We all know the struggles of planning JB trips with large friend groups. It’s a logistical nightmare as much as it’s time-consuming. And while rolling deep is usually a flex, it’s definitely more of a headache when planning for a cross-border getaway.
So, to save you the hassle and avoid any friendship squabbles, we’ve curated a list of things to do in JB with friends if your group chat feels a little crowded.
P.S. Check out our transport guide to JB if you need a little assistance with crossing the border.
The current exchange rate is RM1 = ~S$0.30 as of 4th April 2025.
Table of Contents
Kacha Kacha is a self-photoshoot studio located in Eco Palladium – only a 32-minute drive from City Square Mall.
There’s a huge variety of props available to spice up your pictures, from your usual sunglasses and hats to even fake strawberry cakes if you’re feeling a little celebratory.
Customers can choose between a standard or express package, with the latter being the more affordable option. Take note that the standard package is only available by booking online on the Kacha Kacha website.
| Package | Price | What’s included |
| Standard *Booking required | RM90 Additional prints at RM15 each All digital files +RM30 | 20-minute photo time 10-minute photo selection 6 digital prints 2 single prints 2 “4-in-1” photo strips |
| Express *Walk-ins allowed | RM20 Additional 2 photo strips for RM15 All digital files +RM15 | 4-minute photo time 2-minute photo selection
2 “4-in-1” photo strips |
Both packages allow a maximum of 5 pax per photoshoot, so no worries if your friend group happens to take up more room. Just be prepared to split the cost for additional prints and top up RM5 or RM10 for every additional person, depending on the package you choose.
While there’s no shortage of photo booths and studios in Singapore, Kacha Kacha stays ahead of the pack by introducing a keychain-making option at RM25/pax after you’re done taking your shots.
Choose either 2 individual shots or 1 small photo strip to be put into the frame, and zhng it up with charms and letter beads to personalise your chain. For those who are camera shy, the staff also allows you to send your own pictures to be printed out and inserted into the frames.
The studio only accepts cash, so be prepared to have some on hand.
Escape rooms are something of a rite of passage for groups heading into JB. If you’re up for it, LOST in JB is an excellent choice for friend groups hungry for a little thrill, or magic, depending on which room you choose. Each room is designed to host 2 to 8 players.
Notable themed rooms include Amazing School of Magic, with a Harry Potter inspired plot that allows you to cast spells and discover mystical treasures, Haunted Doll: The Writer, for Annabelle fans who want to experience the nightmare in real life, and Bajie: Another Journey To The West, a modern sequel to Journey To The West starring Zhu Bajie.
Prices vary according to the rooms and start from RM68 to RM108 for adults, and RM58 to RM98 for students. Kids under 10 years old enter for free.
Check out the full list of escape rooms on the LOST in JB website.
A trip to JB simply isn’t complete without go-karting – another iconic activity – and RUD Karting Medini ensures your racing needs are catered to, even past midnight.
With an impressive track length of 840m and 16 exciting turns, you’ll get to put your Mario Kart skills to the test against your friends.
Prices start from RM55 for their basic kart, and RM150 for their twin kart. You’ll also have to buy a balaclava to go with your helmet for RM15. Slippers are not allowed, so maybe leave your slides at your Airbnb in JB for this outing.
If you’re craving a snack after that adrenaline rush, head over to the RUD Cafe & Bistro, serving up desserts like Ice Cream Brownie (RM19.90) or main courses like Wagyu Beef Burger (RM42.90).
Game On at Toppen Shopping Centre is the perfect location for groups who just have differing interests but still want to coexist in the same arena, because friendship! Think Explorer Kids for adults, but bigger and better, as it also includes an arcade, a KTV, an e-sports gaming area, and even an indoor flying fox.
Visitors won’t have a chance to get bored, considering the impressive lineup of activities available on the park’s grounds. Some activities include a Mario Kart-esque obstacle course over a foam pit, bubble soccer, and a KTV section with a 30-minute time limit if you still aren’t tired out.
The park also houses Fuel Up, a cafe that serves egg waffles, spaghetti bolognese with chicken, and more.
Admission tickets are relatively affordable, at RM32 for adults and RM28 for kids on weekdays, and RM42 for adults and RM38 for kids on weekends.
Check out the Game On website to make a booking.
Forever Twenty DIY Studio gives major K-drama vibes with its aesthetic classroom setup and even school uniforms for rent at RM30 if you want to commit to the bit.
The art studio is located 25 minutes away from City Square Mall and offers over 20 kinds of handicraft workshops.
Its offerings include mirror painting (RM69), decoden cream decoration (RM28-RM58), beading customisation (RM29-RM49), and even a make-your-own-plushie workshop similar to Build-a-Bear. Toast painting is also available, but you’ll have to make a booking in advance.
If your friend group is on the lookout for a relaxing day out, yapping over crafts sounds like a fun idea. The place also offers a huge seating area with low benches and floor cushions to guarantee cosy vibes for the best conversations.
Walk-ins are accepted, or make a booking for a craft workshop at Forever Twenty DIY Studio.
If your friend group is the impatient kind, Laser Battle is conveniently located in City Square Mall, so the fun can begin upon crossing the border.
The arena spans an impressive 5,000 sqft and is run by the largest laser tag operator to ensure maximum chaos. It’s designed as a maze and decked out with futuristic neon lights for the best immersive experience.
There are more than 55 choices of game modes with varying difficulty levels, including classics like Capture the Flag, or for something more chaotic, there’s Midnight Madness, where players battle in a pitch-black arena with their opponents’ neon lights for visibility. Each session has a duration of 10 minutes.
Remember to make a reservation through the Laser Battle website, and take note that players have to be at least 6 years old to participate.
| 2 games | 3 games | |
| Mon-Thu | RM45/pax | RM55/pax |
| Fri-Sun | RM50/pax | RM60/pax |
Alternatively, book online at S$10.55 per pax for 1 session.
There’s an alternative to River Wonders across the border for animal lovers to get up close and personal with adorable creatures. Capyba Cafe is home to a line-up of photogenic animal friends, including 2 capybaras, 5 alpacas, and a European Shetland pony.
The cafe occupies 2 floors, with the lower level serving as a capybara-themed cafe and the upstairs housing the establishment’s animal residents.
True to its name, the cafe is stocked with framed capybara art and even plushies lining the wall if you want to take home your own capybara.
Satisfy your cravings with a range of options from their Western-Japanese menu, including Mentaiko Tamagoyaki Sando (RM19), Jiggly Capybara Pudding (RM16), and Smoked Duck Aglio Olio (RM23.90).
There’s no entrance fee to head upstairs, but each person is required to purchase either a drink or a meal with a limited dine-in time of 1 hour. Every table will be given a cup of carrots to feed the animals.
If you prefer doggos or felines, check out these dog and cat cafes in JB instead.
Relaxation isn’t too far away from City Square Mall, with Bangkok Spa Taman Pelangi located only 7 minutes away. The massage parlour is popular among locals and tourists alike, known for its competitive prices that make it all the more shiok.
You’ll find standard services at affordable prices, like a Traditional Thai Massage at RM66 for an hour or a foot massage at RM66 for an hour.
The spa has multiple locations across JB, including Sri Tebrau and Taman Sentosa, but the outlet at Taman Pelangi seems to have the best reviews.
To avoid disappointment, it’s highly recommended to make a booking on the Bangkok SPA Taman Pelangi website in advance.
If you’ve always dreamt of taking part in Squid Game minus the deaths and questionable ethics, X Motivate is a great way to play without stakes. Located in Eco Palladium, this game club has interactive game rooms with a touch of fitness elements.
With 5 different game rooms to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice. And if you can’t seem to narrow down your options, opt for their 5-in-1 game, which takes you through all 5 rooms.
Every game session lasts for 75 minutes with a total of 5 rounds of 15 minutes each, and each game typically hosts a group of 5. Here’s a brief rundown of each game:
Pipe Ball is a strategy game where players navigate and launch a ball through a series of pipes.
Image credit: X Motivate via Google Maps
Laser Dodge is exactly as its name suggests, where players navigate through an arena while dodging laser beams and pressing wall buttons before time runs out.
Point Light requires players to identify and reach specific points of light under a time limit.
Evil Eyes, perhaps the most thrilling of this line-up, challenges players to press buttons to form a word before time runs out, all while hiding behind a centre pillar to avoid huge blinking eyes on the walls.
Cylinder places players within a barrel, where they’ll have to rotate the floor to match coloured tiles with light strips in the walls.
Tickets are priced at RM89 for adults, RM79 for ages 7 to 18, while children under 6 enter for free. Walk-ins are accepted, but it’s recommended to book in advance on the X Motivate website.
Roll On is the largest indoor roller skate park in JB located in Paradigm Mall. The arena is American retro-themed, with neon light fixtures on the ceiling and a shiny disco ball hanging above skaters.
Even if you consider yourself a beginner skater, the park is still worth a visit, as there’s a newbie-friendly zone with railings to hold on to as you skate.
The entrance ticket is priced at RM10, inclusive of a free drink. Weekday tickets are priced at RM35 for 2 hours, while weekend tickets are priced at RM40 for the same duration. The tickets are inclusive of skates, but additional gear will require a rental fee.
If you already have your own skates, you can bring them along and enjoy a discount of RM5 on your entrance fee. There are lockers provided with an RM10 deposit if you need to store your belongings.
The park only accepts walk-ins, so consider visiting during a non-peak hour to avoid lines.
Work in Progress is a DIY studio tucked in Eco Palladium that specialises in customisable Moru dolls, also known as wire dolls that originated from Korea. The adorable dolls are known for their fluffy texture and are usually dressed in cute accessories and clothes.
This studio means business when it promises personalisation. You’ll be put in charge of your new pet, from its fashion style to even its facial features.
There’s a fee of RM88 for 1 Moru doll base and 10 tokens which you can exchange for accessories. Moru doll bases vary between a bunny and a bear. Token prices vary according to the type of accessories, with sweaters and small designer bags costing 2 tokens, or overalls, which will set you back 3 tokens.
It’s no question that your Moru doll deserves the best, so if 10 tokens aren’t enough, purchase additional token bundles of 5 and 10 to maximise your customisation.
There’s even a photoshoot area for your Moru doll to pose in once you’re done dressing it up.
Walk-ins are accepted, but you may choose to make a booking on the Work in Progress website.
Forest City Commercial Park is a lesser-known place for an outing, but hear me out. First announced in 2006 as a 20-year mega development project, it was envisioned as a private residential town catered towards potential buyers from the upper-middle class.
However, it earned its name as a ghost town in 2022 after the pandemic hit. But the town is slowly reviving post-pandemic, with even a water park in the vicinity.
So if you’re looking for something a little dystopian, it’s just a 35-minute drive from City Square Mall. Here are some highlights of the park:
Take a stroll along Forest City Beach, which features photo opportunities like a vintage car parked right on the beach, and a literal staircase leading to nowhere. There are also a couple of animal statues along the beach to look out for.
There’s a pretty ominous sign warning visitors about crocodiles in the water so maybe leave your swimsuit behind.
The beach is relatively unknown, so it’s a much quieter walk than the ones you’re used to at Sentosa.
Forest City Maze is the largest maze garden in JB that’s stuffed with flowers, garden cacti, and even animal statues.
You’ll enjoy free entry, so it’s definitely worth a visit for you and your friends to play some hide-and-seek.
Image credit: Viana’s Journey via Trip.com
The park is technically built for kids, but if you’re looking for a less crowded water park, this is the place. It’s small but mighty, featuring water equipment like a surf and slide, an obstacle course, and your standard pool.
It’s closed every Monday and open from 10am to 5.30pm for the rest of the week. Tickets are priced at RM20/pax with no age limit – an affordable price for a day out in the water.
The epitome of friend group activities, karaoke should be a non-negotiable on your list.
Singcube Karaoke is conveniently located in Paradigm Mall. So if you find yourself exhausted after your shopping spree, there’s always a resting place in a karaoke room to sing Tong Hua for the millionth time.
Instead of your typical karaoke rooms, Singcube offers beach hut-inspired rooms that bring a little more holiday vibes to your singing session. There’s also a snack bar near the entrance if you need to stock up on munchies while you sing.
Here’s a breakdown of their prices:
Mon-Thu
| Mini K (1-2 pax) | Small Room (2-4 pax) | Deluxe Room (5-7 pax) | |
| 30 minutes | RM12 | RM15 | RM25 |
| 1 hour | RM20 | RM25 | RM35 |
Fri-Sun
| Mini K (1-2 pax) | Small Room (2-4 pax) | Deluxe Room (5-7 pax) | |
| 30 minutes | RM15 | RM20 | RM25 |
| 1 hour | RM25 | RM30 | RM40 |
After you’re sufficiently rested from your karaoke session, challenge your friends to a friendly game of air hockey at their free-to-use air hockey table.
Golden Screen Cinemas takes movie watching to the next level with its 4D movie screenings. The experience includes 20 signature effects, featuring seat motions, vibrations and even environmental effects like water and wind.
Word of warning: it is nothing like Shrek’s Castle at USS. The chair isn’t fixed to the ground and instead moves according to the way the camera pans in the movie.
For maximum chaos, opt for an action-packed show. My friends and I chanced upon this cinema back when Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 first hit the theatres, and I remember staring in disbelief at the 4DX option. We were laughing in shock throughout the ride, and I still can’t forget the first impact when Adam Warlock punches through the window.
Image credit: Chen Hoe Chan via Google Maps
The 4DX option is available for most blockbusters, and not all 4DX movies are in 3D. 4DX costs an additional RM18 on top of the original price with a surcharge for 3D glasses. Online booking is available but includes a RM0.50 booking fee.
Snacks are available at the bar near the entrance – popcorn is priced from RM10.50 to RM16. But maybe wait for your next meal because shaking chairs and food don’t go well together.
The 4DX movie was my friends’ favourite activity during our last trip to JB, but if you’re prone to motion sickness, it’s best to opt out of this one.
If your friend group is looking to take Call of Duty off the screen, EOS Paintball is a great option. Just an 18-minute drive away from City Square Mall, you and your friends will be engaging in a little friendly competition in no time.
Even without stakes, their matches are nothing to scoff at. Be prepared to take home some light bruises as souvenirs, as the paint bullets make quite an impact.
The minimum number of players for each session is 6. Battles take place in the urban field arena, which looks like something out of a movie set. It features metal barrels, cars, and even a school bus for players to hide in.
Players choose from a variety of games like Capture the Flag or a standard team match.
Fees are priced according to the number of bullets per pax and include a protective mask and a vest. Additional apparel like long-sleeved shirts, boots, and pants can be purchased at an additional fee of RM15.
| 150 bullets | 300 bullets | 500 bullets | |
| Price | RM68 | RM88 | RM118 |
Be sure to bring mosquito repellent since the arena is located a little away from civilisation.
If you’re itching to kick things up a notch during your next group outing, you now know there are myriad possibilities across the border.
Whether you belong in a group full of fitness fanatics or one that prefers winding down with some crafts, Johor Bahru promises something for every type of friend group.
Check out other things to do in JB:
Cover image adapted from: @mooparn, @rudkarting & @forever_twenty_diy_studio via Instagram
A portion of this content may contain referral links where The Smart Local may collect a commission. Our opinions remain our own.
Free entry for Singaporeans and PRs.
Wonders of Nature at New Art Museum Singapore Singapore’s art scene has just received an…
Unleash your artsy side over at #2.
Good things come to those who wait.
There will be daily dance performances too.
PropNex Family Zone at Gardens by the Bay For parents with kids, the free playgrounds…