Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s largest city sits amid rainforest-covered hills and uniform palm oil plantations on the Malaysian peninsula. Dynamic but chaotic, modern but holding on to traditions, Kuala Lumpur is a megacity just waiting to be explored by families.

Just a few hours flight from Bangkok and one hour from Singapore, KL (as locals call it) is a major hub and transit point for flights between SE Asia, Oceania and the rest of the world. A stopover in KL with kids is a great way to break up long flights and experience the perfect medley of Asian cultures.

We live in Kuala Lumpur and every weekend we get out and explore this fascinating city with our young children. The ideas below aren’t from a guidebook but of places that we’ve been, parks we go back to every weekend and dozens of recommendations from friends who have lived in KL for years. We hope that you can use our tips and advice to find a whole variety of fun things to do in KL with kids in all types of weather.

As we take more photos and visit more child-friendly places in KL, we’ll be continually updating this post so bookmark it and come back! 

Visiting KL with kids

With its cultural diversity and interesting history, you’ll find a plethora of things to do in KL with kids of all ages. From jungle walks and the iconic Petronas Towers to waterparks and magnificent temples.

Whether you’re moving in Kuala Lumpur as an expat or in transit between other destinations Kuala Lumpur is an amazing place to explore with children. Let us show you some of the best things to do in KL with kids, toddlers and even babies!

Exploring Malaysia with kids? You may be interested in our popular posts 5 Fun Things to do in Langkawi with Kids and Toddlers and What do to in Penang in 3 days: Family-Friendly Malaysia

When to visit KL with kids

Kuala Lumpur is hot, sticky and wet all year round.

There are monsoon seasons but ask any local and they will only give you a vague idea of when. Generally, in the mornings it is hot, by lunchtime it is really hot and in the afternoons the thunderstorms start. Keep reading for some great ideas of things to do in KL with kids when it rains.

KL with Kids Family-Friendly Tips: plan your sightseeing for the morning time. We can’t promise it won’t rain but the storms tend to happen in the afternoon. Be prepared for huge, loud claps of thunder and sky brightening flashes of lightning. Our daughter still gets anxious if it’s a particularly big thunderstorm or we’re outdoors.

Getting around KL with kids

Getting around KL with kids can be easy or difficult depending on the weather, the traffic, the day of the week and any other variable you can think of.

In the city centre, there is a decent (and getting better) transport system combing an MRT, monorail and train services. There are also lots of buses including the GOKL bus which is FREE and stops at many of the tourist hotspots. Of course, there are open-deck hop-on-hop-off buses in KL – you’ll get very hot and sticky though!

Traffic can make travelling by road painful. Avoid travelling on Friday afternoons when most Malaysians finish work early for Friday prayers. If it rains on a Friday you’ll be in traffic for hours.

KL with Kids Family-Friendly Tip: If you’re travelling with young kids download the Grab app. Grab is Asia’s version of Uber and is cheap, safe and mostly reliable. The great thing is that you can pay the driver by cash meaning it’s easy for tourists to use. We use Grabs almost every time we go into KLCC. If you’re concerned about not having a children’s car seat with you, there are some great car seat in backpack options on Amazon.com.

Walking around KL with kids

As you wander around KL city centre, you’ll probably notice that 70% of all the pedestrians are tourists! Malaysians do not wander the streets, they drive everywhere. So instead you will see lots of sweaty sightseers as all the locals drive past on their speeding motorbikes or air-conditioned cars.

Because locals don’t walk apart from in KLCC (the modern business district) the pavements (sidewalks) are crazily bad. We’re talking open sewers, cracked paving slabs, steps and obstacles. If you’re strolling around with toddlers and babies, don’t bother with a stroller, use a sling instead. 

Is it safe to visit KL with kids?

Kuala Lumpur is as safe (and as dangerous) as the next major world city. It might have a seedy edge but most expats and locals I know haven’t been the victim of crime. That said, use all your usual street-wise commonsense and chances are you’ll be fine.

If you carry a handbag, there are many cases of slash and grab robberies by gangs on motorbikes. Carry your bag across your body and away from the road. I’ve been using this Pacsafe bag for almost 8 years and love it. Definitely worth the investment!

Things to do in KL with kids in the city centre

Petronas Towers

Rising 452 metres high, the Petronas Towers can be seen from everywhere in the city (even our apartment!) Surprisingly beautiful skyscrapers especially at night when they light up the cityscape. 

There are various ways to see the so-called “twin towers” from the bottom, from afar and by going up to the top. To visit the Petronas Towers, it’s best to book in advance and go in the early morning when the skies are the clearest. Visits include two main stops at the Skybridge which connects the towers on the 41st floors and the observation deck on the 86th floor where you can take in stunning views far across the Klang Valley.

Menara KL

It’s all about views in Kuala Lumpur and Merara KL is yet another opportunity to zoom up into the clouds. This 421m tower is the little sister of the Petronas Tower but competes for attention flashing all the colours of the rainbow each night.

The ticket area is full of souvenir stands and tourist cafes including a chocolate shop (mmm, melted chocolate anyone?) and a gimmicky Upsidedown House. Don’t miss the KL Forest Eco Park next door (more on this below). For discount tickets, try Viator or Get your Guide.

Muzium Negara

Our kids were oddly fascinated by the National Museum which doesn’t really have that much to appeal to under-fives so I definitely rate it! It’s not the most modern or hi-tech of museums but it’s set in a stunning building.

The permanent galleries tell the story of Malaysia through the centuries. The Malaysia Today exhibition gives a quick overview of all the different cultures that make up contemporary Malaysian society. The mannequins in traditional clothes are fun for young children to learn about and compare.

Entry is very cheap (5RM for an adult and 2RM for children over six) so it’s very affordable even if you don’t stay long. Little kids will like the airplanes, trains and tanks in the grounds. If you have time, the Museum of Malay World Ethnology and the Orang Asli Craft Museum are in the same complex.

Merdeka Square

Grown-ups will love the Mogul-Islamic architecture and heritage buildings that encircle Merdeka Square with Moorish domes and colonial features. There’s not much to see for children but there’s plenty of space to run around in.  If you can visit on Monday mornings at 9.45am for the flag-raising ceremony at the tallest flag pole in the world which stands at the centre of the square. The National Textiles Museum is situated on the square and free to enter if you need a blast of air-con.

Thean Hou Temple

Although Kuala Lumpur is speckled with Chinese temples, Thean Hou Temple stands out as the most ornate and offers wonderful views. Only opened in 1989, this isn’t a heritage building at all but is definitely a work of art with eye-catching murals, carvings and beautiful statues throughout. Our kids love spotting the flying dragons. It’s free to enter and beautifully lit with lanterns during the Chinese New Year period.

Chinatown

Chinatown is a vibrant inner city area to explore. It is noisy, crowded and filled with a mix of incense and roasted duck making it one of the most atmospheric neighbourhoods in KL. The markets in Madras Lane and Petaling Street will cater for your every need – from Chinese ‘silk’ dressing gowns to rip-off handbags to ripe (and stinky) durian.

If your family is into hawker stall food this is the place to be! If you prefer a quieter sit-down meal, our children like the charismatic The Geographer Cafe filled with maps and atlases. I love the old shop-houses, some of which have been lovingly restored and the sense of history in the air. 

Central Market

If your kids love souvenirs, Central Market is the place to go. As well as the same rip-off watches that you can buy in Chinatown it also has some quirky handmade gift stalls and handicrafts. There’s a branch of Precious Old China in the market itself (on the Mezzanine level) which serves classic Malaysian dishes in a nostalgic 1930s style yet family-friendly setting. 

Things to do in KL with kids for FREE

KLCC Park and Petronas Tower selfies

If we had to recommend a single place for families with toddlers to visit in Kuala Lumpur it would be KLCC park. This lovely little patch of green surrounded by monumental skyscrapers, including the iconic Petronas Towers themselves is a wonderful place to relax and breathe take in how stunning the Twin Towers actually are.

The bonus is that KLCC park houses a huge, gigantic, scrawling play area (seriously it’s BIG). The only negative is that it’s so large that you’ll be following your little ones around in case they get lost. Pushing the kids on the swings whilst gazing up at the towers is a pretty cool way to see KL!

KL with Kids Family-friendly Tip: In the daytime, the play equipment will be baking hot. It’s better to schedule a visit in the late afternoon. You can time the play with the captivating music-and-light-show at the lake. There’s also a free splash park in KLCC Park (closed on Mondays). We’ve never taken the kids in it because our local and expat friends don’t rate the hygiene too highly but it is popular (you decide!)

KL Forest Eco Park

Right at the foot of the towering Menara KL is KL Forest Eco Park. This great (if a little run-down) eco-park is just the place to relax. Let the little ones run wild across the wooden canopy walkways above the trees. This tiny patch of rainforest is right in the city centre and if you go on a weekday you could have the place to yourselves. Keep an eye out for monkeys and creepy crawlies. It’s free and you can enter from the top or the bottom of the hill.

Batu Caves

At Batu caves, 272 brightly coloured steps lead up to the sacred Hindu shrine towered over by a golden statue of Lord Murugan.

Whilst Batu Caves isn’t the most popular attraction in Kuala Lumpur, it does deserve a visit if you’re in the city for a while. Like locals, tourists tend to either love it or hate it. Personally, I don’t like visiting due to the “thieving” monkeys, crowds and litter. But I do like what Batu Caves symbolises and the religious and cultural aspects.

The steep stairs can be crowded. The spectacular view from the very top shows a sprawling city that goes on far into the distance. Unfortunately, pollution and haze often spoil the view.

For me, Batu Caves is a place to see the best and worst of Kuala Lumpur. Aside from the intense heat, jostling tourists and excessive amounts of bird poo, there are unforgettable golden statues glittering in the sun, rainbow-coloured steps and beautiful limestone caves. During festivals like Thaipusam thousands of devoted, faithful locals make heart-felt pilgrimages to the shrines within. 

Batu Caves is about a 20-minute drive outside of KLCC. It’s free to climb the stairs but if you visit to visit the inner caves (such as the famous Dark Cave) you will need to pay for a guided tour.

Family-Friendly Tip: Go early and go a weekday to avoid the crowds. Take water with you but make sure the monkeys don’t spot your bottle or they’ll grab it! A sling or back-carrier is the best way to carry toddlers.

The River of Life

One of the latest projects underway set to transform Kuala Lumpur into a world-class tourist destination is the River of Life. Mostly still under construction, this riverside walkway aims to create inviting recreational spaces along the once-filthy and neglected river. Kuala Lumpur actually means ‘muddy confluence’ so beautifying this naturally murky patch of the river is quite a task!

Overlooked by historic Moorish domes of Masjid Jamek, the river is beginning to come ‘to life’. At night, a light show descends to make the riverfront look almost magical. Old colonial buildings are being renovated and there are plans for cafes and other amenities. River of Life project is being extended to include Titwangsa Lake. 

Things to do outdoors in KL with kids

KL Bird Park

KL Bird Park is the often number one on lists of things to do in KL with kids – and for good reason. This gorgeous aviary (set within Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park) is a brilliant place to visit with young children and nature lovers of all ages! In the main area, birds fly around freely so you’ll be able to get up close and personal with storks, hornbills and many more of our flying friends.

Our family love the bird shows at the open-auditorium (conveniently next to the playground). The food in the cafe is actually quite good too although our son hates eating on the balcony where birds fly up to see what you’re eating! 

Entrance isn’t cheap at around 50RM for an adult so look for discounts on Klook.com.

KL Butterfly Park

Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park is also part of Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park (formerly known as Lake Gardens). It’s a wonderful (if unbearably sweaty) place to wander around with the kids spotting colourful butterflies. There are stone pathways and bridges to explore with benches and pagodas to rest in. As well as butterflies, there are ponds of gigantic koi and exhibitions on insects. As an expat, I really didn’t want to learn about all those huge spiders native to Malaysia! Aarghh…

For more information check out their website or check for discounted tickets on Viator

Perdana Botanical Garden

Our favourite part of Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park is the wonderful and totally FREE Perdana Botanical Garden. A gorgeous botanical garden overbrimming with native flora and an attractive lake. We recommend going there early before the heat rises. There is a deer park somewhere in the area but we’re yet to find it! 

Family-friendly hiking at Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) Park 

TTDI Park is a park that you won’t find in the guidebooks – it’s a local suburban park. Run-down and beautiful in equal measures. The best thing about TTDI Park (about 15 mins drive from KLCC) is the amazing walks. Go up the steps near the car park and a short, paved loop takes you through the rainforest and across a short wooden bridge in for an easy 30 min loop. The lake (pictured above) is home to monitor lizards and turtles and you are guaranteed to see lots of monkeys. Bukit Kiara (the entrance is 2-minutes drive further) is a great place to head for longer rainforest walks with trails leading all the way from TTDI to Desa Park City.

TTDI is quite an upmarket area and has lots of great eateries including our favourites Der Backmeister German Bakery (great for brunch) and K2 Asian Fusion very near to the park. TTDI almost holds a very popular pasar malam (night market on Sunday evenings from 4pm at the main square)

Zoo Negara Malaysia

Whilst Kuala Lumpur Zoo may not have the global fame of Singapore and Taipei Zoos, it is a great day out with kids. As you can see from the photograph above the setting is amazing with the hills behind. The Panda House is completely over-the-top incredible.

You can come face-to-face with many native Malaysian animals, including orangutans. The captive animals seem well-kept and it’s definitely somewhere to spend the whole day. We couldn’t stop laughing at all the monkeys who kept sneaking into the zoo over the fences in search of food!

The zoo isn’t cheap so if you’re not an expat or resident with a MYKAD card, try to look for discounts online before visiting. Also, be aware that the zoo is a good 20-25 mins from downtown.

FRIM: The Forest Institute of Malaysia

The Forest Research Institute Malaysia is a wonderful gem just outside Kuala Lumpur. Once home to a canopy walkway that is now shut but it shouldn’t stop you from visiting. There are hikes, waterfalls, restored traditional buildings (like the house in the photo above) and lots of amenities. 

Things to do in KL with kids inside with kids… when it rains

Kuala Lumpur is HOT and HUMID. At some point every day, you’re going to want to dash into air-con to escape the heat and/or the rain. Malaysians LOVE shopping malls and you can find anything you could possibly want in them.

Shopping Malls

Don’t scroll past this one. Let me explain. Malaysians love shopping and they love air-con put the two together and they’re in heaven. I’m not suggesting that you take the kids shopping but as the malls are where the locals are, it’s also where all the activities are.

If you happen to visit at Christmas time, the seasonal displays in the malls put British Christmas decorations to shame. Likewise, at Chinese New Year there will be free activities for kids and gorgeous lanterns displays. Diwali (Deepavali) sees designs made of rice in the foyers and Ramadan and Hari Raya will bring yet more amazing sets, markets and food stands.

Aquarium

Every city has an aquarium nowadays but Aquaria KLCC still stands out. In the basement of the KL Convention Centre (an easy walk through KLCC Park), this world-class aquarium has every water-dwelling creature from sharks to otters on display. For discount tickets, try Klook.com. 

Petrosains

This wonderful hands-on museum inside Suria Shopping Mall might be funded by Petronas aka black sludge capitalists. But putting ethics aside, it’s a great and really educational place to spend the afternoon.

Learn about where petrol comes from by the experts themselves through interactive exhibitions, soft play and cool multimedia displays. Our children spent hours here and best of all it isn’t as expensive as many of the other nearby attractions. Current prices are RM29.70 adults and RM17.50 for children over 3. Sometimes, Petrosains has money-saving promotions on its website.

Indoor soft plays in KL

As Kuala Lumpur residents ‘live’ in shopping malls, every shopping mall has a children’s soft play area. Some are basic and free playgrounds inside but most are amazingly huge, dazzlingly bright and charge upwards of 50RM per child. Remember to always take socks with you for both adults and children or you’ll have to buy them on the door.

Other fun indoor activity centres to try are Kidzania in Petaling Jaya and Berjaya Times Square Theme Park.

Play cafes

As well as a soft play, almost every KL mall has a kid’s cafe as well. We’ve visited A LOT and I’ll write it up soon. In the meantime, some of our favourite KL play cafes are Blokke Lego Cafe out in Citta Mall near Subang Airport, Ben’s in The Gardens Mall and The Little Owl Korean Kids Cafe in Publika Mall, Mont Kiara.

Unusual and unique things to do in KL with kids

Visit a cathedral, mosque, Chinese temple and Hindu temple in an hour

Here’s an idea for a world-schooling activity on maps, religions and architecture. It is really simple because the centre of KL is so compact and the cultures are so diverse.

We’ve designed the ultimate short walk for families.

This short and easy walk takes you from Merdeka Square past a church, a mosque, a two Chinese temples and a Hindu temple all within 15 mins (if you don’t stop). A great way to sample KL’s cultural and religious diversity even with restless children.

Family-friendly Tips: Watch your step, sidewalks in this area are notoriously bad. Remember to cover your shoulders and knees if entering any of the places of worship and observe their prayer times. Check out the nostalgic _ Cafe if you’re in need of a drink after your walk.

Visit a wet market

Not for the squeamish but if you’d like to educate your kids about where food comes from, Kuala Lumpur’s wet markets are bustling, vibrant and a bit smelly. Expect crowds, blood on the floor and a truly Asian experience.

Whilst you may not want to watch a chicken get slaughtered, markets are a great place to pick up fresh fruit and vegetables. We recommend popping into the wet market in the heart of Chinatown.

Royal Selangor Visitor Centre

If you’re travelling with creative tweens and teens then the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre might be just the place for you. The pewter factory here is the world’s largest producer of pewter ware.

You can join a free tour of the factory to see craftspeople at work or shop for gorgeous souvenirs but what teens might really enjoy are the workshops offered. Attendees can make their own pewter dishes or jewellery and there’s a lovely little cafe for parents to wait in. Visit the Royal Selangor Website to book shuttle buses from KLCC and arrange free guided tours.

Pusat Sains Negara

Pusat Sains Negara is the Malaysian National Science Centre. It’s very cheap to visit at just 6RM for over 13s. A little more-dated than Petrosains, it’s a fraction of the price and there’s so much to see and do.

Take your swimming costumes and spend some time in the splash pools. Learn about astronomy from the outdoor displays. Inside the centre, there are hands-on activities, soft play areas, visiting exhibitions and hours worth of engaging displays to entertain children from toddlers to teens.

For more information, check out the Pusat Sains Negara website.

1 Utama 

Visiting the seventh largest shopping mall in the world may not sound like the most exciting thing to do in KL with kids but they’ve sure packed a lot of activities into (and on to) one roof.

Go at the weekend and explore the (world’s largest) rooftop garden. Perhaps the kids are restless, why not take them climbing at the fantastic Camp 5? Indoor sky-diving? How about surfing? Or just a visit to the cinema? There’s even a small pocket of rainforest incorporated into the mall with fish ponds and real plants. For lunch, there’s a branch of the fantastic dumpling chain 

Things to do in KL with kids that will make mum and dad happy as well!

Pasar Malams

A Pasar Malam is a night market and KL does them by the dozen. Right now, it’s Ramadan and at 4 pm every car park/ roadside turns into an impromptu Pasar Malam so the local Muslims can buy goodies for when they break their fast each evening.

The most well-known touristy night market is Jalan Alor (pictured below). Every night, this plastic table-lined road has a carnival atmosphere as locals and tourists jostle for some of KL’s best-known hawker food. Connaught Street and Glutton Street in Pudu are also great places to try Malaysian favourites from stir-fried char teow kway to freshly steamed bao to classic Nasi Lemak.

If the whole idea of eating in a busy outdoor area with young children seems too much, Lot 10 Hutong offers an indoor and sanitized version of a Pasar Malam. 

Sunway Lagoon

The ultimate waterpark experience in KL is Sunway Lagoon part of the Sunway Pyramid complex. Sure, it’s not cheap but kids and adults will have a blast. There are kids’ areas, a beach zone, a zoo and Vuvuzela billed as the highest and most thrilling water ride in the world! Search for discount tickets on Klook.com

Spend the day with expats at Desa Park City

Get off the tourist trail and into the heart of residential Kuala Lumpur with a quick Grab ride to The Waterfront at Desa Park City. Mingle with expats and local Chinese Malaysians in the trendy bars and restaurants overlooking the lake.

There’s a fun playground, shops and pleasant walking trail around the lake. Some restaurants to try include the trusty chain ‘The Social‘ and Kenny Hills Bakers for gorgeous artisan bread and breakfasts.

Swim and feast at Out of Africa

So this is a hidden expat gem for a day when you need a break from sightseeing and just want to relax. It’s quite a ride from the city centre but you’ll be here the whole day so it’s worth it. Out of Africa is a South-African themed restaurant with outdoor tables and a children’s playground that looks over a municipal swimming pool. Buy tickets for the kids to swim in the pool and kick back with an ice-cold beer.

Where to stay in KL with kids

As in any large city, there are hundreds of accommodation options. You can choose areas based on price, location or any other criteria that you may have. I will write a thorough post on options soon. In the meantime, the Shangri-La Hotel in Bukit Bintang and Aloft Kuala Lumpur in Sentral receive rave reviews from our friends.

Personally, we really enjoyed staying in a large 3 bedroom apartment in Regalia Suites during our ‘reccy week’ in KL. The views from the rooftop swimming pool are phenomenal.

Of course, there are hundreds of more options just check out Booking.com or Airbnb. Agoda.com is also a useful hotel booking service for those travelling around Asia – and often as the best daily deals.

If you enjoyed our guide to the best things to do in KL with kids, you may also like our other Asian city guides including:

Bangkok with Young Children; Make it memorable and NOT mayhem.

Awesome Things to do in Taipei with Kids

Hanoi with a Toddler: 15 Tips to make it less stressful

Top Tips for an Incredible Time in Seoul with a Toddler

Yangon with kids: A 1 Day Family Travel Guide

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