Bali With Kids: 10 Things to Know Before Your First Family Trip
Bali is one of those destinations that can be wonderful for families — but your experience can be very different depending on where you stay, how much you try to do and how prepared you are.
I’ve been travelling to Bali for more than 30 years, and visiting as a family has given me a completely different perspective on the island.
If you're planning your first trip to Bali with children, these are some of the things I think are worth knowing before you go.
1. Where You Stay Can Make a Huge Difference
Before booking a hotel, think about which part of Bali will work best for your family.
Bali isn't a destination where you necessarily want to spend hours travelling every day. Choosing an area with restaurants, shops, beaches and activities nearby can make family life much easier.
For us, Sanur is a favourite.
It's a more relaxed beachfront area with plenty of accommodation, restaurants and cafés, and we find the atmosphere particularly welcoming for families. There are also plenty of hotels with family rooms, pools and apartment-style accommodation.
One place we particularly enjoy is Shotgun Social, which is great for families because the kids have a large wooden playground to enjoy while parents can sit down for a meal. They also run events such as Sunday Funday and Taco Tuesday.
For a first family trip, I'd strongly recommend choosing your location based on the type of holiday you want, rather than simply choosing the hotel with the best photos.
2. Distances on the Map Can Be Misleading
One of the biggest adjustments for first-time visitors is understanding Bali's traffic.
A destination might look only a short distance away, but the journey can take considerably longer than expected.
Sanur to Ubud is a perfect example. A journey that could once take around 45 minutes can now sometimes take two hours or more depending on traffic.
With children in the car, that's something you need to factor into your itinerary.
Rather than planning several different areas in one day, try grouping activities together geographically. You'll spend less time travelling and more time actually enjoying Bali.
3. Don't Feel Guilty About Having a "Nothing" Day
Family holidays don't need to be a constant list of activities.
In fact, children will often be perfectly happy spending an entire morning or afternoon swimming in the hotel pool or playing on the beach.
If your accommodation has a good pool, make the most of it!
A few inexpensive pool or beach toys can keep younger children entertained for hours. You can easily pick up simple toys once you're in Bali if you don't want to pack them.
It's also worth considering the location of your accommodation. Having a café, restaurant or beach club nearby means you can grab food and drinks without turning a relaxing afternoon into another family outing.
Some of the most enjoyable holiday memories can come from simply slowing down.
4. Expect a Very Warm Welcome
Bali's people are a huge part of what makes the island special.
Balinese people are generally incredibly friendly and welcoming, and families often find that children receive lots of smiles and attention.
For us, this is one of the reasons Bali has always felt so comfortable.
It's also a wonderful opportunity to introduce children to Balinese culture. Take the time to teach them about being respectful around temples, ceremonies and local customs.
The experience becomes much more meaningful when children aren't just seeing Bali, but learning a little about the culture too.
5. Take a Sensible Approach to Food and Water
You don't need to be afraid of eating in Bali.
The island has an enormous variety of food, and the quality and choice available today is far greater than it was decades ago.
We still enjoy eating at local markets and smaller establishments.
However, if it's your family's first visit, particularly if your children aren't used to travelling in tropical destinations, it's sensible to ease into things.
For drinking, use bottled or properly treated water and make sure children understand not to drink untreated tap water.
When eating somewhere unfamiliar, consider how the food is being handled and prepared. If something doesn't look right, choose something else.
You can still enjoy local Indonesian food — just take a sensible approach.
6. Know About Bali Belly and Protect Against Mosquitoes
Bali belly isn't inevitable, but it is something travellers should be prepared for.
Children can be particularly difficult to manage when they're unwell, so having a few essentials packed before you travel can make things easier.
Bring any medications your family normally relies on, along with things such as hydration sachets and basic first-aid supplies.
Mosquitoes are another consideration. Dengue and other mosquito-borne illnesses occur in Bali, so make insect repellent part of your packing list.
Apply repellent when you're spending time outdoors and take extra precautions during periods when mosquitoes are particularly active.
A few simple preventative measures can make a big difference.
7. Don't Underestimate the Tropical Sun
Bali's sunshine is one of its biggest attractions — but children can quickly become overheated or sunburnt.
Pack the basics before you leave:
Sunscreen
Sun hats
Sunglasses
Rash vests or UPF swimwear
Reusable water bottles
For younger children, protective swimwear is particularly useful when they're spending lots of time in the pool or at the beach.
Try to build some shade and rest time into your day rather than spending hours in direct sunlight.
And remember that swimming can be tiring too, so make sure everyone gets plenty of water and breaks.
8. Travelling With Babies Requires a Little Extra Planning
If you're bringing a baby or toddler, think carefully about how you'll get around.
A compact stroller or baby carrier can be much easier to manage than a large pram, particularly when navigating narrow or uneven footpaths.
If you're using taxis, ride-share services or private drivers, check your transport arrangements before you travel. Child seats aren't always readily available, so if having one is important to you, arrange it ahead of time.
You can also find baby-equipment hire companies in Bali that rent items such as prams and car seats, which can save you from bringing bulky equipment from home.
And one of my favourite parent travel tips: keep baby wipes or tissues with you at all times.
An unexpected toilet stop can happen anywhere — especially during a long car journey or when you're travelling through smaller villages — and you can't always rely on having the supplies you're accustomed to.
9. Keep Some Cash Handy
Bali is increasingly convenient for card payments, particularly in hotels, larger restaurants, shops and tourist areas.
However, cash is still useful.
Local markets, small roadside shops and businesses in smaller villages may not accept cards, so having some Indonesian rupiah in your wallet is a good idea.
This becomes particularly useful when you're taking a day tour away from the main tourist areas.
And if you're travelling with children, pack a small day bag with water and snacks. You might find a little shop along the way, but it's always better to have something available when hunger strikes.
10. Do the Preparation Before You Fly
A little organisation before your holiday can save you a lot of stress once you're there.
Make sure you've checked the current entry requirements and completed any necessary arrival documentation before travelling. Have your accommodation confirmed and make sure everyone has appropriate travel insurance.
For families, I'd also recommend putting together a small travel health kit.
Pack the medications your family normally uses, along with basics such as pain relief, bandages and hydration products. Familiar brands can also be easier to have with you than trying to find what you need after someone becomes unwell.
Finally, save the details of a nearby hospital or medical centre to your phone before you arrive.
Hopefully you won't need it, but knowing where to go in an emergency is one less thing to worry about.
Planning a Bali Trip?
Watch our full video on YouTube: The Atlas Journey, where we share all our Bali with kids tips!
The Biggest Tip? Slow Down.
Bali doesn't have to be a race.
You don't need to visit every temple, waterfall, beach club and attraction during one holiday.
With children especially, giving yourself time to enjoy the hotel, swim in the pool, eat good food and explore your local area can make the trip much more enjoyable.
And after more than 30 years of visiting Bali, that's something I've learnt over and over again: sometimes the best parts of Bali aren't the things you planned to see — they're the moments in between.
If you're planning your first family trip, I hope these tips help you feel a little more prepared.