Angkor Wat with kids?

Here are our best inside tips on how to make your temple visit with the kids a success!

Two young girls exploring ancient Angkor ruins at sunset.

First thing first. Should you get a 1 day ticket or a 3 day ticket? 

First of all, this of course depends on how long your plan on staying in Siem Reap. If you have the time, a 3 day ticket is a nice way to give your family enough time to explore the temples without rushing. You can spread out your visits throughout a whole week. Are you short on time? If you go to the ticket office after 4:45pm., you can buy your ticket for the following day, so you do not need to queue up in the morning. You can also use this ticket to explore the temples on the day before your visit. If you enter the temple area after 4:45pm and have a ticket for the next day.  

A man with three young girls standing at the edge of a pond, looking at a temple ruins in the distance surrounded by trees and lush greenery.

Angkor Wat. Everyone visits this iconic temple when they come to Siem Reap, and almost everyone enters through the front gate. That is where you’ll find the main parking lot, the bustling food court, stalls selling colorful sarongs and scarves, and crowds of tour guides. But did you know you can also enter from the quiet 'back side'?

One of the best ways to escape the crowds - and the heat - is to do exactly that; Enter the temple from the less known East side. Walk through the jungle, alive with the sounds of cicadas, birdsongs, and, if you're lucky - a monkey or two. These old, big trees provide much needed shade and fresh air. And then all of a sudden, this majestic temple appears in all its glory. Our favorite time of the day is the afternoon. The colors of the sky changing from bright blue to pink and deep red - makes this place look even more incredible. 

Tips:

All children must be at least 12 years old to enter the top of Angkor Wat. The same is for the Phnom Bakeng temple, and certain smaller temples with high peaks that needs to be climbed.

Angkor Wat peak is closed on Holy days: These occur twice a month and are based on the lunar calendar, not the Western calendar. That means the closure isn’t tied to a fixed date each month.

Three young girls standing on a dirt path in front of an ancient stone temple with intricate carvings, surrounded by greenery and trees.

Babel Family Tip:

Traveling with an active toddler? Keep in mind that the upper levels of major temples like Angkor Wat and Bayon require tackling some incredibly steep, narrow stone steps. If you have little ones in tow, we highly recommend focusing on the ground-level ruins and wide-open jungle paths where they can explore safely without the dangerous climbs. The steep and uneven stairs can be a challenge for anyone, and you'll need to keep a close eye on your child here.

If you are looking for a safer spot for your child to run “free”, ask your tuk-tuk driver to stop right before the South Gate of Angkor Thom. The grassy jungle area next to the moat of Angkor Thom is a beautiful spot, featuring some easy temple ruins for children to climb. Another favorite is the Baphoun temple, an often-overlooked yet impressive pyramid temple within Angkor Thom. While children under 12 are not permitted to ascend the main temple, the surrounding jungle walk is absolutely stunning.

We are also big fans of Preah Khan. It offers that exact same mystical, jungle-swallowed 'Tomb Raider' vibe as the famous Ta Prohm, but with a fraction of the crowds. Built like a massive labyrinth of stone corridors shaded by a dense jungle canopy, it is incredibly quiet, safe, and exciting for little explorers.

Babel Insider Tip: Have your driver drop you off at the East Gate and pick you up at the West Gate. This lets you walk straight through the heart of the ruins without doubling back, making the adventure much easier on little legs!

Three young children walking towards an ancient brick structure in a grassy area.

Hot season vs. the cooler season. Visiting the temples when the temperature measures above 35 degrees Celsius, can be really tough. This is common between March and June. If you are visiting during the hot season, we do recommend getting an early start, and maybe considering a long break in the middle of the day, before heading back for sunset. 

Packing list for Angkor Wat with kids:

  • Sun hats and sunglasses

  • Sun cream and mosquito repellent 

  • An umbrella for shade or protection from the rain

  • Light, comfortable, and loose-fitting clothing that covers shoulders and knees. This does not apply to babies/small children. 

  • Proper shoes. You will be walking A LOT - and the kids will be climbing on rocks and roots. Be aware of the red fire ants.

  • Bring plenty of cash for ice cream, food, and water. Smaller bills are easier to use. 

  • Picture of your kids passport if your kids are under 12 years old

  • Snacks and plenty of drinking water

  • Worried they will get bored? Make a scavenger hunt for your children to keep them engaged!