Discovering Thai Culture for Children: Games, Food, Festivals and More
Thailand is a beautiful country in Southeast Asia with a rich culture full of colors, traditions, and delicious food. From exciting games and sweet treats to special holidays and folktales, Thai culture is a wonderful world for children to explore. Whether you’re learning Thai or just curious about the culture, there’s something fun and fascinating for everyone!
Traditional Thai Food for Kids
Thailand is known for its flavorful dishes. Here are three favorites:
Tom Yam Goong is a spicy soup made with shrimp, mushrooms, lemongrass, lime leaves, and chili. It’s warm and tangy—perfect for adventurous eaters.
Khao Man (Thai chicken and rice) is a comfort food made by boiling chicken and cooking rice in the same broth. It’s often compared to burgers and fries in America—only healthier!
Por Pia Tord (fried spring rolls) are crunchy appetizers filled with veggies and served with sweet and sour sauce. Kids love the crispy texture and flavor!
Sweet Thai Treats
Thai desserts are just as fun as the meals!
Tub Tim Grub is a mix of water chestnuts and coconut milk served over crushed ice. It’s perfect for hot days.
Kao Niaw Ma-Muang (mango sticky rice) is a sweet mix of coconut-flavored rice topped with juicy mango slices.
Kluai Nam Wa (bananas in coconut milk) is a simple dessert that’s loved by everyone—even vegetarians!
Easy Thai Recipes You Can Try at Home
If you’re feeling inspired, try cooking:
Sweet Pork: A soy-based pork dish simmered with palm sugar and shallots.
Thai Noodles: Rice noodles stir-fried with vegetables, chicken, eggs, and tasty sauces.
Tom-Ka-Gai: A cozy chicken coconut soup made with lemongrass, green onions, and fish sauce.
Thai Celebrations and Holidays
Thai festivals are colorful, joyful, and full of meaning. Here are a few that children especially enjoy:
Children’s Day is celebrated on the second Saturday of January. Families spend the day playing and attending fun festivals that honor the importance of children.
Songkran (April 13–16) is Thai New Year. Kids love it because it’s basically a country-wide water fight! People also visit temples and spend time with their families.
Ploughing Ceremony (May 9) is held in Bangkok to bless the farmers and their harvest.
Constitution Day (December 10) celebrates the signing of Thailand’s first constitution.
Favorite Thai Games for Kids
Children in Thailand love to play, and many of their traditional games are still popular today.
E-Gar-Fuk Khai (Crow Sits on the Eggs) is similar to cat-and-mouse. One child guards the “eggs” in a circle while others try to grab them without being tagged.
Ling Ching Luk (Monkey’s Run for a Pole) is a fast-paced game where kids try to grab poles before the “monkey” does.
Tang Te is just like hopscotch. Kids draw numbered squares and try to jump into each one without falling out.
Traditional Thai Clothing
In Thailand, traditional clothing is made of cotton and silk, decorated with unique patterns.
Women wear long tube skirts called pha sin.
Men sometimes wear chong koben, a wrap cloth, but usually dress in modern clothes.
Children typically wear school uniforms by day and pajamas at night.
Thai Customs and Good Manners
Respect is important in Thai culture. Here are a few customs children should know:
- To greet someone, press your palms together and bow your head.
- Always remove your shoes before entering a home or temple.
- At mealtime, taste a little bit of every dish—it’s polite and shows respect to your host.
Music in Thailand
Thai music blends old and new styles and is passed down by ear. Common instruments like the ching, mong, and rahart-ek help create the beautiful sounds that represent Thai culture.
Fun Places to Visit in Thailand
There are many amazing places in Thailand that families and kids enjoy:
Bangkok is the busy capital city where you can visit the Grand Palace and explore Chinatown.
The Floating Market is a fun place where people sell fruits and snacks from boats!
East Coast Islands like Koh Samui and Koh Phangan offer beaches, snorkeling, and full-moon parties—with plenty for kids to enjoy too.
Fun Facts About Thailand
- Thai people usually eat five small meals a day.
- Chopsticks are only used for noodle soups—otherwise, spoons and forks are used.
- Buddhism is the main religion.
- Every Thai man is expected to become a monk at least once in his life.
- Thai is the main language, but many people also speak Chinese.
Thai Folktales and Stories for Children
Storytelling is an important part of Thai culture. Here are three traditional tales:
It’s All in the Stars tells of Jupiter the hermit, Prince Sun, and Lady Moon. It explains the sky in a magical way.
Soft Rice follows a couple searching for the perfect rice to feed their family and repay a debt—teaching kids about responsibility.
The Lampil and the Firefly is a love story like Romeo and Juliet. The boy and girl wish to become a firefly and a tree so they can be together forever.
Learn Thai the Fun Way with Dinolingo
Want to explore more of Thai culture and language? With Dinolingo, kids can learn Thai through games, songs, videos, flashcards, and more! Dinolingo is available on the web, iOS, and Android, and one subscription lets up to 6 users enjoy the fun. Offline activities and a parent dashboard help make language learning easy and playful at home or on the go.