Celebrating Halloween on Koh Tao with kids

Note: date has changed to the 5th Nov 2017

At the Koh Tao Playskool and Daycare, we love any excuse for a party and Halloween is no exception. This year we will be celebrating in our usual fashion by holding an activity based party where you can drop your kids off for some thematic fun. Our party lasts for 3 hours which is why we choose to hold this on Sunday, this year it will take place on the 5^th November 2017 from 3pm to 6pm. Check out this awesome video we made as a keepsake for our children back in 2015, click here.

Getting messy

Our party is suitable for children aged 2 years + and our careful planning allows each age range to join the fun at a level which suits their ability. Activities such as potion making and making your own blood bank juice are just some of the cool crafts we have to offer.

Watermelon brain, cake pop eyeballs and earwax cotton buds...

Our party wouldn’t be complete without a terrifying tea party featuring lots of creepy food art which is not only ascetically pleasing but also aims to find the balance between nutrition and pure decadence which, as a ‘one-off’ party, we feel is an excellent treat for the children.

We sell tickets for this event and money raised will go towards bettering our school, the Koh Tao Playskool receives zero funding so supporting events like this really helps develop our wonderful school. Our ticket prices are 500 baht for playschool members and 600 baht for non-members.We have loads of giveaways including candy bags and our ‘dress to scare if you dare’ winner receives a prize for the best costume.

Join us for some Fang-tastic fun at the weekend and help support our school which caters to large number

of local expat, Thai and Burmese children in our community.

Thank you in advance for your love and support!

Bree and the Koh Tao Playskool gang

Lola and Jett had the best-dressed costumes

How to get to Koh Tao with kids (Cheapest vs quickest)

Here are some tried and tested tips on getting to Koh Tao with kids

 1. Fly in to Samui (Easiest, quickest but most expensive)

It can be worth buying flights from your starting point to Koh Samui, often they tend to be cheaper if you fly through Kuala Lumpar to Samui, rather than the Bangkok route. But if you are like us, and like having open plans, you can fly from Bangkok to Samui but this comes with a hefty price tag. This is by far the easiest, quickest and most comfortable way to travel down with children so if you can afford to do it, it's definitely worth the spend. Then you are just a short boat ride away. Timing is crucial when choosing your flights so landing 1hr- 1hr 30 mins prior to boat departure allows you enough time to get to the pier. Flight prices are approx 5000 baht per person one way, you may find cheaper but this might be due to you not being able to meet the boat (then you'll need to consider a hotel and additional taxi's)

Option 1
Take the Seatran ferry at 1pm, this is conveniently located 10 mins taxi drive away from the airport and is great choice if you're pushed for time. Seatran staff are super helpful however, boat takes slightly longer than its competitor but only by 30 minutes. You can also book tickets online, here's the  link.. Adults 600 baht and children (3-8yrs) 300 baht.

Option 2

Take the Lompraya from the Pralarn pier to Koh Tao departing 8.00am or 12.30pm. The pier is approximately 30 minutes drive from the airport so keep that in mind and also be aware of the 'school run' traffic. There is also the 5pm boat which leaves from Nathon pier, you will need to allow plenty of time to get there, about an 1-1.5 hrs. Service is hit or miss so be prepared for 'mum' to get on with the kids and 'dad' to lug bags on the boat. The great thing about travelling with this company is that the boat ride tends to be very smooth and when buying tickets they now consider children 3-11yrs old. Adults 600/700 baht (depending on boat time), children 300 baht (3-11yrs) and infants are free. You can book tickets through their website, here's the link 

- BEWARE OF FULL MOON PARTY DATES, BOATS MAY BE FULL, BOOK IN ADVANCE

2. Fly to Chumphon with Nok air + Lomprayah

This option is slightly cheaper than flying to Samui but the journey time can be quite timely and means waking up early and checking out of your hotel (if you have one) then travelling to Don Mueng airport and checking in. Flights leave around 6am so you would need to leave at 4-4.30am depending on where you are staying in Bangkok. This airline works along side Lomprayah company and intends to meet their boat departure times. You will be met at Chumphon airport with a Lomprayah representative or will need to find their information desk. You will arrive in Koh Tao at either 3pm or 7pm. Adults and children are charged the same starting at around 3000baht one way. We personally don't like this option at all as it's such a long journey with added expenses such as taxi to airport and with many hours to kill, often spending lots on buying snacks and drinks, and entertaining the children. But want to offer as many options available so you can make the choice which suits your families needs best.

3. Train from Bangkok to Chumphon (Top choice)

Crew's first train ride

By far our favourite choice, especially if you can book 2 first class cabin (4 berths), which we do even through Crew doesn't need a bed (it's an extra 500 baht). The train leaves at 7.30pm from Hua Lumphong station and is a wonderful experience. Not only will your children enjoy the novelty of riding the train, it's even more exciting when they set up the bunk beds and they can hide behind their curtain and read a book (or play on their Iphone like in my sons case). If you can get the first class cabins it's a dream as you can keep all your luggage with you and it is so much easier getting on and off the train, you will also have a table, sink (awesome for rinsing used milk bottles) and power points so we often watch a movie and eat a picnic before laying down to rest. Another great thing about the train is that you can order food on there and they serve you in your cabin/bed. If you aren't able to book the first class because they're full, take the second class option is still great but a bit trickier getting luggage on and off, I usually send the kids on first to our seats and then between us we get the regular, outrageous, amount of luggage on (usually full of shopping for the Koh Tao Playskool LOL). The down side to using the train is that the train arrives around 4.30-5.30am and the biggest panic and fear most people have is not being told when it's their stop. Thailand is one of the easiest countries to travel in the world, the train conductor will make sure you are up and awake to get off the train at your stop, they run a very tight 'ship' (train?) and are used to this route and having passengers panic about whether they've passed their stop etc... Please don't panic, you will be informed! When you get off the train, with hopefully all your luggage (triple check, you'll be dazed and confused after just waking up), you are greeted with a toilet and shower on the platform (5/20baht), a shop selling everything from drinks, coffee, toast, crisps, cookies, ice cream etc... with plenty of tables and chair to relax. There, you will wait for the lomprayah bus to the pier which picks you up around 6.30am. Many of the locals will usher you to check in and prompt you of what you need to do next so just go with the flow. You should arrive to Koh Tao before 9am. Bonus, 1 nights free accommodation and check into your hotel and enjoy the entire day you've paid for. Ticket prices vary but approx Adult 1450-1700 baht (second/first class) Children (3-8yrs, depending on whether you share a bed) 1100-1400 baht and infants free.

Please note
- You must go to the train station to book your ticket, online service isn't very reliable and rarely works
- BEWARE OF FULL MOON DATES, TICKETS WILL BE HARD TO FIND

4. Fly from Bangkok to Surrathani (2nd choice)

This is also a really great option in our opinion. Air asia and Thai Lion Air offer some incredibly cheap flights down to Surrathani which, as long as your flight arrives before either 8.30am or 1.30pm, you will make the next boat departing to Koh Tao. You will also be met by a Lomprayah Representative and bus which is included in your boat ticket price. Prices start from around 900 baht per person (flight) and your boat ticket with transfer for an adult 850 baht, child (3-11yrs old) 430 baht and infants are free. Prices will vary depending on whether you need to buy baggage allowance (20kgs +) and if you want a meal etc.


5. Bus from Bangkok to Chumphon (cheapest- last resort)

To be honest I've really debated adding this option, it's one I did for many years on my own with

Phoenix when he was little, but back then there wasn't as many options as there are available today.. I'll start with the price, adult 1100 baht and child 550 (3-11yrs). Now it is in fact the cheapest option but there is a reason for that. I'm not going to say too much about the night bus, just expect to get no sleep, be uncomfortable and extremely cold/hot, being woken up at 2am pit stop... You leave at 9pm and arrived at 9am. There is, however, a 6.30am bus which is the option we used to take, Phoenix and I would stay on Khao San road so it was easier to get to the meeting point in the morning and whilst it's uncomfortable and lacking in space, especially with little ones, the journey wasn't too bad as we'd go back to sleep for a couple of hours and then Phoenix would entertain himself with his cars or trains. You do go directly to the pier and have a short pit stop along the way, then arrive on Koh Tao around 3pm. I mean if you're really tight on cash it's fine taking this morning bus but for my family and I, comfort and sleep hold a lot of value especially when we have plans at our destination.

Is Koh Tao child friendly?

Amber and I, Phuket 1990

As I mentioned before in my previous post (child friendly restaurants), Thailand has to be one of the most child-friendly countries in the world. My story begins when I was 5 years old in Phuket with my parents, big brother and younger sister, We were 2, 5 and 7 years old. Coming to Thailand was an unforgettable experience in our lives, we still have all our VHS footage going to james bond island on a longtail, driving around on dirt roads, wild elephants in fields and Patong beach with hardly having any resorts on it! Who knew 14 years later we'd be fighting for our lives in the 2004 Tsunami just 100's of metres from that resort we stayed at! But thats another story...

Amber and Big Bow 1990

Amber and Big Bow 2003

My childhood memories of Thailand are some of my best, I will never forget how every single person I met quickly became my friend, regardless of their age. I remember dancing to Phil Collins with all the bar staff and the waiters at breakfast whisking off my little sister because she was so cute. We have never experienced that kind of friendliness and kindness before in our lives, especially living in Hong Kong which was such a fast paced city. Every day we'd see these Rasta street magicians and they adored my sister, they'd run up to her, and often buy her banana shakes and then play with her for hours. Amber reunited with Big Bow  many years later when she 16 years old, one of the same men that adored her as a toddler, he didn't forget her and was so surprised to see her again. Thai people are just so incredibly kind and caring, their values, especially when it comes to the elderly, should be shared and followed by the world.

A typical sunset 

Koh Tao for me, has to be the most child-friendly place in the world, I've enjoyed parenting here for over a decade. The warmth from the people and the amount of support you get makes this island incredibly enjoyable with kids of all ages. Most afternoons are spent socializing with other parents while our children play freely, with everyone taking a turn at keeping an eye on the them. We don't have to worry too much about our children as it's incredibly safe here but mainly keep a watchful eye on some of the dangers such as unfamiliar dogs roaming the beach or the tree swing flying back into one of their faces. But generally life here is incredibly relaxed. Every year we see more and more families coming and many return year after year which shows what a child friendly place Koh Tao has become. Restaurants are now providing highchairs, resorts offer baby cots and stores now sell more and more supplies for babies and toddlers.

When you bring children to this island it opens their eyes to a whole new world with lots of opportunities to try new things. Your children may never want to leave :)

Phoenix learning to ride the dingy aged 6

Does Koh Tao have any child-friendly restaurants?

Thailand without a doubt has to be one of the easiest and most enjoyable countries to travel with kids as the Thai and Burmese people simply love children and welcome them with open arms. You will find both men and women are very comfortable with babies and children as in their culture, families; grandmothers, siblings, cousins, Aunties and Uncles all play a role in raising the children and help is always at hand. When it comes to eating in restaurants the experience is a pleasant one here. Usually before I've even sat down one of the staff is already after a cuddle with Crew, which I welcome, and is often taken into the kitchen and will reappear with a handful of carrot, cucumber or bread, they usually ask before giving him food but as he's such a fussy eater I usually encourage him to eat anything. The only thing I will say about this is that the hand back can often be done with little to no communication on account of the restaurant getting busy or orders coming in, so just keep an eye on the staff and offer to have your child back if they look flustered.

Here is a list of our favourite family/child-friendly restaurants on the Koh Tao. Some of these choices are rated for their excellent food and fine dining, some for their children's menu and others for the atmosphere and comfort with children:

Sairee Cottage- One of the few restaurants on Koh Tao that offer a kids menu, they also have a fresh seafood BBQ in the evening, lots of Thai and western dishes, and offer some of the best pizzas on Koh Tao. Their menu will have something to suit everyone in the family. You can eat on the beach and watch the sunset while the little ones run and play. This is a great place for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and the prices are pretty good too.