If you’re planning a family day out in Johor Bahru, Mount Austin is one of those neighbourhoods where you can easily fill a day with kid-friendly activities and good food without having to travel too far between stops.
From getting creative with art and playing interactive games to meeting Shiba Inus and tucking into dim sum – there’s a good mix of activities for different ages and plenty of places to eat when everyone gets hungry.
A Kid-Friendly Guide To Mount Austin, Johor Bahru
Here are 7 kid-friendly places in Mount Austin to add to your next JB family itinerary:
Places to Play
From getting up close with dogs to creating art, playing interactive games and exploring a multi-concept theme park – there will definitely be something for kids with different interests and energy levels.
YEAR-END CAMPS: Give Your Child's Language Skills A Boost With Themed Camps
View this post on Instagram
1. Shiba Cafe: For Kids Who Love Dogs
If you have little animal lovers in the family, Shiba Cafe is an easy one to add to your list. Our kids loved interacting with the dogs and were so reluctant to leave when our session was up!
This experience will give kids the chance to play and interact with the Shiba Inus, rather than simply sitting in a cafe surrounded by dogs. It can be especially fun for children who don’t have pets at home but love animals – like ours!
Do remember to book a slot in advance, as the sessions can get popular, especially on weekends and during school holidays.
Address: No 01, Mount Austin, 12, Jalan Austin Heights 8/4, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Daily 10am-245pm; 4-730pm
2. Play at Loft: For The Creative Kids
If you’re looking for a creative activity that’s not the usual drawing or canvas painting sessions, Play at Loft offers a range of unique hands-on workshops.
Our kids tried out the balloon art splatter workshop – it was an interactive session where they chose their own paint colours, followed by shooting darts to burst the balloons to create their own unique artwork. Don’t worry – the mess was well contained!
Do note the artwork needs time to dry, so you can head back the next day to collect the artwork or even make arrangements to pick it up in Singapore.
It’s a fun option when you want to add something different to your usual JB itinerary, especially for kids who enjoy getting creative but have tried out their fair share of traditional art activities.
Address:No 35-01, 7/3, Jalan, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Thu-Mon, 11am-6pm
3. Mr Player: For The Active Kids
For kids who would rather run around than sit down and do crafts, Mr Player offers a completely different experience.
There are seven different interactive game rooms, with motion-based challenges that get everyone moving. The games are designed to be played rather than simply watched, so parents can join in too. Trust me – everyone will definitely get a good workout from this.
Our kids loved this so much – one hour just simply wasn’t enough!
Do try and make a reservation in advance and don’t forget to bring your grip socks along.
Address: Lot No 03-02 , 04-02 , 09-02 , 1st Floor, The Harbour @ Austin Green ( Tan Chong Yong ), Lot 46115, Jalan Mutiara Emas Utama, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu, 12pm-10pm; Fri & Sat, 11am-12am; Sun, 11am-10pm
4. Game On Theme Park: For Kids Who Want To Try Everything
If your kids can never agree on what they want to do, a multi-concept entertainment theme park like Game On Theme Park will definitely have something for everyone.
There are different types of activities under one roof, so the family can spend time exploring instead of committing to just one activity – from console games, to obstacle courses and of course the slides which all kids love.
It’s great for families with children of different ages or interests, where one child may want something more active while another might prefer playing console games.
We definitely could have spent the whole day here, and since it’s located in Toppen Shopping Centre – you can actually head off for a meal and re-enter again.
Address: L4.E.01&2, Taman Desa Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Open daily, 10am-10pm
Places to Eat
After all that playing, it’s time to refuel! These three Mount Austin spots have made it to our favourites and we have been going back whenever we are in the neighbourhood.
5. Jiah Xiang Dim Sum
Dim sum is always a convenient option when travelling with kids because there’s usually something for everyone to pick from.
With a wide variety of dim sum, it will be easy to order different dishes for the table and let everyone choose what they like. And if your kids aren’t big on dim sum, the noodles selection is great too!
It’s quite a big restaurant, so if you are travelling in a bigger group, this would be the perfect spot to fit everyone.
Address: N 113 N, 115, Jalan Mutiara Emas 2A, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Open daily, 7am-3pm
6. KNOCKNOCK Cafe
Mount Austin has a lot of cafes you can visit, but I loved KNOCKNOCK Cafe not just for the food but for the decor too.
It is a cosy cafe with vintage-inspired decor and a fusion Malaysian-Western menu, making it a nice spot to slow down for a meal or drink before continuing with the rest of your day.
The menu also gives families a little more variety than a cafe that focuses on just one type of cuisine.
Address: 60, Jalan Mutiara Emas 5/9, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri, 10am-7pm; Sat & Sun, 9am-7pm
7. Tan Tan Charcoal Steamboat Austin
If you have kids like ours who love clams AND hotpot, then this is definitely where you should end off the night.
This restaurant is a charcoal hotpot restaurant famous for its signature clam pots and rich broth, it can get quite crowded so we would recommend heading down for an early dinner with the kids to avoid the queues.
It’s located right in the heart of Mount Austin, so this will definitely be a good dinner option after an afternoon of activities around the neighbourhood.
Address: 60, Jalan Mutiara Emas 5/9, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri, 10am-7pm; Sat & Sun, 9am-7pm
How We’d Plan a Kid-Friendly Itinerary
The nice thing about Mount Austin is that you don’t have to pack your day with attractions. Pick one or two activities and leave plenty of time for meals and breaks – especially if you’re travelling with younger kids.
View this post on Instagram
If you’re looking to stay a night like we did, we would recommend this hotel which has rooms big enough to sleep 2 adults and 2 kids! This hotel also has an underground carpark which we prefer compared to other hotels in the neighbourhood where you will need to park along the streets.
Save This For Your Next JB Family Trip
Mount Austin is a great neighbourhood to keep in mind if you want a JB trip that isn’t just about shopping and eating. With a mix of animal cafes, art studios and interactive game locations, you can easily put together a day to keep the kids entertained!
