Discover the ultimate kid friendly Bali itinerary in this blog post, packed with family-friendly activities, insider tips, and must-see attractions for an unforgettable tropical escape.
When Americans hear “Bali,” they often picture five-star resorts perched on lush, rice-terraced hills, catering to luxury travelers.
For Australians, Bali conjures images of students on schoolies” (like spring break), drinking and partying.
Sure, there are plenty of travelers that fit these extremes—but there’s also so much more to this island. My first trip was as a backpacker, bouncing between hotspots and off-the-beaten-path gems for three weeks. Later, I came back for a month-long yoga retreat, where I earned my 200-hour teaching certification and got certified in stand-up paddle-board yoga.
But this past April was a completely different kind of adventure: a multi-generation family getaway. It was Dani and I, our kids, Dani’s sister and her family with two kids, and Dani’s parents—ten of us in total, including four kids under six. We had an absolute blast!
Bali really does offer something for everyone, and that includes little ones. Even five-month-old Arlo enjoyed his very first international trip! Over our 7-day stay, we hit a bunch of less-touristy spots, and in this post, I’ll share what worked (and what didn’t) so you can plan your own family trip to Bali with kids.
1. Planning a kid-friendly Bali adventure
The purpose of our trip was to mainly to spend some time with our family from Australia and let the cousins have plenty of play time, so we wanted to make sure we had a place to stay with space to relax and hang out. Since we started traveling with kids, we tend to count on more time in the accommodation than pre-kids, where we just needed a place to sleep after exploring for the whole day.
Location and Accommodation for Bali with Kids
With that in mind, we started hunting for bigger vacation homes away from the main tourist spots like Kuta and Seminyak, which are more expensive.
We landed on Villa Mata Hari, a gorgeous property complete with a pool, spacious dining area, multiple lounges, and five suites (each with its own bathroom). The best part? We could book a chef to come in and make us breakfast every morning!
Tip: most places with a private pool say they can provide a fence if requested. A must with little kids!
We ended up just north of Canggu—known for its surfer vibe and backpacker crowd—near Lima and Pantai Pererenan beaches.
Best Time of Year to Visit Bali
We timed this trip around a wedding Dani’s sister Jacinta was attending, which conveniently coincided with Easter and some time off from work and school. But honestly, April is just an awesome time to visit Bali overall. It’s the tail end of the wet season, so while you might still get the occasional afternoon shower, it won’t be as frequent as in earlier months. And since it’s hot pretty much year-round, sometimes a little rain is actually a nice way to cool off! It’s worth noting that our trip coincided with the end of Ramadan, so there were plenty of domestic Indonesian tourists in Bali as well—making traffic and crowds even more intense than usual.
Peak visitor season is July and August, so shoulder season, April/May/June or September/October is a great time to visit.
Packing for Bali with kids
Traveling with kids—especially an infant—meant careful planning around safe and convenient transportation. We brought Arlo’s car seat and checked it with our luggage, so it was waiting at baggage claim when we landed. We also packed our trusty ErgoBaby 360 carrier, which I wore most of the time on the plane. For our on-the-go adventures, we relied on our compact YoYo Stroller—it’s been with us since Remi was born, so it’s definitely battle-tested! It even has a toddler seat attachment that hooks on the back, making airport walks and longer outings much easier.
One unexpected perk of bringing the stroller? Remi could curl up and sleep in it during those late-night airport transfers, which made everyone’s life a whole lot easier (more below).
Visas & Passports Regulations for Entering Indonesia
When traveling to Indonesia, most visitors will need a tourist visa. Depending on your nationality, you may be eligible for a visa on arrival, which is valid for 30 days and can be extended for another 30 days. It’s always a good idea to check the latest entry requirements online, as rules can change. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date!
If you’re visiting Bali from the U.S. (or many other countries), you can typically get a Visa on Arrival (VOA) for around $35 USD, valid for 30 days. The process is pretty straightforward: just fill out the arrival form, head to the VOA counter, pay the fee, and you’re good to go. We actually applied ahead of time on a website called Sherpa, which has a partnership with Delta (they sent the link in one of their emails). I hadn’t used it before but it’s incredibly easy and again, nice to have it done ahead of time for us because we were arriving at night. It is more expensive, about $65 for Indonesia, but I would use them again if I didn’t want to worry about visa or payment issues on arrival.
Always double-check the latest rules on the Indonesian immigration website, because requirements can change over time.
Airport Transportation in Bali
Our villa contact was awesome enough to hook us up with a local driver who picked us up at the airport and brought us straight to our accommodation. I can’t stress this enough: having a driver already arranged—holding a sign with your name on it—takes so much of the stress out of navigating a new airport. Denpasar Airport (like a lot of major airports around the world) is packed with drivers and motorbikes all vying to give you a ride, and it’s hard to know who you can trust or what’s a fair price if you haven’t ironed out the details beforehand.
Any hotel or vacation home you book will have drivers that they recommend, just let them know your arrival details and arrange how you and the driver will get ahold of each other.
Now, once you’re actually out and about on the island, I’m all for haggling and checking out different transport options. But when you’ve just landed—especially at night, when you’re exhausted and don’t want to play the negotiation game—having someone already lined up feels like a total lifesaver.
Initial Impressions
Once we found our driver and got Arlo’s car seat installed, we headed off to the villa. Bali’s traffic can be notoriously slow—there aren’t many highways, and there are often pedestrians and motorbikes crowding the roads—but thankfully it was after midnight, so we made good time. Plus, arriving late can actually help with jet lag, since you’re already tired and can settle in for some rest right away.
As we cruised through the dark streets toward Canggu, the familiar scents and warm humidity instantly brought back memories of my previous trips. I couldn’t wait to share one of my favorite places on earth with my family.
2. Our Kid-Friendly Bali Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Settling In
After our midnight arrival, immigration, baggage claim, and drive to our villa, we arrived close to 2am. Our family had checked in a few days earlier, which helped us get right in, find our beds (including a cute little crib for Arlo) and crash.
We wake up to our real first day, and finally get to look around the holiday villa, and go for a swim in the pool with all the kids, which Remi has been dying for. Arlo’s first swim ever was in that pool in Bali!
We didn’t plan much for the day, so we spent it catching up, swimming, and taking in our neighborhood. Our favorite cafe for the week was Lyma Beach, which had a playground for the kids.
Day 2: Getting to Know Canggu
Getting Around Bali with kids
After a delicious Balinese breakfast prepared by our villa chef (with pancakes for the kids, of course), we decided to head out and explore more of Canggu. We downloaded Gojek—an Uber-like rideshare app that’s popped up since my last trip to Bali—and requested two cars. It’s made getting around so much easier! You can still hail rides from drivers on the street, but it’s definitely not as common as I remember, likely because most drivers now use the apps instead of trying to attract customers curbside.
We also rented two scooters for our time in Canggu, which came in super handy whenever one or two of us needed to run errands—picking up groceries, grabbing cash from the ATM, or heading out for a surf. The kids even hopped on the back a few times, and they had a blast.
Just keep in mind that scooters are the most popular form of transportation in Bali, but they can be dangerous. The combination of relaxed traffic rules and inexperienced tourists often leads to accidents. Be sure you’re comfortable driving—especially with a passenger—before you decide to rent. We stuck to smaller roads and short trips around areas we already knew well, which helped us avoid the busiest (and craziest) traffic.
Waterpark
We decided to spend the day at Finn’s Recreation Center – not a specifically Balinese experience but a great family-friendly Bali waterpark. The prices are what you’d expect in the US or Australia for drinks, pizzas, snacks, and of course, ice cream. We book a cabana for the day and have a blast. Dani’s mom got turned around on a waterslide and came down headfirst, and its still a story that get brought up every family get-together.
Day 3: Canggu Beach
On Day 3, we set out on foot to explore Canggu by walking south along the coastline from Lima. We followed a rocky path at the end of our road down to Lima Beach, then started our trek toward Canggu. About a hundred meters in, we reached a spot that’s usually just sand at low tide—but because it was high tide, it had turned into a shallow creek.
It didn’t look too deep, so we decided to cross. Big mistake. Halfway across the 20-meter gap, a wave rushed in and nearly swept Remi away. She was holding my mother-in-law’s hand, so I spun around to help them—and at the same time, our nephew Reggie got knocked over by the very same wave. Dani rushed over to steady him but ended up getting knocked off her feet, too, with Arlo still strapped to her in the carrier. Thankfully, everyone was okay, but we were each so focused on our own mini crisis that we didn’t even realize everyone else was struggling as well! It was all chaotic in the moment, but it definitely makes for a funny story now.
Despite the drama, we finally made it to Canggu Beach. At high tide, the beach itself basically disappears—the ocean comes right up to a rocky shoreline dotted with cafes, shops, and backpacker hangouts perched on stilts. We embraced the laid-back Canggu vibe and ordered acai bowls and smoothies, trying to dry off and recover from the near-disaster we’d just survived. Within minutes, we were laughing about it all.
Afterward, we wandered inland to explore the local markets and public areas—as much as the five- and six-year-olds’ attention spans would allow! When the kids started to fade, we decided to grab a Gojek to head back to our villa rather than risk another unexpected “river crossing.”
A couple of hours (plus naps and a refreshing swim) later, we built a little more free time into our day before going out to meet a friend for dinner. We had an incredible meal at ARTE Italian Restaurant. By the end of the evening, the kids had both fallen asleep at the table—it was our latest night yet, and we’re all still adjusting—but I was so grateful they could rest on the spot.
Day 4: Day Trip to Ubud with Kids
Today, we hired two drivers to take us on the hour-long journey to Ubud so we could experience the town’s cultural and natural highlights. It’s a common outing for visitors staying in Bali’s beach towns, but if you can manage it, I highly recommend actually staying in Ubud for a few nights. Despite the steady flow of tourists—especially in high season—it still has authentic Balinese charm, hidden gems, and a lively expat scene.
If you do want to see Ubud as a day trip, you can usually arrange it with your accomdation or most any driver will be happy to take you. There are also plenty you can book in advance, which would be helpful if you have a tight schedule or specific needs for group size or accomodation.
Monkey Forest
Our first stop was the Monkey Forest, a popular (and often crowded) spot, but still worth a visit. The area has expanded since I was last there, complete with a new welcome center, small café, and a more organized ticket counter. The upgraded pathways guide you through a lush forest dotted with temples, statues, and historical markers. The monkeys kept our kids entertained for a while, but the heat and dense crowds had us leaving before the recommended 90-minute mark.
Next, our driver suggested Tebasari Resto for lunch. It was clearly a popular tourist stop—likely thanks to deals with local drivers or hotels—so it felt a bit too commercial for our taste. Still, the food and service were nice (if slightly overpriced), and the setting offered a beautiful view.
Rice Terraces & Nature
Of course, we couldn’t leave Bali without seeing its iconic rice terraces, so we headed to Tegalalang Rice Terrace. There’s an entrance fee, plus additional charges for various “tourist experiences” like bamboo swings and photo ops. If you’re seeking a more tranquil, authentic experience, this may not be the ideal place, but for our kids it was great. They loved hiking the well-maintained steps and exploring the steep trails with quirky bridges and scenic lookouts.
After our mini-adventure, we treated ourselves to popsicles and fresh coconut waters at the entrance café—a perfect reward on a hot day!
Tip Recap:
- Stay in Ubud if you can: Even a couple of nights will help you soak in the local culture and discover hidden gems.
- Monkey Forest: Go early to beat the crowds, and plan a shorter visit if you’re traveling with children.
- Driver Tips: Many tourist restaurants partner with drivers. This isn’t a bad thing, but if you’re after a more local vibe, do a bit of research beforehand or ask for driver recommendations that align with your interests.
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace: A fun stop for families, but if you want a quieter rice-terrace experience, consider seeking out a less commercial spot.
Overall, our day trip was a whirlwind of tourist hot spots and natural beauty. While we could have done without some of the crowds, it was still an unforgettable taste of Ubud’s charm, culture, and scenery.
Day 5: Exploring Tabanan & Tanah Lot Temple
Morning: Arrival in Tabanan
We kicked off the day by moving to a new villa in the Tabanan region, near Tanah Lot. We stayed at Joshua District, a modern, backpacker-style complex featuring a central restaurant and bar overlooking the rice fields. It was quiet, relaxing, and had a pool that doubled as a perfect spot for cooling off—and entertaining the kids!
Misadventures en Route to Tanah Lot
Once settled, we called a few cars to head to Tanah Lot Temple, a seaside temple surrounded by a bustling market area. Unfortunately, the driver of our car dropped us off at a different entrance—possibly part of a nearby resort—where we enjoyed a nice (but unexpected) hilltop view of the temple. Meanwhile, the second car, carrying the rest of our family, ended up at the main entrance.
We waited, admiring the temple from afar, until we realized our relatives weren’t going to show. So, we set off on foot toward the actual temple grounds, heading down to the beach at low tide. Along the way, Remi and Reggie loved exploring the tiny tide pools brimming with sea creatures—an impromptu science lesson in the making!
Reconnecting & Practical Tips
Once we reached the village, we finally found Wi-Fi and discovered our family had been stuck at the main entrance without cash for tickets (a good reminder for all visitors!). Pro Tip: Be sure to have at least 75,000 IDR (around $4.50) per person in cash, as there isn’t an ATM in the immediate vicinity.
Reunited at last, we picked up some takeaway meals and made our way to a scenic spot near the temple just in time for sunset. Despite the mix-ups earlier, the dramatic ocean views and golden sky provided a perfect ending to the day.
Reflections
- Where to Stay: Joshua District offers a peaceful break from the more crowded tourist zones, plus stunning rice-field views.
- Navigating Tanah Lot: Plan your entrance carefully! If you want the main temple experience, confirm your driver knows exactly where to drop you off.
- Cash is King: Always carry enough Indonesian rupiah for entrance fees and small purchases—you never know when you’ll need it.
Overall, the day was a blend of unexpected detours and enchanting ocean panoramas—and we still got that magical Bali sunset we were looking for.
Day 6: Tabanan Night Markets
Saturday was wedding day for Dani’s sister Jacinta and her wife Claire, who were attending a friend’s ceremony. With them gone, we watched the kids and planned a relaxing day of our own. We spent the morning mostly by the pool, then took the rental scooters out for little adventures.
Dani and I discovered some shops and a wonderful German bakery, and later Susie and I opted for a longer-than-expected walk to Pangkung Tibah Beach. Our reward for the trek was a refreshing dip in the pool on returning to our villa.
Night Markets in Tabanan
By dinnertime, we wanted something more local and authentic. We called a larger car and headed about 20 minutes inland to Tabanan—a bustling city that feels worlds apart from the usual tourist hubs. We ended up at the night markets, where we immersed ourselves in the kind of truly local scene we love: street food we couldn’t quite pronounce, interesting shops full of items we’d never seen before, and warm-hearted locals who were more than happy to assist us clearly confused foreigners.
Some highlights of the Tabanan Night Markets included:
- Kids’ Painting Station: For less than a dollar, children could paint pre-printed outlines on styrofoam boards, propped up on mini easels. Our little ones were delighted to bring home their colorful creations.
- Kiddie Train & Carnival Rides: A pop-up fairground vibe complete with small rides perfect for young kids.
- Petting Stall: Featuring hamsters, rabbits, and other small, furry creatures for little animal lovers to meet and greet.
- Sweet Treats Everywhere: From ice cream and donuts to colorful local sweets, there was no shortage of sugar-fueled fun.
Although we’d spent plenty of time exploring beaches and tourist spots, it was refreshing to see a different side of Bali—a place where families gather after dark, kids run around with treats, and visitors like us get a glimpse of everyday life. It was one of those evenings that reminded us why we love traveling: connecting with local culture, sharing new experiences with the kids, and picking up memories we’ll cherish long after we’re home.
Day 7: Around the Airport & Heading Home
The following day, we checked out of our villa and prepared to continue our adventure with a family visit in Australia. Our flight wasn’t until 10 p.m.—a red-eye to Sydney—so we decided to book a daytime room at the Hilton near the airport. It was about an hour and a half from our villa, and being so close to the airport turned out to be a lifesaver. We spent the day by the pool, enjoying poolside snacks, drinks, and even massages at the spa—exactly what we needed before a long flight.
Refreshed and recharged, we headed to the airport after dinner. We normally don’t fly this late, but we didn’t have much choice this time. The check-in lines were crowded with families, all in various stages of travel-worn meltdowns, so no one batted an eye at our own tired kids. Luckily, Remi and Arlo handled it like champs—Remi even fell asleep curled up in Arlo’s newborn-sized stroller! It was one of many moments we were grateful to have brought it, even if strollers aren’t always the easiest thing to tote around.
And with that, our Bali chapter comes to an end—time for the next leg of our trip in Australia!
Recap – Top Family Travel Tips for a Kid-Friendly Bali Adventure
- Pick a Family-Friendly Accommodation
- Look for spacious villas or vacation homes with a private pool and room for kids to play.
- Staying just outside the main tourist areas (like Kuta or Seminyak) often means better pricing and more privacy.
- Example: Villa Mata Hari or Joshua District.
- Best Time to Visit Bali with Kids
- April is ideal—toward the end of the rainy season but before peak tourist crowds.
- Expect occasional showers, but you’ll enjoy generally warm, sunny weather perfect for pool time and beach trips.
- Prepare for Easy Transportation
- Arrange an airport pickup in advance to avoid haggling or confusion after a long flight.
- Download Gojek or Grab for rides around town.
- If you rent scooters, only do so if you’re confident in Bali’s traffic conditions; busy roads can be chaotic for beginners.
- Pack Smart for Little Ones
- Visa & Passport Essentials
- Most nationalities can get a Visa on Arrival (VOA) for about $35 USD (30-day stay).
- Check your passport validity (minimum six months beyond arrival).
- For peace of mind, consider pre-applying online (e.g., via Sherpa) to skip queues at the airport—especially if you’re arriving at night.
- Embrace Family-Friendly Activities
- Waterparks like Finn’s Recreation Center are great for cooling off and keeping kids entertained.
- Monkey Forest in Ubud: Go early to avoid crowds and bring water (kids might tire quickly in the heat).
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace: Offers easy-to-navigate trails for children, but be prepared for entry and swing fees.
- Make Time for Cultural Experiences
- Stay in Ubud for a few nights if possible to explore temples, local markets, and the expat community vibe.
- Night markets in places like Tabanan offer a more authentic glimpse of Balinese life—cheap street food, local crafts, and kid-friendly attractions.
- Always Carry Cash (Rupiah)
- Keep at least 75,000 IDR (~$4.50 USD) per person on hand for temple entrances (e.g., Tanah Lot), especially where ATMs aren’t available.
- Small bills are useful for snacks, souvenirs, and tipping.
- Stay Flexible and Plan Downtime
- Build in rest days for the pool or indoor play—kids often need more time to recharge.
- Naps and low-key afternoons can save the day when heat or overstimulation sets in.
- For Late Flights: Book a Day Hotel
- If you have a red-eye flight, consider a day pass at a nearby airport hotel to relax, swim, or get spa treatments.
- Arriving at the airport refreshed makes the long flight with children far more manageable.
By following these family travel tips for Bali, you’ll be better prepared to explore the island’s beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and kid-friendly attractions. From planning the perfect villa stay to navigating the lively night markets, each tip ensures a more stress-free and memorable trip for everyone—especially for families traveling with little ones.
Overall, we had a great trip and I love Bali – every time I go it’s a new adventure. I definitely recommend visiting Bali with kids of any age, and please let me know if these tips help you!
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