Our First Time in Kuala Lumpur with Small Kids

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is a city of contrasts, I think that’s why it is so enjoyable. It’s an easy city to visit, travellers can get their fill of traditional Asian life with markets, temples and street food, then swap to the comfortable familiarity of the 21st century, just by going to the next street. There are a million things to do in Kuala Lumpur with kids from toddlers to teens, this post starts with possibly the most well known, Petronas Towers (including Petrosains, the fountains and playgrounds) and Batu Caves. You’ll find information on more things to do in Kuala Lumpur on subsequent pages including the aquarium and kid friendly attractions. These days we travel as a family, so we have a focus on things to do with kids (my boys have visited many times between 6 and 16 years old), although all of these activities and sites work just as well for adults, couples and singles.

Kuala Lumpur, Diverse and Fascinating, Things to Do With Kids, First Time

This post is from our first time in Kuala Lumpur, our kids were small, just 6 and 8 years-old. Recently we put together a full guide to KL with kids, that one may be of more use to you. We keep this old post for the sake of nostalgia. Good times, with small children, it what went on to be one of our favourite cities in the world.

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Kuala Lumpur ( click through to see our recommendation), start here with these special discounts.

Petronas Towers and Petrosains Discovery Centre

Yesterday we went to check out the Petronas towers, we got there on a sleek, efficient, spotless underground train. The train disgorges its passengers into the hugely impressive KLCC shopping mall, home to Marks and Spencer and Top Shop, along with the glitzy, top-end outlets. We were actually beneath the towers, we didn’t realise, we strolled out of the doors, from aircon to a wet blanket of humidity and “Look behind you Mum!”

The Petronas Towers are pretty impressive. So, y’know, we had to take the photos, like you do. You’ll need to walk to the steps and the photographer has to lie on the ground to get these shot. We weren’t just there for the towers, we came to see the Petrosains Discovery Centre ( 4th floor KLCC). A fun excursion for the kids and a bit of education in action. It’s good, really good. We learned a lot about petrochemicals, how they get them out of the ground and how important they are to Malaysia, the kids had loads of fun just playing with various bits of cool science kit.

This was a shadow sensitive screen. Stand still for long enough and butterflies land on your shadow shoulders.

Three hours later and only half way around the exhibits, I had to get out of there, hunger and a headache sent us in search of food courts, we could have stayed much longer. My tip is, if you’re heading to Petrosains Discovery Centre, at least take a drink, maybe snacks. There is a cafe, but I left my money in the lockers with my bag.

While you are in the Petronas Towers area, don’t miss:

The vast children’s playground and fun paddling pools just in front of the towers. Don’t forget a change of clothes, I did!

The evening illuminated fountain show is a must-see too.

The Kuala Lumpur Aquarium is nearby, a short walk from the towers. It is excellent, outstanding, my boys will never forget handling horseshoe crabs and stroking a (baby) shark.

Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur

Next something completely different, Batu Caves, home to Hindu temples, monkeys and lots of steps.

Getting to Batu Caves from Kuala Lumpur is pretty simple, you can take the bus or the train, both drop you nearby. Batu Caves is quite a way from central Kuala Lumpur but under an hour on the bus. The bus isn’t bad, old and worn with OK air-con. Again we were rescued by wonderful people, ladies who go out of their way to help out a Mum with kids, showing us the bus stop, talking to the driver for us, making sure he tells us where to get off. It’s something I haven’t experienced before, this level of kindness.

You could be in India at Batu Caves, there are temples everywhere, bare footed Hindu families with tiny tots make the trek up the steps alongside the tourists. We kept our shoes firmly on and watched out for midgeon poop, as named by D (8),  an aromatic blend of monkey and pidgeon.

The steps are wet and a bit slippy, D raced off ahead, I puffed my way up clutching Boo’s (6) hand, the monkeys in Bali freaked him out, he’s not a fan. You get to the top, drenched in sweat, thinking it’s all over and then they throw another set of steps at you. On the whole the children coped with the steps better than I did. If you keep a close eye on them, maybe hold their hands, they’ll be fine, we only saw two monkeys on the steps and a few in the trees, they weren’t nearly as in-your-face as the Bali monkeys.

Kuala Lumpur Admission and Transport Costs.

Entrance to Petrosains was about $20, 50MYR for a family pass. Batu Caves is free. Buses cost 2-3MYR, a dollar or so. There are free buses around central Kuala Lumpur.

More Things to do in Kuala Lumpur

For more ideas on things to do in Kuala Lumpur with children or without, have a look at our posts on China Town where you can browse markets and food stalls before visiting some fabulous traditional temples, Chinese and Hindu. Or take a look at the famous roller coaster in a shopping mall and indoor archery.  Maybe take a walk to the Colonial District, this is where you’ll find the famous I heart KL sign, walk on from there to the KL Central Mosque where visitors are very welcome and hijabs are provided.

Two exhausted, overheated children fell asleep on the bus going back to our hostel in Kuala Lumpur.  An outing like that really takes it out of them, having a comfortable place to stay with great facilities is making this trip so much easier, along with the constant kindness being shown to us everywhere we go. We’re very lucky. Want more on Malaysia? We also visited Penang, Malacca or Melaka, Batu Ferringi for Legoland Malaysia and Langkawi . Back to our main Malaysia Travel Blog page for those destinations, bt Kuala Lumpur is sill our most regular stop in Malaysia and quite hnestly our favourite. Kuala Lumpur is great with kids because of its diversity and blend of ancient and modern, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy.