Family Friendly Attractions in Kuala Lumpur

Part of the Kuala Lumpur travel guide — see every topic in All Kuala Lumpur Guides.

Kuala Lumpur works well with children, largely because so much of it is indoors and air-conditioned. The heat is the real constraint on a family day — thirty-three degrees and high humidity is hard on small children by mid-morning — and the city's malls, aquarium, museums and indoor parks all solve that. Add a genuinely good bird park, a rainforest with a canopy walkway in the city centre, and one of Asia's better public playgrounds at the foot of the Petronas Towers.

Animals and nature

KL Bird Park in the Lake Gardens is the standout: the main section is a large walk-in aviary with birds free-flying around visitors, and it is well run and genuinely enjoyable for adults too. Aquaria KLCC, beneath the convention centre, has a ninety-metre walk-through tunnel with sharks and rays overhead. Zoo Negara, north of the city, is a conventional zoo with a panda enclosure. Farm in the City in Seri Kembangan is a petting-farm concept that works well for under-tens.

Indoor and theme parks

Berjaya Times Square holds a large indoor theme park with roller coasters, which is exactly what a rainy afternoon needs. Sunway Lagoon in Petaling Jaya is a substantial water and theme park with several zones and a full day in it. Genting Highlands, an hour north, has an outdoor theme park and an indoor one plus the cable car, which is the best part of the trip for most children. KidZania in Petaling Jaya is a role-play city for four to fourteen year-olds and is genuinely well done.

Free and cheap

KLCC Park has one of the best public playgrounds in Asia, with a large shaded structure and a free public wading pool, plus the evening fountain shows — and it costs nothing. KL Forest Eco Park's canopy walkway is free and short enough for children. The Perdana Botanical Gardens have space to run and a deer park. Petrosains, the science discovery centre inside Suria KLCC, is hands-on and reasonably priced. The National Planetarium near the Lake Gardens is another inexpensive rainy-day option.

Practicalities

Malls, hotels and the rail system are stroller-friendly; street pavements frequently are not, so a carrier is useful for older infants. Malaysia is very family-friendly socially and children are welcome nearly everywhere including restaurants late in the evening. Nappies, formula and baby food are widely available in supermarkets and pharmacies. Grab is the easiest way to move a family, and car seats are not standard — request one when booking or bring your own. Plan around the heat and expect an afternoon thunderstorm.

Family Friendly Attractions at a glance

More in Kuala Lumpur

All 36 Kuala Lumpur guides·Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur·Malaysia tourist maps·Kuala Lumpur transit map

Featured Videos