Where to spend time with dad this Father's Day

This is for the petrolhead dads. Designed by Formula 1 track designer Hermann Tilke, the Sepang International Kart Circuit is 1.247km long, 10m wide and equipped with 11 corners. There are three types of karts with varying horsepower engines – from 6.5 horsepower (for beginners and casual racers) to a cool 21 horsepower – which you can drive in any of the two racing experiences. The Race Adventure grants you a 12-minute practise and qualifying session and a 12-lap race (go for this for a more authentic Formula 1 race experience); while the Endurance Race requires a team and gets you ten-minute practise and qualifying sessions, and then you and your team mates take turns to compete in the hour-long endurance race.

Sepang International Circuit, Jalan Pekeliling (03 8778 2222/sepangcircuit.com/explore/go-kart). Tue-Fri, 9am-6pm. Series 1, RM40 per pax; Series 2, RM100 per pax; Series 3, RM150 per pax.

If you’re looking to fill your family photo album with more pictures, head to Illusion 3D Art Museum in Central Market. You can look forward to taking pictures with all sorts of quirky 3D paintings, film-inspired backdrops and life-size sculptures; think a duel with Darth Vader on the Death Star, upside-down rooms, being surrounded by velociraptors and more.

Central Market Annexe, Jalan Hang Kasturi, KL (03 2022 1613/fb.com/illusion.3DArtMuseum). Daily, 10am-8pm. Adults, RM34; concession, RM17. 

Take Dad out at Galactic Laser, a laser tag arena that allows you to play out any sci fi battle fantasies in real life. Outfitted with an infrared-equipped vests and armed with a phaser, you and your team will be released into the darkened arena to battle it out in an adventure maze. Players are separated by skill levels (Level 1-6) and each time you advance a level a special perk becomes available to you, like rapid fire capabilities, missiles and nukes. 

LG3.06 Sunway Pyramid Mall, 3 Jalan PJS11/15, PJ (03-5638 8833/galacticlaser.com/v2). Mon-Thu & Sun, 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 10am-11pm. Members, from RM33; non-members, from RM28. 

It’s not often you find a natural rainforest located smack in the middle of a bustling city. But KL’s Forest Eco Park, or Taman Eko Rimba KL, is one such place. Located near the KL Tower, the reserve doubles as a park and a hiking trail, offering some respite from the hectic commotion of our beloved city. The trail doesn’t pose much of a challenge, which is great for beginners and for slow relaxing walks. There’s also a 200m-long, 21m-high canopy walk that grants you an elevated view of the surroundings as well as an opportunity to get up close to the animals living here.

Hutan Simpan Bukit Nanas, Jalan Raja Chulan, KL. Daily, 7am-6pm. Free entry.

Turn a mundane morning into a memorable one by watching the sunrise from a hot air balloon among the clouds. Myballoon Adventure lets you experience free flight in a hot air balloon without being tethered to the ground, meaning you fly where the wind takes you. Each ride – which lasts about 45 to 60 minutes – will start at 6.30am, and will take you over the Putrajaya landscape and several landmarks such as the Wawasan Bridge, the Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque, Persiaran Putra and more. The standard package includes pre-flight refreshments, a post-flight breakfast, an inflight photo, and a time-lapse video of your adventure.

B1-28-2 Dataran Niaga Sg Besi, Midfields Square West, Jalan 11/108C, off Lebuhraya Sg Besi, KL (017 379 0626/ myballoonadventure.com). Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. Standard package, RM1,000.

Sneak in some quality family bonding time in the midst of battles over kingdoms, treasure or property, or through mind games trying to help (or sabotage) each other. Boardgame Depot is a board game café with a comprehensive stock of over 300 games – ranging from simple card games to complex high-end strategy games – along with their extensions. Among the titles you can expect here are ‘Monopoly’, ‘Saboteur’, even franchise tie-ins like ‘A Game of Thrones – The Board Game’, and more. The café also serves snacks and drinks if you’re planning to stay awhile.

16A first floor, Lorong Ara Kiri 3, Lucky Garden, Bangsar (03 2094 1692/fb.com/BGDepot). Thu-Sun, 12noon- 8.30pm. RM3 per hour per person.

Go on a little extreme adventure with your dad at Mudtrekkerz Paintball Park. There are speedball tournament air bunker fields, as well as scenario fields like a cowboy town, the woods and a valley for themed recreational play. Rates are based on packages/number of paintball pellets, and compulsory safety equipment (marker, mask and chest protectors) are available for rent. If you’re still up for more action, check out Mudtrekkerz Xtreme Bikes (electric scooters with generous torque capable of traversing all types of terrains). 

1 Jalan Hijau Serindit U9/68, Seksyen U9, Cahaya SPK, Shah Alam (016 323 1144/mudtrekker.com.my). Mon & Wed-Fri, 10am-4pm; Sat-Sun, 9am-5pm. From RM75 per pax/100 pellets.

If your dad is more of an indoor sports kind of person, head to the Ampang Superbowl bowling alleys. There are multiple outlets around the city with affordable packages and promos. It’s a great family activity, and even the little ones can participate (with the gutters blocked of course). Be careful with the splits! 

Various locations around KL (ampangsuperbowl.com).

Tee off with your dad for a relaxing day of golf at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club. The 170-acre course is made up of rolling fairways complete with bunkers, waterways and thick trees on the sidelines, and has varying levels of difficulties. Bonus: This award-winning course also offers relatively affordable rates for non-member visitors. If you or your old man is a bit rusty with technique, visit their 60-bay driving range to sharpen your swing.

1 Jalan 31/100A, Kota Kemuning, Section 31, Shah Alam (03 5122 3700/kotapermai.com.my). Tue-Sun, 6.30am-8pm. Tee-off times from 7.30am. Weekdays, 18 holes, RM243.80nett, 9 holes, RM121.90nett; weekends, 18 holes, RM434.60nett, 9 holes, RM217.30nett.

Bring your pops for a night out of (responsible) drinking in and around the nightlife hub that is Changkat Bukit Bintang. If you want to make the most of the night and start early, you’ll be glad to know that most places are open by 6pm. Simply pick a bar or pub of your choice and work your way around the area; or you could befriend other groups of pub-crawlers and ride the alcohol-fueled train with them. Some joints you should visit include Taps Beer Bar, The Whisky Bar and The Rabbit Hole.

Changkat Bukit Bintang, KL.

Who says tough guys can’t enjoy a nice relaxing spa treatment? Purnama Spa (previously known as Serai Spa) provides therapies designed specifically for men. On offer is a wide range of services including massages, waxing, foot reflexology, body scrubs and more. Splurge a bit and treat your dad and yourself to one of Purnama Spa’s several packages, which packs several therapies into one.

C10, Ground floor, Fahrenheit 88, Jalan Bukit Bintang (03 2110 2721/seraispabukitbintang.com). Daily, 10.30am- 12midnight. À la carte therapies from RM30nett; packages from RM190nett.