Johor Bahru: What To Do In Johor Bahru With Younger Kids
Johor Bahru, Malaysia is our 3rd stop for our Southeast Asia Family Adventure. It is one of the states in Malaysia where people love to come to shop besides seeing the historical sites. It is home for Legoland and so much more. This town is near the border.
We rented an SUV with a driver to drive us to Johor Bahru. The immigration process is easy, but it took us longer than we expected. We let our kids used their American passports, and the authorities didn’t ask any questions and let us go. We arrived in the early afternoon and went to our hotel which was good quality for a reasonable price.
Hotel Jen is within walking distance to Sanrio Hello Kitty Town and The Little Big Club. These two places are perfect if you are traveling with kids between 1-8 years old. We have a 1-year-old son and a 4- year old daughter, and it was perfect for our family. We planned this trip mainly for my children because my daughter is a crazy lover of Hello Kitty. The Little Big Club is also perfect for my son.
We still have some time left to check one of the places, but we chose to go there and bought our tickets ahead of time. They have a water fountain there which the kids enjoy playing in. There are stores, restaurants and dessert place which we tried and loved.
Why do you need to go to Johor Bahru if you have 1-8 years old with you?
- It is home to Sanrio Hello Kitty Town, and it is perfect for little girls like my daughter age to wander in this place.
- The Little Big Club is fantastic for boys and girls alike.
- The children enjoyed watching their favorite characters perform.
- It’s a dream come true for kids this age to be in this place.
- The characters that used to see on the T.V. they got to talk to, hug and have their picture taken with them.
- They have a lot of scheduled activities for the kids to do and enjoy like painting nails and so much more.
- There are lots of rides for the little ones to enjoy.
Tips In Going Here:
- Buy your ticket ahead of time online or buy it beforehand.
- Be an early bird because the line can be long and crowded. You never know.
- There is not a wide variety of food. Be aware of that if you have a picky eater with you.
- Restaurants, desserts, and stores for shopping are accessible.
Prices can be very high, but they are standard for Malaysia. - If you have kids this age, it will be perfect to stay in Hotel Jen as it is within walking distance to this area.
- Hotel Jen has a free shuttle bus going to Legoland. Have a reservation early and reserve your seat.
- Johor Bahru has so many things to offer from kids activities
to adults who love museums, history and for those who like to wander around the area.
How To Get There?
- You can ride by bus. Busses run from Singapore. More details on how to ride a bus from Singapore to Johor Bahru
- You can also rent a private vehicle either car or taxi.
- Ride a train from Singapore to Johor Bahru.
- Rent a car and drive yourself from Singapore to Johor Bahru.
- A charter van and bus is going from Singapore to Johor Bahru.
We stayed there for a total of two nights, but we took it slow. The kids were having a blast. We spent all day in the Sanrio Hello Kitty Town and The Little Big Club. My children didn’t want to go anywhere else. That’s how this place can capture the heart of small children. If you’re traveling with children this age, please be flexible with your time and let them enjoy. Instead of going crazy and makes them cranky and exhausted.
I am a crazy traveler, but I am aware that my kid’s body isn’t like ours. I would recommend to new parents to take it slow especially if you have little ones with you. We left Johor Bahru on our 3rd day there by a plane going to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. The same driver and vehicle picked us up at our hotel to go to the airport. Please see Kuala Lumpur Malaysia: Itinerary and List To Remember
Update
Hello Kitty Land in Johor Bahru is now closed. They decided to close it down due to a lack of visitors. I think not so many people know about it and lack of marketing.
Other Attraction In Johor Bahru that you can visit with your kids.
- Legoland Malaysia
- AEON Mall
- Angry Birds Activity Park
- Puteri Harbor Satellite Clubhouse
- Austin Heights Water Theme Park
- Johor Zoo
- Danga Bay
Disclaimer: This is based on our visit to Johor Bahru please check other sources before visiting the area to confirm details.
Jackie S.
I haven’t been to Johor Bahru yet so it’s good to know that there are public transportation via bus or train from Singapore. I love Sanrio and am excited to hear that there is a Hello Kitty Town! I’ll be one of the oldest attendees there but it’ll be fun. Haha. If you ever visit Tokyo, Japan, there is the Sanrio Puroland theme park. Your daughter will love that place too.
April
So sad it is already close 🙁
Ada
Looks like a great place to visit. Hello Kitty Town sounds fun for people over the age of eight too. Haha!
April
Hahaha, yes especially for Hello Kitty lovers.
Whitney
Hello Kitty town?? I am SO glad I discovered your article.
April
Yes, Thank you.
Sabs
Johor Bahru looks like an amazing place for kids! Hello Kitty Town would be at the top of my list for visiting!
April
That was our primary purposed during our visit too.
April
I just learned today that it’s now closed. They closed it this year.
Carol Colborn
A Hello Kitty town….now my granddaughter would certainly love that!
Josy A
Woooah I had no idea that there is a Sanrio Hello Kitty Town outside of japan. My niece would love that too!
You have great advice for taking it slow with little ones. I mean, you want them to actually enjoy the experience, rather than rush around!
April
Yes, I’m even surprised when I did my research before that they do have one in Malaysia. Traveling with small kids is so different in going with older ones.
Lydia
I’ve never heard of this place before! It seems to be a great guide to the area though.
April
Thank you, Lydia.
Melissa
So many great things to do, my daughter would be in love with Hello Kitty Friendship Land, shes a big fan. It looks like such a great place to visit with kids.
April
Yes, my kids are so happy when we went here. Among all our Southeast Asia trip, this is mainly for them.
Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions
I was always curious what could be found just on the other side of the border from Singapore! That’s too bad Hello Kitty Town shut down, but it’s kind of cool that you guys got to see it before that happened!
Kailyn Travels
These are some great tips for traveling with kids! I am sure traveling with two kids can be tough, but it’s always helpful when the destination has kid friendly options that are fun for both kids and adults.
Steph
It’s too bad that they closed the Hello Kitty Land. It looks like it was a fun place even for those above 8. I definitely would have loved to check it out.
April
Yes, I am very sad to read about the closed down this year. It’s really a nice place for kids. We did enjoy our visit there.
Rudy @ Backpack & Snorkel
Did you go to Johor Bahru to visit Hello Kitty Land or were there other reasons too? I am asking, because I wonder how you found when you did your research as I would not have expected to find Hello Kitty Land there.
April
We did go to Johor Bahru for Hello Kitty Land. I couldn’t remember how I found out about it, but I did the research for kids’ place, and it must have pop out in my search. I enjoy searching in Tripadvisor.
Fares
Great articles! There aren’t many guides for traveling in Malaysia with kids! Thank you for this insight 🙂
April
I agree with you as I planned our trip. I have to put more time into my research.
Summer
The Sanrio Hello Kitty Town looks like a great place for girls of all ages! The Hello Kitty bathtub is so cute.
April
Yes, too many things to do and it’s really like a dream hello kitty house for all the girls. Too bad it’s close now. 🙁