Malaysia with kids: a family travel guide

Malaysia is one of the easiest countries in Asia to travel with children. Families are welcome everywhere, English is widely spoken, healthcare is good, and there’s plenty of food kids will actually eat. Add beaches, theme parks, wildlife and air-conditioned malls for hot afternoons, and you have an easy family holiday.

Why it works for families

• Kids are welcome. Malaysians love children, and you’ll find families eating out late together.
• Easy food. Plenty of mild dishes, plus familiar options in every mall.
• Good infrastructure. Modern malls with baby rooms, good hospitals in cities, and easy domestic flights.
• Short hops. Many highlights are a few hours apart, so travel days don’t have to be long.

Where to go with kids

Kuala Lumpur

• KLCC Park: a big playground and a free children’s wading pool in the shadow of the Twin Towers.
• Aquaria KLCC: an aquarium under the convention centre with a long underwater tunnel.
• Zoo Negara: the national zoo, on the edge of the city.
• Theme parks: Sunway Lagoon in nearby Petaling Jaya has water slides, rides and a wildlife area.

See Kuala Lumpur and where to stay in KL.

Penang

Ride the funicular up Penang Hill, hunt for street art murals in George Town (kids love it), and spend an afternoon on the beach at Batu Ferringhi. Penang also has a butterfly and insect park and an outdoor adventure park. See Penang.

Langkawi

Langkawi is probably the easiest beach destination for families: calm beaches, plenty of resorts with pools, the SkyCab cable car, and mangrove boat trips to spot eagles and monkeys. See Langkawi.

Johor and Legoland

Legoland Malaysia, near Johor Bahru, has a theme park and water park, and makes a good weekend trip from KL or Singapore.

Cameron Highlands

Cool weather, strawberry farms where kids can pick their own, tea plantations, and short jungle walks. See Cameron Highlands.

Borneo

For older kids who love animals, Sabah is unforgettable: orangutans at Sepilok and river cruises on the Kinabatangan. See Sandakan and the Kinabatangan River.

Practical tips

• Heat: plan outdoor activities for the morning and late afternoon. Spend the middle of the day in a pool, a mall or a museum. Keep everyone drinking water.
• Sun and mosquitoes: pack high-factor sunscreen, hats and insect repellent. Mosquitoes can carry dengue, so use repellent, especially at dawn and dusk.
• Food: good mild choices are chicken rice, plain roti canai, fried rice and noodles, and nasi lemak with the sambal on the side. Ask for tak pedas (not spicy).
• Getting around: car seats are required by law for young children in private cars. Rental cars can usually supply them, but taxis and ride-hailing cars often don’t have one, so ask in advance or bring a travel seat.
• Strollers: pavements can be uneven and kerbs are high, so a light, folding stroller or a baby carrier works best. Malls are stroller-friendly.
• Health: pharmacies are everywhere in towns, and city hospitals are good. Get travel insurance that covers the whole family.

When to go

Avoid the east coast during the year-end monsoon, and expect crowds during Malaysian school holidays. See our best time to visit Malaysia guide.