10 Best Family Things to Do in Kanchanaburi

The Erawan National Park is in the Tenasserim Hills range of Kanchanaburi Province and is home to waterfalls, caves, flourishing vegetation, and deciduous trees. It's a great place to visit for those who enjoy being in nature and want to hike lush trails and swim beneath magnificent waterfalls. Erawan Falls, with its 7 tiers of cascading water and aquamarine pools, is the park's most popular attraction.To get to the Erawan National Park you can take a local bus, hire a private driver, or book a private or group tour. Once there, you can find well-marked trails leading to Erawan Falls. The first tier of the falls is only a few hundred meters from the visitors center.

Tree Top Adventure Park in Kanchanaburi is a unique adventure experience for families with kids over 10 years old. The park is in Home Phutoey River Kwai Resort, in a dense tropical rainforest with dazzling views of the River Kwai. You will venture from platform to platform, high up in the trees on obstacles such as zipper lines, ladders, ropes, trapeze, bridges, climbing nets, a flying bicycle, a flying skateboard and more.

Visitor safety and respect for nature are 2 of the park's main priorities. No trees are damaged by the equipment used, and strict safety measures are used to ensure everyone has a worry-free and fun experience on their adventure.

Riding a bamboo raft on the River Kwai gives you a taste of traditional culture and a relaxing day surrounded by nature. Whether you sit back and enjoy the ride or decide to jump in for a swim, this is an amusing activity for all ages. Set in a location that is steeped in history, seeing Kanchanaburi from this vantage point gives you a glimpse of local life along the river.

Most rafting experiences use rafts made by Mon people with local materials. A designated person will steer the raft for you, and you'll be provided with buoyancy aids. Most rides last approximately 1 hour and, for a real thrill, look for trips that include white water rapids.

A visit to Mallika City in the Sai Yok district will have you venturing back in time to experience what it was like to live in old Siam. The village has recreated the era of King Rama V, who reigned from 1873 to 1910, giving visitors a deeper understanding of historical Thai culture.

Stroll through various zones and admire traditional Thai architecture, sample delicious foods, watch dance performances and shop using old vintage coins. Mallika City staff dress, talk and work as they did during ancient times. To truly immerse yourself in the experience and create the perfect photo opportunity, rent traditional clothing worn by Siamese people in 1905.

Tham Lawa Cave is thought to have been a prehistoric human habitat, making it a location of historical importance and mystery. One of the oldest known caves in Kanchanaburi, visitors of all ages love the fascinating geological formations and are captivated by stories of the discovery of the cave.

The cave entrance is small, while the inside is vast and about 250 meters deep. Follow an illuminated path and see dripping stalactites and stalagmites as you explore the 5 different cave rooms. The rooms are named after unique elements found inside, the most popular being the bat room, where you can see dozens of these nocturnal creatures hanging from the ceiling.

The River Kwai is a great setting for watersports in Kanchanaburi. You can combine a fun family activity, time in nature, and a visit to an important historical location with a personal watercraft, kayak or paddleboard excursion. Young kids can join an adult in a double kayak, while slightly older children love the balancing act of a paddleboard. Thrill-seekers, who need a little more speed, might opt for a personal watercraft rental.

As you enjoy watersports on this tree-lined river, you can take in views of temples, exotic birds and of course, the iconic Bridge Over the River Kwai. Along the shore, you'll find several watersport operators who will arrange safe and enjoyable private or group tours for you and your family.

Chuk Don Beach is a manmade beach in Ban Tai, about 18.5 km southwest of Kanchanaburi. A lot of effort has gone into maintaining an enjoyable experience for all ages. There is a bathing area and slide, as well as restaurants and comfortable chairs for dining and watching the sunset.

If you don't think Kanchanaburi is a beach destination, a visit to Chuk Don Beach will prove you wrong. Perhaps not the same as the ocean beaches along Thailand's coasts and islands, but it has a strip of golden sand where you can relax and play.

The Xtreme Centric Park is the place to go if you're looking for an active adventure and a day full of smiles. Located near the River Kwai Village Hotel, this sprawling park offers backcountry vehicles, abseiling, paintball, archery, bamboo rafting, and much more. The backcountry vehicles are extremely popular, but it is perhaps better known for quirkier activities such as zorbing, bubble soccer, sky biking and DTV shredding.

The Xtreme Centric Park is within a 45 -minute drive northwest of Kanchanaburi, in a mountainous and bamboo-filled area on the Khwae River.

The Sai Yok Noi Waterfall is a beautiful spot to enjoy nature and a great place to cool off from the intense Thai heat. Along the Khwae River, surrounded by lush vegetation in a forest of deciduous trees and bamboo, the waterfall is about 100 km northwest of Kanchanaburi. Visitors like to clamber upon the broad limestone steps to feel the cascading water splash down.

The best time to visit the Sai Yok Noi Waterfal is from July to October, when the water levels are high and the forest is flourishing with foliage and wildlife. If you get hungry, there are food vendors near the falls, so you can picnic and swim all afternoon. There is an entrance fee to visit the waterfall. It’s important to remember that kids should always be supervised by adults.

The Giant Rain Tree is a century-old raintree located about 20 km from the center of Kanchanaburi. This majestic tree is about 20 meters high and 52 meters in diameter. The branches extend wide in the shape of an umbrella. A raised walkway allows you to walk around the tree without trampling over its roots.

The Giant Rain Tree, sometimes called the Monkey Pod Tree, can be found in the Royal Thai Army’s Division of Veterinary and Agriculture. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds, this is a serene place to stop for a picnic and take photos.