Discover the best outdoor playgrounds in Chiang Mai
Find a playground near you where your kids can get outside and play! A few of the playgrounds are considered public and are free for everyone, although some of our recommendations for outdoor play areas are pay-to-play in some way shape or form.
There are plenty of other places with playgrounds, they are included in our eat and play playgrounds post and kid friendly cafes in Chiang Mai post.
If playing outdoors seems too hot, definitely head inside to one of the many indoor playgrounds in Chiang Mai.
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YuuBaan Studio
This latest playground is called YuuBaan which translates to stay home. It is designed to feel comfortable with places for parents to relax and sit while the kids play! The playground is the most unique one yet in Chiang Mai. Just check out the cool stuff!
There is more to YuuBaan Studio than just the playground. There really cool walkways to explore and also, the interior of the café provides an indoor play area as well for toddlers.
Then there is of course this enormously long slide!! It’s actually not a fast slide so you don’t need to worry about kids zooming off and flying off the end. It’s still fun though and kids enjoy it.
Set in a natural setting, kids can bring along their swim suits or extra clothes and splash around in the stream that runs through the café. It’s pretty cool because they have a watermill that kids can experiment with to see how it works. There’s also an old fashioned water pump too!
The highlight for my daughter though was the DIY cookie set where the kids can decorate their own cookies! What a creative and fun idea 🙂
Hours: Open 9 am to 5 pm. CLOSED Tuesday’s
Cost: Must buy a drink, meal or treat
Good for ages: toddler to 8 years old
Location: Google Maps
Nong Buak Hard Park Playground
This public park is an absolute gem. Located right in the heart of Chiang Mai, it is easily one of the most beautiful spots within the moat. It’s the perfect spot to relax while the kids play. In fact, they’ve just built a brand new two leveled gazebo specifically so parents can sit in the shade while watching everyone play.
Nong Buak Hard Park offers far more than just a playground so be sure to check out all the family activities in our parks section.
Located on the South West corner of the moat, you will find the playground! The outdoor playground for kids has a sandbox, swing set, and monkey bars for children to play on. Sand covers the entire ground so it’s safe for messing about. There are benches for parents to sit on too, but if you’re going to be here for a while, you should rent a picnic mat from one of the local vendors for around 60 baht for the day. Set yourself by the water under the shade of the trees and enjoy the view.
Seeing as you’ll probably hangout in the park for a while, you might be wondering about washrooms. There are public washrooms just across from the bridge. Be prepared to use a squatter! It’s Thai style! It costs 3 baht a go; a bit extra if you need toilet paper. Always best to bring your own!
Hours: Open daily dawn til dusk
Cost: FREE 🙂
Good for ages: toddler – 8 years old
Location: Google Maps
Royal Park Rajapruek Playground
This is one of the largest outdoor playgrounds around Chiang Mai! Royal Park Rajapruek has a great big western style playground and a classic wooden one too. The entire structure has a sandy base to keep little ones safe and places for parents to sit while the kids’ imaginations take off. There are see-saws and swings too, but our favourite has to be the enormous whale! Climb up its back and slide out through its mouth! This will definitely be a favourite memory.
Immediately next to the playground is a bug museum and butterfly sanctuary that is a must see! In fact, the entire garden is well worth a visit. Be sure to check it out!
Click here to see more about Royal Park Rajapruek!
Hours: Daily 8 am – 5:30 pm
Cost:
Tourist prices: Adult 200 baht. Children 150 baht (100cm – 140 cm), under 100 cm FREE!
Locals prices: Adult 100 baht. Child 70 baht (100cm – 140 cm), under 100 cm FREE!
Annual membership is 400 baht per person.
Good for ages: 3 to 9 years old
Location: Google Maps
Cup Fine Day Playground
Another Chiang Mai favourite is Cup Fine Day and it’s just past the Royal Flora Park! There are different play zones throughout the café grounds with play structures for all ages. Most kids love the sand pit area and the swinging chairs.
Of course, the giant trampoline is very popular too! With the trampoline, older kids still enjoy coming to Cup Fine Day to play.
While the kids are off playing, parents can relax either in bamboo huts with fans, or sit amongst the kids having fun. There also an indoor air conditioned room, however you cannot see the play areas from there.
Click here for more about Cup Fine Day!
Hours: Open 7 am to 5:30 pm daily
Cost: Must purchase a drink or meal.
Good for ages: toddler to 8 years old
Location: Google Maps
Mahidol Road Playground
This cute playground is just beside Mahidol Road if you are heading south away from the moat. It’s a nice little play area for small children with smaller playground structures and lots of space to run around! There is a bit of shade, but none directly over the playground.
The name of the playground translates simply to public park fort, although we didn’t see any evidence of a fort! Besides the play area, there are other activities to do with in the park as well. Kids will enjoy the monkey bar rings, the train and the climbing structures!
There is no public toilet here, so be prepared! The playground appears to be open from dawn until sunset, but there were no hours posted.
Hours: Open from dawn til dusk
Cost: FREE 🙂
Good for ages: toddler to 7 years old
Location: Google Maps
Muang Chiang Mai Stadium
Off the tourist path located just north of the moat is the Muang Chiang Mai Stadium. Offering incredible facilities for exercise buffs, it also houses a bunch of playgrounds for kids of all ages. There are seesaws, monkey bars, western style playgrounds, slides and more! Lots of locals come to hang out here in the evening which makes for a great opportunity for you and the kids to mingle with locals and make some friends.
Want to see if you’re still any good on the monkey bars?! Remember hanging upside down and swinging from bar to bar? What’s great about this place is that the bars are actually high enough for us grown up kids. It’s a rare find in Chiang Mai. Also, while the kids play you can sneak in a little workout too. Surrounding the play area are metal workout machines. These essentially use your body weight to get the job done and depending on the machine, provide a nice work out!
Calling all sporty peeps! Far more then just a playground, the Chiang Mai Stadium offers lots of opportunities to try new sports or play old faithful ones. For the X Games buff there is even a BMX and skateboarding park across the street from the main playground. The ramps appear old, but still serve their purpose. The road provides a perfect flat space for riding bicycles. There aren’t many cars or motorbikes around inside the stadium making it a good spot to ride. For the basketball fanatic, there is also a full-sized basketball court. Bring a ball and play 21. And there’s still more! Depending on the day you can access the professional football field and running track. Throw a Frisbee around, go for a run, or get your footy on!
When the inevitable “I have to go pee” happens, no worries! There are public washrooms across from the playground inside the arena building. It’s not a cleanest facility and there is no toilet paper, so hopefully you’ve got some prepared! There is no cost to use it. A couple of the toilets are western while the rest are squatters. Keep opening the stalls until you find the throne you like!
Be sure to check the stadium out. It’s completely free to access and open very early until late. As you enter the stadium follow the road around to the left and you’ll see the playground on the right hand side with the basketball court on the left. Enjoy!
Rama IX (Rama 9) Lanna Park Playground
This fantastic playground is located in the largest public park in Chiang Mai. The park is perfect for a family outing as the grounds are lush, there are wide pathways and plenty of shade. Found just near the Lanna Golf Club, the outdoor playground is perfect for infants, toddler and kids who like to climb, slide or see-saw! The best park is they even have baby swings! The ground is sandy making for soft play and the surrounding area is covered in grass. Parents can bring a mat to sit on while the kids play.
There are two places to access the park. If you take the first gate entrance, it will lead you to a parking lot with shade, but from here here it’s a bit of a walk so make sure you bring everything you need with you, along with snacks and water. Alternatively, you can take the second gate entrance and you will see the playground on your left. Parking is on the side of the road with a walkway entrance to the park.
When we were there, there were no vendors selling anything so definitely prepare what your family needs, especially toilet paper! Toilets are located around the park and are free of charge. The park gets busy in the late afternoon or evening and is getting more popular on weekends.
Hours: Open daily dawn til dusk
Cost: FREE 🙂
Good for ages: toddler to 8 years old
Location: Google Maps
Mahidol Road Playground at Ping River
This is one of our favourite community playgrounds. All the playground equipment is well kept and most of it is very new and this is one of the few places that has actual swings! For a no pressure workout, try the machines. All are like new and are really fun to try to figure out with the whole family. Does anyone know what the turning pizza wheels do?!
The playground is located within a community housing apartment complex. To get here you’ll need to head away from Airport Plaza heading east on Mahidol Rd. When you see the bridge overpass, make sure you stick to the left. You don’t want to go over the bridge. Turn left at the Saraphi, Mahidol intersection and take the first right. Go to the end of this road and turn right again. Find parking outside the entrance to the community. Non-residents cannot park inside as a pass is required to enter. No worries though! The security guard will smile and wave you right in if you’re on foot. He’s always been very encouraging of us using the playground. In fact there are three playgrounds in the complex! Have a walk about to find them all.
Do be aware that there are NO washrooms available to the public. Make sure everyone goes before you get here!
Sankampaeng Hot Spring Playground
This playground is located in the most developed hot spring near Chiang Mai! The large playground has three different structures and lots of sandy ground to let the kids run around on. The area is mostly shaded and there are tables around for parents to sit at and watch the kids play. The San Kampaeng Hot Spring also a very popular family destination for picnics!
Kids will love the slides, swings, tunnels and balancing structures! Your family will also love the experience of the hot spring. The San Kampaeng Hot Spring offers so much to do for families that you should make a day of it! There’s swimming, massage, and even camping!
Click for more information about the Hot Springs!
Hours: Daily 8 am – dusk (staying overnight is allowed if renting a room or tent)
Cost:
Tourist prices: Adult 100 baht. Child 50 baht.
Car – 40 baht (parking outside is free)
Local prices: Adult 40 baht. Child 20 baht. Over 60 years 20 baht
Car – 40 baht (parking outside is free)
Good for ages: toddler to 8 years old
Location: Google Maps
Nong Phueng, Saraphi
A ways out of town for most people, but a great find for those living or visiting in Saraphi, this public playground has a mix of western style and Thai metal structures. The ground is even covered in rubber padding. There is a concrete pad where you could kick a ball around or play badminton and it has a roofed area to provide shelter from the sun or rain. This playground is located in front of Wat Soo Kua down the big tree road aka the 106 Road.
Badminton and football are one thing, but have you ever wanted to try Thai kickball? Just behind the playground to the right is a proper kickball court. You can find a kickball at local Thai shops or Big C. It’s hilarious to play and the family will have lots of laughs.
There are washrooms located at the back of the temple. Toilets are western style, but there wasn’t any toilet paper or soap when we were there, so be prepared! Also, in order to enter the temple grounds please make sure you are wearing respectable clothing. Kids can generally get away with it, but adults should cover shoulders, knees, and scandalous body parts!
Night Safari Playground [CLOSED]
Technically this playground is indoors and outdoors as it has a canvas roof over it to protect you from the heat and rain. It is home to small rock climbing structures, an impressive rope playground, seesaws and more! The Night Safari playground is one of the more popular destinations for those who live in Chiang Mai as it is located within a zoo. It makes a perfect place to spend the afternoon.
The ground is made of padded rubber making it safe for kids to tumble around. Although if it rains, watch out for puddles! The play area is only partially covered and the ground often gets quite wet. The playground remains open rain or shine just warn your kids that they may get wet.
One of the reasons the Night Safari playground is a popular spot is that you can’t beat the price! Adult admission is 100 baht and children are 50 baht*. Kids under 100 cm are free! With a valid Thai ID, such as a driver’s licence, kids gain entrance for only 25 baht and adults 50 baht. The absolute best part?! Admission includes the Night Safari Walking Zone! Play until the sun goes down and explore the safari if you’re up for it.
Just a tip! After having your tickets punched, head to the right to get a cash coupon card. Inside the Night Safari is a cash-free zone. Everything must be purchased with a fully redeemable cash card. Outside food and drink are not allowed, mostly because management doesn’t want strange things being gobbled up by the animals.
After this head to the left past the coffee and snack shop and you’ll see the playground. To the right of the playground is the entrance to the walking path. We highly recommend the walk about!
Click here to see more of the Night Safari!
Hours: Daily 11 am – dusk
Cost:
Tourist prices: Adult 100 baht, Child 50 baht. Under 100 cm free.
Local prices: Adult 50 baht. Child 25 baht. Under 100 cm free.
*This price is for the playground and Walking Zone only. The Night Safari and Night Predator Zone come at an extra cost.
Good for ages: toddler to 9 years old
Location: Google Maps
Tweechol Garden Playground
This playground is just one part of the incredible Tweechol Botanic Garden located in Horizon Village Resort. See all the 120 acre garden resort has to offer as you can easily plan an entire day around the gardens. There’s even a mini-zoo and a swimming pool!
The playground has a variety of play areas with more than enough swing sets for everyone! Slides a plenty and climbing structures too. Virtually covered in shade all day, you could arrive and enjoy the outdoor play area any time.
It is a bit outside the city towards Doi Saket and takes approximately 45 minutes to get there.
Click here to see why Tweechol makes for a great day out!
Hours: Open daily 8:30 am – 5 pm
Cost: Adults 86 baht. Children 43 baht.
Good for ages: 3 to 8 years old
Location: Google Maps
Hidden Village
Don’t be afraid! At the Hidden Village you will play among a prehistoric world. Dinosaurs ROAR as you play. It’s a wonderful place to spend a morning or an afternoon with the family as it’s not too far outside of the main city. It even has an on site restaurant too making lunch an easy option! There’s a petting zoo, pony riding and more!
There are three separate play areas kids can enjoy. For some good old wooden playground fun head to the adventure zone. This is included in the ticket price. Kids can run around and play for as long as they wish. It’s one of the best playgrounds we’ve seen anywhere in Chiang Mai. It has tire bridges, rock climbing, a trampoline, and rope ladders. The ground is grassy and sandy allowing for safe play. Parents can sit under the shade of trees as the kids go crazy with their imaginations.
Beyond the valley of the dinosaurs, lies a bouncy castle. For only 20 baht your little kiddos will bounce around to their hearts delight! When it’s not busy there is no time limit enforced making 20 baht go a long way! During busy times such as weekends, time limits are imposed.
For crawlers and toddlers there’s a soft play zone. It’s actually a tad pricey at 40 baht for 20 mins, but again this seems to be only imposed when it’s packed full of little people. It looks like lots of fun! So much so your older kids might want to go in too. It has a ball pen, basketball, slides, a rope swing and a swing round merry-go-round.
One thing is for sure, everyone is going to have a great time!
Click here to learn more!
Hours: Daily 9 am – 6 pm
Cost:
Tourist prices: Adults 200 baht. Children 100 baht.
Locals prices: Adults 100 baht. Child 100 baht (over 130 cm), 50 baht (100-130 cm), free (less than 100 cm).
Good for ages: 1 to 4 years old
Location: Google Maps
Jubilee Park Playground
This outdoor playground is a hidden gem! It’s located in a park called สวนกาญจนาภิเษก (suwan gan ja na pee sek) which roughly translates to Jubilee Park. We explored it on a late afternoon and we had the playground all to ourselves!
The walk to the playground was absolutely lovely. The park is located in a very shaded ravine with a river running through it and offers more activities to do for all ages. There were quite a few play structures including a balance beam, a swing set, monkey bars, a tiny tots playground, a train and more! It was fairly shaded and had a soft sandy ground.
Jubilee playground is located right across the moat from Nong Buak Hard Park, although to access the playground by car, you really need to know where to park. If heading west along the moat road, slow down as you turn the corner towards Central Airport Plaza. A very small parking lot exists on this blind corner and it’s very easy to miss! If you do miss the turn off, don’t worry! Just keep driving as there’s another place to park at the other end of the park. Look for a turn off after the fruit sellers just after a car sales shop.
There are no shops nearby to buy snacks or water, so make sure you’ve brought your own, but there are free public toilets! These can be found at the far southern end closer to the playground. Remember, BYOTP (bring your own toilet paper)!
Hours: Open 5 am to 8 pm daily
Cost: FREE 🙂
Good for ages: toddler to 8 years old
Location: Google Maps
