Bali for Families: Kid-Friendly Activities by Age

Bali might seem like an adults-only destination — all surfing, nightlife, and yoga retreats — but the reality is completely different. Families have been coming here for decades, and the island has evolved into one of the best family travel destinations in Southeast Asia. Balinese culture revolves around children (they’re considered blessings from the gods), so you and your kids will be welcomed everywhere you go.

The trick is matching activities to your children’s ages. A waterfall hike that thrills a twelve-year-old will melt down a toddler. A gentle rice paddy walk that enchants a five-year-old will bore a teenager. This guide breaks everything down by age group so you can plan a trip that works for the whole family.

Traveling to Bali with Toddlers (Ages 0-3)

Keeping It Simple

Toddlers don’t need much — a pool, some sand, and enough naptime. The biggest mistake families make with very young children is over-scheduling. Bali’s heat and humidity will tire little ones faster than you expect, so plan one activity per day and build in long rest periods.

Best base: Seminyak has the most family-friendly infrastructure — wide sidewalks, upscale restaurants with high chairs, and resorts with shallow kids’ pools. The beach is gentle, and you’re never far from air conditioning.

Top Activities for Toddlers

Beach mornings. Seminyak and Sanur beaches have calm water and soft sand. Arrive before 9 AM when the sun is manageable and the beach is quiet. Sanur is especially good because its reef-protected shore creates a natural lagoon with almost no waves.

Resort pool time. Many Bali resorts have dedicated kids’ pools with shallow areas, slides, and water features. This is honestly where toddlers are happiest. Book a resort with a good pool and you’ve solved half your entertainment.

Bali Safari and Marine Park. Located in Gianyar (about 45 minutes from Seminyak), this is one of the best-run wildlife parks in Asia. The safari bus ride is gentle enough for toddlers, and they’ll see elephants, orangutans, and Komodo dragons up close. The waterpark section is perfect for cooling off.

Rice terrace stroller walks. The paved walkways at Tegallalang Rice Terraces can handle a stroller if you stick to the upper paths. The green scenery is visually stimulating for little ones, and there are plenty of cafes along the ridge for juice and snack breaks.

Practical Tips for Toddlers

• Pack a lightweight stroller with good wheels — Bali’s sidewalks are uneven
• Bring your own car seat; rentals are unreliable
• Mosquito repellent is essential, especially at dusk
• Most restaurants will blend or mash local food on request
• Hire a private driver for the day rather than dealing with car seats in taxis

Young Kids (Ages 4-7)

The Sweet Spot

This age group is old enough to enjoy real activities but young enough to still be thrilled by simple things. Bali is absolutely magical for four-to-seven-year-olds — the temples look like fairy tale castles, the monkeys are endlessly entertaining, and the rice paddies are a giant green playground.

Top Activities for Young Kids

Monkey Forest, Ubud. Kids this age are fascinated by the long-tailed macaques at Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest. It’s a well-maintained park with stone temples, banyan trees, and hundreds of monkeys. Buy bananas at the entrance and your kids will have monkeys eating from their hands. Keep a firm grip on hats, sunglasses, and anything shiny — the monkeys are quick.

Bali Swing. The Bali Swing experience is thrilling for kids brave enough to try it. Most swing parks have smaller swings for children, and the jungle backdrop makes for incredible family photos. Check the minimum age and weight requirements before you go — most parks accept children from age four.

Cooking classes. Several cooking schools in Ubud offer family-friendly sessions where kids can help shape satay, mix spice pastes, and roll spring rolls. It’s messy, educational, and you eat everything at the end. Kids who help cook are far more adventurous eaters.

Waterfall swimming. Tegenungan Waterfall near Ubud has a large, shallow pool at its base that’s safe for kids who can swim with supervision. The walk down is manageable (about 100 steps with railings). Bring water shoes — the rocks are slippery. For more options, check out our full waterfall tours.

Dolphin watching. The Lovina dolphin trip is a gentle early-morning boat ride that kids adore. Wild spinner dolphins are spotted on most trips, and the boats are stable and comfortable. The 6 AM start is tough, but kids typically crash for a nap afterward.

Practical Tips for Young Kids

• Most Bali activities are priced per person, and many offer discounts for children under seven
• Sunscreen needs reapplying every two hours — the equatorial sun is intense
• Pack familiar snacks from home for meltdown emergencies
• The Bali Treetop Adventure Park in Bedugul has courses designed for ages four and up

Tweens (Ages 8-12)

Adventure Mode Unlocked

This is where Bali really comes alive for families. Tweens are old enough for genuine adventures but still young enough to think their parents are cool. The island’s adventure activities are perfect for this age group — physically manageable but genuinely exciting.

Top Activities for Tweens

White water rafting. The Ayung River near Ubud offers Class II rapids that are thrilling for kids but safe enough that no experience is required. The white water rafting route passes through a stunning jungle gorge with waterfalls and carved rock faces. Most operators accept children from age seven or eight.

ATV riding. ATV quad biking through rice paddies and jungle trails is a massive hit with tweens. Most operators have tandem ATVs where younger kids ride with a parent, and single ATVs for kids twelve and up. Expect mud, splashing through rivers, and a lot of laughing.

Snorkeling. Bali’s calm, clear waters are ideal for introducing kids to snorkeling. Blue Lagoon at Padang Bai is especially good for beginners — the water is shallow, calm, and packed with colorful fish and coral. Nusa Penida is better for confident swimmers.

Cycling tours. The downhill cycling tours from Kintamani to Ubud are perfect for tweens. It’s mostly coasting downhill through villages and rice terraces, so fitness isn’t an issue. Kids get their own bikes, and the guides keep the group at a comfortable pace.

Temple exploration. Tweens are old enough to appreciate the atmosphere of Bali’s temples. Temple tours to Tirta Empul (where you can participate in water purification rituals) and Tirta Gangga (with its stepping stones over fish ponds) are especially engaging for this age group. The Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu Temple is unforgettable.

Practical Tips for Tweens

• Let them choose one activity per day — buy-in makes everything more fun
• Bali is a great place to introduce kids to haggling at art markets
• Many activities include photo/video packages — worth it for the GoPro action shots
• Kids this age love the Waterbom Bali waterpark in Kuta (consistently rated one of Asia’s best)

Teenagers (Ages 13-17)

Earn the “Cool Parent” Badge

Traveling with teenagers can be challenging, but Bali makes it easier than most destinations. The island offers enough adrenaline, social opportunity, and Instagram-worthy scenery to keep even the most screen-addicted teen engaged.

Top Activities for Teenagers

Surfing lessons. Bali is one of the best places in the world to learn to surf, and surf lessons on the gentle breaks of Seminyak or Canggu are perfect for beginners. Most teens are standing up within a single session. For those who catch the bug, week-long surf camps are available.

Mount Batur sunrise trek. The Mount Batur sunrise trek is a genuine achievement that teenagers can be proud of. The 2 AM wake-up is painful, but watching the sun rise from the summit of an active volcano — with breakfast cooked by volcanic steam — is a core memory in the making. The trek is moderate difficulty, about two hours up.

Nusa Penida day trip. Teenagers will recognize Kelingking Beach (T-Rex cliff) from social media, and seeing it in person is genuinely jaw-dropping. The Nusa Penida day trip includes dramatic coastal cliffs, natural infinity pools, and manta ray snorkeling. This is the most “Instagram-worthy” day in Bali.

Beach club day. While the major clubs are 18+, several like Finns Beach Club in Canggu have family-friendly areas with pools, slides, trampolines, and food courts. Teens get the “cool” beach club vibe, and parents get a day bed and a cocktail.

Coffee plantation and chocolate tours. Teens who are into food or sustainability enjoy visiting the coffee and cacao plantations in the Kintamani highlands. The tasting sessions are interactive, and they’ll learn about the famous (and controversial) Luwak coffee process.

Practical Tips for Teenagers

• Give them some solo time — Ubud’s art markets and Canggu’s cafes are safe for independent exploration
• Get them a local SIM card so they can stay connected
• The legal driving age for scooters in Bali is 17 with an international license — don’t let them ride earlier
• Discuss responsible tourism before the trip (temple etiquette, environmental awareness, respectful bargaining)

Where to Stay with Kids

Best Areas by Family Type

For young families (0-7): Seminyak or Sanur. Seminyak has the best resorts and restaurants. Sanur is quieter with a calmer beach and a paved beachfront path perfect for strollers and bikes.

For adventure families (8-12): Ubud or split your stay between Ubud and Seminyak. Ubud puts you close to rafting, cycling, waterfalls, and the Monkey Forest. Seminyak gives you beach days and pool time.

For teens: Canggu is the sweet spot — surfing, cafes, beach clubs, and a lively but safe atmosphere. Teens will love the energy, and parents will appreciate that it’s more laid-back than Kuta.

For multi-generational trips: Rent a private villa. Bali has thousands of gorgeous villas with private pools, staff, and multiple bedrooms. A villa gives grandparents space to rest while parents and kids are out adventuring.

Family Health and Safety in Bali

What to Know Before You Go

Bali is generally very safe for families, but a few things are worth preparing for:

Sun protection. You’re eight degrees south of the equator. The sun is significantly stronger than anywhere in Europe, North America, or Australia. High-SPF reef-safe sunscreen, hats, and rash guards are essential, especially for kids.

Water. Drink only bottled or filtered water. Most restaurants use purified water and ice, but check at smaller warungs. Bring a filtered water bottle for day trips.

Mosquitoes. Dengue fever exists in Bali. Use repellent (DEET-based for kids over two months), especially at dawn and dusk. Long sleeves and pants in the evening help.

Medical care. BIMC Hospital in Nusa Dua and Siloam Hospital in Kuta are international-standard facilities. Make sure your travel insurance covers the whole family.

Road safety. Bali’s roads can be chaotic. Always use car seats for young children (bring your own), and avoid putting kids on scooters regardless of what you see locals doing.

Sample Family Itinerary: 7 Days

Days 1-2 (Seminyak): Settle in, pool time, Seminyak beach sunset, family dinner at a beachfront restaurant.

Day 3 (Ubud transfer): Morning Bali Swing, afternoon check into Ubud accommodation, evening Legong dance at Ubud Palace.

Day 4 (Ubud adventures): Morning Monkey Forest, afternoon waterfall swimming at Tegenungan, evening cooking class.

Day 5 (Ubud active): Morning white water rafting on the Ayung River, afternoon rice terrace walk, evening at leisure.

Day 6 (Day trip): Nusa Penida for older kids, or Bali Safari for younger ones.

Day 7 (Seminyak return): Morning cycling tour, transfer back to Seminyak, sunset beach session, farewell dinner.

Let Gede Plan Your Family Trip

Planning a family trip to Bali means juggling ages, interests, nap schedules, and energy levels. That’s exactly where Gede comes in. He’s helped hundreds of families build custom itineraries that keep everyone happy — from the toddler who needs pool time to the teenager who wants to summit a volcano.

Tell him your kids’ ages, your travel dates, and what kind of experiences you’re after. He’ll handle every booking, arrange private transport with car seats, and make sure every day is perfectly paced for your family.

Get your free family itinerary →