3 Free Kids’ Activities at Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (Hidden KL Gem!)

Looking for free things to do with kids in Kuala Lumpur that aren’t just playgrounds or malls?

The Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia Children’s Library is one of my favorite under-the-radar spots for a quiet, meaningful family outing – especially when we want to get out of the house without spending much.

Most families don’t realize this, but you can visit the children’s library completely free – no museum ticket needed!

On weekends, Islamic Arts Museum hosts these free activities for kids:

📚 storytelling

🎨arts and crafts

🎬 short-story screenings

The in-house gift shop/bookstore is also worth a stroll when you’re here – the curation is just * chef’s kiss *.

Okies, let’s take a closer look at all the free activities (and one optional paid activity) available for kids at this wonderful museum!

A two-photo grid with a photo of Eric Carle's Brown Bear book on the left and the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia storytelling session on the right.

Disclosure: Mama’s Guide to Malaysia is reader-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

Table of Contents

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia: Quick Note Before You Go

When you arrive at the main lobby, you’ll immediately see the ticketing counter – this is why most people assume you’ll need to pay before you can head up to the library.

Inform the staff that you’re just here for the library, and they’ll direct you to the elevators on the right. Take the lift up to Level G, and you’ll see a sign pointing towards the library.

If you are planning to check out the main galleries however (which I DO recommend), then yes, admission fees apply.

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia Children's Library

👉 Tip: If you’re at the Children’s Library during its opening hours and it appears closed, notify the staff or security personnel – they’ll get it opened for you.

Free Kids’ Activities At Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

1. Read at the Children’s Library

The refurbished library is bright, cozy, and thoughtfully designed for little ones. There’s plenty of kid-friendly seating plus an impressively curated range of children’s books for all ages!

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia Children's Library book collection.

Question: Is this library open to Muslim families only?

Not at all – the library welcomes families of every nationality and faith!

A toddler at the Islamic Arts Museum KL Children's Library, a must-try kids' activity in KL.

Question: Are there only Islamic books in the library?

The library hosts a wonderfully diverse collection of books! Here’s what you can expect:

General collection

✅ Board books for babies and toddlers

✅ Picture books and early reader books

✅ Crowd favorites – from Eric Carle to Dr. Seuss to Julia Donaldson

✅ Kid-friendly reference books – history, science, arts, and more

free things to do in kl with kids islamic arts museum malaysia kuala lumpur childrens library storytelling screening 2

Islamic shelves

✅ Stories of the Prophets

✅ Beloved storybooks – from The Proudest Blue to Lailah’s Lunchbox

✅ Kid-friendly reference books on ibadah, akhlaq, and more

One thing to note: the books are for in-library reading only – there isn’t a borrowing system at the moment.

On the plus side, some titles are available at the next-door bookstore!

2. Storytelling + Craft Session

📆 Saturdays at 3 p.m.

👧 Best for 4 -12 years old (though I’ve seen younger kids join in the fun!)

🎟️ No pre-registration required – just arrive a little earlier and sign up at the desk

free things to do in kl with kids islamic arts museum malaysia kuala lumpur childrens library storytelling screening 4

Typical flow:

~30-minute storytelling session

Followed by a themed arts & crafts activity

3. Watch A Short Story Screening

📆 Sundays at 3 p.m.

This short screening uses a traditional shadow puppet (wayang kulit) style to tell local folklore and classic fables.

It’s a nice cultural touch and a good length for younger kids’ attention spans.

free things to do in kl with kids islamic arts museum malaysia kuala lumpur childrens library storytelling screening 5

Bonus: The Museum Bookstore (Totally Worth Browsing!)

Don’t skip the in-house gift shop/bookstore – it’s one of the better museum bookshops in KL!

Why I love it:

✅ Thoughtfully curated Islamic and general titles

✅ Books for all ages, from children’s titles through to adult reads

✅ Playful kids’ resources, including puzzles, board games, maps, and flash cards

✅ The books here make for excellent gifts too!

✅ Reasonably-priced – books we’ve shopped for here range between RM15 (shorter titles) to RM75 (more extensive reference books)

free things to do in kl with kids islamic arts museum malaysia kuala lumpur childrens library storytelling screening 7

The bookstore complements the library beautifully, especially if your little ones end up falling in love with some of the stories and would love to bring them home ❤️

free things to do in kl with kids islamic arts museum malaysia kuala lumpur childrens library storytelling screening 6

Extra little tip: There’s a gorgeous sunlit courtyard on the same floor as the library and bookstore. We love hanging out here for a bit, checking out our new reads and enjoying the beautiful view of Merdeka 118!

Optional Paid Activity: Museum Quest

If it’s your first visit to the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, the main galleries are absolutely worth exploring! It’s such a mesmerizing walkthrough of Islamic art and history.

I especially love the mosque dioramas from around the world, the gilded Al-Qurans, and the jaw-dropping royal jewels!

There’s a Museum Quest booklet available at the ticketing counter (I think it was less than RM5 each) which turns the museum into a kid-friendly scavenger hunt.

It helps children spot:

Mosque miniatures from around the world
Islamic calligraphy and details of the Quran
Historical artefacts and decorative art
and more!

Facade of the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia.

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia Visitor Info

Location

📍Jalan Lembah, Tasik Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur (in the same area as Perdana Botanical Gardens and National Mosque)

Getting Here

Drive: Free parking is available near the main entrance.
Grab: Choose Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia as your drop-off location.
KL Hop-On Hop Off: National Mosque station (5-minute walk).

Children’s Library

Opening Hours: 9.30 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily (closed between 12 – 1 p.m.)
Admission: Free (including for Storytelling, Arts & Crafts, and Sunday Screenings)

Main Gallery

Opening Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily
Admission: RM20 (~USD5) per adult and RM10 (~USD3) per student. Kids under 6 enter free.

Facilities & Accessibility

No nursing or baby changing room is provided.
Wheelchair-friendly and stroller-friendly (though strollers have to be parked outside the library).
If you’re looking for the prayer room, inform one of the security guards. It’s in a private area – they’ll have to tap you in.