Abby’s Play Cafe, Malaysian kid-friendly cafe in Bukit Jalil

As a kid, the ultimate treat to me wasn’t just a Happy Meal—it was heading to McDonald’s, with its tiny yet thrilling playground. I can still remember the joy of climbing through colourful tunnels, sliding down the spiral slide, and racing across the padded floors with other kids.

Those were moments of pure, unfiltered fun, where the food was just a side dish to the real attraction: playtime.

In recent years, though, play areas in mainstream fast-food chains have largely disappeared. For Abby’s Play Cafe‘s founders, that loss feels like a missed business opportunity.

When Abby was born, life changed for Leona Tee in ways she never imagined. Inspired by her daughter and conversations with close friends, she found herself dreaming of a space where families could gather, enjoy good coffee and food, and let their children play in a safe and stimulating environment.

That led to the birth of Abby’s Play Cafe, a bright new spot dedicated to creating a blend of food, play, and community right in the heart of Bukit Jalil, next to Pavilion Bukit Jalil.

The spark of an idea

For many parents, juggling work and parenting is no small feat—especially when young children have boundless energy and a need for stimulation.

“After giving birth, I realised there were very few places where parents could relax with a quality meal while letting their children have fun,” said Leona, who co-founded the cafe with her husband, Hendrick Lim, and a close friend, Tristal Lee.

“We wanted a place that doesn’t compromise on good coffee or food quality but also gives kids an engaging place to play.”

Abby’s Play Cafe began as a casual idea among friends, inspired by the needs of families. The journey, however, was not as straightforward as they initially imagined, especially since none of them had prior experience in the F&B industry.

Creating a kid-friendly space

It’s easy to see why so many cafes overlook family-friendly spaces. Setting up a playground area and keeping it safe and clean is challenging, not to mention costly.

“Even fast-food places like McDonald’s don’t really have playgrounds anymore. The maintenance costs, hygiene, and safety standards are high, which probably turns a lot of businesses away,” she explained.

The setup at Abby’s Play Cafe is two-tiered, with a simple play area on the ground floor where kids can colour and play at tables, and a more involved play zone upstairs with slides and climbing structures.

To help cover the maintenance costs and ensure the space remains clean, they implemented a minimum spending policy: RM35 per adult and RM10 for kids over two. This setup keeps the play area accessible yet manageable.

“Parents can easily keep an eye on their kids while enjoying their coffee, or even get some work done,” said Leona. “It’s designed with both adults and children in mind.”

Ensuring the play area is safe was a top priority. The founders consulted with playground designers to select features that would be safe for kids of all ages.

Each element was chosen carefully, from slide angles to padding around structures. Children using the play area must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, keeping everyone responsible and focused on the fun.

A menu to please both parents and kids

Offering quality food was non-negotiable. Abby’s Play Cafe serves dishes that appeal to both grown-ups and little ones, with some healthier options.

“Healthy food can be boring, and honestly, a lot of us don’t want just ‘healthy’ food when we go out to eat,” she said with a chuckle.

“So, we do a bit of both. There are nutritious options for parents who want something lighter, but we also have comfort foods that kids love.”

Their children’s menu avoids MSG, uses minimal salt, and skips sugar, providing parents with peace of mind about what their kids are eating.

From tasty pasta to crispy bites, the food is crafted to satisfy both picky eaters and more adventurous palates.

Competing in a crowded market

With just four months under their belt, the journey has come with its fair share of challenges. “None of us had experience in F&B before, so it’s been a steep learning curve. The biggest challenge has been managing operations,” the founder shared.

From training staff to handling customer service and even managing occasional “fussy customers,” each day brings new lessons.

The biggest expense so far? Renovations. Creating a safe and visually appealing space for children required a substantial investment in renovations and play equipment.

Not only that, one challenge the team faced was how to stand out in an area where cafes seem to pop up by the dozen.

“Cafes are everywhere these days, each with its own theme or gimmick,” Leona admitted. “But for us, the concept felt unique enough—there aren’t many places with high-quality play spaces and food combined.”

In Bukit Jalil, where families abound and several kindergartens and preschools operate nearby, Abby’s Play Cafe has found a natural audience.

For now, competition isn’t an issue, as there are few direct rivals offering this kind of hybrid experience, Leona believes.

Growing the kid-friendly spot

Looking forward, the team has plans to expand. While it may be too early to think about franchising, they envision adding new branches in other family-friendly neighbourhoods if all goes well.

For now, they’re focused on refining their menu, elevating their service, and improving the cafe’s ambience to create an even more welcoming environment for families.

Short-term goals include expanding the menu with fresh dishes and tweaking operations for a better customer experience.

In the long term, they aim to open a second outlet, perhaps in a different part of the Klang Valley, as they build on the foundation they’ve set at Bukit Jalil.

For parents who remember the thrill of McDonald’s playgrounds back in the day, Abby’s Play Cafe might just feel like a nostalgic upgrade—only with better coffee and a menu that parents will appreciate as much as the kids.