Discovering Bali with Kids: A Guide to the Top 7 Fun-Filled Activities for the Whole Family
Bali is a popular holiday destination known for its stunning landscapes and rich culture, but it can be challenging to keep children entertained. Luckily, the island of the gods offers a range of activities that are sure to bring joy to families with kids. From thrilling water parks to cultural experiences, Bali is a great place for families to bond and create memories.
Pod Chocolate Factory and Café is a must-visit for families with a sweet tooth. Here, visitors can taste a range of delicious gourmet chocolates made from locally sourced Indonesian cocoa beans. The factory offers tours where visitors can see the chocolate-making process, learn about the different flavours, and even make their own mini chocolate elephants. The attached café serves unique dishes that incorporate chocolate, such as pizza with chocolate sauce and spaghetti marinara chocolate.
Pirates Bay is a themed restaurant that's perfect for kids who love a good adventure. With treehouses, paddle boats, zip lines, and a replica pirate ship, this oceanfront complex provides endless entertainment for families. The restaurant also organizes two-hour treasure hunts where children can dress up as pirates and search for a chest filled with gold.
The Pondok Pekak Library & Learning Center in Ubud is a great place for families to learn about Balinese culture. The center offers workshops in traditional dance, gamelan playing, and canang sari making, and has a children's library with books in multiple languages. Families can also participate in multi-lingual song circles and other activities aimed at kids and adults.
Waterbom Bali is a water park that's been providing fun for all ages since 1993. With mini slides, thrilling rides, and more relaxed experiences like tubing down the Lazy River, this park has something for everyone. For young children, there's Funtastic, a water play area with shallow pools and fountains, and Flowrider, where kids can learn to surf.
Warung Dandelion is a family-friendly restaurant with a twist. The restaurant is housed in a traditional Javanese house and has a lush garden filled with fluffy rabbits, which are sure to delight kids and adults alike. The restaurant serves delicious Indonesian and Balinese classics, such as gado-gado and mee goreng, allowing parents to enjoy a meal while their kids play with the rabbits.
Bali is renowned for its beautiful beaches, and there's something to suit every age and interest. From surf schools that cater to beginner surfers, to calmer beaches perfect for snorkelling, families can enjoy time in the sun. The Rip Curl School of Surf in Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak is a great option for families who want to learn how to surf, while Blue Lagoon and Pemuteran Bay offer stunning shallow reefs and coral gardens for snorkeling.
For a truly unique experience, families can visit the Bali Treetop Adventure Park, located in the Bedugul highlands. Designed for kids over four and adults, this park offers seven age-appropriate circuits with aerial lines that link tree canopies, 72 challenge courses that include spider nets, Tarzan jumps, flying swings, and zip lines up to 160 meters in length. Safety is a top priority, with harnesses used on many of the elevated circuits.
Animal encounters: get up close and personal
If your children love animals, Bali has plenty of opportunities for them to have up close encounters with the creatures of the island. The Bali Safari & Marine Park offers visitors the chance to see lions, tigers, elephants and a whole host of other animals in their natural habitats. There are also feeding shows where kids can watch as their favourite animals are fed, and even a chance to pet and interact with some of the friendly creatures. Another option is the Bali Bird Park, which houses over a thousand birds from all over the world, including exotic species like flamingos, toucans, and parrots.
Art and culture: a creative escape
Bali is a hub of creativity, and there are plenty of ways for kids to get involved and get creative. The ARMA Museum in Ubud is a great place to start, with a range of exhibitions and workshops that focus on Balinese art, culture and history. Children can participate in classes and workshops where they can learn traditional Balinese dance, music and painting, and explore the museum's many fascinating exhibitions. Another option is the Blanco Renaissance Museum, which showcases the works of Spanish artist Don Antonio Blanco, with its beautiful gardens and stunning sculptures providing a perfect backdrop for families to explore together.
Overall, Bali is a wonderful destination for families, with plenty of activities to keep children happy and entertained. From exciting water parks to cultural experiences, there is something for everyone on this island of the gods. So pack your bags, grab your kids, and head to Bali for an unforgettable family adventure.
