I wasn’t entirely sure what Bali with kids would look like. I’d seen the photos. Rice terraces. Waterfalls. Swings over the jungle. Beaches that look like somebody got a little carried away with the saturation button. But there’s a difference between looking at Bali on Instagram and arriving with four children, from toddler to teenager, and expecting everyone to have a good time.
We visited Bali in July as part of a much longer family trip through Southeast Asia. After all our extensive travel, we already knew one thing: beautiful doesn’t automatically mean kid-friendly.
Bali, thankfully, gave us both.
My daughters rode horses along a black-sand beach while a drone followed them overhead. We trekked through the jungle until we arrived at waterfalls outside Ubud. A local guide drove us through rice fields. We watched a tiger climb onto a cage we stood inside during a nighttime safari. We spent an afternoon shopping and eating burgers across the street from Kuta Beach.
And when we weren’t doing any of that, we were living in a three-bedroom villa in a residential neighborhood where restaurants and stores were practically everywhere.
By the end of our six days, my biggest complaint about Bali was pretty simple.
We should’ve stayed longer.
Is Bali Good For Families?
Yes, very. But one of the things I appreciated most about Bali was that it didn’t feel like a destination that was specifically manufactured for children.
There are certainly plenty of family attractions, but our favorite experiences weren’t indoor playgrounds or children’s museums. My kids toured a coffee plantation, walked through the jungle, fed giraffes and elephants, explored rice terraces, and watched interactive bird shows at the zoo.
That’s what made Bali such a great place for our family. We could do things that interested the adults without spending the entire day hearing, “When are we leaving?”
Parents know exactly how valuable that is.
Bali also works really well when you’re traveling with children of different ages. We were traveling with four kids, our toddler and three daughters ages 11, 13, and 14. Finding activities that work for the whole family gets harder as the age gaps get wider.
Bali gave us plenty, and owes us nothing.
That said, I’d approach Bali differently with very young children than I would with older kids. Some of the best activities involve stairs, wet rocks, long drives, and a decent amount of walking. Having a private driver or local guide made a huge difference for us.
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This sunset was everything! / By: Creshonda Smith
Best Areas In Bali For Families
One of the first decisions you’ll make when planning a Bali family vacation is where to stay, and Bali isn’t the kind of destination where I’d choose a neighborhood based on a pretty hotel alone.
Where you stay matters because getting around the island takes time.
We stayed in Kuta Utara at Cozy 3BR Villa LaGita, a three-bedroom villa with a shared pool. We stayed for six days.
For a family of six, having three bedrooms was fantastic.
We also liked being in a residential area rather than feeling completely separated from everyday life like at a resort. There were tons of stores and restaurants around us, so grabbing food or something we’d forgotten didn’t require an excursion.
That’s something I’ve come to value more and more when traveling with four kids. A gorgeous hotel is wonderful. Being able to find dinner without organizing an expedition is also wonderful.
Bali has plenty of private villas and family resorts, so families can choose between more space and privacy or the amenities of a full-service hotel. For larger families, I’d absolutely compare villa prices before automatically booking two hotel rooms.
This place was AMAZING! The pool was right outside our door, and the hosts were so friendly. Definitely a steal. By: Creshonda Smith
What About Ubud, Nusa Dua And Other Parts Of Bali?
Different areas make sense for different family trips.
Ubud puts you closer to rice terraces, waterfalls, jungle scenery, and many of Bali’s cultural experiences. If those are the focus of your trip, staying there can cut down on driving.
Nusa Dua is popular with families looking for large resorts and beautiful beaches. Families with young children may especially appreciate having resort amenities close at hand rather than spending every day crossing the island.
Kuta puts you near Kuta Beach, shopping, and restaurants, while Kuta Utara gave us the residential experience we enjoyed.
I wouldn’t say there’s one best place in Bali for every family. I’d start by deciding what you actually want to do and then look at the map before booking accommodations.
Bali traffic can make what looks like a short drive on your phone considerably less short in real life.
Nusa Dua is lovely, but a little too touristy for us. Credit: Julio Samudra/Unsplash
Our Favorite Things To Do In Bali With Kids
We didn’t try to see every attraction on the island during our six-day stay. I’m glad we didn’t.
Instead, we picked a few experiences that felt distinctly Balinese and left enough room to truly enjoy them.
These were the biggest hits.
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Go Horseback Riding On Gianyar Beach
This was one of those activities I booked primarily for my three daughters. And then I saw the videos. The girls went horseback riding along the black-sand beach in Gianyar, with guides accompanying them while a drone captured the ride from overhead.
It was gorgeous.
The company also took photos for us, but the drone footage was what really made the experience special. Instead of coming home with only the pictures I would’ve taken from the sidelines, we had sweeping videos of the girls riding along the water.
For me, that’s what made the activity worth recommending. The horseback riding would’ve been memorable on its own, but having professionally captured footage meant I could actually watch instead of spending the entire experience trying to document it myself.
My girls absolutely loved this activity and begged for another hour. I asked if they had “another hour” money, and since the answer was no (smile), we left and planned to come back. However, it was truly cherished!
For families with older children who are comfortable around horses, I’d put this high on the list. Check the operator’s current age, height and safety requirements before booking for younger kids.
Book your horseback riding adventure here!
They absolutely LOVED this activity on Gianyar Beach. / By: Creshonda Smith
Do The Night Safari At Bali Safari And Marine Park
If my kids had to choose the most exciting thing we did in Bali, this would have a very good chance of winning.
We’ve done zoos.
We’ve done safaris.
We had never stood inside a cage while a tiger climbed on top of it and ate directly above our heads.
The Night Safari at Bali Safari and Marine Park is completely different from a daytime zoo visit. Guests travel through the park after dark in a specially designed caged tram. The park currently describes the experience as a close-range encounter where animals can approach the vehicle, and the official schedule lists the Night Safari from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“Caged tram” sounds pretty tame until you’re inside it.
We stood up inside the cage as we moved through the park. Along the way, we fed animals including giraffes, buffalo, and elephants.
Then came the predators.
We stopped while the coordinators fed the lions and tigers. At one point, a tiger climbed right onto the top of our cage to get the food.
There’s something very different about looking at a tiger through glass and looking up at a tiger standing right above you.
That was amazing.
Slightly insane, but amazing.
The darkness made the experience feel even more intense. You aren’t just walking between exhibits in daylight. You’re moving through the park at night while the animals are active around you.
The park says the Night Safari can include close encounters with elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, and tigers, though specific animal encounters and presentations can vary based on conditions and animal welfare considerations.
If you’re deciding between visiting Bali Safari during the day and doing the Night Safari, I can only speak to the nighttime experience.
I’d do it again without hesitation.
Book your nightime safari here!
The park really does come alive with animals at night; it’s not as hot as it is during the day. By: Creshonda Smith
Hire A Private Driver And Explore Ubud
This may have been my favorite way to experience Bali and it was very affordable!
We booked a private tour scheduled for about 7.5 hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned car and driver, bottled water, and several stops around Ubud.
Our itinerary included:
- Goa Raja Waterfall
- Yeh Bulan Waterfall
- Kanto Lampo Waterfall
- Rice terraces and the Bali swing
- An optional lunch and coffee plantation stop
What made the day memorable wasn’t simply checking those places off a list. We were driving around Bali with a local.
That changed everything.
We could ask questions as we saw residential areas and everyday life between the major attractions. We drove past scenic valleys and through parts of the island we never would’ve understood in the same way if we’d just been transported from tourist attraction A to tourist attraction B.
That’s why I’d recommend a private driver for families even if you’re perfectly capable of researching Bali yourself. A good local guide isn’t just transportation, either. They provide context. And when you’re traveling with children, having an air-conditioned vehicle waiting for you after you’ve climbed a mountain of wet stairs suddenly feels like one of life’s great luxuries.
Book your private, local driver here!
They had very distinct coffee and tea flavors at this lovely coffee plantation our host directed us to. / By: Creshonda Smith
Visit Yeh Bulan Waterfall
Yeh Bulan was the first stop on our private itinerary. It was great because there were a ton of stairs to get to the actual waterfall, but you could also take pictures at the smaller waterfall with a little line, or at the super dramatic waterfall that was packed. We knew we had a few waterfalls lined up, so we wanted to ease ourselves into the experience, so we snapped a few flicks and took in the scenery.
One benefit of combining several waterfalls into a private day tour is that you don’t have to arrange separate transportation each time. We got back in the same vehicle, cooled off, and continued on.
With six people, that’s exactly how I like to travel.
All smiles on deck! / By: Creshonda Smith
Check Out Goa Raja Waterfall
Goa Raja was beautiful, had way fewer people overall, and let the kids see and explore the greener, more natural side of Bali that looks so spectacular in photos.
We traversed uneven terrain and a few shaky bridges to get where we were going. Our tour specifically warned that moderate physical fitness was required because of the walking and steps involved.
That’s worth taking seriously.
If you’re traveling with a toddler or someone with mobility limitations, ask the tour company about each stop before booking rather than relying on a generic “family-friendly” label.
To be honest, this one was breathtaking but intense. It was really hard to walk on the rocks. Also, the waterfall was so powerful that standing beneath it made my 2-year-old cry because he was afraid of the noise and the power of the water. We snapped a photo and got out of there before his meltdown took over. We tried to chill in the calm water, but it was chilly mid-afternoon.
This activity was a little tough on my 11-year-old with severe scoliosis, but we took frequent breaks, and she was a trooper.
Thankfully, she loved the experience and was happy to challenge herself by hiking through the jungle for about 12 minutes to reach the waterfall. She described it as exhilarating.
Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places we visited in Bali / By: Creshonda Smith
See Bali’s Rice Terraces And Try The Swing
The rice fields and rice terraces were one of the things I most wanted to see in Bali. They’re one of those landscapes that immediately tell where you are.
Our private tour also included the Bali swing experience near the rice terraces. If you’re traveling with older kids who like a little adrenaline mixed into sightseeing, this is a great way to make a scenic stop more interesting.
That’s another thing Bali does particularly well for families.
“Come look at these rice paddies” may or may not excite your children.
“Come look at these rice paddies and then swing over the jungle” is a considerably stronger sales pitch. Absolutely a 10/10 experience.
Spend An Easy Afternoon At Kuta Beach And Beachwalk Shopping Center
Not every day needs to involve a seven-and-a-half-hour tour.
One of our easier outings was Kuta Beach and Beachwalk Shopping Center.
Beachwalk sits directly across the street from Kuta Beach, which makes the combination ridiculously convenient. The shopping center has restaurants, international stores, and family entertainment. Its current directory still lists both Johnny Rockets and Candylicious.
Yes, we traveled all the way to Bali and ate Johnny Rockets.
I have four children.
Sometimes cultural immersion means trying unfamiliar local food. Other times, cultural harmony means everyone stops complaining because there are burgers and fries.
Both can exist on the same vacation.
Candylicious was another obvious kid magnet, and having the beach directly across the street made it easy to combine swimming or walking along Kuta Beach with shopping, eating, and air conditioning.
That last one becomes increasingly attractive after you’ve been outside in Bali for several hours.
For families with picky eaters, Beachwalk is also useful because there are plenty of familiar options alongside local and regional choices. I wouldn’t spend my Bali vacation eating exclusively at international chains, but I also don’t believe every meal with children needs to become a cultural challenge. There are also a lot of arcades, and no matter what country we travel to, we ALWAYS go to an arcade.
Don’t Overlook The Simple Days
Our biggest memories came from the activities above, but one of the reasons Bali worked so well for us was that we didn’t feel pressured to schedule every minute.
We went to the beach. Everyone got dressed just to tour the neighborhood and explore stores and restaurants around our villa. We went to the mall.
Of course, we ate… A lot.
We drove around. Through playing games and binge-watching Netflix, we had ordinary family moments in a place that happened to be extraordinary.
When you’re traveling with kids, those slower stretches matter.
It’s tempting to look at a destination like Bali and create an itinerary involving sunrise, three waterfalls, a cooking class, a rice terrace, a beach club, a cultural performance, and a spiritual awakening before dinner.
Again, I have four children. So, no.
Choose the experiences you care about most and leave some breathing room.
We always go to an arcade in every country we visit, and it’s become one of our favorite traditions / By: Creshonda Smith
What About Waterbom Bali And Other Popular Family Attractions?
One attraction you’ll see repeatedly when researching the best things to do in Bali with kids is Waterbom Bali, the island’s major water park. We didn’t visit it, so I’m not going to pretend we did. The same goes for Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, and several of Bali’s other heavily recommended family attractions.
That’s important because this guide is based primarily on what we actually experienced. If you’re planning a longer stay, those attractions can give you plenty of additional options. A water park can be particularly useful if your children need a day that’s purely about having fun rather than sightseeing. But with only five nights, I’m happy we prioritized the experiences we did.
Bali isn’t a destination I think you need to “finish.” In fact, trying to finish Bali sounds exhausting.
Getting Around Bali With Kids
If I returned tomorrow, I’d hire a private driver again. This was one of the easiest decisions of our trip. Having our own driver meant we could move at our family’s pace, keep our things in the vehicle, and avoid figuring out transportation between widely scattered attractions. That becomes even more useful when you’re traveling with young kids.
Distances on a map can be deceptive because traffic can significantly affect travel times. A private driver also gives you flexibility if someone needs food, a bathroom break, or simply needs to stop moving for a while.
A local guide gave us something Google Maps couldn’t: someone who actually knew the island. For our Ubud day, that was one of the best parts of the experience.
Book your private tour guide driver here!
Is Bali Safe For Kids?
We felt comfortable traveling around Bali with our children, but I used the same precautions there that I use elsewhere in Southeast Asia. For families, I’d pay particular attention to transportation, food and water, sun exposure, and swimming conditions.
We used bottled water, carried sunscreen, and made sure the kids stayed hydrated. At beaches, don’t assume beautiful water automatically means calm water. Conditions and currents can vary, so pay attention to local warnings and choose swimming areas that match your children’s abilities.
Travel insurance is also worth considering for an international family trip, especially if your itinerary includes horseback riding, waterfalls, water sports, or other outdoor activities.
And if your family has medical needs, bring the records and medications you may need rather than assuming you’ll easily replace everything after arrival.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Bali With Kids?
We visited in July, and I’d happily choose July again.
July falls during Bali’s dry season. Bali’s tourism information describes May through September as the dry period and notes that July and August are among the busiest months, with lower humidity and less rainfall but typically higher prices.
For us, the weather worked extremely well for outdoor activities. The tradeoff is crowds.
July also overlaps with school holidays for many families, so popular attractions, beaches and the most famous areas can be busy. If you have flexibility, traveling near the beginning or end of the dry season may give you a better balance between weather and crowds.
Bali’s rainy season doesn’t automatically make a family holiday impossible, but I’d build more flexibility into the itinerary if waterfalls, beaches and outdoor activities are priorities.
What To Pack For Bali With Kids
Bali is one of those destinations where I’d prioritize practical clothing over ambitious vacation outfits.
You’ll want lightweight clothes, comfortable walking shoes, sandals or water shoes, swimsuits, sunscreen, hats, and something dry to change into after waterfall excursions. I’d also bring insect repellent, refillable water bottles and a small day bag. If you’re planning rice terraces and waterfalls, don’t wear shoes you’re emotionally attached to.
Bali will humble them.
For our private waterfall tour, we were specifically advised to bring a hat, change of clothes, towel, sandals, sunscreen, and cash. That’s a pretty solid starting list for any similar excursion. We all just came with a bunch of T-shirts and shorts, a pair of sneakers, and some sandals. We decided that anything else we needed along the way could be bought there and turned into an experience in itself.
How Long Should Families Spend In Bali?
Here’s the easiest question I could answer.
Longer than we did.
We stayed five nights, and I would absolutely extend that on another trip.
A week would give families more room to alternate bigger excursions with beach and pool days. Ten days would make it easier to split the stay between two areas, such as Ubud and one of the beach destinations, without constantly packing and unpacking. For a first-time family trip, I wouldn’t underestimate how useful those slower days can be.
Bali has enough activities to keep children of all ages busy, but that’s not a reason to schedule all of them. Ideally? I’d love two weeks! Or, you know, a freaking lifetime.
Getting To Bali From Los Angeles
Families traveling from Los Angeles should expect a long-haul trip to Bali. Bali’s main international gateway is I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) near Denpasar. From Los Angeles, itineraries generally involve at least one connection in a major Asian or Middle Eastern hub.
Book your family a bonus trip (or two) by extending your layover to include a bonus trip! It cuts the flight times (or feels like it) and your kids get another country to explore.
For families, I’d compare itineraries based on total travel time and connection quality, not airfare alone. Saving a little money stops feeling like a bargain when you’ve created an enormous layover with tired children. If possible, I’d also arrange airport transportation before arrival, especially for a larger family. Six people plus luggage can quickly exceed the capacity of a standard car.
An excellent discount site for rental cars and flights is Booking! We’ve literally saved hundreds of dollars using it.
Where To Stay In Bali With Kids: Budget, Midrange And Splurge
This can really make or break a trip. If the accommodation is a bust, it can really ruin the trip, especially if it’s cramped or just doesn’t work for your family dynamic. Not going to lie, the most important part of planning a trip for me is always where we’ll stay. I have to be comfortable when starting and ending the day.
Budget: Cozy 3BR Villa LaGita w/shared pool Superfast wifi
For larger families, start by searching for private villas and apartments rather than assuming a traditional hotel will be cheapest.
We stayed at Cozy 3BR Villa LaGita w/shared pool Superfast wifi in Kuta Utara, which gave our family of six three bedrooms, a full kitchen, Wi-Fi, and access to a shared pool. We also loved being in a residential area between Seminyak and Canggu, surrounded by stores and restaurants.
For us, having that much space made a huge difference. Everyone had room to spread out after long days exploring Bali, and we didn’t have to squeeze six people into multiple hotel rooms. I’d absolutely stay here again.
Midrange: Padma Resort Ubud
For families who want to stay closer to Bali’s rice terraces, waterfalls, and Ubud-area activities, Padma Resort Ubud is a strong option. The resort has an infinity pool, a separate kids’ pool, and the Wolly Kids Club and Games Centre for children ages 4 to 12. Families who need more room can also book connecting Family Premier Rooms, giving parents and kids separate sleeping spaces.
I particularly like this option for families planning the type of day we spent exploring waterfalls and rice terraces with a local driver. Staying closer to Ubud can cut down on travel time to the island’s interior, and when you’re traveling with kids, less time sitting in traffic is always a win.
Splurge: The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali
If the goal is a true family resort experience, The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali is a solid splurge. It’s directly on Nusa Dua Beach and has the Westin Family Kids Club, a freshwater pool, six restaurants, nearby water sports, and other family-focused amenities.
This is the kind of place I’d choose if I wanted to build a few genuine down days into a Bali family vacation. Parents can enjoy the beach and resort amenities while the kids still have plenty to do without everyone piling into a car for another excursion. I’d still leave the resort for at least a couple of days, though. Bali is too interesting to spend the entire trip beside one swimming pool.
Would I Take My Kids Back To Bali?
Absolutely. In fact, Bali is one of the destinations from our Southeast Asia trip that I’d most like to revisit. And I wouldn’t go back because we missed some enormous checklist of famous attractions. I’d go back because five days wasn’t enough.
My husband and I want to take a shot at a horseback ride along Gianyar Beach once my son is a little older and my daughters can watch him. I’d happily do the Night Safari again. We’d love to spend another day driving through the countryside with a local guide. I’d explore more waterfalls and rice fields. The kids would enjoy more beach days. And I’d leave more time for doing absolutely nothing at our villa.
That’s probably the biggest compliment I can give a family destination. There are places I’ve enjoyed visiting with my children and thought, That was wonderful.
Bali left me thinking, When can we come back?
Hailing from Cleveland, OH, Creshonda Smith is a travel and lifestyle writer currently based in southern Italy, where she lives with her kids and spends most of her time chasing good stories, good food, and flights that don’t require a 14-hour layover. Her specialties include travel writing, copywriting, editing, SEO, brainstorming, and pretending she’s not emotionally attached to her Google Docs. She’s also very good at multitasking, procrastinating productively, and convincing herself that booking one more trip is almost always the way to go. Before making the jump into being a full-time writer, Creshonda worked as a clinical social worker, which mostly means she can handle pressure, awkward situations, and public meltdowns with impressive professionalism. Her dream is to make it to as many countries as she can with her family.