7 Best Things to Do In Sukhothai with Kids
Sukhothai in Thailand is a great place to visit with children. There’s lots to explore for them in the UNESCO World Heritage site Sukhothai Historical Park. Ancient ruins you can cycle between, and lots of space kids need to roam.
With so many excellent options for things to do in Sukhothai with kids, this city really should be a part of any Thailand family trip itinerary.
But Sukhothai (or Sukhothai Thani) isn’t just about the park. It’s also known for its ceramics workshops, “skylab” (a local tricycle taxi), and visit an elephant sanctuary that’s actually 100% ethical. Explore this ancient Siamese city together. It will be one of the highlights of your Thailand trip.
Sukhothai has been dubbed the “Siem Reap of Thailand”. Having visited both with children, I can say that comparison holds up. The Historical Park is as culturally significant as the Angkor temples, and because the Khmer once ruled this region, some of the temple architecture reflects that era. The good news? This city is calmer than Siem Reap, which means fewer crowds, more fresh air and easier pacing for families.
During our two visits to Sukhothai, we found that if you go early in the morning or later in the afternoon, most of the epic ruins feel almost empty. Meaning they’re yours to explore with fewer distractions.
In this guide I’ll share the 7 top things to do in Sukhothai with kids. And after listing all the best Sukhothai has to offer I will share some Sukhothai itineraries, how to get there, and when to visit. After reading this post you’ll know what to do and also how to plan your trip to Sukhothai.
No time to read?
Save on Pinterest and read this article later!
Sukhothai Kingdom map
Before reading this post, check out this official map of Sukhothai Historical Park (courtesy of the park) to find out where and in what zones you can find all the ancient ruins and make your own ruins of Sukhothai itinerary.
All in all, there are 26 temples to see in 5 different zones.
7 Best things to do in Sukhothai with kids
Here are the 7 top things to do in Sukhothai with kids. You’ll need at least 3 days to see and do it all. And if you want to see the entire Sukhothai historical park then you definitely need to add an extra day in the city.
1. Sukhothai Historical Park – Central Zone
You can’t write a list of things to do in Sukhothai with children without the Sukhothai Historical Park. So let’s start off with the big draw to the city. The number 1 on the list is the place where you’ll find some of the most known temples and buddha statues: Sukhothai Central Zone.
Sukhothai Historical Park is divided into 5 zones. Most of the Sukhothai attractions (almost sounds denigrating, doesn’t it?) are located in the Sukhothai Central Zone. The others are located at the edge of the jungle or in the jungle in the Northern, Eastern, Southern and Western zones.
Wat Mahathat
Wat Mahathat is undoubtedly the most impressive and important temple in Sukhothai Historical Park. And can be found in the middle of the central zone.
The name of the temple can be translated into the Monastery of the Great Relic. Many ancient cities had a temple with this name and same significance, for example Ayutthaya.
The most famous is the sitting Buddha in front of the chedi. It’s very beautiful and all the details are magnificent.
But I have to say I found the two standing Buddhas (named Phra Attarot) each inside a large mandapa, even more impressive. They’re so huge I could only get one on a pic in its entirety.
Climbing on the ruins
Strangely enough you can walk and climb everywhere, but please do pay attention to your kids, because climbing on the statues, especially of buddha, is not allowed! Please be respectful and don’t let your kids climb them.
I do think it’s only a matter of them before climbing on the ruins is forbidden. So please read the instructions at each entrance to check if it’s still allowed or not.
Wat Si Sawai
Wat Si Sawai is also located in the central zone and right next to Wat Mahathat. Here you’ll find a mix of architecture. Meaning that you’ll see Khmer style architecture here as a leftover from the time of the Khmer Kingdom. This temple really reminded us of Angkor Wat.
Because of all the small nooks, smaller kids will love hiding in them. You can park your bikes right next to this temple and explore this one.
TOP TIP: If you’re in Sukhothai during a weekend, you should head out to the central zone after dark. The lights are all on and you’ll get a beautiful, almost fairytale view of this ancient city.
2. Sukhothai Historical Park – Eastern Zone
Wat Chang Lom
The absolute highlight of the eastern zone is in our opinion the gorgeous chedi Wat Chang Lom. It’s a small site with lots of trees around it.
And because it’s a bit off the beaten path, you’ll probably have the place all to yourselves. We did and that’s why we decided to make the best of our time and have a picnic in the shade of some trees.
The chedi is totally surrounded by elephants. In fact, from a distance it looks like the 32 elephants carry the structure on their backs. and is a great first temple to check out with kids. They’ll love it, because the elephants look very lifelike.
3. Sukhothai Historical Park – Northern Zone
This is a list of things to do in Sukhothai and not just in the historic park, so before your kids are all templed out I’ll mention one last zone worthy of a visit. The Northern Zone.
Wat Si Sum
A 15 meter high buddha statue is enclosed within four walls. You enter towards the buddha through a passageway and end up near the buddha’s head.
This is a really impressive one, but unfortunately I didn’t change my camera settings and all pictures of it ended up being way too dark. You can check Tourism Thailand for a picture.
Opening time and ticket price Sukhothai Historical Park
All Sukhothai Historical Park Zones are open daily from 6.30am to 7.30pm, except on Saturday. On Saturday you can visit the park from 6.30am to 9pm.
When visiting Sukhothai Historical Park you need to pay an entrance fee.
If you want to visit both the central and northern zone you’re best off buying a full-day pass for the entire park. That will cost €9,15 per ticket, also for children.
Entering the central zone without a bike will cost €2,60. With a bike it costs €2,85
The Southern and Eastern zones are free of charge. But if you want to enter the Northern Zone you’ll pay a fee of €3,90 and an extra €0,25 if you want to enter with a bicycle. And the Western Zone costs the same as the Northern Zone.
4. Hop on a Skylab
Enough with the world heritage sites! Let’s move on from the historical park.
Thailand is known for all its different modes of transportation. When we arrived in Sukhothai we had already seen Tuk Tuks, Songthaews, normal taxis and bikes, but the Skylabs were new to us. The first and only time we spotted them during our road trip through Thailand was in Sukhothai.
A Skylab is a tricycle tuktuk with 6 to 8 seats in front of the (motor)tricycle. Normally we’d have to split our family up in two Tuk Tuks, but the four of us easily fit in the Skylab. A really fun experience for the kids.
5. Sukhothai bicycle tours
Sukhothai is an ideal destination to explore by bike.
There are lots of tours your family can join. Handy, because then you’ll have a guide who can tell you all about what you see around you and learn more about the history of Sukhothai.
Top bicycle tours in Sukhothai
Rent a bike to explore Sukhothai
But the top thing to do in Sukhothai with kids is renting your own bikes! It’s a great way to see all the highlights of Sukhothai at your own pace. Just make sure to find the info plates so you can find out what the significance of certain places was.
The first thing to do is to hire a bike for every family member. There are some rental companies in the vicinity of the historical park.
The one where we rented had bikes for kids of all ages as well as a few bikes with child seats on the back for toddlers. I also saw them at the bike rental company next door.
Biking through an unknown place is always a great way to get to know a city better. We did it when I traveled with kids to Bangkok, and to Chiang Mai with family, but also in other South East Asian countries like Cambodia (Angkor Wat). My whole family loves it, because you get a great feel for a place.
Because Sukhothai Historical Park is spread out throughout the city, it’s really great to have your own mode of transportation during your visit.
6. Ramkhamhaeng National Museum
At the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum your family can learn about the history and culture of Thailand’s ancient Sukhothai Kingdom.
The museum houses an impressive collection of artefacts and sculptures that offer a glimpse into the life and beliefs of the people who lived during this golden era.
It’s not just about the history, though. There are also interactive exhibits and well-presented information panels that make it easy for both adults and kids to make the experience fun as well as informative.
Kids will enjoy exploring the various artefacts and getting a close-up look at the ancient tools and pottery that were once used by the people of Sukhothai.
Opening times and ticket prices
Opening hours are from 9.00am to 4.00pm every day.
Ticket prices are €2,60 and only €0,50 for children.
7. Ceramic and Weaving workshop
One of the most fun things to do in Sukhothai with kids is join a ceramics workshop. Go to one of the local businesses that have been making ceramic items following the traditional Sukhothai method for generations.
This way you’ll support one of the local businesses. Most of them have been in the family for generations. So it’s not only a fun thing to do, but you’ll help the local community make a buck.
We had a lot of fun at our workshop, but unfortunately the one we went to doesn’t exist anymore. Suthep Sangkalok gets great reviews on TripAdvisor, so that might be worth a try. And otherwise your hotel can absolutely help you book a workshop like this!
3 Things to do in Sukhothai with kids
These were the top 7 things to do in Sukhothai with kids. If you don’t have time to see and do it all and only have one or two days tops, make sure you check out the top 3 things to do in Sukhothai with kids.
- Rent a bike and explore the Sukhothai Historical Park Central Zone
- Do a ceramic workshop
- Hop on a skylab and go to the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum
Things to do around Sukhothai
If you have 4 or more days in Sukhothai than we highly recommend a day trip to Si Satchanalai Historical Park and/or BLES (an ACTUAL ethical elephant sanctuary).
Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary
We are always a bit wary when we hear about animal sanctuaries. Lots of them offer contact with wild animals. No wild animal wants to be ridden, touched, bathed or perform tricks. And they deserve their freedom.
There are lots of animals that have been saved from captivity. And unfortunately lots of them won’t survive in the wild or need to be guided into the wild slowly. So, it’s a good thing that there are sanctuaries that take care of them.
But more often than not they have the word sanctuary in the name, but still sell 1 on 1 encounters with them. And that’s animal abuse! If you want to travel ethically, then avoid places like that.
While animal abuse in the tourism industry is a huge problem. There are places that are actual ethical sanctuaries. Sanctuaries where good care is taken of the animals. A place where tourists are welcome, because they need the funding and volunteers to stay afloat. A place where customers can’t touch, bathe or feed them something directly into their mouths.
Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary (in short BLES) is such a place! What a special time we had at BLES! No riding, no bathing, no feeding, no chains and NO bullhooks.
All the elephants at BLES are rescued from the tourist industry. The animals roam free around the many acres within the sanctuary.
They bathe themselves in mud holes and running waterways and they choose where they want to roam.
Support BLES
BLES does the best they can to look after the rescue elephants. They need all the help they can get to keep up doing the good work. Visit their website and support BLES if you can and wish to do so.
I am in no way affiliated with BLES, but they do such good work that I love to do my bit to get them some extra money. If you used the link to donate: THANK YOU!
Si Satchanalai Historical Park
50km north of Sukhothai you’ll find the Si Satchanalai Historical Park. It’s less known, but equally beautiful.
Well, that’s what I’ve heard and read on other blogs. Because while it was the plan to go there, we decided to make the most of our time in Sukhothai and visit BLES. We had no more time to visit Si Satchanalai Historical Park.
So why do I recommend it? We certainly hope to make our way up there soon and then I’ll update this post. But for now I can only say that I’ve heard the same thing from everyone that visited this historical park. It’s an absolute must see.
Fanclub Thailand wrote a nice article about Si Satchnalai, if you’re interested.
Best Tours in Sukhothai with kids
Here are the best family friendly tours in Sukhothai.
Sukhothai itinerary for families
Now you know the things to do in Sukhothai Thailand with kids. These can all be done in 3 days or 4 if you like slow travel. But what if you only have 2 days in Sukhothai with kids. Or 1 day?
Let me break down for you what you should pick from this list if you only have one day in Sukhothai as a family or one.
2 day Sukhothai itinerary
Day 1
- Rent a bike to explore Sukhothai today
- Sukhothai Historical Park Central Zone
- Sukhothai Historical Park Northern Zone
Day 2
- Hail a skylab and go to the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum
- Join a ceramic workshop
1 Day Sukhothai Itinerary
If you only have 1 day in Sukhothai with kids you should stick to seeing as much of Sukhothai Historical Park and do that on rental bikes. When doing this with rental bikes you have the freedom to stay as long (or short) at each part of the park as you like.
Why Sukhothai is a great choice for a family visit
Sukhothai used to be the capital of the Sukhothai Kingdom. The Sukhothai province is very much worth a visit with your family. Even though it’s not as well known as its counterpart Ayutthaya.
But in my humble opinion Sukhothai is even more impressive because of its size, it’s massive and you need transportation to see it all. To be honest: Ayutthaya is amazing. But I think it gets so many visitors, because it’s easy to get to from Bangkok. Sukhothai deserves at least as many visitors if you ask me.
Rent a bike or join a bicycle tour to enjoy all the Sukhothai temples with a little breeze to cool you down. Biking around here makes it extra fun as a family activity.
There are lots of things you can do here. You can easily add Sukhothai to your itinerary for 2 or 3 days. Sukhothai is easily one of the best places to visit in Thailand with kids!
When to visit Sukhothai
The best time to visit Sukhothai with kids is between November and February. During these months, the weather is cooler and drier, making it much more comfortable for exploring the historical sites, especially with little ones in tow. The average temperatures during this period range from 20° to 30° celsius which is ideal for outdoor activities like biking around the Sukhothai Historical Park.
Visiting during these cooler months also means you’ll avoid the intense heat of the Thai summer, which can be challenging for kids, especially when they’re running around the ruins.
Another advantage of visiting in this season is that it coincides with the Loy Krathong Festival, usually in November. This beautiful festival of lights is celebrated across Thailand, but Sukhothai is one of the best places to experience it, with the historical park beautifully illuminated, making it a magical experience for the whole family.
If you prefer to avoid the crowds, consider planning your trip for the shoulder seasons in late October or early March. While the temperatures might be slightly warmer, you’ll still enjoy pleasant weather and fewer tourists, allowing your family to explore the ancient city at your own pace.
How to get to Sukhothai
Flying to Sukhothai from Bangkok
Most international flights arrive at either Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Mueang Airport, both in Bangkok. We recommend using Expedia or Skyscanner to get the best international flight deals
Then you have to take a domestic flight to get to Sukhothai. If you land at Suvarnabhumi you are lucky if you can take a domestic flight to Sukhothai. Most domestic flights leave from Don Mueang so you might have to take a shuttle bus to go from Suvarnabhumi to Don Mueang, where you take your flight to Sukhothai.
Bangkok Airways is the only airline that offers direct flights from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to Sukhothai Airport. The flight takes about 1h20min.
Once you arrive at Sukhothai Airport, you can take a taxi or arrange for a transfer to get to your destination in Sukhothai. If you are taking a domestic flight I recommend 12Go. It’s a user-friendly website that will show you all the different price options and comparisons as well as reviews from fellow travelers. They cater to loads of Asian countries, but are extremely good at transportation in Thailand.
Travel to Sukhothai by Bus
From Bangkok, you can take a bus to Sukhothai. Buses leave from the Mo Chit Bus Terminal in Bangkok, and the journey takes about 6-8 hours.
There are both daytime and overnight buses available. You can purchase tickets at the terminal or online via 12Go.
Travel to Sukhothai by Train
You can also take a train from Hua Lamphong Railway Station in Bangkok to Phitsanulok, the nearest major city to Sukhothai. The train ride takes about 5-7 hours.
From Phitsanulok, you can take a bus or taxi to Sukhothai, which is about 1 hour away.
Private Transfer or Car Rental
Another option is to hire a private car or rent a car in Bangkok and drive to Sukhothai. The drive takes about 6-7 hours, covering a distance of roughly 427 kilometers.
How to get around Sukhothai
Skylab
We’ve mentioned skylabs, a (motor)tricycle Tuk Tuk with 6 to 8 seats in front of the tricycle, before. You can hail it like a taxi or call for one. The breeze is a nice plus!
Golf Cart
Near the entrance on the south site of Sukhothai Historical Park you can rent Golf Carts to explore the park. You can rent them for one hour, so it’s not the most convenient thing to do, but it sure is fun!
Bicycle
I’ve never seen a place outside of The Netherlands with so many bike rental shops. And I must say, biking around Sukhothai is easy and very convenient. In our opinion it’s the best way to explore Sukhothai.
Car
You can rent a car and explore the area. But it’s better to just rent a bike. You can park it anywhere and start exploring immediately.
Sukhothai Kingdom
For those of you interested in the history of the Sukhothai dynasty. Here’s a little bit of background info.
Sukhothai Thani is now the biggest city in the Sukhothai province and it has about 600.000 inhabitants. The city is home to the UNESCO World Heritage site Sukhothai Historical Park. Sukhothai was once a city of huge significance to the Thai Kingdom.
Half of Thailand was part of the Khmer empire between the 9th and 13th century. After years of fighting for it, independence from the Khmer Kingdom was reached in the 1230s.
From that moment on the region became known as Sukhothai Kingdom. Sukhothai was the first capital. The word Sukhothai is a concatenation of two words in old sanskrit, sukha meaning happiness and udaya meaning arise. This roughly translates to Dawn of Happiness.
The kingdom grew bigger and even reached the border of Laos, but when King Ramkamhaeng died it grew smaller again. In the mid 1300s it was, yet again, a small local kingdom.
On to the present. Nowadays 200 ancient sites are scattered all around the Sukhothai province.
Over the years Thailand has restored many of the ruins within the 70 km² historical park, a leftover of Thailand’s golden age. But some are even older and built by the Khmer during their reign. Like Wat Sisawai, Wat Phra Phai Luang and Ta Pha Daeng shrine.
FAQ – Sukhothai with kids
I hope you’ve got all the info you need for an awesome family trip to Sukhothai! But in case you have any questions left, let me help you with the FAQ about Sukhothai with family.
How many days in Sukhothai is enough?
2 to 3 days in Sukhothai is the best if you don’t want to visit anything outside of Sukhothai.
This is plenty of time to explore the historical park at a relaxed pace, which is essential when traveling with kids. Plus, if you’re there for a few days, you can also explore some of the lesser-known temples, take a bike ride around the park, and even enjoy the local markets and food spots.
Is there much to do in Sukhothai?
Absolutely! While Sukhothai might be smaller and quieter than some other tourist spots in Thailand, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained.
The Sukhothai Historical Park is the main attraction. Kids will love the sense of adventure as they wander through the old stone structures, and renting bicycles to tour the park adds a fun, active element.
Beyond the historical park, you can visit the Ramkhamhaeng National Museum, take a ceramic or cooking class, or hike in the jungle.
Is Sukhothai worth a visit?
Yes, Sukhothai is definitely worth a visit, especially if your family enjoys history, culture, and a bit of adventure. It’s like stepping back in time to the early days of the Thai kingdom, and the historical park is incredibly well-preserved and easy to navigate.
The atmosphere in Sukhothai is calm and peaceful, making it a perfect escape from the noises and scents of bigger cities, like Chiang Mai or Bangkok.
What is better with kids: Ayutthaya or Sukhothai?
Pff, that’s almost an impossible question to answer! If you can, definitely visit them both. But if you can only visit one, here’s my answer.
Both Ayutthaya and Sukhothai offer fantastic historical experiences, but Sukhothai might edge out Ayutthaya when it comes to a family-friendly visit. Sukhothai’s historical park is more compact and easier to navigate, especially if you’re renting bikes, which kids usually love.
The atmosphere in Sukhothai is also more relaxed, with fewer crowds and more open space for kids to run around.
However, if your kids are more into variety and you have less time, Ayutthaya’s proximity to Bangkok and its mix of ancient ruins and modern amenities might be more convenient.
Where is the best place to go in Sukhothai?
The best place to go in Sukhothai is absolutely Sukhothai Historical Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the heart of the ancient city with about 200 ruins spread across an area that’s easy to explore, even with kids.
Must-see spots within the park include Wat Mahathat, the central temple with its impressive Buddha statues, and Wat Si Chum, home to a giant seated Buddha that is sure to wow the little ones.
Why is Sukhothai famous?
Sukhothai is famous for being the first capital of Thailand and the birthplace of Thai civilization. The Sukhothai Historical Park is filled with beautifully preserved ruins.
This period is often considered the “Golden Age” of Thai culture, as it was during this time that the Thai script was created, and many of the architectural and artistic styles that define Thailand were developed. Sukhothai is a must-visit for anyone interested in Thai culture and history.
Can you do Sukhothai in one day?
Yes, you can do Sukhothai in one day, but it will be a bit of a whirlwind! If you’re short on time, focus your visit on the Sukhothai Historical Park. Start early in the morning to beat the heat and crowds, and prioritize the main temples in the Central Zone like Wat Mahathat and Wat Si Chum.
Renting a bike is the best way to cover more ground quickly, and it adds a bit of fun to the day for kids.
Sukhothai as part of your Thailand family trip itinerary
And there you have it: the top things to do in Sukhothai with kids. Whether you’re biking through temple ruins, trying a ceramics workshop or hopping in a skylab, this place offers moments where history, play and family fun all collide. Most importantly, it’s paced right for families.
Sukhothai is one part of something bigger. Make it a part of your Thailand family trip itinerary that we’ve designed with children in mind. If you’re ready to plan the full adventure, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Pathom, and more, then the next step is easy:
👉 Read the Ultimate Thailand Family Road Trip Itinerary
Make Sukhothai a chapter in the travel story your family will remember.
Did you enjoy the Best Things to Do In Sukhothai with Kids?
Pin for Later
Other Thailand Family Travel Posts
