School holidays are approaching! That’s possibly every kid’s dream come true; and every parent’s wallets worst nightmare! Don’t get us wrong; we’re pretty sure every parent is more than happy to spend some much-needed family time with their kids; however, the notion of school holidays is always viewed as exclusive and special, and it somehow equates to expensive holidays. But let’s reflect on that very thought: does that really mean you’ll have to pay premium prices just to prove your undying love and bond with your child for a few days?
Fret not, parents. We hear you. Yes, the economy is soft; but where there’s a will, there’s always a way. Here are some ideas you could incorporate to keep everyone happy and grinning from ear-to-ear this holiday.
Explore the Wilderness
Say, your child is undeniably curious and a true blue animal fan. What would you do? We have a cheaper solution for you, and that doesn’t involve the responsibility of getting a pet or cleaning it up on their behalf. If you and your child are itching to get a taste of life on the wild side, drop by Taman Negara! It is said to be 130 million years old and spans more than a million acres; making it the nation’s leading destination for ecotourism. There are 4 entry points to access to Taman Negara:
01)Kuala Tahan, Pahang
02)Sungai Relau, Pahang
03)Kuala Koh, Kelantan
04)Tanjung Mentong, Terengganu
The most popular entry point to get to Taman Negara is Kuala Tahan, Pahang. Upon reaching and parking your car in Kuala Tahan, you can ride a ferry to the opposite bank where the park is located. The breakdown of the costs and entry fees for the park from Kuala Tahan are tabulated below:
|
Description
|
Cost
|
|---|
|
Parking
|
RM5 for car,
RM10 for bus
|
|
Permit for individuals
|
RM1 per pax
|
|
Permit for electronic items
|
RM5 per camera and video
|
Play around with Butterflies and Flowers
Fortunately, we understand that not everyone is able to appreciate the wildlife. Some of us do enjoy the prettier and lighter side of things in life. If that’s the case, try visiting these two places instead: Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park situated in The Lake Gardens or the Kuala Lumpur Orchid and Hibiscus Garden. Set you and your child’s hearts aflutter with the butterflies and bask in the beautiful flowers all around you. The entry fees for the respective parties are:
|
Location
|
Adult
|
Child
|
|---|
|
Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Park
|
RM25
|
RM14
|
|
Kuala Lumpur Orchid and Hibiscus Garden
|
Free on weekdays
Nominal charge of RM1 per pax on weekends
|
If your child is being exposed to photography at an early age and sees him/herself being the next Instagram star, here’s a location you could test his or her skills! Alive 3D Art Gallery is situated in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. The art in this gallery is truly realistic; and to the untrained eye, it looks like the real deal. Below are the entry fees for the respective parties:
|
Nationality
|
Adult
|
Child
|
|---|
|
Malaysian
|
RM20
|
RM15
|
|
Non-Malaysian
|
RM25
|
RM20
|
Escape the Hustle Bustle of City Life
If you and your kids love travelling and visiting new places, why not travel locally? There are plenty of beautiful places that are yet to be discovered, and it could be a short-day trip; perfect for the weekends!
01)Sekinchan, Selangor
Snack away on some delicious seafood and munch on giant mangoes in this secluded land. When your stomach is filled to the brim, enjoy a slow walk and admire the gorgeous view of the paddy fields in Sekinchan. If you have some time to spare and would like to end the day with a sparkly night, head over to Kuala Selangor which is located about 30 minutes away from Sekinchan. You can catch a boat ride to watch some beautiful fireflies at only RM10 per pax. The cost includes a bottle of drink and you get to admire the fireflies for 30 to 45 minutes.
02)Ipoh, Perak
Laid-back, charming, and opulent with plenty of coffee shops for your admiration? This is the destination if you’re also into chicken rice, nasi kandar, laksa, dim sum, and even yong tau foo. If the food’s too good, though, you can burn it all off by walking at Jonker’s street!
03)Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan
Known for their sandy beaches and picturesque view, Port Dickson remains one of the hot destination spots. Year after year, it continues to draw the local crowd and the water sports enthusiast! All you need to do is pack some food and spare clothes, and drive away to your destination!
04)Sungai Chilling, Pahang
Nothing beats sitting by the waterfalls on a hot, sunny day and just enjoying the cool breeze against your skin. Oh, and the fact that there’s cold, crystal clear water in this hot weather makes it the perfect place to literally chill for folks who have been exposed to lots of sun rays. So load up on finger foods and spare clothes (trust us, you will be soaked!) and simply have fun with your family!
Bonus
If you’re bogged down with work or are on a seriously tight budget, don’t be disappointed. Here are some additional ideas for you to try out with your family, and best of all; it’s *mostly* FREE!
- Have a family theme night (E.g.: dress to impress, superhero party, Disney-inspired party / dress up, how-to night)
- Art & Craft night
- Movie night (To add on to the vibe, prepare some fake money and delicious concessions for children to purchase)
- Karaoke night / Idol night
- RM10 shopping night
- Indoor Obstacle Course
- Volunteering
- Camp-out night
