Bali with kids: The Family Guide
Bali with children can sound complicated at first. Long drives, unfamiliar food, tropical heat and the question every parent eventually asks: will they actually enjoy it?
The answer is yes. Bali is surprisingly easy with kids once you know where to go. Beyond the beaches and temples, the island is full of relaxed cafés with playgrounds, creative spaces, family pools, kids clubs and activities that adults genuinely enjoy too.
Here are a few of our favourite places to make travelling around Bali with children feel a little easier, and a lot more fun.
WHERE TO EAT WITH KIDS
Canggu and Seminyak have perhaps the widest choice of family-friendly cafés and restaurants. Milk & Madu is a reliable favourite for breakfast and lunch, with a menu that works well for both adults and children, while Sea Circus brings a more colourful, playful atmosphere. Around Berawa and Batu Bolong, places such as Mano Beach House are ideal when you want to combine lunch with a little beach time, while Tiny Healthy Family Cafe is a good option for simple, wholesome meals. The general atmosphere is relaxed enough that children do not need to sit still for an entire meal.
Ubud offers a different kind of family experience, with restaurants surrounded by greenery and plenty of places where a meal can become part of a slower day. Mana Earthly is a lovely choice for families looking for a relaxed setting and nourishing food, while Good Day is an easy stop for breakfast, lunch or a casual break. After a morning exploring the rice fields, visiting a temple or simply wandering through the centre, these kinds of places make it easy to slow down and recharge without having to plan a formal family outing.
For a slower family day, Sanur is one of the easiest areas to navigate, with a calmer beach and plenty of casual places to eat. Byrd House combines food with a kids’ splash area, while Splash Bistro offers a similarly relaxed setting. In Ubud, Mana Earthly and Good Day are good options for a family-friendly meal, with relaxed settings that make it easy to take a break between exploring the town and surrounding rice fields.
WHERE KIDS CAN ACTUALLY PLAY
In Uluwatu, Pangolin is one of the best dedicated play spaces for children, with a large indoor playground designed for different ages, climbing areas, sensory play and creative activities. It is particularly useful on very hot or rainy days, when spending hours outside is not always practical. With plenty of space to move, explore and play, it can easily become an activity in itself rather than just a quick stop between outings.
Around Canggu, Berawa and Seminyak, there are several options for children who need a proper break from sightseeing. Parklife combines play, food and outdoor space, while Mookiland offers a mix of semi-indoor and outdoor play, including water activities. Mai Main is another standout, with extensive indoor and outdoor play areas, a pool, animal feeding and activities for different ages. Smiley Playhouse and Zoneout are other options to consider depending on your children’s age and the area you are staying in.
Ubud has a smaller but increasingly interesting selection. Bali Family Hangout is a good option when children need some time to play between exploring the rice fields, temples and surrounding villages, while Titi Batu is more of an all-day family club, with a children’s playground, kids’ room, family pool and plenty of space to move around. PLAYFORT Ubud is another newer indoor option, particularly useful when you want somewhere air-conditioned for a few hours.
Sanur is another family-friendly base, especially for younger children. Kids SoHo Playground combines an indoor play space with a café and learning activities, while Clip ’n Climb Bali offers something different for children aged four and above, with climbing walls, challenges and interactive climbing games. With its slower pace, walkable beachfront and calmer atmosphere, Sanur makes it easy to alternate between playtime, lunch and the beach without planning every hour of the day.
HOTELS, KIDS CLUBS & POOL DAYS
For families who want a hotel where children can be entertained without leaving the property, Kuta and Nusa Dua are particularly convenient. The Bali Dynasty Resort has a kids’ club, children’s water areas and a large waterslide, while The Westin Resort Nusa Dua offers the Westin Family Kids Club, several pools and a children’s pool with a waterslide. These resorts are a good choice when the holiday itself is meant to include plenty of downtime.
Around Seminyak and the south-west coast, beach clubs can work almost like an extension of the hotel pool. KU DE TA, Mano Beach House and Le Bajo allow families to spend several hours between swimming, eating and relaxing rather than moving from one attraction to another. The important thing is to check the current children’s access and pool policy before going, as these can vary by day, age and venue.
Sanur and Ubud offer a different kind of family stay, with a slower pace and plenty of space to enjoy the hotel itself. In Sanur, Prime Plaza Suites is particularly well suited to families, with its Camp Splash kids’ club, pools, playground and waterslide, while Hyatt Regency Bali combines a dedicated kids’ club with several pools and direct beach access. In Ubud, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan and Padma Resort Ubud offer a more immersive experience surrounded by jungle and rice fields, with kids’ clubs and activities that allow children to enjoy the landscape as much as the pool.
THINGS TO DO TOGETHER
For a classic Bali family day, start with the water. Waterbom Bali is the obvious choice for older children who love slides and swimming, while Bali Safari & Marine Park and Bali Bird Park offer a different kind of day surrounded by animals and nature. Younger children may prefer a quieter morning at the beach, while older kids can add activities such as surfing or water sports around the south coast.
Bali is also a good place to introduce children to its creative and cultural side without turning it into a history lesson. Family-friendly cooking classes are a natural way to discover Balinese food, while batik, jewellery, painting and other craft workshops give children something tangible to make. Chocolate-making workshops are another fun option, while in Ubud especially, creative activities can be a welcome alternative to another temple visit, while still giving them a sense of the island’s traditions.
For something more active, there are plenty of options beyond the beach. Older children can try surfing, white-water rafting on the Ayung River, archery or the Bali Treetop Adventure Park, while horse riding and snorkelling offer a slower way to explore the island. For younger children, activities such as turtle releases, farm visits and gentle nature experiences can be just as memorable. The best approach is not to fill every day with activities, but to choose one main experience and leave enough time afterwards for a swim, an ice cream or simply doing nothing. That is often when Bali feels most enjoyable for the whole family.
Plan less than you think you need to. One beach, one lunch and one activity can already make a very full day in Bali.
Start early. The morning is cooler, beaches are quieter and children tend to have more energy.
Keep one indoor option in reserve for rain or very hot afternoons. Playgrounds such as Pangolin, Kids SoHo and Mookiland make this surprisingly easy. And finally, do not try to see the whole island in one trip. Bali is at its best when there is enough time for the children to swim, nap, eat ice cream and simply enjoy being somewhere new.
That is part of the holiday too.