Laos with Children

Advisory, October 2026: Parents should know three things before booking. Bombs dropped from 1964 to 1973 left unexploded ordnance in the countryside, so children must stay on marked paths and never pick up metal objects. Rivers, tubing routes and waterfalls have caused drownings, so keep young children within reach near any water. Methanol has poisoned visitors in bars, so give children only sealed drinks. The UK government also advises against all but essential travel to Xaisomboun province. See the FCDO advice and the US advisory .

Laos has no theme parks and few fast attractions. A family day here means animals, crafts, caves and short boat rides, taken slowly. Most of the stops below sit a short drive from Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng or Vientiane. Prices are in Lao kip (LAK), at roughly 22,000 to 22,500 to the US dollar.

Easiest stops

Kuang Si bear centre. The Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre needs no ticket of its own and is a gentle stop for small children. Falls entry is 60,000 LAK now and 100,000 LAK from 15 November 2026, and children under 12 go in free. The site opens from 08:00 to 17:30.

Ock Pop Tok. The crafts centre offers free demonstrations and a free tuk-tuk from the shop beside 3 Nagas. Classes in weaving, dyeing and bamboo work suit children who have an adult next to them. See the centre’s visit page .

Buddha Park, Vientiane. Children enjoy the climbable concrete pumpkin and the 40 m reclining Buddha. The visit is short, hot and short of shade, so take water and go in the morning.

An elephant visit without riding

MandaLao Elephant Conservation. Elephant riding is not part of the programme. The camp is about 20 km from Luang Prabang, near the railway station and roughly 30 minutes by road. A half day includes a walk of about 2.5 km with elephants in groups of six or eight, an afternoon session making treats for them, and lunch or snacks at a riverside restaurant. Ask the MandaLao site for current rates. Elephant rides should be declined anywhere in Laos.

Water and caves, with close supervision

Kuang Si pools. Swim only in the pools that signs mark as open. Keep children off the upper tiers and the rocks near the crests of the falls.

Tham Nam, Vang Vieng. Visitors float through a cave about 500 m long on a tube, pulling along a rope and wearing a headlamp. The tube and lamp cost about 20,000 LAK. A child who is not a confident swimmer should wear a life jacket.

Blue Lagoons 2 and 3. Non-swimmers can rent a life jacket for about 10,000 LAK. The lagoons have jump platforms, so agree where children may and may not go before you arrive.

Boat rides. A longtail cruise on the Mekong or the Nam Khan is the better choice. Avoid narrow speedboats, because the UK government warns of hidden obstacles and variable standards.

For older children

COPE Visitor Centre, Vientiane. There is no entry charge, and the doors are open daily from 08:30 to 17:00. The exhibits cover the bombing of Laos and care for people who lost limbs, so it suits older children with an adult to talk through what they see. The COPE visit page gives details.

Family checklist

  • Bring sun protection and sealed bottled water.
  • Skip tubing with young children, especially in the wet season from June to October.
  • Book rail tickets early, because trains sell out.
  • Allow slow days. Two outings are plenty.

Read more: animal activities in Laos covers more on the elephant visits, and day trips in Laos lists easy outings. For a wider plan see the Laos five day itinerary . Family-friendly tours are searchable on Viator .