Kuala Lumpur Holiday with Kids: Fun Places to Visit
Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, is a vibrant and exciting city with plenty of attractions, sights and activities that are suitable for children.
There are many accommodation and food options for various budgets, and it is well-connected by air, buses and highways (if you drive).
Here are some kid-friendly ideas for your next family holiday!
Kuala Lumpur Attractions We Visited
Kuala Lumpur Bird Park: Immerse yourself in a close-up view at this attraction with over 3,000 birds from more than 200 species. Bird-feeding is available at RM2. Families can dine at the Hornbill Restaurant for lunch and shop for souvenirs.
Rating: 5/5
Batu Caves: Climb up 272 rainbow-coloured steps to visit the famous Hindu temple complex inside the caves dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Murugan. Adventure tours to explore the deeper caves can be arranged in advance. Don’t carry plastic bags which may be taken away by monkeys, and wear clothing covering the knees and shoulders for ladies (scarves are available for rent at the temple entrance at RM15).
Rating: 5/5
Kuala Lumpur Menara Tower: appreciate panoramic views of the city from the observation deck at the top, and visit its mini zoo. At the time of our visit, we decided to skip the observation deck due to rainy weather and spend our time at the mini zoo with our umbrellas feeding the tortoises, rabbits, and birds.
Rating: 4/5
Kuala Lumpur Central Market: browse the stalls and shops, and try some local food. It was a pleasant experience shopping in air-conditioned comfort and there are many local products and souvenirs available. My favourite shop was a Peranakan shop that sold kebayas, beaded bags, and other Peranakan products.
Rating: 4.5/5
Tip: Make a reservation for a hearty dim sum breakfast at Bunn Choon Restaurant (8 Lor Panggung) and take a slow walk through Petaling Street Market to the Central Market.
Kuala Lumpur Aquaria at KLCC: Admire a variety of marine life on display, including sharks, rays, and colorful tropical fish. We last visited this attraction before Covid and particularly enjoyed the touch pool.
Rating: 3.5/5
Tip: Make a reservation for an affordable street BBQ and steamboat dinner at Siampot Buffet Steamboat & Grill, a short walk from KLCC. KLCC also has a large children’s dry playground and water playground in its sprawling park, free of charge.
Muzium Telekoms: Visit the free air-conditioned museum on level 2 to learn more about the evolution of telecommunications in the world and Malaysia. Reminisce about the old days at the exhibits of old telephones and even a switchboard display. There are occasional events at the central plaza with food stalls, performances, and handicrafts.
Rating: depends on when you go
Other Kuala Lumpur Attractions
National Museum of Malaysia: view its collection of artifacts and exhibits related to the country’s history and culture.
Petrosains Science Discovery Centre: try a variety of interactive exhibits and hands-on activities related to science and technology.
Kuala Lumpur City Gallery: get a fun and informative introduction to the city’s history and culture.
KL Butterfly Park: admire over 6,000 live butterflies from more than 120 species.
Kuala Lumpur Planetarium: learn about astronomy and space exploration.
Shopping Centres in KL
Suria KLCC: A large upscale shopping centre that offers a wide range of luxury goods, fashion, and electronics. It is also home to the Petronas Twin Towers, which is one of the most iconic landmarks in Kuala Lumpur. Check out its night fountain shows and kid-friendly park with dry and wet playgrounds.
Pavilion Kuala Lumpur: Known for its high-end fashion boutiques and international brand stores, and offers a wide range of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
Sungei Wang Plaza: We used to go to this place to shop for electronics and clothes. It is a short walk from Berjaya Times Square.
Berjaya Times Square: One of the largest shopping centres in Kuala Lumpur with small businesses on its upper floors. It also has a cinema, a theme park with an indoor roller coaster, and a bowling alley.
Getting around in Kuala Lumpur
We mostly got around on Grab or by foot, and most places in the city centre have sidewalks. Be prepared to dash across the traffic light crossings as the green man doesn’t flash for very long.
Here are some other ways you can get around KL.
GOKL Free City Bus: With 7 lines operating in KL, you can hop on and off without having to pay. According to the GOKL website, these lines are operational 7 days a week (even on Public Holidays) with frequencies of 5 to 15 minutes.
Kuala Lumpur Hop-On Hop-Off bus: Get on this convenient and enjoyable way to see the city’s main attractions.
Rapid KL and KTM Komuter train services: Traffic in KL can be quite bad, especially during peak hours and rainy days. Taking a train could save you time and money. Note that KTM train schedules are not as frequent as the LRT and plan your trips to avoid a long wait for the next train.
Read more of my Malaysia travel posts here.
