Our Favourite Family-Friendly Places to Play in Koh Lanta

One of the questions we’re asked most often is, “Where can we take the kids to play in Koh Lanta?”

Koh Lanta is best known for its beautiful beaches, but sometimes it’s nice to have somewhere with a swimming pool, playground, or plenty of activities to keep little ones entertained while the grown-ups can relax too.

Compared to larger destinations like Krabi or Phuket, the island has fewer dedicated play areas—but we've found a few favourites that our family keeps coming back to. Of course, we're always happy to discover new family-friendly places around Koh Lanta, and as the island continues to grow, we'll keep updating these guides with new favourites.

Whether you’re looking for a family lunch, somewhere to cool off on a hot afternoon, or simply a change from the beach, these are the places our family returns to again and again.

Riviera Resort

If we had to choose one place that ticks almost every box for families, Riviera Resort would be high on our list.

What we love most is that everything is in one place.

The resort offers:

A family-friendly swimming pool with slides for both younger and older children
A shallow kids’ pool and pool for adults, all in one
Beach toys for children to enjoy
Access to the beach
An indoor playroom with a wide selection of toys, perfect before, in between, or after swimming

While the children are happily playing, parents can even treat themselves to a relaxing massage at I Am Massage, conveniently located on-site.

The restaurant serves everything from Thai favourites to Western dishes and even has a separate kids’ menu, making it easy to find something for everyone.

Peace and quiet? Maybe not. Happy chaos? Absolutely. Riviera Resort is one of the island's favourite family hangouts, where the soundtrack is made up of splashing water, children's laughter, and parents wondering if they'll ever convince their kids to leave.

Back Yard Café

Back Yard Café is another favourite, especially for younger children.

Their playground includes:

Baby swings
Swings for older children
A climbing wall
A slide
Balance bikes and ride-on toys for toddlers

The food is amazing. From delicious Thai dishes and Western favourites to fresh smoothies and excellent coffee, there’s something for everyone.

Coffee lovers will also appreciate the choice of different milk options to customise their favourite drink.

It’s a lovely place to enjoy a relaxed breakfast or lunch while the kids burn off some energy.

Thai Cat

If your family is looking for somewhere to spend an entire day, Thai Cat is hard to beat.

This beachfront venue combines a restaurant, playground, sports facilities, and beach access, making it suitable for children of all ages.

The playground features:

Swings
Slide
A carousel
Climbing equipment

For older children and adults, there are even more activities available:

Mini golf
Darts
Table tennis
A small basketball court
Badminton or volleyball area
A smaller basketball area for younger children

Parents can even fit in a workout at the gym while keeping an eye on the kids, as there is a large inside playroom located right next to it.

The beachfront restaurant serves a wide selection of food and drinks, and you’re welcome to enjoy them inside the activity area too.

Children can also borrow plenty of beach toys. Before the activity area, we usually enjoy stopping to see the birds and rabbits near the entrance.

It’s one of our favourite places when everyone wants to do something different but still spend the day together.

Coco Cape

Located at the northern tip of Koh Lanta, Coco Cape is one of our favourite places to watch the sunset.

The setting is absolutely beautiful, with panoramic views across the sea. At low tide, the rocky shoreline is exposed, creating an interesting landscape to explore and photograph.

For families, Coco Cape also offers:

A small child-friendly swimming pool
A cosy indoor playroom for younger children
Good food and refreshing drinks

A small tip: The platforms next to the restaurant and swimming pool have small gaps between them. If you’re visiting with toddlers or young children, you might wanna keep a closer eye on them.

The combination of stunning views, relaxed atmosphere, and family-friendly facilities makes Coco Cape a wonderful place to end the day.

Our Complete Packing List for activity days

With a little preparation, activity days can also be more comfortable, and more stress-free.

To help make your day adventures a little bit easier, we've put together a list of our essentials, including the products we personally use and recommend for families visiting Koh Lanta.

✅ Foldable beach mat
✅ Long-sleeved swimwear
✅ Swimming hats
✅ Beach shoes
✅ Reef-safe sunscreen
✅ Snorkel & mask
✅ Beach toys
✅ Refillable water bottles
✅ Beach towels
✅ Small first aid kit
✅ Vinegar
✅ Beach bag

Whether you're spending only a few days on the island or enjoying a longer stay, having the right gear can make all the difference—and help you spend less time worrying and more time making amazing memories!