So you’ve now forked out for the flights and the accommodation for the well-deserved family getaway. It’s now time to make sure that the whole family has a great time once you actually get there, but without breaking the bank! Bali is known for its affordable tropical holiday for anyone, whether it be groups of friends or families. It’s such a versatile island. There’s so much for those that want a fun filled active experience, yet there are so many options for those that want to take time out to just zen and relax!
I’ve put together my Top 6 Activities that you can do with your kids that are either FREE or under $10AUD that will help with keeping them entertained and hopefully keep from them sending you crazy on the island of paradise!
I’d love to hear of any more tips and places you love to take your kids.
Give these a try:
SUNDAY FUNDAY KIDS AT KUDETA
This iconic beachfront venue which luckily for us is situated right next door to the Saudara Villas devotes Sunday mornings to the little travellers of Bali. It’s Family Fun Day and they have ramped up the child-friendly theme with a special kids menu, jumping castle, arts and crafts and fun activities. It's a great change for you to have a swim at the beach or a paddle in the pool whilst the kids are entertained for hours. Kudeta opens at 8am on Sundays and the Kids Activities run between 11am–3pm. Can I make a suggestion that whilst the kids are getting creative in the crafts area…..that you grab yourself the cocktail menu and order yourself a Vanilla Passion Foam! Once you’ve tried it, you’ll absolutely understand why I’ve suggested it!
Address: Jl. Kayu Aya No.9, Seminyak
Cost: FREE Activities (it’s just the food and drink you’ll need to cover)
UPSIDE DOWN WORLD
Want to capture some really cool photos? Upside Down World offers just what the name suggests: an upside down playground!. The kids will absolutely love walking on the ceiling and laughing at the beds, breakfast tables, toilets and more that seem to defy gravity!
Although its aimed at the kids, this place has become a magnet for the adults as well and provides some incredibly fun photo opportunities for the whole family!
Address: Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai No. 726, Denpasar Cost: Adults IDR 100,000($10AUD) + Kids IDR 50,000($5AUD)
MAKE YOUR OWN PIZZA AT DAMARIA
This cool sleek venue in Seminyak is a fun night for all. Incredible Italian food(you must try the gnocchi), but also a clever marketing element to the restaurant by allowing the kids to make their own pizzas! This activity is available daily from 5pm until 6.30pm. The Mickey-Mouse shaped pizzas have been creating a stir of Facebook and really giving kids a great reason to behave at the dinner table. Whilst you sip back on your limoncello, the kids get to head to the kitchen with some of the DaMaria Staff to create their own dinner for the evening. The price of the pizza is charges as per the menu, but the activity itself is free!
Address: Petitenget Street No.170 Kerobokan Bali
Cost: 55,000IDR)$5.50AUD) for the cost of the pizza as per the menu, with the activity itself being free!
BABY SEA TURTLE RELEASE
The Kuta beach Sea Turtle Conservation Program is a not-for-profit program that aims to protect sea turtles and their habitat to raise public awareness regarding on sea turtle protection. Sea turtle nesting season on Kuta Beach is from March to September each year, while hatching season is from April to October each year. They will release the baby sea turtle the day after they hatch from the nest. It’s a FREE activity and just a perfect opportunity to teach kids about nature and the importance of preserving the environment!
You'll need to collect a Token/ticket for baby turtle release from the Kuta Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center at 4pm. The Token will entitle you to release 1 baby turtle. The number of baby turtles are limited, so make sure you get there before 4pm and queue for token. Everyone is invited to come and watch the turtle release. For this activity its best to follow them on Facebook as they will keep this updates in terms of when and if releases will take place on the following day https://www.facebook.com/baliseaturtlesociety/
Address: Kuta Beach Time : Normally gathering at 4.30pm and release at 5:00pm Open for public but children will be prioritise to release the turtle.
Cost: It’s free but a donation is welcomed!
PIRATES BAY ADVENTURE DAY
Pirates Bay is a great visit if you plan on spending a day or even a few nights in the Nusa Dua Area. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Seminyak. This beachfront restaurant located in Nusa Dua lets kids live out their real life movie fascinations like that of Hook or Peter Pan. Pirates Bay is an open-air dining venue housing a giant pirate ship and elaborate bamboo treehouses. You can dine in one of the amazing treehouses, settle for a beachfront table out on the sand – or even request a seat inside that gorgeous ship! The menu offers a mix of local and western food and a kids’ menu is also available. Although the venue is marketed as a paradise for kids they offer a whole lot of ambiance for the grownups as well with campfires and live music floating through the tropical night. If you want more of the pirate, treasure hunts for loot and flying foxes. You can pay IDR 50,000 per person to just to enter the park and use the facilities on offer, otherwise with the purchase of food and drinks for the family, the entrance fee is waived.
Address: The Bay Bali, ITDC area, Lot C-0, Nusa Dua Cost: Entry 50,000IDR($5) or free with the purchase of meals that start from IDR 27,500($2.70AUD)
Making Traditional Hindu Offerings
This is an activity we do at the villa a lot with the kids that stay with us. Our staff will make offerings on a daily basis which are the small little yellow baskets you see with bright coloured little treats inside. It is called 'Canang Sari' and usually is a small basket woven from palm or banana leaves and includes flowers, oils, salt, money and cookies. Balinese people are a really harmonic and they always like to show the same representation to their gods. They have two ways to try of living in harmony: Ask the good for assistance and appease the evil. For this reason, you can find the Canangs on all possible conflict points such as crossroads or bridges, but also in front of shops, in shops, houses, cars, hotels, temples and also on the beach. You will see loads on the sidewalks so make sure you step very carefully and almost all shopkeepers have little offerings outside their shops. Women all over Bali make offerings throughout the day, and if you get chatting to them they are sure to show you how too. Kids love to create things and learning how to make beautiful offerings and fill them with flowers. Ask the staff at your accommodation to include your kids in the process! They'll love it!
