Kid-Friendly Kuala Lumpur 3 Day Itinerary 2024 (+ Map)

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Looking for a Kuala Lumpur 3 day itinerary that’s fun for the whole family? I’ve got just the thing!

I’m a mama living in KL (born and bred!) and my daughter and I love a good staycation and playing tourists in our city.

I like an itinerary with a lot of soul and at a relaxed pace to accommodate traveling with young ones. If that’s what you’re into, check out my family-friendly cheatsheet on what to do in Kuala Lumpur for 3 days:

Family-friendly 3-day Kuala Lumpur itinerary

  • Day 1: Eat nasi lemak, go on a quest at the Islamic Arts Museum, and shop for cute trinkets at Central Market
  • Day 2: Climb the rainbow stairs at Batu Caves, check out KL Bird Park, and enjoy buffet dinner at KL Tower
  • Day 3: Head up to the Petronas Twin Towers, play at Petrosains, and watch the Lake Symphony Show

Also, I know figuring out where to eat can get overwhelming real quick when you’re in a new city and the kids are somehow always hungry, so I’m including family-friendly breakfast, lunch, and dinner ideas for each day.

Sounds good? Let’s get started!

A collage of family travel in Kuala Lumpur with a text overlay that reads 3 Days in Kuala Lumpur Kid-Friendly Itinerary.

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Day 1: Explore Malaysian Culture

Breakfast: Nasi Lemak

Kick off your Kuala Lumpur travel itinerary with a taste of Malaysia’s beloved national dish. Nasi lemak is a fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk, and it’s usually served with fresh cucumbers, peanuts, anchovies, sambal (a spicy chili condiment), eggs, and some kind of protein – usually piping hot fried chicken.

These are my favorite spots to grab a legit plate of nasi lemak in the city:

The sambal is probably going to be way too spicy for little ones. For my daughter, I usually request just the rice with extra eggs and anchovies.

Facade of Malaysia's National Museum.

Morning: National Museum

I love starting my tour of any city at a museum, and the National Museum will give you a lot of context to the vibrant, multicultural city that is KL 🙂 

Exhibits here will take you through the prehistoric period, the Early Malay Kingdom days, the colonial era, and Malaysia as we know it today.

I recommend taking the free guided tour. The English one is available Monday to Saturday, and it lasts 1 hour. Meet at the lobby at 10AM to join the tour.

Extra fun stuff for kids: There’s a free arts and crafts session held every Saturday at 11AM. 

Getting here:

Noon: Guan Di Temple

This Taoist temple is a great way to appreciate the Chinese culture in Malaysia. Built in 1887, it’s one of the oldest religious sites in the city.

I think kids will love seeing the unique architecture. Get them to spot the lions and dragons guarding the entrance!

This temple is dedicated to a war deity, and there’s a famous giant copper sword in the temple that people will touch (or try to lift) in the hopes of a bit of good luck.

Getting here:

Lunch: Chinatown

Chinatown has become THE place for charming cafes that even we locals find worth braving the traffic for!

I have 2 suggestions for awesome places to grab a bite:

  • Kafei Dian: This kopitiam (or local coffee shop) serves the best Chinese-style comfort food. Try the Hainanese Chicken Chop. Kids might enjoy the Chicken Hor Fun (chicken noodle soup). 
  • Malaya Garden: This imaginative cafe serves a fun twist on local classics. Their menu changes from time to time but you can’t go wrong with their Malaysian-inspired pastas. Also, you HAVE to try their iced Teh Tarik (milk tea) – it’s too good!
A man shows the thumbs up at Malaya Garden in Kuala Lumpur.

Afternoon: Islamic Arts Museum 

This beautiful building with intricate blue mosaic tiles is a great place to get to know Islamic history and art. I recommend buying a Museum Quest booklet at the ticket booth. Kids can use the guide to spot interesting things along their museum walkabout.

My daughter and I come here a lot for the wonderful kids’ library. There’s an excellent selection of titles! On the weekends, they host art sessions, storytelling, and show screenings.

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia.
A toddler holds the Museum Quest booklet at Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia.
A toddler looks at the book collections at the Islamic Arts Museum Children's Library.

Getting here:

Evening: Central Market

Get your souvenir shopping done at Central Market. This historic building was built in 1888 as a wet market. Today, it’s an awesome place to find Malaysian handicrafts like batik, wood carvings, calligraphy, rattan furniture, and more.

For Malaysian souvenirs that are actually cute, head to Loka Made. Their postcards, tote bags, puzzles, stickers, mugs, and more stand out to me because they stay away from boring cliché designs.

Instead, they capture the soul of Malaysia so well that even I end up shopping here!

Cute Malaysian souvenirs at Central Market's Loka Made.
Cute Malaysian souvenirs at Central Market's Loka Made.

Getting here:

Dinner: Mamak

The mamak is a casual Indian-style eatery that’s very much a big part of Malaysian life. 

It’s open 24 hours and it’s where you go to catch up with friends over teh tarik, watch sports, and have supper after late-night clubbing.

You’ll find a mamak in practically every corner of KL, but these ones near the KLCC area are especially good and kid-friendly:

  • NZ Curry House: Try their KLCC roti tisu – the towering crispy breads will amuse the little ones! 
  • Nasi Kandar Pelita: They have good mamak-style spiced soups. The lamb and chicken ones are great but if you’re not squeamish go for tongue or tripe – they’re excellent!

Night: River of Life

I’m assuming with the excitement of being in a new city plus the jetlag, the kiddies’ bedtime is going to be a little lax (well, at least that’s how I roll on trips lol).

If you’re looking for fun things to do in KL at night with family, check out the River of Life.

This is the significant point where two rivers meet and gave birth to the name Kuala Lumpur (which translates to “muddy confluence”) and its start as a tin-mining trading post.

The once-polluted rivers became a 7-year restoration project and today it’s ranked as one of the world’s best waterfront districts.

The rivers are lit up with LED and give a pretty cool, otherworldly glow to the whole area.

The Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Merdeka Square are a short 200-meter (650-feet) walk from the River of Life. It’s lively here at night, with street vendors selling all kinds of toys and kids enjoying themselves running around the field.

Getting here:

Day 2: Enjoy The Wonders of Nature

Breakfast: Quick bite at the hotel 

You’ll be traveling to the outskirts of KL today, so I recommend having a quick breakfast at the hotel to get a head start on your day. With traffic, it can take almost an hour to get to Batu Caves from KL city center.

Morning: Batu Caves

Visit the iconic Batu Caves, one of Kuala Lumpur’s most famous landmarks. You’ll know you’re at the right place when you see the towering golden statue of Lord Murugan.

These natural limestone hills are home to a few Hindu temples and shrines carved into the caves.

The rainbow-colored stairs leading up to them are THE cute spot to snap some family photos!

Just a heads-up: There are almost 300 steps, which can be a little taxing under the hot sun and if you’re carrying your kids up.

There are loads of monkeys hanging around. They’re quick to snatch food, water bottles, and toys, so keep all your things hidden as you go around Batu Caves.

This private Batu Caves tour includes convenient hotel pick-up!

Lunch: Farm Cafe

There’s a lovely spot about a 5-minute drive from Batu Caves serving delicious farm-to-table eats.

Enjoy fresh salads, sandwiches, and hearty mains made from locally sourced ingredients. There’s a good mix of rice dishes, imaginative pasta dishes, burgers, sweet treats, and more.

I love that they use grass-fed milk from their farm for their coffees!

Afternoon: KL Bird Park

Head back to the city center for a fun visit to KL Bird Park. It’s home to thousands of birds and you can get up close to spot parrots, storks, flamingos, peacocks, eagles, owls, and the Malaysian hornbills.

There are daily feeding sessions and bird shows that are fun to catch! 

Getting here:

A family plays at the Perdana Botanical Gardens playground.

Evening: Perdana Botanical Gardens

The Perdana Botanical Gardens is a 10-minute walk from the Bird Park, and is worth visiting for some outdoor play.

It’s a beautiful green space smack in the city, with a large playground area with sections for toddlers and older kids.

If a stroller nap sounds more likely after the full day of activities, you can take a leisurely stroll around the landscaped gardens. There’s also the Hibiscus Garden to see Malaysia’s beloved national flower in bloom.

Dinner: KL Tower Revolving Restaurant

End the day with a buffet dinner at KL Tower’s Revolving Restaurant!

The spread is awesome, offering a great mix of Malaysian dishes and international favorites. The best thing about dinner here is the ever-changing view of the city’s skyline as you progress through your meal.

Day 3: Bring On The Family Fun

Breakfast: Half-Boiled Eggs & Roti Bakar

Fuel up for the day with Malaysia’s favorite morning pairing: beautifully runny half-boiled eggs and salty-sweet roti bakar – crispy toast with butter and coconut curd.

These coffee shops have some of the best roti bakar in the city:

Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

Morning: Petronas Twin Towers Observation Deck

It’s going to be a more laid-back day today as you’ll mostly be exploring family-friendly activities within KLCC.

Head up to the 86th floor of the Petronas Twin Towers to get a good view of the city from above. It’s absolutely breathtaking! There are also exhibits for visitors to learn more about the tallest twin towers in the world.

Walking along the Sky Bridge that connects the two towers is pretty cool too!

Get promo rates on your Petronas Twin Towers tickets.

Lunch: Suria KLCC

The mall has plenty of food options! For a family-friendly place, I recommend heading to Madam Kwan for lunch.

Kids' menu at Madam Kwan Malaysia.

They have a kids’ menu, and the chicken rice is divine! The rice is cooked in rich chicken stock, and it’s served with some juicy steamed chicken.

If that’s something you’d enjoy too, go ahead and order the adult version for yourself (ask for the Mushroom Chicken Rice). If not, the Fried Kuey Teow and Curry Laksa are delish too.

Toddler playing with an exhibit at Petrosains KLCC for kids.

Afternoon: Petrosains Discovery Center

Enjoy some science-inspired play time at Petrosains! This theme park in the Suria KLCC mall is great fun for both toddlers and older kids.

Popular Petrosains activities include exploring an oil rig, racing on the Formula 1 simulator, and saying hi to dinosaurs. For toddlers, there’s a soft play area too!

Check out my complete Petrosains guide to plan your visit.

Skip the ticket counter queue – get your Petrosains tickets here.

Evening: KLCC Park

Soak up the evening sun right outdoors at KLCC Park. It’s one of the best parks in KL – it’s HUGE, has a great playground for all ages, and there’s even a wading pool too. Bring the kids’ wetsuits – I’m guessing they’ll want to jump in!

I really like walking along the pathways. The park is home to a rich collection of trees. I don’t know when I became my dad but spotting rare local trees has become such a simple pleasure for me now 😛 

Dinner: Suria KLCC

For another family-friendly spot in the mall, head to Serai.

This local-favorite joint serves legit Malaysian dishes in a beautiful modern setting. My go-to orders here are:

  • Gado Gado to share. This fresh Indonesian-style salad has tempe, tofu, eggs, and fresh cucumbers, drizzled with a spiced peanut sauce.
  • Nasi Kerabu. This classic East Coast dish is a festive mix of fragrant blue-tinged rice (from blue pea flowers), spiced coconut milk chicken, fish crackers, salted egg, fresh veggies, and a fish-based condiment.
  • Serai Iced Tea. It’s a refreshing mix of lemon sorbet, lemongrass, and mint.
Kids' menu at Serai Malaysia.

The kids’ menu is great too! For a taste of something local, try the fried rice with chicken satay. Otherwise, they serve the usual burgers and pasta.

Night: KLCC Light Symphony Show

For a fun little ending to your KL trip, head back out to KLCC Park and catch the water fountain show. The shows are at 8PM, 9PM, and 10PM every night. In between those timings, there are also lights-only shows at 7:30PM, 8:30PM, and 9:30PM.

The choreography of the water fountain to the music is a lot of fun to watch!

Kuala Lumpur 3-Day Travel Map

How Many Days In Kuala Lumpur Is Enough?

I think 4 days 3 nights is the sweet spot for a family-friendly trip to Kuala Lumpur. It gives you enough time to cover all the main attractions with a little breathing room in between.

I’ve written this itinerary with full activity ideas for 3 days and 3 nights. If you’re leaving on the fourth day, you can follow my Kuala Lumpur itinerary as is.

If you’re leaving KL on Day 3, feel free to move around or remove some attractions to accommodate your plans. I’ve kept the last day’s itinerary to be within KLCC to cut down on travel time around the city and make it quick to get back to your hotel for checkout.

Best Places To Stay For Your 3-Day Kuala Lumpur Trip

It’s a great idea to stay within the KLCC area. It’s close to the attractions in the itinerary, which makes it easy to head back to the room for naps and breaks if needed.

These are some of the best hotels I recommend for your trip:

How To Get Around KL

You can get to some of the places in the itinerary with public transport. I’ve included the nearest MRT or LRT station info for applicable attractions.

The KL Hop-On Hop-Off bus is a pretty convenient way to get around. There are plenty of stops around the city, and you can hop on and off as much as you like within the time frame of the pass you’re getting.

If you prefer ride-sharing, use Grab. It’s the Southeast Asian Uber.

Prefer to drive on your trip? I recommend this easy-peasy car rental platform.

3 Day Kuala Lumpur Itinerary: FINAL Tips

Alritey, so that’s my suggested itinerary for Kuala Lumpur if you’re in the city for 3 days.

I hope y’all have a good time in KL – and let me know if you enjoyed this travel plan! 

I’ll leave you with a few tips to make traveling around KL with kids a little easier 🙂 

  • Most malls in KL will have a baby room if you need to change nappies (some include a breastfeeding area) The baby rooms in KLCC are on the Concourse Level (near Maybank) and on Level 2 (near Cotton On Kids).
  • Batu Caves is not very stroller-friendly. Use a carrier if you’re planning to carry your younger kids up the stairs.
  • Dress in light, breezy clothes. The weather is hot and humid here. Slip on comfy shoes too for all the walking.
  • Bring along the kids’ wetsuits to splash around the wading pool at KLCC Park.

Looking for more family-friendly activity ideas in KL? Check out my full guide on exploring KL with a toddler!

Kuala Lumpur With Toddler: Activity Guide by Local Mama (2024)

More Ideas For Your Kuala Lumpur Itinerary

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