Encourage Your Kids To Trade Screen Time For Green Time During The Upcoming School Holidays By Going Camping In Kuala Lumpur & Selangor In These Kid-Friendly Campsites!

Dreaming of a school holiday that doesn’t involve negotiating screen time with your kids for the hundredth time this year? Then it’s time to dust off your weekender bags and plan out a good ol’ camping trip for the family!

With the rise of staycations and Malaysia’s ever-persistent humidity, camping isn’t always the first choice for parents. Especially when you consider the availability of hotel comforts like hot running showers, air-conditioning, and scrumptious buffet spreads.

But as lovely as those things are, there’s something truly nourishing about going back to wholesome basics. Think fresh air, river splashes, firefly sightings, fruit orchard tours, star-gazing sessions with your little ones just before sleep, and late-night marshmallow toasts (s'mores anyone?).

Here’s the best part - you don’t have to drive far or board a plane to another country to enjoy these wonders. Kuala Lumpur and Selangor are home to a surprising number of kid-friendly campsites just a short drive away from the city. Some are even found within lesser known parts of the city!

Whether you’re an outdoorsy family or one with the concrete jungle, we’ve rounded up the best kid-friendly campsites to go camping in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor that you can check out with your family. From riverside glamping zones to forest hideaways, let’s make the upcoming school holidays the most memorable time to unplug and reconnect with both nature and each other!

7 Kid-Friendly Campsites To Experience Camping In Kuala Lumpur & Selangor For The Most Memorable Adventure In The Great Outdoors

1. Dusun Bonda @ Bantang Kali, Selangor

The Dusun Bonda riverside glamping retreat is a lovely one tucked away in a private fruit orchard in Batang Kali, Selangor, and it came about through a simple idea the owner had for her daughter - to create beautiful childhood memories amidst nature. 

It offers families and campers a peaceful escape from city life while keeping the joy of little ones in mind through its beautiful landscape, children’s playground, gentle man-made waterfall, riverside access, garden swings, and even a small wading pool which is perfect for particularly sunny days.

Kids can splash about in the shallow stream, explore the gardens, try out fish-feeding there, partake in river tubing, experience bamboo water rafting, and even have their very first bonfire experience. Families can also book ahead in advance for the jungle trekking experience should you wish to try that out. Just don't forget to pack some insect repellent, snacks and water in your little one's OiYO Little Explorer Backpack before bringing them on their very first jungle trekking experience!

You won’t need to prepare tents either as Dusun Bonda is a glamping site, offering guests a comfortable stay within their safari-style tents and uniquely designed villas with private toilet and shower access. Air-conditioning is available as well, except for the smaller tents where you have the option to rent or do without it.

The great news for parents with younger children is how it’s a drive-in campsite so families can park right inside the property for easy transport of bags and kids’ essentials. Another thing to take note is that you’ll have to prepare your own lunch, dinner, and snacks as only breakfast is provided there. That said, you can opt to pre-order BBQ sets from the host to have your very own BBQ at the site’s BBQ pits!

Address: Lot 2121 (2996) Jalan Ulu Tamu, Kampung Orang Asli Gurney, Ulu Tamu, 44300 Batang Kali, Selangor

2. Commonwealth Forest Park Falls Campsite @ Rawang

Looking for something in between glamping and the full outdoor camping experience? Then you’ll want to check out the Commonwealth Forest Park Falls. This campsite is tucked within a lesser-known forest reserve just outside Rawang, providing families with serenity amidst a quiet, leafy escape.

But the real highlight here? It’s none other than the hidden waterfall trail that is short and kid-friendly which leads to a waterfall and the accompanying shallow pool, making it the perfect experience for your little ones to enjoy a dip and cool off after a hike. Aside from the waterfall, there are also attractions such as fishing, river kayaking activities, and thrilling ATV rides.

Families will have the option of bringing their own tents and camping gear, renting one of the on-site chalets, staying in the signature White Cottage, or to rent a glamping kit. Interestingly enough, it’s actually cheaper to rent the chalet than to rent a spot to pitch your tent so it really depends on how much you want to spend along with the kind of experience you’re looking for.

Proper shared toilets and shower facilities are available on-site with decent water pressure, but you’ll have to bring your own toiletries. I highly recommend keeping flushable wet wipes on hand, especially when you have your little campers around.

While there are no built-in BBQ pits on-site, you are allowed to bring your own portable BBQ grill and basic cooking stove to cook simple meals for the full camping experience. That said, many families have also opted to bring pre-packed bentos, cup noodles, or self-heating meal boxes to completely skip the unfamiliar act of cooking without the full kitchen essentials, which gives you more time to bond with your little ones in the great outdoors.

Bonus Tip: Pack some large garbage bags in advance for an easier time cleaning up. Rawang’s dedicated LOTUS’S hypermarket is also just around the corner so you can stop by for camping essentials before making your way to the campgrounds!

Bonus Tip 2: Be vary of monkeys as they have been known to steal food from unsuspecting campers!

Address: Lagong Forest Reserve, KM 23, Jalan Rawang, Compartment 3, 48000 Rawang, Selangor

3. De Kampung Campsite @ Kampung Tanjung, Rawang

Camping at De Kampung Campsite feels like one has just travelled back in time to rural life with its open grassy fields, direct river access, and overall peaceful surroundings. The entire campsite is designed with simplicity and community in mind, making it a great choice for families who intend to introduce their children to the basics of living in nature within a safe and spacious zone.

Kids can enjoy a river walk, splash about in the on-site swimming pool, join in on BBQs, watch movie screenings at the common area, ride their bicycles, the camp operator’s available programs, sing and dance the night away with the live karaoke sessions at night, or have their very first stargazing experience away from the city’s blinding lights.

There’s no need to park your car at a distance as it’s a drive-in campsite, so families can park within walking distance to your tent area. It is especially perfect for families with energetic toddlers or those travelling with more than one child. 

Simple cooking shelters are available along with the on-site buffet spread for dinner, along with shared toilet and shower facilities which are regularly cleaned by the owners and their staff. Families can also opt to book bentos ahead of time through the camp operators if they don’t intend to do outdoor cooking during their stay.

That said, the layout of the campgrounds are not wheelchair-friendly nor stroller-friendly so that’s one thing to take note of when you’re planning a camping trip there. Visitors have also reported that mosquitos are abundant during the wet season so it’s best to bring insect repellent to keep the bugs away during your stay.

Address: Lot 1065, Jalan Tanjung 3, Kampung Tanjung, 48000 Rawang, Selangor

4. Dangau Jungle Herb Sauna & Taman Melawati Campsite

Located just 30-minutes drive from KL lies the Dangau Jungle Herb Sauna & Taman Melawati Campsite. It’s found just outside the fringes of the area’s forest where the riverside is located, and it offers visitors the option to have a picnic or to enjoy an overnight camping stay.

It’s one of the more popular spots for beginner campers to experience camping in Kuala Lumpur as it offers a beautiful combination of wellness, nature, and kampung-style charm. Another plus side? It is not quite known to the general public of non-campers (yet).

What draws families to this campsite is its unique traditional wooden herbal sauna hut which families can utilise to relax after soaking up nature and splashing about the nearby stream. Aside from that, kids can roam the garden areas or go for a short nature walk with the camp operator’s friendly caretakers to learn more about herbs and plants in a hands-on way - a rare opportunity not usually found in other campsites!

Parking is available nearby and it is simply a short walk to the camping site making it manageable for families with kids, even with camping gear and essentials in tow. That said, you must bring your own camping tent and basic cooking equipment with ingredients as there are none available for rent in this purely DIY camping site.

The campsite also has a simple shared toilet with cold water shower for families to quickly clean up after splashing about the riverbank.

Even though it is a traditional camping site, its proximity to the city centre provides families with the ease of knowing that they aren’t too far from the city’s comforts, which is something families with little children truly appreciate.

Address: Dangau Jungle Herb Sauna & Taman Melawati Campsite, Jalan Kampung, Warisan Cityview, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur

5. The Nest Camping Site @ MAEPS Serdang

First-time campers and families looking to go camping in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor will rejoice at what The Nest at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park offers. This particular camping site is more than just a campground. It’s an outdoor learning and adventure centre tailored for families, friend groups, and teams that offers a mix of nature, structured activities, and comfort by a serene lakeside.

Various types of camping options are available for campers to choose from. Families can either opt for the traditional “pitch-a-tent” experience on a first come first pick basis, try out car camping, hammock camping, or spend the night in their cabin dormitory. This also means that parking at The Nest is conveniently close to the camping areas. That said, families can also opt to either rent tents and camp beds from The Nest or bring their own should they not wish to pack those.

Campers will also have access to the camping site’s BBQ pits, bouldering wall, basketball court, board games selection, common areas, herb centre, and more. The Nest also offers a plethora of kid-friendly activities facilitated by trained coaches, such as kayaking, hiking, archery, fishing, geocaching, stand-up paddling, and more.

One thing to take note of is that campers seeking to take part in the 4-5 hours hiking adventure up the nearby Tokwi Peak (Mardi Peak) will need to apply for a permit a week before their camping trip. I would also not recommend this hiking activity for little kids as it tends to be challenging for them, but I would recommend it for the older kids in the family as it is a fantastic experience that combines a jungle trail, mini waterfall walk, and challenging steep sections.

Address: The Nest @ Maeps Serdang, Persiaran MARDI-UPM, 43400 Serdang, Selangor

6. Moonkissed By The River @ Hulu Langat, Selangor

Nestled by the serene Sungai Semungkis in Hulu Langat, Moonkissed By The River is a campsite that offers campers a magical blend of comfort amidst the tranquility of nature. This glamping site is specially designed for families, couples, and friend groups seeking a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

Think lush greenery, tall tree canopies, the soothing rush of the flowing river, and well-appointed tents that look like it came straight out of a Pinterest board. Children can enjoy supervised river play for a splashing great time, take part in mini hikes in the surrounding forest, and families can carry out their very own BBQ dinner experience. Just don't forget to pack them some snacks in the OiYO Little Explorer Snack Bag to keep their little bellies fueled up with their favourite snacks after some river fun!

The campsite is well-equipped with clean shared toilets and shower facilities, and some of the on-site camping accommodations come with a private toilet and even air-conditioning. Having said that, there is also an option to rent tents for a traditional camping experience at the dedicated camping site which is found a stone’s throw away from the glamping site.

The most important factor to take into consideration before planning a camping trip here is the season. It’s highly recommended to avoid planning your camp during the monsoon season as the river’s water will rise higher than usual, increasing the likelihood of flooding.

Address: Moonkissed By The River , Batu 14 1/2 Jalan Sungai Semungkis, 43100 Hulu Langat, Selangor

7. FRIM Camping Area @ Jalan Foxworthy, Kuala Lumpur (Perah Campsite)

Have you ever dreamt of camping right within a tropical rainforest? Thanks to the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) you can now do so without ever leaving Kuala Lumpur! The FRIM Camping Area, also known as the Perah Campsite, is managed and monitored by FRIM, making it a safe and educational experience for first-time campers with kids.

Camping at FRIM means that your time there will never be dull. You won’t be limited to simple hikes and river splashes because there are fun activities such as canopy walks, bug hunts, leaf rubbings, and bark texture games, picnic and playtime under the rainforest trees, and more.

While FRIM is a traditional campsite, they do have various camping equipment up for rent like tents, sleeping bags, compasses, and binoculars at the campsite. Camping essentials aside, campers will also get access to the communal kitchen, activity hall, shared toilets, fireplace, and BBQ pit to host their very own BBQ dinners.

Parking is also available on-site and the camping grounds are very much accessible by car, but you’ll need to walk a short distance from the designated parking area to the camping site. But rest assured that the walk is gentle and manageable even with young children and camping gear in tow.

Address: 343, Jalan Foxworthy, Institut Penyelidikan Perhutanan Malaysia, 52100 Kuala Lumpur, Selangor