Dividing time between Bali and Australia, Jemma Reynolds and her daughters share their favourite things to do in their home sweet second home, the Island of the Gods.
This colourful, magical and creative little Indonesian island first captured my heart more than 20 years ago, and I enjoy nothing more than inspiring other families to visit and explore the beauty of Bali, too.
Whether you want rice paddies or water slides, culture or shopping, jungle or beach, luxury or the simple life, or perhaps a little bit of everything, there is something for every family’s holiday wishlist.
My daughters, India (10) and Aurora (8), and I regularly travel to Bali to experience all that is on offer for families, and we are delighted to share a few of our favourite things to do and our insider tips.
The Devdan Show is a stunning combination of Cirque du Soleil-style acrobatics, hip hop, traditional dance, puppetry, water and fire all rolled into one jam-packed 90-minute production. It’s a unique and engaging way for your little travellers to learn about Balinese culture, as well as that of the other islands that make up the archipelago of Indonesia.
Insider tip The theatre is not huge, so we think any seat would still offer a good view of the stage, which means the cheaper ‘C’ tickets are still an excellent (and more affordable) option.
At Tamora Gallery, Canggu’s newest destination for families complete with a state-of-the-art playground, you can browse the stylish boutiques for homewares, fashion and books, then grab a bite at one of the eateries. Shmurger Burger is a hit with families, and kids eat for free every evening at Japanese sushi bar Ink. And be sure to cool down with an ice-cream created in fluffy clouds of liquid nitrogen at the sweet and colourful Creamery.
Insider tip Sunday is kids’ day at Tamora Gallery with art and craft activities, face-painting and live music. Also keep an eye out for outdoor movie nights and other events.
There’s an eco-friendly club for kids, with tropical garden, playground and resident animals, located within The Garden Early Learning Centre. It’s open every day for two- to 12-year-olds to pop in for a play, no reservations needed. So handy if you want (or need!) a couple of hours for a spot of shopping or a massage, but don’t feel comfortable leaving your little ones with a nanny.
Insider tip The on-site cafe, Sprout, serves up excellent coffee and organic bites – the smashed avo on pumpkin bread is heaven – and if you’re visiting around Easter, make sure you pick up a dozen (or more) of the cafe’s tantalising hot cross buns.
In a beautiful 150-year-old Javanese teak joglo on the busy Petitenget strip, Biku is a haven where you can escape and indulge. High Tea at this restaurant-slash-boutique is an absolute treat, with a special menu of pretty iced cupcakes, mini gingerbread men and finger sandwiches just for the tiny diners, served alongside their own pots of fruity tea.
Insider tip Parents can upgrade to the Sparkling High Tea and indulge in a cheeky afternoon glass of bubbles.
Dreams do come true thanks to a Bali-based mother-daughter duo who created Putri Siren mermaid tails. Book a mermaid play date package and hire the tails for a couple of hours to frolic about in your villa pool, or attend one of the hosted pool parties at Panama Kitchen & Pool in Canggu and learn how to safely swim like a real mermaid.
Insider tip You can purchase your own tail online with worldwide shipping or free delivery while you are in Bali. Once you have outgrown your tail, return it to Putri Siren and in true ocean-loving style, they will recycle it.
Lap up five-star resort life for just a fraction of the price with a day pass to Hilton Bali Resort (kids under 7 are free). Make good use of the swimming pools and beautiful white-sand beach, while bigger kids will have the water slide on high rotation and toddlers splash in the sandy-bottomed pool. The pass also includes access to the Jungle Camp kids’ club.
Insider tip Finish off the day with two-forone poolside cocktails for mums and dads; happy hour runs between 4pm and 6pm.
At Bali Safari Park, you can go on a safari bus tour by day, or wait until the sun goes down to experience a thrilling safari after dark. See – and even handfeed – some of the 100-plus species of animals that call the zoo home, including orangutans and Komodo dragons. The magical Agung cultural show, where dancers, musicians, puppets and animals all perform on stage together, is not to be missed.
Insider tip Sleepover at the zoo! The African-inspired Mara River Safari Lodge, located within the park grounds, offers a variety of rooms and packages for families.
From face-painting to jumping castles, balloons to magicians, and an ever-changing array of art and craft activities, it’s safe to say the little guests are well looked after at KU DE TA on Sundays. There’s pizza, sushi and nibbles for the family to share, or a healthy kids’ lunch menu. And don’t forget your bathers for a splash in the pool.
Insider tip KU DE TA is one of the island’s hottest spots for sunset cocktails and fine dining, so book a babysitter (we recommend Bali Baby Hire) and treat yourself to a night out sans enfants.
The simple things in life are often the best. Watch a classic golden Bali sunset, splash in the waves, play on the sand, sip fresh young coconuts (or ice-cold Bintangs for mums and dads) and snack on hot buttered barbecue corn on the cob. Add chilli if you dare!
Insider tip For the full sunset session experience (plus epic selfie-stick action) we love the colourful beanbags at Beekini Bowl in Jimbaran Bay and La Plancha on Seminyak Beach.
From breakfast with the orangutans to an evening dinner with the elephants, there are a variety of experiences at Bali Zoo where you can get up close and personal with the animals. Junior guests will love cuddles and feeding time at the petting zoo, or a guided pony ride around the zoo’s grounds.
Insider tip Pack your bathers, towels, hats and sunscreen so you can cool off in the Jungle Splash Waterplay area.
With hip new beach clubs opening up left, right and centre, we still think Sundays Beach Club has the best offering for family fun in the sun. Swim, snorkel, eat, drink, play and relax the day away at this private beach paradise. The exhilarating inclinator ride down the cliffside to the beach – plus access to the cliff-top infinity pool located within the luxury villa complex – are also included in the day pass.
Insider tip Stay on when the sun goes down for a beach bonfire, cool DJ tunes and gooey toasted marshmallows.
A visit to a local market, such as the bustling Ubud Market, is a feast for the senses with an abundance of tropical fruit, vegetables and local snacks. It’s also a sweet shopping spot to spend pocket money and buy treasures for friends back home. Bargaining is part of the fun and is expected, and as a result we have purchased many a friendship bracelet, sarong or rattan basket all for a “special price”.
Bali’s foodie scene is a melting pot of well-known chefs from Australia and beyond opening up on the island (hello Jamie Oliver!). But when in Rome, or in Bali, we love to gobble up as much local food as we can. Dinner at a warung (local restaurant) is cheap and tasty, and a family of four can easily be fed for under AU$20 total, including drinks. Mie goreng (fried noodles), nasi goreng (fried rice) and satay ayam (chicken satay) are all popular options for tiny diners.
Take advantage of your little early risers and head out for a morning jalan-jalan (walk); it’s the best time of day to get a glimpse of daily life in Bali. Say ‘pagi’ (morning) to the locals as you pass by and smell the heavenly wafts of incense as the canang (offerings) are placed out for the gods, a morning ritual for Balinese Hindus. Be sure to look out for wandering chickens, noisy roosters, chatty geckoes and pretty brown cows, too.
This article originally appeared in Holidays with Kids magazine. To subscribe to the latest issue, click here.
Planning a holiday to Bali? You can read our complete family-friendly travel guide to Bali here.
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