Planning a Penang holiday with kids? This guide covers 32 of the best things to do in Penang with kids, from exploring George Town’s UNESCO-listed heritage streets and hunting for street art to riding the funicular up Penang Hill, meeting butterflies at Entopia, relaxing on Batu Ferringhi and discovering temples, beaches, markets and family-friendly attractions across the island.
But this isn’t a Penang family guide I pulled together after spending three days ticking attractions off a tourist checklist.
I lived here.
For two months in 2012 and another two months in 2014, Penang was home for me, Mia and Caius. They were tiny back then, and instead of simply visiting the island, we actually got to live it.
We had an apartment, figured out local transport, found our favourite food spots, made friends with travelling families and explored Penang with toddlers in tow.
There were beaches, monkeys, temples, shopping malls, tropical gardens, foam parties, birthday parties, markets, street art and more nasi goreng than I could possibly count.
There were also moments when I wondered why on earth I’d brought two small children to a tropical garden when one was refusing to walk and the other was terrified of a slide.
But that’s travel with kids.
Updated September 2026
This guide brings together those original Penang adventures with updated information for families visiting Penang today.
I’ve kept the old stories because that’s what makes this different from another generic list of things to do in Penang.
I was actually there.
We lived there.
We shopped there.
We ate there.
We made friends there.
And Mia and Caius experienced Penang at an age when a trip to the supermarket could be just as exciting as visiting a famous temple.
A lot has changed since 2012. Some of my old favourites are still going strong, some have evolved or changed names, some attractions have closed, and there are plenty of newer places I didn’t have the chance to experience back then.
So this list is split into two parts.
The first 23 are places and experiences I actually did with my family.
The final 9 are things I haven’t experienced yet, but absolutely want to do when I return.
That’s how we get to 32.
Where I’ve included prices or details from our original adventures, I’ll make it clear that they’re from 2012 rather than pretending you can still explore Penang at fourteen-year-old prices.
Because sadly, nobody is handing me a RM20 foam party ticket in 2026.
So whether you’re planning two days in Penang with kids, a longer Penang family holiday, or simply wondering what there is to do beyond George Town, let’s explore this ridiculously delicious Malaysian island.
Quick Answer: What Are the Best Things to Do in Penang With Kids?
If you’re short on time, start with George Town, Penang Hill, The Habitat, Entopia, Batu Ferringhi and Penang National Park.
For younger children and toddlers, Adventure Zone, Penang Youth Park, the beaches, Entopia and the Botanic Gardens are particularly easy options.
Older kids and teenagers have plenty to keep them busy too, including ESCAPE Penang, The TOP, Penang Hill, the street art, museums and the island’s many food experiences.
And if you have more than a couple of days, don’t try to cram everything in.
One of the best things about Penang with kids is that you can mix sightseeing with swimming, food, beaches and completely unplanned family time.
23 Things to Do in Penang With Kids I Actually Experienced
1. Explore George Town’s UNESCO World Heritage Site
If you’re visiting Penang for the first time, start in George Town.
The historic centre was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 and is packed with colonial buildings, traditional shophouses, Chinese clan houses, temples, mosques, churches, and historic streets.
This is where Penang really starts to make sense.
You can walk from one cultural experience to another without needing a major itinerary. Then you’ll turn a corner and find someone making a plate of noodles that smells so good you’ll immediately forget whatever attraction you were supposed to be looking for.
The George Town World Heritage area includes historic places of worship, clan houses, clan jetties, trade guilds, monuments, and other significant heritage buildings.
It’s one of the best places to experience the multicultural history of Penang, and it’s surprisingly easy to explore with children because so much is outdoors.
2. Go Street Art Hunting With the Kids
Penang’s street art has become one of its most recognisable attractions.
You don’t need a ticket. You don’t need a tour. You just need comfortable shoes and a willingness to wander.
Armenian Street and the surrounding heritage streets are particularly good places to start.
When travelling with children, I turned it into a treasure hunt.
Instead of saying, “We’re going for a walk,” tell them you’re hunting for murals.
Suddenly everyone is interested.
And this is one of those Penang activities for kids where the photographs become part of the fun.
You don’t just look at the artwork.
You become part of it.
3. Visit the Clan Jetties
The Clan Jetties are another essential George Town experience.
These historic waterfront communities are built out over the water and are associated with different Chinese clans.
Chew Jetty is the best known and is likely to appear on almost every Penang itinerary, but remember that these are living communities.
Walk respectfully.
People actually live here.
The jetties are a wonderful way for older kids and adults to see another side of George Town’s history and understand how different communities helped shape Penang.
4. Visit Khoo Kongsi
If you want to understand Penang’s Chinese heritage, add Khoo Kongsi to your family sightseeing list.
This elaborate clan house is one of the city’s most impressive heritage buildings, with ornate architecture and a museum area explaining the history of the Khoo clan.
It is the sort of place where you walk inside and immediately understand why George Town earned its UNESCO status.
5. Step Inside the Blue Mansion
The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, better known as the Blue Mansion, is one of Penang’s most recognisable heritage buildings.
And yes, it really is that blue.
The restored mansion now operates as a boutique hotel and also offers tours, so you don’t have to stay overnight to experience it.
I love attractions like this because you’re not just looking at a pretty building.
You’re stepping into the history of George Town.
6. Visit the Pinang Peranakan Mansion
The Pinang Peranakan Mansion is another George Town attraction worth adding to your Penang family itinerary.
It offers a glimpse into Peranakan culture through its architecture, antiques, furniture and elaborate interiors.
It’s colourful, extravagant and very photogenic, but it also gives you some context for the Peranakan culture you’ll encounter throughout Penang.
7. Ride the Funicular Up Penang Hill
Penang Hill was one of our family adventures, although my memories are slightly more chaotic than the polished tourist brochure version.
We rode the funicular up the hill, explored the area, grabbed something to eat, and enjoyed the views.
There were playgrounds, monkeys, food, and plenty to keep us occupied.
The funicular is still running today, although maintenance closures can occur.
The views across George Town and the surrounding area are worth the trip alone.
But don’t just ride up, take one photograph and ride straight back down.
There’s much more to explore now.
8. Explore Kek Lok Si Temple
Kek Lok Si is one of Penang’s most famous temples and one of the largest Buddhist temple complexes in Malaysia.
The complex spreads up the hillside and includes pagodas, statues, gardens and multiple levels to explore.
It is particularly impressive around Chinese New Year when the temple is illuminated.
Even if you’re not particularly interested in religious sites, the architecture and scale make this one of the best places to visit in Penang with older kids.
9. Spend Time at Penang Botanic Gardens
Penang Botanic Gardens is an easy way to escape the city and spend some time surrounded by greenery.
It’s free to enter and is a lovely place for a walk, picnic or slower morning.
This is another attraction where you don’t need to arrive with a military-style itinerary.
Just wander.
And if you’re travelling with kids, that’s sometimes exactly what you need.
10. Let the Kids Loose at Penang Youth Park
Penang Youth Park is much more about letting kids run around than ticking off a famous landmark.
There are playgrounds, recreation areas and swimming facilities.
When you are travelling with children, places like this are surprisingly important.
Because sometimes they don’t need another museum.
They need somewhere to burn energy.
11. Visit Entopia
When we visited, this was known as the Penang Butterfly Farm.
Today it is Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm, and it has evolved into a much larger nature learning experience.
I don’t really “do” butterfly parks.
But this one was different.
There were butterflies everywhere, insects, plants, and interactive displays.
The modern Entopia has an outdoor living garden and indoor discovery centre, so it has grown considerably beyond the butterfly farm I remember.
Our Butterfly Farm Story
I don’t usually get excited about butterfly parks.
But with two small children in tow, we decided to give it a go.
There were butterflies everywhere, and the kids loved seeing them flying around rather than simply looking at them behind glass.
We had a guide, learned about the insects and even had the chance to release butterflies.
It was one of those unexpectedly lovely family experiences.
And then there was the gift shop.
Because apparently no family outing is complete without someone asking for something you absolutely did not intend to buy.
12. Explore Tropical Spice Garden
Tropical Spice Garden was another family adventure that I remember for both the beauty and the toddler meltdown.
The gardens are gorgeous, with tropical plants, bridges, water features and plenty of greenery.
There are also guided walks, cooking experiences and a cafe.
The Toddler Meltdown
Caius was two.
And Caius had opinions.
He decided he didn’t want to walk.
Then he decided he really, really didn’t want to walk.
Then there was a toilet incident.
Then there was crying.
Then there was me carrying a sweaty toddler through a tropical garden while trying to convince myself that this was fun.
The gardens themselves were beautiful.
There were bridges, fish, turtles and spices, plus a giant version of Snakes and Ladders.
Mia was terrified of the dark slides.
Caius briefly investigated before deciding that life was too hard.
My stroller saved the day.
Parenting win.
13. Spend a Few Hours at Adventure Zone
The Golden Sands Resort (now Shangri-La Golden Sands, Penang) in Batu Ferringhi has Adventure Zone, an indoor playground attached to the kids club, with everything from toddler-friendly climbing frames and ball pits to terrifying slides for the bigger kids.
Our first visit was with our new friend Mary, where we met some lovely travellers from Argentina.
Before long, the men were tackling the red death slide, a completely vertical drop that requires socks and long sleeves to avoid friction burns.
Even then, I saw a few very holey socks!
We ladies were a little more sensible, screaming our way down the yellow wave slide instead.
Mia’s favourite was the blue slide, with a small drop, one wave and a finish straight into the ball pit.
I lost count of how many times she went down it.
We visited many times with our travelling friends, but our favourite tradition was Sundays.
Back then, Golden Sands had an incredibly affordable Sunday lunch buffet, followed by free entry to Adventure Zone.
Lunch, cake and indoor playground chaos became a regular family ritual.
Unfortunately, that particular buffet and free-entry deal is no longer offered, but Adventure Zone itself is still going strong.
And honestly, I wouldn’t have been surprised if my kids were still not bored of it!
14. Go to a Foam Party at Hard Rock Hotel
This is one of my favourite old Penang stories.
Hard Rock Hotel Penang still runs foam parties on selected dates.
Back then, there were children’s and adult sessions, and I decided to investigate the adult one.
I was tackled under the foam.
I inhaled foam.
I swallowed foam.
I gagged.
I got hosed off.
And then, somehow, I went back for more.
Because apparently I had learned nothing.
We also ended up racing down slides and eventually eating KFC in Batu Ferringhi.
It’s not a foam party till someone pukes.
The important part is that Hard Rock still runs Ultimate Foam Party events, although dates and details change, so check the hotel’s current calendar before you go.
15. Head to Monkey Beach
Monkey Beach, also known as Teluk Duyung, is inside Penang National Park.
This was one of our biggest family adventures.
We joined a huge group of travelling families and took boats across to Monkey Beach.
Along the way, we stopped around Muka Head and saw parts of the national park that made the whole day feel like a proper adventure.
The children played in the freshwater stream, built sandcastles, searched for crabs and shells and generally got filthy.
Exactly what you want from a tropical island day.
And then there were the monkeys.
We had been warned.
We were still not prepared.
While the adults were swimming, monkeys decided our bags looked interesting and proceeded to investigate.
That is not a joke I would want to repeat with a phone and passport.
Keep your belongings secure and don’t feed the monkeys.
16. Explore Penang National Park
Don’t treat Monkey Beach as the entire national park.
Penang National Park is worth exploring for its rainforest, coastal trails, beaches and wildlife.
Pantai Kerachut, the meromictic lake, and turtle conservation areas are other experiences to consider.
The park can be hot and physically demanding, so take plenty of water and don’t underestimate the tropical climate.
For families with toddlers, consider your child’s walking ability carefully before committing to longer trails.
A Taste of Real Penang With a Local Guide
One of the best days we had in Penang was spent with Beatrice from ToursByLocals, a Penang local who had lived on the island her entire life. She was friendly, incredibly talkative, full of local knowledge and absolutely fabulous with the kids.
We started at a local wet market, where she introduced us to Malaysian sweets, fresh fish, fruit and vegetables. Mia took one look at the dried fish and announced, “That’s disgusting.”
From there we headed to Penang National Park. I’d already visited the park with other travelling families, but seeing it with Beatrice was completely different. She could answer our questions, explain what we were looking at, and share stories you simply wouldn’t hear exploring on your own.
It was unschooling at its best.
We took a boat through the park, spotted white-bellied sea eagles and monkeys along the shoreline, visited the meromictic lake and stopped at the turtle hatchery. The kids saw some very still turtles and immediately decided they were dead.
“They’re just resting,” we were told.
I desperately hoped that was true!
One of the most memorable parts of the day was hearing Beatrice tell us about being in Penang during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. She and her husband had been hiking in the jungle when it happened and had no idea what was going on, while her parents back in town desperately tried to find them. Hearing the story while standing in the place where it happened made that history suddenly feel very real.
There were plenty of lighter moments too. Caius discovered two varieties of bananas he liked and proceeded to eat about five of them, and Mia somehow convinced our boat captain to let her sit on his lap and “drive” the boat all the way back.
Only in Asia!
By the time we were starving, Beatrice took us to a tiny roadside nasi kandar restaurant. It wasn’t fancy, and it didn’t need to be. We ate where locals ate, learned about the area from someone who had grown up there, and saw a side of Penang that would have been very easy to miss on our own.
That’s what I loved most about spending a day with a local guide. You don’t just visit the attractions. You hear the stories, find the little places you would never discover yourself, and start to understand what makes somewhere special to the people who actually live there.
17. Watch the Sunset
One of the simplest things to do in Penang is also one of the nicest.
Find a beach.
Sit down.
Watch the sun disappear.
We spent plenty of time around the beaches of Batu Ferringhi, and some of my favourite memories weren’t organised attractions at all.
They were evenings with the kids playing in the sand while the adults actually got to sit down for five minutes.
That counts as a luxury when you’re travelling with toddlers.
18. Explore Batu Ferringhi
Batu Ferringhi is the beachy side of Penang.
You’ll find resorts, restaurants, water activities, beach walks and the famous night market.
It is a completely different atmosphere from George Town.
If you’re planning a longer Penang family holiday, staying a few nights around Batu Ferringhi can give you that resort holiday feeling without completely giving up access to everything else on the island.
19. Visit the Batu Ferringhi Night Market
After the sun goes down, Batu Ferringhi becomes a different kind of destination.
The night market stretches along the main tourist strip, with clothing, souvenirs, accessories, artwork and plenty of things you absolutely did not know you needed.
Go with cash and be prepared to bargain.
For families, it is also an easy evening activity because you can combine it with dinner and a beach sunset.
20. Visit Penang 3D Trick Art Museum
This is another easy family win in George Town.
The museum combines 3D artwork with optical illusions and interactive scenes.
Kids can pose inside the artwork rather than simply looking at it.
It is the sort of attraction where the photographs are half the fun.
21. Visit Teluk Bahang Forest Eco Park & Penang Forestry Museum
During a drive with my beautiful friend Mary one day, we spotted a playground set into some lush forest.
We decided to head back with the kids in tow.
What we discovered was a little forest escape that felt like a local secret.
Back then, we knew it as the Penang Forest Museum, and it felt like we’d stumbled across something most tourists would never find.
With free entry and free parking at the time, we walked past flowing rivers and headed towards the playground.
Swings, seesaws and slides had the kids running from one part to the other.
While we pushed, pulled, caught and laughed, we noticed the lush forest just kept going.
We managed to convince the children to go for a walk and, a little further into the woodland, found several pools fed by a natural water source.
One of the pools even had a concrete slide.
Mia and her friend Theo soon stripped off and were playing in the pool.
Caius wanted to join, but it was a little deep for him, so he enjoyed splashing along the edge.
As we watched, admiring the scenery, we were repeatedly bitten by mosquitoes.
It was the continuous drawing of blood that finally had us hurrying the kids out of the water and making our escape.
What a wonderful find.
If only we’d brought the mosquito repellent stickers. Yes, these are a thing!
Today, the area is generally known as Teluk Bahang Forest Eco Park, or Taman Rimba Teluk Bahang, with the Penang Forestry Museum located within the park.
22. BBQ Nights: Sunsets on the Beach
There was a little restaurant on the beach called BBQ Nights, tucked between the Pirate Ship steakhouse and Long Beach in Batu Ferringhi.
The food wasn’t the best in Penang by far, but the location was hard to beat.
It was the perfect family dinner spot.
The kids could build sandcastles, watch the paragliders, cuddle puppies or watch the horses being ridden along the beach while the adults actually got to enjoy dinner in peace.
On our first night, we came across a gorgeous black cross-Lab puppy.
We followed him home and discovered he was one of 29 puppies!
The owner encouraged us to take one home, and although we didn’t, these beautiful puppies became our surrogate pets as we visited BBQ Nights every week to cuddle them and watch them grow.
Then there were the horses.
Mia spotted them one evening and immediately decided she needed a ride.
My three-year-old daughter and her five-year-old friend started their romantic sunset ride along the beach.
Caius had a turn too, but lasted approximately three seconds before wanting off.
Mia, however, was absolutely thrilled.
She rode along the beach with her heart-thumping mother watching on, sometimes with a man leading the horse and sometimes with the horse happily trotting along on its own.
The price was 20 MYR back then.
We had denied her another ride since that first experience, but one evening, while the tourists were low and we were busy eating dinner, she fluttered her eyelashes and somehow charmed her way onto a horse for a free ride.
She didn’t come down for half an hour.
The restaurant’s current status is something I’d check locally before making a special trip, but the beach, sunsets and horse rides are the part of this memory I remember most anyway.
23. Experience Penang’s Festivals
One of the things I loved about living in Penang was that there always seemed to be something happening.
Our first weekend, a new friend invited us to an AFL party.
It was surprisingly comforting to watch the ultimate Australian sporting match in Penang surrounded by a mix of Australians, Americans and Malaysians.
The food was a fun Aussie-meets-Malay mix, and the game had to be explained more than once!
Then came the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Mary’s family and ours headed into George Town, where we ate hawker food on the streets of Chinatown before getting caught up in the parade.
And then we got separated.
As I walked along with the parade, I suddenly heard someone shouting my name.
I turned around, completely confused.
A lovely local woman was standing outside a shop with her children.
I was slightly stunned.
And, if I’m honest, a little bit chuffed.
It was one of those moments that made me realise my travel blog had somehow grown beyond being just a little travel blog.
So if you’re visiting Penang, don’t just stick to the tourist attractions.
Check what’s happening locally while you’re there.
Festivals, celebrations, and community events can give you a completely different glimpse into the culture of the island.
And you never know.
You might even bump into a reader who knows your name before you know theirs.
9 Things I Want to Do When I Go Back to Penang
It feels slightly strange writing this section because I have so many memories of Penang, yet there is now a completely new list of things I want to see.
Fourteen years is a long time.
Mia and Caius are teenagers now rather than tiny toddlers, so naturally we’d experience the island very differently.
These are the things at the top of my list for my next Penang trip.
24. Visit the Penang War Museum
History buffs should add Penang War Museum to their list.
The museum is housed in a former British coastal fortress at Batu Maung, with tunnels, bunkers, military structures, and wartime history to explore.
This is one I’d particularly recommend for older children and teenagers who are interested in military history.
25. Visit The TOP Penang
The TOP Penang sits inside Komtar and combines multiple attractions under one roof.
There’s the Rainbow Skywalk, Tech Dome, interactive attractions, and other family entertainment.
For families, this is particularly useful because you can pack a lot into one stop.
It’s also a good rainy-day option.
26. Visit Wonderfood Museum
And then there is Wonderfood Museum.
If you’re travelling with children and trying to convince them that food can be educational, this might be your chance.
The museum focuses on Malaysian food culture and oversized food displays.
Or you can simply accept that you’re going to take ridiculous photographs.
Both approaches work.
27. Visit the Newly Reopened Penang State Museum
After nine years closed, I want to see what has changed and explore the new exhibition spaces.
When I lived in Penang in 2012, the Penang State Museum was part of the city’s heritage landscape. Then it closed for years for restoration.
Now it’s back.
The Penang State Museum at Farquhar Street officially reopened in July 2026 after nine years of restoration and upgrading.
The refreshed museum has 15 exhibition spaces and around 1,200 artefacts covering Penang’s history, culture and heritage.
This is one of those places where I suspect I’ll spend half the visit comparing what I remember with what is there now.
I am definitely putting this on my list for my next visit.
28. Spend a Proper Day at The Habitat
We didn’t have The Habitat during our 2012 adventure, so this is a big one for me.
The Habitat is a rainforest experience on Penang Hill, with a nature trail, elevated canopy experiences and viewpoints through the ancient rainforest environment.
The park includes the Langur Way Canopy Walk and Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk, giving you a completely different perspective on Penang Hill.
I want to take the funicular up Penang Hill, explore the rainforest and finally experience the canopy walks and tree-top views.
And this time, nobody will be a toddler demanding to be carried.
Hopefully.
I would allow several hours rather than treating it as a quick add-on.
Penang Hill plus The Habitat would now be one of my favourite family things to do in Penang.
29. Explore Gurney Bay
This is one of the biggest changes I’d make to an old Penang itinerary.
When we lived in Penang in 2012, Gurney Drive was already somewhere we knew and loved.
But Gurney Bay as it exists today wasn’t part of our experience.
The first phase of the new waterfront park opened to the public in February 2024.
The development added a large waterfront recreation area with a seaside promenade, children’s playground, skate park, viewing deck, kiosks, recreational spaces and open-air parking.
I want to walk the waterfront, see the new public spaces and compare it with the Gurney Drive I remember from living there.
It’s one of the clearest examples of how much Penang has changed since our time on the island.
It’s a great option if you want somewhere to walk, let the kids run around or simply enjoy the waterfront.
And because it is right around the Gurney Drive area, you can combine it with shopping and, of course, food.
This is definitely going on my list for my next Penang trip.
30. Eat My Way Around George Town
Obviously.
I’m not going back to Penang and pretending I have self-control around char kway teow.
I want hawker food, noodles, curries, sweets, snacks and all the things I didn’t know existed when I first lived there.
There is always more food.
There is always another hawker stall.
And there is definitely another plate of noodles waiting for me.
If there is one thing I’ve learned from Penang, it’s that you should never assume you’ve eaten enough.
31. Get Your Adrenaline Fix at ESCAPE Penang
ESCAPE Penang is one of the attractions I would absolutely add to a modern Penang family itinerary.
It combines adventure activities and water attractions, making it particularly appealing for families with older kids and teenagers.
This is one of those attractions where I would check the official schedule before visiting because individual activities can have their own operating times.
If Mia and Caius were the ages they are now when we lived in Penang, I suspect ESCAPE would have been a very different experience from the toddler activities we did back then.
32. Visit the Penang Ferry Museum
Penang’s ferries are part of the island’s history, and the Penang Ferry Museum gives visitors another way to explore that story.
It’s particularly worth considering if you’re interested in Penang’s transport history and the role the ferries played in connecting the island with the mainland.
This is another attraction I didn’t have on my 2012 itinerary and would now add to my list.
Day Trips From Penang With Kids
If you’ve got a little extra time in Penang, there are a few places beyond the island that are absolutely worth the drive. These are three day trips we’ve actually done ourselves, so they come with real memories, real kids and, as usual, a little bit of chaos.
Orangutan Island, Bukit Merah
One of our most memorable day trips from Penang was Orangutan Island at Bukit Merah, which we visited when my mum came to stay with us. A boat takes you across the lake to the island, where the brilliant part is that you are the one walking through the cage while the orangutans roam around outside.
One young orangutan had us completely entertained, climbing a tree, grabbing a vine, spinning himself around until he crashed to the ground, then getting straight back up and doing it all again. And the baby orangutans at the nursery were worth the trip alone.
We also bought a multi-park ticket that included the water park and wildlife park, which I wouldn’t bother doing again. If I went back, I’d keep it simple and go for Orangutan Island itself.
Ipoh
Ipoh will always be a special one for me because it was one of my very first hosted hotel stays as a travel blogger. We spent two lovely nights at the Lost World of Tambun, surrounded by those incredible limestone mountains, and absolutely loved it.
The kids explored the theme park, hot springs, and animals while I managed to sneak away for one of the best hot stone massages I’d ever had. It was one of those trips where I remember just feeling ridiculously grateful that this was somehow my job. You can absolutely visit Ipoh from Penang for the day, but if you have the time, I’d stay a night or two and make more of it.
Gua Tempurung
Another great trip from Penang is Gua Tempurung, near Gopeng, which we visited on our way home from Ipoh. The cave is enormous, with huge limestone caverns, stalactites, stalagmites, colourful lighting and a ridiculous number of stairs. We went as far as Mia and Caius could manage before turning around, which with toddlers was definitely the sensible option.
Mia was initially a little unsure until a lovely Egyptian couple gave her a torch and suddenly the whole thing became a Dora-the-Explorer adventure. There are much more adventurous routes involving underground rivers, mud and scrambling, which I would have loved without two tiny children attached to me, but our shorter version was perfect for us at the time.
Heading to Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur isn’t exactly a day trip from Penang, but chances are you’ll pass through it at some point, especially if you’re flying in or out of Malaysia.
We absolutely love Kuala Lumpur and have been back many times over the years. It’s such an easy city to enjoy with kids, with plenty of food, shopping, attractions and family-friendly experiences. Read more on Top 10 Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur with Kids.
And if you’re travelling with older kids, I’ve got you covered there too, because Kuala Lumpur with teenagers is just as much fun in a completely different way. Have a read of my Kuala Lumpur posts before you go.
5 Places To Take Your Tweens In Kuala Lumpur
5 Ways To Spend A 12-Hour Kuala Lumpur Layover
Family-Friendly Penang Travel Tips
Don’t Try to See Everything
Penang looks manageable on a map.
That doesn’t mean you should plan seventeen attractions in one day.
Pick a few things and enjoy them.
Especially with toddlers.
Eat Locally
Don’t spend the whole trip in hotel restaurants.
Get out and eat where locals eat.
Penang’s hawker culture is one of the best reasons to visit, and many local dishes are perfect for families who want to try something new.
Carry Cash
Some smaller food stalls and markets may still be cash-based, so don’t assume your card will work everywhere.
Expect Heat and Humidity
The tropical climate can make a short walk feel like a serious expedition.
Drink water.
Wear sunscreen.
Take breaks.
And don’t underestimate how quickly a toddler can turn into a sweaty, furious little tomato.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
Especially in George Town.
You’ll walk more than you think.
Be Respectful
Penang is culturally diverse and religiously significant.
Cover up where appropriate, remove shoes when required and remember that residential heritage areas are people’s homes.
Watch Your Belongings Around Monkeys
This one deserves repeating.
Monkey Beach monkeys are bold.
Keep your food secured and don’t feed them.
Eating Penang With Kids
You absolutely cannot write a Penang guide without talking about food.
Penang is famous for its hawker culture, and I’d happily return to the island purely to eat.
Some of the dishes to look for include:
Char Kway Teow
Flat rice noodles stir-fried with prawns, egg, bean sprouts and other ingredients.
You will find endless arguments about where the best one is.
I am staying out of that fight.
Eat several.
Assam Laksa
Sour, spicy, fishy and intensely flavoured.
This is not a bland bowl of noodles.
If you love strong flavours, order it.
Hokkien Mee
Penang-style Hokkien mee comes with noodles, prawns and a rich broth, usually with plenty of chilli.
Nasi Kandar
Rice served with curries, sauces and your choice of meat and sides.
It is messy.
It is delicious.
And yes, you want the sauce.
Nasi Lemak
Coconut rice, sambal, peanuts, anchovies and various accompaniments make nasi lemak one of Malaysia’s great comfort foods.
Nyonya Kuih
Colourful, sweet and wonderfully varied, Nyonya kuih is a great introduction to Peranakan food culture.
Rojak
A sweet, salty and spicy combination of fruit and other ingredients covered in a thick dressing.
It sounds unusual.
Try it anyway.
Lok-Lok
Skewered food cooked in a communal pot.
Pick your skewers.
Cook them.
Eat.
Repeat.
Planning a Penang Itinerary With Kids
The easiest way to use this list is to group attractions by area rather than spending your holiday driving backwards and forwards across the island.
George Town Day
Street art → Clan Jetties → Khoo Kongsi → Pinang Peranakan Mansion → Penang State Museum → food
Penang Hill Day
Penang Hill → The Habitat → Kek Lok Si
Teluk Bahang Day
Entopia → Tropical Spice Garden → ESCAPE → Penang National Park
Batu Ferringhi Day
Beach → resort pool → sunset → night market → dinner
Gurney Day
Gurney Bay → Gurney Drive → shopping → dinner
If you’re travelling with kids, leave plenty of breathing room.
Kids do not appreciate a military-style sightseeing itinerary.
Neither do I.
How Many Days Do You Need in Penang With Kids?
Two Days in Penang
Two days is enough for a taste.
Spend one day exploring George Town and one day around Penang Hill or the beach.
Three Days in Penang
Three days gives you a much better introduction.
I’d do:
Day 1: George Town heritage, street art, Clan Jetties and food.
Day 2: Penang Hill, The Habitat and Kek Lok Si.
Day 3: Batu Ferringhi, Entopia, Tropical Spice Garden or Penang National Park.
Four to Five Days in Penang
This is my sweet spot.
You’ll have time for food, culture, beaches and a few attractions without feeling like you’re racing around the island.
And if you have children, I’d definitely lean towards the longer stay.
Frequently Asked Questions About Penang With Kids
Is Penang good for families with young children?
Penang has a wide range of family-friendly activities, including beaches, parks, shopping centres, indoor playgrounds, museums and attractions.
Our experience with young children was particularly enjoyable because we could balance sightseeing with ordinary family routines.
Is Penang good for toddlers?
Yes, Penang can work well with toddlers if you plan around their needs.
Beaches, swimming pools, playgrounds, indoor attractions and family-friendly restaurants give you plenty of options, while having a longer stay means you don’t need to pack every day with sightseeing.
What are the best things to do in Penang with toddlers?
For toddlers, I’d look at Adventure Zone, Penang Youth Park, Entopia, Penang Botanic Gardens, the beaches and shorter George Town adventures such as street art hunting.
The best activities are often the ones where children can move around rather than having to stand quietly and admire something.
What are the best things to do in Penang with older kids and teenagers?
Older children have a much wider range of options, including ESCAPE Penang, The Habitat, Penang Hill, The TOP, Penang National Park, museums, street art, temples and food experiences.
And teenagers can finally appreciate the fact that Mum is taking them somewhere specifically because there is good food.
Is George Town good for kids?
Yes.
George Town is particularly good for families who enjoy exploring on foot, because you can combine street art, heritage buildings, clan houses, temples, food and shopping in the same area.
Is Batu Ferringhi good for families?
Batu Ferringhi is a popular choice for families wanting beaches, resorts, swimming pools, restaurants and an easygoing holiday atmosphere.
It’s also convenient for attractions around Teluk Bahang.
What food should kids try in Penang?
That depends on how adventurous your children are.
Nasi lemak, noodles, roti, satay and some of the sweeter Malaysian snacks can be easy places to start.
For adventurous eaters, Penang’s hawker food offers an enormous amount to explore.
How many days should I spend in Penang with kids?
I’d recommend at least three days.
Four or five days gives you enough time to combine George Town, Penang Hill, food, beaches and some of the island’s nature attractions without turning your holiday into a military operation.
Is Penang expensive for families?
Penang can be surprisingly affordable, particularly if you eat at hawker centres and local food stalls.
Your accommodation and resort choices will have a much bigger impact on your budget.
Historical prices from my own 2012 experiences are included in this article where relevant, but they should not be treated as current prices.
Explore With Erin Wrap Up
Penang is one of those destinations that rewards you for slowing down.
You can spend your morning wandering through the historic streets of George Town, eat something incredible for lunch, explore a temple in the afternoon and still have time to watch the sunset from the beach.
What makes Penang special to me, though, isn’t simply the list of attractions.
It’s the memories attached to them.
I remember tiny Mia and Caius running around, meeting other travelling families, getting filthy at Monkey Beach, discovering little corners of the island and having spectacular toddler meltdowns in tropical gardens.
That’s why I’ve kept so many of our original stories in this guide.
Anyone can tell you to visit Penang Hill or eat char kway teow.
I can tell you what it was like trying to carry a screaming two-year-old through Tropical Spice Garden while sweating in the Malaysian humidity.
And honestly, that’s the stuff I remember.
Penang has changed a lot since we lived there in 2012, which is exactly why I want to go back.
There are new attractions to explore. The State Museum has reopened, Gurney Bay has transformed the waterfront, and The Habitat gives Penang Hill a whole new reason to spend the day there.
But I’m also looking forward to the things that haven’t changed.
The food.
The beaches.
The chaos.
The warmth.
The people.
And hopefully a plate of char kway teow that makes me wonder why I ever left.
That’s Penang.
And I think it’s time I went back.
Did I miss anything? Do you have a Penang favourite with your kids?
