Off to Bali on school hols with the kids and wondering what to do or where to take them?
Don’t stress; we’ve got you covered with a whole bunch of great activities (both culturally and physically) to burn off all that holiday energy.
If you think that the beach or the private pool villa isn’t enough to keep the kids busy in Bali and you don’t want them nagging you from the moment you touch down, don’t sweat it, as Bali is an action-packed island. There are children’s parks, waterslides, surf schools, zoos, you name it, and it will be in Bali. It caters for families with young kids just itching for fun times. So get ready, folks; we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of fun things that are all super family-friendly in Bali. So no bored or screaming kids, as this list is fantastic.
Also read: Bali with kids: check out these exciting activities
ANIMALS & WILDLIFE
Things to do with kids who adore animals
For kids who have pets back home and can’t get enough animals, we’ve got a list of family-friendly animals that don’t bite.
1. Dolphin watch in Lovina
Lovina might be far away, especially if you’re staying in a Seminyak Villa rental or one of our boho villas in Canggu, but it’s worth the 3 to 4-hour trip to watch the dolphins. Lovina is on the northern side of Bali, and you can arrange a dolphin-watching tour. You head out on a boat very early in the morning (so you’ll have to leave early from your villa/hotel), and you will be able to see them play in the water close up. Who doesn’t love dolphins? We all do, and this is a day trip you must do in Bali.
2. Canggu Equestrian Centre
An institution in Canggu, the equestrian centre, is the place to take the kids if they love horses or are keen to learn to ride a horse. Now we all know they won’t master the art in a day, but at least they can go for a horse ride and enjoy patting them. There are pony rides for toddlers, which will make the perfect Instagram snap.
The kids will love the pony rides at The Equestrian Centre in Canggu. Photo Credit Instagram @ baliequestriancentre
Visit: Bali Equestrian Centre
Address: Perumahan Canggu Asri, Jl Karang Suwung, Berawa, p. +62 361 844 6541 / +62 878 6294 9030, e. info@baliequestriancentre.com; Open daily 8.30am – 6.30pm.
3. Help release baby turtles
The Bali Sea Turtle Society is such a great idea, and with world populations or turtles depleting, this activity is a feel-good family exercise. Look at their website and see when you can get involved in helping protect and release a few turtles into the wild.
Your kids will cherish releasing a sea turtle into the wild in Bali. Photo Credit: @ jeonyerim88 Instagram
4. Elephant rides at Mason Elephant Park
The kids will be begging you to take them to the elephant park for a ride. Mason Adventures has an entire conservation park with elephants where the kids can ride on their backs (which may not be to people’s tastes due to elephant captivity), but you can wash and feed them and get right up and close to them for a pat and great photo.
The Mason Elephant Park is a fun day out for the whole family – take an elephant ride and enjoy. Photo Credit: @ rejsebaby Instagram
5. Bali Safari and Marine Park
Just imagine being on safari in Bali. Weird right? Now you can take the kids to a real-life safari and marine park with over 1000 fab animals. You’ll spend a whole day here wandering around and checking the various animals and species on show. They’ll go bananas over the orangutan and love the Komodo dragons. There’s also the night safari, so be prepared for a full-on day here. And to top it off, there’s a water park with heaps of fun activities for the kids, so bring your speedos.
Watch an array of animals up close at the Bali Safari and Marine Pak. Photo Credit: @ ketutandayana Instagram
Visit: Bali Safari & Marine Park
Address: Jl Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra, Gianyar, p. +62 361 950 000 / +62 811 3811 0400, e. info@balisafarimarinepark.com; Open daily from 9 am till late
6. Butterfly Park
Make your way to the sleepy village of Tabanan (about 30 min from Cangg), and you can spend some chill-out time with the kids as they run around and play with the butterflies. Now, this might not be for all young boys, who might think it’s a bit girly, but for toddlers, this is a great way to introduce them to beautiful butterflies.
Enjoy watching these gorgeous Butterflies at the Butterfly Park. Photo Credit: @ balibutterflypark Instagram
7. Ubud’s famous Monkey Forest
Everyone knows the Monkey Forest in Ubud. Now’s a perfect time (dry season) to take the kids for a fun day wandering the Holy Monkey Forest Temple and enjoying watching these playful monkeys in their natural environment. There’s a forest full of cheeky little Macaques playing and doing crazy things. But a word of warning here watch out for them as they will try and steal any loose items such as phones, cameras and Jewellery. The Monkey Forest is such a fun day out that you’ll probably do it a few times when you return to Bal with the kids. So make a full day of it and explore Ubud’s streets if you have time and energy left over.
Visit: Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Address: Jl Monkey Forest, Ubud, p. +62 361 971 304; Open daily, 9 am – 5 pm.
8. Bali Bird Park
Bali Bird Park is in Gianyar and is a fantastic place to take the kids so they can see a range of bird species worldwide. It’s a relaxing family day out that toddlers and children will all enjoy.
The toddlers will love watching the birds at Bali Bird Park. Photo Credit: @ clanvoronov Instagram
Visit: Bali Bird Park
Address: Jl Serma Cok Ngurah Gambir, Gianyar, p. +62 361 299 352 / +62 811 3883 388; Open daily.
ARTS & CULTURE
Things to do with creative and not-so-creative kids in Bali
Parents love to watch their creative kids at work, and these activities bring out their inner creative souls. Plus, there are many cultural activities where they can learn and absorb the incredible Balinese culture.
9. Berawa Art House
Located in the heart of popular Berawa (you’re probably holidaying nearby in a fab villa or hotel) is the Berawa Art House. Here kids can draw to their heart’s content with all the latest and greatest art materials (perfect for a rainy day in Bali). There are weekly art classes for kids and adults, and they cater for all levels.
Let your children’s creativity run wild at Berawa Art House. Photo Credit@ berawaarthouse – Instagram
Visit: Berawa Art House
Address: Jl Pantai Berawa No. 99, Berawa, Canggu, p. +62 859 5415 7117, e. hello@bahbali.com; Open Mon–Sat, bookings required.
10. Check out The Blanco Museum
Kids might drag their little feet at the thought of going to a museum, especially in Bali, but The Blanco Museum offers the kids a chance to see how areal life artists lived among the Balinese villagers. The studio of the artist Antonio Blanco is the same as it was years ago, so there’s a little history lesson as well.
The Blanco Museum offers children an insight into the life of a famous painter in Bali. Photo Credit: @ blancomuseum – Instagram
Visit: The Blanco Renaissance Museum Campuan
Address: Ubud, p. +62 361 975 502; Open daily 10 am – 5 pm.
11. Make Jewellery at the Canggu Jewellery Class
Great for aspiring jewellery makers or kids with a passion for creating art pieces, the Canggu Jewellery Class offers parents the chance to further develop the skills of their kids with full or half-day classes. The in-house artisans will guide the kids on a workshop journey into making fashionable Jewellery, which is super hands-on.
Children can learn the art of jewellery making, and who knows, perhaps one day, this may be their career. Photo Credit: @ canggujewelryclasses – Instagram
Visit: Canggu Jewelry Classes
Address: Jl Subak Canggu, BB Garden Resort, Canggu, p. +62 821 4522 5550 / +62 821 4494 1686; Open daily from 9 am; bookings required.
12. Enjoy the Devdan Theatre
A fabulous eye-catching journey takes you on a tour of some of this Indonesia’s most famous islands – all through the eyes of two storytellers. It’s a mesmerising experience the kids will enjoy with floor acrobatics, aerial dancers and pyrotechnics. The Devdan Theatre is an excellent experience for the whole family and worth attending for its educational value.
The Devdan Theatre is a sensational spectacle the children will enjoy. Photo Credit: @ devdanshow – Instagram
Visit: Devdan Theatre
Address: Bali Nusa Dua Theatre, Komplek ITDC Nusa Dua, Benoa, p. +62 361 770 197, e. info@balinusaduatheatre.com; Shows every Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat from 7.30pm.
13. Pot Painting
What child doesn’t like to paint some pots and express themselves with some painting? And to top it off, they get to keep the pot when finished. At Jenggala, the kids’ creations are then kiln-fired for a souvenir ( they are ready for collection in a week) – so much fun!
The children can paint their pots and get to keep them as a souvenir at Jenggala. Photo Credit: @ Jenggala – Instagram
Visit Jenggala,
Address: Jl Uluwatu II, Jimbaran, p. +62 361 703 311; Open daily 10am – 5pm.
14. Balinese dancing classes at Desa Seni
Kids love to dance, and they’ll love to watch the tiny Balinese dancers display their art and try to mimic these dancers. They’ll learn the essential skill of the Balinese dance and take these treasured memories forever.
Visit: Desa Seni
Address: Jl. Subak Sari No. 13, Berawa, Canggu, p. +62 361 844 6392 / +62 811 399 536; Every Sunday at 2pm.
FUN-PACKED ACTIVITIES
Things to do for kids who love to be active & athletic
For active kids who love running, jumping and climbing are great activities that will burn off that excess holiday energy.
15. Boulder Climbing
Boulder climbing might look dangerous, but under the strict supervision of Balinese professional climbers, your little ones can scale high walls and learn the art of climbing in a safe environment. It’s in central Canggu, and the atmosphere is very cool, and it’s close to the beach so that you can swim afterwards. The climbing caters to all levels, where the most experienced make it to the roof. Rock climbing shoes are provided for the kids.
Your children can learn new skills and coordination and build strength at Bali Climbing. Photo Credit: @ baliclimbing – Instagram
Visit: Bali Climbing
Address: Jl Munduk Catu, Canggu, p. +62 856 121 4327; Kids (aged 4 to 11 years) daily classes at 4 pm – 5 pm.
16. Ten-Pin Bowling in Canggu
Bali has an excellent ten-pin bowling centre called Strike at The Finns Recreation Club, and it is the perfect place to bring the children, especially if it’s raining in Bali and you need to keep them entertained. With 6 lanes and a cafe/bar area where the adults can chill, it’s a great idea and will keep them busy for a few hours.
Visit: Strike at Finns Rec Club
Address: Jl Raya Pantai Berawa, Canggu, p. +62 361 848 3939 / +62 811 388 2015; Open daily from 11am.
17. Bounce on the Trampolines
Bounce is Bali’s best indoor trampoline centre, and you can see from the video above that it’s part of the massive entertainment complex at Finns Recreation Club. This has got to be a huge winner with active kids who want to bounce around on giant trampolines and play dodgeball or basketball. Yes, they can now jump as high as the hoops! Friday night is disco night, so watch the children go crazy on these trampolines to the newest tunes.
Head to The Finns Recreation Club for fun at Bounce indoor trampoline centre. Photo Credit: @ bouncebali – Instagram
Visit: Bounce at Finns Rec Club
Address: l Raya Pantai Berawa, Canggu; Open daily from 10am.
18. Loads of fun at Paintball
Shoot to thrill with lots of family fun at Paintball in Jimbaran Hill Paintball Arena, with many places to hide behind bushes and bunkers. The paintball equipment and clothing are provided, so all you have to do is bring the gang. The minimum age for children is 12, and parental supervision is necessary.
Let the children run wild and have with paintball at Jimbaran. Photo Credit: @ paintballjimbaranbali – Instagram
Visit: Jimbaran Hill Paintball Arena
Address: Perumahan Bali Kencana Resort, Jimbaran, p. +62 877 6045 4222, e. info@balipaintballarena.com; Open daily.
19. Surf lesson at Old Man’s, Berawa or Kuta Beach
Take the children for a surf lesson at Old Man’s, Berawa, Kuta or Double Six Beach. The waves here are suited for beginners, and you can hire soft boards and instructors by the hour. Old Man’s is in the Canggu area, and Double Six is closer to Legian, so if you’re staying in a Bali holiday villa, your villa manager can arrange to pick you up and drop you off at these beaches. Surfboard and instructors per hour will be roughly AUD 20, which is an excellent value if they can learn to surf. Parents can join in as well, as there are lots of instructors who are there to help.
20. Walk the Campuhan Ridge in Ubud
Ubud is famous for its art galleries, yoga studios and hip cafes. But, you can do an incredibly wonderful walk through the peaceful rice fields with the children passing villages and locals as they go about their daily lives. The Campuhan Ridge Walk near Ubud takes about 2 hours at a gentle pace and is an eye-opener for the kids as they see rural/traditional Bali. Along the way, stop for lunch at the many cafes and local warungs where they can enjoy a traditional Indonesian meal. Take lots of water and sunscreen for the kids as it will get hot from 11 am to 3 pm.
21. Waterbom Bali in Kuta
Splash into pools at Waterbom Bali in Kuta. Waterbom Bali was voted the number one water theme park in Asia and is a sensational theme park for the family in the heart of Kuta (opposite Discovery Mall). With a huge range of waterslides and lush tropical gardens surrounding the entire park. Plus loads of places for the parents to refuel with a few cold Bintangs and lunch while the kids go insanely wild; Waterbom Bali should be high on your priority list for things to do with super active kids. It’s a full day out for the family, so be prepared for lots of fun, sun and splashes!
Waterbom Bali in Kuta is Bali’s best water theme park, with lots of waterslides and pools for hours and hours of family fun. Photo Credit: @ waterbombali – Instagram
Visit: Waterbom Bali
Address: Jl. Kartika Plaza, Tuban, Kec. Kuta, Bali. Phone: +62 361755676
HAVE FUN IN THE BALI COUNTRYSIDE
Things to do with kids who love the outdoors in Bali
22. Climb to the top of Mount Batur.
Not for the faint-hearted, The climb to Mount Batur in central Bali is a big trek requiring children with a bit of stamina. But, if you are brave enough to get up super early in the morning and make your way to the base of Mt Batur, you will witness one of the best sunrises in Bali. For the experience and family bonding, we highly recommend this tour. But, again, only if you’re all reasonably fit. The trek takes a few hours, and most tour operators will throw in breakfast as a treat once you make it to the top.
A massive family bonding experience is climbing Mt Batur.
23. Go white water rafting
White water rafting is the ideal outdoor activity for children that love water, hard-core exercise and loads of adrenaline. So power down the famous Ayung River and enjoy the fabulous Balinese countryside as you glide through Ubud’s most famous river. All the equipment and waterproof clothing are supplied.
The kids and the whole family will enjoy the water rapids as they go white water rafting. Photo Credit: @ baliwhitewaterrafting – Instagram
24. Watch the gorgeous sunset
Watching the sunset isn’t just for grown-ups but also kids. And, if you’re in Canggu or Seminyak or anywhere in Bali, why not rock up to one of the best beach clubs in Canggu and enjoy the view (along with everyone else), and see the most incredible Balinese amber-coloured sunset? The vibe at the beach clubs is relaxed, and the kids will enjoy playing on the beach or the club’s swimming pool while the adults can chill on the bean bags and enjoy some sundowners – it’s a win-win. So, if you are in Canggu, head to The LAwn, Old Man’s or La Brisa Beach Clubs and Seminyak; you gotta see KU DE TA or Potato Head.
Steven is a die-hard Bali island addict and committed surfie. When he's not writing or taking videos of the latest restaurants or cool places, he's at Echo Beach surfing or riding his scooter around Seminyak, Berawa or Canggu. Steve is part of the Bali Villa Escapes marketing team and has been living in and out of Bali for the last 15 years.
