Are you looking for fun things to do in Melaka with kids? Let us show you around this unique and historic Malaysian city. We live in Kuala Lumpur and know the fascinating city of Melaka well. We absolutely love visiting Melaka with our kids – and we believe that you’re going to have a great time in Melaka with your kids too!

Melaka has been one of the most important cities in the SE Asian region for centuries. The city has Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial architecture and influences intermingled with its vibrant modern Peranakan, Malay and Indian communities. 

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Melaka (also known as Malacca) became a World Heritage Centre in 2008. Financial support and rampant gentrification are in the process of transforming the city into a tourist destination centring on boutique hotels and coffee shops. Much like what has happened in Hoi An, Vietnam.

At the moment, Melaka is a captivating mix of decay and progress. The Chinese shophouses and riverside warehouses many of which have been in disrepair for years are being restored and opened as small businesses. Colourful murals are brightening once dark alleyways and the city is becoming more and more family-friendly.

This guide to things to do in Melaka with kids is perfect for you if you’re planning a day trip to Melaka, looking into spending a weekend in Melaka or thinking about spending longer in Melaka with your family. We’ll show you the best kid-friendly places in Melaka to visit and some great ideas to add to your Melaka itinerary. 

Planning your family travels in Malaysia. Here’s our epic post on 50+ unforgettable things to do in Malaysia with kids.

Why visit Melaka with kids?

Although, many of the attractions and sights in Melaka are focused around Melaka’s heritage and local culture this should not put you off visiting Melaka with kids. Most of the museums are engaging and welcoming towards children. 

Exploring modern-day life in Melaka with kids won’t be boring either as children try exotic desserts, ride in trishaws and explore historic ruins.

The best things to do in Melaka with kids

These are our absolute favourite things to do in Melaka with kids. The things that we do every time we visit!

Stroll along the River

So many travel guides to Melaka ignore this totally FREE way to experience the true heart of Melaka. The meandering Sungai Melaka winds through the city centre and out to sea.

This river is the very lifetime of Melaka and the reason for the city’s prominent throughout the centuries. You can take a boat ride (more on that later) but walking is free, healthy and brings a deeper connection with the city.

The river walks are decorated with plant pots and there are amenities like public bathrooms dotted along the path. Children will enjoy the fresh air and climbing over the small bridges that criss-cross the river.

They can also spot the colourful murals that are coming to define Melaka. There are plenty of cafes and bars dotted along so pop in for a smoothie or iced tea if you need a rest.

Our kids were blown away to see a metre-long monitor lizard swimming across the river right in the city centre. The pleasant walk from The Shore Mall down to Stadhuys takes around 20-25 minutes. We took a stroller with us when our youngest was smaller. The paths are flat enough. If you are visiting Melaka with a toddler or preschooler, watch out as there are mostly no barriers or railings in place and nobody wants to dive into the brown, murky water!

Flor de la Mar at the Melaka Maritime Museum

The Maritime and Naval Museum in Melaka may not rival The National Maritime Museum in London but it is still a fun thing to do in Melaka with kids. Pirate-obsessed children will love clambering over the Flor de la Mar – a full-size replica of a traditional Portuguese sailing ship. 

Inside the Flor de la Mar, there are life-size dioramas depicting the colourful maritime history of Malacca during seven eras: the Malay Sultanate era from the 15th century to 1511: the Portuguese era 1511-1641;the Dutch era 1641-1795; the British era 1795-1941; the Japanese era 1941-1945; and again the British era 1945-1957;and the Malaysia Independence era 1957 to date. The models are a great way to bring the history of Melaka alive for young children. 

As well as a chance to explore the ship, your ticket also buys you admittance to the Maritime Museum. This simple museum has exhibits on local marine life, traditional boats and other maritime artefacts. 

Stadhuys 

Maybe it is because we’re a family of history buffs but we really enjoy visiting the museums housed in the red-hued buildings of the old Dutch colonial town hall. Complete with shutters and terracotta roofs, Stadhuys has a very European feel.

The town square outside (referred to as either Red Square or Dutch Square) is a great spot for photographs next to the clocktower and in front of historic Christ Church.

If you’d like to enter Stadhuys, you can pay to visit the History and Ethnography Museum and others on the site. The museum is big on full-size historical models of both people and rooms which is visually engaging for children.

Meander through the museum then climb the hill and we’ll find yourselves at the remains of St. Pauls Church. Our kids loved exploring this shell of a stone church. Outside St. Pauls were lots of souvenir sellers and buskers which made for a vibrant atmosphere.

Jonker Street 

Ask any Malaysian why they come to Melaka and they’ll tell you for the food! Jonker Street is the epicentre of the Melakan food scene. Here, people come from all around the country to eat pineapple tarts, cendol and traditional Nonya-Baba cuisine.

The famous Friday and Saturday Jonker Walk Night Market has transformed from a former antique market to stall upon stall just selling cheap Chinese-made plastic tat. The food stalls remain though and are worth searching out. Due to the crowds, it is not the easiest place to navigate with young children but definitely plan a short walk through the market into your Melaka itinerary.

Jonker Street: Dishes to try with kids

Cendol – A traditional SE Asian dessert that is especially popular in Melaka. Squishy green rice noodles are covered in palm syrup and coconut milk and served iced. 

Kuih Nonya – these sticky, gooey sweets come in every colour of the rainbow.

Popiah – the Malaysian take on spring rolls, Crispy, lots of vegetables and very sweet sauce.

Pineapple tarts – the ultimate Melaka classic although we are obsessed with the Portuguese eggs tarts as well.

Porta de Santiago / A Famosa

The ruins of the stone gateway Porta de Santiago are all that remains of the 14th-century Portuguese fortress A Famousa. British were intent on destroying the whole fort back in the 19th century until Sir Stamford of Singapore (he of Singapore fame) came on holiday to Melaka and stopped the destruction of Porta de Santiago. 

Posing on the cannons is the ultimate Melaka photograph and great fun for kids who love pirates!

Near Porta de Santiago and opposite the Islamic museum on Jalan Kota is a rusty little playground. A great place to let the kids have a runaround. There’s also a market area nearby with an old train carriage selling souvenirs and an aeroplane to pose on.

The flashing trishaws

How do we not have a good photo of these incredibly over-the-top trishaws? I don’t know so you’ll have to see them yourselves to believe. The once-traditional and plan trishaws in Melaka city centre have been converted into huge flashing neon disco carriages decorated with cartoon characters, like Hello Kitty. 

Blasting out music, these party bikes roll through the city centre every night enticing young children. Probably the most surreal thing to do in a historic city like Melaka with kids!

More fun things to do in Melaka with kids

Those may be our favourite things to do in Melaka with kids but there are plenty more activities to add to your Melaka itinerary if you have time.

River Cruise 

Several companies run short 40-minute sightseeing tours on boats through the heart of Melaka. Don’t sit near the front unless you want to get splashed by the murky, brown water!

Baba and Nyonya Heritage Museum

I really enjoyed visiting this grand 19th-century Peranakan house. It was fascinating to see the luxurious decor and learn about the Peranakan (Chinese-Malay) way of life. I only took my eldest into the museum (he was 4 at the time) and it was tricky to keep him from touching all the valuable and very breakable ceramics and ornaments. Perhaps one to visit with older children or without any! It’s on Jalan Tun Tan Cheng in Chinatown. Check their website for prices and opening times.

Temples and Mosques

Melaka is a brilliant place to visit a range of religious buildings easily – they’re all pretty much next door to each other in Chinatown. In the Chinese temples of Cheng Hoon Teng seek out dragons. In the mosques of Kampung Hulu and Kampung Kling, you can admire wonderful tiles and ornate architecture.

Menara Taming Sari

A revolving viewing deck that takes you high into the sky for bird’s eye views over Melaka. This is a fun activity to do with kids in Melaka although is currently closed for maintenance. Check out their website to see when it is reopening.

Sultanate Palace

This replica of a wooden Malay palace is the perfect spot to duck into if your little ones are having a snooze in the stroller or older kids are keen to learn about Malay history. Located on Jalan Kota. 

Cheng Ho Cultural Museum

Calling all explorers – this quirky old museum housed in an old Chinese mansion tells the tale of Cheng Ho, a Chinese Muslim who sailed the world and brought back many treasures. Whilst not the most engaging museum for little kids, older children may find some artefacts interesting. Check their website for prices and opening times.

The Shore Residental and Shopping Complex

This shopping and residential complex just 15 minutes walk along the river from the centre of town houses a Toy Museum and an Aquarium. Our kids had a great time with their grandparents at the aquarium. 

Ayer Keroh

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. 

Other attractions to visit in Melaka with kids

Like all Malaysian cities, Melaka has several purpose-build tourist attractions aimed at families. We haven’t visited any of these yet.

Al Famousa Resort is a huge complex with a water park, golf course, safari wonderland and Wild West themed area.

Another resort is Melaka Wonderland which has a theme park which you can purchase one day passes to.

There is also an Upside-Down House similar to the one in Kuala Lumpur.

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Where to eat in Melaka with kids

The best family-friendly restaurants in Melaka

We ate at many different hawker stalls and small cafes around Melaka. The two listed below were our favourite kid-friendly restaurants in Melaka. 

Geographer’s Cafe

Have an al-fresco drink and meal right in the heart of Chinatown at the Geographer’s Cafe. It’s full of tourists but the food is pretty good.

Bulldog 

Located slightly out of the centre on Jalan Bendhara, this was by far our best meal in Melaka. The contemporary Bulldog restaurant serves delicious Peranakan food and is very close to the Shore residential complex. Click here to see reviews of Bulldog restaurant.

Where to stay in Melaka with kids?

Finding a family-friendly hotel in Melaka is easy. There are some great options for all budget types.

We always prefer staying in apartments when we can. We stayed at the 3 bedroom Schrodinger Heritage Rustic Balinese apartment in The Shore residential complex. It was beautifully decorated and above the Shore Mall which has plenty of kid-friendly restaurants as well as an aquarium and toy museum. Downstairs, there is a swimming pool with a children’s splash area that the kids loved. 

The same company also manage a couple of other apartments in the same complex including the Schrodinger Heritage Romantic Mediterranean.

Casa del Rio Melaka is a great luxury option with a roof-top swimming pool and excellent breakfast buffets.

How to get around Melaka with kids?

If you can walk. Malaka is a fantastic change from Kuala Lumpur as in you can walk almost everywhere. The river walk and the city centre are especially nice to wander around. Take a stroller or sling if you have little ones who get tired easily. If you enjoy cycling, many hotels and guesthouses rent bicycles. 

If you need a taxi to get further afield or at the end of a long day, jump in a Grab (Malaysia’s version of Uber). Download the app before you go. Grab is great for visitors as you can pay cash to the driver so don’t need a Malaysian bank card. Of course, if you want to give the kids a treat jump in one of the flashing, disco-blaring trishaws!

Even though we drive down to Melaka from Kuala Lumpur (or occasionally take the bus) driving in the city centre is not recommended. The roads around Chinatown get very busy and there are lots of traffic jams.

There is an international airport just outside Melaka with daily flights up to Penang. If you’re interested in visiting Penang, check out our Penang guide here. 

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