Bali Family Travel Guide: Fun-Packed Times in Paradise

Welcome to Bali: your ticket to the best family holiday ever!

When it comes to family holidays, Bali is the ideal destination.

You can almost hear the kids screaming for joy when you tell them that the next Bali family holiday is going to be in Bali.

Bali has it all for families, like awesome beaches, great surf, lots of culture, top restaurants that the kids will love, shopping for mum, friendly local people and luxury Bali villas perfect for the family. Simply put, it’s difficult to find one island that’s so jam-packed with fun family activities and adventures. This insightful Bali family travel guide will help you work out where to go, what to eat, play and stay on your Bali family trip.

View Bali’s Family-Friendly Villas: Where Luxury Meets Fun

Finding the perfect Bali villa accommodation will quickly set the tone for your holiday. If the villa is lovely and the kids and parents are happy, you’re off to a good start. Fortunately, Bali has numerous villas that are family-friendly, featuring game rooms, billiard tables, lots of garden space for play, private swimming pools (some with swim-up bars for the parents to enjoy a few drinks), and attentive staff to ensure that both kids and parents have the best time.

Top 3 Family Villas in Bali

Here are some villas that we feel tick all the right boxes for a family holiday, offering excellent facilities and central locations.

• Villa Josuloma:  In the heart of Seminyak in a handy location near the popular Eat Street, Villa Josuloma has six bedrooms, and the best part for the kids is that you’re only 600 metres from Seminyak Beach for fun family days in the sun and surf. Breakfast is included, prepared by the in-villa chef, so the kids are well-fed and happy, allowing you to enjoy your day of fun and sightseeing without worrying about breakfast.

Villa Josuloma in Seminyak is one of the most popular family holiday villa rentals.

• Villa Kyah:  Just outside central Seminyak’s Eat Street area, you’ll find the popular 3-bedroom Villa Kyah. The beauty of this villa is that it offers a large swimming pool for plenty of family fun times splashing around, daily housekeeping, comfy modern bedrooms with air conditioning so the kids stay cool at night, and villa security, ensuring you can sleep peacefully.

Villa Kyah is near Eat Street in Seminyak and has a lovely large swimming pool for hours of family-fun.

• Villa Waha:  One of the most popular villas in Canggu that’s consistently rented by happy families (check their reviews), this 4-bedroom villa is near so many cool things to do for the family. You’re close to Berawa Beach, Finns Club, and right around the corner, there’s a massive Padel & Equestrian Centre. Let’s not forget the villa’s fantastic facilities, including a huge pool, housekeeping, all managed by Australians, so you know it’s going to be in mint condition.

The kids will love Villa Waha. It’s near the beach and Finns and the pool is great for relaxing with the family. Plus breakfast is included!

Please view our full range of Canggu Villas, Seminyak Villas or Uluwatu Villas.

Features for Families

What makes these villas family-friendly and the perfect place to take the kids on holiday is

• Babysitting services: The parents can go out and enjoy a meal or perhaps head to the beach clubs with their friends while the kids/toddlers are at the villa under the strict supervision of babysitters.
• For a budget-friendly sightseeing experience, your villa manager can arrange a car and driver to take you on tours throughout the island at a rate of about AUD 100/day. Some villas even include this service in their nightly package, offering excellent value for money.
• Kid-friendly in-villa breakfast and snacks:  Some villas will have a chef to cook breakfast every morning, which is perfect, so the parents don’t have to get up and worry about feeding the kids. Also, there may be a chef on site throughout the day to prepare snacks and nibbles for the kids as they get hungry. View villas with a chef.

Families choose these all-inclusive villas for the convenience they offer. With everything taken care of, from meals to activities, families can enjoy a stress-free holiday without the need to visit a large resort or hotel, which is why they keep coming back year after year. Also read: Reasons to stay in a Bali villa instead of a hotel.

Ready to explore more family fun in this tropical paradise? Check out our blog on Family Fun in Bali: Family-friendly tours in Bali. Start planning your Bali family adventure today!

Family Activities in Bali: Fun Times Awaits!

Once you’ve settled into your villa, it’s time to start planning some exciting family activities. Whether it’s an adrenaline-pumping adventure, a surf lesson, a visit to a local temple, sampling some local cuisine, shopping for a bargain, or a game of padel, Bali has something for mum, dad and the kids to enjoy.

Must-Visit Bali Attractions for the kids and family

Let’s explore some must-see Bali attractions and outdoor escapes that will keep the whole family happy and bursting with great holiday vibes.

Bali Safari and Marine Park:  Located on the East Coast of Bali, north of Sanur, it’s a great day out if you’re into animals, and who’s not? The park has more than 120 species, including rare & endangered species such as the Komodo Dragon, Orangutan, Bali Starling bird, and many more. Additionally, if you’re interested in conservation, the park plays an active role in helping to preserve the survival of many rare animal species throughout Indonesia. The marine park is also very family-friendly, featuring shows where kids can actively participate.

Waterbom Bali:  Let’s be honest, kids love waterslides and water rides, and in the heat of Bali, nothing is better than a fun day out at Waterbom Bali in Kuta. For more sedate parents, there are chilled river rides, but for those who like a bit of a rush, there are adrenaline-pumping rides to get the heart rate up.

Ubud Monkey Forest:  Head up to Ubud and check out the ultra-popular Monkey Forest Temple, where monkeys roam freely. It’s a mix between culture, as the family can explore ancient temples, and a bit of fun watching those cheeky monkeys up close.

Tanah Lot Temple: About a 20-minute drive north of Canggu, you’ll find Tanah Lot Temple, a holy Hindu temple by the water. Roam the temple grounds, and at low tide, you can make the journey across the rocks to see the temple. It’s great for sunset photos and learning a bit about the Balinese religion.

Outdoor Adventures for Families

If your family is active and loves being outdoors, then these activities are perfect for families that love the sun, sea and mountains.

Jatiluwih: Enjoy walking around rice terraces and see what Balinese life was like years ago, with pristine rice fields and local farmers. There are marked walking tracks with guides happy to take you and the kids around the area.

Cycling Tours:  Explore Bali’s picturesque landscape, rice terraces and villages while cycling. These cycling tours are mainly around the Ubud area, where there is an overload of mind-blowing views. Cycling tours are great for active families who want to combine sightseeing with exercise.

Surfing: Bali boasts some of the world’s best waves for experienced surfers. However, for families, there are still beaches where kids can learn to surf, hire boards, and instructors. Head to Old Man’s in Canggu, Kuta Beach, Padang on The Bukit, Legian Beach or Sanur Beach.

Snorkelling:  Discover the abundance of marine life and rent some snorkel equipment, hire a guide, and explore some of the reefs in Sanur, Nusa Dua and Amed. For a day trip, which is perfect for snorkelling, get a fast boat to Gili Trawangan, where the snorkelling is fantastic.

White Water Rafting: Head to Ubud, where you can go white water rafting and enjoy a fast-paced water splashing day out as you cruise down the Ayung River. The rapids during the rainy season can be fast-flowing and dangerous, but you’re in safe hands with the tour guides.

Jet Ski: In Sanur, you can hire Jet Skis for the family and zip up and down the calm, reef-protected waters. The waves are small and the ocean is pretty shallow, making it an excellent area for beginners and families to not only learn how to jet ski but also have loads of family fun.

Scooter Hire: Hire a scooter and take the kids around popular areas like Canggu or Ubud, where you can explore the area at your leisure. Stop off at local warungs and enjoy some Balinese food or find some hidden, private beaches for a swim. Please make sure you have an international driver’s licence and always take care when driving on Balinese roads.

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Renting a scooter in Bali and want to know the cost per day, it’s cheaper than you think. ✅ #baliscooter #balirentbike #balirental #baliinfo #balivillarental #balivillaescapes

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And for those families on a budget, you don’t have to spend a fortune to have some outdoor fun. Remember, swimming, surfing, and walking on the beach, as well as rice field trekking, are all free and generally easy to get to from your villa or hotel.

7 Days in Bali – Our Perfect Itinerary for Families

Once you’ve settled into the villa, it’s time to plan your week in Bali. Here are some great ways to spend your days, ensuring everyone is happy, relaxed, and having a blast with plenty of family fun.

Day 1: Arrival and Beach Times

Welcome to Bali – Selamat Datang! After being picked up at the airport by one of our team, you can settle into the villa, sign up for the free wifi, check out your amazing bedroom, have a quick dip in the pool and perhaps crack open your first Bintang. Then, it’s time to hit the nearest beach with the kids for a warm tropical water swim. The closest beaches to your villa are Seminyak, Canggu, Batu Bolong, or Legian’s Double Six Beach area. Stay for the sunset with the kids, and then head back to the villa to plan the evening’s activities. You’ll explore the famous Eat Street area, where you can take the kids for a meal. After dinner, head to Seminyak Village for some shopping and dessert for everyone.

Day 2: Cultural Experience in Ubud

Your villa manager will arrange a driver and car to take the gang to Ubud for the day, where you can experience Bali’s cultural and artistic heritage. You’ll visit the Monkey Forest, walk around the temples, and watch the monkeys play. After that, it’s off to Jalan Monkey Forest Road to explore all the shops and cafes and have lunch at any of the local cafes. Then, a must-see is the picturesque Tegallalang Rice Terraces, renowned for their appearance in famous social media photos. For some outdoor family fun, take a trek along the Campuhan Ridge Walk before heading back to Monkey Forest Road for dinner.

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Heading to Ubud for the day? Check out the Tegalalang Rice Terraces – gorgous views of rice fields and makes the perfect photo- however be prepared for loads of tourists as this place is popular🌴 #tegalalang #baliholiday #balivillaescapes #ubud #whattodobali

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Day 3: Splash at Waterbom Bali

Get ready for a full-on day of extreme fun with the family at  Waterbom Bali, Asia’s best water theme park, and it’s in a super-convenient location in the centre of Kuta! With massive waterslides, lazy river rides, and wave pools, there’s so much here for active kids to go absolutely crazy on these rides. This is the Disneyland of wtaerpakes – so get ready for a massive day! You’re going to be exhausted by the end of the day, so why not hang out in Kuta for a meal at The Hard Rock Cafe? After that, it’s villa time for Netflix and popcorn!

Day 4: Explore Canggu, surf and hit the beach clubs

Canggu is now one of the most popular tourist areas of Bali, and there’s so much going on here for the family that it’s too numerous to mention. Start the morning off at Echo Beach for a surf lesson with the kids. There are loads of beach cafes, so while the kids are out there catching a few waves, the adults can enjoy breakfast. Afterwards, you can shop at Jl Batu Bolong and explore all the local markets and souvenir shops – you’ll be spoiled for choice as there are so many. Head to Love Anchor or the massive souvenir market near Echo Beach or on the Canggu shortcut. For lunch, there are loads of cafes for family-friendly meals. The options are endless, but try Deus ex Machina, Crate Cafe, or for an experience, head to Warung Sika for some local Indonesian food, inexpensive yet super-tasty. For the rest of the day, it’s time to hit some of the famous beach clubs that Canggu is renowned for. Head to La Brisa, or The Lawn, for sunset drinks, dinner, and don’t stress as they are all very family-friendly with kiddies’ menus, swimming pools and day beds. You’ll be exhausted by the end of the day in Canggu, so it’s time to head back to the villa. The best way to do this is with Go-Jek scooters or cars, which are always around the Canggu area.

Also Read: Should I Visit Canggu in 2025: from the experts

The Best Things to Do in Canggu with Your Family

Day 5: Uluwatu Temple

Spend a day up in the Bukit area checking out the different beaches like Bingin, Padang and finally finish up at the famous Suluban Beach area for lunch at the famous Single Fin. Afterwards, head to Uluwatu Temple for the best sunset views and the entertaining Kecak Fire Dance, which the kids should enjoy.

Day 6: Sanur

Make your way to Sanur and explore the beach area. There’s an easy, flat walking pathway parallel to the beach, dotted with cafes and local souvenir shops. Afterwards, grab lunch and do some shopping at the massive Icon Mall Bali.

Day 7: Eat Street

Shopping Eat Street in Seminyak: On the last day, walk up and down Eat Street in Seminyak, the main shopping and dining strip in Bali and buy some kids’ clothes at possibly half the price you’d pay back home in Australia. To feed the kids, consider stopping by a few cafes, such as Ling Lings, Biku, Grill’d and BossMan.

This 7-day itinerary offers just a few ideas for family fun, but you can mix and match to create your itinerary tailored to your needs and family preferences. Bali has so much to offer, and with numerous attractions and activities, 5 days is just a brief introduction to the southern part of the island, which is the main tourist hub. You should also look further afield, like up the east coast past Sanur or the west coast to Balian or Medewi. Or even north right up to the lovely Lovina Beach area.

Family-Friendly Eating in Bali

Foodies love Bali. There’s everything from 5-star dining, cheap eats, family restaurants and local Balinese cuisine. Here are some restaurants, cafes and local places to take the kids for a meal.

Top Family-Friendly Restaurants

Sisterfields:  Located in central Seminyak, just opposite Seminyak Village, you’ll find the popular Sisterfields with everything for the kids. Burgers, fries, and fish and chips. It’s extremely popular and packed all day, so you know it’s a good choice.

La Plancha:  At Double Six Beach, La Plancha is where everyone goes for the amazing sunset views on the beach. Grab a bean bag and let the kids play on the beach while waiting for the food. There’s music, loads of people, colourful sunbrellas and a good family vibe. The food is great value, and the usual kids’ menu is available.

Hard Rock Cafe: In Kuta, the world-famous Hard Rock Cafe is opposite the beach. After some swimming and surfing, the kids will have a massive appetite, right in time for those mouthwatering Hard Rock burgers.

Naughty Nuris: For ribs, burgers, steaks and yummy desserts, nothing beats the ambience at Naughty Nuris in Kerobaokan (next door to Seminyak). A very popular casual restaurant where the portions are big and the prices are reasonable for a family dinner.

Milk & Madu: One of the original mega-popular restaurants, Milk and Madu is one of the best places to take the family in Berawa, Canggu and Uluwatu with great comfort food, and in Berawa, there’s a kiddies play area to keep them entertained while the adults can enjoy some wine, beer and a bit of downtime.

Local Food to Try

Balinese cook some tasty cuisine that you should at least try while on holiday. Here are some of the most popular local Balinese dishes that many people are familiar with.

• Nasi Goreng:  Everyone knows this Balinese fried rice dish with either veggies, beef or chicken. There’s even a friend egg on top with a few prawn crackers on the side, a kiddie’s favourite
• Satay:  Grilled skewers of meat or chicken served with a delicious homemade peanut sauce. Served with rice and veggies, you’ll always find this dish filling for the kids. Sold all over Bali, even by street vendors, it’s well worth trying.
• Gado-Gado:  A healthy and flavour-filled boiled vegetable salad with tofu, and a tantalising peanut sauce.A healthy dish made even better by the vegetables.

There are so many dining options throughout the island that you‘l never be stuck for choices or ideas, but this post should help you out even more: Restaurants in Bali I can’t wait to try.

Bali Family-Friendly Nightlife

Bali comes alive at night, offering a fun, safe, and memorable nightlife experience for everyone, including families with kids.

Nighttime Activities for Families

Here are some lovely things to do with the family that are all in central locations that everyone should enjoy.

• Night Markets:  Explore local night markets like  Seminyak’s Flea Market, Love Anchor in Canggu or Ubud Night Markets  for tempting street food, local warungs, and the usual Balinese souvenirs – remember to put your bargaining hat on.

• Balinese cultural shows:  Attend a traditional Balinese dance show at  Ubud Palace and Uluwatu Temple. These shows are engaging and highly entertaining for kids and families. Stuck for ideas, here’s some more cultural ideas: A Guide to Bali’s Festivals, Temples & Culture.
• BBQ at the villa:  Get your villa manager to arrange a BBQ in your villa. A private chef will come equipped with all the necessary equipment, food, and staff, allowing you to enjoy delicious meals in the privacy of your villa. They might even bring the famous Balinese dish, Babi Guling, to try.

Helpful Information for Families Travelling to Bali

Before you embark on your Bali getaway, here are some essential travel tips to keep everyone safe, happy and ready to explore this exciting island.

Health and Safety Guidelines for Bali Family Holidays.

Although Bali is still the 3rd world, it’s still relatively safe for families, but there are a few things you need to know before getting on the plane.

• Vaccinations:  Consult with your healthcare provider to determine the recommended vaccinations before travelling. Additionally, please visit the Smart Traveller website here for the latest information about Bali.
• Medical:  Know where the closest pharmacy, hospital or doctor is to your villa or hotel.
• Sunblock:  Pack plenty of this, as it’s very expensive in Bali.
• Hydrate: Stay hydrated and always carry water with you, as Bali’s humidity and heat can cause dehydration in little ones.
• Medicines: While you can purchase most medicines in Bali, it’s advisable to bring as many as possible from home, as the brands may differ in Bali.

Transportation Tips

Getting around Bali with kids is easy, so long as you know these facts well beforehand:

• Private Drivers and Cars:  You can arrange a car and driver through your villa manager to take the family anywhere for the day. You can even hire them full-time to be on call at all times. Most cars are vans big enough for a family. However, you may need to arrange for a baby seat separately, as the hire cars will not come with one. The drivers are friendly, know all the back roads to avoid the traffic, and are English-speaking. Plus, they are pretty cheap! Be sure to give them a decent tip at the end, as they rely on it.
• Go-Jek:  You can download the Go-Jek app before coming to Bali and use it to organise your transport. It’s similar to Uber and very popular, especially in local tourist areas such as Seminyak, Legian, Canggu, Sanur, and Ubud. Think of Go-Jek as Bali’s equivalent to Uber in Australia. Here’s the link to the App.

Shopping in Bali: Family-Friendly Souvenirs

Bali is a shopper’s heaven with bargains throughout the island. Take the kids shopping and impress them with your bargaining skills. Some perfect souvenirs to take back home are:

• Sarongs:  A Balinese fabric (like a towel) that comes in vibrant colours and patterns that you wear around your waist.
• Wood Carvings:  Carved sculptures that you can take home, but you will have to declare them at Australian customs/border security.
• Handmade Jewellery:  Buy unique jewellery and individual pieces of silver or gold jewellery.
• Clothes and hats: Bintang T-shirts, hats, caps, towels, beer coasters and footy jumpers are all at local shops. You can even buy fake-name clothes, bags and luggage.

Best Times of the Year for Family Bali Visits

Planning to visit Bali during the school holidays with the kids and want to know when the best time to go is? Here’s what to consider when planning your next family trip:

• Dry Season (April to October):  The best time for family outdoor activities and sunny beach days, healthy treks, and lots of exploring. With little to no rain, the dry season is the most popular time; however, note that the prices for accommodation and food increase during this period.
• Wet Season (November to March):  Rain and windy days are common during this period. But, rain may last for only a few hours, and then it’s sunny, so it’s not all bad news. When it’s raining in Bali, there are still activities to do with the kids, which you can read all about here.

With its picture-perfect landscapes, friendly locals, great food, family-friendly villas, rich culture, and activities to keep the kids entertained, Bali is one of the world’s top family holiday destinations. Families keep coming back year after year, and for good reason – it’s affordable, safe, and offers a great experience. So, enjoy the adventure, immerse yourself in the beauty, and create lasting memories that will last a lifetime. Go on and give it a try – we know you’ll love it!