Family Travel in Langkawi: Budget Adventures, Worldschooling & Life Lessons
Hello from the Smiths On Tour! We’re a full-time travelling family from the UK, eight months into our adventure around the world. We left behind our “normal life” in search of something different — more freedom, more family time, and a better lifestyle somewhere new.
Since January 2025, we’ve been worldschooling our 12-year-old daughter Tilly as we go, learning life skills on the road, and seeing the world through her eyes. We started in Mexico, and now we’re in Southeast Asia — Malaysia is our second country here, and wow, we’ve already fallen in love with the friendliness and warmth of the locals.
So far, Langkawi has been our favourite place in Malaysia. 🌴 It’s stunning, tropical, and has a laid-back holiday vibe. That said, it’s definitely more touristy, so while we don’t see ourselves settling here long-term, we’ll 100% come back again for the beaches, sunsets, and relaxed atmosphere.
But here’s the thing: we’re travelling on a tight budget. Our annual travel budget has shrunk faster than expected (yikes!), which means we’ve had to slow down our spending, find free days out, and be more mindful with money. If you’re curious to see exactly what’s left of our budget, we’ve shared it honestly over on our YouTube channel.
This blog is about how families like us — full-time travellers, homeschooling parents, or even those dreaming of travelling with kids — can make the most of Langkawi on a tighter budget. Because you don’t need luxury resorts, expensive worldschooling hubs, or endless activities to give your kids a beautiful life of learning. The world itself is the best classroom — and it’s mostly free!
Why We Chose Worldschooling
When we first set off, we didn’t know exactly how “school” would look. What we’ve realised is that worldschooling isn’t about recreating the classroom abroad — it’s about letting kids learn naturally from the world around them.
Tilly has discovered passions we never expected — right now, it’s marine biology and sea life. She loves learning about ecosystems, animals, and has even written her own fact sheets (fun fact: did you know water monitor lizards can stay submerged for up to 30 minutes?!).
Instead of rigid lessons, we give her the space to follow her interests, learn practical skills like budgeting, navigating airports, or even helping local communities. We’d much rather she grows confident, curious, and adaptable than memorise outdated worksheets.
Tilly learning budgeting whilst shopping!
If you’re curious about worldschooling, check out our worldschooling tips here.
👉 What do you think about kids learning from the world rather than sitting in a classroom? Could you see your family trying it? Comment in the box below, we would love to hear your thoughts!
💸 Free Things to Do in Langkawi with Kids
Travelling on a budget doesn’t mean missing out — in fact, some of our best family memories cost absolutely nothing. Here are our top free (and cheap) things to do in Langkawi:
1. Beach Adventures 🌊
Langkawi’s beaches are paradise and completely free. We love:
Collecting shells and turning them into mini art projects.
Walking the coastline and spotting wildlife.
Swimming (our favourite spot is Skull Island on the north side — quiet, flat, and stunning, though watch out for jellyfish in season!).
Monkey encounters — if you dare, you can feed them! They’re cheeky, clever, and make for hilarious family memories.
This is family bonding at its best — back in the UK, we’d be stuck at work or rushing around. Here, we just laugh, explore, and enjoy each other’s company.
2. Sunset Reflections 🌅
Every evening we try to catch a sunset. It’s a ritual now — sitting together, watching the colours fade, and talking about what we’ve learned that day. Sometimes we share the good bits, sometimes the tough ones, but always together.
This kind of reflection is free, grounding, and part of why worldschooling works so beautifully.
3. Helping Animals in Langkawi 🐾
Since Mexico, we’ve made it a tradition to buy dog and cat food from local shops and feed stray animals wherever we go. Langkawi has plenty, and helping them fills our hearts with warmth.
Tilly would adopt a cat tomorrow if she could (we’ve had to explain it’s just not possible while travelling!). For families who love animals — this is a beautiful, affordable way to teach kids compassion and responsibility, while making a small difference.
But one of the highlights for us in Langkawi was discovering a local dog sanctuary. The owner works tirelessly to care for and rehome stray and abandoned dogs. Families can volunteer to help walk, feed, or play with the dogs — which is a fantastic experience for animal-loving kids. If volunteering isn’t possible, the sanctuary also accepts donations, which directly go towards food, vet bills, and care.
👉 You can check out the sanctuary and learn more here: Dog Sanctuary Langkawi.
It’s such a rewarding way to give back to the community while you’re here, and it turns your trip into something meaningful beyond sightseeing.
4. Kuah Town & The Eagle Statue 🦅
Kuah is the main town in Langkawi, home to the island’s most famous landmark — the giant eagle statue. It’s not just a photo spot, though. The eagle is actually the symbol of Langkawi itself.
💡 Fun fact: the name Langkawi is thought to come from two Malay words — helang (meaning eagle) and kawi (a reddish-brown stone). Put them together and you get “reddish-brown eagle,” which explains why the island is often called the home of the eagles.
Next to the statue is a lovely park, perfect for a picnic, games, or just relaxing under the shade (trust me, you’ll need it in August’s humidity!). There’s also a lake with turtles and fish, where you can pay just 2RM for food to feed them. Tilly loved spotting huge water monitor lizards here too — another chance to learn and sketch her discoveries.
5. Langkawi Geopark Learning Centre 🌍
One of our favourite discoveries in Langkawi was the Geopark Education Centre — and the best part? It’s completely free!
Inside, we learned all about:
The legends of Langkawi — from mystical giants to folklore that locals still share today.
How the island was formed — with displays on marble rocks, mangroves, and caves.
Wildlife in the region — from bats to marine life, and even the geological importance of Langkawi’s islands.
For Tilly, this wasn’t “school” — it was adventure. She was soaking up facts while standing in the very place she was learning about, which makes the information stick so much more than any classroom worksheet ever could.
It’s a reminder of why we love worldschooling: kids learn more when they’re surrounded by the subject itself. The Geopark Centre turns geology, history, and ecology into something fun, interactive, and memorable. And for families travelling on a budget, it’s an absolute gem.
Top tip 👉 If your budget allows, I’d highly recommend taking the Mangrove Tour organised through the Geopark Education Centre. We did it ourselves and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our journey so far — not only breathtaking but also super educational. Stay tuned, we’ll be sharing a full update on this experience soon!
Cheap & Creative Fun 🎨
Not every day has to be packed with sightseeing. As a full-time travelling family, we’ve learned the importance of slower “home days” to reset, recharge, and let Tilly be creative. These moments don’t just save money — they also create some of the most heartwarming memories.
6. Creative Kits & Slime Days ✨
Langkawi has plenty of small shops and malls where you can pick up cheap activity kits — slime sets, stickers, art canvases, or even phone-case decorating packs. For just a few ringgit, you’ve got hours of entertainment.
For Tilly, slime was the absolute winner here. Messy? Yes. Fun? Absolutely. These kits give kids a chance to get hands-on, express themselves, and have a sense of “normal play” while on the road. It’s also a great chance for parents to sit back and enjoy a quieter moment.
7. Duty-Free Treats & Family Game Nights 🍫
Langkawi is famous for being duty-free, so picking up chocolates and snacks is super affordable. We’ve turned this into a family game night tradition: buy a stash of goodies, then play Uno or Tilly’s current favourite, Farkle. The twist? Winners get the best snacks!
It’s silly, it’s simple, and it always ends in laughter (with a little bit of playful competition). These small rituals keep us connected and give Tilly memories that feel just as special as big adventures.
8. Mall Cool-Downs ❄️
Travelling Langkawi in August means serious humidity. One of our budget-friendly survival hacks is ducking into malls or 7-Elevens for the sweet relief of air conditioning. It’s not glamorous, but it works!
These cool-down breaks give us time to regroup, grab a cold drink, and sometimes discover little shops we wouldn’t have noticed otherwise. Plus, it’s a reminder that travel days don’t always have to be non-stop action — rest is just as important.
9. Scooter Adventures 🛵
Getting around Langkawi on scooters is one of the cheapest and most fun ways to explore the island. For just a small daily rental fee, you can zip between beaches, towns, and viewpoints while feeling the warm breeze on your face.
Tilly usually hops on the back with us, and she absolutely loves the sense of adventure. It’s a little trickier for families with toddlers or very young kids, but for older children it’s a fantastic way to travel like the locals.
Scooters give you freedom — no waiting for taxis or buses, and no need to stick to tourist routes. Plus, the journey itself often becomes part of the adventure, with spontaneous stops at fruit stalls, viewpoints, or little beaches you’d never spot from a car.
💰Why Budget Travel Works for Families
There’s a misconception that full-time travel means luxury resorts, expensive tours, and costly worldschooling hubs. But here’s the truth: kids don’t need those things. They need presence, attention, and the chance to explore.
With a tighter budget, we’ve learned to slow down, appreciate sunsets, laugh at slime disasters, feed stray cats, and soak in free adventures together. And honestly? These are the things we’ll remember the most.
Tilly’s picking up life skills daily — resilience, problem-solving, empathy, independence — and those will carry her further than any worksheet ever could.
💡Final Thoughts
Langkawi has been a beautiful chapter in our journey — full of beaches, animals, sunsets, creativity, and learning. It’s proof that you don’t need endless money to make family travel magical.
If you’re dreaming of travelling with kids but worry about the budget — trust us, it’s possible. Focus on free and affordable experiences, lean into worldschooling, and remember that the best lessons are found outside the classroom.
From us, the Smiths On Tour — here’s to more adventures, more learning, and more sunsets together. 💛
