Family Fun Ubud
Ubud with kids….
When looking for things to do in Ubud with kids, you will find some adventurous and educational activities. We have had so much fun in this part of Bali, Ubud with kids should be on everyone’s list! What to do in Ubud with family really depends on your interests, from animal encounters, to art class, from giant swings to Ubud kids club, there is plenty to do and see.
Campuhan Ridge Walk
This walk through rice fields has been popular on Instagram in recent years, nevertheless it makes for a nice stroll away from motorbikes and cars. There is a starting point in town and an end point 25 minutes walk away (it makes for a 40-50 minute round trip if you go to the end and back).
If you are heading to Jungle Fish Pool and Restaurant the road finishes near to there, so your driver can drop you at the start in town and collect you at the end close to Jungle Fish. The starting point in town is at Warwick IbahVillas and Spa. There is a sign to the walk from the hotels main entrance on Jalan Raya Ubud.
Jungle Fish Pool & Restaurant
Swim and dine in style in the Jungle! This pool and restaurant is basically like a deluxe beach club, without the beach. Here you pay for entry and a towel and relax to music and great food and drinks pool side. Families are welcome too. It is a 10 minute drive north from the center of Ubud and a nice way to spend the day or afternoon.
The Monkey Forest
It wouldn’t be a guide to Ubud without mention of the Monkey Forest. Here you will find some beautiful old trees, and carvings at the base of Ubud town center and monkeys of course! It is the nature reserve and Hindu temple setting that make the forest sacred. We do not personally recommend feeding the monkeys or even planning to interact so much. It is a popular experience for children, but be sure to hang on to your sunglasses and phones and don’t keep food in the pram as they are curious!
White Water Rafting
There are several companies offering White Water Rafting experiences on the Agung River, at the edge of Ubud. Prices range from $30-$60 and most companies provide a basic lunch, insurance and transfers as well. We work with Mason and can arrange the tour for our guests. Also popular are Mega Rafting and Sobek. They finish is at the same point (Sobek finishes left of the river, Mega rafting on the right). All of these established companies have life jackets and helmets for children. Be aware that you have to walk many steps down to the River and back up again but for those after adventure, it’s all part of the journey. There are family packages and rafting is recommended for children from 5 years and above, our boys really love the adventure.
Bicycle Tours
Bicycle is a great way to feel like a local and explore Ubud. Again there are so many companies offering tours, so feel free to shop around. We recommend a few well established companies, and can help you arrange a private bicycle tour from your Villa anywhere in Bali on request. The latest thing is electric bike tours in Ubud, which are also a great idea. The e-bikes are recommended for 12+ years or someone with a good handle on riding.
With our partner bicycle company Tandem bicycles and kids size bikes can be arranged on request as well as child seats on the back of Mums and Dads.
E-bike Tours are either morning or afternoon (3 hours) and the bicycle tours tend to be a little longer.
Please see our partner tours & activities here : Bali Family Villas Suggested Day Tours
Titi Batu Pool Club
This community club is the premier Ubud Gym, Fitness and Family Community in the Cultural Heart of Bali.
The idea at Titi Batu Ubud Gym and Club is to connect people from all walks of life through Community, Family, and Sports.
Titi Batu Ubud Gym and Club offers activities for everyone with a fantastic skate park, basketball courts, outdoor children playground, table tennis, table football, billiards, swimming pool, restaurant and spa. This is a fantastic place to relax and hang out for the day. The kids can run about and play freely and parents can relax. The food is great and the atmosphere very relaxed. They also host music event, twilight movies and markets.
Open to day pass guests with entry fee and food & beverage credit.
Hours: 7 am – 10 pm Daily
Teba Sari Coffee Plantation
This sweet little coffee and cacao plantation is only 15 minutes from central Ubud and a lovely place to visit. As you arrive a staff member will walk you through the plantation and see cacao, coconut, tea, bananas and spices growing. You can also see the Luwak animal used to create the famous coffee. Kids can see how the process works and have a go at roasting and grinding coffee beans. Once at the restaurant there is a complimentary tasting of several teas, cacao and coffee from around Indonesia, set overlooking a beautiful rice field. Of course there is also a little shop on site where you can buy chocolate, tea and coffee.
It’s a sweet little outing in nature and the mini tour takes around 15 minutes with minimal walking for little legs. A cup of the famous Luwak coffee will set you back around $5. The Teba Sari group also have a lovely restaurant around ten minutes away, you can visit located in Lodtunduh village with bamboo eating pavilions above a waterway and surrounded by nature.
Sari Api Ceramics Studio
Located just north of the town centre this sweet art studio has a lovely atmosphere for adults and children to be creative and have some fun. With half day and full day ceramics workshops available for small groups, and a lovely children class each Saturday morning which welcomes drop in kids. The pieces made in the kids class can’t be shipped and take three weeks to properly finish, so you can take your natural clay piece home with you on the day or go along just for the fun of it! It’s a great chance to get messy and mix with some other children in Ubud. For workshops classes, pieces can be shipped home for you with prices ranging from $50-$80 by sea mail. The studio is run by Swisse resident Suzanne, who is relaxed and lovely.
Taro Elephant Park
This is the only dedicated Elephant Park in Bali where you can see, feel, bathe, wash, ride and feed elephants set among lush tropical botanical gardens. Now owned and operated by the Mason group there are several experiences and entry packages available. We understand the park to be well managed and the animals well cared for, it is of course up to the individual how you feel about zoos and riding elephants. The drive from Ubud to the park is around 40 minutes north and it is beautiful scenery and within traditional villages. Also near by is a small chocolate factory if you would like to make a whole day of it! This is a popular attraction for families in Ubud.
Cultural Performance
The Ubud Royal Palace is one of the most prominent places in Ubud, as it is smack-dab on the main Jalan Raya Ubud road and intersection.
It is also home to the nightly Balinese music and dance performances. Check the schedule to see what is on, but the kids love the fire dance and the masks and performances to music of all kinds. It is a great cultural experience for all ages. The dances are held everynight at 730pm and to secure a seat you might like to get there earlier. Tickets are approximately $10 and can be arranged easily through your accommodation or from the ticket booth on the street near the palace.
Waterfall Visit
Tegenungan waterfal is one of the many touristy places in Bali, but perhaps for good reason. Tegenungan waterfall lies at Tegenungan Village, approx. 5 kilometers, south east of Ubud. For many kids the idea of hiking through the jungle to a hidden waterfall and taking a cooling swim is a lot of fun!
Beneath the waterfall itself, tourists are welcome to swim in the lagoon-like pool that forms at the base of the falls (please discern whether you think it’s the right day for a swim, as the waterfall is particularly strong after heavy rains).
If you’re not game to take a dip you can bathe in the holy spring water that trickles alongside the waterfall. The water runs from bamboo pipes into small streams below; wash your face and your head three times each and feel your worries fade away.
The waterfall is located south-east of Ubud, about a 20 minute drive from the centre of the hood. There are a few touristy shops as you walk towards the jungle. and a decent descent on your way down to the falls, but it ok for the average fitness level and active children under parent supervison. The earlier you get there, the more secluded the falls and of course be careful after heavy rains.
Cooking Tours
Ubud is a great place to try a family cooking class, which often take place in a traditional Balinese compound and a trip to the market to buy some local produce. See trip advisor for reviews on many small operators. Casa Luna has been around for many years and is tried and tested, althouh not specifically for children, they are welcome.
Payuk Bali Cooking Class is run by local experience Balinese Chef Ketut Budi, where avid foodie travellers can unlock the secrets of Balinese cuisine from the comforts of a local traditional home! Learn how to make traditional Balinese coffee, coconut oil and whatnot. No prior experience is required and everyone is welcome!
Hujan Locale combine cycling, market and cooking into a fabtastic day exploring Ubud and surrounds. Take your pick!
TIRTA EMPUL Water Temple
Although a place of worship and Hindu prayer, the water temple is still available to families. We love it because it’s a great mix of local families and tourists sharing in their ritual. The water feels clean and refreshing once in the pools and children and adults need to follow the system of one small waterfall to the next along the line.
You can hire sarongs and sashes on arrival and be sure to follow etiquette and change in the change rooms provided or arrive with clothes you are prepared to get wet in. Most men wear a sarong and sash and women wear a sarong, sash and t-shirt. Children can wear shorts and a t-shirt.
If you watch how the locals do it they move from the water source furthest to the left and they say a prayer as they wet their head at each. Each fountain of holy spring water has a different meaning. The last two fountains are reserved for the dead so you leave them out. It is also a nice temple compound in the mountains to simply explore on foot if bathing is not your thing.
Photo credit to Travel Mad Mum who shares a great blog on travel in Bali with kids too
Learn and interact at Pondok Pekak Library
For a quieter stop over with the children in Ubud, visit the Pondok Pekak Library and Learning Centre in Sebelah Timur Lapangan. The library holds a selection of children’s books in English and Bahasa Indonesia that are written by both local and foreign authors.
The library is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. The lessons on offer are for both adults and children and include Balinese Dance, Music, Wood Carving, Fruit Carving, Balinese Offering Making, Jewelery making and Painting. Parents can stay and enjoy the classes with their kids, or if the children are a bit older, the parents can drop off and then head out for a coffee. You can contact through their facebook page to see what is on offer or phone ahead.
Located on Jalan Monkey Forest Ph: +62 361 976194
Ubud Indoor Playground Bali Fun World
The best indoor playground in the Ubud area is Bali Fun World. This can be a good opportunity for kids to let of some steam and interact with other children from all over. On a wet or really humid day this can be a great idea. Located in the Sukawati area which is around 30 minutes by car south of Ubud.
Souvenirs & Swings at Tegalanglang Rice Fields
Tegallalang is a district in the Gianyar Regency, located around 10 km north of Ubud with its terraced and emerald green rice fields becoming a tourist attraction for the area.
The Ubud swing craze has created several places for a photo opportunity on a swing. Please assess the safety of swings and enjoy at your own discretion.
If you or your kids love souvenirs, or interesting bits and pieces then head to Tegalalang rice fields and check out the small handicraft shops that offer colorful collectables. Just the scenery itself makes this trip worth it, with stunning views over the rice field valleys. The rice fields go through changes with the harvest so it may not always look as green as on Instagram but it is a nice rural journey all the same.
