Bali holidays with children: 10 things to do with children in Bali
Bali is a tropical island paradise that offers plenty of unforgettable family activities for all ages. Whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation or just a quiet place to unwind, Bali has something for everyone. Since many parents have already written to me whether Bali is actually suitable for a holiday with children, I live in Bali myself and have a child, I would like to share my experiences with you in this blog. And give you some suggestions as to what you can do with your kids here in Bali, or what you have to consider. These are all reports from our travels. You are welcome to get some suggestions. But of course everyone should decide for themselves what is best for their children. Also, if I link some products here, then that should also work as an idea. So I’m not getting money from brands here for mentioning them here.
How long does it take from Germany to Bali?
Depending on which airline you fly with and how long your stopover is, the flight alone takes at least 18 hours. In addition, of course, there are the times you are at the airport beforehand to check in.
Is the baby already too heavy or too big for the baby bassinet?
As a rule, the small cots on airplanes have a maximum weight of approx. 15 kilos and are usually too big for babies that are larger than approx. 86 cm. If this is the case, it is best to book a seat as a family where there is still plenty of space, or try to get a seat in the front row with legroom when you check in. In most cases, the airline’s board or ground staff will find a good solution. I’m not talking about low-cost airlines.
Holidays in Bali with a child under the age of two: Do you have to book luggage?
Many airlines allow you to take one piece of hand luggage (e.g. diaper bag) and one extra piece of luggage up to 10 kilos. Please inform yourself urgently on the airline’s homepage. We always found this information there. You can also take a stroller or, for example, a travel seat (maxi-cosi) with you.
Travelling with a child: what to take in your hand luggage?
- Snacks, sliced fruit, jars of food, quetschis
- If you no longer breastfeed: milk powder in pre-portioned small Tupperware and thermos flask or finished milk in small bottles, approx. 2 milk bottles,
- Change of clothes: approx. 2 shirts, 2 pants, wet bag (or plastic bag)
- Enough diapers, changing pad
- burp cloth or wet wipes
- Baby blanket, hoodie, warm socks
- Favourite toys, books, colouring book and pens, sticker book, I-Pad with cartoons already played
- Bib and Spoon
- Drinking bottle for water
- pacifiers
- Sling, pram
Baby food at the security check
We had no problems with liquid baby food or baby milk during the security check. We were also told that special rules apply to baby food. Luckily!
Snacks: I always cut up some fruit and vegetables (apples, carrots or berries) and take them with me in a small can, and Baby jars or Quetschis very practical when travelling. Our rascal also loves baby corn sticks very much, which we give him to nibble on from time to time. Be sure to pack a spoon and a bib.
Baby milk
And since I personally don’t breastfeed anymore, I calculate how much milk we need depending on the duration of the trip and fill the right amount into small Tupperware containers. At the beginning of the flight, I ask the board staff to fill the thermos bottle with hot drinking water so that I can react quickly if milk is urgently needed. By the way, I always have a bottle of still water with me so that I can prepare the milk bottle at a comfortable drinking temperature.
Pressure equalisation for children on landing and takeoff
My best tip for equalising pressure when starting is breastfeeding or bottle feeding. Since swallowing equalises the pressure. In so many cases, my sweetheart fell asleep straight away. So I put him directly into the baby bassinet and I was able to sleep and eat myself. A pacifier also worked well for our son, since the jaw movements that he makes with the pacifier also equalised the pressure.
Baby blanket, hoodie, warm socks
Since most airlines use strong air conditioning, it can get pretty chilly on the flight. Therefore, a sweater with a zip and hood is very practical. Because you can put it on and take it off quickly and the head/ears can be covered if necessary.
Sufficient entertainment for children
We love the indestructible pixie books because they are so light and flat. Then you can take a few books with you. Of course, colouring books or sticker books are very exciting for slightly older children. We also take teddy and my son’s favourite car with us anytime, anywhere. And yes, when it comes to the I-Pad, parents’ opinions differ. We have decided that we will use it when traveling (but also in other exceptional situations). For the flight we have downloaded a few episodes of Cocomelon from Netflix.
There is also Nelayan Sanur Bay, which also has a playground for kids. I can also recommend Lilla Pantai. It doesn’t have a playground. But it’s right on the beach and the menu is really great. The kids can then just play on the beach and the parents sit right in front of it and can eat in peace and relax as well.
How do you get to the Gilis?
A lot has changed since the pandemic. The many boat companies did not survive the absence of tourists economically, so tickets have become more expensive. In my experience, it is less complicated to book a ticket directly online. A pick-up from the hotel is included in the ticket price. Therefore, you do not have to worry about how to get to the port (Padang Bai) and which ticket booth is on site. In addition, as a tourist without a ticket at the port, you feel like fresh meat among sharks, because there are a lot of extra motivated ticket sellers who are so unfriendly and pushy. It’s always stressful for me. I do want to warn you about that?
We have had good experiences with Eka Jaya so far. They leave Padang Bai twice a day. You can then book the tickets online, which cost around IDR 375.000 (€24.00) per person/per way. We have also sailed with Golden Queen. They also provided good service. The pick up from the hotel usually costs an extra IDR 75.000. If you’re charged more than IDR 1,000,000 incl. Pick-up for one person for a return ticket, then you got a bit overcharged.
And then there’s our favorite place to stay, the Tangga Bungalows, which are great for families. They have large family bungalows and a large garden reminiscent of the Garden of Eden, where the kids can run around. The owners Ika and Satti are so nice, open-minded and treat every guest like family. They also have a young son who is a good playmate for your kids.
In my opinion, being a guest there almost makes you feel like a friend or family member. That’s why your guests keep coming back. Just like us.
Tangga Bungalows is about a 10 minute walk from the harbor and surrounded by the most delicious restaurants. Like the Raja which is right next to it. Raja Bar, by the way, sometimes hosts reggae parties and festivals. Be sure to check their Instagram feed beforehand.
One thing I would like to say about the Gilis. Unlike Bali, the islands are Muslim. Therefore prayer calls call several times a day (and night ). It is also not so popular if you visit the supermarkets or walk through the village in swimming trunks and bikini. On the beach it’s all very easy, inland and on the streets I would recommend you just pull something over out of respect for the locals.
Making fun of the mosque singing or getting upset is also very disrespectful to the culture and definitely uncool. Unfortunately, you see that so often with tourists 🙁
