Malaysia with Kids: Sunway Lagoon, Legoland, Genting SkyWorlds and Family Fun

Malaysia is one of the best family holidays you can take from India. Flights are short, Indian and vegetarian food is easy to find, hotels are spacious and good value, and there is an attraction for every age: water slides and roller coasters, a Lego city, an underwater tunnel full of sharks, a giant walk-in aviary and a cable car ride into the clouds.

This guide covers the best theme parks and family attractions in Malaysia, with prices, timings and tips, so you can plan a trip that keeps the children excited and the grandparents comfortable.

Sunway Lagoon in Petaling Jaya, about 25 to 30 minutes from central Kuala Lumpur, is Malaysia's best-known theme park, with more than 80 attractions across several zones: a water park with wave pool and slides, an amusement park, a wildlife park with animal encounters, an extreme park, Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon with SpongeBob and friends, and a seasonal night park.

• Sunway Lagoon tickets: international visitors have paid around RM 268 for adults and RM 200 for children at the gate, which works out to very roughly ₹5,000 and ₹3,800 depending on the exchange rate. Online tickets and packages are often cheaper.
• Opening days: usually open from late morning until early evening; the park is often closed on Tuesdays outside school holidays, so check the calendar.
• Tips: carry swimwear and a change of clothes, rent a locker, and use sunscreen. Weekdays are far quieter than weekends.

At the top of Genting Highlands, Genting SkyWorlds opened in 2022 with themed zones inspired by famous films, family rides, a big roller coaster and indoor attractions, all in cool mountain air of about 15 to 22°C. Children love getting there too, on the Awana SkyWay cable car. Some rides have height limits, and outdoor rides can pause in heavy rain, so plan a full day and be flexible. Our Genting Highlands package includes a night in Genting and a one-day SkyWorlds pass. Read more in our Genting Highlands guide.

Legoland Malaysia Resort is in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, at the southern tip of the peninsula, about 30 to 45 minutes from Singapore and around 4 hours from Kuala Lumpur. It has a Lego theme park with rides and a Miniland of Asian landmarks built from Lego bricks, a water park and a SEA LIFE aquarium, plus a Lego-themed hotel. It is best for children aged about 2 to 12.

Legoland Malaysia tickets are sold for the theme park alone or in combinations with the water park and aquarium; prices vary by date and are cheaper online. Because of its location, Legoland fits best on a Singapore holiday, as a day trip across the border, rather than from Kuala Lumpur. Remember that you cross an international border, so carry passports and submit the MDAC.

• KL Tower Sky Deck and Sky Box: the glass box on the open-air deck, 300 metres up, is the ultimate family photo. Included in our Malaysia family tour package and Genting Highlands package.
• Aquaria KLCC: an aquarium below the KL Convention Centre, next to the Petronas Towers, with a 90-metre underwater tunnel, sharks, rays and otters. About 1.5 to 2 hours; a good choice for hot or rainy afternoons.
• KL Bird Park: in the Lake Gardens, one of the world's largest free-flight walk-in aviaries, with hornbills, flamingos, peacocks and feeding sessions. Go in the morning when the birds are most active.
• Petrosains: a hands-on science centre in Suria KLCC, popular with school-age children.
• Zoo Negara: the national zoo, about 30 minutes from the city, with animals from Malaysia and around the world and shows for children.
• KLCC Park: a free playground, a wading pool and the evening fountain show under the Petronas Towers.

• Langkawi: the SkyCab cable car, Underwater World, calm beaches and island hopping with eagle feeding. See our Langkawi guide.
• Penang: Escape adventure park, the Entopia butterfly centre and the funicular up Penang Hill. See our Penang guide.
• i-City Shah Alam: a park of millions of LED lights with rides and a snow attraction, open in the evening.
• Batu Caves: the colourful steps and the monkeys fascinate children; just keep food out of sight.

• Plan one big activity a day and leave afternoons or evenings for rest, swimming at the hotel or a mall.
• Beat the heat: outdoor attractions are best in the morning; save indoor places such as Aquaria KLCC and malls for midday.
• Food: Indian restaurants, food courts and international chains are everywhere; carry snacks for theme parks and car journeys.
• Strollers: malls and attractions are stroller-friendly, but Batu Caves' steps and some parks have slopes, so a light foldable stroller or a baby carrier is best.
• Health: drink plenty of water, use mosquito repellent and carry basic medicines; pharmacies are easy to find.
• Documents: every child needs their own passport and their own MDAC submission before arrival. See our MDAC guide.

• KLCC: walk to KLCC Park's playground and wading pool, Aquaria KLCC and Petrosains, with the Petronas Towers on your doorstep.
• Bukit Bintang: lively and central, with malls, food courts and the covered walkway to KLCC; choose a hotel with a pool for afternoon breaks.
• Sunway: stay next to Sunway Lagoon and Sunway Pyramid mall if the theme park is the highlight of your trip.
• Genting: one night at the top makes a SkyWorlds day far easier with young children, as on our Malaysia Adventure package.

Ask us for family rooms, interconnecting rooms or suites; many Kuala Lumpur hotels offer them at good prices compared with Singapore.

For families with children who love rides, our Malaysia Adventure package with a night in Genting and SkyWorlds is the obvious choice. For a comfortable trip with private touring and KL Tower, choose the Kuala Lumpur & Genting Family Escape; it suits families with grandparents too. Add Sunway Lagoon, Aquaria KLCC or KL Bird Park to any package, or combine Malaysia with Singapore's Universal Studios on one of our Singapore Malaysia tour packages.