The popularity of Bali never waivers. It’s one of those places that you have to see to believe. There’s a lot said about Bali and honestly, it depends on where you go as to what your opinion is. There are five star resorts nestled amongst the forests and beaches and some are truly picturesque. The towns on the other hand can be intimidating, hectic and at times confronting.
We were lucky enough to go to Bali as a family for a month on a reconnaissance trip. Initially, we were looking to see if we could make it home for a while and how it would fit with our 2 kids. Away from the resorts, what we found was an island of wonder and awe mixed with chaos and pollution.
Bali can truly be a place for families with lots to do outside of the norm. The learning that takes place is invaluable and kids will experience a culture unlike any other. The appreciation for nature and it’s hidden beauty is unsurpassed and nothing that will be learned in a book.
Here are 8 Family Friendly Activities to do with Kids in Bali
GREEN SCHOOL TOUR
Even if you are not looking to relocate to Bali permanently, a tour of The Green School is something that you should still put on the list. The school is unlike any other with a strong focus on nature, respect and play-based learning. From the bamboo huts with no walls to the 22m bamboo bridge that spans the Ayung River, you understand the true meaning of Green School.
Tours are held everyday except for specific public holidays and are free.
UBUD MONKEY FOREST
I know we often call our kids little monkeys, well why not show them real monkeys in their natural habitat. Ubud Monkey Forest is home to over 700 monkeys of varying breed as well as many unique species of trees. For a very reasonable entry fee of 50000 IDR ( just over $4.50 Australian) it is a good day out and one to certainly entertain the kids.
Note: Because the monkeys are very cheeky and will take anything they want. Be it your handbag, water bottle, sunglasses etc Oh and there area people in the forest selling bunches of bananas if you are keen to get up close and personal with the monkeys.
FINNS RECREATION CLUB CANGGU
If it a bit of fun and recreation you’re after then Finns Rec Club is the place to go. It has everything from a waterpark with waterslides to tennis centre and even ten pin bowling. Oh, and did we mention there’s a body temple spa and kids club. The wins just keep on coming with this little gem of a place.
Located in the rice fields of Canggu, Finns Rec Club is only a 10 minute drive from Seminyak. They pride themselves on being accessible to everyone. Day passes can be purchased from around $50 AUD for an adult and $35 AUD for a child up to 12 years old.
BALI LEGO SHOP
Still in Kuta is the Bali Lego Shop. Targeted at kids under 13 and the young at heart, the lego shop is a little lego builders dream. Even if you come out of there empty handed (I know, it’s like going into the Cadbury store and not eating a chocolate) to see the huge lion and lego man makes the trip worth while. And lego is easy to transport back home! As long as you leave it in the box that is!
BALI NUSA DUA THEATRE PRESENTS DEVDAN
If you fancy a drive out to Nusa Dua we highly recommend the Devdan stage show. It is colourful, acrobatic and very entertaining for families. Follow two children who break away from their tour and head for a cliff that has grabbed their attention. There they find a treasure chest full of surprises.
Located just 13km from Kuta and 20km from Seminyak, Nusa Dua is accessible via Uber or taxi and busses shuttle from local hotels in the region.
WATERBOM-BALI
If it’s Kuta you’re headed to (and who doesn’t) then a visit to Waterbom has to be on your itinerary. Even if it’s just for the kids, but we guarantee you’ll have a ball as well. Rated Asia’s number 1 water park, it has waterslides and pools for all ages as well as evening Sol Sessions to get your groove-thing on. Maintained to international standards, it is considered safe and fun for the whole family.
The park is very affordable at just over $30 AUD (395000 IDR) for a full single day pass which is access to everything. A Sol Session will set you back a mere $20 AUD.
CASEY BEAUTY HAIR AND SPA SALON DENPASAR
Now if you are after your hair being braided this is the place to go. It took a few hours but is so worth the time & money and was such a great find.
BALI ZOO – BREAKFAST WITH THE ANIMALS
There’s going to a zoo then there is experiencing a zoo. Breakfast with the animals is a must see and do activity while in Bali. Our kids absolutely loved it. The tour goes for about 6 hours and starts with breakfast with the Orangutans. Then you trek onto an elephant expedition which includes a 30 min elephant ride and onto a jungle splash waterplay and animal encounter. You also get full zoo admission and hotel transfers included. It is truly a unique experience and great value for money.
Adults tickets are approx $125 AUD (1 350 000 IDR) and children are approx $81 AUD (877000 IDR).
And after all that travelling and activities?
WHERE TO EAT?
With all that activity you will be looking for somewhere to satisfy your appetite. Well, you know the kids will be anyway!
Our pick of the Bali eateries were:
1. The Nook – Kuta
2. Bebek Tebasari – Ubud
3. The Joglo – Canguu
4. The Genius Bar – Sanur
5. Habitat Café- Ubud
You can check out our full reviews over in our blog The 5 Best Restaurants In Bali.
Or if you are still search for more Bali Tips we have 20 of them waiting for you here.
Sounds like tons of fun even for a small family with no kids yet. Great list!
The monkeys sound like so much fun! My kids and I would love that. We love adventuring while on vacation.
These are al great activities. But what’s awesome about Bali is you can just explore nature– the beaches, hiking, waterfalls, temples, etc… You don’t have to spend any time indoors unless it rains.
Kids or no kids, I know I’d have so much fun at that monkey forest. I went to a monkey sanctuary in Costa Rica that was fantastic. So many different types of monkeys hanging out in a protected environment.
Fab suggestions – I want to go to all these places regardless of the kids!!! Breakfast at the zoo looks amazing.
Thanks for sharing!
Leigh at Fashion Du Jour LDN x
BALI! This is so neat, thanks for sharing your journey. Total bucket listed!
Super awesome post! I’ve never been to Bali, now i can’t wait to visit, seems sooooo beautiful. Thanks a lot for the great insights!
Chad
http://www.mosaicslab.com
Oh wow Bali sounds like a great place to visit with kids! I wouldn’t have thought that! I will definitely consider it in the future!
Wow such great activities! I must be a child too cause I’d do it by myself!
Bali seems to be such an amazing place for the whole family to visit! What a great round up of things to do with the kids, an absolute adventure for all ages.
I am yet to travel to Bali, and I feel I must change this. It looks a great family holiday for all to enjoy!
I imagine ANYTHING you do in Bali is a wonderful activity. It is such a beautiful place. I hope to go one day!
Wow, such a lot of fun activities to do in that place but I am sure my kids will enjoy watching the show from the theater and playing in the lego shop.
I’m dying to go to Bali! I bet I’d love the monkey forest. I’ve heard that it’s so much fun!
What a fun list of things to do with the family. Bali looks like a beautiful place to visit!
I was meant to go to Bali last year but I had to postpone my trip and I am gutted. The Monkey forest sounds so nice x
bali is beautiful but its getting increasingly crowded these days. I’d recommend voting Gili islands – less crowds, more peace too
Bali is one of my dream country to visit with my family and I am sure aside from other activities my kids will really enjoy to go in a Lego shop.
I’m a sucker for water parks! Your kids are so lucky they got to experience these things!
I can imagine how much fun the Monkey Forest is for children. They are still so brave! I would be so scared if a monkey would approach me, haha.
Oh wow! Bali sounds like an incredible place. Love these ideas so much 🙂 It’s sometimes difficult to plan trips with kids so it’s nice to see some suggestions like this.
Breakfast with the Orangutans, yes how fun! Love the hair braids as well.
I have always wanted to go to Bali. And now reading your post has just made me want to go even more!
Wow, I can’t choose a favourite, they all sound absolutely amazing. My boys would love the LEGO shop! x
these are great suggestions. Bali is really beautiful!
I have been to Bali many years ago and I still remembered the cheeky monkey there. Someone told us to be careful with our hat and glasses. And true enough one of the monkey snatches away my glasses and bite. I was staying in Kuta but too bad I didnt visit the waterbom. Guess to make another trip back.
These are some brilliant ideas. I’d love to visit Bali with my family one day – it seems like such a beautiful and fun place to visit
I’d love to visit Bali, particularly Ubud Monkey Forest – it looks like an amazing experience!
OK. I’m definitely going to Bali just to do the breakfast with the animals experience. That looks incredible! And even getting the chance to ride an elephant too. *My bags are already packed 🙂
I would love to visit Bali one day, I would love the breakfast with the animals
So many fun things to do with children! my kids would be thrill to see and feed the animals!
So much for a family to do – Fabulous idea to do a school tour. Would be great to show my kids how other countries do education too!