Malaysia family holidays are the best – affordable, fun and there is so much to enjoy together. Here are the best places to visit in Malaysia, from theme parks to crazy trishaw rides, night markets, shimmering cities with fabulous shopping and dining, jungles and white sand beaches, ancient tribes and diverse culture – Malaysia with kids is like nowhere else in Asia.

Read on for the best things to do in Malaysia with kids in our favourite places in Malaysia that we’ve visited over the past five years. There is so much to explore, and it’s not only fun, Malaysia is safe and friendly too. Enjoy!

Before you go

Here’s a great packing list if you’re keen to travel carry on only or travel light – this is what I packed for 10 days in Malaysia.

You absolutely need travel insurance – we use CoverMore

You should always use a VPN to protect your data when you’re using wifi overseas on your phone, iPad and tablet. We use Express VPN which is awesome and only around $12 for multiple devices.

If you’re nervous about traveling here’s my detailed guide to traveling safely. It has absolutely everything you need to know and it’s only $16 AUD.

Five family friendly spots in Malaysia

Batu Ferringhi, Penang

The Malaysian island of Penang is a fabulous destination for families and I reckon you need at least five days to explore George Town, Batu Ferringi and the beaches, theme parks and nature of this heritage island. Highlights include wandering the UNESCO heritage old town of George Town, visiting the clan villages, taking the funicular up to the top of Penang Hill and exploring Habitat, sliding, swimming and and ziplining (pic below) at Escape and visiting Entopia butterfly farm. We love staying in the Shangri-La Rasa Sayang and the Eastern & Oriental George Town.

Read all about the best things to do in Batu Ferringhi, Penang here.

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

The capital of Sabah in Malaysian Borneo, visiting Kota Kinabalu with kids is fabulous for a mini-break and you can easily spend five days here before heading home or setting off to explore other parts of Sabah like the incredible Kinabatangan River, spotting orang-utans and pygmy elephants.

We recommend staying at the Shangri La Tanjung Aru and visiting the Mari Mari Culture Centre – it honestly has the best culture centre we’ve ever visited and is so interactive it’s just an incredible experience. Read all about it here.

Make sure to visit the stunning islands of Abdul Rahman National Park, visit the Sunday markets and take a walking tour of the town. Kota Kinabalu sunsets are incredible.

Read all about what to do in Kota Kinabalu here.

Melaka – also Malacca – in Melaka state

With a city motto of ‘Don’t mess with Melaka” you just know that this city and state is going to be fun. Once a significant trading port in the Melaka Strait, and now a UNESCO World Heritage site, Melaka was founded by an escaped Sumatran prince and has been occupied by the Dutch, the Brittish and the Japanese military. There is so much to do in Melaka and it’s so easy to get around – you can basically walk from place to place – there are theme parks, so much incredible food and coconut shakes, churches, night markets, amazingly fun trishaw rides, beautiful Mosques and so much more.

Read everything to do in Melaka here and where to stay in Melaka here.

The limestone mountains and cave temples of Ipoh, Perak

A visit to Ipoh with kids is such a fun adventure, and it’s an active one as if you drive you can stop at Gopeng on your way for caving and white water rafting. In Ipoh visit The Lost World of Tambun for old fashioned theme park rides, water slides and a huge lazy river, visit Buddhist cave temples and the culture centre, secret Mirror lake and paddle around the moat in the gardens of Kek Lok Tong Temple.

Make sure to eat Ipoh’s speciliality while you’re there – beach sprout chicken!

Read about everything to do in Ipoh here.

Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo

We just love Kuching for families for its beautiful streets along the riverfront, its stunning sunsets, amazing food – like laksa and famous key lapis (colourful cake). Eat at Top Spot, stroll the riverfront, visit the Culture Centre, the Semenggoh Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Cat Museum. Explore Bako National Park and spot proboscis monkeys and so much more.