Bali with Kids: Complete Family Travel Guide

Bali is an incredible family destination!

With its friendly culture, beautiful beaches, exciting activities, and family-friendly infrastructure, Bali offers unforgettable experiences for kids of all ages. This guide helps you plan the perfect family adventure.

Is Bali Good for Kids?

Why Bali is Great for Families

• Balinese people love children
• Affordable family activities
• Excellent family resorts
• Diverse activities for all ages
• Safe and welcoming culture
• Easy to navigate

Things to Consider

• Traffic can be chaotic
• Hot and humid climate
• Some areas lack sidewalks
• Mosquitoes present
• Long flight for many families
• Bali belly risk (stomach issues)

Best Ages for Bali

Babies & Toddlers (0-3 years)

Doable but challenging. Bring baby gear, stick to family resorts, keep itinerary simple.

Young Kids (4-8 years)

Great age! Enjoy beaches, animals, water parks, and cultural experiences. Lots of energy!

Tweens & Teens (9+ years)

Perfect age! Can do adventure activities, appreciate culture, and enjoy independence.

Best Family-Friendly Areas

Sanur (Best Overall)

Calm beaches, shallow water, bike paths, family restaurants, relaxed vibe.

Why Families Love Sanur:

Safe swimming beach with gentle waves
5km beachfront promenade for walking/cycling
Many family-friendly restaurants
Less traffic than other areas
Close to airport (30 minutes)

Nusa Dua (Most Luxurious)

Gated resort area, pristine beaches, upscale hotels with kids clubs.

Perfect For:

• Families wanting all-inclusive resort experience
• Those prioritizing safety and convenience
• Families with young children
• Beach-focused vacations

Ubud (Most Cultural)

Rice terraces, monkey forest, art workshops, cultural experiences.

Best For:

• Families with older kids (8+)
• Those wanting cultural immersion
• Nature-loving families
• Educational travel experiences

Seminyak (Trendy but Busy)

Great restaurants, beach clubs, shopping - but more crowded and expensive.

Note:

Strong currents and waves make swimming challenging for kids. Better for older children and teens.

Top Kid-Friendly Activities

Water & Beach Activities

Waterbom Bali

Asia's best water park in Kuta

Ages: All | Cost: $35-40 | Duration: Full day

Snorkeling Trips

Nusa Penida, Amed, or Menjangan

Ages: 6+ | Cost: $30-60 | Duration: Half/full day

Beach Days

Sanur, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran

Ages: All | Cost: Free | Duration: Flexible

Surf Lessons

Kuta, Canggu, Seminyak

Ages: 8+ | Cost: $25-40 | Duration: 2 hours

Animals & Nature

Monkey Forest Ubud

See monkeys in natural habitat

Ages: 4+ | Cost: $5 | Duration: 1-2 hours

Bali Zoo

Animal encounters and shows

Ages: All | Cost: $25-35 | Duration: 3-4 hours

Bali Safari Park

Safari experience with shows

Ages: All | Cost: $40-60 | Duration: Full day

Rice Terrace Walks

Tegallalang, Jatiluwih

Ages: 5+ | Cost: $2-5 | Duration: 1-2 hours

Butterfly Park

Tabanan Butterfly Park

Ages: All | Cost: $7 | Duration: 1-2 hours

Waterfall Visits

Tegenungan, Tibumana

Ages: 5+ | Cost: $2-3 | Duration: 1-2 hours

Cultural & Educational

Temple Visits

Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, Tirta Empul

Ages: 5+ | Cost: $2-5 | Duration: 1-2 hours

Balinese Dance Shows

Kecak, Barong, Legong dances

Ages: 6+ | Cost: $5-10 | Duration: 1 hour

Art Workshops

Batik, painting, wood carving

Ages: 6+ | Cost: $15-30 | Duration: 2-3 hours

Cooking Classes

Learn to make Balinese food

Ages: 8+ | Cost: $25-40 | Duration: 3-4 hours

Adventure Activities (Older Kids)

Cycling Tours

Downhill rides through villages

Ages: 10+ | Cost: $30-50 | Duration: 3-4 hours

White Water Rafting

Ayung or Telaga Waja River

Ages: 12+ | Cost: $35-50 | Duration: 3-4 hours

ATV Rides

Through rice fields and jungle

Ages: 12+ | Cost: $40-60 | Duration: 2 hours

Treetop Adventure

Ziplines and rope courses

Ages: 8+ | Cost: $25-40 | Duration: 2-3 hours

Family Accommodation Options

Family Resorts with Kids Clubs

Best for families wanting all-inclusive convenience and supervised activities.

Recommended Resorts:

Grand Mirage Resort (Nusa Dua) - $150-250/night
Hard Rock Hotel (Kuta) - $120-200/night
Club Med Bali (Nusa Dua) - $200-350/night
Padma Resort (Legian) - $100-180/night

What's Included:

Kids clubs (ages 4-12)
Multiple pools with slides
Family rooms or connecting rooms
Kids menus at restaurants
Babysitting services

Private Villas

Best for families wanting privacy, space, and flexibility. Often more affordable for larger families.

Villa Benefits:

Private pool (safe for kids)
Full kitchen for meal prep
Multiple bedrooms
Living space for family time
Often includes staff/cook

Price Range:

Budget villa (2BR)$50-80/night
Mid-range villa (3BR)$100-200/night
Luxury villa (4BR+)$250-500/night

Family Hotels

Mid-range option with family rooms and basic amenities.

What to Look For:

• Family rooms or suites (sleeps 4-6)
• Pool area safe for children
• Breakfast included
• Central location near attractions
• Good reviews from families
• Price: $40-100/night

Health & Safety Tips

Before You Go

• Consult doctor about vaccinations (Hepatitis A, Typhoid recommended)
• Get comprehensive travel insurance covering kids
• Pack first aid kit with kids' medications
• Bring mosquito repellent (DEET 30%+)
• Download offline maps and emergency contacts

Preventing Bali Belly

• Only drink bottled or filtered water
• Avoid ice in drinks (unless at reputable places)
• Wash hands frequently with soap
• Eat at busy, clean restaurants
• Avoid raw vegetables and unpeeled fruit
• Bring probiotics and anti-diarrheal medication

General Safety

• Always supervise kids near pools and beaches
• Use car seats (bring your own or rent)
• Watch for traffic - roads can be chaotic
• Keep kids close in crowded areas
• Teach kids not to touch stray dogs
• Apply sunscreen every 2 hours (SPF 50+)
• Stay hydrated - drink water constantly

Medical Care

• BIMC Hospital (Nusa Dua, Kuta) - International standard
• Kasih Ibu Hospital (Denpasar) - Good for emergencies
• Siloam Hospital (Denpasar) - Modern facilities
• Many clinics in tourist areas for minor issues
• Keep insurance info and emergency numbers handy

Practical Family Travel Tips

Packing Essentials

• Lightweight stroller (for young kids)
• Baby carrier/backpack
• Swim diapers and regular diapers
• Rash guards for sun protection
• Portable high chair (if needed)
• Favorite snacks from home
• Entertainment for flights

Managing Jet Lag

• Arrive in afternoon/evening
• Get sunlight exposure first day
• Keep kids active during day
• Stick to new time zone immediately
• Allow 2-3 days to adjust
• Plan easy activities first days

Dining with Kids

• Most restaurants are kid-friendly
• Ask for mild/not spicy versions
• Nasi goreng and mie goreng are safe bets
• Western food widely available
• Bring snacks for picky eaters
• High chairs usually available

Getting Around

• Hire private driver ($40-60/day)
• Use Grab/Gojek for short trips
• Bring/rent car seats (required by law)
• Avoid scooters with young kids
• Plan for traffic delays
• Keep travel days short

Sample Family Itinerary

7 Days in Bali with Kids

Days 1-3: Sanur (Beach Base)

• Day 1: Arrive, settle in, beach time, early dinner
• Day 2: Beach morning, Bali Safari Park afternoon
• Day 3: Waterbom Bali full day (in Kuta, 20 min away)

Days 4-5: Ubud (Culture & Nature)

• Day 4: Drive to Ubud, Monkey Forest, art workshop
• Day 5: Tegallalang Rice Terraces, waterfall visit, cooking class

Days 6-7: Back to Beach

• Day 6: Return to Sanur, snorkeling trip or beach day
• Day 7: Relaxed morning, souvenir shopping, departure

Itinerary Tips:

• Build in downtime - kids need rest
• One major activity per day maximum
• Keep driving under 1 hour when possible
• Have backup plans for rainy days
• Let kids help choose some activities

Budget Guide for Families

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Luxury
Accommodation (family of 4)	$40-60	$100-200	$250+
Food (family of 4)	$30-50	$60-100	$150+
Transportation	$20-30	$40-60	$80+
Activities (family of 4)	$20-40	$50-100	$150+
Total per day (family of 4)	$110-180	$250-460	$630+

7-Day Trip Cost (Family of 4):

• Budget: $770-1,260 + flights
• Mid-Range: $1,750-3,220 + flights
• Luxury: $4,410+ + flights