8 BEST play areas on Penang Island (both indoor and outdoor)

Map of featured Penang play areas

1. Youth Park / Municipal Park

READ OUR GUIDE: Penang Youth Park

Penang Youth Park is the best place to visit if you want maximum space for kids to play and explore. Not only is there a large play area, with climbing areas and swing that will suit kids of all ages, there’s also a skate park, volleyball court, badminton area and grass-covered sports area.

For adults, the small onsite shop and café sells drinks and light meals (cash only).

2. Gurney Bay Park

Handily located along Gurney Drive, Gurney Bay Park is part of the first phase of a redevelopment project called Gurney Bay, which will transform this area of town. The playground and skatepark offer a fun area for kids to play, and the location near to the malls and hotels nearby is a plus.

It’s best to visit in the early morning or late afternoon/early evening if possible as there’s no shade. The main attraction is the large helter-skelter slide and climbing area, which is visible from some distance away.

3. A+ Babyland

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With three branches around Penang Island (Lotus’s Tanjong Tokong, Gurney Paragon Mall and Sungai Dua), A+ Babyland is an indoor playground zone with ball pools, slides and trampolines.

Don’t be put off by the name, it’s aimed at kids of all ages and they’re sure to have an awesome time bouncing around the different activities. An adult must remain onsite while the kids are playing. Seating and cafe options can be slightly limited.

4. Adventure Zone

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Part of the Shangri-La resort complex, Adventure Zone is a great option if you’re visiting Batu Ferringhi with younger kids and need somewhere for them to burn off some energy in a cool, safe, well-maintained and monitored location.

It’s a standard soft-play area, with slides, rope ladders and climbing areas for the kids to enjoy. Remember to bring some socks for them to wear.

There’s a cafe area within sight of the play area if adults want a coffee while the fun is happening, although one adult must accompany children at all times in the Adventure Zone. If you’re a two-parent family, you might need to draw straws to decide who gets to sit and watch.

5. UFOREA

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Recently opened at Island 88 in Tanjong Tokong, this forward thinking and futuristic play experience seeks to educate and entertain kids in a multi-room complex. Split across different concepts such as Discovery, Brave, Joyful Reading, Birthday and Interactive Education, this is a top-class venue and one that you’ll want to spend a few hours at least.

There’s a cafe onsite and, even though the ticket price is quite expensive for Penang, you certainly get a unique and varied experience for your money.

6. Komtar

The tallest building on Penang Island, the Komtar dominates the skyline and is home to several activities including a technology museum, Komtar Skybridge and Skywalk, a mirror maze, and an aquarium.

For younger kids though, the best best is to head to the play area on the lower level, where the kids can play while the adults have a drink or snack from the food vendors nearby. Afterwards, you can buy tickets for unlimited runs on the slide (they’ll be most tired out by bringing the mats back up to the top), or paying to visit Jungle Gym for more play activities.

7. Cocoon+ Kids Cafe

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A stylish and well-thought out place, Cocoon+ Kids Cafe in Bayan Lepas combines a contemporary cafe setting with fun and interactive play areas for the kids. There are climbing frames, sand pits, mini-gyms and dress-up areas, cleverly situated amongst the adult seating area. The food and drinks menu is excellent, meaning this place can be a fun break for kids and adults alike.

8. ESCAPE Penang

READ OUR GUIDE: Essential tips for visiting ESCAPE Penang
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ESCAPE Penang is a world-class theme park on Penang Island, so it’s much more than just a simple play area, but we’ve included it on this list as no visit to Penang with kids is complete without at least one day here.

It’s both a waterpark and theme park, with TWO Guinness World Record holders (longest zip-coaster and longest tube water slide), plus a huge collection of activities including water slides, wave pools, speed racers, lazy rivers, high-ropes courses, slingshots and giant swings.

It’s even home to Malaysia’s first dry-ski slope (although manage expectations, it’s quite basic and more fun if you race down in the plastic tyres).

ESCAPE is a brilliant family day out and well worth the entrance fee. You and the kids are guaranteed an amazing time here, even if you might need a rest afterwards!