Top 20 things to do in Bali with kids

Bali, Indonesia – a tropical island paradise with palm-fringed beaches under 3 hours flying time from Singapore. This ultra-popular tourist destination, sometimes called the ‘Island of the Gods’ because of its Hindu culture with its ubiquitous sculptures of deities where people make offerings, has something for nearly everyone. It has volcanoes, coral reefs, beaches, rice terraces, temples, culture, arts, luxury hotels, and friendly local people. For foodies it has delicious cuisine that includes babi guling (suckling pig), nasi campur (rice served with side dishes such as satay, tempeh, and spicy sambal), and pepes ikan (fish steamed in banana leaf). For many people Bali is a luxury getaway where they can unwind, soak up the culture, and enjoy having massages with the verdant hills as a stunning backdrop. But for families with kids this slow pace of life isn’t always an option – let’s face it, most kids want entertainment. Luckily Bali is a destination where both kids and parents can have their ‘kek’ (cake) and eat it, as it offers a myriad of excursions and activities that will stimulate both the body and the mind. Although we had so many options to choose from, we’ve narrowed it down to our 20 favourite things to do with kids in Bali.

Hang out with monkeys

If you visit Bali you have to see Ubud, the island’s cultural capital. This beautiful town is surrounded by rice paddies and is a photographer’s dream. It’s also a great place to see and buy art. But top of every list should be a visit to Ubud’s Monkey Forest. This temple-dotted nature reserve is home to roughly 400 long-tailed macaques and its tall trees make for a cooling stroll through a truly unique place. Be warned, however, the monkeys are very used to humans and might try to steal your caps and cameras secure if you aren’t vigilant!

Climb a volcano

Bali has three volcanoes, all of which are active but considered fairly safe. Mount Agung is the highest, at over 3000m, but it’s a hard trek and so not suitable for kids. However, the trek to the top of Bali’s second-highest volcano, Mount Batur, only takes about 2 hours and is suitable for most active kids. The best tours normally involve an early start to beat the crowds.

Watch dolphins

The north of Bali has black beaches because the sand comes from volcanic rock. Lovina is a quiet northern village which runs a number of dolphin-watching tours. After heading out on a motorized outrigger you will hopefully encounter bottle-nose dolphins and their smaller cousins, spinner dolphins, so called because of their acrobatic antics.

Create unique art

Image Credit: Berawa Art House

Artistic families, or even those who want to try something new, will surely enjoy creating their own unique art in a studio by the ocean. Founded by artist Lorraine Lim, Berawa Art House is a place where you can ‘find inspiration in everything’. You can do private classes and group workshops using a variety of different mediums.

Release baby turtles

Bali is home to four main species of sea turtles, all of which are endangered. Luckily the Bali Sea Turtle Society is trying to protect these populations of Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Olive Ridley and Green turtles by working with the local population to protect nests, educate others, and run campaigns. They also relocate newly-laid eggs to their protected hatchery, from where they are later released. You can contact the Bali Sea Turtle Society to find out when their next release will be.

Give an elephant a bath

Image Credit: Mason Elephant Park

Mason Elephant Park is an elephant rescue facility and sanctuary that is home to more than 30 endangered Sumatran elephants across its 4.5 hectare site. Visitors can interact with the elephants, scrubbing them with long brushes as they take a bath in the river. Families can even stay overnight at the park’s lodge and see the elephants as they wake from their slumber.

Do a pottery class

A number of studios across Bali offer ceramics classes for people of all levels, from beginners to experienced potters. One of the most popular is Serayu Pottery in Ubud, which has ceramics workshops where you can make things such as bowls, tea cups and flower pots, all engraved with your name.

Create your own jewellery

Image Credit: Genuine Bali Experience

Being the cultural centre of Bali, it’s perhaps unsurprising that Ubud is the place where you can find the most artistic activities for tourists. These include classes where you can make your own silver jewellery, such as at the Genuine Bali Experience. Who knows, you might go home with a unique bracelet, pendant, or ring.

Watch a dance and acrobatics show

Image Credit: Devdan Theatre

Devdan Theatre is a theatre group in Nusa Dua that invites guests to take a tour across Indonesia through its dance, performance and acrobatics show. It includes the distinctive dances from Bali, Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, and Papua, as well as wayang kulit (shadow puppetry), martial arts, and acrobatics.

Make (and eat) chocolate

Bali’s tropical humid climate is perfect for growing cacao so it’s no surprise that they make chocolate on the island. What might be a surprise is that you can make it yourself! There are a number of chocolate factories across the island, and most offer chocolate-making classes, but Primo Chocolab is perhaps best known for its workshops where you learn all about cacao and get involved with every stage of production before taking home your own chocolate bars.

Learn to cook Indonesian food

Indonesian food might not be as famous as the cuisine of its Asian neighbours such as Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam, but it really packs a punch (and not just in terms of spice either). Bali has heaps of cookery classes, including many that will take you to the local markets to buy the ingredients, but Nia Balinese Cooking Class in Seminyak is well regarded.

Try bouldering

If it’s your first time to try it or you’re already an expert, Bali offers a number of options for climbing on artificial rock walls. Most of the bouldering sites are in the south of the island, closer towards the built up areas of Kuta and Denpasar, but Bali Climbing offers lots of different walls and has experienced guides to help climbers.

Bounce up and down

Image Credit: Bounce Bali

Most Singaporean kids will have tried trampolining within the Little Red Dot, at places such as Amped and Bounce, so trampolining might not seem like an adventurous holiday activity. However, if your kids have got heaps of energy to burn off then it might still be a welcome retreat. Bounce has two branches in Bali, both relatively close to Denpasar and Kuta, where kids can take part in the usual trampolining games and activities.

See some amazing waterfalls

Bali has some of the most Instagrammable waterfalls on the planet, with over 50 major waterfalls found across the island. There really is every type of waterfall imaginable, from the high to the low, the torrent to the stream, and the busy to the virtually deserted. One of the most exciting waterfalls is the Aling-Aling Waterfall in Sambangan, which has a smooth gulley that the adventurous can slide down into the deep natural pool.

Fly through the trees on a zipline

If you fancy some amazing tree-top views before you zoom off through the tree canopy, ziplining might be for you. A number of companies offer half-day tours that include activities such as ziplining, plunging into natural pools, and the famous Bali Swing which offers a range of swings in the jungle setting at heights between 10m and 80m!

Shoot some arrows

If you’re a wannabe Robin Hood or William Tell, you’ll find a number of places where you can try archery in Bali. However, the most established archery club is Bali Archery School on the outskirts of Denpasar. Here kids from 4-15 years can learn to expertly shoot arrows at targets at various distances.

Hit the waterpark

Image Credit: Waterbom Bali

Just as with the trampolining, the idea of a waterpark might not feel so inspiring when you’re in such an amazing location as Bali, but there will be times when the kids have had enough of culture and scenery and fancy an adrenalin-pumping slide into a pool. On those occasions Bali has a number of waterparks, of which Waterbom Bali is the biggest with over 22 slides and attractions.

Catch some waves

If you’ve never tried surfing before, or even if you can already handle some ‘gnarly surf’, Bali is a world-famous destination for learning surfing. Thanks to its deep water breaks and consistent waves, the island has numerous places where beginners and experienced surfers can refine their skills. Many surf schools are around the busy resort of Kuta but there are great surf schools in places such as Nusa Dua and Uluwatu, famed for its glorious sunsets.

Ride the white water

Image Credit: Bali River Rafting

If river surf is more your thing that the ocean kind, Bali is home to plenty of raging rivers on which you can try white water rafting under the guidance of experienced instructors. Bali River Rafting offers trips on three rivers, the Ayung river, Telaja Waja river, and the Melangit river, with the level of rapids ranging from Level I (entry level) to Level IV (advanced). Whichever option you choose, be prepared to get very wet!

Take a cycle tour

Bali has stunning scenery upon stunning scenery, whether it be the forests, mountains, rice terraces, or beaches. And there’s no better way to experience these sceneries up close than by doing it on a bicycle. Various companies, such as Awesome Bali Cycling Tours and Happy Bike Tour, offer half- and full-day cycling tours that can take you through traditional villages, beside atmospheric temples, and even up Mount Batur.

With so many options for things to do with families in Bali, we’re sure you won’t get bored. And that’s before you start on all the pampering activities such as hot pools and massages. A trip to Bali really could be one of the best trips you’ve ever had!