Are you on the hunt for new and exciting places to eat, play and stay at? We’ve just made your lives a little bit easier, #makchicmumsquad- here’s our run-down on some awesome family-friendly places that have recently sprung up in 2022, along with upcoming places of interest that are opening in 2023!
Content:
New Places in 2022:
Places to visit (Farms and Animals)
I IOI City Farm I Bug’s Paradise Farm, BMS Organics I Farm Fresh @ UPM I
Places to visit (Theme Parks)
I NextGen Theme Park I Sunway Lagoon Night Park- The Good, The Bad, And The Wild I Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park I Riverine Splash @ Amverton Cove I
Places to visit (Other Attractions)
I TOY EIGHT I Little Palette I Cat Cafe at COO&RIKU I Eslite Spectrum I
Updated Attractions
I Paya Indah Wetlands I ESCAPE Penang I Breakout I
Places to Eat
I Luckbros Kopi, Kota Damansara I Sugar Milked I Bamboo Hills I
Places to Stay
I DoubleTree by Hilton, Damai Laut Resort, Lumut I STEG, Kuala Lumpur I M Resort & Hotel, Kuala Lumpur I ELSE Retreat, Kuala Lumpur I Talula Hill, Johor I PARKROYAL COLLECTION, Kuala Lumpur I Sunway Resort Hotel I
Upcoming Places in 2023:
Attractions
I Skyline Luge Activity Park, Gamuda Gardens I SplashMania Waterpark, Gamuda Cove I
Malls and Other Developments
I Merdeka 118 Tower I Pavillion Damansara Heights I
Places to Stay
I Hyatt Place, Kuala Lumpur I 1975 Avenue & Hotel, Johor I
Updated Attractions
I LEGOLAND I
New Places in 2022
Places to visit (Farms and Animals)
1. IOI City Farm
We love our local farm visits, but as for the heat that comes with it? Not so much! Enter the indoor IOI City Farm; an edutainment space spanning 18,000 square feet across two floors in a comfortable air conditioned setting. There’s everything to keep the kids occupied and learning, with over 70 species of plants, small animals, and aquatic creatures. Kids will get to experience what it’s like looking through a periscope submarine, enjoy walking through a lighted glow in the dark Glowcave and of course, have fun petting and interacting with guinea pigs, rabbits, and even koi fishes.
Price: Weekdays (Adult RM37, Child RM48, Family Package RM157), Weekends (Adult RM48, Child RM58, Family Package RM199), Every day (Senior Citizen and OKU RM32)
(*Family package includes 2 adults and 2 children)
Contact: 03- 8328 8888
Address: AT-6, Level 2, IOI City Mall, Lebuh IRC, IOI Resort City, 62502, Putrajaya
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2. Bug’s Paradise Farm, BMS Organics
An organic farm within Klang Valley that offers fresh farm-to-table food and tummy warming steamboat lunches and dinners for the whole family to enjoy together. The lunches are available for walk in visitors, while steamboat dinners will have to be pre booked. Bug’s Paradise also hosts morning farm tours (chargeable) on weekends and public holidays, where the kids will get a chance to get up close and personal with small animals, experience planting vegetables, and learn all about organic farming and its effect on the environment.
Hours: Wednesday to Friday (12:00pm to 10:00pm) Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday (9.30am to 10.00pm); Closed on Monday and Tuesday; Restaurant opens at 12 noon and closes from 3:00pm to 5:30pm
Contact: 016- 210 1033
Address: Kampung Pulau Meranti (Key in “Bug’s Paradise Farm” on Waze)
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3. Farm Fresh @ UPM
The Farm Fresh experience has been pretty popular this year, and we can see why! It’s a place where little ones get to be farmers for the day, as they ride on an actual tractor, go on a barrel ride and look out for animals roaming within their spaces. All-day dining will also be available at The Acre, a cosy restaurant located on the farm, with fresh food and drinks available for hungry and thirsty kids. .
Hours: Every day (8:30am to 5:30pm); Closed on Tuesday
Contact: 016-206 7133
Address: Farm Fresh @ UPM (Industry Centre of Excellence, ICoE), Jalan Maklumat, 43400 Serdang, Selangor
Places to Visit (Theme Parks)
1. NextGen Theme Park
Officially recognised by the Malaysian Book of Records as Malaysia’s largest edutainment hub, NextGen features five exciting zones spanning over 45,000 square feet. From an infant play area, to obstacle courses and a karaoke room, the integrated space is truly a cross-generational hub with activities to entertain every member of the family from different age groups.
Price: Weekday Promo (Adult RM38, Child RM28); Weekends, School and Public Holiday (Adult RM45, Child RM55); 50% off tickets on a weekday after 7.45pm
Age: 3 years old onwards
Hours: Every day (10:00am to 10:00pm)
Contact: 016- 936 3068
Address: S603 – S610, 2nd Floor, 1 Utama E,1 Utama Shopping Centre, City Centre, 1, Lebuh Bandar Utama, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
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2. Sunway Lagoon Night Park- The Good, The Bad, And The Wild
There’s still lots of fun going on in this park after dark! Sunway Lagoon has a new night park, featuring wonderful Wow Wild West attractions, the modern cowboy’s culture and iconic night entertainment, such as a fire performances. Expect countless thrills here after the sun sets!
Price: RM55 (Adult); RM60 (Child)
Contact: 03-5639 0000
Hours: Every day (6:00pm to 11:00pm), Closed on Tuesday (except during School Holidays and Public Holidays)
Address: 3 Jalan PJS 11/11, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya
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3. Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park
Most of us grew up with fond memories of Genting Highlands, with its famous rollercoaster rides and cool weather. After some delay, the much-awaited outdoor SkyWorlds Theme Park was finally completed in 2022. It’s time to bring your kids for an adrenaline-packed day out experiencing new rides, attractions and shows at this newly launched amusement park. From gripping rides to adventures in the dark and an Ice Age- themed playground, there’s something for everyone in the family – parents included!
Price: From RM128 per entry
Hours: Every day (11:00am to 6:00pm)
Contact: 03- 6101 1118
Address: Resorts World Genting, Genting Highlands 69000 Kuala Pahang, Terengganu
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4. Riverine Splash @ Amverton Cove
A newly launched river theme park has upped the fun factor at Amverton Cove Golf & Island Resort! The unique tribal-themed splash park is home to over 12 rides, slides and attractions, of varying adrenaline-pumping levels. Ride in the Boa and Anaconda Tube slides for excitement, or take a relaxing cruise down the lazy Rimba River to enjoy the sights and sounds of the lush landscape and nature. The recommended time to allocate in the river park is a minimum of 5 hours, so expect hours of fun on end here!
Price: From RM28 (Price depends on age, citizenship and other factors)
Hours: Every day (10:00am to 6:00pm, waterpark closes at 5:30pm); Closed on Tuesday (Except during School Holiday and Public Holiday)
Contact: 03‐3123 3888
Address: PT673, Jalan Pulau Carey, Mukim Jugra, 42960 Pulau Carey, Selangor
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Places to visit (Other Attractions)
1. TOY EIGHT
Developed by ex-MIT researchers, creative directors and educators, Toy Eight is an edutainment playground made for children to unleash their talents. Based on the theory of multiple intelligences, the playground has a range of smart activities and original hands-on toys inspired by various Japanese products, techniques and cultures. Developmental screening, support and school consultancy is also available at the AI-backed edutech startup.
Price: Weekday (Adult RM15, Child RM38); Weekend and Public Holiday (Adult RM18, Child RM48)
Hours: 10:00am to 9:30pm
Contact: 019-736 4588
Address: T-216C, 3rd Floor, The Gardens Mall, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, 59200, Kuala Lumpur. 59200 Kuala Lumpur
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2. Little Palette
The first ever Korean drawing playground with sessions available for children all the way up to 10 year olds. The cafe cum drawing space offers neon painting, foam bubble art and lots of unique activities where kids will be able to paint on walls and glass windows in a large enclosed area. Themes change by season and include Let’s Make Ice Cream, Snow Slime and Pop Pop! Throw Paint. Expect your kids to get wet (it’s even suggested that kids join the sessions with their swimmers!), messy, and creative. There’s also a dry play area outside of the enclosed art space, and of course, a cafe corner for the parents to unwind as the kids freely express themselves.
Price: Prices depend on day and activity type
Age: 36 months to 10 years old
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday (11.00am to 6:30pm); Saturday and Sunday (10:30am to 6:40pm); Closed on Monday, Activities held by session
Contact: 010- 210 8784
Address: B-1-9 Plaza Arkadia, 3, Jalan Intisari, Desa Parkcity, 52200
3. Cat Cafe at COO&RIKU
Any pet or cat lovers out there? Check out the cat cafe nestled within COO&RIKU pet shop in Bukit Bintang. The thoughtfully designed wooden space is well-maintained, with a number of pampered cats ready to purr up to visitors. Treat them to Cat’s Chummy (chargeable at RM9), or grab some cat toys on the way in and spend a purr-fect day playing together with the adorable felines.
Price: RM30 (First 30 minutes); RM6 (Every additional 10 minutes), RM70 (Day pass)
Hours: Every day (10:00am to 10:00pm)
Contact: 03-2704 1187
Address: COO&RIKU, L4-05,L4-06, Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport, Bukit Bintang City Centre, No.2, Jalan Hang Tuah
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4. Eslite Spectrum
The long-awaited Eslite store from Taiwan is finally here, with it’s first Southeast Asia store taking up the entire first floor of The Starhill in Bukit Bintang. Recognized by CNN as one of “the 14 Coolest Department Stores in the World,” Eslite offers a repertoir of “Books, and everything in between.” It’s a book haven, shopping galore, and creative and cultural hub where you can spend the entire day immersed in books, arts, shopping and more!
Hours: Every day (10:00am to 10:00pm)
Address: G36 & L1 01-34, The Starhill, 181, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Updated Attractions
1. Paya Indah Wetlands
The Paya Indah Wetlands began as a nature sanctuary and is now teeming with an ecosystem full of biodiversity, thanks to conservation efforts over the years. These 1,111 acres of wetlands is now a recreational park, with attractions and activities such as bird watching, fishing, animal feeding, boat cruises, hot air ballooning and more. You can also arrange and pre-book a special Jungle School Programme, where rangers will bring your kids along thrilling adventure trails to learn all about hippos, crocodiles and the wildlife within the wetlands.
Price: Price depends on activity chosen
Hours: Every day (9:00am to 5:00pm); Closed on Tuesday (Except during School Holiday and Public Holiday)
Contact: 012- 932 1811
Address: Discovery Wetlands Centre Discovery Park, Persiaran Cove Central, Bandar Gamuda Cove, 42700 Dengkil, Selangor
I Website I
2. ESCAPE Penang
You won’t have to travel all the way to a country with snow to ski or to Jordan to experience the Dead Sea! Malaysia now has its very own Ski Slope and Dead Sea Pool just a short flight, or drive away in Penang. The Ski Slope at ESCAPE consists of a 302 metre long Ski Slope, created from a special material for skiers and snowboarders to glide down – no snow needed! The other new attraction, the Dead Sea Pool, will allow visitors to float naturally in the pool as it mimics the famous Salt Lake in Jordon.
Address: 828 Jalan Teluk Bahang, 11050 Penang
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3. Breakout (Spy Game)
It’s your chance to live out your spy dreams, and go undercover in this escape game! With real-life guards patrolling to disrupt your mission, crack your head to find creative ways to accomplish your goal of unraveling the truth behind a shadowy organisation. Hide or run past? Disguise or go right in? The game activities will include physical, sensory and cognitive activities so you will need to sneak, hide and outsmart others for a one-of-a-kind exciting experience.
Recommended Age: 15 years old and above (Children 14 years old and below can participate, but with adult supervision)
Price: Charges based on number of players in a group
Address: The Curve, Avenue K, Nu Sentral, and The Shore Shopping Gallery, Melaka
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Places to Eat
1. Luckbros Kopi, Kota Damansara
If you’re looking for something to keep your children engaged so you can enjoy a nice long conversation over coffee and food, head over to Luckbros Cafe in Kota Damansara. It’s a newly launched concept cafe with a garden, safari and mini zoo enclosure situated next to it, where the kids will be able to feed animals and play with its resident pony.
Hours: Every day (10:00am to 10:00pm)
Contact: 012- 610 8856
Address: 2A-H, Pus Teknologi Sunsuria Jalan Teknologi Taman Sains Selangor, PJU 5, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya
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2. Sugar Milked
This dessert haven is dripping with sweetness and bursts of candylicious happiness. From colourful doughnut loaded plates to mermaid smoothie bowls and fluffy cone clouds; everyone will be in for a treat! The cafe also has a mini play corner with a ball pit, rocking horses and toys for the little ones.
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday (12:00pm to 10:00pm); Closed on Monday
Contact: 012- 495 8910
Address: 31-G, Jalan Maju Ria 2 Plaza Wangsa Maju, Seksyen 10 Wangsa Maju, 53300 Kuala Lumpur
3. Bamboo Hills
Foodies who love to dine in nature and style, here’s an all new destination in the city that’s surrounded by lush greenery. With over 12 exclusive restaurant concepts in unique dining pavilions and a 34,000 square feet urban farm (that’s right, you’ll be able to dine where the food is produced), the whole family is up for a relaxing and wholesome dining experience.
Contact: 1300 88 6668
Address: Bamboo Hills, Off Lebuhraya DUKE, Taman Bamboo, 51200 Kuala Lumpur
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Places to Stay
1. DoubleTree by Hilton, Damai Laut Resort, Lumut
Both kids and parents are going to love this; a mini water park in a private luxurious hotel nestled within lush tropics. This beachfront resort overlooks the Straits of Malacca, with all rooms views of either the beautiful beach or serene forest. The kids are going to have a splashtastic time at the water slides at the hotel, while parents who enjoy golf will get to relax at a scenic, 18-hole championship golf course located just five minutes away.
Contact: 05-684 3333
Address: Jalan Damai Laut, Manjung, Lumut, 32200, Malaysia
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2. STEG, Kuala Lumpur
A design-led boutique hotel that offers a blend of contemporary designs and historical heritage with vintage and modern charm. Rooms are designed in bold black and contrasting pastel colours, each with an illustrated aerial map of Kuala Lumpur on the wall. Do check out Lorong Puisi and its murals behind the hotel; an artistic display resulting from a partnership between the local council and local students.
Open date: June 2022
Contact: 03- 2603 6599
Address: 51 Jalan Tiong Nam, off Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur WP 50350
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3. M Resort & Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
Hooray for a new boutique hotel for a city staycation, complete with a kids club! On top of interactive activities, children will also be able to enjoy a hive shaped water slide attached to a free form swimming pool. Free private parking is available so you can just have your car parked without having to worry about exorbitant parking fees through your stay.
Open date: August 2022
Contact: 03-7932 6582
Address: No.1, Jalan KGPA, Bukit Kiara, 60000, Kuala Lumpur
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4. ELSE Retreat, Kuala Lumpur
A perfect place to disconnect and connect. Retreat into Else, a boutique hotel housed within the iconic conserved Lee Rubber Building in downtown Kuala Lumpur. Enjoy a humanistic approach to hospitality for a curated experience, so you can ease into your surroundings in comfort. Tantalise your taste buds with world-class dining options, such as the Yellow Fin Horse and Raw Kitchen Hall, and recharge at a boutique gym and an infinity pool.
Open date: September 2022
Contact: 03-2300 3700
Address: 145, Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
5. Talula Hill, Johor
Book a stay in a cosy, small farm that supports and embraces simple holistic life. This fruit, animal and vegetable farm is surrounded by the beauty of mountains, and is a place where one can go to embrace the environment and learn about the principles of natural farming. Enjoy fresh farm-to-table produce at the Farm Cafe, go on a hike, feed some animals, or just find some quiet time with your family at the pontoon found onsite.
Contact: 019- 375 5818
Address: Talula Hill Farm, 86000, Kluang, Johor
6. PARKROYAL COLLECTION, Kuala Lumpur
Love travelling with the family, but hoping to reduce your carbon footprint? As a welcome haven for the eco-conscious, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur is committed to caring for the environment, offering biodegradable packaging, filtered drinking water and a variety of air-purifying plants as natural humidifiers. It’s the perfect hideaway in the city for families with their earthy tones, biophilic landscaping and practical eco-chic design. It’s super family-friendly too, with signature custom-designed themed suites, play areas, bunk beds and kid-centric amenities for the little explorers.
Contact: 03-2782 8388
Address: Jalan Sultan Ismail, Bukit Bintang, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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6. Sunway Resort Hotel (Updated)
Keeping well up to date, this hotel icon has completed their much anticipated early phases of a once-in-a-generation transformation, with brand new rooms and experiential accommodations. Current reimagined spaces include a fun kids pool, an overhaul of the entire resort and a luxurious enhancement at the Grand Lobby with hand-placed 24k gold leaf ceilings.
Contact: 03- 7492 8000
Address: Sunway Resort, Persiaran Lagoon, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
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Upcoming Places to Visit in 2023
Attractions:
1. Skyline Luge Activity Park, Gamuda Gardens
Fancy sledding down a track for a gravity-fuelled ride down our local terrain? Hold your breath and keep an eye out for an impressive 30,000 square meter Luge Activity Park, targeted to come your way by the end of 2023. The park will feature the world’s first multi-cornered zipline over a purpose built track with themed landscaping, as well as the country’s first-ever ski lift ride. And as if that is not enough, there will also be a Play Park coming up at Gamuda Gardens City Centre too, encompassing a mix of wet and dry recreational rides for the thrill seekers and theme park lovers.
Target Completion: End 2023
2. SplashMania Waterpark, Gamuda Cove
Look out for SplashMania, a place where Nature Meets Fun with first-of-its-kind waterslides! The 24 water slides and 15 theme park-concept attractions have been designed by Polin Waterparks and ProSlide Technology, known for their technology and safety records. Fun and nature is carefully interwoven here, with three quarters of the park being dedicated to green areas. Do check out Shaka Waka, a multimedia and audio waterslide with various LED light effects that can be customised by each rider prior to entering the attraction!
Target Completion: January 2023
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Malls and Other Developments
1. Merdeka 118 Tower
Catch Kuala Lumpur’s skyline with a super view at upcoming Merdeka 118 Tower, touted to be the world’s second tallest building to open at 678.9 metre tall. The tower encompasses a mix of residential, hotel and commercial spaces, with South East Asia’s highest observation deck located at the mezzanine floor, and the top 17 floors housing the first and only Park Hyatt Hotel in Malaysia.
Target Completion: May 2023
2. Pavillion Damansara Heights (Mall)
Pavillion Damansara Heights is an integrated development that will include 10 corporate skyscrapers, five luxury residential towers, and a proposed five-star hotel. The third Pavilion-branded upscale shopping mall is slated to open in May, with around 380 retail outlets.
Target Completion: May 2023
Places to stay:
1. Hyatt Place, Kuala Lumpur
The first Hyatt Place hotel, located in Bukit Jalil Malaysia is targeted for completion by the middle of 2023. It will be conveniently connected to Pavilion Bukit Jalil Mall, and will be a few minutes away from the upcoming International Wellness City, The Asian Football Federation and the national sports hub for Malaysia.
Launch Date: Middle of 2023
Address: Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur
2. 1975 Avenue & Hotel, Johor
Flying into Johor with little ones? Your aviation journey (the fun bit, of course) can continue if you plan on staying at this one-of-a-kind hotel, landing soon in the last quarter of 2023. 1975 Avenue & Hotel will be Johor’s first ever aviation-themed lifestyle hub, where the hotel’s interior and all-suite cockpits and cabins will take you back a few decades for a whimsical experience. The hotel will also feature a man-made beach playground, with two Boeing 747s overlooking the surrounding resort-style garden, redesigned specially for the guests of this vintage hotel.
Launch Date: Fourth quarter of 2023
Address: Jalan Kempas Lama, Johor Bahru, Johor
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Updated Attractions
1. LEGOLAND, Johor
Visit Legoland in 2023 for a much, much cooler experience! LEGOLAND will be having major enhancements in conjunction with their 10-year anniversary, with new shades and cooling fans installed so families can browse through their iconic landmarks in greater comfort. Expect new festive events and activities, including 4D movies at the Lego Studio, as well as the launch of a first-ever water park festival with special shows. The enhancements will also include upgraded Legoland Hotel rooms, with exciting new themes coming our way.
Address: No 7, Jalan LEGOLAND, Bandar Medini Iskandar Malaysia 79100 Johor Bahru, Johor
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Have a great time checking out the latest attractions above, #makchicmumsquad, and keep your eyes peeled for more in 2023!
