I have to admit that I’ve always found it curious how people go to the same destination for vacation multiple times. Then I got married to a person who loves Bali and happens to be a man of habit.
And so, since then, while living in Singapore, we traveled to Bali at least seven times. Tiny Thea learned to walk on Bali’s beaches, and it somehow started feeling like… home away from home.
Despite being a relatively small island, Bali has lots to offer to families traveling with children. There are plenty of things to do in Bali with kids, and I am sharing some of our favorites. Enjoy!
Pro tip: The easiest way to get to the city from the airport with all that luggage after a long flight is by taxi. Unless you bring your own travel seat, book a car service that comes with a child’s car seat included.
Pro tip 2: A family vacation in Bali deserves more than selfies! I recommend a Flytographer photoshoot of the traveling family to capture those precious memories. After all, aren’t the memories from the trip the best souvenir? (Use the code LITTLETRAVELLER for $25 off)
So, what are the best things to do in Bali with kids?
Bali Bird Park
If your children are fans of animals, especially feathered creatures, you will want to read the below. Bali Bird Park is considered one of the best things to do with kids on a visit to Bali. The park has birds from over 250 species consisting of local birds, birds from other areas, and rare birds you may have only dreamed of seeing.
Your little traveler will be able to have their picture taken with birds to take a piece of the park home. There is a schedule of events every day that allows your tot to see demonstrations and interact with the birds. Some of the most popular shows are:
Bali Rainforest, where you can see cranes and parrots;
Basic Instinct, one that needs caution if you have a sensitive child, that allows the observer to see birds catching prey;
Pelican Feeding, where your little one can throw fish to feed the birds. There is something for everyone at Bali Bird Park!
For more information visit: www.balibirdpark.com
Bali Equestrian Center
One thing that makes Bali an amazing adventure for both parents and children is the interaction with animals. Kids and animals go hand in hand, right? Bali Equestrian Center is one such place with so many fun activities and things to do with kids.
The Center was created by horseback riders for those who already love riding or those who have an interest. Make some incredible memories with your tot by taking a tour of the grooming facility, two riding arenas, a tackle shop, and a restaurant.
If your child is interested, sign them up for riding! Yes, your child can squeal with delight as they mount up and learn all about ponies and horses. The activities and lessons are based on ages, so safety and developmental needs are considered. Your child may have private or group lessons or a pony party for a birthday celebration! Giddy up!
Visit their website for more information: www.baliequestriancentre.com
Langudu: Horse Riding on the Beach and in the Rice Fields
Bali Reptile Park
Did you know that dragons live not just in fairy tales? It’s absolutely true, and you can even show them to your kids in Bali’s Reptile Park. It is located next to Bali Bird Park and is Indonesia’s only reptile park.
A very knowledgeable tour guide will lead you on an adventure as you see all things reptiles.
Your children may get all of their questions asked as they feast their eyes on one of the largest snakes, the reticulated python, in captivity, Komodo Dragons (told you so!), and monitor lizards.
Children can gasp in awe of the serpent house King Vipers and Mambas or interact with something less fear-inducing gentle Iguanas. The park is easy to get to, and they have tour guides who speak many different languages.
For more information visit: www.balireptilepark.id
Speaking of dragons, you’ve got an option to visit their island. It’s called Komodo island, and tour operators are offering incredible tours to the island and seeing the dragons up close in the wild. We haven’t been there (yet) but it sure sounds like an adventure worth experiencing. Komodo Island: Private 3-Day Tour with Boat & Hotel Stay
Ubud Monkey Forest Sanctuary
One animal that makes little ones giggle without fail is a monkey. Can you imagine what over 600 monkeys can do to your child’s spirits?
Bali’s Monkey Sanctuary is a jungle atmosphere situated on 30 acres with a 14th century Hindu temple at its core. The monkeys are in a free environment, so they may actually come up and touch you! This will give you the photo opportunities of a lifetime!
Your children can feed the monkeys as long as it is the food you obtain from the sanctuary. Guides are there to coax the monkey to get on your shoulder with a treat or to protect you if a monkey gets a little too friendly and you want it to back away.
Once you have had your fill of the monkeying around, you can also take time to look at the ancient temples and the jungle flora and fauna that surround the park. This Bali sanctuary is a must-see, and definitely one of the best places with fun things to do with kids on the island.
Ubud: Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace & Tanah Lot Private Tour
Bali Safari and Marine Park
Another must-see on your family trip to Bali is the Bali Safari and Marine Park. You and your little traveler can sit back on a comfy bus ride to see the animals freely roam in their natural environment.
Expect to see animals such as wildebeests, zebras, rhinos, and the rest of the over 80 animal species housed in the park! You may even get to see a white tiger! Some of the animals will walk alongside the bus providing the perfect opportunity for pictures or even a selfie!
The tiny travelers will get to feed and pet smaller creatures in the petting zoo. The littles can love on rabbits, guinea pigs, and even take a ride on a pony.
If your child has more of an adventurous taste, try out the nighttime safari where the tour guides will lure the tigers on top of your caged bus ride to see them eat a slab of meat above your head! During this trip, you can also hand-feed elephants and giraffes. There are live animals shows and a restaurant where you can eat while watching the animals around you.
Finally, when your little love is hot and ready for some time to cool down, there is an amazing water park and even a bar for the adults to get a quick refreshment.
For more information visit: balisafarimarinepark.com
Things to do with kids on Bali’s beaches
If you are ready for more luxury and fewer animals, Seminyak Beach is your next stop. Every Sunday, there is a family day at Ku De Ta. Children can swim in the pool, get their faces painted, enjoy arts and crafts, see a magician, and get active in the bounce houses. There is also a kid-friendly brunch. Mom and Dad can relax in luxury watching the waves and enjoying coffee or an adult beverage while the kids are having fun and being entertained.
Seminyak beach pulls travelers who want to catch the big wave but is also good for suntanning and swimming. You and your little one can scour stores in hopes of finding the perfect souvenir, rent a cabana for a lazy day by the pool, or visit the delicious array of restaurants Seminyak has to offer.
Things to do with kids in Nusa Dua Bali
Pasar Senggol is a must-eat restaurant with kids if you visit Nusa Dua Beach. The restaurant has a large buffet that allows even the pickiest eaters something to munch on. The restaurant also has a theater-type show to keep your little diners entertained as the whole family enjoys a meal.
Nusa Dua also has a large selection of resorts you can visit or stay in during your vacation. These resorts have pools and kid’s clubs to allow the adults some time alone while the kids have fun with other kids while doing activities and games. If water park adventure is your child’s love, visit the Pirate’s Cove, a fantastic waterpark complete with a pirate-themed cafe for lunch.
Actually, Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort is where we always stay. Having spent so many nights there, it certainly feels like home away from home.
It’s a beautiful and well maintained hotel in Bali with plenty of things to do with kids. Thea loves their kids club and the pool for the tots. We enjoy the pool and tea afternoons with Balinese deserts and canapes.
Anyway, if you are looking at accomodation options in Nusa Dua, I surely recommend Sofitel. You will be well looked after.
One activity that we do every time we go to Bali is jet ski. However, we have a nanny stay with Thea in the hotel. I find jet skis more appropriate for slightly older children. It’s so much fun, and they promised me that there are no sharks, so I highly recommend it!
Nusa Dua: Self Drive Jet Ski Experience
Bali Berawa Art House
Does your traveling tot need a break from the animal, sun, sand? The Berawa Art House is going to be your next adventure.
If your little loves like to be creative, the Berawa offers age-appropriate art classes, stemming from watercolors to acrylics. By the way, the Berawa overlooks the rice fields!
To find out more visit: www.facebook.com/BAHbali/
Bali Butterfly Park
There is something quite magical about a child chasing a butterfly. Bali Butterfly Park is a little traveler’s dream, and one of the best activities and things to do with kids on the island. The winding paths and bridges of the tropical garden house hundreds of butterflies that your child can look at, chase, and maybe even touch.
There is a museum that houses scorpions, beetles, and other crawling creatures your tot may want to look at (and you might not). Your little one can also learn all about the life-cycle of the butterfly from the egg stage through its metamorphosis to a butterfly.
For more information contact: [email protected]
In case you are traveling to Bali via Singapore, check this Changi airport guide. You can see butterflies in Singapore’s airport too! Click on the link below to read more!
The Ultimate Changi Airport Guide. Singapore with kids.
Pondok Pekak Library
Pictures and souvenirs aren’t the only things you can take home with you from your trip to Bali. Visit the Pondok Pekak Libary to learn traditional Balinese skills such as dancing, making a Canang Sari, fruit and vegetable carving, and playing the Gamelan. The library itself holds over 30,000 books that can be checked out during your stay in Bali.
For more information visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/PondokPekak/
Bali Chocolate Factory
Wait, what? Did I say chocolate? Oh, yes I did! Children can come here to learn all about the steps it takes to make their favorite treat.
There is a large swing kids can play on as well. Your littles can tickle their taste buds when they get to try various chocolate treats as well as make a chocolate elephant to take home!
For more information visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/balichocolat/
Cooking Classes
Let’s stay on the food theme and take a class on cooking the delights of Balinese food. This is definitely something you want to make reservations for, as the classes are usually booked solid. Your little traveler will turn to a little chef with one of the various cooking classes offered all over Bali.
Your little chef can learn to make such items as woodfired pizza, Indonesian favorites, Balinese cuisine, and sushi! What a gift children can take back to their family and friends at home. A lunch or dinner they themselves prepare to show what they experienced and learned on their trip to Bali.
From Ubud: Authentic Cooking Class in a Local Village
Odyssey Surf School
The beaches of Bali are known for the big waves and pull of surfers to their shores. Why not let your littles learn to surf the waves too.
The Odyssey Surf School can give your want-to-be surfer a course in riding the waves that will be remembered for a lifetime.
For more information visit www.odysseysurfschool.com
Bali: 2.5-Hour Surfing Lessons
Bike Tours
Want a great way to see Bali up close and personal? Why not take the family on a bike tour! There are several bike tour companies on the island. You can choose to do a tour that takes you through villages or a tour that takes you through hills and panoramic scenery.
The whole family is sure to love this adventure, and what a great way to see more of the beautiful sites of Bali.
Mount Batur: Black Lava Cycling Tour w/ Natural Hot Spring
Botanical Gardens
A trip to a lush tropical destination is a perfect time to let littles see the flora and fauna of a different environment. The Botanical Gardens in Bedugul is the place to do just that. The Gardens has a beautiful bamboo forest that allows kids to run and explore. This delightful destination is situated on 400 acres of lush forest and jungle.
While looking at the vegetation, tiny tots can get a glimpse of wildlife there too! These botanical gardens are the biggest in Indonesia so it is a must-see for Bali explorers!
One of the many wonderful experiences in Bali Botanic Gardens is the Bali Treetop Adventure Park. However, at the time of writing it is advertised as ‘temporarily closed’.
Address: Jalan Kebun Raya, Batunya, Candikuning, Tabanan, Bali 82191; To contact call: +62 (0)368 2033211
Devdan Theatre
Imagine viewing some of Indonesia’s most well-known islands all in 90 minutes! The Devedan Theatre allows you and your little ones to do just that.
The theater displays this show in a Cirque du Soleil vibe. The children will learn about Indonesian history and geography as the players do acrobatics and fire juggling!
Visit www.devdanshow.com for more information
Jimbaran Beach
Unlike the other beaches in Bali, Jimbaran Beach is one of the beaches that has more calm waters for your littles to splash in. This beach is close to the airport, so it may be a great first stop or last stop on your vacation. The beach is quite close to the villages, so the local children come to the beach in the evening to play.
This is a great opportunity for your tiny traveler to learn first-hand about the people living here. They might even get invited to play in a family soccer game.
Mt Batur Sunrise Hike
This adventure is for travelers just a little older, well, provided you can get them out of bed! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that is so spectacular it is worth getting up early. Children will be utterly amazed at the breathtaking sunrise high atop Mt. Batur, a volcano.
Not only does your child get to climb a volcano and see a sunrise show in the sky, they also get to eat eggs cooked by the volcano steam itself! Isn’t that the best thing to do with kids in Bali?
Bali: Sunrise Mount Batur Hike with Breakfast
Bali: Mount Batur Sunrise Hike and Natural Hot Spring
Overall, Bali is an incredible destination to go to with tots, teens, and tweens. As you can see from the list above, there are so many wonderful activities, experiences, and things to do with kids in Bali. I hope that you enjoyed it and found something interesting for your itinerary on the island of the gods. Happy and safe travels!
Photo credit: Personal & Unsplash.com
Where to stay in Bali?
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If you travel to Bali via Singapore and have a stopover there, check out our family guide to 24-hours layover in Singapore, where to go & what to do
