Family Activities in Laos
Travel advisory, October 2026: The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun Province. Unexploded ordnance remains in rural Laos, so keep children on marked paths and teach them never to touch metal objects. Methanol poisoning has occurred in bars, so choose sealed drinks. Rivers, waterfalls and tubing carry a real drowning risk, so keep children within arm’s reach near water. Check FCDO and travel.state.gov before you go.
Laos suits families who like a slow pace. The country has few theme parks, so days revolve around animals, crafts, caves and short boat rides. Paying is easy in kip (LAK), at about 22,000 to 22,500 per US dollar, and most family sites are a short ride from Luang Prabang or Vang Vieng.
Animals and crafts in Luang Prabang
MandaLao Elephant Conservation. This programme does not offer riding. It lies about 20 km from town near the railway station, roughly 30 minutes by road. Half-day visits include walks of about 2.5 km alongside elephants in groups of 6 or 8, followed by an afternoon treat-making session, with lunch or snacks at a riverside restaurant. Prices are not published, so ask on the MandaLao site .
Kuang Si Falls and the bear centre. The bear rescue centre needs no ticket and makes a gentle stop for children. At the falls, swim only in signed pools and keep children off the upper tiers and the rocks near the crests. The foreigner ticket is 60,000 LAK now and 100,000 LAK from 15 November 2026, and children under 12 enter free. Opening hours are 08:00 to 17:30. Hours and prices for the Butterfly Park nearby vary, so check at the gate.
Ock Pop Tok. Free daily demonstrations and a free tuk-tuk from the shop next to 3 Nagas make this an easy stop. Classes in weaving, dyeing and bamboo suit children with an adult beside them. Details are on the centre’s page .
Caves and lagoons in Vang Vieng
Tham Nam water cave. Visitors float through about 500 m of cave on a tube with a rope, wearing a headlamp. Tube and headlamp cost about 20,000 LAK. Children who cannot swim confidently should wear a life jacket.
Blue Lagoons 2 and 3. Non-swimmers should hire a life jacket, about 10,000 LAK. The lagoons have jump platforms, so set clear rules about where children may go.
In and around Vientiane
COPE Visitor Centre. Entry is free, and it opens daily from 08:30 to 17:00. The exhibits cover bombing and amputee care, so it suits older children who come with an adult. Details are on the COPE visit page .
Buddha Park. Children can climb the concrete pumpkin and look at the 40 m reclining Buddha. The visit is short, hot and shade-poor, so go early with water.
Boats and safety
Choose a longtail cruise on the Mekong or the Nam Khan. Skip speedboats, which the UK Foreign Office warns can be dangerous because of hidden obstacles. Bring sun protection, and use sealed bottled water.
Read more: family-friendly sightseeing in Laos and day trips in Laos . For family-friendly tours, browse Viator .