Kuala Lumpur was our first destination outside Europe with kids. It turned out to be a great choice: Kuala Lumpur proved to be a very child-friendly city. If you’re traveling to Kuala Lumpur with kids, the city offers endless options to explore. We’ve compiled a list of the best family activities in Kuala Lumpur, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems, so you can make the most of your visit. Read on for our personal recommendations on things to do in Kuala Lumpur and the top places to visit in Kuala Lumpur, all explored and tested with our 11-month-old baby.
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Kuala Lumpur with kids: things to do and places to visit
Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) with kids
The commercial heart of the city is Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC). KLCC includes KLCC Park and all the surrounding buildings. This is the most modern part of the city, with tall towers full of offices, apartments, and hotels. This was the first area we visited in Kuala Lumpur, and we were immediately amazed. In this area you’ll find, among other things, a shopping mall, a convention centre, and an aquarium.
The most famous sights in KLCC are the Petronas Twin Towers, the most iconic buildings in Kuala Lumpur. You probably know them already: two striking towers connected by a skybridge. The towers are 88 floors high and were once the tallest buildings in the world. They are impossible to miss when visiting Kuala Lumpur. Especially in the evening, when they are beautifully lit.
At the foot of the Petronas Twin Towers you’ll find the large shopping mall Suria KLCC. With no fewer than six floors, it’s one of the many malls in the city. As soon as we exited Suria, we stepped straight into KLCC Park. This large city park is also great for children. There’s a small public paddling pool (we could only splash around, as it’s quite shallow), perfect for letting kids cool off and play in the middle of the busy city. There’s also a large playground, where Luca happily spent some time.
KLCC Park is also nice to visit in the evening. In front of the mall entrance lies Lake Symphony, an artificial lake where you can enjoy a colourful fountain show every evening from 7:30 pm. On the hour, the show is accompanied by music.
Kuala Lumpur Skyline
Kuala Lumpur has an impressive skyline. During your stay, you really should see the city from above at least once. Luckily, there are plenty of options. You can view the skyline from the observation deck of the KL Tower, for example. Another option is a sky bar near KLCC Park, which offers an iconic view of the Petronas Twin Towers.
One of the most famous places to see the skyline is from the Petronas Twin Towers themselves. A tour allows you to visit the skybridge between the towers and an observation deck on the 86th floor. The downside is that you won’t actually see the towers themselves in your skyline view.
We didn’t use any of these options. Instead, we stayed in accommodation with a panoramic city view. From the rooftop, we looked straight at the Petronas Twin Towers. Kuala Lumpur has many hotels and apartments in high-rise buildings, and more are being built all the time. Our tip: book accommodation in a tall tower. That way, you’ll have views of many of Kuala Lumpur’s highlights right from your room.
Kuala Lumpur with kids: KL Forest Eco Park
After seeing so many buildings, we were ready for some nature. Luckily, Kuala Lumpur has a beautiful green escape: a piece of rainforest right in the middle of the city. This is KL Forest Eco Park, also known by its former name, Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve.
The park has several short walking trails that are free to access. For the highlight of the park, we did need to buy a ticket: the Canopy Walk. Here, we walked between the treetops, with skyscrapers towering in the background. It’s not a long route (about 30 minutes) but it was absolutely stunning.
The park entrance is on the same hill as the KL Tower, just on the other side of the parking area. If you’re also planning to see the skyline from the KL Tower, these two sights are easy to combine.
Things to do in Kuala Lumpur with kids: Bukit Bintang
Bukit Bintang is Kuala Lumpur’s entertainment district. It’s home to large shopping malls like Pavilion, Lot 10, and Berjaya Times Square, as well as countless restaurants, bars, and small shops. Bukit Bintang is easy to reach by public transport, but we walked there. There’s a long covered pedestrian bridge connecting KLCC and Bukit Bintang, which leads directly into Pavilion Mall.
As soon as we stepped outside the mall, it was clear we had entered the entertainment district. The streets were crowded, music spilled out of bars and restaurants, and the building façades were covered in LED displays. The main intersection reminded us a bit of Times Square in New York. There sure was plenty of stimulation for Luca.
One of the most fun (and most touristy) streets is Jalan Alor. This street is packed with mostly Chinese restaurants and street food stalls. You can try exotic dishes like fried lobster. If you’ve been to Bangkok, it’s a bit reminiscent of Khao San Road. During the day, Jalan Alor is fairly quiet and popular with locals for lunch. In the evening, it fills up with tourists and gets very busy. We ate here as well: the food was good, but relatively expensive by Malaysian standards.
Kuala Lumpur places to visit: Kampung Baru
Kampung Baru was one of the most special places we visited in Kuala Lumpur. This traditional neighbourhood features wooden houses on stilts, right in the city centre. The contrast between these houses and the modern skyscrapers next door is striking.
Kampung Baru offers plenty of food options, with many street food stalls and small restaurants frequented mainly by locals. When we were there, we hardly saw any tourists. It’s a great area to wander through and get a feel for traditional Malaysian life. Kampung Baru can be reached by metro or via a pedestrian bridge from KLCC.
Best family activities in Kuala Lumpur: Perdana Botanical Gardens
Another great tip for visiting Kuala Lumpur with kids is the Perdana Botanical Gardens, formerly known as the Lake Gardens. It was a welcome escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. The park has several playgrounds, including one large one, as well as a bird park and a butterfly garden.
One of the highlights is the large pond. In the middle lies Bamboo Island, which you can reach via a small bridge. As the name suggests, everything on the island is made of bamboo. Besides that, the park is home to several other beautiful themed gardens.
Other places to visit in Kuala Lumpur with kids
In addition to the sights mentioned above, Kuala Lumpur has several interesting places that are surprisingly close together. They’re all located just east of the Perdana Botanical Gardens, so we combined them into one day.
Like most big cities, Kuala Lumpur has a Chinatown, located around Petaling Street. Come here for markets, shops selling Chinese goods (great for bargaining), Chinese temples, and, of course, Chinese restaurants.
Another good place to buy souvenirs is Central Market. This covered market has dozens of stalls selling souvenirs, local handicrafts, clothing, and imported goods from China such as toys. There are also a few restaurants inside.
Merdeka Square is historically significant, as this is where Malaysia’s independence was declared in 1957. A tall flagpole with the Malaysian flag stands prominently in the square. It’s a large open space with a wide grass field, where locals often picnic or exercise when the weather is nice. The square is surrounded by beautiful historic buildings, including the Sultan Abdul Samad Building.
You should also stop by Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad. This white mosque is beautifully located at the confluence of two rivers, although it’s somewhat overshadowed by the tall buildings behind it. You can take a short walk along the river here; this area is known as the River of Life.
Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur with kids
The Batu Caves are located outside the city centre, so we visited them as we were leaving Kuala Lumpur and heading to our next destination. The Batu Caves are a complex of Hindu temples and are one of Kuala Lumpur’s most famous sights. What makes them so special? Several of the temples are located inside caves.
When we arrived, we were immediately struck by the colourful spectacle. The Batu Caves are iconic for their huge golden statue and long, brightly coloured staircase. We climbed the stairs to reach the Temple Cave (also known as the Main Cave). It was a tough climb, and we saw monkeys everywhere. Inside the cave is a colourful Hindu temple. Many worshippers come here for rituals, such as blessings for children. After taking off our shoes, we were able to walk around the temple ourselves.
We then climbed another set of stairs to reach a cave that is open at the top, with a smaller temple inside. You can also visit the Dark Cave, which is home to bats and spiders. This cave can only be visited with a guide and requires an entrance fee. As we were travelling with a baby, we skipped this one.
The other caves in the complex are free to visit. At ground level, there are several more temples, which we actually found more beautiful inside than the ones in the caves.
Keep in mind that shoulders and knees must be covered when entering the caves and temples. There are also lots of monkeys — fun for kids, but make sure all bags are properly closed. The Batu Caves can be reached by car, taxi, or public transport.
Eating in Kuala Lumpur with kids
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of places to eat in Kuala Lumpur with children. While the city has plenty of trendy, modern restaurants that aren’t always kid-friendly, there are also many great options for families. Jalan Alor in Bukit Bintang is one of them, and you’ll see plenty of tourists visiting with their children. The many shopping malls are also convenient places to eat with young kids — no one bats an eye.
Another recommendation is to eat at a Nasi Kandar restaurant. These are popular with locals, who often bring their children along as well. We can recommend Restoran Nasi Kandar Pelita, located near the Petronas Twin Towers. Every time we passed by, it was packed. The food (a mix of Indian and Malaysian cuisine) was excellent and incredibly cheap: we ate and drank for two people for just €7.
Kid-friendly accommodations in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur offers a huge range of hotels and hostels. One of the best tips we can give for staying in Kuala Lumpur with kids is to book an apartment in one of the many residential towers. It’s surprising how affordable this is: for €50–100 per night, you can already find great options. You’ll stay in spacious, modern apartments, and if you’re lucky, you’ll enjoy incredible views. Often, you can also use the building’s facilities, such as the gym and swimming pools. Many towers have rooftop pools with stunning city views.
We booked such an apartment ourselves, just a few minutes’ walk from the Petronas Twin Towers. On the 57th floor, there was a rooftop infinity pool with views of the towers and the rest of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. Our apartment was on the 23rd floor — unfortunately without a view of the Petronas Twin Towers, but overlooking Kampung Baru and another pool instead. There was also a lovely, large, and quiet pool on the 6th floor. We spent most afternoons there, letting Luca swim and nap.
How to get there
Useful instructions and addresses to get into Kuala Lumpur
- By plane: Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL), also known as KLIA. From the airport, you can take a train to the center of Kuala Lumpur. You can also take a Grab (taxi), but the train is often faster.
- By bus: Many travelers visit Malaysia on their way from Singapore or Thailand. Kuala Lumpur has several bus stations where regional buses depart.
- Tip: With a Touch ‘n Go card, you can check in on public transportation. Driving a car? You can use this card in parking garages and toll booths. You can top up the card at most supermarkets and gas stations.
Useful info and links
Are you planning to visit Kuala Lumpur? Here you can find more information
- Tourist office Kuala Lumpur
- Tours & activitities Kuala Lumpur
Where to stay
Find accommodations for families in Kuala Lumpur or in the surrounding area
- Our tip: Book an apartment in one of the buildings of Star Residences.
FAQ – Kuala Lumpur with kids
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Where to stay in Kuala Lumpur with kids?
When looking for a place to stay in Kuala Lumpur with kids, we highly recommend booking an apartment in one of Kuala Lumpur’s residential towers. They’re surprisingly affordable (€50–100 per night), spacious, modern, and often come with great facilities like gyms and swimming pools. Many even have rooftop pools with stunning city views. We stayed just minutes from the Petronas Twin Towers and loved spending afternoons at the quiet pool, letting our baby swim and nap. On sites like Booking.com or Airbnb you’ll find plenty of options.
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What are the best family activities in Kuala Lumpur?
When visiting Kuala Lumpur with kids, you’ll find surprisingly many fun and family activities. Here are some top recommendations:
– KLCC Park – a city park with playgrounds and a pool where kids can play and cool off. In the evenings, there’s a fountain show.
– Perdana Botanical Gardens & KL Bird Park – a green oasis with birds and plenty of space to explore.
– Aquaria KLCC – an oceanarium with a long glass tunnel where sharks, turtles, and colorful fish swim around.
– Bukit Bintang & Jalan Alor – a lively district with bright lights, shops, and colorful streets that fascinate children.
– KL Forest Eco Park – a small piece of rainforest in the city with short walking trails and a canopy walk.
– Batu Caves – colorful Buddhist temples, partly located inside caves. -
How to explore Kuala Lumpur with a baby or toddler?
Exploring Kuala Lumpur with kids is surprisingly easy. In many places, you can easily bring a stroller, such as in KLCC Park, the Perdana Botanical Gardens, Chinatown, Merdeka Square, and Bukit Bintang. The city has wide sidewalks and is largely designed with pedestrians in mind. A big plus is the covered pedestrian bridge between Bukit Bintang and KLCC, which is perfect for traveling with kids, especially in hot or rainy weather. Since the main places to visit in Kuala Lumpur aren’t all within short walking distance of each other, it’s convenient that the city has a good and easy-to-navigate metro system. This allows you to get around quickly, safely, and comfortably, making traveling through Kuala Lumpur with children much more relaxed.
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How many days do you need in Kuala Lumpur with kids?
For a city trip to Kuala Lumpur with kids, you need at least three full days. We stayed for 3.5 days but could easily have stayed longer. Kuala Lumpur is a child-friendly city with plenty of fun activities for children. In three days, you have enough time to see the main sights while still leaving room for rest and relaxation. A comfortable accommodation with a pool is a big plus, especially in the warm climate.
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Is Kuala Lumpur a good destination for families with young children?
Kuala Lumpur is very suitable for visiting with a baby or toddler. In fact, it’s one of the most family-friendly cities we’ve visited with young children. We traveled with our 11-month-old baby, and it was an excellent experience. Kuala Lumpur is a modern and clean city, where all essential facilities and baby supplies are easy to find, such as diapers, baby food, and pharmacies. Despite being a large city, Kuala Lumpur is also very green, with plenty of parks and quiet spots. There are also many comfortable accommodations where you can take a break, often with a pool and plenty of space to relax. What makes traveling with a baby or toddler even easier are the incredibly friendly people. In Kuala Lumpur (and throughout Malaysia), people love young children and go out of their way to accommodate them.
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