If you’re looking for a Petrosains, The Discovery Centre review from a parent’s perspective, you’re in the right place. This science-focused attraction inside Suria KLCC has long been one of Kuala Lumpur’s most popular indoor experiences for families.
We recently visited again with our five-year-old and found several noticeable updates compared to our last trip. This post covers what’s new, which exhibits are best for different age groups, and what to expect from the ticketing process.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or planning a return, this updated review will help you plan your visit, avoid surprises, and decide if it’s worth adding to your Kuala Lumpur itinerary.
Table of Contents
What Is Petrosains, The Discovery Centre?
Petrosains is an indoor science discovery centre located inside Suria KLCC, right in the Petronas Twin Towers. It’s a self-guided experience designed to make science fun for kids, with hands-on exhibitions covering topics like energy, space, sustainability, and technology.
The layout follows a one-way path that starts on the fourth floor, loops up to the fifth, and then returns back down. Along the way, you’ll find dozens of interactive stations, buttons to press, levers to pull, and simple experiments that invite kids to try things themselves. It’s fully air-conditioned, making it a reliable option on rainy days or when you need a break from the heat.
We’ve now been a couple of times with our daughter, and the experience has shifted depending on her age and attention span. For most families, two hours is a good estimate: younger kids may move through some zones quickly, while older children might want to try everything.
Petrosains, The Discovery Center is one of our favorite things to do with kids in KLCC. Want to know where else to go? Explore our KLCC family guide.
What to Expect When You Arrive
Petrosains now uses a mostly online ticketing system, even for walk-ins. If you haven’t booked ahead, you’ll need to buy tickets at the self-service kiosks near the entrance. These machines show how many tickets are available for each slot, which is helpful for gauging crowd levels.
After purchasing, just scan your QR code at the gate to enter. Tickets are tied to a specific entry time, but there’s no limit to how long you can stay inside.
Facilities are family-friendly, with clean bathrooms, a baby changing room, and a breastfeeding space. While you can’t bring snacks into the exhibition areas, there’s a small café inside and lots of dining options nearby in Suria KLCC.
Let’s have a look at the different zones.
The Energy Capsule
The Energy Capsule is a short ride at the start of the museum. You board a slow-moving pod and travel through a dark tunnel with sound, lights, and screens showing how energy has developed in Malaysia, from fire to fossil fuels to renewables.
There’s a small additional fee of RM 9 per person for this 11-minute ride. We didn’t do it this time, but we’ve tried it before. It’s one of the only seated parts of the experience, which can be nice if you’re starting your visit early or visiting with younger children. Our daughter enjoyed the visuals more than the story, but that’s expected at this age.
If you’re visiting with older kids, they may take more from the message around green energy and sustainability. For younger ones, it’s a good transition into the rest of the centre.
SPARKZ
SPARKZ is the first gallery you’ll enter at Petrosains, and it’s where we spent the most time during this visit. It’s full of interactive games and science-inspired play areas, designed with younger children in mind.
Here’s a look at some of the stations Little Miss R. enjoyed:
Nifty Fish: A touchscreen drawing station where kids create their own fish and release them into a giant digital aquarium.
Stop-motion animation: Using magnetic cartoon figures, our five-year-old made a short animated video, which instantly played back on-screen.
Turntable Spinner: She used magnets and motion to spin rings across a moving disc, testing how the shapes interacted with the force.
Energy Conversion Wall: She moved magnetic components to reroute balls across a vertical obstacle course. It was a moment of quiet focus and problem-solving.
Color cannon: A hands-on station that lights up a wall of pegs when you spin the wheel with enough force.
There was also a Malaysia Day activity, where she painted two rocks. It’s not part of the permanent exhibits, but these types of seasonal extras are worth looking out for.
For younger kids, SPARKZ is easily one of the most engaging areas in the centre. Everything is built at kid-height, and the stations are open-ended enough to let them explore without needing step-by-step instructions. We spent a good hour here before moving on.
The Platform
This section is designed to resemble an offshore oil rig, with science activities that focus on mechanics, physics, and problem-solving. It’s a little darker and noisier than other areas, but still a great space for kids to explore.
We started with the drone simulator, where kids can control a virtual drone across a digital ocean. It looks impressive on the big screen and is definitely a highlight, even though the controls can be tricky for younger children.
There are several hands-on challenges that compare how different tools affect force. Kids can experiment with levers placed at different lengths or test out carts with different wheel sizes to figure out which setup makes the task easier. These activities are simple but cleverly designed to prompt kids to think critically about how things work.
The Platform ties these ideas back to the world of oil and gas without being too technical. Older kids may spend more time here, but younger children will still enjoy trying out the physical setups.
Speed
This zone explores how speed and reaction time impact different areas of science, from Formula 1 to Olympic swimming. It’s a more open and dimly lit space, with interactive setups that challenge kids to think fast and move faster.
One of the most popular activities here is the reaction stick challenge, where you try to catch falling rods that drop at random. It’s simple but surprisingly tricky. We all gave it a go, and while Little Miss R didn’t manage to grab one in time, she had fun trying.
Along the back wall, there are interactive videos and light projections that explain the role of speed in various sports, including racing and swimming. There’s also the familiar F1 car display, but it’s no longer something visitors can sit in.
This zone will likely appeal to both kids and adults who enjoy competition or testing their physical reflexes. Just note that most of the setups are better suited for older children.
Molecule Nano World
This area used to focus more heavily on the science of molecules and atoms, but it has since been updated to include themes around sustainability, renewable energy, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). You’ll still see the large molecule structures, but now they’re paired with newer content encouraging visitors to think about the future of the planet.
One of the more engaging activities here is the interactive wall display, where kids can colour their own tree or robot and then scan their drawing to see it appear on screen. It’s a fun blend of creativity and technology. We planted two trees, while other children added robots, slowly building a digital forest in motion.
Tech Lab
If your child is into robotics or virtual reality, this is the zone to look out for. While the space isn’t particularly large, it’s packed with tech-focused activities that cater more to older kids and adults.
You’ll find robot arms, interactive games, and a virtual reality station where you can test out simulations. When we visited, there were a few adults trying the VR headsets, while most younger kids seemed to pass through without stopping.
We didn’t spend too long here ourselves, as the content wasn’t quite a match for our five-year-old (or baby), but if your child is into technology or engineering concepts, this might be one of their favourite parts of Petrosains, the Discovery Centre.
3D Theatre
This area was marked on the map and visible during our visit, but it didn’t appear to be functioning at the time. There were no ongoing shows or staff present, so we simply walked past it.
Space
This area showcases life beyond Earth, with displays about astronauts, the solar system, and space exploration. You’ll find models of planets, a few photo ops, and short write-ups scattered across the exhibit.
We didn’t spend too much time here during this visit, but on a previous trip, we did try the wind simulator, which mimics the conditions of a tropical storm. It was quite fun and a good way to connect the science of space with environmental effects here on Earth.
Geotime Diorama
This zone wraps up the visit and is designed as a walk-through that descends in a spiral from the fifth floor back to the fourth. It covers the prehistoric era, featuring dinosaur displays, fossils, and interactive timelines that highlight the Earth’s evolution.
While it’s visually engaging and makes for great photos, we walked through fairly quickly this time. Little Miss R skipped the suspension bridge, saying it looked scary, though it’s more likely she was just ready for lunch by then.
Where is Petrosains, The Discovery Centre in Kuala Lumpur?
Petrosains is located on the 4th floor of Suria KLCC, inside the Petronas Twin Towers in central Kuala Lumpur.
Getting there:
- By Train: Take the LRT to KLCC Station, which connects directly to the mall.
- By Grab Car: Use the Grab app to get dropped off at the KLCC entrance, right at the base of the towers.
- By Private Vehicle: Access Suria KLCC via Jalan Ampang, Jalan P. Ramlee, or Jalan Kia Peng. Parking is available underground, accessible via Jalan Tun Razak or the AKLEH tunnel.
- By KL Hop On Hop Off Bus: Disembark at Stop 15 – KLCC and walk into the mall.
What are the opening hours of Petrosains, The Discovery Centre?
The usual opening hours of Petrosains, The Discovery Centre are as follows:
| Date | Time |
| First and Third Monday of the month | CLOSED |
| Weekday | 9.30 am – 5.30 pm (Last Admission: 4.00 pm) |
| Weekend, public holidays, and school holidays | 9.30 am – 7.30 pm (Last Admission: 6.00 pm) |
Note: These times are subject to change. The Petrosains Instagram page is the best place to check the latest opening hours before visiting.
How Much is Petrosains, The Discovery Centre’s Entrance Fee?
The admission ticket for the Petrosains Discovery Centre Kuala Lumpur depends on whether you’re a MyKad or Non-MyKad holder. MyKad is Malaysia’s identification card and is only eligible for Malaysian citizens 12 years old and above. The ticket prices for MyKad holders also applies to residents with a valid work or stay permit.
Below are the ticket prices for MyKad and Non-MyKad holders:
| MyKad | ||
| Date | Type | Ticket Charge |
| Weekdays | Adult | RM 22.00 |
| Child | RM 10.00 | |
| Senior citizens | RM 10.00 | |
| Weekends/PH/School Holidays | Adult | RM 25.00 |
| Child | RM 12.00 | |
| Senior | RM 12.00 | |
| Non-MyKad | ||
| Date | Type | Ticket Fee |
| Weekdays | Adult | RM 35.00 |
| Child | RM20.00 | |
| Senior citizens | RM20.00 | |
| Weekends/PH/School Holidays | Adult | RM40.00 |
| Child | RM25.00 | |
| Senior citizens | RM25.00 | |
Additionally, there’s a separate ticket fee for Energy Capsule and Maker Studio. Energy Capsule charges RM 9.00/pax in weekends, on public holidays and school holidays and RM 6.00/pax on weekdays, while Maker Studio has a RM 5.00/pax ticket fee.
Click here to buy your tickets online.
Is Petrosains, the Discovery Centre Worth It for Families?
Yes, especially if you’re looking for something educational, indoors, and genuinely fun for kids.
We’ve visited twice now with our daughter, and each time brought something new. The hands-on nature of the exhibits means kids stay engaged longer, and there’s enough variety across the zones to suit different ages and interests.
Add this to your KL itinerary if you’re in the city with kids. Just be sure to book ahead if you’re visiting during weekends or school holidays.
Other things to do for families around KLCC:
Soaring Above KL: Petronas Twin Towers Kuala Lumpur Review
Best Indoor Playgrounds in Kuala Lumpur
Best Family Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur
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