Langkawi, known as the Jewel of Kedah, is a tropical paradise. The exterior is surrounded by white sandy beaches whereas the interiors are a green virgin foliage covering the hills. This popular holiday destination is a treasure trove of activities. The expansive options range from kayaking and Underwater World to Langkawi Sky Bridge and Cable Car ride. The six days we spent here were to too less for my kid and will definitely return to explore this island more. Without further ado, here is a list of the Top 15 Things To Do In Langkawi With Kids.
Top 15 Things To Do In Langkawi With Kids
1. Sky Bridge
The Sky Bridge is the main highlight of Langkawi. This 125-meter long curved pedestrian bridge is an architectural marvel. Its built 700-meters above sea level and can be reached only from the last stop of the Langkawi cable car ride. The bridge is the longest curved bridge in the world and the views from here are absolutely stunning. Langkawi’s second highest peak Telaga Tujuh surrounded by tropical forest can be seen from here. On clear days the island of Tarutao in Thailand is also visible from the observatory deck. This bridge also has two triangular platforms which also serve as a photo point. This bridge is spectacular but can also be daunting for those who have a fear of heights.
Travel Tip #1
When you alight at the Top Station there is an option of a glide car (Rm 15 for adults and Rm 5 for child) or a set of steep stairs that can take you to the bridge. When we visited, it was raining and foggy so we opted for the glide car which was very convenient.
Travel Tip #2
The air at the top gets too chilly so do not forget a jacket while visiting.
Travel Tip #3
The sky bridge accommodates a max of 250 Adults at a time so be prepared for some waiting. Since we visited during the Holy Month of Ramadan, there were very few tourists and luckily we were the only ones at the bridge at one point of time. However it was foggy so we missed out on the view but being surrounded by clouds so high up in the sky was an experience in itself.
2. SkyCab – Cable Car
This is a ride that will challenge your fear of heights. The 2.2 km ride is one of the steepest in the World. The Langkawi Sky Cab starts from the Oriental Village and goes up-to the Sky Bridge. Along with the cable car the ticket also includes the 360 degree Dome and Sky Rex show tickets. There is a base station, middle station and top station. The middle station just has a viewing platform. We opted for a glass bottomed dome and my kid was captivated looking underneath. A short walk from the the Top station will take you to two viewing platforms that offer spectacular 360 degrees view of the Langkawi Island as well as stunning cliffs and rock formations.
Travel Tip #4
During peak hours, there is a considerable amount of waiting involved so you can even opt for an express card like we did. When purchasing the Sky Cab tickets, go for the Glass bottom Gondola as it has express lane privileges included with it. During rush season, the line outside the Sky Cab is very long, no matter when you arrive to wait in line. So book in advance to get express lane tickets and don’t waste time standing in line. Use the time saved to enjoy a gelato instead (that’s how we do it!).
3. Oriental Village
This is the place that mainly caters to the tourists. It is also the starting point of the cable car. This place has a number of attractions to choose from. The ones we did were the Cable Car, Sky Bridge, Art in Paradise (3D Art Langkawi), SkyRex and SkyDome. You can easily explore this place in half-a-day to one full day. Apart from attractions there are also plenty of shops selling souvenirs, clothes and food stuff.
Travel Tip # 5
Entrance fee for Art in Paradise (3D Art Langkawi), SkyRex and SkyDome is inclusive with every purchase of SkyCab ticket. However, separate tickets for entrance to 3D Art Museum alone is available for 38 RM for adults and 28 RM for children.
SkyDome and SkyRex shows run at every 30 minute intervals so in case you miss these shows you can spent time at the 3D Art Museum.
4. Mangrove Tour
Langakawi still has tropical forests and the best way for the kids to experience it is by a Mangrove Tour. The Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark tour is a half-day tour that takes you on a ride to the three rivers – Tanjung Rhu, Kisap and Kilim. The tour starts from Tanjung Rhu jetty. The ride passes through amazing Karst formations, limestone cliffs, fjords and white sandy beaches hidden by mangroves. The crocodile cave and bat cave will keep the kids thrilled. Keep looking out for birds, various fish and other aquatic creatures especially the crabs and eagles. As a part of the tour they will also take you to a fish farm that exhibits various fish as well as serves as a restaurant. Their produce is fresh though the prices are comparatively steep.
Travel Tip #6
When we booked our discounted priced tour from Klook, we were a little apprehensive as when we reached our operator, there were only two more people booked with us, whereas the other operator was crowded with people. But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it was almost like a private tour and not a cramped-up shared boat ride filled with 10-12 people.
Travel Tip #7
Mangrove tour is undoubtedly the best way to explore Langkawi’s tropical forests. The best way to enhance this experience even for kids is to combine it with kayaking through the tropical forests. Head here to get more details about the tour through the Kubang Badak river.
5. Langkawi Island Hopping Tour
This half-day tour is perfect to visit the popular islands south of Langkawi. The highlight of this tour is the Lake of the Pregnant Maiden which is a mythical lake with a hill shaped like a maiden lying on her back. Here there is a considerable amount of climbing involved to reach the lake but the view when you reach makes the effort worthwhile. You can indulge in swimming, kayaking or paddle boating here.
The Hill shaped as a lying Pregnant Maiden
The other attraction of the tour is the crystal clear waters of the Beras Basah Island. This island is perfect for playing in the beach but there are no changing rooms or toilets here. Beware of the monkeys robbing your belongings here when you go for a dip. At the Big lions Island, our little one was delighted to watch the white bellied Eagles feeding.
Travel Tip #8
We booked our discounted Island hopping tour which also included hotel pick-up and drop. The driver was friendly and even contacted us via Whatssapp to give us a heads up on the pick up time which helped us in planning our time accordingly.
Also Check Out: Go Island Hopping in Langkawi
6. Langkawi Wildlife Park
Our little one loves animals and the Langkawi Wildlife Park was a best place to introduce her to Malaysia’s amazing flora and fauna. This park house around 2500 birds from 150 species.
The best part about this Wildlife park is the interactive sessions and feeding sessions where you can get up close and personal with the animals and birds. You can purchase the feeds at the entry counter and go on feeding the creatures as you pass. The birds are friendly however the squawking Macaw did give my little one a fright. But the friendly budgies made her day. The best she liked were the deer who just kept on gulping whatever food she was offering. The park is fully covered so you need not worry about about the sun. This place is a delight for the kids and make sure you do not give it a miss.
Travel Tip #9
During peak season, it is advisable to book in advance to get skip-the-line tickets and don’t waste time standing in line.
7. Beaches
Langkawi is surrounded by turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. There are many beaches to choose from but our favourite one was the Tanjung Rhu Beach. One part of the beach is public, whereas the other part is owned by the Four Seasons Hotel. This beach is located in North East Langkawi and can be covered with the Mangrove tour. The sand here is pristine white and it is not very crowded which makes it perfect for kids to run around and make sand castles. The Chenang beach is touristy with many water activities involved. Its crowded too. Since we were staying at Berjaya Langkawi Resort near Pantai Kok, we visited the resorts private beach for our daily dose of Vitamin Sea.
8. Langkawi Underwater World
My kid loves wildlife and so this was the attraction she was looking forward to in Langkawi. The Underwater World absolutely thrilled our kid and us too. The 15-meter long tunnel showcasing different species of the aquatic world is the main highlight here. The 500 species are segregated into different zones and is informative as well as fun. The scheduled feeding sessions of penguins and seals is the main attraction here. So plan your visit according to it. (More Information below in Travel Tip #11) The added advantage is that it is covered so its a great activity to do while escaping the harsh sun. This place is situated near the very popular Cenang Beach, so its quite crowded with families who want some indoor activity.
Travel Tip #10
During peak season, it is advisable to book in advance to get skip-the-line tickets and don’t waste time standing in line.
Travel Tip #11
Check out these animal feeding times to plan your visit accordingly:
- African Penguin: daily, 11:00 am and 2:45 pm
- Rockhopper Penguin: daily, 11:15 am and 3:00 pm
- Fur Seal: daily, 2:30 pm
- Tunnel Tank: daily, 3:30 pm
So it is advisable to beat the afternoon heat with a visit to the well-covered Langkawi Wildlife park and also have the chance to know more about the above mentioned animals during their feeding sessions.
9. Langkawi ATV Adventure
This is a thrilling way to explore the interior of the island. This exciting ATV ride will take you through paddy fields, artificial waterfalls and numerous streams. Get a chance to pass by friendly locales engaged in their day to day activities. This is a fun-family activity to explore the natural beauty of Langkawi. However, we decided to skip this activity as it was too hot and humid when we visited Langkawi. Also we visited during the fasting month of Ramadan so the local population was mainly indoors during daytime.
Travel Tip #12
It is advisable to book the ATV adventure ride during the winter months of October to April as summer months can get quite hot and humid.
10. Dataran Lang (Langkawi Eagle Square)
Dataran Lang has the Langkawi’s most iconic structure. Also known as Eagle Square, as it has a 12 meter tall statue of a reddish-brown eagle poised to take flight. In fact Langkawi gets its name from Helang (eagle) and Kawi (reddish brown). This reddish-brown eagle is also the emblem of the island. It is in South East Langkawi in Kuah Town, facing the stunning views of Kuah Bay. Apart from this structure there are many miniature fountains, bridges and terraces that make it a perfect place to spend some quality time here. This place serves as a entrance on the Kuah Jetty and you can see many ferries sailing away. Make sure to visit the numerous Duty Free shops that are at walking distance from this place. The malls nearby also offer a variety of eating options.
Travel Tip #13
This place can get unbearable in the afternoon as it is in the open, so make sure to visit early in the morning or when the sun goes down. We visited during sunset and loved the unrestricted ocean breeze.
11. Art in Paradise (3D Art Museum)
If your little one loves posing and getting clicked too, then this is the place for you (and Of Course! the little ones!). This 3D Art Museum (Art in Paradise) is no regular art museum. It houses over 100 3D paintings and I have to admit posing with a fire breathing dragon or a dinosaur is so much fun. My kid was thoroughly entertained even though she loved the Trick eye Museum in Singapore better. Since we arrived at the Oriental village early, we covered the 3D Art Museum first and it turned out to be a blessing as there were hardly any people around. My kid had a awesome time posing in almost all the pictures.
12. Duck Tour
This is another attraction of Oriental Village. This Amphibious Duck Tour is thrilling for the kids. The Duck is not only good to look at the ride is good too. The tour starts at the Oriental Village and then splashes into the marina. After a brief round of the harbor it returns. It is a different concept for the kids and worth trying if you have time. Since we had too much to cover that day, we gave this activity a miss but you can do if you have small kids. They will love it.
13. Langkawi Helicopter Tour
Want to experience Langkawi in a completely different perspective, then this is the tour for you. Get a bird’s eye view of this beautiful island on a private helicopter rides. Here you get to see the popular Cenang Beach and Dayang Bunting Lake from top. The view are spectacular and will keep you mesmerized. The archipelago is filled with panoramic view and this is the best way to see them all. The blue waters of the ocean, the mountains and the green rain-forest sure makes this an exciting attraction.
Travel Tip # 14
The Langkawi Discovery Helicopter Private Tour is a great tour with discounted rates. It also offers free transfers within the Cenang, Datai and Kuah area.
14. Crocodile Adventure Land
This 20-acre park is located in the Teluk Detai Bay area of Langkawi. This farm is where you can come close and personal with these fearsome creatures. There are about 1000 Malaysian sea-water crocodiles and alligators in this farm. The crocodiles are divided into various sections and every section is labeled with details written on them. This place is very informative for kids and adults alike. The feeding session is interesting for the kids. There are also stunt shows that take place twice a day where a trainer tries to wrestle with a crocodile. It sure was scary to watch for our little one and a just a little bit for us too! (Who am I kidding!) Overall its a good attraction.
Travel Tip #15
Preferably plan your visit during the afternoon with the discounted admission tickets.
Program Schedule:
- Giant Crocodile Feeding: 11:45am, 1:15pm, 3:15pm, 4:30pm
- Crocodile Encounter Show: 2:00pm
- Thrilling & Aggressive Wild Croc: 10:00am, 3:45pm
- Adult Crocodile Jumping: 10:30am, 5:30pm
- “Bujang Lang” Giant Crocodile: 11:15am, 2:45pm
15. Water Sports
Langkawi is a treasure trove of water activities to choose from. Depending on the level of excitement you seek, you can take your pick. From Banana rides, parasailing, paddle boarding, kayaking and jet skis, Langkawi has them all. The most popular island in Langkawi is Pulau Payar, which is famous for snorkeling or diving to experience its amazing coral reefs and marine life. The other main attraction here is swimming with the baby sharks and shark feeding.
Travel Tip # 16
Snorkeling and scuba diving are the must-do activities for kids and adults alike to explore the corals and marine life at Pulau Payar Island. One of the best ways to explore them is to book it through a tour operator. You can find a list of snorkeling / scuba diving tour from where we chose ours too. Although we all are non-swimmers, we could still take part in the water activities including out 7-year old.
Where to Stay in Langkawi
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Langkawi is a popular tourist destination so there is no dearth of staying options. We stayed at the Berjaya Resort which was walking distance from Oriental Village. This provided amazing views of the mountains from their private beach. There are many room types to choose from and we chose the Rainforest Challet. The cottages with beautifully built will all amenities in the midst of green foliage. The two pools and pristine beach kept my water baby happy. The four restaurants gave us ample of food options to choose from.
Langkawi Eagle Square looks so amazing! I haven’t been to Langkawi yet and there’s a direct flight from Manila. It’s cheap too! I really hope to experience the gastronomy too and roam around the city. I hope I can visit next year.
Yes. Its so much affordable. The food is great too!
I’m hoping to head to S’pore and Malaysia early next year, of course with my toddler gal. So super thanks for this list of kid friendly things to do.
I’ve recently started reading about Geoparks and good to know Langkawi Mangroves is a part of it. It would top my list of things to do.
Mangroves are very fascinating for kids. Your kid will have an amazing time there.
Langkawi looks like such an adventurous place. The skybridge looks fascinating and I can imagine the views from there are stunning on a clear day. Good travel tips about the stairs, I reckon I would take them to save the money.
The Sky Bridge is amazing. we get get the views since it was cloudy. However it was like floating in the clouds.
Sky Bridge is amazing. We did not get the views as it was cloudy, however it was like floating in the clouds.
I don’t have kids and I haven’t been to Langkawi. So I found a good guide. The Sky Bridge goes on list for the spectacular views and the mangrove tour for the crocodile cave. There is a crocodile park in India too near Chennai. Bookmarked these places.
Langkawi looks absolutely amazing and a perfect holiday destination to spend a super fun time with kids. There are so many things to do and explore. The views from the sky bridge are simply jaw-dropping! The place is bestowed with so much natural beauty. The Wildlife Park is something I would so love to visit owing to my love for these lovely creatures. The interactive session with the birds sound interesting. Also, the Underwater World is my kind of place.
Love the natural beauty of Malaysia. The Rain forest is so fascinating. You would love it there.
There are actually many kid friendly activities to explore. And kids are always fascinated by the Rain forest.
Wow, this post sure took me down the memory lane- I did most of these things when I visited Langkawi. I was traveling solo back then but I can totally see how all of these are great experiences for kids too. Especially the Art in Paradise and the Wildlife park- these were two of my favorites.
Solo must have been a different experience. Would love to try it some day.
These are such great ideas!! I love the cable car, boat, and bridge. It looks like a great place to visit with kids.
Yes. its an amazing place for kids. There is so much to explore.
There are so many things to do in Langkawi even when you are with your kids. I loved the cable car, mangrove forest tour, and exploring the beaches. The best among all is the mangrove forest as you genuinely get to experience the tropical forest in its truest sense.
The rain-forest is surely amazing. The mangrove tour was fascinating too.
The Mangrove tour was great. It was fascinating and educational as well.
I visited Malaysia few years ago but not with the kids so did not go beyond KL unfortunately. I would really like to take the kids to langkawi as there is so much on offer for them including various activities. Your post gives me a flavour of what all to expect there and how to plan a trip to this fabulous destination. The island hopping tour is quite interesting and the other think I fancy is the sky taxi. What a unique way to fly through that natural beauty. Great to find out that the landkawi is also known as the Jewel of Kedah. Thanks for sharing a very informative post.
It is amazing place. Your kids will love it.
Do plan a trip. Your kids will love it.
Malaysia is on our list for next year and I had no idea this place existed. We will definitely be adding Langwaki to our list of places to stop in Malaysia. I am excited about the bridge and tram, I am afraid of heights and am working om conquering my fear so this would be perfect. My wife has been hounding me about a helicopter ride so this seems like the perfect place to do it. Awesome post… I’ll be pinning this so I can check it out once we are there
Make sure you visit Langkawi. It an amazing destination.
Malaysia is an amazing place. I am sure you will have a great time there.
I don’t have kids, but some of these things still look fun! Especially the beach and helicopter ride. You kids are so lucky to have all those amazing experiences!
I recently visited Malaysia twice and have wanted to check out Langkawi, but didn’t get the chance. I guess everything worked out for the best though because now I have your fantastic guide! The Sky Bridge and Mangrove Tour sound absolutely amazing. I’d booked a couple tours with Klook when I was in Thailand and it was super crowded so lucky you for getting a semi-private tour!
Try visiting in the month of Ramadan. There are hardly any tourists around and you get the best deals.
I was in Penang last year but didn’t get have time to visit Langkawi so I plan on going there this year. Langkawi Wildlife Park looks really interesting, and island hopping would be on my list too. I would love to check out the Helicopter tour as the view looks amazing from above.
Try visiting in the month of Ramadan. There are hardly any tourists around and you get the best deals.
I am always looking for kid-friendly activities when we travel so I really appreciate this post! We have done some Duck Boat tours here in the US and they are always a big hit. With the Skywalk, beaches, wildlife, and crocodiles, my family would have a great time in Langkawi!
OMG those gorgeous birds are amazing, and I like how you can feed them and interact with them. Surprisingly, I haven’t visited Malaysia and now I am thinking to visit Langkawi asap. Your story is making me excited to schedule my next trip there!