When we stumbled upon the Escape obstacle course at Paradigm Mall in Johor Bahru, a massive 5-storey indoor high-elements playground , our adventurous hearts skipped a beat!
Before becoming parents, my husband and I were avid adventure seekers—climbing volcanic peaks in Indonesia, scaled Mount Kinabalu, diving into the deep blue of Sipadan and Layang Layang, and zipping through forest canopies in Laos, with waterfalls in sight and treetop stays by night.
But over the past decade, as responsibilities grew and our lives became more rooted, that thirst for adrenaline began to fade. Still, I often look back fondly at that chapter of my life, and quietly hope that one day I’ll have the courage to share those adventures with my daughters.
For now, I’m starting small, helping my city girls ease into the spirit of adventure. Back in Singapore, we’ve introduced them to gentle hikes, challenged them with high elements at Forest Adventure in Bedok Reservoir and the Houbii Rope Course at the zoo, and even got plans to expose them to wakeboarding.
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That’s why we were excited to give the Escape obstacle course at Paradigm Mall a go!
ESCAPE Johor Bahru: Adventure & Obstacle Course at Paradigm Mall
We were doing our usual round of shopping at Kaison on Level 4 of Paradigm Mall when we spotted the two-tiered high element set-up outside. Curiosity got the better of us, and we decided to give it a go.
To our surprise, the adventure didn’t end there; our girls eventually made their way down to Level 2 with a leap off Level 4, and that’s when we realised ESCAPE Johor Bahru had a lot more in store!
ESCAPE Johor Bahru is an indoor adventure park tucked right inside Paradigm Mall, offering a multi-level playground of thrills for kids of all ages, including my preschooler and primary schooler.
Here’s what’s in store:
- Level 4: 2-tiered high elements course + a free fall leap down to Level 2
- Level 2: More high element tracks + Sling Shot
- Level UG: Flying Trapeze + trampoline fun
There were also several other attractions, like the “coconut tree climb” with rock-climbing steps, a seated flying fox, and a steep, curled-up yellow slide, but these weren’t operating during our visit.
Level 4 of ESCAPE Johor Bahru
Two-level high element + free fall leap to Level 2 (Suitable for preschoolers and above)
The ESCAPE high element courses here are divided into 2-tiers, where older kids get access to both levels while younger ones stay at the lower tier. It’s the only high element where both my kids participated in one rope course!
Being the simpler obstacle course as compared to those at level 2, the lower tier is perfect for preschoolers. It gives them a taste of adventure with elements like the flying fox, while also introducing them to the basics of using harnesses. It helps that the ground is just a few steps away—it makes the experience far less intimidating for little ones.
When the instructors mentioned we could head to Level 2 for more activities, I assumed we’d exit and use the lift or escalator. I never expected the girls would literally take a leap down! To my surprise, they absolutely loved it, saying it made the whole adventure even more thrilling!
Level 2 of ESCAPE Johor Bahru
Multiple high element tracks across Level 2-3 (for primary schooler and up)
Sling Shot (Suitable for 4yo and above)
After making the leap to Level 2, we were met with a series of entry points leading to various adventure tracks. My 10-year-old was able to try nearly all of them except one that was reserved for ages 13 and up. This level offers a more intense challenge, packed with rope courses, multiple flying foxes zipping across the mall’s interior, and creative obstacles.
She balanced on turtle-shaped steps, hopped onto a saddle to ‘ride’ an imaginary horse, and even jumped onto a ‘skateboard’ to glide across to the other side. It kept her fully engaged for the entire afternoon!
Level 2 is also home to the ESCAPE Sling Shot. The process begins with the instructor checking the child’s weight and selecting a properly fitted harness. Then comes a careful and thorough safety check to ensure everything is secure.
Once ready, the child is gently lifted to build tension—followed by a countdown to the big moment. As soon as the release rope is pulled, they’re launched skyward in an instant! The actual ride lasts less than a minute, with most of the time dedicated to making sure the harnessing is done safely and correctly.
Level UG of ESCAPE Johor Bahru
Flying Trapeze + Trampoline across Level UG and 1 (Suitable for preschoolers and above)
Level UG is a paradise for younger kids who aren’t quite ready for the rope courses on Level 2. If your child loves the feeling of ‘flying,’ don’t be surprised if they spend a long time here! My preschooler kept going back and forth between the trampoline and the flying trapeze.
For smaller kids, the staff are attentive and ready to assist, helping them up to the trapeze bar before releasing them for a thrilling swing. The staff-to-child ratio was impressive during our visit, with around 5 to 6 instructors managing the two activities, ensuring everyone was safe and having fun.
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Our Thoughts on ESCAPE Johor Bahru, Paradigm Mall
I honestly didn’t expect to find a 5-storey indoor adventure right in the heart of Johor Bahru, but it completely exceeded my expectations.
In the comfort of an air-conditioned mall that is free from mozzies and heat rashes, it’s definitely a place we’ll return to whenever the kids crave some high-element excitement.
We ended up spending the entire day there, and everyone went home thoroughly entertained (and exhausted!). We all had a great night’s sleep. If your kids are into adrenaline-fueled fun, this is one spot in Johor Bahru worth checking out!
Where: ESCAPE Johor Bahru Paradigm Mall, Skudai Hwy, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: 10 am to 10 pm daily
Ticket pricing: From RM 69.75 for 4 to 12 year olds, From RM 105.09 for 13 – 60 year olds, Free for 61 and above, 0-3 year olds (tickets are cheaper if you purchase them one day before activity)
Ticket pricing is accurate at time of publishing
Get your ESCAPE Johor Bahru tickets here.
If you enjoyed this story, you may also enjoy reading about other kid-friendly things to do at Paradigm Mall in JB.
