Thinking about visiting Siem Reap with kids? You’re probably drawn here for the Angkor Temples…and for good reason. But trust me, Siem Reap offers a whole lot more than ancient ruins. From butterfly gardens to mini golf with a twist, this laid-back town is a surprisingly fun and manageable destination for family travel in Cambodia.
In this guide, I’ll share what it’s really like to explore Siem Reap with kids, including:
- Practical info on health, visas, weather, and more.
- Tips for visiting the Angkor Temples with children.
- Fun activities for kids in Siem Reap (beyond temples).
Exploring the Angkor Temples with kids
Let’s be honest: the Angkor Temples are the reason most families come to Siem Reap. And they are every bit as awe-inspiring as you’d hope. My kids were 4 and 6 when we visited, and they genuinely enjoyed exploring the ruins – even if it meant a fair bit of carrying them by the end of the day.
Angkor Wat with kids
Angkor Wat is the world’s largest religious monument…and it’s a lot of walking for little legs. Go early when energy is high and heat is low. The central towers offer some shade and a chance to sit, but expect tired legs on the way out. (Yes, we carried them.)
📹 Watch our Angkor Wat in 60 Seconds clip
Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider Temple) with kids
Ta Prohm is hands-down one of the most exciting temples for kids. Think tree roots growing through walls, ancient corridors, and a real-life jungle vibe. Enter from the East Gate and exit from the West to avoid backtracking and tired tantrums.
📹 Watch our Ta Prohm in 60 Seconds clip
Getting around the temples
Hire a tuk-tuk driver. It’s the easiest, cheapest, and most fun way to explore. We recommend Sareth (+855 1222 4121). He’s great with kids, speaks excellent English, and knows how to pace the day for families.
Tips:
- Bring a carrier for younger kids (we love the Ergo Baby range).
- Pack water, snacks, hats, sunscreen, and bug spray.
- Dress modestly – knees and shoulders should be covered. It’s the rules!
- Tickets are free for kids under 12, and a passport is required to be shown as proof.
Angkor Pass prices:
US Dollars are widely accepted and often used for tourist pricing in Cambodia, so the prices below are listed in USD. Unfortuntely, this makes the tickets more expensive as an Aussie traveller as currently, the exchange rate between AUD and USD is not in our favour. Tickets can be purchased either online or buy them from the ticket office en-route to the temples. Your tour driver/tuk-tuk driver will take you to the ticket office on the way.
- 1 Day – $37
- 3 Day – $62
- 7 Day – $72
Things to do in Siem Reap with kids (besides temples)
Phare, the Cambodian Circus
Phare, the Cambodian Circus is purely acrobatic and artistry with no animals involved. This is a must see in Siem Reap! My kids sat still for the whole hour and were just in awe of the acrobatics.
Ziplining in the Jungle
Angkor Zipline is located in the Angkor Temples complex and kids must be over 100 cm in height and aged 5 years and over.
A choice is available between the full zipline course or a custom one and will have you zipping between around 21 platforms high up in the treetops. Of course, this is under the guidance of staff who know what they are doing!
Tonle Sap Lake
Take a tour out onto Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia. In the rainy season from May to October, the mighty Mekong River fills it, reaching depths of up to 14 metres. In the dry season from November to April, the water actually flows from the lake to the Mekong River.
You will get to visit a crocodile and fish farm (my kids loved this, I didn’t so much), the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary and Kampong Phluk Floating Village.
Angkor Wat Putt
Angkor Wat Putt is a mini golf course in Siem Reap that has 9 replicas of the Angkor Temples, which itself is pretty awesome. Mini golf is suitable for all members of the family (even if the youngest sometimes kicks the ball in) and Angkor Wat Putt will even pick you up from your hotel.
Quad Bike tour
A Siem Reap quad bike tour will have you exploring the countryside on a fully automatic bike, passing by local villages, Buddhist monasteries and lesser-visited temples. A maximum of one child can ride double on your quad bike.
Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre
The Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre is the largest butterfly exhibit in South East Asia. It has netted gardens and thousands of free-flying butterflies, all of which are native to Cambodia. Honestly, who doesn’t love butterflies?
Walking the Streets and Cafes
This is just fun! Have a day off and spend the morning strolling around at your leisure. Stop in for ice-cream at one of the many cafes and find the cute little street lined with umbrellas close to Pub St.
Night Markets
Similar to other markets in South East Asia, the Siem Reap night markets are crowded, hot and fun. There is plenty of opportunity to buy shirts, nick-nacks and even stick your feet into a tank full of nibbling fish.
Where to stay in Siem Reap with kids
We stayed at the modern Ibis Styles Hotel in a family suite. This hotel is great value for money! The room featured a swing chair hanging from the ceiling, a second TV for the kids and is pretty spacious. There is an international standard restaurant downstairs and the night market is directly across the road. I would stay here again in a heart beat.
Unless of course, I’ve got the dollars to splurge on the Raffles Hotel d’Angkor! After experiencing the legendary Raffles hospitality in the Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh, I’ve made it my bucket list to stay in them all.
Before you go: need-to-know tips for Siem Reap with kids
Is Siem Reap family-friendly?
Yes – if you’re flexible. Expect a lack of change tables and high chairs, and bumpy roads that aren’t pram-friendly. But Cambodians love kids and will go out of their way to help you.
Getting there
- Fly into Siem Reap or Phnom Penh (often cheaper).
- From Phnom Penh, travel to Siem Reap by private driver or bus.
- We used a private driver so we could stop for toilet breaks.
Visas and entry
Like most countries, you will need a passport valid for at least six months. A one month tourist visa is required, which can be obtained upon arrival but you will need to supply a passport sized photo. You can also apply for the visa in advance online via the Cambodian Government E-Visa website. We used the E-Visa website and had zero problems.
Health and safety
The Smart Traveller website has updated advice for health considerations when travelling to Cambodia. Like most Asian countries (Singapore excluded), don’t drink the tap water under any circumstances and follow the safe eating practice of “cook it, peel it or forget it.”
As someone who has experienced the Cambodian equivalent of ‘Bali Belly’, I strongly recommend being extra careful. Speaking of which, make sure you have travel insurance before you go!
Best time to visit Siem Reap with kids
- Dry Season (November – April): This is the most popular time to visit Siem Reap. It’s generally more pleasant than the wet season as it is drier, less humid, and generally cooler. Unfortunately, it’s also peak tourist season, meaning crowds around the Angkor temples, and more expensive accommodation and transport.
- Wet Season (May – October): The wet season brings higher humidity and potential for heavy rain, particularly during the peak monsoon months of June to August. However, this brings a different kind of beauty to the landscape, fewer crowds and better deals on accommodation.
Money, language and electricity
- Language: Khmer, English and French. Do not expect everyone to understand English, although most working in tourism will be able to converse in English.
- Currency: Cambodian Riel and US Dollar. The USD is accepted everywhere and ATMs dispense USD to those with foreign cards. However, you will most likely get a mix of USD and Riel when receiving change at the shops.
- Power: The two-prong round sockets were the most popular outlets found here, therefore if coming from Australia, you will need to bring a converter plug with you. The standard voltage is 230V so most Aussies won’t need a voltage converter.
FAQs about Siem Reap with kids
Children aged 4+ will enjoy exploring, climbing stairs, and spotting monkeys. They won’t really appreciate the significance of the temples until they are teenagers (but this doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy it). Under 4s will most likely need to be carried as it’s a lot of walking for little legs.
No. Children under 12 years of age are free. A passport is required as proof when purchasing your tickets.
Not really. Temples have stairs, sand and rough stone paths. A baby carrier is a better option.
Modest clothing. Shoulders covered and skirts and shorts that go past the knees.
Absolutely not. Avoid tap water and stick to bottled water.
Where to next?
Let me know what you think!