Thinking Outside the Box on a Family Vacation to Bali

I'm a mom to three boys (ages 12, 10, and 8), and I truly believe that travelling with our children, regardless of where or how far, creates a strong family bond. Stepping away from our usual routine gives us the chance to reconnect, try new foods, make decisions or compromises, and share new experiences together. Of course, travel comes with its challenges such as navigating unfamiliar places, language barriers, flight delays or unexpected situations, but I’ve found that these moments teach the kids patience, and flexibility. 

Most importantly to my husband and I, travel opens their eyes to the world around them. It introduces them to different cultures, languages, ways of life, and perspectives. It helps them see that while people may live, speak, or look differently, many of us share the same human values. Travel nurtures empathy, breaks down stereotypes, and helps kids understand that the world is both diverse and deeply connected. So I encourage you to think outside the box when it comes to family vacations. Don’t only go to the usual destinations in the Caribbean or amusement parks. Rather, go further afield to discover rewarding family experiences in unusual spots, such as Bali, Indonesia. 

Why Bali is a great destination for family vacations.

Bali is a beautiful island in Indonesia. It’s known for its diverse landscape including lush tropical rainforests, vibrant rice terraces, towering volcanoes, and serene beaches. It’s an absolutely perfect natural playground for children and pre-teens, with many wonderful activities. In my opinion, the Balinese people and culture truly make this island like nowhere else on earth, and the perfect place for a family vacation. The Balinese way of life is centred on strong family bonds, deep spiritual rituals, and an unwavering sense of kindness, where community and connection are at the heart of daily existence. 

Bali is a well-established travel destination and as such makes for a great introduction to Asia. Its compact size makes it easy to explore, allowing you to include multiple destinations in one trip without spending more than a few hours on the road.  Bali has hotels and service levels to meet all budgets and expectations. There are many types of accommodations that are geared for family travel including connecting rooms, family rooms, and multiple bedroom villa options. Many accommodations also offer rooms with a private pool, which is fantastic when travelling with children. 

Restaurant and meal options are abundant and easy to navigate, even if your child is a picky eater. Many restaurants offer both western and Balinese cuisine, which is great if some family members are ready to indulge in local cuisine, but others would like to stay with something more familiar. English is widely spoken and understood across the island, making it easy to communicate and get around. It’s truly a perfect fit for a memorable vacation and an easy spot to explore with family. 

Top things to do with the family on Bali.

There are a lot of activities in Bali that are perfectly suited to families: 

Hike Mt. Batur at Sunrise

This is an incredible adventure for nature lovers and a good option for tweens. (You just have to make sure everyone is OK with waking up early.) The hike is moderate and typically starts around 4am and lasts approximately 1.5-2 hours to hike 4.8 km (3 mi). Watching the sunrise over the clouds with views of Lake Batur and Mount Agung is magical. It feels great to have accomplished this together as a family. 

Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest

This nature reserve and temple complex that’s home to over 1,200 long-tailed macaques. 

Visit Iconic Temples

You can choose between the iconic sea temple Uluwatu, the mother temple Besakih, and another sea temple Tanah Lot temple. These temples are fascinating and offer a great way to learn about Balinese culture and spiritual beliefs. 

Join Local Classes

If your kids like international food, visit a local market and join a cooking lesson so you can make Balinese food back home. Or head to one of the many beaches to learn to surf. 

Stay Active

Cycle through rice fields and rural towns. Go snorkelling off the beaches. Hike to waterfalls. There are a lot of options to stay active and occupied as a family. 

Tips for Planning a Family Vacation

While it’s rewarding to travel abroad with your family, it does require some extra care and attention. Involve the children in the planning of the trip. Right from the start, get them involved in the discussions on where and why to go to a specific destination. Get input from each family member about what is important to them and what are some of the things that they really would like to see and do during the trip. It's also a great opportunity to get children to understand that as a family you are working within a budget for the trip, and explain why specific hotels or activities they recommend might not be feasible. 

This is also key: don't over plan the itinerary.  In my experience travelling with children, it is important to slow the itinerary down and ensure there is some unplanned time each day.  Enjoying a late breakfast, spending time by the pool, or enjoying some quiet time to read or take in surroundings are all fun and important parts of a family trip. If you include multiple cities or destinations on your itinerary, I recommend spending at least three nights in each before moving on to give you the needed leisure time to make the trip extra special (and less stressful). 

There are so many wonderful places around the world to explore with your family. But it pays special dividends to go about it thoughtfully with the help of a travel expert and the input of the entire family.