Traveling to Bali with children is a great opportunity to show them your home country, Bali’s natural beauty, and the beaches, culture, and cuisine. We also want to ensure they have the best family-friendly experiences on their vacations so they will always look forward to returning to the tropical paradise. When we first traveled with yuyi to Bali, we didn’t know what to expect. So we started researching what are the best things to do with kids in Bali, how to travel with kids in Bali, etc. We’re so glad that we did, because now we’re sharing these experiences, tips, and secret spots we found with you.
When to Visit Bali with Kids
The first step in planning your family vacation to Bali is deciding when to visit. I was unsure about this, so I consulted with many Balinese friends who have traveled there with children, what months are the best to travel to Bali, and we both agreed:
Bali is a great year-round destination for visiting with your family as both the activities and weather cater to children. However, it is important to note that, like in most places in Indonesia, there is a dry season (April through October) and a rainy season (November through March).
We chose to travel in the dry season, as this is the best time to visit Bali with kids because of the weather. The skies are clear, which means you get the most out of outdoor activities like beach days, visiting rice terraces, and even horseback riding. Another advantage of traveling in the dry season is that the air is less humid, and the beaches are less crowded, which can be a lifesaver when you have young children.
The rainy season is also a good time to visit Bali with children, but the weather is less predictable. It rains heavily during the rainy season in Bali, especially in the afternoon. You will still find plenty of indoor activities to do with your kids if it rains, but our research and personal experience tell us it can be more difficult to schedule whole-day activities with kids if you have to keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Try to avoid visiting Bali in July and August and during the Christmas and New Year holidays, as this is when Bali is at its busiest. Long lines and overcrowding at popular attractions can be frustrating, especially if you are traveling with children. If you are traveling with school-age children, consider visiting Bali in June or September, when they are less likely to be crowded and the weather is still good.
It’s also important to note that if you are traveling with younger children, it can still be hot and humid in Bali, even during the dry season. Try to get up early and take a break in the middle of the day to avoid exposing your children to the midday sun. Pack plenty of sunscreen, hats, and water or sports drinks to keep your children cool.
Top Family-Friendly Activities in Bali
Our trip to Bali with my kid was an amazing and unforgettable experience. With a wide range of activities, from exciting adventures to learning about the local culture, to relaxing on the beach with the family, Bali offers something for everyone. Here are some of the best things to do with kids in Bali that we tried and loved:
Day at the Beach in Nusa Dua
Bali’s white sandy beaches are perfect for kids of all ages, as the gentle waves and crystal-clear water make for a safe environment for little ones to play in. Our daughter (yuyi) especially enjoyed spending a full day at the beach in Nusa Dua. The clean and shallow waters were ideal for her to play, and we had a fantastic time building sandcastles and collecting shells. If you are looking for family-friendly beach resorts in Bali, check out Nusa Dua, as we stayed at one of the all-inclusive resorts there for three days and it was great with our 1-year-old!
Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud
Sacred Monkey Forest was a highlight of our trip to Bali with a kid, as she enjoyed the cheeky monkeys swinging through the trees and playing in the shrubs as we explored the ancient ruins and beautiful walking trails through the forest. It’s an excellent way to introduce your children to the wildlife of Bali and provides hours of entertainment, just make sure to keep your valuables close by.
Tip: Bring a selfie stick if you can, as it will help you get great family photos with the monkeys without the need for a monkey to hold it for you.
Cultural Shows: Kecak and Barong Dance Performances
Traditional Balinese performances are a feast for the eyes and ears, and the children will be as captivated as you are by the colorful costumes and rhythmic chants. We recommend checking out a Kecak dance performance at Uluwatu Temple, as my daughter was amazed by the energetic fire dance. Another cultural show that was a highlight for her was the Barong dance, a playful yet dramatic performance of the battle between good and evil, featuring a huge dragon. You will love taking the kids to these performances, which are usually held in the evenings.
Hiking in Rice Terraces at Jatiluwih and Tegallalang
We also enjoyed hiking through rice terraces with the kids, as it’s a gentle hike with amazing views and fascinating to learn how the rice is farmed in Bali. My daughter especially loved Tegallang rice terraces, where we also found a special treat for the kids to enjoy- swings! The swings were just the right size for kids and she soared high above the rice terraces and had the most wonderful time.
Snorkeling and Sea Turtle Tours
Another unforgettable experience we had with our daughter (yuyi) in Bali was snorkeling, which is a great activity for families who enjoy water sports. We took a boat trip to Menjangan Island, which is famous for its snorkeling, and we had the most incredible time swimming with colorful fish and sea turtles. The waters around the island are so clear and calm, so it’s a perfect safe introduction to snorkeling for the kids, and yuyi even had her first snorkeling session there.
Waterbom Bali Waterpark
Waterbom Bali is the ultimate family day out, with something for everyone. The waterpark has slides, lazy rivers, and water games, so we all had an incredible time enjoying the sun and water, and it’s a great way to take a break from all the cultural visits and sites you might see with the kids. Plus, the kids will be so tired out after a day at Waterbom Bali that they will sleep well at night.
Educational and Interactive Experiences for Kids
These activities made our family trip to Bali so special, as it was a great combination of fun and culture for the kids as well as for the parents.
Balinese Cooking Classes
Balinese cooking classes are a popular activity for families who travel to Bali. The children have an opportunity to learn how to make traditional Balinese dishes such as nasi goreng and sate lilit. Many cooking schools offer kids’ cooking classes where the classes are shorter and the chefs encourage the kids to get stuck in with chopping vegetables, mixing spices and sauces. Cooking classes are also a very hands-on experience which the children usually find entertaining.
Balinese Crafts
Balinese craft workshops are a great way to introduce kids to the local arts, and they have a range of activities to choose from. The crafts to try include mask-making, painting and learning how to make offerings. You can expect a friendly and fun class, while also getting the kids to get creative. The workshops are often led by local artisans, and are an excellent opportunity to get the kids involved. The classes can also include a background on the cultural significance of the crafts, which makes them a great educational experience for the family.
Tirta Empul Temple
We didn’t get to visit Tirta Empul Temple with Yuyi, but we will make sure to do it when she’s older, as the Temple of the Holy Spring is one of the most popular places to visit in Bali. The holy water temple is the best place to observe local Balinese Hindus performing purification rituals in the spring water pools. It’s not necessary to participate in the rituals, but it’s interesting for the family to observe the traditions and culture while at the temple.
Balinese Dance Performances
Balinese dance performances are one of our family’s favorite things to do in Bali. The most popular and family-friendly performances are the Barong dance and the Kecak dance. The dances are full of color and life, and are a chance to watch local myths brought to life in front of you. If you have the kids along with you, it’s still a fantastic opportunity to get them interested in culture and it’s a very entertaining show for all ages. The performances are normally held at temples like Uluwatu or Ubud Palace.
Family-Friendly Accommodations in Bali for Kids
As you may have read in our previous posts about Bali, we were able to experience two luxury, family-friendly resorts during our stay in Bali with our 1-year-old daughter, yuyi. They both had family-friendly pools, but we really preferred the pool at Ayana Resort, as it was less crowded. The resorts were also the same in providing family-friendly activities that were fun, while also getting us a little education on the culture. As a mother, I can confidently recommend these resorts for families traveling with children.
The Apurva Kempinski Bali
We stayed at The Apurva Kempinski Bali and found it very family-friendly. The grand resort boasts several impressive pools with stunning views, but the thing that made our stay really fun was the great kids’ pool. It had its own water slides and shallow pools, which meant that the kids could play with the confidence of being in a safe area. We found many family-friendly activities at the resort, such as kite-flying and learning Balinese crafts, which were both fun and educational for the little ones.
The rooms are spacious and family-friendly with lots of amenities for the kids. We stayed in one of their suites that had its own private pool, and this was perfect to keep the kids cool at those times when the weather was the hottest in the day. What we loved about this resort is that the Kempinski also provided babysitting services in the evenings, so we could both enjoy an adult dinner, knowing the kids were in safe hands.
Ayana Resort
Ayana Resort is also a fantastic choice for families and we really loved our stay at Ayana. We think that Ayana is the better option for families, as the resort has a Kids’ Club which was a big hit with the kids. They have a great range of activities from arts and crafts to outdoor games, which they could enjoy with their friends at the resort. The Ayana also has several pools, the standout of which was the River Pool. The kids loved this the most because they could float down the winding channels, which made it like an added water adventure. The pools all have lifeguards on duty, which gives the parents the added confidence of the children being in safe hands.
The resorts also have a great selection of restaurants and family dining options. At Ayana, we loved eating at the beachside restaurant, as we were on the sand and the kids could play while we ate our meal. If you want to treat your children to something special, the Rock Bar is a must-visit, which is surprisingly family-friendly earlier in the evenings and it has stunning views of the ocean.
Tips for Traveling to Bali with Kids
Traveling with your children in Bali was made so much easier for us when we were prepared for the trip and knew what to expect. From packing right to getting around Bali with kids, it was so much more comfortable and relaxed for our family, including our 1-year-old yuyi. Here are some tips and tricks that we picked up from our stay at The Apurva Kempinski Bali and Ayana Resort:
Packing Tips
I found the trickiest thing was packing for the children so that they were comfortable and entertained for the journey. Bali is a tropical country, and it is important to pack sun protection like plenty of sunscreen and wide-brimmed hats and also lightweight, loose clothing to keep the children cool. As there are also mosquitoes in Bali, it is a good idea to pack mosquito repellent, which is especially useful for the children when walking around in the early mornings and evenings.
It’s also worth packing snacks for the children, as you are out and about and exploring, and it can be some time between meals, depending on how the kids are feeding. You will find lots of fantastic food choices in Bali, and we especially loved the food at both resorts, but it is always a good idea to have some snacks for the children, so they don’t get too grumpy when you’re in between meals.
Transportation Tips for Getting Around Bali With Kids
Getting around Bali with the children can be done in different ways. We chose to hire private drivers as we found it the easiest and most reliable way to get around Bali with the children. We got the drivers arranged through both the Apurva Kempinski and Ayana Resorts, and this really made things much easier for us. The drivers are local Balinese, so they are very friendly and patient with children. They are also very accommodating and would stop for bathroom breaks and snacks. If you are going to be visiting several places, we would recommend hiring a private car for the convenience and flexibility.
Tip: Make sure you bring along car seats if you are traveling with younger children, as they may not be provided by the local drivers.
Adjusting to the Weather
The weather in Bali can be hot and humid, even during the dry season, and it is important to plan activities around this. We found that it was best to get up early and start the day early when it was cooler. We then took a rest in the middle of the day until it cooled down again. The resorts were also great for helping us cool down in their pools or air-conditioned play areas, so that was a big help with the heat, too. We also found that it was essential to keep the children hydrated, so we made sure to always have water bottles on us.
Safety and Health Tips When Visiting Bali With Kids
It is always a good idea to take the usual precautions you would when traveling with children. We made sure the children were up to date with their vaccinations and we also took a small first-aid kit that had plasters, antiseptic wipes, and medicines to treat motion sickness or any minor stomach upsets, just in case. We had no issues with this, but it is always reassuring to know that we could, if necessary. Both resorts also had access to medical services in the unlikely event that we needed this.
Tip: Tap water in Bali is not safe to drink, so always stick to bottled water.
Conclusion
Traveling to Bali with kids is one of my most cherished family memories. From relaxing on the beaches of Nusa Dua to exploring the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud, Bali offers a unique experience for every family member. I loved watching our children interact with the locals, taste new cuisines, and delight in everything from water parks to traditional Balinese dance performances. Bali’s natural wonders and rich culture make it a destination that is not only entertaining but also educational for kids of all ages.
Planning our trip to Bali, I was concerned about whether the island could cater to young children. However, staying at family-friendly resorts such as The Apurva Kempinski Bali and Ayana Resort in Bali made a world of difference. These resorts provided us with not only luxurious accommodations but also activities and amenities that were designed with kids in mind, including kids’ clubs and swimming pools with slides. I would recommend family-friendly resorts like these for a stress-free family vacation.
If you are planning a trip to Bali with your family, I would advise you to be flexible, plan ahead, and just go with the flow. With proper planning and an adventurous spirit, Bali is a destination that can offer every family member unforgettable memories. Whether you are looking for the best time to visit Bali with kids, family-friendly accommodations, or fun and educational activities, Bali has something for every family.
For us, Bali was not only a vacation; it was a bonding experience that allowed us to slow down, spend time together, and discover a new part of the world. I hope this guide helps you plan your own adventure, and I can’t wait for your family to fall in love with Bali the way we did.
Traveling to Bali with Kids