World Schooling in Lampang

Ceramics, Confidence & Connection

By Smiths On Tour – a full-time travelling family learning through life together

One of the best parts of being a full-time travelling family is watching the world become our classroom. We’ve swapped school runs and screens for real-world learning and slow travel — where each new place teaches us something different. Our latest stop: Lampang, Thailand, a quiet gem near Chiang Mai, packed with hands-on education, cultural experiences, and the kind of bonding that can only happen when you live, learn, and travel together.

If you’re a family thinking about world schooling in Asia, looking for educational travel ideas for kids, or simply craving deeper connections on the road, this one’s for you.

🐓 Ceramics, Culture & The Legacy of the Cockerel

Back in Lampang, we discovered something the region is quietly famous for: ceramic art. Specifically, hand-painted porcelain bowls featuring the Thai rooster symbol, which stands for strength and protection.

We visited a family-owned ceramic museum and working factory, where we were guided through the entire process of how traditional Thai ceramics are made — from clay to kiln to colourful final product. Tilly was fully engaged. She stood beside a centuries-old kiln, learned about natural clay sources, and heard the story of how one local family turned their passion into a successful business over generations.

This was world schooling at its best: a living lesson in entrepreneurship, craftsmanship, and the power of building something with intention.

We ended the tour with a painting workshop where we each decorated our own bowl — a hands-on activity that blended art, culture, and creativity. At just 240 baht (around £5.50) for the tour, it was one of the best budget-friendly family activities in Thailand we’ve come across.

And yes… we may have to creatively pack those painted pots!

🚐 Camping the Mae Hong Son Loop – Real-Life Adventure Learning

Before arriving in Lampang, we road-tripped and camped along the scenic Mae Hong Son Loop — a favourite among adventure families travelling Thailand. The loop’s winding mountain roads, peaceful villages, and remote campsites gave us the perfect environment to unplug and reconnect.

For Tilly, it was an incredible opportunity for experiential learning. Our camping trip didn’t really go to plan as we endured storms, bad weather and many sites were shut (during rainy season). We found that Tilly has gained patience and resilience to the unpredictability of travel, which is great to see! These are the kinds of real-life skills that don’t come from textbooks — confidence, resilience, and teamwork.

For anyone considering alternative education while travelling, camping trips like these are gold (come rain or shine).

Rafting On A Lake!

We enjoyed exploring the Pang Ung lake by bamboo raft…. until Joe snapped the ore in half 😂 then teamwork set in…. perfect for team building skills!

Tilly’s aim to buy a small house (we believe she can make it happen!)

We often have discussions about Tilly having her own independence and talk about business to get there! Tilly’s ideal would be to buy a small house with a cat… somewhere in the world 🌍😺

🛍️ Street Markets as Learning Hubs

Later, we headed to the Lampang walking street market, a favourite weekend tradition here — and one of our top ways to explore culture through everyday life. For families doing world schooling with teens, markets like these are packed with educational value.

Thanon Talatkao is where the walking street market is in Lampang!

Tilly gets to practice local language, haggle in Thai baht, explore traditional street food, and observe how locals interact. It’s informal learning, but deeply impactful. From trying sticky rice desserts to chatting with artisans, she’s building confidence and curiosity with every outing.

Markets also offer a glimpse into family culture in Thailand. Unlike what we experienced in the UK — where weekends often revolved around pubs — here we see families out together, eating, shopping, smiling, and connecting. It’s a pace of life we’ve come to love.

And for those wondering about life after alcohol while travelling, this kind of Saturday night — filled with laughter, food, and creativity — is the perfect replacement.

🐴 Horse & Carriage Magic to End the Day

To top off the day, we treated Tilly to a horse and carriage ride through town. She got to sit upfront next to the driver, thrilled to be close to the animals she adores. She’s always been passionate about horses, and now we’re on the lookout for horseback riding opportunities abroad to deepen that interest further.

It was a simple but magical end to a day filled with cultural learning, family connection, and personal growth.

Horse and carriage- 400BHT (£9.12)

💬 Final Reflections – World Schooling as a Way of Life

This little detour to Lampang reminded us why we chose this lifestyle. As a family living on the road full-time, we don’t just travel for fun — we travel to grow, to learn, and to create a richer, more connected education for Tilly and for ourselves.

Whether it’s understanding Thai history through pottery, building confidence through market haggling, or problem-solving in the rain during a camping trip — this is homeschooling through travel, and it’s changing us in all the right ways.

Us Camping at Pai!

✈️ Are You a Travelling Family Too?

If you're already on the road or dreaming about it, we’d love to connect. Drop us a message or follow along at @smithsontour, where we share real-life tips, stories, and snapshots from our world schooling life.

Until next time,
Keep learning, keep exploring, and keep growing together.
— Smiths On Tour