Best Things to Do in Penang With Kids: 15 Amazing Activities

Penang wasn’t exactly on our radar—it was one of those out of left field decisions! With no set plans and a six-week school holiday break ahead, a last-minute flight sale sealed the deal, and we couldn’t be happier that it did. We discovered that Penang is a perfect family-friendly destination, packed with a mix of culture, nature, and plenty of fun things do with kids.

From chasing butterflies to riding a funicular up Penang Hill, we loved exploring the island’s unique blend of history, culture and adventure. If you’re planning a trip and wondering what to do in Penang with kids, here’s our list of top things to do that will keep both parents and kids happy—plus a few we’d love to check out next time!

1. Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm

This was high on our list of places we wanted to visit, but we weren’t expecting it to be so impressive! Located out near Batu Ferringhi, it offers an immersive experience with thousands of butterflies, lush gardens and interactive exhibits.

It is broken into two areas. Natureland is a walk through living garden, home to over 15,000 butterflies amongst the beatifully landscaped, lush gardens including caves, ponds and waterfalls. We were fortunate to participate in a butterfly release which was pretty special!

After you have explored Natureland, you will find yourself entering The Cocoon. This is an interactive discovery centre filled with fascinating exhibits, beyond butterflies. We spent an hour here easily, possibly longer. The highlight was being able to hold the giant millipedes (for my son, definitely not me) and seeing the man faced bugs. Hilarious little creatures!

2. Penang Hill & Funicular Train

Penang Hill, or Bukit Bendera, is a popular location for tourists as a cool and scenic retreat overlooking George Town. It offers breathtaking views, colonial heritage and a verdant rainforest. Due to the climate of Penang, you need to choose your visiting time carefully as the views are often disrupted by mist and fog, particularly in the mornings and during the rainy season.

To reach Penang Hill you can ride the funicular railway. It is one of the steepest in the world as it reaches 833 metres above sea level. Try and get a spot at the front for a great view!

There is plenty to do at the top of Penang Hill including stunning views, colonial-era bungalows, a mosque, a Hindu temple, a gallery as well as a British style tea house.

Keep an eye out a more in depth Penang Hill post coming soon.

3. The Habitat – Penang Hill

Of the many choices at Penang Hill, we decided to head to the Habitat, an eco-park set within a rainforest. What we loved most about this, was that the dense crowds that travelled to the top of Penang Hill and spanned the viewing area, seemed to dissipate once we headed to the Habitat. We saw only 1 or 2 other families during our visit and could only hear the sounds of the local wildlife. It was a welcome reprieve from the crowded ride and base station (Note: we visited at Lunar New Year so crowds were much heavier than usual).

The 1.6km trail features a number of highlights along the way including the Curtis Crest Treetop Walk, which is a circular viewing platform at the Habitat, offering 360-degree panoramic views of Penang’s rainforest, coastline and even parts of mainland Malaysia on clear days.

The Langur Way Canopy Walk is a hanging bridge suspended 40 metres above the forest floor so we were able to get a unique perspective of the rainforest and our son loved monkey and squirrel spotting.

There were also some giant swings for those looking for Insta moments and we finished off at the Habitat Cafe for a drink before a shuttle took us back to the Funicular Station (hold on tight!).

4. Batu Ferringhi Beaches

Batu Ferringhi’s golden beaches and lively atmosphere make it a popular choice for families, with plenty of water activities, beach chairs, and stunning sunsets to enjoy. While many love the resort-style vibe, we found that visiting during the day wasn’t quite our scene—the sand felt gritty, the area was quite touristy, and the water isn’t ideal for swimming due to concerns about cleanliness and jellyfish. That said, we likely didn’t explore the best spots, and in hindsight, we wish we had given it more of a chance.

Just down the road, we stumbled upon a hidden gem opposite the Hilton DoubleTree, a quiet little beach with rock pools full of tiny creatures, colourful seaweed, and coral, and best of all, we had it completely to ourselves after arriving early at 7:30 am.

Penang has plenty of beaches to suit different preferences, whether you’re after convenience and activities or something more off-the-beaten-path—Turtle Beach, Monkey Beach, Tanjung Bungah, Pantai Tropika, and Long Sand Beach are all worth checking out to find the perfect spot for your family.

5. Kek Lok Si Temple

The incredible Kek Lok Si temple is definitely one of the best things to do in Penang! Perched on a hill in Air Itam, Kek Lok Si is Malaysia’s largest Buddhist temple. It features intricate wooden architecture, a seven story pagoda filled with 1000 bronze statues and the famous Guanyin statue which stands at 37 metres tall and can be seen from miles around.

Families will enjoy exploring the prayer halls, koi ponds and one of our favourite parts was the Liberation Pond near the entry, which was filled with turtles and monitor lizards. We probably spent nearly two hours wandering the complex as there are so many parts to see. The different levels are also accessible by funicular / cable car which is called an ‘inclined lift.’

Visiting at Lunar New Year made our visit even more special. During the month of Lunar New Year the entire complex is adorned in thousands of LED lights and lanterns, remaining open at night. There were thousands of visitors, many of whom were dressed in bright red for good luck, awaited the 7pm ceremony. Monks led a blessing ritual, accompanied by drums and bells, before the grounds were fully lit up. It was definitely a sight to remember.

Tip: If visiting for Chinese New Year, arrive early so you can explore in daylight and make your way up to to the Guanyin Statue before 7pm. It gets very busy, so we recommend taking the funicular early. You will also need to pre-plan your transport home – we could not get a Grab or bus at that time of night!

6. Penang Botanic Gardens

Another fantastic nature experience! The Penang Botanic Gardens, also known as the ‘Waterfall Gardens,’ are located at the foot of Penang hill and offer a serene escape from the city. The gardens were established in 1884 and cover 29 hectares of indigenous and exotic plant species. Families can explore different areas, such as the Orchidarium, Fern House, Cactus House and the Lily Pond. There is also a starting point for those interested in hiking up Penang Hill via the Moon Gate trail.

Tips:

• A tram tour is available at RM10 for adults and RM 3 for children, which will provide an overview of the garden’s history and highlights.
• There are limited food options available at the gardens. Waterfall Cafe sells light meals, snacks and drinks and the Garden Shop sells icecreams, drinks and souvenirs. For further options you can walk around 20 minutes to the main street, Jalan Gottlieb.
• Monkey Awareness: The gardens are home to playful macaques and we love watching them. During our visit, a mischevious monkey attempted to snatch an ice cream from my son’s hand. Thankfully, a nearby shopkeeper intervened, scaring it away. To avoid such encounters, keep food sealed and remain vigilant when monkeys are nearby.

7. Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion – The Blue Mansion

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, nicknamed the Blue Mansion, is one of the most striking buildings in George Town, with its bold indigo-blue walls and intricate Chinese architecture. Built in the late 19th century by Cheong Fatt Tze, a wealthy merchant, it’s packed with interesting history.

This was a fascinating tour that went for approximately 45 minutes (not too long for the kids!). The stories of Cheong Fatt Tze’s rags-to-riches journey, along with the wealth Feng Shui themes and history of the mansion made for a really interesting tour.

The Blue Mansion starred in ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ and also operates as a boutique hotel, letting you stay inside one of Penang;s most iconic landmarks. There are also several options for food and drinks within the venue.

We suggest booking online beforehand as they have recently reduced the number of tours, and the capacity of each tour.

8. Fort Cornwallis

Fort Cornwallis is a fascinating place to explore, giving families a chance to step back in time and experience a piece of Penang’s colonial history. It is a great spot for families as children can wander through the fort’s preserved structures, including the chapel, prison cells and ammunition storage areas. The fort also houses several original cannons which all kids will love!

Tours are available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays every two hours and there are several places with food and drinks available inside the fort’s premises. We really enjoyed the avocado smoothies – refreshing on a hot, humid day.

9. The Top – Komtar Tower

The iconic Komtar Tower is Penang’s tallest structure, and is home to a large indoor theme park called The Top.

The Observatory on the 65th floor offers stunning views of Penang, but the real highlight is the Rainbow Walk on the 68th floor. If you’re feeling brave you can step out onto the outdoor glass walkway and see the city right beneath your feet!

Other attractions include:

• Jurassic Research Centre – be guided on a tour of the research centre, followed by time to explore Jurassic Park. The animatronics are a fun for kids, though the lift ride is a bit scary for younger children as you get ‘attacked’ by velociraptors.
• Top Boutique Aquarium – A small aquarium with some interestingly decorated tanks. You can also touch some sharks here.
• Tech Dome: A hands-on science centre packed with interactive exhibits for curious kids.
• As well as Penang State Gallery, Durian museum, Tongkat Ali Museum, Jungle Gym, Jelly Bump, Musical Carousel, Magic Mirror Maze, UFO-X, Zombie Outbreak and Toppogan.

Ticket prices and hours for the various attractions will vary so visit The Top’s website for more information.

10. Georgetown Street Art

Hunt through the streets of Georgetown for the many famous artworks painted upon buildings. We grabbed a street art map at the reception of our hotel and were able to check them off as we came across them through the week. Great distraction from hot walks for kids!

Turns out that despite finding lots of them, the only one I actually took a photo of was the Jimmy Choo street art mural! It celebrates the world-famous shoe designer who was born in George Town, with a vibrant painting of him polishing a shoe as a young apprentice. I guess we must have stood still enough while we grabbed a drink!

Honourable Mentions

While we wish we could have seen and done everything, there are many places we missed out on. But that doesn’t mean you should have to! Here are some places that are on our list for next time we head to Penang.

11. Escape Penang

Escape Penang is an outdoor adventure park packed with activities, from ziplines and obstacle courses to the world’s longest water slide winding through the jungle. Kids and adults can challenge themselves on tree-top rope courses, giant swings, and a thrilling water park with slides and splash zones.

12. Wonderfood Museum

Wonderfood Museum Penang is a quirky and interactive museum showcasing larger-than-life replicas of Malaysia’s most iconic dishes, from giant bowls of laksa to oversized roti canai. Visitors can explore detailed exhibits on food culture, traditions, and the history behind Malaysia’s diverse cuisine

13. Penang 3D Trick Art Museum

We have visited a Trick Art Museum in another location and they are a heap of fun. Penang Trick Art Museum is an interactive space filled with 3D murals and optical illusions that let you step into creative, mind-bending scenes. From escaping a giant wave to hanging off a building, the cleverly painted backdrops make for hilarious and imaginative photo opportunities.

14. Tropical Spice Garden

A lush garden with child-friendly tous and spice discovery trails.

15. Teddyville Museum

A museum filled with teddy bears in fun, historical displays, located at the Double Tree Hilton near Batu Ferringhi.

Final Tips for Families

Penang was an incredible place for us to visit on our family holiday. We loved that there was a range of history, nature, education, culture and fun. Our final tips would be:

• Mix up the activities – there are plenty of historical sites that adults will love, through to water parks and hands-on experiences for kids, so plan a balance to keep everyone happy.
• Stay central if possible – George Town was a great base for us. It was easy to get around and we could duck back to the hotel for a quick shower, swim or to escape the midday heat, before heading back out.
• Use Grab, but plan ahead during peak times – We used Grab (the local ride-hailing app – similar to Uber) frequently in Penang where as we usually rely more heavily on public transit. In Penang we found it much more suitable. However, during peak times cars could be hard to find. Especially during Chinese New Year – so if you are heading out for a full day or need a late-night ride, it’s worth having a back up plan such as arranging transport in advance or knowing the bus routes.
• Get out and about early – this does depend on what you are doing, as with many places in Asia, places (particularly shops and restaurants) tend to open mid morning. However, Penang’s tropical heat and humidity can wear kids out quickly so morning visits meant we had quieter experiences and a happier son in tow.
• Don’t overpack the itinerary – While there is a lot to do, and this is absolutely advice I always want to follow and rarely do, it is definitely worth leaving room for flexibility and exploring without a set schedule for those little surprise discoveries.
• Keep small change on hand – Many public toilets, small museums and local eateries will only accept cash. ATM’s are easy to find in George Town, but it helps to be prepared.
• Expect the unexpected – from sudden downpours to cheeky monkeys and quirky attractions, Penang will surprise you in all kinds of ways. Lean into the chaos and enjoy the little moments that make the trip memorable. I’ll be writing about my favourite moment in another post soon – the most entertaining bus ride I’ve ever had!

This trip was a little bit of an unplanned, spontaneous booking and we are so glad that we were able to visit. I’ll definitely be back to finish off the to-do list and some day trips to Langkawi and beyond!