17 exciting family bonding activities in Bali for a smashing family time

Written By Jiayi Ng
Co-written and edited by Dawn Pillay

What do you do when you’re in Bali with the family, and you’re bored and on the lookout for a plethora of fun activities to bring the family to?

Also read:

24 fun things to do with kids in Bali that will bring out everyone’s inner child

The 5-minute family guide to Bali: Where to stay, eat and visit (and useful tips!)

Our Hard Rock Hotel Bali Review: How to party like rock stars with your best buddies

We aren’t kidding when we say that Bali has something for everyone. From huge recreation centres and tree top parks to a hot spring in the middle of the jungle – tons of fun and entertainment are waiting for you.

Read on to find out all about the 18 super fun family bonding activities waiting for you in Bali!

 

1. Experience the life of an astronaut – Upside Down House Indonesia

This house in Bali is exactly like how it’s named – gravity plays no role here as everything is upside down!

Here’s where you’ll be able to pretend to be an alien astronaut on Earth, “floating” around everyday living areas such as kitchens, bedrooms, and even toilets.

Photos via anggerkiboo, mr.taufik__, evha29_

Fly around what seems like a normal house and experience a (pretty weird but awesome) change of perspective. You’ll be surprised at how different a living room can seem when everything is turned on its head (literally).

Can you unclog a toilet without gravity holding you down? Although one wonders if a toilet would even need unclogging when everything is upside down… sorry.

Just make sure you bring a friend along when you explore the wonders of this museum. As much as selfie sticks have helped us in loner-dom, these loyal buddies won’t work here.

2. Playlands are always fun – Bali Fun World, Lollipops Playland

2-a. Kids Day Out – Lollipops Playland

Got kids in tow? Here’s a place your kids where kids have the most fun and you steer clear of over spending.

This entertainment center for kids aged 1 to ­14, and is no less than a mini­ paradise for toddlers. Just buy an unlimited pass for your child and be rest assured.

Photo via: madebuanaputra,Meiranastasia,Elizabethyolandaa

In a safe and fun environment, Lollipops playland packs in hours of fun-­filled activities that include climbing, jumping and pool activities.  Take a break at their café while your kids have their fun ­time at this all­-equipped play area.

Photo via: Greenday Ontheroad,Cloe and the Twins,Yana Markram

The center organises frequent events for kids ranging from Magic Shows and clay workshops to drawing and painting competitions with a kid-friendly atmosphere.

It’s non­stop fun with games and activities like Trampoline, Flying Fox, Cargo Net and even console games for the techie kids.

2-b. Where the old become young – Bali Fun World

When you go on a holiday as a family, it’s always hard to find something that both children and adults would like to do.

Photo via: Ayuutrisnaa

However, at Bali Fun World, that’s really all they offer – fun for both adults and children alike.

Photo via: Familylifebali

This 2000 square metre indoor entertainment centre offers a wide variety of facilities that aim to satisfy every visitor’s craving for excitement.

Watch your kids climb up the mini posts, zoom past in a car coaster, leap happily in a gigantic bouncy castle – or get down and loosen your hair with some football and gladiator fights!

Photo via: Winda Bali

The tech-savvy parent will also be delighted to know that the Playstation 2 and 3 are available in the Game room. Surely it’ll be ten times harder not to enjoy yourself in this funhouse.

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3. Enjoy family movie night at this raw food restaurant – Paradiso Ubud

A unique concept café in Ubud not only serves up vegan and vegetarian gastronomical delights at affordable rates, but also has an in­-house state-­of-­the-­art cinema that diners can enjoy.

The best thing about it all? You get your seats for free!

The restaurant plays some world class movies in their tastefully done, full­y equipped theater, that should please any cinema enthusiast across the world. The capacity of the hall is around 150 persons, so you can rest assured about getting seats easily.

If you’ve got a few idle hours to spend and just a few bucks in your pockets, check up the schedule at their Facebook page or website for the next screening and drop in!

Enjoy a sumptuous meal off their splendid menu that  features some fresh and healthy vegan options without compromising on taste. Also, spend time looking at the art in their art gallery and mingling with like-­minded folks. Sounds like the perfect evening plan, we’d say!

4. Walking the healthy way – Bali Herbal Walk

Got a green thumb and a penchant for health-related stuff? Come take a relaxing walk through the Bali ricefields, where you and the kids will learn about the various types of natural herbs that are beneficial for your health.

Photo via: Fabulous Ubud, Ffransisca Aangela

You’ll be brought through a 3 to 4 hour tour explaining the local rice-growing system as well as herbs, and at the end of it all, you’ll even get some herbal tea, drinks and a Balinese cake.

Photo via: Asia World Indonesia,Flowre Treats

Oh, and here’s one health tip for you to keep your feet in tiptop shape – wear comfortable shoes!

5. Splash it out! – Taman Segara Madu, New Kuta Green Park

5-a. A treat for the water babies – New Kuta Green Park

A fun and exciting water park in New Kuta, is just what are summer dreams are made of.

Spread across 5 hectares, this sprawling park property has over 12 main water range activities that are perfect for a whole day’s outing!

Photo via: Baliassist

Take a swishing dip into the pool with the water slides at the park, and there are over 17 of them you can try your hand at!

Photo via: Baliassist,Vacationbaliindonesia

For the lovers of tranquil relaxation, there are also floating activities amidst the natural environment that the park is nestled in! Try out the lazy river or the wave pool, or both, for that matter.

Crank up the fun level with other activities like paintballing and Bungee Trampoline. But, the sure hit is their Flying Fox, it’s something that you wouldn’t get at your regular water­parks and it’s definitely worth having a go at!

5-b. For the Michael Phelps wannabes – Taman Segara Madu

Water parks have always provided a thoroughly fun environment providing splashy entertainment suitable for all ages – and Taman Segara Madu is one of those great water parks perfect for swimming fanatics.

Photo via: Aprimanta,Laura Theux

Entrance tickets are sold at USD $1 (Rp. 20,000) for children, and $2 (Rp. 30,000) for adults. For a few dollars, you’ll get full access to the multiple slides available, along with the recreation centre’s full sized lap pool.

Yummy food is also available at Taman Segara Madu’s in-house restaurant, Warung Paon, so you won’t have to play on an empty stomach.

6. Take a Fun Class – Pondok Pekak Library & Learning Centre

Want to spend your family time by doing something meaningful and fun at the same time? Take an off-

Photo via: This travel Life

beat day out at Pondok Pekak Library and learn a skill for a lifetime.

Learn Balinese specialities like Fruit-carving and Jewellery -Making. Get to know about Balinese cultures by trying your hand at Balinese Dance and Balinese Painting.

Photo via: This travel Life

Better still, learn the Balinese language and take back a little of Bali’s culture with you when your trip is over. These are the skills that you and your kids can awe the people back home with when you return. All this, at affordable fees starting from USD $7!

Book nerds can enjoy the well­-stocked collections of books at the library for a day or borrow them at affordable rates.

7. Take a walk through the park – Bali Butterfly Park

Imagine looking at insects through a magnifying glass – we think that’s how things will feel like at Bali’s Butterfly Park, where butterflies and bugs are bigger than you ever knew.

Photo via: Jaylejey,Veneragn,Izzyoturner

As you walk through the park, you might even get to witness the birth of a baby butterfly if you’re lucky enough.

Photo via: Abbyth

Take the opportunity to give your kids a lesson on nature’s wonders, while enjoying the relaxing walk through the park.

8. Mid-life career crisis – Circus Workshop

Do your kids love to “clown around”? Maybe it’s time for the family to get some proper circus training at Bali Circus!

Bali Circus offers drop-in classes for foreigners – one day courses from which you can learn well-known circus acts such as diabolo, juggling and riding a unicycle.

Photo via: Indahkalalo

It’s great fun for kids and adults alike, and you’ll go away learning some cool party tricks!

(And after this, you won’t have to hire a clown for your kids’ next birthday party too.)

9. Cool kids only – Surf & Turf Surf Rider

Want to be a cool kid and ride the waves? You can now do so at Surf & Turf, a beach club and water attraction that also houses one of Bali’s first surf rider.

Photo via: Surfturf Bali

Surf those waves in the pool! Even if you haven’t got any surfing experience, don’t worry – experienced instructors are always on standby to help you out.

A video posted by TripCanvas (@tripcanvas.travel) on Apr 27, 2016 at 5:41am PDT

Video via: Inggridchan

If the kids need a quick lesson or 2, the instructors will be there to offer safe tips for the best surfing experience.

Just note that you have to have a minimum height of 133cm to get on the Flow Board, and 107 cm to get on the Body Board.

Photo via: Surfturf Bali

10. Eat more for the price of one – Pasar Sindhu (Sanur Night Market)

What better way to get to know the real Bali than by venturing into the thick of it in the thick of night? What better way to let your kids explore Bali than through its local treats?

Photo via: Cakethat

Pasar Sindhu is a well-known night market in Sanur that features rows and rows of local food stalls once the sky turns dark. Grilled or fried, chicken, lamb or fish – every craving of yours (and the family) can be settled here in a uniquely Balinese way.

But wait! “After all that shopping, we only have 20 dollars to spend”, the wrinkled bills in your purse scream. Well, guess what? Food at the night market can cost as cheap as USD $1 (Rp. 15,000) per serving – and we won’t be surprised if you still have some leftover change (and a pot belly) when you get home after.

11. Why choose one when you can have both – Big Tree Farms

More than the fact that it’s a chocolate haven for chocolate lovers, this chocolate factory is known for being the largest bamboo-made infrastructure in the world.

Photo via: Purejoy Academy

That’s right, it’s completely constructed out of bamboo!

You’ll be taken on a tour through the production processes in the factory, and even given a sampling of their cold-processed cacao.

Whether you’re there for the amazing architecture, fun learning experience for the kids, or simply the mouth-watering chocolate, we trust that you’ll go away satisfied.

 

12. Bird’s eye view – Bali Treetop Adventure Park

No thrillseeker will be able to refuse the temptation of walking among the clouds. Or at least, as close as you could possibly get.

Photo via: Jurogoje,Fashfash

Bali Treetop Adventure Park features circuits of different levels mapped throughout the trees in the area. From “easy peasy lemon squeezy” ones to “oh my god why” levels of thrill, this park has special adventures tailored for both the scaredy cat and the daredevil.

Photo via: Duiduidam

One thing’s for sure, the family is bound to have an unforgettably fun time here!

Photo via: Cathelijnex

13. Diversity in one place – Setia Darma House of Masks and Puppets

Of course, you’re here in Bali, so why would you go home without learning more about its fascinating culture, right?

One look at its name, and you’ll know that Setia Darma House of Masks and Puppets isn’t like its other museum counterparts, which can be heavy on the information and loaded with the boring.

Photo via: Club Runner Blob Core Windows

This museum features a collection of various Indonesian, African and Japanese masks and puppets, and also stages traditional dances and shadow puppet plays for its visitors.

Photo via: Dodijustisa, Cucinaitaliananoer,Amandaanyza

Fun for both the kids and adults alike, there’s nothing like taking in a little culture wherever your travel to.

Better yet, you’ll only have to pay nothing – best prices guaranteed.

14. Reconnect with nature – Campuhan Ridge Walk

If you’ve already gone through a few days of backbreaking fun and simply want to chill out, why not go for this soothing walk up the Campuhan Ridge? It doesn’t hurt that it also happens to be free.

Photo via: Thedreamerlab

This simple walk is suitable for people of all stamina levels. No rocky terrain, no cliffs to climb, just endless views of immeasurable beauty – which makes it perfect for both the young and old to have a simple and relaxing stroll.

Photo via: Alibrdy

That, and at the end of your journey, you’ll find a nice cafe where you can sit down, have a cool drink, and bask in the majesty of the nature all around you.

Photo via: Flyingfourchette

Just make sure you set out early before the sun rises, or you might not be able to see through the layers of sweat on your face. (Also, make sure to stock up on insect repellent to keep the mosquitos away!)

15. Unforgettable memory – Elephant Camp

Always wanted to get up close and personal with elephants? If so, this special excursion organised by True Bali Experience will be right up your alley.

Photo via: Loveandyouvideo

<h3On this unique tour, you and your kids will get to learn more about the gentle giants and watch them move around in the stunning surroundings.

You’ll even get to pose for a photograph with them before leaving – all these for the price of USD $19!

Photo via Fercastas

16. B1, B2 and the hungry monkeys – Sacred Monkey Forest

The Sacred Monkey Forest is one of the prime tourist destinations in Bali, and for good reason.

With the tranquil, scenic forest and a bunch of chatty and mysterious monkey guardians forming an interesting contrast, it’s no wonder that flocks of tourists come to this mysterious forest.

Photo via: Val Waters

Kids will enjoy watching the cheeky monkeys in their habitat. However, take note not to bring plastic bags, display stray pieces of food or wear hanging accessories if you don’t want to be accosted by a zealous monkey.

And if you’re planning to give the monkeys a good day by bringing along some bananas, take them out one by one to avoid a monkey ambush!

Photo via: Mikhail Perfilov

17. Relax in a hot spring within a jungle – Banjar Hot Springs

What? Hot springs again? Don’t worry, it’s an entirely different type of hot spring this time.

You’ve probably been in tons of pools overflowing with soothing hot spring water, but have you ever tried soaking yourself in the middle of a jungle?

Photo via: Aprilharpa

If you haven’t, this is the perfect opportunity for an adventurous family to try out new things.

This unique location on Bali’s north coast features a few hot springs that have been constructed in a garden right next to the forest. That’s some privacy, huh?

Photo via: Sancha Lys

If you’re worried about having to share the pool with other tourists,you can even pay an extra Rp. 10,000 (USD $0.70) for a private pool.

There, a private pool all to you and your family. The kids will definitely enjoy a ton of fun cannonballing into the hot springs!

Now you know, a family vacation in Bali will never be the same again, with these 18 fantastic things to do that will up the ante on the fun meter!

Know of other great family bonding activities available in Bali that should be included here? Let us know in the comments below!

PLEASE NOTE: All the above information is correct at the date of publication. If you come across any changes or updates, please let us know and we will update the information accordingly. Thank you! Tell us

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