Hardly surprising as the family edutainment indoor theme park, spanning 45,000 square feet, has plenty to keep adults and children well-entertained.
On Dec 9 last year, it was even recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records as the “largest edutainment theme park” in the country.
The space is undoubtedly impressive, and it has an equally compelling inspiration that stemmed from a mother’s desire to give the best to her children.
FMT caught up with Lilian Chan, 40, who founded the theme park with her husband, Leroy Lee.
She said the idea came about after they had their first child, Max, in 2008 and she found herself torn between spending time with him and having to work.
So, the couple started a business selling baby products as it gave her flexibility with her time.
As they welcomed two more children over the years – Isaac in 2012 and Faith in 2018 – they expanded their business, organising play activities and antenatal classes.
As the children got older, Chan began envisioning a single space where the whole family could gather to have fun.
“And that’s how the idea for NEXTGEN Theme Park was born,” she said, with construction taking off in September 2020 during the pandemic.
“We believed there would be a demand for the theme park once the pandemic was over,” she said. And true enough, reception has been encouraging since it opened on Sept 1, 2022.
The theme park incorporates hands-on experiential and psychomotor learning in five different zones. There are also cognitive e-gaming zones, a café, and a karaoke centre.
Designing their playground
Chan even got her kids involved in the design process. Faith, who is four years old today, helped create the “Imagination Playland”, a cosy area for kids aged two to six.
“It’s important for young children to know their world. Faith told me that she wanted to see a supermarket, police, and fire stations. After I drew the sketches, I asked her if it’s how she imagined it to be.”
During FMT’s visit, children were seen having a blast as they played at a cash register or donned a firefighter’s uniform.
With her second child, 10-year-old Isaac, Chan designed the “Blue Spiral Slides” for children aged six to 12.
“At this age, children want to challenge themselves. They also want to do exciting things, and that is why I built a slide that is approximately 10 metres in height.”
It was also meant to help Isaac fight his fear of heights. “I encouraged him to design something to conquer his fear. He agreed and designed this,” she said, adding that Isaac is no longer afraid of heights.
Together with her oldest, 14-year-old Max, they designed the “Ninja Challenge”, an obstacle course that kids and parents can experience together. The course, which includes traverse and warped walls, tests a person’s motor skills and stamina.
All three areas can support the weight of adults, she said, adding that they encourage parents to join their kids as a way to bond with them.
“I believe that the character development [of a child] is affected by his or her childhood experience. So, by creating happy memories, we can help to build a positive next generation,” she said, alluding to the name of the theme park.
The couple also hopes to grow the theme park alongside their children. “Teenagers will come to a point where they start thinking about what they want to be in the future. Max has started doing this.
“So, the next space would be ‘know who you are’ to help them explore their identities in a fun way,” she shared, adding that they also have plans to branch out to Johor Bahru and Klang.
Throughout the ups and downs that come with running a business, one particular memory has remained special to Chan: “The first time [my children] came in here, they looked like they had just opened a present. It was very satisfying for me.”
Learn more about NEXTGEN Theme Park via its website, Facebook, and Instagram.
NEXTGEN Theme Park
S603-610, 2nd Floor
1Utama E
1Utama Shopping Centre
Bandar Utama
47800 Petaling Jaya
Selangor
Business hours: 10.00am to 10.00pm daily
Contact: 016-936 3068
Ticket prices:
- Adults (13–59 years old): RM38 (weekday) and RM55 (weekends, public holidays, school holidays)
- Children (three-12 years old): RM 28 (weekday) and RM45 (weekends, public holidays, school holidays)
- Children below three years old, senior citizens and the disabled: RM8
Note: 50% discount after 7.45pm on weekdays for adults and children (three-12 years old)
Tickets can be purchased here or directly at the theme park.