When we first arrived in KL from our world travel, we weren’t considering mall-hopping with kids as a thing to do for our family itinerary in Kuala Lumpur, but when we saw the size and scale of the shopping malls in this vibrant city, we changed our mind instantly.
Kuala Lumpur is known for its bustling streets and diverse food options, but the mega malls in KL are equally impressive and provide a welcome respite from the heat during the day. The shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur are not just a place to shop, but also places to enjoy festive atmospheres, delicious food, family entertainment and a range of fun and fashionable options for the whole family.
If you are on a layover in Kuala Lumpur or only have 2-3 days here, spending a couple of hours in Suria KLCC would be enough to experience shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur in our opinion. However, if you’re staying in Malaysia for an extended period of time, you’ll be amazed at the purchasing power here.
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In this blog post, we’ll share the best kid-approved shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur that both kids and parents will enjoy. These malls have something for everyone from interactive play areas to family-friendly restaurants. We’ll introduce you to our family’s absolute favourite mega shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur, including Suria KLCC, Mid Valley Megamall, Sunway Pyramid, 1 Utama and The Curve. So come along with us as we explore the best shopping destinations in Kuala Lumpur for families with kids.
Table of Contents:
1. Suria KLCC
Suria KLCC is no doubt the #1 mega mall you already know about. It’s one of the largest shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur situated right at the base of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers.
Suria KLCC is within walking distance of KLCC Park where there’s a playground and wading pool for kids. It’s also one of the top locations to photograph the Twin Towers.
Similar to other large shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur, as you enter the main entrance of Suria KLCC, you’ll be greeted by a grand display celebrating the current holiday festival in the Centre Court of the mall. It’s easy to be distracted by the beautiful and dazzling displays in the mall and you’ll be surprised how fast time has passed by simply walking around the shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur. You can find out “What’s Hot” on Suria KLCC’s official website.
Inside Suria KLCC, there is a variety of family-friendly stores where you can easily kill an hour or two with the little ones. The LEGO store, for example, has a building area where kids can create their own designs. Or browse around Toys”R”Us and let the kids explore. You can check out Suria KLCC Store Directory on the website here.
In addition to the kid-friendly stores, you can find interactive and educational play areas that kids can explore and learn from. Our favourite has to be the Petrosains, The Discovery Centre on Level 4 of Suria KLCC. Click here to view the Exhibits & Floor Plan on the official website of Petrosains.
Hot Tips
Petrosains Discovery Centre is very popular for school visits so go there earlier in the day to leave plenty of time for your kids to explore this science centre. We went early afternoon and had to literally drag our kids out of the first section so we can rush through the rest of the centre before closing time.
One of the standout features of Suria KLCC for families is its proximity to the Esplanade, where the 900m2+ man-made Lake Symphony steals the show every evening on the hour starting from 8pm. Kids will love watching the two large water fountains, equipped with multiple water jets, dance in sync with music and coloured lights.
On a rainy day, grab a seat by the window with a view of the Esplanade and warm up with a hot bowl of laksa soup or a clay pot meal from Signatures Food Court in Suria KLCC. Don’t forget to leave some room for dessert, as you’ll find tempting sweets throughout the mall.
2. Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
We have a joke in the family about shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur – There’s a shopping mall every kilometre in Kuala Lumpur. Pavilion Kuala Lumpur is that mall within walking distance of KLCC in the KL Golden Triangle district (KLCC, Bukit Bintang, Menara).
Pavilion features over 550 stores, including international fashion brands, local designers, and a range of lifestyle and beauty products. There are also over 100 food and beverage outlets and of course an impressive Centre Court display.
The grand central atrium has a stunning glass dome and a crystal fountain at the entrance.
Note that driving to Pavilion is a pain in the bum, as is getting a Grab car. The traffic is horrendous near Pavilion KL, so expect Grab drivers to drop your trips and long waits at the e-hailing pick-up points.
Hot Tips
Keep in mind that young kids may experience sensory overload at larger shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur. A couple of hours at one of these malls can be a big culture shock for those coming from smaller, quieter countries like New Zealand (as we are), Iceland, or elsewhere. If your toddler is having a meltdown that is out of the norm, it may be due to sensory overload.
3. Lot 10
If you’re looking for more shopping options beyond Pavilion, a short 6-minute walk along Bintang Walk will bring you to Lot 10 in Bukit Bintang. In our honest opinion, Lot 10 is worth visiting more for the food options than the mall itself.
The stores and food court in Lot 10 mall are relatively quiet compared to the two larger malls mentioned above. However, if you’re a fan of Japanese culture and food, Lot 10 has a dedicated floor of Japanese-themed stores and restaurants.
Alternatively, after a unique street food experience at Jalan Alor, enjoy an evening walk to Lot 10 for some vibrant city lights.
4. Sungei Wang Plaza
We were serious when we said ‘there’s a mall every kilometre in KL’. Just a few hundred metres from Lot 10 is Sungei Wang Plaza. This is one of the more budget-friendly shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur and is popular among locals.
Sungei Wang Plaza is a relatively small shopping plaza with over 500 stores including homeware, gift shops and electronics. There is a climbing gym Jumpa for older kids and MinNature Malaysia if that’s something that interests you.
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5. Berjaya Times Square
We’re not done with KLCC just yet. A 5-minute walk down south from Sungei Wang Plaza, you’ll come to Berjaya Times Square. Berjaya Times Square was the first mall we visited after landing in KL in an attempt to scoop up some bargains and restock our travel bags without the price tag of Suria KLCC.
However, the majority of the shops and stores here are local, privately owned brands and to be honest, not of the highest quality either. We didn’t end up shopping here but enjoyed the Christmas decorations at the centre court.
If you’re coming to Berjaya Times Square, you can’t miss Berjaya Times Square Indoor Theme Park. Although many rides are more suitable for older kids, The younger ones will enjoy the fun atmosphere, displays, and yummy food at Berjaya Times Square.
6. Midvalley Megamall & The Gardens Mall
Moving on to another one of our favourite shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur, Midvalley Megamall. And by Mega, it means mega! Midvalley Megamall alone has all the international brands you’re looking for. On top of that, it links to The Gardens Mall via an underground level of food and dessert stalls. Psst, you can find the tallest ice cream here too!
On the underground level, there is a play area for the tots called Kidzoona where there’s a jumping castle, ball pit and other toys. It’s super easy to get lost in Midvalley Megamall and you can easily spend a whole day shopping, eating and playing.
The Gardens Mall is a relatively smaller and more upscale shopping mall featuring all the designer brands. It’s quieter than Midvalley Megamall and has luxurious displays that make for perfect backdrops for frame-worthy family photos.
7. Sunway Pyramid
Sunway Pyramid is a little further out from town, but because it’s next to Sunway Lagoon and Sunway Resort, Bandar Sunway can be an excellent base to stay in KL for a couple of nights.
Sunway Pyramid is the coolest shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur in terms of architecture and design. The central atrium is shaped like a pyramid while the interior of the mall is adorned with Egyptian-themed installations. Our kids loved taking photos and exploring the decorations both near the entrance and at the centre court of Sunway Pyramid.
This shopping mall is very large and it is easy to get lost. Similar to the other megamalls mentioned here, Sunway Pyramid has a variety of food options to satisfy any taste buds and for the shoppers, Sunway Pyramid has all the international and local brands for a good retail therapy session.
Pavilion is one of the shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur featuring an indoor ice skating rink and a bowling alley.
If we can only choose one, Sunway Pyramid has to be our family’s favourite shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur. This mega mall sets the standard for modern architecture and luxury living.
8. 1 Utama
1 Utama is another mega shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur that our family spent hours getting lost in. We had a great day out exploring both the old wing and the new wing at 1 Utama. The most memorable section of the mall has to be the rainforest-themed area where kids can watch real koi swimming in the pond.
Needless to mention, 1 Utama is so large (top 10 largest malls in the world?) that you can find popular international brands as well as department stores like AEON, Parkson and Isetan.
There are eatery stalls throughout the mall and an endless selection of food across two food courts. And if you’re looking for a play area, 1 Utama has a spacious play area to entertain the little ones for hours.
9. The Curve & IPC Shopping Centre
If you’re overwhelmed by the number of people and crowd, The Curve may be a better option for your family. The Curve is similar to Midvalley Megamall in the sense that it has an underpass of food stalls that connect to the IPC Shopping Centre.
There are supermarkets, fashion outlets and many branded shops and recognisable stores as well as an array of food, desserts and drinks to choose from. Ikea Damansara is also accessible from within The Curve mall if that’s an area of interest to you.
KidZania is one reason The Curve shopping mall is so well-liked by families. KidZania has a long-standing relationship with AirAsia and is quite a unique role-playing edutainment centre for kids. For interactive activities, kids can dress up like firefighters, pilots and other professionals to experience a replica of the real city.
We recommend booking online early, especially during school holidays and the peak holiday season. We missed out on KidZania because it was booked out two days in a row during our stay.
10. The Starling
As if 1 Utama and The Curve isn’t enough to keep you busy, The Starling is yet another shopping mall within a 5km radius. We came across this mall because of a family gathering at Sukishi, a Japanese buffet-style restaurant.
The Starling is more of a quiet local shopping plaza with boutique shops and a small food court. Due to its proximity to 1 Utama, you’ll most likely choose 1 Utama over The Starling.
11. Sunway Velocity Mall
Don’t confuse Sunway Velocity Mall with Sunway Pyramid Mall. These are two different malls in two different locations. If you prefer to stay close to KLCC but not in the city centre, Sunway Velocity has a hotel attached to the mall. It’s a relatively smaller shopping mall compared to the megamalls we’ve been talking about. However, Sunway Velocity Mall seems to always host activities and has great decorations and displays throughout.
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12. Sunway Putra Mall
Just to confuse you even more, there’s another Sunway mall – Sunway Putra Mall. This is another mid-sized shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur that is liked by locals. We haven’t got around to visit this mall yet, but from the reviews, it seems like a decent sized shopping mall that has everything you’ll need, including kid-friendly activities like the mini train.
13. Publika Shopping Gallery
Publika Shopping Gallery, as the name suggests is more of a shopping gallery than a shopping mall. It’s not as crowded but popular with local expats as it’s located near international schools in Mount Kiara. We also came across Publika after visiting a Montessori school (The Junior Academy) for our kids. What we loved about Publika was not so much the shops, but the outdoor street of restaurants and cafés.
14. Bangsar Shopping Centre
Bangsar Shopping Centre is another small shopping mall popular among locals. We came here for a family reunion on our first night in Kuala Lumpur and had a feast up on the top floor at Grand Imperial Restaurant.
Bangsar Shopping Centre has many small stalls on the ground floor in the centre court, much like a little boutique artisan market featuring candles, gifts, accessories, and the like.
15. Desa Parkcity
After hopping a dozen shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur, we have to mention Desa Parkcity. We were drawn to Desa Parkcity by the year-end Nordic Lights Festival, where 7 artistic light installations lit up the Desa Park Lake. While that’s a post on its own, we’ll briefly talk about the shopping experience at Desa Parkcity here.
Different to the shopping malls we’re familiar with, Desa Parkcity resembles an open-air market with shop stalls and restaurants around the centre court displays and decorations.
We recommend visiting Desa Parkcity late in the afternoon so you can get the best of both worlds. Take a walk and enjoy the peacefulness of the lake and park before dark, then take the kids on a choo-choo train ride and enjoy the evening lights at the park after dinner.
Wrapping up
There you have it: 13 family-friendly mega and boutique shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur to entertain the kids.
- If you’re in Kuala Lumpur for the first time, visit the unmissable Suria KLCC and Sunway Pyramid.
- If you’re here during the festive season, visit one or many of the other mega malls like Pavilion, 1 Utama, and Midvalley Megamall. Don’t forget to check the websites for activities and events.
- If you’re here to actually shop for clothes and gifts, consider some of the smaller, local boutique shopping malls where you can get more out of a dollar.
What is the best shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur for families?
Sunway Pyramid is without a doubt our favourite shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur. It’s super hard to pick just one, so if you have time, we recommend spending a day out at 1 Utama, Midvalley Megamall and Suria KLCC. Each of these mega malls is unique, with entertainment for children, spectacular themed displays and of course, a plethora of delicious food.
As we joked earlier, there’s a shopping mall every kilometre in KL, and by no means have we covered all the shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur. There’s definitely no shortage of international brands, mind-blowing selections of food and spectacular centre-court displays at every mall.
So if mall-hopping isn’t yet on your bucket list while travelling in Malaysia, be sure to add a few mega malls to your itinerary.
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