Bali with Kids: Family Fun, Culture & a Little Relaxation

Bali has always been a favourite holiday destination for Australians, and after recently spending time there with my husband and our two children, I can absolutely see why families keep returning.

What I love about Bali is the variety. One day you’re racing down waterslides, the next you’re exploring traditional villages and lush rice terraces, and by the afternoon you can be relaxing beside a beautiful resort pool. There’s something for everyone, and with a little planning, it’s surprisingly easy to balance adventure with downtime.

For our family holiday, we split our stay between two very different areas, Kuta and Nusa Dua, giving us the best of both worlds.

Rice terraces of Sideman

Hard Rock Hotel Bali: A Family Paradise in Kuta

Our first stop was Hard Rock Hotel Bali, right in the heart of Kuta, and what a fantastic choice for families! The resort has a fun, energetic atmosphere, with plenty to keep children of all ages entertained. The swimming pool complex is a real highlight, with multiple pools, waterslides and plenty of space to splash around. It’s the kind of resort where the kids could happily spend an entire day without wanting to leave.

For younger children, there’s a dedicated kids club, while older children have their own spaces, including the Teen Club, Vibe City. I particularly loved that the resort caters to different age groups, something that can make a huge difference when travelling as a family. And for something a little different, there’s also Boom Box, where you can record yourself singing! Such a fun experience for budding performers or families wanting to create a unique holiday memory.

Another lovely touch during our stay was the opportunity to enjoy a complimentary family photo shoot, which included one printed photo to take home. It’s such a wonderful keepsake from a family holiday, especially when you’re usually the one behind the camera!

The location is another advantage. You’re right in the middle of Kuta, with shopping, restaurants and plenty of activity close by. It’s busy, vibrant and full of energy, but once inside the resort, there’s more than enough to keep everyone entertained.

Good to know: If you’re travelling with older children or want additional space, ask about interconnecting rooms when booking. They’re a fantastic option for families.

Waterslide fun at Hard Rock Hotel Kuta

Exploring the Real Bali: Rice Terraces, Villages & Sidemen

As much as we loved the resorts, I always think it’s important to venture beyond the hotel and experience the destination itself. One of the easiest and most affordable ways to explore Bali is to hire a private driver and guide. For approximately AUD80, you can enjoy a full day of sightseeing with the flexibility to travel at your own pace. This is particularly valuable with children. Rather than following a rigid tour schedule, you can stop when you like, spend longer somewhere you love and adjust the day depending on everyone’s energy levels.

Bali’s countryside is absolutely beautiful, with traditional villages, temples, lush greenery and spectacular rice terraces. The Ubud region is a wonderful place to experience a different side of the island, away from the busy beach resorts. On our travels, we ventured to Sidemen, an area surrounded by beautiful green landscapes and a much quieter, more traditional atmosphere. One of our favourite stops was Koli Koli Restaurant. With gorgeous views across the surrounding countryside and plunge pools for the children to enjoy, it was such a lovely place to stop for lunch.

It’s these little experiences that make a family holiday memorable. Sitting back and enjoying the scenery while the children are happily playing in the water is a pretty perfect combination!

Good to know: A private driver is well worth considering for families. Discuss your preferred stops beforehand, and allow plenty of time between destinations as Bali’s traffic can make even relatively short distances take longer than expected.

Spectacular views of Mt Agung from Koli Koli, Sideman

Novotel Bali Nusa Dua: Time to Slow Down

For the second part of our holiday, we moved to Novotel Bali Nusa Dua Hotel & Residences, which offered a completely different experience from Kuta. Where Hard Rock is lively and action-packed, Novotel is relaxed, spacious and ideal for families wanting a slower pace. The resort is beautifully spread out, with tropical gardens, a large swimming pool and plenty of room to unwind. There’s also a kids club, which is always a welcome addition when travelling with younger children.

One of the biggest advantages here is the accommodation. The resort offers spacious apartment-style rooms, making it particularly appealing for families. Having that extra living space can make a huge difference, especially on longer holidays when everyone needs a little room to spread out. The location is also incredibly convenient. There are supermarkets nearby, making it easy to pick up snacks, drinks and everyday essentials without relying on restaurants for absolutely everything.

Something that really stood out to us was the hospitality. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, Novotel goes above and beyond to make it memorable. We experienced this firsthand with a birthday celebration during our stay, and it’s those thoughtful little touches that make a resort experience feel extra special.
Just like Hard Rock, we also had the opportunity to enjoy a complimentary family photo shoot at Novotel, with one printed photo included. It’s another lovely way to capture some family memories while you’re away.

For us, this was the perfect way to finish our holiday. After the excitement of Kuta and our sightseeing adventures, Nusa Dua gave us the opportunity to slow down, relax and simply enjoy being together.

Good to know: During our stay, Novotel offered complimentary shuttle services to Bali Collection, a nearby shopping and dining precinct, as well as to the beach. It made getting around incredibly convenient.

6th birthday celebrations, thanks to Novotel Nusa Dua

Uluwatu: Spectacular Coastal Views

While staying in Nusa Dua, we also took a day trip to Uluwatu, located on Bali’s southern peninsula.
The highlight was visiting Uluwatu Temple, perched high on dramatic cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean.

The views are absolutely spectacular, with the ocean stretching out below and waves crashing against the coastline. It’s one of those places where you really appreciate just how beautiful Bali is beyond its beaches and resorts.

Exploring the temple grounds was a lovely opportunity to introduce the children to another side of Balinese culture while enjoying some incredible scenery. Uluwatu is a great addition to a family itinerary, particularly if you’re already staying in the southern part of Bali.

Good to know: Keep sunglasses, hats and other loose belongings secure around the temple, as the resident monkeys are known for being rather curious! Remember to dress respectfully, with sarongs provided where required.

Stunning view from Uluwatu Temple

Eating Out in Bali: Easy, Affordable & Family Friendly

One of the things that makes Bali such an appealing family destination is how affordable dining can be.
Whether you’re looking for traditional Balinese dishes at a local warung or familiar Western favourites, there are options to suit almost every taste and budget.

For adventurous eaters, there’s plenty to discover, from nasi goreng and satay to delicious local curries and Indonesian specialities. But if you’re travelling with fussy eaters, don’t worry! Pizza, pasta, burgers and other familiar dishes are widely available, particularly around the main tourist areas.

We found dining out to be very reasonably priced, making it easy to enjoy meals together without constantly worrying about the cost. And with so many restaurants offering beautiful views, tropical settings or poolside dining, even a simple lunch can become part of the holiday experience.

Good to know: One of the common questions I receive about travelling to Bali, particularly with children, is whether the tap water is safe to drink. The simple answer is that it’s best to avoid drinking tap water in Bali and stick to bottled or properly filtered drinking water. The good news is that both Hard Rock Hotel Bali and Novotel Bali Nusa Dua provided complimentary bottled drinking water in our rooms, replenished daily.

Our incredible Balinese meal in Seminyak

Making the Journey Home Easier: My Favourite Family Travel Tips

One of my biggest recommendations when travelling to Bali with children is to consider booking an airport hotel for your final day, particularly if you have a late-night flight home. Rather than checking out of your resort in the morning and spending hours trying to keep the kids entertained before heading to the airport, having a hotel room for the afternoon can make a world of difference. For our trip, we booked a family room at Hilton Garden Inn Bali Ngurah Rai Airport, checking in at around 3pm.
This gave us somewhere comfortable to relax, have a shower, freshen up, charge our devices and get organised before our flight home. After a holiday filled with swimming, sightseeing and Bali’s tropical heat, having that extra space was wonderful.

And as it turned out, it was an even better decision than we’d anticipated! Our flight home was initially delayed by seven hours, before eventually being cancelled altogether. We were rebooked onto another flight departing the following morning. Thankfully, having booked the airport hotel meant we were able to spend the additional time relaxing in our room rather than sitting around the airport with two tired children. While flight disruptions are never ideal, having somewhere comfortable to retreat to certainly made the experience a little easier. We were also able to claim our out-of-pocket expenses, which was a welcome relief after an unexpected change to our travel plans.

My travel tip: If your flight is significantly delayed or cancelled, keep all your receipts, check what assistance your airline is providing and contact your travel insurer if necessary. Don’t assume every expense will automatically be covered, as reimbursement depends on the circumstances and applicable policies.

Balinese dancers

Another Handy Tip: Pack a Powerboard!

One of my favourite little travel hacks is to pack a compact powerboard along with one suitable international travel adaptor. When you’re travelling as a family, there’s always something that needs charging. Between phones, tablets, watches and other electronics, finding enough power outlets can be a challenge. Having a powerboard means you can charge multiple devices from one outlet, without needing to carry several different travel adaptors.

We found this particularly useful at the airport, where charging points can be limited. Rather than searching for multiple available outlets, you can keep everyone’s devices charging together in one spot.
It’s such a simple thing to pack, but it makes travelling with children that little bit easier.

Good to know: Make sure your powerboard and adaptor are suitable for the local voltage and power limits, and check airport rules before using a powerboard at shared charging stations.

Cheeky Monkeys at Uluwatu Temple

Why Bali Works So Well for Families

After experiencing both Kuta and Nusa Dua, I genuinely think combining two different areas is a fantastic way to experience Bali with children. Kuta offers excitement, entertainment, shopping and plenty of activity, while Nusa Dua provides a more peaceful resort experience where everyone can recharge.

Add in a day or two exploring Bali’s beautiful countryside, traditional villages and temples, and you’ve got a holiday that offers much more than just swimming pools and beaches. What stood out most to me was how easy it was to create a holiday that suited all four of us. The children had their fun, we enjoyed beautiful scenery and cultural experiences, and there was still plenty of time to relax.

Bali can be as adventurous or as laid-back as you want it to be, and that’s exactly what makes it such a wonderful family destination. If you’re considering Bali for your next family getaway, I’d love to help you find the right combination of resorts, experiences and locations to suit your family.

Sometimes the best family holidays aren’t about packing in as much as possible. They’re about finding that perfect balance between exploring somewhere new, making memories and having time to simply enjoy being together.

Written by Danielle Jackson following her family break in Bali.