Magical Gamelan Workshop for Kids in KL: Local Mama’s Review (2025)

Looking for unique things to do in Kuala Lumpur with kids?

The monthly Gamelan Kiddies Workshop at GMBB KL offers families a fun opportunity to explore the mesmerizing world of traditional Gamelan music.

I randomly came across it on Instagram and thought it was something my daughter and I would enjoy – and we absolutely did!

The parent-child interactive workshop lets little ones experience the magic of Gamelan with gentle guidance from the cheery Gangsapura team.

Wondering if this workshop is a good fit for your family? I’ll go into the full details and if you’re up for it, you can get the class booking link at the end of the article.

Let’s get into it! ✨

Table of Contents

What Is Gamelan Kiddies?

Gamelan Kiddies is a monthly musical workshop designed to introduce toddlers and younger kids to the mesmerizing sounds of Gamelan in a fun and interactive way.

The workshop is run by the talented Gangsapura group, who are passionate about sharing the beauty of this traditional music with the next generation.

Attendance is open to kids between 2 to 6 years old. Entry to the workshop covers 1 parent and 1 child.

What Can Kids Expect?

The class serves as a first introduction to Gamelan so it focuses more on the fun stuff and less on the technical side of things.

The session warms up with some numbers-based movements before heading to the impressive line-up of instruments.

The session covers basic playing techniques and encourages teamwork between the kids through the guided rhythms.

Kids (AND parents!) are encouraged to explore all the different types of instruments, from the metallophones to the gongs. Each time the rhythm changes, kids can go around picking a Gamelan instrument they’d like to try next 😀

Who Is The Workshop For?

Gamelan Kiddies is open to families with kids aged between 2 to 6 years old. No prior musical experience is needed by the way – just a love for sound and exploration.

I think you’ll especially love the workshop if:

You’re looking for unique weekend activities in KL beyond the usual indoor playgrounds and cafe outings.
You want to introduce your little ones to traditional Malaysian arts and culture.
You have kids who love music and hands-on learning.

What I Like About Gamelan Kiddies

I found it to be an enriching and (surprisingly!) calming experience.

I love the almost otherworldly sound of Gamelan and I’m pretty sure there’s something magical going on with the frequency of the instruments because I felt so soothed (yes, that’s despite the toddlers having a field day clanging away the entire time haha).

I like how the session promotes teamwork between the kids – I could see them listening to one another and learning to play a good tune together.

From a developmental point of view, playing instruments is associated with plenty of benefits from recognizing math language to improving hand-eye coordination, and I’m sure a unique musical experience like this can help a lot.

I also love that parents are welcome to participate – it’s a wonderful way to spend quality time with family 💖