Thailand

Let’s just get this out of the way: family budget Chiang Mai travel is totally possible. And not in a “we stayed in a tent and ate instant noodles” kind of way. I mean real travel—comfortable, fun, kid-friendly, and affordable.

When we first decided to spend one month in Chiang Mai, it wasn’t some perfectly mapped-out, Pinterest-style plan. My husband said, “Let’s go to Chiang Mai,” and I thought—sure, why not? I knew it was up in northern Thailand, and I’d heard it was culturally rich and beautiful, with lots of temples and nature. A few other families had passed through and seemed to love it. That was enough for us. No spreadsheet. No long list of tourist attractions. Sometimes we just pick places based on the vibe, the budget, and whether it feels like a good fit for our rhythm as a family.

Let’s be real. When you’re traveling long term with little kids, you need more than just temples and tourist checklists. We did three temples in Chiang Mai and yes, they were beautiful, but by the third one, our kids were ready for something else and honestly, so were we. That’s when I started looking for Chiang Mai activities for kids that actually felt good for all of us. Not just the kind you check off a list, but the kind where your kids can play, explore, and be part of the experience without anyone melting down by noon.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the 3 temples to see in Chiang Mai with kids, the ones that stood out to us not just for their beauty, but for their experiences. These aren’t just places to “look at,” they’re places to interact, explore, and gently teach your kids about spirituality, culture, and respect in a way that feels natural and age-appropriate.

In May, we were in Chiang Mai, Thailand with our two kids and just needed a break from the busy energy of the Old Town. We wanted something outdoors, something quiet, and something that didn’t feel like another tourist stop. That’s when we decided to try the Wat Pha Lat trail. We had heard it was peaceful and shaded and that it ended at a temple tucked into the jungle. That sounded perfect.

Visiting Royal Park Rajapruek with kids was exactly what we needed. It’s a massive botanical garden tucked right inside the city, and honestly, it ended up being one of our favorite places in all of Chiang Mai. The park is huge, but it never felt overwhelming. There were bugs to learn about, trees to walk through, wide paths to wander, and tons of space for the kids to just be themselves.