We all know that our beautiful city Kuala Lumpur and Selangor has many kid-friendly activities and attractions. Many of them are, in fact, education-based that will benefit your kids in many different ways. This way, your kids can learn and discover in a fun and engaging environment. Best of both worlds!
AQUARIA KLCC
Located on the concourse level of Kuala Lumpur’s crown jewel, KLCC, this 60,000 sq ft state-of-the-art aquarium must not be missed. Your kids will be able to experience over 5,000 unimaginable species like piranhas, giant spotted fantail rays, otters, blue spine unicorn, sharks and many more. During your visit, ensure that you don’t miss the Sand Tiger Sharks’ feeding session at the Aquatheatre.
There is an available sleepover session which you can book for your kids (ages 6 to 13) to participate in educational tours, watch feeding sessions, and sleep next to the sharks. As for children above 14, a Cage Rage experience is possible for them to face the predators face-to-face.
Operating hours: Daily 10.00 am to 8.00 pm
Location: Suria KLCC, Petronas Twin Tower
Contact: 603-2333 1888
PETROSAINS, THE DISCOVERY CENTRE
Also located in KLCC, your kids will enjoy a fun and interactive approach in learning science and technology of the energy industry in this Science Discovery Centre. Petrosains is divided into 11 interactive showcases varying from space-age to fossils.
The hands-on approach which allows you to touch, feel and manipulate the exhibits enables your kids to learn excitingly and engagingly. Some examples are, engaging a simulated helicopter ride to an oil platform, understanding what it feels like to be caught in a hurricane inside a plastic chamber and experience speed on an F1 racing simulator.
Operating hours:
Monday-Friday: 9.30am to 5.30pm
Weekends & Public Holiday: 9.30 am to 6.30 pm
Closed on Mondays except for Public holidays & School Holidays
Location: Level 4, Suria KLCC, Petronas Twin Tower
Contact: 603-2331 8181
KIDZANIA
KidZania is an award-winning edutainment centre intended for kids to experience real-life occupations in a fun learning atmosphere. With miniature-sized replicas of an office building, kids will get to pretend to be at work with over 90 unique types of grown-up jobs. They can be a Secret Agent and undergo physical tests’ or dressed in a pilot’s uniform at the AirAsia flight simulator and ‘fly’ a plane.
By far, the most popular job is to be an honorary firefighter, ride a fire truck and extinguish a hotel fire. To make it even more real, kids will earn KidZos (KidZania currency) from each job, and at the end of the day, they can purchase stationeries, fast food or sushi. This is an incredible way to teach children the value of money.
Operating hours:
Sunday-Wednesday: 9.00 am to 9.00 pm
Thursday: 9.00am to 11.00pm
Friday & Saturday: 10.00am to 11.00pm
Location: Curve NX, 18 Jalan PJU 7/5, Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya
Contact: 1300-13-5439
KUALA LUMPUR NATIONAL ZOO & AQUARIUM
Commonly known as “Zoo Negara”, Kuala Lumpur National Zoo & Aquarium extends over 110 acres of land. The zoo houses 5137 specimen from 476 of mammals, bird, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Housing wild animals from most parts of the world, the zoo has changed itself into an open concept zoo with over 90% of its animal being kept in spacious exhibits.
The Plain Australian exhibit is home to a group of wallabies, emus (Australia’s largest bird), kangaroos and pademelons, while the Ape Centre houses Sumatran ‘orangutans’. One of the kids’ main attraction would be the two highly endangered giant pandas from Sichuan, China.
Operating hours: Daily 9:00 am to 5.00 pm
Location: Hulu Kelang, Ampang, Selangor
Contact: 603-4108 342
FARM IN THE CITY
If you love a non-traditional zoo experience, Farm in the City is the place for you! Offering a different and new concept “Eden of Nature and Animals Farm in the City”, the farm merges wildlife and natural elements in a conservation park’s designed environment.
Visitor-interactions with the animals are strongly supported rather than just a viewing exhibit like most of the zoos. Your family are permitted to feed the deer, ‘ride’ a giant tortoise and play with the rabbit and guinea pigs inside their enclosure. Farm in the City also actively promotes farm-based learning through its activities for local and foreign student groups.
Operating hours:
Monday-Friday: 10.00am to 6.00pm
Saturday&Sunday: 9:30am to 6.00pm
Closed on every Tuesday except Public Holiday & School Holiday
Location: 40187 & 40188, Jalan Prima Tropika Barat, Bandar Putra Permai, Seri Kembangan
Contact: 603 – 8941 2099
MAH MERI CULTURAL VILLAGE
The Mah Meri is one of the 18 ancient Orang Asli (indigenous) tribe in Malaysia and often regarded as the “Masked Men of Malaysia”. Their ancient rituals and customs are well maintained and documented to this day. Expose your child to a whole new culture and ancient traditions at the Mah Meri Cultural Village. You and your family can learn leaf origami, headdresses, palm weaving, woodcarving, try on traditional costumes, take part in their Mask Dance, and more!
The best time to visit Pulau Carey’s Mah Meri Cultural Village is during Hari Moyang (Ancestor Day), held around March or April each year, Puja Pantai (Oceanic Healing) or during a wedding ceremony. You will experience tribesmen and women wearing intricately carved masks throughout the festival and perform the mystifying Tarian Jo-oh (Jungle Dance).
Operating hours: Tuesday – Sunday & Public Holidays 10.00 am – 6.00 pm
Location: Jln Kampong Orang Asli Sungai Bumbun, Kampung Manikavasagam, 42960 Pulau Carey, Selangor
Bring your kids for some educational fun over the weekends!