Chiang Mai was one of our family’s most unforgettable stops in Thailand. Over four days, we fed elephants, made paper out of… well, you’ll see, climbed sticky waterfalls, cooked our own Thai meals, and wandered through shimmering temples. There was laughter, messy hands, and plenty of “wow” moments that kept the kids—and us—completely engaged.
Read on to see how we spent our five days in Chiang Mai with kids.
Day 1: Elephant Poopoo Paper Park and Bua Thong Falls
Hands-on Fun at the Elephant Poopoo Paper Park
Start your day with a stop at the Elephant Poopoo Paper Park, where kids and parents get to turn elephant poop into recycled paper! This interactive, family-friendly experience takes you through several open-air stations, where children can mix the pulp, spread it onto screens, and even decorate their own paper creations, all while learning about recycling and sustainability.
Our boys couldn’t stop laughing as they got their hands messy and learned how the fibres are cleaned and transformed into paper.
Plan your visit to the with our full post: Elephant Poopoo Paper Park with Kids
Climb the Bua Thong Falls (Sticky Waterfalls)
In the afternoon, head to Bua Thong Falls, also known as the Sticky Waterfalls, to cool off. This unique waterfall has limestone rocks that feel tacky, allowing you to walk straight up rushing water—just like Spider-Man! Kids and adults alike can climb the four-tiered falls, swim in the pools between them, and enjoy the natural beauty. And the best part, it costs nothing to climb, and you can stay as long as you like, enjoying the pools.
Learn more: A full guide to visiting Bua Thong Falls with kids
The Elephant Poopoo Paper Park and the Bua Thong Falls are in the same direction, making them an ideal pairing for a day trip. The Elephant Poopoo Park is about a half-hour drive outside of Chiang Mai, and the Bua Thong Falls are another 45 minutes past that.
Day 2: Family Cooking Class
Our second day in Chiang Mai was all about food—and what better way to dive in than a full-day Thai cooking experience at Smile Organic Farm Cooking School. Spend the day learning about farm-to-table ingredients and traditional Thai cooking techniques while having fun as a family.
Visit a Local Market and Farm
The tour started with a visit to a local market, where you can explore stalls overflowing with fresh produce and seafood. It’s a sensory experience that gets everyone excited before stepping into the kitchen.
From the market, you’ll head to the organic farm where your cooking class takes place. Kids can see how vegetables and herbs grow, ask questions about each plant, and even touch, smell, and taste the ingredients. It’s a great way for them to connect the food on their plates to where it comes from.
Cooking Thai Together
The class is completely interactive—everyone, including kids, gets their own station to chop, stir, sauté, and season their dishes. Families can cook soups, curries, and stir-fries, and join group lessons like making curry paste or spring rolls. Kids will love working independently, experimenting with flavours, following recipes, and enjoying the satisfaction of tasting their creations.
Wat Sri Suphan (The Silver Temple)
While Chiang Mai’s Old Town is home to many well-known temples like Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh, the one that truly caught our attention was Wat Sri Suphan, also known as the Silver Temple. Built in the early 1500s, it’s one of the city’s oldest temples and stands out immediately thanks to its shimmering exterior.
The temple is decorated with detailed panels of silver, aluminum, and nickel, all hand-carved by local artisans. The metalwork shows Buddhist stories, local legends, and scenes from around the world. The boys were especially fascinated by the small carvings showing the Seven Ancient and Seven New Wonders of the World hidden among the designs—proof that slowing down and looking closely can really pay off.
Due to sacred beliefs, women are not permitted inside the main hall; however, the grounds and exterior are open to everyone, and there’s plenty to see without stepping inside. We visited during the day, but the temple is said to be especially striking in the evening, when its intricate designs shine in the moonlight.
A Midday Café Break (Including Cat Cafés)
By midday, the heat had us searching for air conditioning and cold drinks. Chiang Mai is famous for its cat cafés, and the idea of relaxing while the kids played with cats sounded perfect in theory. In practice, our experience was mixed.
Our first stop was Cats Brothers Café, which we quickly left after being hit with a strong smell of cat urine. The second, Cats Station Café, had a fun open-air setup, quirky décor, and great pastries—but the cats themselves were not particularly friendly, and one even scratched our son when he tried to pet it.
It wasn’t the relaxing break we’d imagined, though we know many families have better experiences elsewhere. If cat cafés are on your list, it’s worth checking recent reviews or asking for recommendations locally.
Choosing Rest Over Rush
If you’re up for more exploring, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, perched in the mountains above Chiang Mai, is one of the city’s most famous temples and offers sweeping views over the city. For us, though, the combination of heat and already-tired legs felt like too much.
Instead, we opted for something Chiang Mai does exceptionally well: a foot massage. It was the perfect way to end a slower day—giving everyone a chance to recharge before our next adventure.
Day 4: Elephant Sanctuary Adventure
No Chiang Mai trip with kids is complete without a visit to an elephant sanctuary. At the Elephant Nature Park, our family got to meet and walk alongside rescued elephants.
For our boys, the highlight was the up-close interactions they experienced, like feeding bananas, helping bathe the elephants, and even getting a few playful nudges from those enormous trunks. There were plenty of laughs, surprises, and quiet moments of awe as we watched these gentle giants move gracefully through their surroundings.
It was a full-day adventure that balanced excitement, learning, and family connection—one that left our kids talking about it long after we returned home.
For tips on visiting a sanctuary with kids and what to expect, check out our full post: Visiting an Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai with Kids.
Day 5: Doi Inthanon National Park
Doi Inthanon, home to Thailand’s highest peak, is a popular day trip from Chiang Mai and is known for its spectacular views, waterfalls, and mountain scenery. We had a fifth day in Chiang Mai and planned to visit the National Park, but during our stay, the region was experiencing heavy seasonal smog from crop burning. With limited visibility, we decided it wasn’t worth the effort for our family. Under clearer conditions, this would be a great option for families who enjoy nature and short hikes as part of their Chiang Mai itinerary.
If You Have More Time in Chiang Mai
Chiang Rai and the White Temple
Many travellers visit Chiang Rai as a day trip from Chiang Mai to see the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun). We did visit Chiang Rai, but as part of our longer Thailand itinerary—travelling from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai, then on to Sukhothai and Bangkok before heading south to Krabi—and stayed overnight in Chiang Rai rather than attempting it as a day trip. If Chiang Rai isn’t already part of your itinerary, the trip from Chiang Mai is doable, but it makes for a very long day on the road. Learn more about our time at the White Temple.
Getting Around Chiang Mai
• Renting a car or hiring a private driver can save time, especially if you’re doing day trips outside the city, like the Doi Inthanon National Park or Bua Thong Falls.
• Tuk-tuks and songthaews (shared red trucks) are fun for short trips within the city, but walking is often the easiest way to explore the Old Town, especially for visiting temples and cafés.
Making Memories in Chiang Mai
Our four days in Chiang Mai left us wanting more. From getting splashed by elephants to hiking the sticky waterfalls and discovering the tiny details of a shimmering silver temple, each day offered kids something new to touch, explore, and marvel at.
Ready to Explore Thailand?
Check out these related posts to help plan your trip:
• 3-Week Thailand Itinerary with Kids
• A Family Guide to Visiting Bangkok’s Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
• Fun Things to do in Bangkok with Kids
• 6-Day Itinerary in Krabi, Thailand with Kids
• Kayaking Ao Tha Lane’s Mangrove Forest: A Family Guide
• Snorkelling Around Phi Phi Island with Kids
• Emerald Pool Krabi: Why Going on Your Own Is Better Than a Tour
• 5-Day Itinerary in Chiang Mai with Kids
• Up Close With Elephants: A Family Day at a Chiang Mai Sanctuary
• Chiang Mai’s Elephant Poopoo Paper Park with Kids
• Climbing Chiang Mai’s Bua Thong Sticky Waterfalls with Kids
• The White Temple, Chiang Rai: A Family Guide
• Biking Sukhothai Historical Park, Thailand: A Family Guide
