There Are Lots Of Things To Do With Kids In Hang Dong, Chiang Mai!
You may be surprised to see how big Hang Dong district in Chiang Mai actually is (refer to the map to see what I mean). In fact, it turns out quite a few places we love to go with kids aren’t even in Hang Dong as we thought and many places were thought weren’t, are!
Here is a growing list of great things to do with kids in Hang Dong and as always, feel free to let us know of other great finds.
[sharethis-inline-buttons]
1. Have A Blast At Chiang Mai’s Most Popular Water Park
The Grand Canyon Water Park is an inflatable water park set up over an old quarry. There is also a kids’ water park which looks like a more typical water park with regular slides, the giant dumping bucket, and shallow water.
There is also wake boarding, cliff jumping, Wipe Out style obstacles over water, restaurants and more!
The Grand Canyon also often has great promotions which can be found on their Facebook page which is listed below in the information box.
Hours: Open 9 am -6 pm daily
Entrance fee: (each ticket includes zip-lining)
Adults 550 bahtChildren (91 cm-120 cm) 400 baht
Children (under 90 cm) FREE!
Pet friendly: NO
Parking: FREE. Parking for cars and motorbikes across the street.
Telephone: 063 672 4007
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Grandcanyonwaterpark/
Location: Google Maps
2. Swim In A River And Go On A Hike At Ob Khan
Ob Khan National Park is a short drive from the centre of down in Hang Dong. It boasts FREE entry, natural beauty, hiking, camping, swimming and an opportunity for a family picnic!
It is a very popular place to visit, especially on weekends or holidays. Although it is best to avoid in the heavy rainy season which typically happens in Chiang Mai from September to October.
Make sure to call before you go as the park is closed after heavy rains and is sometimes closed for a couple months in June and July for rejuvenation. Also, during Covid restrictions, national parks remain closed.
Entrance fee: free!
Hours: Open 8 am-6 pm daily. Overnight camping allowed only November – March (approximate dates depending on the weather)
Recommended for: all ages and fitness levels!
Accessibility: NO strollers. NO wheelchair access.
Telephone: 086 181 1068
Website: http://nps.dnp.go.th/parksdetail.php?id=125&name=OpKhanNationalPark
3. See Elephants At This Special Cafe
Elefin Cafe is located up in the hills of Hang Dong up the Samoeng Road. It’s a small café where you are encouraged to meet elephants!
It costs 100 baht per basket of food which will attract the elephants to you. You can feel safe petting them and feeding them under the close watch of the mahouts.
There is also a small café to get snacks and drinks.
The elephants are well taken care of here, otherwise we wouldn’t recommend it! We’ve known the owners for years and they care very much about their elephants emotional and physical well-beings.
Hours: Open daily 9 am – 5 pm daily
Good for ages: all ages
Phone: 098 549 2516
Kids Menu: No
High chairs: No
Playground: No
Wheelchair or stroller accessible: No
Pet friendly: No
Child friendly staff: No
Birthday parties: No
Prices: $&
Facebook: Elefin Farm & Cafe
Location: Elefin Farm & Cafe map
4. Visit The Most Child Friendly Bookstore In Chiang Mai
The Little Lion Children’s Bookshop just up the 1269 Road off Canal Road, and boasts the best selection of children’s books in English in the city!
The books appear to be either part of an overstock haul while some are excellent condition second hand books. All books are incredibly priced. For example, I bought nine books and it only cost 450 baht (~$17)!
The Little Lion also has soft areas and seating for kids to sit and read and there is a café as well which serves a small selection of cold drinks.
Their book selection goes from baby up to tween or teen, although there is very limited book choice for teenagers. For little kids and children around 8-10, there are plenty of books to choose from!
Hours: Open daily 9:30 am – 4:30 pm daily
Good for ages: toddler to teenager
Phone: 093 583 6011
Wheelchair or stroller accessible: Yes
Pet friendly: Yes
Child friendly staff: No
Prices: $
Facebook: Little Lion Children’s Bookshop
Location: Google Maps
5. Visit This Amazing Café And Amusement Park In Hang Dong
Part of the Jungle De Café family, this gorgeous café is located in the famous wooden manufacturing village of Baan Tawai in Hang Dong.
Jungle De Café Baan Tawai is a huge complex situated in the middle of never ending rice fields. It boasts suspension bridges, a huge waterfall, and plenty of floating hammocks over bright blue water.
It’s a beautiful place to relax with kids and explore.
Hours: Open daily from 8 am – 11 pm
Good for ages: all ages
Kids Menu: No
High chairs: No
Playground: No
Wheelchair or stroller accessible: No
Pet friendly: No
Child friendly staff: No
Birthday parties: No
Prices: $$
Facebook: Jungle De Cafe Baan Tawai
Location: Google Maps
6. Play At A Bamboo Playground
Enjoy lunch or an early dinner at Triplets Eat & Play bamboo playground in Hang Dong.
The playground is really unique and it’s free for kids to play with the assumption that you purchase a drink or some food.
It has a sandy bottom with sand toys. There’s also a trampoline, swings and green space to run around.
Parents can sit at various spots around the playground or inside.
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 11 am- 10 pm . Closed Mondays
Good for ages: toddler to 9 years old
Phone: 053 441 369
Kids Menu: Yes
High chairs: Yes
Playground: Yes
Wheelchair or stroller accessible: outdoor areas only
Child friendly staff: Yes
Birthday parties: Yes
Prices: $$
Website: https://www.tripletseatandplay.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tripletseatandplay/
Location: Google Maps
7. Enjoy This Incredible Garden Park
The Royal Flora Rajapruek Park has been many a family’s go to spot for an escape into nature.
It’s the perfect place to take a stroller and walk around. You can also rent bicycles or take a tram to get around. The park and gardens are huge with lots of surprises.
The park is set up sort of like an expo of different countries around the world and there’s also a really nice and big playground.
Hours: Open daily 8 am – 5:30 pm
Phone: 053 114 110 ext 5
Playground: Yes
Wheelchair or stroller accessible: Very
Pet friendly: No
Child friendly staff: No
Birthday parties: No
Prices: $$
Website: http://www.royalparkrajapruek.org
Location: Google Maps
8. Swim In A Creek At Valley Café
As Lanna Rock Garden is only open on weekends, Valley Cafe offers a great alternative as it’s open everyday and it is located along the same road but is closer to the city!
Here they have a fully operational cafe with food and drinks, although you are welcome to bring your own food for a riverside picnic.
Just like Lanna Rock Garden you can splash around in the river. Here the river is much more shaded. In fact, there is much more shade here overall making it a bit nicer as you won’t get so hot.
Hours: Open daily from 9 am – 9 pm
Good for ages: all ages!
Phone: 093 161 8886
Kids Menu: No
High chairs: No
Playground: No
Wheelchair or stroller accessible: some areas
Pet friendly: No
Child friendly staff: No
Birthday parties: No
Prices: $$
Website: http://www.lannaresort.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Valleycoffee168/
Location: Google Maps
9. Hike Up To The White Pagoda
If you’ve been to the previously mentioned places, you’ve likely noticed the white temple on the hill! Well, it is open to the public and accessible through Wat Ban Pong.
Wat Ban Pong itself is a sight to see. It’s gorgeous! From this temple there is access to either a paved road that winds its way up to the white pagoda, or there are a steep set of stairs that take you right to it.
The hike is what most people would consider ‘easy’ although with kids in tow that will likely not be the case! Just be sure to bring water and snacks as there are no shops.
Hours: 8 am – 6 pm daily (hours are approximate)
Pet friendly: The hike up to the White Pagoda is, but you have to get past the temple dogs first.
Accessibility: Stroller and wheelchair (some help required in parts)
Price: FREE
Recommended for: 5 and up if you plan to do the hike to the white pagoda
Location:
Google Maps (Wat Phra That Si Mueang Pong – The White Pagoda)
10. Swim And Kayak At Nanon
A great place to swim in Hang Dong is at Nanon. At this complex they have a fitness centre, great and affordable food, amazing staff, and kayaking!
I’m pretty sure you can even fish here if you bring your own gear.
The pool is huge and perfect for length swimming while at the far end (not shown in the photo) is a Jacuzzi type section where bigger children can stand and swim around.
Hours: 8 am – 9 pm daily
Cost:
Towels included: Members only
Pet friendly: No
Food available: Yes
Pool system: Bromine
Phone: 081 473 8937
Location: Google Maps
11. Eat And Play In Hang Dong
Most families know about Nics already, but it still remains a popular place to go with kids in Hang Dong. It has become a fallback when other places are closed and the quality is consistent.
It is also open later than most other child-friendly restaurants which is great!
The playground is the highlight of Nics and they also have a trampoline and a concrete sports pad where kids can play football, rider Striders, or even skateboard!
Hours: Open daily from 11:30 am – 10 pm
Good for ages: toddler to 10 years old
Phone: 087 007 3769
Kids Menu: Yes
High chairs: Yes
Playground: Yes
Wheelchair or stroller accessible: some areas
Child friendly staff: Yes
Birthday parties: Yes
Prices: $$$
Website: http://nics.asia/en/homepage
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nics.Restaurant.Playground/
Location: Google Maps
12. Play At A Treehouse-like Setting In Chiang Mai
ChamCha Cafe is a lovely spot to grab a cold drink or some delicious food while the kids play.
Recently updated, their playground is now great for all ages! It’s got everything kids desire and sometimes there are even horses to ride.
It’s a lovely spot for breakfast or lunch and if you needed or wanted to get away from the kids, up on the top ‘treehouse’ level provides a relaxing spot with a great view.
Hours: Open weekends from 7 am – 9 pm and Monday to Friday 8 am – 9 pm
Good for ages: all ages
Kids Menu: No
High chairs: Yes (the good kind)
Playground: Yes
Wheelchair or stroller accessible: Yes (but only the ground floor)
Child friendly staff: Yes
Birthday parties: No (But you can probably host one here)
Prices: $$
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHAMCHADoiKham/
Location: Google Maps
13. Meet Animals Close Up!
A go to favourite, The Night Safari Chiang Mai offers plenty of opportunities to see exotic animals up close.
They’ve got animals from all over the world! The easiest and most affordable option is to simply enjoy the walking zone. Here you can take a stroller or walk around the 3 km loop to see various creatures up close. You will also gain access to the indoor-outdoor playground.
The other more expensive but pretty cool option is to take the tram. It will drive you through two huge exhibits where you can feed animals such as zebras and giraffes!
At night they offer another zone as well at extra cost.
Hours: Daily 11 am – 10 pm
Recommended for: all ages!
Accessibility: Stroller and wheelchair access.
Telephone: 053 999 000
Website:
Location: Google Maps
14. Eat Sushi, Explore A ‘Rainforest’ And Feed Fish
Carp Cafe offers a one of a kind eating experience! Here you can sit at a waterfall table. Yep, the water runs through your table and comes out the other side as a waterfall.
Not only that but in the back there is a hidden rainforest world. Of course what it’s most famous for are all the Koi fish.
As you enjoy your meal or drinks, you are practically sat floating over the waters which are full of fish.
I’ve heard the sushi is quite good as well!
Hours: Open daily from 9 am – 8 pm
Good for ages: 4 and up
Phone: 061 268 7447
Kids Menu: No
High chairs: No
Playground: No
Wheelchair or stroller accessible: No
Pet friendly: No
Child friendly staff: No
Birthday parties: No
Prices: $$
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uricarpcafe/
Location: Google Maps
