Relax - 10 KL attractions for kids

Relax

Features

Article

1. Cosmos World

Sure, many other malls have theme parks too, but this is the mother of them all. Tucked in Berjaya Times Square, Cosmos World is divided into Galaxy Station and Fantasy Garden on level five and seven respectively. Galaxy Station offers six thrilling rides for adults and teenagers aged 13 and above while Fantasy Garden is filled with colourful imagery, with eight family-bonding rides.

The KL Monorail has a station just outside Berjaya Times Square.
Opening hours: 10am to 10pm daily.

>>Next: 2. Petrosains, The Discovery Centre

2. Petrosains, The Discovery Centre

This is an edutainment centre. The Dark Ride is the start of your discovery, taking you through nine different sections and ending with the Exit Ride. The world of petroleum technology, molecules, outer space, astronomy and dinosaurs are presented in an amazing manner. Xplorasi is the spot to buy souvenirs to remind your kids of their visit.

Petrosains, The Discovery Centre is on the fourth floor of Suria KLCC.
Closed on Mondays.
Opening hours: 9.30am to 5.30pm (Tuesday to Saturday), 9.30am to 6.30pm (Saturday, Sunday and public holidays).

>>Next: 3. Deer & Mousedeer Park

3. Deer & Mousedeer Park

To locals, the sight of a mousedeer is no big deal but believe me, foreign children who are used to seeing deer the size of a horse, are always amazed by our petite sang kancil. Sprawled over a two-hectare enclosure in a valley, the park is also home to fallow deer, axis deer and sambar deer. On Sundays, you can buy bread to feed them.

Deer & Mousedeer Park is at Jalan Lembah in the Lake Gardens.
Entrance is free.
Opening hours: 10am to 5pm daily.

>>Next: 4. National Science Centre

4. National Science Centre

The outdoor Science Education Park is just as equally interesting as the indoor exhibits. Developed to provide hands-on learning facilities for students in botanical science, zoology, agricultural science, it features flowering plants, fruit trees and timber trees. Animals such as ostrich, ornamental chicken (ayam serama), rabbit, deer, sheep and duck are reared in the park so that visitors can interact with them. An aquaculture pond is also available for the study of aquatic science.

National Science Centre is located at Persiaran Bukit Kiara, Bukit Kiara, KL.
Opening hours: 10am to 5pm (Saturday to Thursday).

>>Next: 5. Titiwangsai Lake Gardens

5. Titiwangsa Lake Gardens

Giddyup! Which child is not thrilled by a quick spin in a horse carriage? Best time to come here is during the weekends when there are pony rides and horse carriage rides. (Operating hours are: 9am to noon and 3pm to 6pm). The children will be mesmerised by the scenery and soothed by the rather bumpy rides! Other facilities include a covered gymnasium and three playgrounds. For older children, there is the Radio Control Car Racing Track. Paddleboats, kayaks and row-boats complete the picture. Still not enough activities? Let kids feed the fish in the lake.

Opening hours: 9am to 6:30pm daily.

>>Next: 6. Menara Kuala Lumpur

6. Menara Kuala Lumpur

Menara Kuala Lumpur has re-positioned itself as more than a spot for viewing the cityscape from the heavens. The tiny tots will love the sedate pony ride while pimply-faced teens will enjoy the breeze in their face as they glide down the flying fox or feel the thrills of being a racing driver in the F1 Simulator. In the Animal Zone, there are cuddly rabbits, colourful parrots, mischievous Capuchin monkeys and massive pythons.

Location: Jalan Punchak, Off Jalan Raja Chulan.
Opening hours: 9am to 10pm daily.

>>Next: 7. National Planetarium

7. National Planetarium

Perched atop a hillock, the National Planetarium is a blue-domed structure with Islamic-themed fountains and water features along its stepped walkway. You will find models of a solar system and space shuttle, a telescope, a periscope and transporter room. In the grounds are replicas of the famous Stonehenge of the Salisbury Plan in England. Documentaries on its wide-screened cinema are a joy to view.

Opening hours: 9.30am to 4pm daily except Mondays.

>>Next: Dinosaur Park

8. Dinosaur Park

Located in Perdana Lake Gardens, this is a dinosaur-themed playground. Check out tyrannosaur rex, protoceratops, stegosaurus and spinosaurus, to name but a few, all cute-looking like some cartoon characters. In this fun-land, there are swings, slides, balance beams, monkey bars, rolling bars and jungle gyms for climbing, swinging, sliding, crawling, balancing and other physical and mental stimuli.

Opening hours: 9am to 6pm daily.

>>Next: 9. KLCC Park

9. KLCC Park

Amid the squeals and laughter of children, you'll hear security guards blowing their whistles to stop adults wearing shoes from entering the paddling ponds! There isn't any "remove-your-shoes" sign and some are not even aware why they have been shooed away. Anyway, the kids are happy and without an inkling that the park was designed by famed Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. An elaborate and colourful playground with rubberised surfacing should wear out the more energetic.

Opening hours: 7am to 10pm daily.

>>Next: 10. Kuala Lumpur Children's Library

10. Kuala Lumpur Children's Library

Housed next to the Kuala Lumpur Library, this treasure trove of books is the perfect place for a bit of mental stimulation after the hustle and bustle of roller coasters. The interior has a colourful and exuberant ambiance. Board games, story-sessions, puppet shows and video presentations add to its appeal.

Opening hours: Monday (2pm to 6.45pm), Tuesday to Friday (10am to 6.45pm), Saturday and Sunday (10am to 5pm).

10 KL attractions for kids

By Ewe Paik Leong, New Straits Times | Fri, May 13 2011

Here's how to keep the kids happily occupied when in the city.