Sandwiched between Thailand and Indonesia (Bali), Malaysia is often overshadowed by its popular neighbours as a travel destination. This is a shame as Malaysia is incredibly family-friendly. The beaches, rainforests and vibrant, modern cities mean that there is a huge array of fun things to do in Malaysia with kids. 

Malaysia has been our home for the past 18 months. We’ve travelled around it extensively and got to know some areas inside-out. With this insider knowledge, hopefully, it will be very easy to convince you why Malaysia is a great family travel destination.

The extensive list below includes some of the best attractions for families with kids in Malaysia as well as some more unusual ones that should keep mum and dad happy too. 

Unforgettable Things to do in Malaysia with kids 

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Things to do in Kuala Lumpur with kids

Kuala Lumpur is the largest city in Malaysia and home of some world-famous landmarks. With a little organisation, it can be an easy, fun and safe city to visit with children of all ages.

If you’d like more ideas on what to do in Kuala Lumpur with kids, check out our in-depth guide Fun Things to do in KL with Kids: Insider Tips!

Petronas Twin Towers

The iconic Petronas Twin Towers are an absolute must-see. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed not to see them as they tower over the Klang Valley. Once the tallest buildings in the world, they might have lost their title but they are still an impressive pair. At 88 storeys high, the Towers dwarf other nearby skyscrapers. A trip to the Skybridge (that connects the towers) and observation deck is a great way to take in panoramic views of KL with kids.

KLCC Park 

A family favourite. This small park right at the foot of the Petronas Towers offers amazing photo opportunities (of the Towers), fountains with nightly sound-and-light shows and shaded pagodas for relaxing in. For kids, there is a humongous playground and a splash pool (closed Mondays). There are bathroom facilities next to the playground.

Petrosains Science Discovery Centre

This fantastic and very affordable science discovery centre is located in Suria Mall at the base of the Petronas Twin Towers. Yes, it is sponsored by Petronas so it’s a little heavy on all the wonderful things that fossil fuels have given humanity but they do try and include a few environmental displays. There are hands-on galleries on space, oil rigs and more. There is a soft play area for little ones and a simple cafe.

KL Forest Eco Park 

Our kids love a quick run around on these wooden canopy walkways right at the base of the Menara KL Tower. The park is free to enter and you might see monkeys as you cross the bridges between each viewing platforms. A visit here doesn’t take long with speedy kids.

You can combine KL Forest Eco-park with a visit to the open-air observation deck in Menara KL  Tower (see Klook.com for discounted tickets) or to the super-touristy Upside-Down House nearby.

Thean Hou Temple 

Perhaps the most attractive Chinese temple in Kuala Lumpur, it is actually only 30 years old. The colourful and ornate architecture makes Thean Hou Temple a very photogenic location. Keep the kids engaged by challenging them to spot flying dragons and phoenixes. During Chinese New Year, the lanterns make the temple look almost magical.

Aquaria KLCC

Our kids love the 90m underwater tunnel in this well-organised aquarium. Stand on the slow-moving travelator and you can see tiger sharks, stingrays and giant grouper fish swimming above you. All the signs are in English and there are regular feeding times and educational shows. We recently used Klook.com to buy discounted tickets the day before we visited. 

Chinatown and Kwai Chai Hong Alley 

Chinatown isn’t the easiest place in KL to visit with kids but it is somewhere adults won’t want to miss. We highly suggest that you seek out Kwai Chai Hong Alley. This quiet, little alleyway has been painted for gorgeous murals depicting classic Chinese Malaysian street scenes.

The murals are designed to be interactive so kids will love posing as part of the scene. Take lots of pictures and then pop into Bubble Bee cafe for some yummy bubble waffles and smoothies.

Perdana Botanical Gardens in Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park 

An oasis in a busy metropolis Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park formerly known as Lake Gardens is a wonderful, relaxed place to spend some time in nature. There are several museums, the national mosque and a planetarium within the park. Our favourite part is the Perdana Botanical Gardens. Kids will love the giant fairyland playground as well as the stunning bamboo playground near the lake. 

Berjaya Times Square Theme Park

Berjaya Times Square is an indoor theme park in the city. Just what you need when the kids are getting too hot and sticky. 

KL Bird Park 

Also situated in Tun Abdul Razak Heritage Park is KL Bird Park. The aviary is 21 hectares and is home to 100s of Asian birds. There is a fun bird show (12.30 pm and 3.30 pm daily). Don’t miss the chance to feed the incredible Rhinoceros HornBills. If you’re hungry, the food at the cafe is good and you might get a flying dinner guest join you!

Batu Caves 

Since their colourful make-over last year, Batu Caves are becoming more and more of a tourist destination. It’s a steep climb to the top whether you can explore both the limestone caves and the rainbow temples and shrines inside. It can get busy especially on the weekend and during Hindu festivals. Children will love the monkeys who line the staircase but beware they can be aggressive and we’ve often seen them steal food and water bottles. 

For an in-depth guide to visiting Batu Caves with a toddler or young children, check out our post: 

Visiting Batu Caves with a Toddler: How to keep sane!

Sunway Lagoon Water Park

If the kids are going wild in the Malaysian heat, plan a trip to Sunway Lagoon. There’s an artificial tropical beach, plenty of water slides and lots to keep kids busy – and cool. 

Day Trips for kids from KL

Even if you’re only visiting Kuala Lumpur on a short stop-over, make sure that you get out of the city and into the surrounding hills. 

Port Dickson

Port Dickson is a busy port and the closest beach to Kuala Lumpur. It may not be the nicest beach in the world but the kids won’t care as long as you’ve packed a bucket and spade. 

Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre

This wonderful donation-only centre is dedicated to protecting Malaysian elephants. You can feed elephants and participate in bathing time. There are educational displays and lots of elephant-related exhibits. It takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to drive here from KL.

City of Digital Lights, Shah Alam 

Lit by over 1 million digital lights every night of the year, kids will love this flashing and dazzling nighttime concept. As well as enjoying the ‘lightscape’ there are also fairground rides and activities. The City of Digital Lights opens at 5 pm every night. 

Bukit Fraser (Fraser’s Hill)

Bukit Fraser (Fraser’s Hill) is a colonial-era hill station which still boasts British-style pubs and restaurants. Nearby is the popular Jeriau waterfall.

Genting Highlands

On a clear night, you can see the ethereal glow of Genting Highlands from KL. Genting Highlands is a huge resort and casino complex built on an old hill station. The bright lights are those of the themes parks (including 20th Century Fox World), the casino and sprawling hotels. Kids will love here at Genting Highlands but it’s definitely not going to be a relaxing (or cheap getaway). 

FRIM (Forest Institute of Malaysia)

The Forest Institute of Malaysia is just a short 20-minute drive from central KL. It is a wonderful man-made woodland where you can hire bicycles, picnic at a waterfall or explore traditional wooden Malay houses. The canopy walkway mentioned in many guidebooks has been closed for several years.

Sky Mirror

High on our family bucket list is the Sky Mirror in Kuala Selangor. Twice a month during the new moon and full moon, a natural phenomenon occurs when the seawater recedes and leaves a stretch of sandy, shallow water near the shore. Like an actual mirror, the remaining water reflects the sky and anybody standing on it making it a unique photo opportunity. Tours are available with Sky Mirror Trip Guides.

More things to do in Malaysia with kids

Malaysia can easily be divided into two distinct parts: West Malaysia (also referred to as Peninsular Malaysia) and East Malaysia (also referred to as Malaysian Borneo). The Peninsular borders share land borders with Thailand and Singapore. Whilst Malaysian Borneo covers the Northern edge of the rainforest-covered island of Borneo. The Southern part of Borneo is called Kalimantan and is governed by Indonesia.

Things to do with kids: Peninsular Malaysia 

Peninsular (West Malaysia) is home to rainforests, beach destinations and of course, the sprawling metropolis of Kuala Lumpur.

Penarik Firefly Sanctuary

On the East Coast of Malaysia not far from Kuantan you will find the Penarik Firefly Sanctuary. Take a boat ride at night through the mangroves lit by magical fireflies illuminating the dark. Unfortunately, it was fully booked when we tried to go so insider tip – book in advance!

Perhentian Islands

Perhaps the most beautiful of all of Peninsular Malaysia’s islands, the Perhentian Islands boast crystal-clear waters, jungle interiors and white sand beaches. The islands are completely shut during the monsoon season from November to February so plan your trip carefully. 

Cameron Highlands

If the humidity in Malaysia is affecting the kids, then drive up to the Cameron Highlands. The Highlands are the perfect area for a road trip with toddlers and young children. Here, the air is fresh and the scenery at the tea plantations stunning. If our children aren’t into tea and scones, take them strawberry picking or to a local bee farm.

Ride a super cool rickshaw around Melaka

For adults, there are hundreds of reasons to visit the wonderful riverside city of Melaka. There are interesting museums housed in ruby-red Dutch colonial buildings, old Portuguese forts, historic temples, mosques and churches standing side-by-side and of course, unbelievably tasty Baba-Nonya food.

For children, the literal highlight will be the crazily decorated, flashing, music-blaring rickshaws that roam the city day and night. They’ll be pretty upset if you don’t let them ride one.

Ayer Keroh near Melaka 

Just outside Melaka is Ayer Keroh. It is an entertainment centre with a planetarium, bird park, zoo, miniature world and many other gimmicky features aimed at children. 

Taman Negara 

Taman Negara is the ultimate national park in Malaysia. It is home to some of the few remaining tigers in Malaysia as well as elephants, leopards and a plethora of other indigenous wildlife. If you’re visiting with kids, contact individual tour companies to find out their age limits. 

Ipoh 

Ipoh is an inland city with captivating street art, a pleasant small-town vibe and access to several very kid-friendly attractions. These include exploring the impressive Gua Tempurung Cave, Bukit Merah Orangutan Island that rehabilitates these amazing creatures in safety and even a themed water park, the Lost World of Tambun. 

Johor Bahru 

The gateway to Singapore, Johor Bahru is a city worth visiting in its own right. Definitely the biggest reason for visiting Johor Bahru with kids is Legoland. Other places that will appeal to kids are Puteri Habour and a couple of waterparks.

Things to do in Malaysia with kids: Penang 

The island of Penang is full of exciting things to do in Malaysia with kids. If you’re planning a visit to Penang with kids, you may find this article useful  What do to in Penang in 3 days: Family-Friendly Malaysia

Posing with the famous Georgetown murals 

Painted on the side of the old buildings are imaginative murals, sometimes blended into real-life objects. Some of these murals (by Lithuanian street artist, Ernest Zacharevic) have become so famous that they have come to define Georgetown itself. You can pick up maps from the local tourist office and hotels showing you how to locate the artwork. Kids will love hunting down each mural and loved posing with in the scenes.

Discovering local history at the Clan houses 

Discovering Clan houses like the Cheah Kongsi Clan House on Lebuh Pantai. This gorgeous and ornate heritage buildings housed both secret societies and provided a focal point for Chinese immigrants. Other clan houses to visit include the impressive Khoo Kongsi (18 Cannon Square) and delightfully renovated Teochew Temple (Lebuh Chulia). Kids will love the colourful decor.

Going wild at Escape Theme Park 

Billed as Malaysia’s best theme park. Escape Outdoor Theme Park in Penang is more than just a waterpark! There is a huge range of family-friendly attractions such as mazes, obstacle courses and flying foxes. All set in a wonderful tropical rainforest setting. Best for older children and teenagers.

Batu Ferringhi

Penang’s tourist hotspot is Batu Ferringhi, a beachside collection of highrises, mammoth resorts and tacky souvenir shops. It is a fun beach to visit. You can hire jet skis, ride on banana boats or hire a boat to take you out sailing. There are a few beach cafes right on the shore, we recommend Bora Bora Beach Bar for evening beers. Bring buckets and spades for the kids and you could easily spend a few hours here! 

Penang National Park 

The highlights of Penang National Park are the small pools at Teluk Tukun beach, Monkey Beach (Teluk Duyung) and a longer walk to Pantai Kerachut (a green turtle nesting ground).

Tropical Spice Garden 

Children and adults alike will love meandering around this gorgeous Tropical Spice Garden. The audio tour tells the story of the international spice trade that has played a huge role in Penang’s history. Lots of hands-on exhibits allow children to touch and smell spices as well as tea. Best of all for children is the giant swinging bench!

Penang Hill 

A trip up the funicular at Penang Hill is a fun family-friendly activity. Once up the top, you’ll be treated to panoramic views across the whole island. There are some trails to walk on too so bring water and bug spray.

Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm

If you didn’t visit the Butterfly Park in KL then now is your chance to get up close and personal with hundreds of these amazing creatures. Toddlers will love chasing the butterflies and trying to get them to land on their hands.

Things to do in Malaysia with kids: Langkawi 

Visiting Langkawi with toddlers can be an absolute dream. If you’re planning a holiday to Langkawi with toddlers or young children, we have written the perfect post for you here: 5 Fun Things to do in Langkawi with Kids and Toddlers

Kilim Mangrove Cruise

A cruise on the Kilim River will take you through luscious mangroves, under vines and pass eerie caves. Parts of the riverboat tour are slow and meandering whilst other parts are over open water are very fast. There are opportunities to swim on deserted beaches and spot monkeys, birds and monitor lizards.

Sky Bridge and Sky Cab

The popular Sky Bridge and Sky Cab in Langkawi have an incredible WOW factor. The Sky Bridge is the longest curved bridge in the world. The Sky Cab/ Sky Bridge entrance ticket includes entry to the many ‘tourist museums’ including a 3D show about space, a dinosaur action show and visited an entertaining 3D art museum. 

Beaches

Of course, a tropical island like Langkawi is all about the beaches. Two that we really enjoyed visiting with our children were Pantai Cenang Beach and Pantai Tengah Beach. Both had easy access to bars and cafes and gorgeous long stretches of golden sand. There is also a Black Sand Beach if you’re looking for something a little more unusual.

Things to do with kids: Sarawak (Borneo) 

A trip to Malaysian Borneo is without a doubt one of the most memorable things to do in Malaysia with kids. Sarawak is the region to the West of Brunei and boasts several impressive national parks. The main city in Sarawak is Kuching. The Sarawak region boasts some great things to do in Malaysia with kids.

Kuching 

Kuching is a vibrant city in Sarawak. A waterfront promenade and a strange selection of cat-related statues and museums will appeal to children.

Bako National Park

Bako National Park is a coastal reserve within easy reach of Kuching. Bako has great biodiversity. Children will love spotting carnivorous pitcher plants, naughty macaques and Bornean bearded pigs.

Sarawak Cultural Village

The Sarawak Cultural Village is a living museum. Children will enjoy exploring the traditional wooden houses, watching traditional artisans at work and the daily musical and dance performances.

Semenggoh Wildlife Centre

Spot semi-wild orangtuans swinging through the tree here at the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre. The twice-daily feeding sessions will be your best chance to spot these incredible apes as they come in from the forest for dinner.

Matang Wildlife Centre

Located in Kubah National Park, the Matang Wildlife Centre is a working wildlife centre specialising on rehabilitating animals that have been rescued from captivity. Among the residents are orangutans, gibbons and sun bears.

Lambir Hills National Park

Many years ago, we visited Lambir Hills National Park with a 3-year-old. It was a fantastic day out with swimming in the waterfalls and easy day hikes. Keep an eye out for unusual fungi!

Petroleum Museum, Miri

Juxtapose all your wildlife experiences with this celebration of all things made from and powered by petrol. The Petroleum Museum is located in the pleasant seaside town of Miri. There are lots of kid-friendly hands-on exhibits. Entry is free.

Gunung Mulu World Heritage Centre

The Gunung Mulu National Park contains an impressive amount of natural wonders of the world all including stunning tropical rainforest, a 480m long canopy walkway and many incredible show caves that visitors can explore. Check out age limits before you book. Our children were too young to go on any of the activities last time we planned to go.

Similajau National Park

A wonderful coastal park, Similajau National Park, is home to Irrawaddy dolphins, wild boar, crocodiles and turtles as well as gorgeous golden-sand beaches.

Things to do with kids: Sabah (Borneo) 

Over on the Eastern side of Borneo is Sabah- perhaps our favourite of all the states (sorry Selangor!) Sabah is home to some of the very best wildlife activities and nature-based things to do in Malaysia with kids. If you’re looking for beaches, rainforests and orangutans, Sabah is the place to come.

Exploring old Kota Kinabalu 

Kota Kinabulu is a great base for adventures around Borneo. Whilst the city doesn’t boast many tourist sites, there is something charming about this small city by the water. We enjoyed visiting the local islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park for snorkelling and beaches. There are some excellent family-friendly hotels near town.

Afternoon tea in croquet in Sandakan

Next to the interesting Agnes Keith House in Sandakan is the English Tea House and Restaurant. Treat the children to a taste of the colonial era with tea and scones in wicker chairs whilst gazing out at the stunning sea views. When we visited there was a croquet lawn and we had a quick game in the sun!

Sabah Museum

Near Kota Kinabalu, the Sabah Museum contains a heritage village, science centre and lots of exhibits on local tribes. There is plenty to keep children busy for a whole afternoon.

Learn about the indigenous peoples of Sabah at the Mari Mari Cultural Village

If you think your children are patient enough to handle a 3-hour tour, a visit to the Mari Mari Cultural Village can be a very rewarding experience. Visitors get to try the traditional foods of local Sabahan tribes as well as watch dance performances and traditional craft workshops. There is a lovely little waterfall you can swim in too.

North Borneo Railway

The ultimate day trip for steam train fans, the North Borneo Railway runs twice a week. Steam through paddy fields, mountainous valleys as you travel from Kota Kinabalu to Papar. Check out the schedule here.

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

Our favourite orangutan sanctuary in Malaysia is the wonderful Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, 25km North of Sandakan. There’s no real reason that it’s our favourite except that we still treasure our memories from our visit. Congregate at the feeding platform at either 10 am or 3 pm to watch these magnificent creatures dine or visit the nursery to see babies being nursed to health.

Rainforest Discovery Centre

A visit to the Rainforest Discovery Centre is the perfect complement to a day at with the orangutans at Sepilok. Just 1.5km away, there are canopy walkways, educational displays for children and a lake where you can hire paddle boats.

A cruise along the Kinabatangan River

The highlight of any trip to Borneo must be a cruise along the wonderful Kinabatangan river. Arrange to spend a few nights at a local homestay or in a rainforest lodge to really experience this beautiful part of the world. As you float down the river, watch for wildlife on the riverbanks and in the trees. We were lucky enough to spot monitor lizards, snakes, monkeys and hornbills.

Semporna Archipelago

Home of the Bajau sea gypsies and remote desert islands, the Semporna Archipelago is heavenly. If your children are old enough to snorkel or dive this is an amazing place to discover a world of underwater adventures. Younger children will enjoy the golden sand beaches and resorts.

I hope that this article has introduced you to some of the amazing things to do in Malaysia with kids. As we continue to travel around our beautiful adopted country, we’ll keep updating this post with our new discoveries.

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