kids.

Splash Jungle Phuket

Located close to the airport near Mai Khao Beach, this is a waterpark complex with swimming pools, water slides, a lazy river, and other water attractions that will keep your family busy all day long.

Blue Tree Phuket 

Blue Tree Phuket is a massive lifestyle and entertainment center with indoor adventure and play areas for both kids and adults, shopping and dining options, an outdoor gym and fitness trail, and a skatepark.

Phuket Museums and Historical Landmarks

If learning about Phuket’s culture and history is among your list of things to do with family, we recommend visiting the museums and historical landmarks in Phuket Old Town.

Thavorn Hotel

Among the most interesting parts of the hotel is the Thavorn Phuket Museum, showcasing one of the island's largest collections of memorabilia with over a thousand pieces of antiques dating all the way back to when Phuket was only a forest. This privately funded museum continues to be updated as part of Thavorn Hotel, Phuket island’s first full-service hotel, making it a classic historical landmark to visit. Contact the hotel for their opening hours and check the Google Maps link for their location.

Fun fact:

• Each antique at Thavorn’s Private Collection was obtained by its founder, Mr. Charearn Thavornwongwongse.
• Coffee Talk in Old Phuket Town’s Thavorn Hotel houses actual antiques used in the olden days of Phuket.

Families who love history will enjoy visiting other historical places in Phuket Town, including:

On On Hotel

One of the first inns in Phuket, On On Hotel was designed and built by craftsmen from Penang, Malaysia. It features Sino-Portuguese architecture with contemporary details.

Thai Hua Museum

This museum originally served as a Chinese school and now has exhibitions related to the lifestyles and history of Hokkien Chinese migrants who settled in Phuket. 

Chinpracha House Museum

Considered one of the first examples of Sino-Portuguese architecture in Phuket province, this two-storey house features ornate Chinese decor and interiors imported from Malaysia and various European countries. 

Peranakannitat Museum

Also called Baba Museum, this historical landmark is a former bank, which now features exhibits showcasing the history of the Baba Nonya community in Phuket.

Old Phuket Town Sightseeing & Heritage Restaurant Hopping

Looking for fun activities for families who love good food? Go on a gastronomic trip across Old Phuket Town and experience the few remaining heritage restaurants for a taste of traditional Phuketian cuisine. These are some of our favorites:

Raya Restaurant

This restaurant is in a classic Sino-Portugese shophouse built during the early 20th century. The restaurant continues to serve delicious local cuisine in the same way it has served prime ministers, movie stars, and royalty back in the day. Their Crabmeat Curry Dish and Stewed Thai Pork Belly (Moo Hong) are so well known that customers from Bangkok have even requested these dishes be flown up to the capital city!

Tu Kab Khao

Trying restaurants in the Michelin Guide might just be one of the most interesting things to do in Phuket with family. A Michelin Guide feature since 2020, Tu Kab Khao continues to impress locals and visitors alike with recipes passed down by the famous Khun Linchii. Located in a 120-year-old building, this restaurant focuses on traditional dishes from Southern Thailand.

Mee Ton Poe

A winner of several Michelin Plate ratings, Mee Ton Poe has been serving Phuket-adapted Hokkien Noodles since 1946. This modest-looking restaurant sits in a prime location by the edge of the Clock Tower Circle in Phuket town.

Elephant Nature Parks

The Asian elephant is Thailand’s national animal and has been an integral part of the country’s rich history. With the rise in cities and human population, there have been fewer natural habitats for these majestic creatures to live peacefully. Elephants gradually found themselves in parks performing in shows and offering rides for locals and tourists. While these shows serve as entertainment, it’s important to know that such acts are a result of elephant torture to force them into submission to deliver performances and to carry the weight of passengers.       

Luckily, responsible and sustainable tourism is available. In Phuket, a few parks work as sanctuaries for these animals. Elephants are majestic beasts that will surely amaze both adults and kids, making a sanctuary visit one of the most memorable things to do with family in Phuket. We won’t go into detail on what each of these parks do, but give you general tourism guidelines:

• No shows. In order for elephants to perform acts or painting activities, trainers have to torture them into submission first so they perform properly.
• No rides. Riding is a huge burden on elephants. In addition, the saddle is often known to tear and reduce elephant back hair, which is crucial for elephants to hold cooling mud on their backs.
• No cutting of the elephant tail hair as souvenirs. When trimmed, the hair becomes sharp. Elephants use their tail to swat away pesty insects, so a sharp tail could prick and damage elephant skin.
• No flash photography. An elephant’s sensitive eyes could be damaged by harsh light.
• Elephant bathing should be regulated. Aggressive splashing of water can cause sand or soil to get in the elephants' eyes and lead to rapid deterioration or blindness. Splashing with your hand is preferred over using buckets and spray guns.
• Parks should attempt to mimic the elephant’s natural habitats with plenty of forestry and free ranging and bathing areas, such as a river and grassland.
• Elephant medical facilities is a plus.

Here are some destinations for elephant interactions with your family and friends. As of the writing of this article, we found these parks to be ethically responsible. However, please conduct further research before going.

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

Promoting ethical elephant tourism, they rescue sick, injured, and old elephants from the logging and tourism industries, giving them a final home where they can roam, bathe, forage and socialize freely.

Phang Nga Elephant Park

A small family-run park that has cared for elephants for over 150 years. The park is designed as a rural Thai village, where caretakers live and work together with their elephants and families.

Elephant Retirement Park

A grassroots, non-profit initiative with the purpose of providing a nurturing environment for rescued elephants. It provides a tour for guests to see how they live by participating in caring for and feeding them.

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary

They aim to offer visitors an ethical and respectful elephant interaction experience that carefully follows the elephants’ natural daily routine. The sanctuary serves as the permanent home for the elephants they care for.

Nature Activities & Zoos

Get closer to nature during your Phuket trip with activities for families and nature lovers that allow you to immerse yourself in the natural environment to learn more about wildlife and forest conservation.

Gibbon Rehabilitation Project

This project has the meaningful mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and repopulating endangered gibbons in Phuket’s last remaining rainforest.

Hanuman World

A 32-platform zipline park that takes you over the canopy of a rainforest located next to a waterfall in Kathu, Phuket. There are other activities like the Skywalk that bring you closer to nature.

Aquariums and Marine Activities

Aquariums are a popular family destination, with exhibits and various activities perfect for day visits. Families with kids will enjoy an educational visit to notable aquariums in Phuket. 

Aquaria Phuket at Central Floresta

One of Thailand’s biggest aquariums, visitors can see over 25,000 animals and interact with knowledgeable staff to learn more about the wonders of the ocean.

Phuket Aquarium at Panwa

Considered one of the country’s first aquariums, Phuket Aquarium is a part of the Phuket Marine Biological Center, where researchers collect data and experiment on marine plants and aquatic animals. 

Mai Khao Turtle Marine Foundation

Located at Mai Khao Beach, one of the few Phuket beaches that continue to welcome nesting turtles. The eggs are rescued from surrounding beaches where the natural environment and their safety are at risk.

Dolphin's Bay at Chalong

One of the most enjoyable things to do in Phuket with kids is to watch shows and interactive sessions with dolphins and sea lions who have been bred and raised in a comfortable and caring environment.

Cultural Shows

For more family-friendly entertainment options, why not attend a cultural show? Phuket is famous for its colorful and vibrant shows that showcase the Thai people’s rich heritage, culture, and artistic skills.

Phuket FantaSea

Features a state-of-the-art theater that showcases a Las Vegas-style production based on ancient Thai traditions and mythology, live street acts, an arcade and shopping center, and magnificently decorated restaurants, making it an ideal Phuket activity with family and kids.

Carnival Magic

The first Thai cultural carnival park, Carnival Magic is an evening attraction filled with color and celebration. Highlights include a spectacular parade, a carnival-themed fair, and an enchanting Kingdom of Lights, featuring more than 40 million lights!

Siam Niramit Phuket

An award-winning show in a 100-year-old Thai village, which brings the audience back in time to ancient Siam with stunning backdrops and elaborate costumes.

Simon Carbaret

A unique musical show featuring glamorous performances of song, dance, and comedy in a luxurious, state-of-the-art theater.

Shopping Malls & Movie Theaters

Families looking to conveniently escape the heat in Phuket, may want to spend time inside the mall, where there’s plenty of things to do, shop, and eat. 

Jungceylon Mall

Located at Patong Beach, Jungceylon Mall is a modern retail shopping center with stylish zones and semi-outdoor spaces. It includes a bowling alley, a cinema, and indoor play areas for children. 

Central Festival & Central Floresta

This popular mall chain has several branches in Phuket, where the entire family can find plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

Adventure Activities

If you are looking to keep your family and kids occupied and burn off their excess energy, Phuket offers plenty of fun activities for adventure-seekers of all ages. Consider our list of Phuket activities perfect for families:

Island-Hopping

One of the top things to do in Phuket for families is to go island hopping around the neighboring islands, such as Phi Phi Islands, Similan Island, Maya Island, James Bond Island, and Phang Nga Bay.

Water Sports

Many Phuket beaches offer various watersports including jet skiing, waterskiing, parasailing, canoeing, paddleboarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, and more. Many places that rent out equipment also have instructors to provide basic training. 

Go-Karting

There are multiple go-kart race tracks available around Phuket, providing exciting go-kart courses for beginners and more experienced drivers. 

Mini-Golf

For a fun family activity, try the miniature golf courses at Dino Park on Karon Beach and Adventure Mini-Golf on Bangtao Beach. This Phuket activity is suitable for kids of all ages.

Check out our article on Phuket's Top 12 Best Adventure, Island visiting, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, White Water Rafting Things to Do in Phuket

A Unique Private Beach in Phuket

So you’ve finally made it to a tropical island, now you’ve to figure out how to best enjoy this vacation. If you plan to relax with your family and loved ones, then there is no better solution than to lounge on a private beach overlooking the stunning Andaman Sea. There aren’t that many unspoiled private beaches left in Phuket, but Nakalay Beach is one we’d recommend.

Currently occupied by Thavorn Beach Village Resort & Spa, this private beach in Phuket offers unique experiences, whether high tide or low tide. There are plenty of things to do for families with big or small kids. During high tide, you can swim or rent snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, or flamingo floating equipment and wade out to sea. During low tide, however, the beach transforms, showing off its rocky seabed with a fascinating ecosystem, or what locals call the low tide wonders of Nakalay Bay.

Your kids can learn about the scientific phenomenon called the intertidal zone, which is home to a vast number of marine species, such as starfish, crabs, corals, shrimp, squid, and sea urchins. You might even come across the sandfish that have adapted to live both underwater and on ground.

If you prefer a beach that’s less isolated, we recommend Karon Beach as the next best alternative. Karon Beach is a well-known family beach in Phuket and is a favorite due to its beautiful sunsets, long stretch of pristine beach, various beach activities, good sidewalks, and lively-but-not-too-wild nightlife scene, ideal for families.