With kids · Pattaya · Thailand

Pattaya with kids

Family-tested sights, a calm base and the practical details that make travelling with children easier.

Updated 25 October 2026By the AMZBooking editorial team

Quick answer

Pattaya packs a wide range of family attractions into easy reach of Bangkok: water parks, an aquarium, an illusion museum, a botanical garden, an open zoo and easy island trips. Jomtien and Naklua are calmer bases than central Pattaya. Top picks: Koh Larn (Coral Island), Jomtien Beach and Nong Nooch Tropical Garden. Families usually base themselves in Jomtien.

Family picks: 7
Best area for families: Jomtien
Rainy-day options: 2
Busiest months: December–February

Best things to do with kids

Island · Koh Larn

1.Koh Larn (Coral Island)

About 7 km off the coast, Koh Larn has several beaches with clearer water than the mainland, including Tawaen, Samae, Nual and Tien. Public ferries from Bali Hai Pier take about 30–45 minutes to Na Ban pier or Tawaen, and motorbike taxis and songthaews connect the beaches.

Take the public ferry rather than a speedboat tour, and head to Samae or Tien beach, which are usually quieter than Tawaen.

Time needed: Full day
Cost: Low cost

Iconic
Outdoors
Kids
Couples

Beach · Jomtien

2.Jomtien Beach

A long stretch of sand south of Pratumnak Hill with a palm-lined beach road, deckchairs, seafood restaurants and water sports including kite-surfing and parasailing. It is calmer and more family-oriented than Pattaya Beach.

Head to the southern end for more space and kite-surfing schools, and visit the Jomtien Night Market in the evening.

Time needed: Half a day
Cost: Free

Free
Kids
Outdoors
Active

Garden · Sattahip

3.Nong Nooch Tropical Garden

About 15 km south of Pattaya, this huge privately owned garden covers hundreds of hectares with French and Italian-style gardens, cactus and orchid collections, a valley of dinosaur sculptures and daily Thai cultural shows. Trams and shuttles connect the different zones.

Allow a full morning, use the in-park tram to save walking in the heat, and visit the elevated walkway for views over the gardens.

Time needed: Half a day
Cost: Mid-priced

Kids
Nature
Outdoors
Photo spot

Theme park · Na Jomtien

4.Ramayana Water Park

One of Thailand's largest water parks, set beside a lake near Silverlake south of Pattaya, with high-speed slides, a lazy river, a wave pool and a large children's play area.

Arrive at opening to beat queues on the big slides, bring reef-safe sunscreen and rent a locker for valuables.

Time needed: Full day
Cost: Expensive

Kids
Active
Outdoors

Aquarium · Central Pattaya

5.Underwater World Pattaya

An aquarium on Sukhumvit Road where a walk-through tunnel passes beneath sharks, rays and turtles, with smaller tanks of reef fish, jellyfish and touch pools.

Visit in the heat of the afternoon or on a rainy day, and check the feeding times at the entrance.

Time needed: 1.5 hours
Cost: Mid-priced

Kids
Rainy day

Museum · Central Pattaya

6.Art in Paradise

A 3D illusion art museum where large painted scenes are designed to be photographed, so visitors appear to ride dolphins, fall off cliffs or sit in giant teacups.

Go with a friend or family member to take each other's photos, and follow the marked camera spots for the best effect.

Time needed: 1–1.5 hours
Cost: Mid-priced

Kids
Rainy day
Photo spot

Market · Jomtien

7.Thepprasit Night Market

A large weekend night market on Thepprasit Road between Pattaya and Jomtien, with rows of food stalls, clothes, gadgets and souvenirs and an atmosphere mostly geared to Thai shoppers.

Go on Friday or Saturday evening, arrive hungry and try grilled seafood, fried insects if you dare, and coconut ice cream.

Time needed: 1.5 hours
Cost: Low cost

Food
After dark
Shopping
Kids

Rainy-day ideas

Underwater World Pattaya — Visit in the heat of the afternoon or on a rainy day, and check the feeding times at the entrance.
Art in Paradise — Go with a friend or family member to take each other's photos, and follow the marked camera spots for the best effect.

Where families should stay

$$ · Best for families, beach and budget

Jomtien

Jomtien Beach stretches about 6 km south from Pratumnak, with a beach road of hotels, condos and seafood restaurants, water-sports operators and a night market. It is calmer than central Pattaya and popular with families and long-stay visitors.

Good: Long, relaxed beach; Good-value hotels and condos; Family-friendly
Watch out: Fewer sights within walking distance; Busy beach road traffic at weekends
Nearby: Jomtien Beach, Jomtien Night Market, Pratumnak Hill

Family travel tips

Stay in Jomtien, Naklua or Na Jomtien, away from the Walking Street area.
Book a private car with driver for attractions south of the city.
Use high-factor sunscreen and avoid the beach in the midday heat.
Check life jackets and safety before booking water sports.
Many large hotels have kids' clubs and pools, useful during afternoon storms.

Day trips for families

Khao Kheow Open Zoo (About 45 minutes by car) — A large open-concept zoo in the hills of Si Racha district, where many animals live in wide enclosures; visitors can drive, cycle or ride a tram around, and there is a night safari.
Bang Saen and Nong Mon market (About 1 hour by car) — A beach resort popular with Thai families, with a long palm-lined beach, seafood stalls and the Nong Mon market, famous for khao lam sticky rice and dried seafood.

When to go with children

The best months overall are November–February. December–February are the busiest, so book the big sights early. Weather by month.

Questions travellers ask

+Is Pattaya good for kids?

+What can kids do in Pattaya?

Koh Larn (Coral Island), Jomtien Beach, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Ramayana Water Park and Underwater World Pattaya.

+Where should families stay in Pattaya?

Jomtien: A long beach south of the hill with water sports and a relaxed pace.