Do you remember how easy it was travelling alone or before you had kids? No plans, just a rucksack and a longing for adventure! Now look at you, all responsible and grown up with little ones in tow – how did that happen?!
We love that people travel with their kids, and we searched high and low for some awesome fun family activities that will keep your sense of adventure alive.
Also read: 10 hidden farms in Bali you and your kids will love to explore
9 family-friendly restaurants in Bali that are kiddie heavens
8 fun family villas in Bali that are paradise for your kids
No need to stay by the pool, get out and enjoy the best that Bali has to offer. Your children are the ticket to some of the best spots in Bali – the ones that the solo travelers have no idea about.
Cancel the babysitter – this one is for the whole family!
1. King of the swingers – A Treetop Adventure (Tabanan)
What’s the best thing for your little monkeys? A good ol’ swing through the trees! Bali is home to some of the most spectacular forests and jungles in the world – fact.
Now you can enjoy the view from a whole new angle. After walking under the sea, now you can walk high in the trees thanks to this exhilarating treetop adventure.
Photo via duiduidam
With a choice of 7 circuits of varying difficulties you can decide where you want to start, and perfect your skills with a choice of 72 obstacles.
Photo via jurogoje, fashfash
Starting at just 2 metres up, you can get a feel for heights, before advancing to the more nerve-wrecking levels, up to 20 metres!
Photo via cathelijnex
You will always be attached to a safety wire, but we think that even you might hesitate on some of the challenges (we did!) – while the kids put you to shame. Just watch them scamper from tree to tree without a second thought.
For a grand finale, the stunning scenery will literally fly by as you whizz along the 160m zipline back down to earth.
Photo via claytonchronicle
The whole family will be exhausted after a day of adrenaline-filled activities, so it will be an early night for everyone.
Bali Treetop Adventure (Bedugul)
Address: Bali Treetop, Bali Botanical gardens, Candi Kuning, Tabanan, Bali
Contact: +62 361 852 0680
Price Range: Family- 2 adults & up to 2 children- $57 ($49 if booked in advance)
Opening Hours: Daily 8.30am – 6pm
More info on official website
2. Where to play, and stay for the ultimate fun family vacation! – Waterbom Bali, Bali Dynasty
One super fun family thing to do? Head to Waterbom for a day (or more) packed with many thrilling activities! Kids can get pretty cranky in the Bali heat, so cool them off with a day at this incredible waterpark – that happens to be number one in Asia and number 3 in the world!
With 22 rides and attractions available, including a swimming pool with a swim-up bar – whether you want to relax, eat and drink, or go absolutely crazy on all the fantastic rides – then Waterbom Bali has it all.
The Boomerang
What is your favourite kind of ride? The kids might have a ton of fun challenging each other on the latest Fast ‘n’ Fierce ride with 2 open slides positioned side by side – so challengers get to slide ‘n’ race all the way down!
Fast ‘n’ Fierce (Photo via Waterbom Bali)
If you are a family of adrenaline junkies, have a go on Climax – we dare you! Stand in a small chamber before the trap door opens, and you plummet 16 metres down a near vertical drop. Fly through the rest of the ride at 70kph, and don’t forget to breathe again when you get to the end.
Climax (Photo via Waterbom, Bergmannx)
For something a little more educational, make sure to bring the kids to Flowrider, where you learn to surf the waves! (We have surfer friends who love the flowrider too!) Whether you want to surf standing up or laying down, the choice is entirely yours (and you just might be able to bring your new surfing skills to a safe beach!).
Flowrider
Finally, make sure to check out the lazy river! In the baking afternoon heat, there is nothing better than floating through the gorgeous park and enjoying the cool refreshing water – the perfect opportunity to relax after all those heart-stopping rides!
Lazy River (Photo via Waterbom Bali)
When you’re hungry after an amazing day of water fun, there are restaurants available in Waterbom with different types of delicious cuisines. Better yet, there’s a super convenient cashless payment system you can use to pay for your food! (All you need to do is simply charge your wristband by topping it up at various points in the park.)
Top off your fun family vacation at Waterbom, with a stay at family-friendly Bali Dynasty where the fun never stops. (8 min walk from Waterbom Bali)
Apart from babysitting services that the adults will be glad to make full use of, there are many fun kid facilities like a Kids Water Fun Zone (and a 56-metre waterslide!), and more.
Kids Water Fun Zone at Bali Dynasty Resort
More importantly, adults get to relax at the adults-only Lazy Pool, and get a drink or 2 in, at the Beach Club, or the 5 bars available in the premises. For further relaxation after a tiring day out with the kids, visit Ashoka Spa and enjoy a well-deserved treat.
With a variety of rooms that accommodates up to 5 pax, and special programmes organised by the resort for the family, a stay at Bali Dynasty will be fun for everyone, and you’ll get some quality bonding time together too!
Waterbom Bali
Address: Jl. Kartika PO BOX 1055 Tuban Kuta Bali 80361
Contact: +62 361 755 676
Entrance fee:
Adult pass @ Rp 490.000 (approximately USD $35)
Adult 2-day pass @ Rp 825.000 (approximately USD $60)
Child pass @ Rp 325.000 (approximately USD $24)
Child 2-day pass @ Rp 550.000 (approximately USD $40)
Opening Hours: Daily 9am-6pm
Official site
Staying at Bali Dynasty
From USD $102++
Address: Jl. Kartika, P.o. Box 2047, Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
Contact: + 62- 361- 752403
Check rate with Bali Dynasty
3. Big Tree Farms Bamboo Chocolate Factory: The Legend in Making
What’s better to do with your kids than taking a sneak peek into the behind-the-scenes of something they love?
Calling all chocoholics – it’s time to gather and witness the making of those chocolate bars you’ve been having some serious crush on.
Photo via: Big Tree Farms
You can do so at this perfect and exclusive place, which is also known as one of Bali’s hidden farms.
Take the one-hour tour to watch your favorite ‘substance’ being transformed from beans to bars.
Photos via: life-in-travels.ru
The kids will love this place too – the unique structure of this factory isn’t something to miss.
In fact, CNN even named this world’s largest commercial bamboo structure as a bamboo cathedral!
Photos via: Nina Adventures by Nina
Big Tree Farms Bamboo Chocolate Factory
Address: Br. Piakan, Desa Sibangkaja, Kecamatan Abiansemal, Kabupaten Badung, Bali Indonesia
How to get there: From Ubud, travel 25 minutes south to the village of Sibangkaja where the Big Tree Farm is located.
Schedule: Mon-Fri (2pm and 3pm)
Entrance fee: With reservation ( 40,000IDR/$3)
Drop-in ( 60,000 IDR/$5)
Private tour ( 120,000IDR/$10) – reservation required
Official Website
4. Climb Up the Craziest Treehouse – Rumah Pohon Desa Batu Dawa Tulamben Karangasem
Explore one of nature’s amazing quirks when you visit the Tree House at Batudawa Karangasem.
With its branches wrapped around the little house, the tree looks like it pushed the house up in the air as it grew out of the ground!
Photo via: Meciinasrii
Apart from the unique Tree House, there are other interesting structures you and your kids may explore, and climb up – like the little stone terraced hill with steps for you to climb all the way to the peak.
Photo via ningtyazbaim
One of the many off-the-beaten-path finds you’ll be glad to visit, don’t miss out on the quirky little Balinese wonders here!
Rumah Pohon Desa Batu Dawa Tulamben Karangasem
Address: Desa Tulamben, Kec. Kubu, Karangasem, Bali
Entrance fee: Donations are recommended
5. The warung with incredible views and activities – Warung Rekreasi Bedugul
If you’re in Bedugul, it’s a given that you should dine at a place that gives you a view that lives up to Bedugul’s picturesque reputation.
Photo Via Hemiprabha,Suheribowo
This is where Warung Rekreasi comes in with its stunning views of the mountain and the lake.
First, fill up with food like betutu and grilled chicken (we hear these are delicious!), and then wander around the restaurant/hotel complex to check out other activities you may do.
Photo Via Vero_nick,Prayustika,Dannikrisnawan,Hemagr
There’s a playground for the kids, and orchid garden and organic farms, a coffee plantation, and even a bamboo forest where you will definitely take photos at, and more!
Photo Via Chanseptiari
Dining at Warung Rekreasi is something like an all-in-one experience where you get to not only eat, but take in the stunning views, and hop along to other activities too.
Warung Rekreasi Bedugul
Address: Jalan Raya Bedugul, Candi Kuning, Baturiti, Tabanan, Bali, Indonesia
Contact: +62 368 2033036
Opening hours: 8am to 9pm
Official Website
6. Finding Nemo – The Ultimate Seawalker Experience (Nusa Dua)
Confused by the title? Well, there will be no miracles today, no one is walking on water! Instead, you are going to walk under it. Even the non-swimmers in the family can enjoy this underwater discovery.
Photo via: Prema Bali Adventures
It does not get better than this, getting up close and personal with the fish and stunning aquatic life – you won’t even get your hair wet.
Just a short boat trip from the Grand Mirage Resort takes you to the purpose built ‘dive site’. Prepare to be amazed as you put on your special helmets and descend down the steps into the aquatic paradise.
You can hand feed the fish (how fun!), or just watch as they swim around the unbelievably gorgeous live coral formations.
Photos via: Pro Bali Diver
Our favourite bit? You get to look like an Astronaut in the cool space age helmets. The kids will be so excited about showing these photos off when they get back to school.
Photo via: Seawalker
The Ultimate Seawalker Experience (Nusa Dua)
Address: Grand Mirage Resort, Jl Pratama No.74 Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Dua 80363
Contact: + 0361 776 322
Price Range: Adult $75 Child $65 Family (2 adults 2 children) $238
Opening Hours: Daily 8am – 4pm
More info on official website
7. You won’t believe your eyes – Gallery Trick Art 3D (Seminyak)
When the kids see what is on offer at the Trick Art 3D gallery, they’ll be sure to have the best time of their life.
With over 80 incredibly realistic paintings in a variety of themes, you won’t be stuck for choice. The best part? You can stroll around and pose for photos at your leisure.
The kids will love taking photos of you being chased by a dinosaur or squirted by an elephant. There are plenty of family-friendly backgrounds too, where you can all ride a horse together or recline in a cart.
Your little Picassos can choose their background pictures and get creative with their poses. There is free wifi available so you can send the grandparents a photo straight away.
This gallery not only guarantees hours of family fun but also the best holiday photos – making it the perfect time to get snap-happy!
Photos via: Trick 3D Gallery
Trick 3D Gallery (Seminyak) has been open for less than a year and is growing in popularity every day, so it’s well worth a visit before everyone finds out about it.
Gallery Trick Art 3D (Seminyak)
Direction: By the Swiss-Belinn Hotel. Free parking available.
Address: Jl. Sunset Road No.789 Seminyak, Badung Bali
Contact: 0361 8496626
Price Range: $12 per person
Opening Hours: Daily 9am -10pm
More info on official website
8. Horsing around: Aravina Restaurant @ Bali Equestrian Centre
Whether your kid is prepping to be a Horse Whisperer or just wants to have some fun in the sun, they’ll surely enjoy the Aravina Restaurant, located within the Bali Equestrian Centre at Canggu.
Your little animal lovers will be delighted at the pony rides available, and if that’s not their thing, the premises are also equipped with a wide variety of toys and play areas – a sandpit, cubby house, swings – you name it.
There’s also a TV room where you can keep the kids quiet and content with a movie, and a swimming pool right beside the restaurant, so your child will always be in your line of sight.
Imagine sipping at a glass of wine leisurely and digging into one of the restaurant’s popular sunset platters as you watch your children have the time of their lives – doesn’t that sound like a great outing already?
Aravina Restaurant @ Bali Equestrian Centre
Website
Address: Jl. Karang Suwung, Berawa, Canggu, Bali 80361
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8am – 9pm
Contact: +62-361-8446533
9. Your ticket to the chocolate factory – Charly’s Chocolate Factory
Have you always wanted to know what the inside of Charlie’s Chocolate Factory looked like? Well, you don’t need a Golden Ticket to get to this
Charlie’s
Charly’s Chocolate Factory.
Pirate ship at Charly’s Chocolate Factory (Photos via TripCanvas, Gigahafiz)
The only difference is, this chocolate factory was not built by an eccentric Willy Wonka, but by an American Expat named…(surprise, surprise!) Charly.
15 minutes away from Candidasa, this cluster of wacky bamboo houses situated at the end of Jasri beach look a little out of place. In fact, some visitors even compare the quirky infrastructure to a smurf’s hut!
Photo via nanamartianaprawita
Here, they sell healthy raw dark chocolate made from cocoa beans grown on the island. Be prepared for some chocolate tasting as the staff brings you around on a sampling tour.
How could you resist a snack that is both decadent, and guilt-free?
In Charly’s Chocolate Factory, there is also a small soap studio where you can purchase delicious smelling handmade soaps.
Photo via: travelthisearth
Best of all, there even is a giant swing outside, where you can have fun with your little ones. Swing yourself towards the ocean, or take an Instagram photo to end this scintillating tour that engages all your senses!
Photo via: tiniihitakara
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Charly’s Chocolate Factory
Address: Jalan Pantai Jasri, Karangasem, Bali. Coordinates here Prince Range: IDR$10,000 ($0.70)
Official Website
10. Off the Caribbean seas: The Pirate’s Bay
If you’re after a slightly more unique experience for your kids, The Pirates Bay is a once-in-a-lifetime experience of eating in a treehouse and being a pirate for a day.
That’s right, they’ll no longer scream and run around or pretend to climb a tree as though it’s the mast of a ship.
Located just off the Nusa Dua beach, The Pirate Bay’s authentic-looking pirate ship and treehouses will definitely awe the little ones.
They’ll even be able to try out various activities such as pirate games, swings and ropes.
Meanwhile, you’ll be able to go for a quick swim at the nearby beach and enjoy your meal in peace for once – other happy parents have satisfied their taste buds with special dishes like the fried banana with cheese and grilled tuna.
Imagine listening to your child’s euphoric “ahoy!” as you dig into your sumptuous meal and down a cup of ice cold juice on a sweltering hot day.
Doesn’t that sound simply idyllic?
The Pirate’s Bay
Website
Address: Jl. Nusa Dua, Kuta Selatan, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Price Range: US$2 – $21
Opening Hours: Daily, 9am – 11pm
11. Dive (and dine) into Ubud’s very own rabbit hole – Maha Restaurant
As much as we can’t get enough of cat and dog cafes, how about a rabbit cafe for a change?
Dining at Maha Restaurant will leave you feeling a little like Alice in Wonderland – bringing you up close and personal with the cutest bunnies you will ever see.
Photo via: Darren Pearson
Especially if you have kids who are tired of walking around Ubud, bringing them to Maha Restaurant will be a great refresher for them, as they get to pet the bunnies and interact with them.
Photo via: Maha Ubud
Order coffee, pancakes, crepes, juice, or even an espresso martini (we hear they have fantastic cocktails!) and get set for one of the many lovely afternoons to be had in Ubud.
Watch the Maha rabbits hop around, do bunny binkies (google it) and nibble away as you steal a restful moment from your packed itinerary of plans – your kids will thank you for it.
Photo via: mattmagoo1
Maha Restaurant
Address: Jalan Monkey Forest, Ubud, Bali 80571, Indonesia. Coordinates here
Contact: +(62) 361 973196
Prices: From $5 (for eggs, bacon, avocado, tomato and toast, as well as a fruit salad and any coffee of your choice)
Opening hours: Daily from 9am to 11pm
Official Website
12. Take a walk on the dark side – Safari with a difference (Gianyar)
This adventure will guarantee that you are the coolest parents around. Wild animals, fire, and getting to stay up way past their bedtime – it’s every kids’ dream and you won’t be bored either.
Photo via: Mulia Bali Tours
Bali Safari & Marine Park boasts a mind-blowing array of over 60 species of animals from small to tall and cute to just plain ugly.
The freshwater aquarium, feeding displays; and animal and cultural shows will keep everyone entertained and enlightened.
Is piranha feeding too dull for you? Surely you aren’t bored of elephants already? Have you already eaten dinner with tigers? Well, how about a night safari?
Once darkness descends, you will begin with a guided walk around the park. It might look quiet, but this is when most of the animals really come to life.
Photo via: Travellink Bali
Watch the komodo dragons roam below you, or visit the bat cave to experience the flurry of night-time activity.
After meeting the owls and lemur in the Bali theatre, it’s time for the highlight of the night – the safari! You will be perfectly safe in a cage as you spend 20 minutes journeying through the African Savannah.
Photo via: Asia Dreams Bali
Top off the evening with a traditional Balinese fire-dancing show, and a delicious BBQ in the N’kuchiro Bar & Grill.
The only downside? With this much excitement after bedtime, you are going to have some grumpy overtired little monkeys of your own the next day!
Night Safari at Bali Safari & Marine Park
Address: Jl. Bypass Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra Km19,8, Gianyar, Bali 80551
Contact: +62 361 751 300
Price Range: Adult $59 Child $45
Opening Hours: Daily 9am-5pm
More info on official website
13. Living, loving and learning – Pondok Pekak Library
Most kids probably don’t appreciate ‘a trip to the library’ or ‘a trip to an art gallery’, but they will definitely love the Pondok Pekak Library.
Whether you want to learn how to make traditional Balinese offerings, carve fruit, play the gamelan or dance your heart out – this is a library with a difference.
Photo via thistravellife
Of course, it has a fantastic display of books if reading is your thing, but wouldn’t you rather learn how to make some beautiful jewellery or a lovely wooden mask?
The children can make something special to take home and show their friends – although we aren’t sure how long a carved watermelon would last in a suitcase!
Photo via thistravellife
The fantastic teachers at Pondok Pekak Library go out of their way to make everyone feel welcome, while offering a fantastically authentic Balinese experience that you just can’t replicate anywhere else.
Photo via Pondok Pekak Library
Learning really can be fun, for kids and adults alike. Plus you will sound super smug at the school gates when you tell the other parents that your children loved visiting the library and art galleries during your amazing holiday at Bali!
Pondok Pekak Library
Direction: East side of the football field on Monkey Forest Road, Ubud (Enter the laneway off Dewi Sita)
Contact: 0361 976 194
Price Range: Starting from $7 per class
Opening Hours: Daily 9am-5pm
More info on official website
14. In time for a time out – Jiwa Spa at The Conrad (Tanjung Benoa)
This is the perfect excuse to get a little bit of ‘me time’ whilst still keeping the whole family together. Make your little ones feel like princes and princesses with some special bonding time at the spa.
Jiwa Spa specialises in treatments for ‘little souls’ and offers a fantastic ‘Mum & Me’ package. Don’t worry dad, we wouldn’t leave you out. There is an equally good ‘Dad & Me’ package too!
Mum can unwind with a foot bath, ocean flow massage and express facial, whilst her little ‘Jiwa Princess’ gets a foot bath, a mini massage, sparkle manicure and mini facial – just like her mum.
The men of the family won’t need much encouragement when they see what is on offer. Dad gets a revitalising vitamin scrub, whilst the ferocious ‘Jiwa Warrior’ of the household gets a foot bath, mini massage and chocolate mud bath.
After such an action-packed holiday, we think everyone will be ready to relax. And what better way to relax than treatments for mum, dad and the kids!
Photos via: Conrad Hotel
Jiwa Spa at The Conrad (Tanjung Benoa)
Direction: On the coast of Nusa Dua.
Address: Jalan Pratama 168 Tanjung Benoa, Bali 80362
Contact: + 62 361 778 788
Price Range: Mum & Me $175, Dad & Me $109
More info on official website
15. Take an Eco Tour – The Green Village
Yes we know – all the villages in Bali are green with all those rice fields and tropical vegetation, but this one is super special.
The Green Village was designed in 2006 by jewellery designer Tom Hardy, and later finished by his daughter. The result? A collection of bespoke, luxury bamboo homes all seamlessly integrated into the Ayung Valley nature.
Can you imagine a spectacular mansion made from only bamboo? You have to see it to believe it.
Take a tour of the village to learn more about this amazing eco project. Visit the bamboo factory and see bamboo being harvested, treated and crafted into building materials and furniture.
Photo via: Green Village
The Green School is where you can turn your hand to model workshops, building and joinery classes, and so much more.
Got green fingers and would love to find out more gardening tips and tricks? Stop by the Kul Kul farm to learn the art of permaculture and sustainable farming.
Photo via: Green Village
If you are blown away by what the village has to offer, you can always look at staying in one of the beautiful houses. They are all available to rent for the week so you can wake up in the village every morning.
Green Village
Address: Jl. Tanah Ayu, Sibang Gede, Abiansemal, Badung Bali 80352 Indonesia
Contact: +62 811 3922254
Opening hours: Morning Tour 10:00am Afternoon Tour 12:30pm
Prices: Tours for Adult $28 Morning ($33 Afternoon), Children $17 Morning ($20 Afternoon), and free for children under 10. Classes from $55.
Official Website
16. Mud, mud, glorious mud – Mepantigan (Ubud)
You spend your lives trying to keep your little ones clean and tidy – now it’s time to let them run wild and get filthy with some wholesome family fun.
If you already know what Mepantigan is (without googling it) then we are very impressed with your Balinese knowledge. Basically it means mud games!
Mepantigan are traditional cultural games, which usually take place in the rice fields as a token of respect to Dewi Sri, the rice goddess.
Photo via: Meme Addicts
Join Putu and Ayu for an afternoon of wrestling, frog catching, tug of war and mud horse racing. These lovely locals offer an authentic Balinese experience that you will never forget.
Photo via: Top Indonesia
Let kids be kids and burn off some energy wrestling in the mud. If you are really lucky, they might even learn something about the tradition of Mepantigan. Mums can also have a relaxing mud massage – it might be a bit different compared to your usual spa experience though.
Photo via: Withlocals
No point bringing the baby wipes for this one, you are going to need something more substantial when it comes to cleaning up. Maybe a hosepipe!
Mepantigan (Ubud)
Address: Ubud
Price Range: from $40
Check rate via Withlocals
17. Save the sharks – Eco Tour (Denpasar)
The whole family can earn some karma points with this marine conservation and eco tour.
Your fantastic tour host Wayan rescues young sharks from local fishermen, rehabilitates them in his shark conservation nursery, and releases them back into the wild.
This is an incredible experience to get up close and personal with these majestic animals. And if you are really brave, take up our challenge and have a swim with them – if you dare!
Photo via: Projectaware.org, Amigosjungletours
Prefer smaller aquatic animals? Then the sea horses might just be the highlight of this adventure. Just watch them curl their tails around each other and sway in current before they swim away.
And if you love turtles, then you will be blown away by the visit to the Turtle Conservation and Education Centre.
Photo via: Seen Aquatics
Your kids will be simply delighted to interact with the baby turtles. If you are really lucky, you might also get to see them be released back into the wild.
Photo via Jule April Ferguson, Amir Azahari
This is an amazing educational and enlightening experience for the whole family. And better yet, the profits from this activity is re-invested into the shark conservation programme.
If the great tour wasn’t enough, then knowing you are also making a difference to the otherwise declining shark numbers will definitely make it worthwhile.
Eco Tour (Denpasar)
Direction: Hotel pick up and drop off
Price Range: $86 per person for a group of 6 (The bigger the group, the cheaper the prices!)
Opening Hours: Latest booking 1pm
Check rate via Withlocals
18. Monkey Madness – Monkey Forest (Ubud)
Now if you think that your cheeky little monkeys are a handful, just wait until you see these critters.
This will be the highlight of your family holiday, and at only $2 each, it’s definitely a great bargain. With over 600 Balinese long tailed macaques in the forest, that is a lot of monkey for your money.
Photo via: Pinterest by Val Waters
Before the children spend all their pocket money on monkey treats, we must offer a few words of warning; if you leave any food in your backpack or pockets, the monkeys will sniff it out and can get a little scary.
The most entertaining/terrifying part of your visit will be watching greedy monkeys jumping on people who have smuggled in some food.
Remember that monkeys are wild animals, and while all the monkeys in Monkey forest are frequently screened for diseases such as rabies, a bite can ruin your holiday and this incredible experience.
Enjoy watching the monkeys from a safe distance and make sure to remind the children about the dangers of wild animals.
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