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If you’re planning a holiday in Penang with kids, here are some amazing family-friendly activities in 2026. Loads have changed since the pandemic making it very hard to find update, accurate, fresh travel information. In this article we will give you the best up-to-date information on things to do in Penang with kids.
Penang is an awesome destination for a family travel. They really is so much to do in Penang with kids. As a tropical climate it has a beautiful jungle, beaches, fantastic food and also lot of great activities for families.
LOOKING FOR A FAMILY HOTEL? Don’t miss our FULL guide on THE BEST Penang Family Hotels
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What is it like to travel Penang with kids?
Penang is a very enjoyable place to travel as a family with kids. In addition to the fantastic activities, Penang also seems to be very well setup for travel with kids. Penang are they very good public transport system with public buses running around the island on a regular basis. Buses are clean, comfortable, air conditioned and very affordable. Penang also has some large shopping malls which have a wide range of food available including kid-friendly Western food. Almost every restaurant cafe in Penang have baby chairs available. We found this extremely helpful when eating out in Penang with kids. In sum shopping malls and larger shops you can also find baby changing facilities. There are a couple of challenges when you are travelling Penang with kids. If you’re travelling with a younger child who still need nappies these can be a little bit expensive and difficult to find. We only managed to find fairly large expensive packs of nappies available in the larger supermarkets. Also if you are eating out in Penang with kids it is worth bringing your own tissue paper or napkins as many restaurants and cafes do not offer these.
1 Challenge your family at ESCAPE
THE EPIC ESCAPE adventure park is one of the best activities if you are in Penang with kids. ESCAPE is genuinely one of the best adventure parks we have ever visited, anywhere in the world! There are two main parts to the ESCAPE park. The adventure park has high rope courses, ziplines, trampolines, climbing walls, swings and much much more. You could easily spend a day exploring and enjoying the adventure park.
The adventure park at ESCAPE is perfect for families with little kids and big kids! The activities are designed to increase courage, dexterity, and balance strength. They even have a trapeze which they allow you to use and practise and you can even have a go at competing in a show if you progress well.
ESCSPE also has a large and impressive Waterpark. In the waterpark they have a record-breaking tube slide. It is the longest tube water slide in the world inkcredible 1.1 km in length. This slide is not particularly fast, it normally takes between 5 and 10 minutes to ride the full length of the slide. What makes this tube-side particularly remarkable is a fact that it winds down the hill through the beautiful Penang jungle. They also have lots of other slides including whole water play sections devoted to kids. They have high jump boards, vertical drop slides, an inflatable obstacle course and a deep diving pool. If you are planning to visit ESCAPE in Penang with kids, we highly recommend spending 2 days if you can. It is possible to stay at the campsite overnight as well. If you plan to stay at the ESCAPE park overnight, they will include tent rental and a barbecue meal in the evening.
2 Reconnect with nature at Entopia
Don’t miss our FULL guide on Entopia Penang
If you have a few days and plan with kids, consider visiting and Entopia. Entopia is a large indoor insect farm and sanctuary. It is the perfect activity for kids who love wildlife. Being an indoor venue this is also a great option for a rainy day. And Entopia has lots of small paths winding through jungle foliage with many insects and butterflies freely fluttering around the large and impressive indoor space.
This indoor paradise also has trees, pools and indoor waterfalls. Entopia Penang also has an indoor learning centre (called Cocoon) with a large range of exhibits which allow kids to learn about insects and living things. They also have some amazing, fascinating and bizarre insects on display.
In our opinion you could probably spend a full morning or even a full day at Entopia Penang, especially if your kids love interacting with and connecting with nature. Is it possible to reach and Entopia by bus from Georgetown making it a super convenient and fun day out for families in Penang with kids.
3 Go trekking in the Penang National Park
Don’t miss our FULL guide on how to get to Turtle beach
If you’re looking for an adventure in Penang with kids, check out the Penang National Park. The Penang national park is the smallest national park in the world. It is located on the north west tip of Penang Island.
The Penang national park is well known for its amazing biodiversity and stunning beauty. We absolutely love the beaches in the Penang national park. Turtle Beach has a small turtle sanctuary and it is possible to see turtles. The turtle sanctuary is FREE to enter.
Monkey beach is aptly named after the monkeys that can be seen both on the path leading to the beach and also on the beach itself. Watch out for macaque monkeys and dusky leaf monkeys which can both be seen in the jungles in this area.
If you are planning to go travelling in the Penang national park, be aware that there are wild animals in the area. The monkeys can be aggressive and attack people for food. There are also monitor lizards in the area. They tend to be fairly shy animals but if they are approached or feel threatened they can be dangerous. If you plan to go trekking in a National Park in Penang with kids, we recommend being very well prepared. There are no food shops, cafes or restaurants in the national park at all. So it is important to bring all the food and drink that you and your family will need for your whole trip.
Remember that Penang is a hot humid climate, so you will need a lot of water especially when you are trekking with kids. The trek to Turtle Beach is likely to take one or two hours depending on your pace and be prepared you may need to carry younger children on the trek. Be prepared for challenging terrain with rock and roots, we recommend wearing appropriate footwear. It is possible to take a boat to either of the beaches one or two ways.
Boats can be arranged at the entrance to the Penang National Park. FOR monkey beach the trail is closed and in disrepair so a boat is strongly advised. Boat prices are RM100 return or RM70 one way. FOR turtle beach – the trail is open and in good condition – this is a beautiful trek. Boat prices to turtle beach are RM200 return or RM100 one way. NO need to pre book boats. We recommend looking our for other travellers to share a boat and spread the cost – they can take up to 10 people.
Boats can be arranged at the entrance to the Penang National Park. It is possible to get to the Penang National Park by bus or taxi from Georgetown.
How much does it cost to visit the Penang National Park
There is an entrance fee of RM50 for non-Malaysians and RM10 for Malaysians. For children 3 – 12 years old it costs RM15 for mon-Malaysians and RM5 for Malaysians. Children under 3 are FREE. Senior Citizens (60 years and older) are FREE. Student discounts available – bring a student card as proof. The Penang National Park is open daily:
Saturday – Thursday 8am – 1pm and 2pm – 4.30pm
Fridays 8am – 12.15pm and 2.45pm – 4.30pm
4 Take a rickshaw tour of Georgetown
It is possible to take a bicycle rickshaw tour of the main sites in Georgetown. This is an absolute classic activity to do in Penang with kids. This is a fantastic way to enjoy the sites, sounds and smells of Georgetown without getting too exhausted walking around in the heat. Being on a bicycle rickshaw allows you to take in the scenery at a steady pace whilst enjoying the novelty of this unique transport. Bicycle rickshaw tours of Georgetown will normally include sites such as the Penang artwork, the Jetty’s, Kapitan mosque, Little India, maybe some of the mansions like blue Mansion or the Peranakan mansion. Some bicycle tours may also go around Penang Road and Komtar. If you have attractions in mind talk to your driver beforehand.
It costs around RM 30-40 for a 1-hour rickshaw tour of Georgetown. Rickshaws can normally take up to 3 people. You can find Rickshaws waiting all around Georgetown. However one of the main locations to find a rickshaw is just opposite to Yap Kongsi temple near Kapitan mosque.
ALTERNATIVELY don’t miss our amazing Georgetown walking tour
6 Explore the Penang Botanical Gardens
Don’t miss our guide to the Penang Botanical Gardens
If you are looking for things to do in Penang with kids, check out the Penang Botanical Gardens. The Penang Botanical Gardens provides a large beautiful green space for kids to run around. Even if you take a short walk around the Penang Botanical Gardens you are likely to see a wide variety of animals and insects.
There is a small shop at the Penang Botanical Gardens selling a small selection of ice creams and drinks. The botanical gardens is also the perfect place to start a trek up Penang Hill. Entrance to the Penang Botanical Gardens is free.
There are not any kids play parks at the Penang Botanical Gardens, however, we do recommend this as a great place in Penang with kids due to the large beautiful green space for kids to run around and explore. ALWAYS be aware of snakes in Malaysia. We saw this male wagler’s pit viper hanging out in a tree in the Botanical Gardens (in a pretty busy public spot).
And if you’re wondering this type of snake does have a potentially lethal bite.
7 Learn about herbs and spices at the Tropical Spice Gardens
Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE on the Tropical Spice Garden Penang
A visit to the tropical spice Gardens is a great thing to do in Penang with kids if you are interested in learning about local plants and spices. The tropical Spice Garden Penang is located by the ocean on the north coast of Penang. This beautiful little garden has winding paths, pools and water features.
Around the garden you can see the names of various plants and spices and they also have information boards. They offer guided tours of the gardens where they will give you an array of fascinating information about the history, use and biology of various shrubs and spices.
The tropical Spice Garden Penang is not a very big site, we recommend spending a few hours there. If you are planning a day trip in Penang with kids, consider visiting Entopia after the tropical Spice Gardens.
The Tropical Spice Gardens also has a small gift shop and they have a cooking school attached to the tropical spice Gardens. It is possible to get to the tropical Spice Gardens by bus or taxi. If you choose to visit the tropical spice gardens in Penang with kids we recommend bringing sun protection and mosquito-repellent.
8 Take a tour of the tropical fruit farm
Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE on the Tropical Fruit Farm Penang
Here is another awesome activity to do in Penang with kids. Take a visit to the tropical fruit farm which is located on the road between Teluk Bahang and Balik Pulau. How’s the name suggests, the tropical fruit farm Penang is dedicated to local tropical fruit that naturally grow on the island.
The tropical fruit farm Penang tours of the fruit farm where you can learn about the range of local fruit. It is worth being aware but if you do not arrive at the start of a tour you will either have to wait until the next tour starts or you can join the tour late. The tools of the tropical fruit farm are genuinely very interesting and educational.
At the end of a tour of the tropical fruit farm they also provide a platter of fresh fruit road at the farm to enjoy and experience delicious local fruits. The tropical fruit farm is in a rather remote location. So we do not recommend this unless you have more time in Penang or unless you happen to be visiting balik pulau.
9 Ride the Penang Hill railway and visit the Habitat
The Penang Hill railway is a funicular train that runs from Air Itam to the top of Penang Hill. Taking the Penang Hill railway is an amazing experience on its own. Enjoy views of the remarkable Penang Hill jungle and over Georgetown as you Ascend up to the top of Penang Hill. It costs RM30 (two ways) for adults and RM15 (two ways) for children. The top of Penang Hill is also a fantastic experience in Penang with kids.
At the top of Penang Hill you can stroll around pass enjoying the breathtaking views over Penang Island. You can also visit a range of cafes hands by refreshing snacks, drinks and ice creams. At the top of Penang Hill there is also an eco centre called the Habitat Penang Hill.
The habitat has a series of walkways and exhibits designed to help you connect with the beautiful Penang Hill rainforest. The jungle walkways at the habitat enable you to see the jungle canopy and observe the amazing array of Wildlife in this beautiful area. The Habitat costs RM60 for adults and RM40 for children.
A visit to the summit of Penang Hill is definitely a full day trip. If you are doing this with kids we recommend being well-prepared. Remember to bring sun protection, plenty of water and snacks. If you are planning to visit Kek Lok Si temple this is located a short taxi ride from the lower station in Air Itam.
10 Visit adventure zone at the Shangri-La Golden Sands Resort
Golden Sands is also a great family hotel in Penang
If you’re travelling in Penang with kids this is one you must not miss. Adventure Zone in Batu Ferringhi is one of the very few soft play spaces in Penang. It is the perfect option for a family with active kids. Adventure zone in Penang has a range of slides including some pretty impressive drop slides, ball pits, nets, obstacles and much more. Adventure zone in command welcomes children of any age. However younger children may not be able to use some if the more extreme slides. There is a small soft play space for toddlers and babies too. They have a set of great facilities and amenities for families. The adventure zone Penang has lockers or shelves to store your belongings when you arrive. It is very important to be aware of their rules. In order to play at Adventure zone Penang any kids need to wear long sleeve shirts long trousers and socks. If they are not appropriately dressed children are not allowed to use the slides. Although adventure zone Penang is fully supervised by very friendly staff, it is required that any children are also supervised by adults. Supervising adults do not need to pay the entrance fee. It costs RM35 for 2 hours.
There’s always more…
Don’t miss these toddler friendly activities in Penang. AND don’t miss our FULL GUIDE on the best things to do in Penang.
