With friendly locals, spectacular scenery and a relaxed and unhurried pace, Chiang Mai has plenty to offer families with children of all ages. Known in Thailand as the Rose of the North, Chiang Mai is full of culture with an endless list of experiences to add to the bucket list. Take the kids on the ultimate family holiday in Chiang Mai where wildlife experiences and educational activities will enrich their experience and broaden their horizons. Here are the best family activities to enjoy in Chiang Mai.

ANIMALS & WILDLIFE

Chiang Mai Zoo
Chiang Mai Zoo should be at the top of any family bucket list in Chiang Mai. This large 1,442 square metre park offers plenty of interactive fun for the kids with a cognitive development centre, Snow Dome with fake snow and one of the largest aquariums in Southeast Asia. Various exhibits are home to a variety of African and Asian animals with everything from rabbits to penguins and pandas. Don’t miss the giraffe feeding at various times in the day and a chance to view the snorting hippos! Guided tours of the aquarium are available and there are transfers by zoo sky tram or park bus between sections of the park which is great for families with prams.

Elephant Nature Park
Visit the Elephant Nature Park and learn how these gentle giants are being rehabilitated. This rescue and rehabilitation centre provides a safe home for Asian elephants, dogs, cats, buffaloes and other wildlife and you can join in with their care by feeding or bathing the elephants.

Chiang Mai Night Safari
Families travelling with older kids will love visiting Chiang Mai Night Safari and the chance to see some of Asia and Africa’s exciting nocturnal predators. This night-time zoo is best from the early evening onwards and consists of nature walks, night safari trips and a mini zoo. You’ll also see the largest musical fountain in Asia here.

The Monkey Centre
Chiang Mai’s Monkey Centre provides a fun-filled day out for the whole family. Spend your morning watching a monkey show where these incredible primates show off to the audience, riding bikes, playing basketball and picking coconuts. Don’t forget to get a great photo of your kids feeding one of the monkeys while you’re here.

Catmosphere
Cat lovers unite at Catmosphere cat café in Chiang Mai. This unusual coffee shop is filled with cats of all ages, colours and sizes and guests can look forward to spending an hour or two playing with them – provided you purchase a drink or two from the café.

CULTURAL & EDUCATIONAL 
 

Cooking class
There is no better way to bond as a family than over food. Sign up for a Thai cooking class and spend a fun evening learning how to make all sorts of Asian foods such as spring rolls, Pad Thai and curry. Plus, you’ll get to eat your creations at the end. It’s a win!

Monk Chat
Have you ever wanted to have a chat with a monk? In Chiang Mai, its encouraged and it’s completely free. Joining a monk chat is a great family activity where you have the time to ask the monks any questions you like. A typical monk chat lasts anything from a couple of minutes to an hour or two and it’s a great way for them to improve their English.

Elephant Poo Poo Paper Park
Visiting the Elephant Poo Poo Park is simply a must for all families visiting Chiang Mai. Various interactive work stations around the park show how paper is created out of elephant dung and you can even create your own crafts to take home with you! If you only have a short time in Chiang Mai, make sure you allow the time to tick off this enjoyable eco-tourism activity.

Bo Sand Handicraft Village
Just nine kilometres outside of Chiang Mai, you will find what’s known as the “handicraft highway” on San Kamphaeng Road – where silk, silverware and gem factories or showrooms abound. Both you and your kids can learn how the intricate Saa Paper Umbrellas are made at the Umbrella Factory or join a papermaking class at the Saa Paper Craft Shop.

ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES

Ziplining
Kids will love the chance to go ziplining through the Thailand rainforest in Chiang Mai – a great way to experience the beauty from above the treetops – and it includes a scenic trek to a waterfall. This activity is recommended for kids five years and older.

Bike tours
Bike tours are a great way to combine exercise with fun activities in Chiang Mai. There are loads of companies that offer family tours with kids’ bikes and seats for babies and toddlers. Chiang Mai Biking has a great tour that includes a visit to a candy factory!

Hike to Huay Kaew Waterfall
Hiking to the Huay Kaew Waterfall is a short and scenic walk and we love it more because it’s absolutely free. It’s a great way for kids to let off some steam and the very shallow waterfalls are a great place to cool down after the pleasant 25 minute walk. Keep an eye out for all the beautiful butterflies fluttering through the area and pack a picnic to enjoy beside the water.

Ride a tuk tuk
Explore Chiang Mai by tuk tuk – one of the easiest and most affordable ways to travel around Thailand. While we definitely recommend hiring a tuk tuk for a tour of Chiang Mai, be sure to agree the price and route before you get inside to avoid getting ripped off.

LEISURE ACTIVITIES

Fish Pedicures
Dare to tip your toes into a fish tank full of flesh eating fish? This activity is great for families where kids can enjoy the tickling sensation of the fish nibbling the dead skin from their feet. Fish spas are available through Chiang Mai.

Play areas
Need to do a little shopping in peace? Both of the main shopping centres in Chiang Mai have wonderful play areas for families. These areas have all sorts of exciting play equipment such as climbing areas, rides and mini rollercoasters. Kad Suan Kaew Mall has a games area for kids on the first floor as well as a PlayStation area nearby for teens.

Cinemas
You will find some decent cinema complexes in Chiang Mai’s largest shopping malls, including the Vista Cinema in Kad Suan Kaew Mall and the Major Cineplex in Airport Plaza. There are about 24 screenings a day at each cinema consisting of a range of Thai movies with English subtitles and at least one family movie a day.

Bowling
Bully Bowl in Kad Suan Kaew Mall is a fantastic bowling alley for families, located behind the cinema complex. The cost to play games here is reasonable and it’s usually  not crowded.

Public parks
If you’re visiting during the summer time, there are plenty of parks in Chiang Mai where you can relax on the lawns with a snack. Various parks in Chiang Mai offer plenty of shade with vendors selling refreshments and ice creams. Nong Buak Hard Park can be found in Chiang Mai’s southwest corner where plenty of greenery offers a space to relax and have a family picnic. Kids can enjoy feeding the fish in the pond and the coffee shop is a good spot to stop and enjoy its free wireless internet.  If you’re feeling adventurous, why not join an afternoon Tai Chi or aerobics class?

Public pools
If you’re visiting during the summer months, kids will love the chance to cool off at one of Chiang Mai’s public swimming pools – found at Chiang Mai Land and the 700 Year Stadium.

Fun foods
In Chiang Mai, it’s popular to eat all sorts of food on a stick – and you’ll be amazed at just how many foodstuffs you can find served this way. Everything from meats (sausage, chicken and pork) to fruit and doughnuts are served on a stick in Chiang Mai. The perfect solution for fussy eaters! 

Mae Ping River Cruise
Spend a day away from the busy city and enjoy a relaxing Mae Ping River Cruise to witness daily life on the banks of the River Ping. The trip includes a stop at a local farmer’s house to see how they cultivate jasmine rice and various herbs used in medicine and cooking. You’ll even get to taste some of the seasonal fruit grown here along with some lemongrass juice!

Chiang Mai is the perfect city to explore with your family at your own pace. What other family-friendly activities do you recommend in Northern Thailand?