Need a quick and easy getaway with the fam? Here's our guide to kid-friendly things to do in the popular shopping town of Johor Bahru, just across Singapore's border.
We’ve all heard about shopping day trips and weekends with the family in Johor Bahru – just a short drive from Singapore, and you’ll find yourself in Malaysia! So we headed on a short weekend break to JB in Malaysia to scope out the best kid-friendly spots, from theme parks and nature reserves to malls and supermarkets. You can get your family there in about an hour, and the best part? No air travel required. (But don’t forget your passports and check the JB checkpoint camera before you go!)
How to get to Johor Bahru
Since most Singapore taxis aren’t licensed to travel into Malaysia, your best bet is to drive yourself, take the train, get on a bus, or hire a car service. If you’re looking for hassle-free transportation, we recommend hiring a car service… Especially if you’re travelling with kids! Check out our list here of the different travel options available for getting from Singapore to JB. Once you’re in Malaysia, taxis are very inexpensive around Johor.
Where to stay in Johor Bahru
KSL Hotel & Resort
KSL Hotel & Resort is centrally located at Taman Century in Johor Bahru, and there’s plenty of room for everyone (almost 900, to be exact)! This is a very family-friendly resort, offering package deals for Legoland visitors, and all hotel guests get free admission to the in-house Dinosaur Alive Water Theme Park.
Legoland Hotel
Don’t forget about Legoland Hotel – with 249 rooms decked out in themes including Pirates, Adventure, and Kingdom, each room is kitted out with Lego features galore!
Mosaic @ Southkey
This is our top pick for affordable Airbnb apartments with multiple bedrooms – great when you’re traveling with your helper or taking the grandparents along! Mosaic @ Southkey is a condo located within walking distance of the popular Midvalley Southkey mall. We’ve stayed in one of the cosy kid-friendly units here (complete with a slide and toys for kids!) but you’ll easily find multiple options by various hosts on Airbnb.
Things to do in Johor Bahru
Legoland Malaysia
Get set to sweat… a lot! If you can stand the heat, Legoland Malaysia packs a fun-filled day with more than 40 rides, and everything is hands-on. If you need a break from the hot Malaysian sun, cool off at Legoland Water Park, just a few steps away. You can book a cabana for the day, which we highly recommend! Check out our complete guide to Legoland Malaysia for great insider tips, plus our round-up of the best theme parks in Asia.
Indoor playgrounds in JB
There are also a number of awesome indoor playgrounds in JB – check out Kiddytopia at Mid Valley Southkey with its massive ball pits; Olymkids at Toppen Shopping Centre with trampolines; and Funtopia at KSL City Mall!
Zoo Johor
It might not be as big as the Mandai Zoo, but Zoo Johor is considered one of Malaysia’s oldest zoos and easy to walk around. You’ll see tigers, crocodiles, birds, and other zoo animals, plus the entrance fee is less than S$2!
More things to do outdoors in JB
For a retreat into nature (and it’s free, too!), Pulai Waterfall is great for cooling off after a weekend trek in the dense forest. While Singapore’s farms face space constraints, JB’s farms are huge and fascinating. The UK Agro Resort is home to Malaysia’s largest goat and sheep farm and 15 acres of a passionfruit manufacturing station. For an immersive experience, the farm also houses a campsite, restaurant, chalet and barbecue area.
Where to shop in Johor Bahru
Johor Premium Outlets
If great food and entertainment aren’t enough, shop to your heart’s content at the Johor Premium Outlets. Offering 130 designer and name brands (think Burberry and Ferragamo), get a significant discount on your coveted bag with savings daily. If you’re more of a high-street shopper, go nuts at Victoria’s Secret and Cotton On.
Best malls in JB
For a cheaper mall experience, we recommend local favourite City Square Mall. Located right next to the immigration checkpoint, the mall houses heaps of restaurants found in Singapore BUT with more than half price off thanks to the exchange rate. Look out for brands like Sasa for an absolute steal on makeup or Uniqlo to stock up on your everyday basics. Aeon Mall Tebrau City and Mid Valley Southkey are also favourite haunts for shoppers looking for bargains.
Grocery shopping in JB
Want to go all out on mega grocery shopping? Head to Lotus’s or Giant. These hypermarts offer everything from clothes and electronics to food (Tesco even stocks British brands) and toiletries. We suggest coming here with an empty car – be prepared to load up on heaps of groceries!
Where to eat in Johor Bahru
Suppose you’re tired of cafe-hopping in Singapore; head over to JB for more hipster cafes, or slightly elevated dining at a fraction of Singapore’s F&B prices! We’ve been hearing lots about Edward’s Urban Fish & Chips, famous for its fresh fish and authentic style of British fish and chips – many of its outlets even have amazing indoor playgrounds for kids!
JB is also the perfect place to get your Japanese food fix, with many casual sushi spots, ramen joints and fancier omakase restaurants. Our recommendations: Sushi Zanmai and Awagyu Restaurant.
To top off a day of great food, seek out ice cream spots like The Ice Cream Project which will meet your need for a sweet treat with its quality ice creams. They’re also preservative-free, which will abate you of any dietary guilt.
If you’re after a truly local Malaysian experience, sink your teeth into a huge seafood feast. Think dishes like sweet yet savoury cereal prawns, ikan tiga rasa (tri-flavoured fish) and salted egg yolk crab. Of note are Selera Senibong Seafood and Warung Pokok Cherry for local favourites like these. Mamak stalls are a unique Malaysian haunt. Plenty are open 24 hours and are even equipped with free WiFi access and projectors for football or movie screenings. Restoran Habib is a haven for roti canai (the Malaysian version of prata), naan and tandoor chicken.
To grab and go the best of JB’s food, make a trip down on an early morning to one of JB’s many markets. Pasar Tani, for instance, is lined with street stalls hawking beancurd and you tiao, nasi lemak and kueh.
Enjoy your quick getaway to JB, folks!
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