School holiday is around the corner, and it’s not too late for you to plan a trip with your family. If you’re still looking for good school holiday activities to do, we’ve found a few recommended activities that won’t break your wallet. Whether you’re going out of town or staying in the city, these fun school holiday activities will definitely make for some good family bonding time.

Here’s a list of six fun and educational school holiday activities for your kids to enjoy that won’t burn a hole in your wallet:

1. Learn about finance at Sasana Kijang, Kuala Lumpur

Sasana Kijang (also known as Bank Negara Malaysia Museum and Art Gallery) is an initiative by the Central Bank of Malaysia to educate the public about banking and finance. The learning centre provides a number of free educational programmes (permanent and seasonal) to the public based on age. Some of the recommended programmes include:

● Get To Know Your Banknotes – Suitable for adults and secondary school children (age 13-17), the highly recommended programme will teach you how to authenticate banknotes by using a simple method known as the ‘Feel, Look, Tilt and Check’. You’ll also learn about what to do when you receive counterfeit money and find out what the exchange value is for damaged banknotes, in addition to other tips for
real-life situations.

● The Numismatic Worksheet – Suitable for primary and secondary school children, self-guided worksheets will be given for them to explore and learn the types of money as they visit the Numismatic Gallery.

● What Is Money? – Suitable for secondary school children, the programme will teach the importance of money in daily lives, the origin of money, and the basic concept of money circulation.

● Si Kijang Money Box – Suitable for young children aged five to nine, the programme teaches children how to make their own paper money box and the concept of saving, spending and sharing money.

Entrance Fee: Free admission (pre-booking for the programme of your choice is required – subject to the availability of facilitator)

Opening Hours: Opens daily from 10 am to 6 pm

Address: Sasana Kijang, 2 Jalan Dato’ Onn, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

   2. Learn chocolate-making at The Chocolate Museum, Petaling Jaya

Located in Kota Damansara, The Chocolate Museum features interactive digital displays on all things chocolate. Besides discovering the history and health benefits of chocolate and shopping at the gift store, you get to learn about the process of making chocolate and tasting them in The Chocolate Kitchen. The kitchen, which is equipped with chocolate-making machinery and a chocolate printer, is where chocolate-making demos by in-house chocolate makers and renowned international chocolatiers are often held for the public.

If you’d like to bring home a personalised gift, you can print your own image on a chocolate using the chocolate printer.

Entrance Fee: Free admission
Opening Hours: Opens daily from 10am to 5pm
Address: 2, Jalan Teknologi 3/5, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

3. Explore nature at the Tropical Spice Garden, Penang

For those with adventurous, outdoorsy children, head on down to the Tropical Spice Garden in Penang. The lush garden is home to over 500 tropical plant species from around the world.There are tours and night walks for adults and children. Educational programmes for children (age 12 and below) include the following:

● Spice Buzz – The programme introduces children to spices with fun games, in addition to learning about the importance and uses of spices.
● Green Fingers – The gardening programme teaches children the tips and tricks for growing healthy flowers, vegetables, herbs, and shrubs.
● Young Crafters – For the artsy children, this programme teaches them on how to create art from natural and recycled materials.
● Amazing Trees – Discover the wonders of trees through fun activities like leaf collage or bark tracing.
● Nature Box – The treasure hunt programme teaches children on working as a team while searching for clues and exploring nature.
● Little Night Adventurers – A camping programme with night walks.

Each programme also includes playtime at the Slides & Ladders Giant 3D Board playground. Entrance Fee: RM29 (Adults), RM17 (Children age 4-12). Free admission for children under the age of four. There’s a discount for students and senior citizens.

Opening Hours: Opens daily from 9 am to 6 pm
Address: Lot 595 Mukim 2, Jalan Teluk Bahang, Teluk Bahang, 11050 George Town, Pulau Pinang

4. Explore the quirky Wonderfood Museum, Penang

For foodies, the Wonderfood Museum in Penang offers a fun time of exploring larger-than-life replicas of Malaysian dishes and also miniatures of the street food culture in the country. There are three galleries in the museum: namely Educational Zone, Wow Zone, and Info Zone; and each gallery offers a glimpse into what goes on behind making a popular dish. You can find super realistic food replicas of the Peranakan, Malay, Chinese and Indian dishes
throughout the museum.You’ll also learn how some of your favourite food or drink have a negative impact on your health or the environment.

Entrance Fee: With MyKad identifications: RM15 (Adults), RM10 (Children)
Opening Hours: Opens daily from 9am to 6pm
Address: 49, Lebuh Pantai, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang

5. Watch fireflies at Kota Tinggi Firefly Park, Johor

Firefly watching can be a relaxing and truly mesmerising experience. At the Kota Tinggi Firefly Park, you’ll be taken on a 45-minute boat ride around the mangroves to witness the beauty of nature at nighttime. As it gets darker, the surrounding area will light up like Christmas trees.

Entrance Fee: RM20 (Adults), RM12 (Children age 3-12)
Opening Hours: Opens daily from7pm to 11pm
Address: Jalan Kota Tinggi, 81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor

6. Swim and slide at the Kota Tinggi Waterfalls, Johor

Take a refreshing break and swim at the Kota Tinggi waterfalls, where you’ll also find exciting water rides like the long slide (pictured), the spiral slide, or the blue slide. There’s also a fun pool and charming rest houses.

Entrance Fee: With MyKad identifications: RM7.50 (Adults), RM3.50 (Children). Entrance is free for infants under 85cm.
Opening Hours: Opens daily from 8 am to 7 pm
Address: Jalan Lombong, 81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor

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