Top 5 Places to Visit with Toddlers in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is known for its affordable travelling scene, with so many things to see and do for all types of travellers. On top of that, the region also offers a wide range of family-friendly activities that are suitable if you’re planning to visit Southeast Asia with your toddlers.

From exploring history in Ho Chi Minh City to visiting the region’s first and only Universal Studios in Singapore, here are the best places to visit with toddlers in Southeast Asia!

1. Singapore

Singapore is one of the best places to visit with toddlers. Not only in Southeast Asia, but also in the world!

Based on the Time Out Index Survey, Singapore is also named the cleanest and greenest city in the world, which makes it a perfect destination for travelling with toddlers. Dubbed the “Garden City”, Singapore also provides a lot of parks and green spaces that offer safe playgrounds for toddlers.

Home to the first Universal Studios in Southeast Asia, Singapore offers numerous things to do with your kids. The city-state is known for being one of the safest cities in the world, with well-maintained infrastructure that provides a secure environment for families travelling with young children.

Singapore is a small country, but the options to explore with your toddlers are endless. It is one of the most pedestrian-friendly in Southeast Asia, making it a great place to take a stroll with your toddlers with a streamlined public transportation system to get around.

Where to Go in Singapore with Toddlers

Gardens by the Bay should be on the top of your bucket list when you visit Singapore with a toddler. With a lush garden and wide open space for your young children to play around, it also serves as an educational and research centre that can add value if you love nature. Visit the Cloud Forest, which features a towering mountain covered in lush vegetation and a waterfall that makes a great background for your family picture!

Don’t miss Sentosa Island in your itinerary, as the island offers numerous activities for any family travelling with toddlers. Take the cable car to enjoy the island view from above, and explore the island to go to some beautiful beaches in Singapore or make your way to enjoy a fun time at Universal Studios.

To top it all, you can also take your family for hearty meals at Beauty in the Pot. Situated in Vivo City, you can visit this child-friendly restaurant when you’re back from Sentosa. It has a fun children’s playground, and you can also ask the staff there to make a balloon sculpture for your toddlers!

2. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Malaysia is a multicultural country with a rich cultural heritage. The country’s tourism tagline, “Malaysia Truly Asia,” captures the beauty of diversity in Malaysia where you and your children can see how different cultures live in harmony despite their differences.

Malaysia is also home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including places like Georgetown in Penang or Malacca that have significant value in the country’s cultural heritage.

The capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, is underrated compared to more popular places to visit in Malaysia. However, the city is not only an excellent starting point to travel around Malaysia, but Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is also one of the biggest hubs in Southeast Asia.

Despite being one of the busiest capital cities in the region, Kuala Lumpur is also a green city surrounded by beautiful nature. In addition, it also offers delicious food and interesting attractions for visitors of all ages.

Whether you want to take your toddlers to visit the famous landmarks in Kuala Lumpur or enjoy the greenery around the botanical gardens, there are plenty of things to do in Kuala Lumpur for families travelling with young children!

Where to Go in Kuala Lumpur with Toddlers

Situated in Kuala Lumpur city centre, you should consider visiting KL Forest Eco Park as it allows you and your toddlers to experience a glimpse of beautiful nature in the middle of the bustling city.

The park is home to a rich diversity of tropical flora and fauna, and you can also see various bird species in the surrounding area. To enhance your travelling experience with toddlers, get on the canopy walkway to explore the trail while learning about the plants along the way.

Next, you can go to KLCC Tower. Also known as Petronas Twin Tower, it was once the tallest building in the world until 2004. On top of that, there are a lot of kid-friendly activities you can do at KLCC. From watching the Symphony Lake Water Show, discovering the world of science and technology at Petrosains, to swimming at KLCC pool for free!

To complete your adventure with toddlers in Kuala Lumpur, make a stop at Noriter Cafe where young children can enjoy a delicious kids menu with a big playground equipped with various toys, including a playhouse and a ball pit!

3. Bangkok, Thailand

By 2023, Thailand has become the 8th most-visited country in the world based on the number of arrivals, and for a good reason! Starting from the government’s initiative to launch diplomatic initiatives by introducing Thai delicacies worldwide in 2002 that will draw you to try the authentic Thai food in their homeland, and you can also expect top-notch hospitality when you go there.

Renowned for its stunning beach as well as unique wildlife, Thailand offers so much more for families travelling with kids. Whether you want to book family-friendly resorts in popular destinations like Phuket or Krabi, or experience the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, there are so many things you can do with toddlers in Thailand!

Bangkok may not be the first thing that comes to mind when talking about places to visit with toddlers in Thailand. However, the capital city of Thailand can be an exciting destination that offers a lot of fun things for you and your young children!

Bangkok is a vast city that offers plenty of activities for all visitors, including families with young kids. You can do anything from shopping, sightseeing to immersing in Thai culture by visiting some of the most beautiful temples in Bangkok. On top of that, there are so many places you can go to enjoy outdoor activities with your toddler too!

Where to Go in Bangkok with Toddlers

While temple-hopping in Bangkok may sound like a good idea, it can be tough when travelling with your toddlers, especially when dealing with the typical Bangkok weather with heat and humidity!

Alternatively, you can take your young children to Ancient City (Muang Boran) to immerse in Thai cultural heritage in one spot. Situated on the outskirts of Bangkok, the site has replicas of over 100 significant landmarks in Thailand. In addition, the entrance ticket also includes a free rental bike to explore the spot so you can have a nice day out with your family while learning more about Thai history,

Bangkok also has many kid-friendly playgrounds around the city, whether you want to go to the free one like Lumphini Park or some premium indoor playgrounds at the shopping malls such as Kidzooona or HarborLand.

To seize the day, you can also finish it by visiting Asiatique The Riverfront in Bangkok. On top of being a great place to stroll around, you can also take your young children to ride the famous Ferris Wheel to see the city view of Bangkok from above. There are numerous cafes and restaurants where you can stop for meals with your family!

4. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Vietnam is one of the most underrated destinations for families in Southeast Asia. The country is rich in history with beautiful natural landscapes, whether you prefer lush mountains or stunning beaches. On top of that, it’s also one of the cheapest destinations to travel in Southeast Asia!

As one of the most developed cities in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant place to visit with your toddlers in the country as it offers so many family-friendly places and activities in its surroundings.

You can take your kids to trace back the history by visiting some prominent sites during the Vietnam War, or you can also find some great spots in Ho Chi Minh City that offer modern attractions for families travelling with toddlers. To enhance the experience, you can even go on a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City to get on the Mekong Delta boat tour with your kids!

Where to Go in Ho Chi Minh City with Toddlers

It’s never too early to teach your young kids some history from the past, and this is why you should visit War Remnants Museum with your children. Near the entrance, they can see the real fighter planes and tanks used during the Vietnam War, which can be interesting for some.

However, be mindful that not all exhibitions at the museum are suitable for toddlers. You may want to skip some on the second floor as it displays some graphic images that may not be age-appropriate for your young children.

If you want to unwind from the hot weather around Ho Chi Minh City, take your children to Snow Town Saigon where you can enjoy some instant winter experiences, from making a snowman to playing snow games like sledging or skiing.

Stop by Saigon Outcast where you can enjoy the open-air bar and various local and international dishes. While it’s a great spot to hang out for adults, Saigon Outcast also has a dedicated area for children with games, toys, and activities to keep them entertained!

5. Bali, Indonesia

As the biggest country in Southeast Asia, Indonesia offers a diverse range of attractions with beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities to make a memorable family vacation with your toddlers.

With its status as the world’s largest archipelago, you’ll never run out of islands to explore when travelling to Indonesia with your kids. However, visiting Indonesia isn’t complete without stopping by one of the most popular islands in the world: Bali.

The island offers numerous family-friendly activities for you and your children, and it’s known as one of the best destinations for a beach holiday with toddlers in the region. Ubud is a great area to stay in Bali if you’re looking for a serene place for your family. Known for its peaceful and tranquil ambiance, Ubud is a perfect spot for families looking for a slower pace of life on the island.

Despite being known for its idyllic beaches, Bali also has so much more to offer for families travelling with children. The island is home to various theme parks and water parks, and you can visit numerous cultural heritage on the island of gods!

Where to Go in Bali with Toddlers

About 30 minutes drive from Ubud, you and your toddlers can visit Candi Tebing Gunung Kawi. The 11-century cliff temple offers a beautiful view of the rice paddies and river that’s worth the journey. It’s also close to the Holy Springs of Tirta Empul, so you can combine both sites to visit within a day.

You can also explore Bali Zoo, where your kids can experience having breakfast with orangutans or just stroll around to see more than 400 species around the area. The zoo is also stroller-friendly, making it a great place to visit with toddlers.

Visiting Bali isn’t complete without enjoying meals at the local warung, Warung Janggar Ulam is a great place to have authentic Balinese food with your family as they also have a spacious play area suitable for toddlers.

Conclusions

Visiting Southeast Asia is a great option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly destination for your family vacation. While the region is more popular for budget travellers, there are also great places to visit for families with toddlers in Southeast Asia.

Depending on your preference, Southeast Asia has so many things to offer for all types of family travellers. Whether you prefer a beach getaway with toddlers in Bali or enjoy the bustling metropolitan city of Singapore, the region has plenty of things to offer!