8 Fun Family-Friendly Things To Do With Kids In Penang

With a flight duration of only one hour and fifteen minutes from Singapore, Penang Island is a great option for a short vacation over a long weekend. A treasure trove of fun and excitement for families, the island offers activities that cater to all ages. Best of all, Penang is easy to explore by car or private hire as Grab is widely available and a breeze to book. Whether your kids are budding adventurers or curious explorers, here’s a list of kid-friendly activities for your family to have an unforgettable time.

1. Explore Entopia Butterfly Farm

Step into a magical world of fluttering butterflies at Entopia, home to over 15,000 butterflies and other insects. Established in 1986 was previously known as Penang Butterfly Farm, Entopia is the tropical world’s first butterfly and insect sanctuary where kids can observe the life cycle of butterflies, making it a fun and educational outing. The lush gardens and waterfalls create an enchanting environment for the entire family to take a breather outside of the busy routine of city life. Let the kids join a hands-on workshop, a guided tour by the Nature Activity Team to spot their favorite butterfly species in the garden or witness the very first flight of the newly-emerged butterflies.

Ticket prices: 
Children (4 to 12 years old) and Senior (60 years old and above): 55 RM
Adult (13 to 59 years old): 75 RM
Opening hours: Daily from 9am to 6pm. Last entry is at 5pm
More info: Nature Learning Activities - Entopia - Voices of Nature

2. Discover the Wonderfood Museum

This quirky museum in George Town features larger-than-life replicas of Malaysian dishes, teaching kids about local cuisine in a fun and interactive way. It’s a sensory adventure for kids to marvel at colourful, oversized food displays and participate in hands-on exhibits. Touted as the world’s first food Wonderland, the attraction is a good place for kids to guess the names of dishes and learn fun facts about Malaysian food culture besides only eating the good food of Penang.

Ticket prices: From 18 RM
Opening hours: Daily from 9am to 6pm. Last entry is at 5pm
More info: Wonderfood Museum Ticket in George Town - Klook Malaysia

3. Ride the Penang Hill Funicular Train

Started in 1923 and upgraded in 2010, the Penang Hill funicular goes up the steepest tunnel track in the world. Kids who are impatient to get to the top will be glad to know that the ride up can be as short as 5 minutes. At the top, be spoilt for choice by the activities available - explore nature trails, play in the gardens, or visit the Owl Museum which features fascinating exhibits about owls and other owl-themed art exhibits.

Also, don’t miss the colorful Love Lock walkway for a picture for the ‘gram. Do remember that Penang Hill can be a little chilly, so remember to bring a light sweater for the little ones who may get cold easily. To beat the queue, get your tickets online to shave off some time. If you are on a tight schedule, get the Fast Lane tickets that are pricier but may be worth the time-saving. Otherwise, ensure that you allocate a sufficient allowance of about 45 minutes to 1 hour to get to the top of Penang Hill. 

Ticket prices: Kids (RM 15 and up), Adults (RM 30 and up)
Opening hours: *Last trip from the Lower Station to the Upper Station (Penang Hill Station) is at 10pm.
*The last trip from the Upper Station (Penang Hill Station) to the lower station is at 11pm.
More info: Penang Hill

4. Visit the Penang 3D Trick Art Museum

A hub of creativity,  the Trick Art Museum museum lets both young ones and grown-ups interact with optical illusions and 3D murals for endless photo opportunities. Situated at George Town, it’s a creative place to let them ignite their imagination and become part of the artwork. Visit a picturesque kampong nestled amongst coconut trees or try your hand at ‘’rowing’’ the sampans off the coast of Penang. Alternatively, go on an adventure and let the kids rescue you out of the jaws of a giant python. 

Ticket prices:
Adults ( 13 years & above ): RM18 and up, Children ( 4 – 12 years ): RM12 and up, Senior Citizens  ( 60 years & above ): RM 12 and up
Opening hours: 9am to 6pm daily
More info: Penang 3D Trick Art Museum

5. Go Wild at Escape Penang

Escape Penang is an outdoor adventure park perfect for older kids and teens. It features zip lines, obstacle courses, and water play areas. The park is separated into three different zones: AdventurePlay, WaterPlay and GravityPlay. Try the world’s longest zip coaster suitable for kids aged four and up. For younger kids, there’s a dedicated children’s play zone with mini adventures. To maximise your visit, ensure that the kiddos are in comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes for climbing and exploring. What’s best about the adventure park? Kids under three years of age and ‘Super Kid’’age 61 and up can visit the park for free.  

Ticket prices: Kids (Age 0-3): Free / Junior Kid (Age 4-12) - From RM85.40 / Big Kid (Age 13-60) - From RM128.80 / Super Kid (Age 61-100+) - Free
Opening hours: 10am to 6pm daily
Website: Escape Penang

6. Discover George Town’s Street Art

Known as a UNESCO heritage site, George Town is known for its vibrant street art that is accessible by car or public transport. Many murals are interactive and small ones can easily pose and play to their heart’s delight. There might be queues in front of the more popular murals on the weekend so do factor in some time if you are visiting during the peak hours. Along the way, stop by local cafes for snacks or let them try traditional desserts like cendol to beat the hot sun. For the older kids, a fun activity for them would be to prepare a map of the murals beforehand and let them lead the way as “explorers”.

7. Visit the TeddyVille Museum

At the first and only museum for teddy bears in Malaysia, TeddyVille Museum is where kids can explore displays of teddy bears from different eras and cultures. In addition, they can meet the largest teddy bear in Malaysia!  Located in the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton in Batu Ferringhi, the museum includes fluffy bears dressed in traditional attire that tell the story of the history of Penang and Malaysia, making it an educational experience for both the young and the young at heart. Parents can also encourage the children to join the craft activities, like making their own mini teddy as a souvenir to remind them of their travels in Penang.

Ticket prices: From 26 RM
Opening hours: 9am to 6pm, last entry at 5pm
Website: Teddyville Museum - Teddyville Museum Sdn Bhd

8. Unwind at Batu Ferringhi Beach

The calm waters of Batu Ferringhi Beach are ideal for a family swim. There are plenty of activities, like sandcastle building for younger kids and parasailing for older ones. Check out the beachside vendors that offer snacks and refreshments to satisfy growling tummies. To maximise fun, bring the favourite beach toys, slap on sufficient sunscreen and get some Vitamin Sea for the whole family.