Fun Museums for School Holidays

May 26, 08 marks the beginning of the Malaysian school break and most parents with kids would crank their heads over their holiday plans. I think holidaying in Malaysia is a rewarding break for the kids if parents make a point to include visits to museums.

I believe that there is at least one museum worth visiting in each of the Malaysian states. Some states boost more but the important thing is to identify one which the kids can enjoy and for an hour or two, let their inquisitive minds probe for answers, and a warning for the parents - be prepared.

Many of the exhibits housed air-conditioned museums are a perfect substitute for the regular outings to shopping malls. It is the prefect opportunity to share with the kids a wider perspective of the people, events and places that Malaysians have all lived through.

Furthermore, for a brief moment we are training them to discard the buy and consume mentality we parents indulge them with whenever we visit shopping centers.

We are lucky alot in a sense. Malaysian museums are also affordable compared to our nearest neighbor – Singapore. Most museums except Muzium Negara operated by Jabatan Muzium have no admission charges whereas Singapore’s MICA run public museums do with charges varies from S$1 -5 pax.

For a starter, go to a favorite outing spot for many in Kuala Lumpur particularly in areas like Lake Garden (3 museums, 1 memorial and 1 planetarium). To help parents plan their museums outings I have listed the list below for reference according to the location, admission charges and exhibits. Allocate about 1 hour to 1 and half hour for each visit to the museums.

The Royal Malaysian Police Museum - 4 out of 5 Stars
Admission - Free

Why Kids Like It?

Daddies can be Boys again and together they could check out armored vehicles, aeroplane and a patrol boat.

The Gun Gallery housed in a fortified chamber has a fascinating array of submachine-guns used by the security forces and terrorists, bow pipes used by hunters not to hunt but kill and weapons of choice by feuding gangsters. Kids may love the guns but parents must warn them of the damage they may caused.

The Darurat Gallery is a decent jungle setting with a Ferret scout car and tools of trade ( including condoms) used by terrorists in the jungle warfare. Be Warned – some very graphic photos of defeated terrorists. Check out also some pornograhic material on display aka the handkerchiefs.

The First Gallery showcasing the Malacca Sultanate days is a perfect spot to let a child plays the imaginery role of traders bartering spices or a Sultan warrior guarding the seafaring port.

Just compare the low tech weapons used by the Melaka defenders against the muskets and cannons used by the Portuguese invaders and it is easy to understand why 500 plus Portuguese and their sepoy can triumphed easily over.

The Tun Razak Memorial -'Malaysia Former White House' - 2 half of 5 Stars
Admission -Free

Why Kids Like It?

Tough to expect your kids to like this place because a substantial portion of the memorial is dedicated to Tun Razak's political contributions. Never mind the kids, adults too might not take it too well here.

But give it a chance and step into the former residence of 2nd. Malaysian Prime Minister. Go to the 1st floor and you and the kids would be zapped back in time. Catch a glimpse of the Malaysian first family and what it is like to live with the technology of the 70s. Look out for the enormous black colored Jabatan Telekom telephones. Check out too the then trendy boxy television sets to gauge how far we have come from that to the flat screen LCD etc.

Muzium Negara -'The Granddaddy of Malaysian Museum' - 3 out of 5 stars
Admission - Yes (Adult – RM 2/ kids under age of 12 or wearing school uniform - free)

Why Kids Like It?

Renovation which began in 2006 is still on-going (May 2008). Gallery A and B (on ground floor) are closed. Visitors now have access only to Gallery C and D (on the first floor) and make you wonder why they still charge you for full RM2 admission.

Kids will love the new Gallery C. It now has delightful exhibitions and children can ‘board’ a Portuguese galleon attacking Melaka, pretends to be a British soldier guarding Fort Cornwallis.
There are also excellent exhibits on how rubber trees were tapped. Look out for the tapper mannequin and the container for mosquito coils at her sides.

The tin dredge model the size of Volvo is also a fun place for the kids to discover how the floating factory works.

Gallery D is rather disappointing. The vast hall is used to garnish the momentous leap this country supposedly have had made since Aug 31, 1957. But after visiting Galeri C, you are forgiven if think that the museum designer had suddenly lost its creativity in this final galeri. The displays despite the colorful variants and themes make you wonder if we were back to the Georgian style of museology.

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia - 3 out 5 of stars
Admission - Yes

Why Kids Like It?

The museum boost world class collections with fascinating exhibits but it can be daunting for kids whose grasp for details last no longer than 5 seconds. For the true afficiendos, some of the collections were purportedly on loan from Sultan of Brunei and they are worth millions!

Kids however would love IAMM for its many interactive kiosks and try-on gadgetry which are important part of the learning process.

Parents may opt for the delicious Mediterranean restaurant housed in the same museum after the hefty tour.

Planetarium - 3 out of 5 stars
Admission - Yes

Why Kids Like It?

Take your kids to space and beyond! Despite its relatively small size (about the size of one and half basketball court) and a pricier ticket, the planetarium offer enough rocket and planetary exhibits. Just don’t expect Houston Control Central and you won’t be disappointed.

There are few interactive kiosks where children will have fun time experimenting. The ‘Space Walk’ tunnel and slide is a must for the kids.