The Indonesian island of Bali is the perfect travel destination for families. The island is packed with opportunities for families to learn Bali facts, and also full of amazing cities to visit, like Ubud. We spent time in Ubud in 2019, and loved experiencing all the things to do in Ubud for kids.

During part of my time in Ubud, I partnered with Global Family Travels, a tour company based out of Seattle, USA, to experience Balinese culture. They lead family-friendly tours in countries around the world, as well as in the Seattle area.

I joined them on an experience focused on learning about the culture of Bali and engaging in service while in Bali with kids.

This post was originally published on October 23, 2019.

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Highlighted tours in Ubud for kids and families

Where to stay in Ubud for kids and families

During our one month in Ubud, we stayed at a beautiful Airbnb north of Ubud. But during our short stints in Ubud, we stayed at Sarin Ubud Suites and Suparsa’s Homestay, both of which only have 2-person rooms available (so we had to book to rooms for our family). We loved both those places and highly recommend them if you’re comfortable with letting your kids stay in their own separate rooms.

However, if you’re looking for where to stay in Ubud with kids that can fit the whole family in one room, here are some highly rated places in Ubud for kids and families to consider. 

Swahita

Located north of Jalan Ubud Raya (one of Ubud’s main roads), Swahita boasts a full-service spa and outdoor pools - perfect for a relaxing stay in Ubud for kids and families! Bike rentals are available for families. And breakfast and airport transfers are also available for a fee.

Rooms at Swahita can accommodate families of up to 4 people. Rollaway beds are available for a fee if you need to fit more people into the room. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, WiFi, TV, and a balcony. Families will enjoy sitting outside their room taking in the views of coconut trees and greenery!

Sri Ratih Cottages

If you’re looking for a relaxing visit to Ubud for kids and families, consider staying at Sri Ratih Cottages. Your stay at Sri Ratih Cottages comes with a complimentary massage! How great is that? The hotel also has an outdoor pool, and offers bike rentals, breakfast, and airport transfers (for a fee).

Families can book the family suite, which can accommodate 4 people. The rooms come with a satellite TV, DVD player, WiFi, coffee/tea maker, and a balcony. Some rooms have connecting rooms available. Also, cribs are available for families visiting Ubud with toddler aged kids. Sri Ratih Cottages is located on the west side of Ubud.

Murni’s House and Spa

Another option for pampering yourself is to stay at Murni’s House and Spa. While we haven’t yet stayed at Murni’s House and Spa, we did eat at Murni’s Warung (owned by the same family). We absolutely loved the food, and the decor at the restaurant, and I can imagine that the same level of hospitality and service exists at Murni’s House and Spa.

Rooms at Murni’s House and Spa can accommodate families of 4-5 people. The rooms include air conditioning, coffee/tea maker, WiFi, and a balcony, and some have a connecting room option. Breakfast, airport transfer, and access to a nearby health club are available for a fee. There’s an indoor pool onsite, as well as a children’s pool.

Learn more about the Bali by reading my Bali posts here.

Our top 15 kid friendly activities in Ubud for kids

During our time in Ubud, we tried to immerse ourselves in Balinese culture while doing all the things to do in Ubud for kids. While visiting the touristy Bali Ubud attractions have been fun, the activities in Ubud Bali we’ve enjoyed the most have been focused mainly on learning how locals live.

In addition to the activities we did with Global Family Travels, we did a few activities of our own in Ubud for kids. There are so many options for what to do in Ubud with kids. But we really tried to explore activities that were cultural or specific to Ubud. That helped make our Bali experience truly special and unique! 

For those of you looking for ways to experience Balinese culture on your next visit to Ubud with kids, here are fifteen of our top things to do in Ubud that are perfect for families.

1. Take a private Balinese culture class in Ubud for kids

While we were with Global Family Travels, we learned that Balinese culture is based on the concept of Tri Hita Karana, the three causes of goodness. For Balinese, life is about the balance between the spirit, nature, and community. All the activities we’ve done in Ubud with kids have focused on at least one of these elements.

As part of our Bali experience with Global Family Travels, we took some short classes in Balinese culture. These classes include learning how to make a traditional Hindu offering (known as a canang) and learning some Balinese dance movements. 

Taking a cultural class is a must if your time is limited to 3 days or fewer. If you’re looking for cultural classes to include in your 3 days in Ubud itinerary, book one of these classes in Ubud for kids and families:

Silver jewelry making class

Bali Fruit Carving Class

Discover Traditional Techniques of Keliki Painting Style

Private Tour: Ubud Day Tour with Traditional Offering Lesson

2. Learn about traditional masks at a wood carving workshop 

One of Bali’s lasting cultural traditions is wood carving. You can see it in the beautiful doors, furniture, and sculptures throughout the island. 

As part of our Bali experience with Global Family Travels, we took a wood carving workshop with a Balinese carver. During the workshop, the carver showed us how to use chisels and hammers to carve out designs on wood. It’s an intricate process, and a complex traditional Balinese door can take months to carve! 

We had a chance to carve parts of our own names on wood. That process took us close to 30 minutes for just a few letters!

And during the end of our week with Global Family Travels, we also learned about mask making, and even took home our own mask! It was a great way to expose ourselves to the rich culture that exists in Bali.

While you’re in Ubud with kids, take some time to do some wood carving of your own! Here’s a mask making class in Ubud for kids and families that you can book during your trip:

Wood Carving Class

3. Take a batik class in Ubud with kids

My family loves doing arts activities. One of the activities in Ubud for kids that we did with Global Family Travels was to take a batik class with Deking Batik. I had previously done a few batik classes in Yogyakarta, so I was excited to refine my skills in wax print.

Batik is a big part of Balinese culture. During our batik lesson, we traced wax designs onto the fabric. And we also added paraffin wax to create additional texture in the design before dyeing it a color of our choice. 

Here’s a batik class in Ubud for kids and families that you can take during your trip to Ubud with kids. It’s offered by Five Art Studio:

Create your own handmade Batik painting

4. Take additional cultural classes in Ubud for kids at Pondok Pekak Library

If you’re looking for additional cultural classes in Ubud for kids, head to the Pondok Pekak Library. This is a nonprofit organization based in Ubud that offers books to borrow, as well as classes.

Families interested in cultural things to do in Ubud with kids can take classes in painting, silver jewelry making, dancing, and Balinese gamelan. My children took a painting class at Pondok Pekak Library and really enjoyed the opportunity to do some artistic expression. The library is open from 9am to 5pm Mondays through Saturdays.

5. Learn how to cook Balinese food with classes in Ubud for kids and families

During our walks in Ubud, we passed a restaurant called Dicarik Warung, that offers Balinese cooking classes. Set among the rice paddies on the Juwuk Manis trail, Dicarik Warung is a great setting to take a cooking class and enjoy an afternoon meal. It was by far one of our favorite activities in Ubud for kids!

During our cooking class, we made a turmeric drink, Balinese satay, chicken meatballs, and also dessert! At the time that we did the classes, they cost Rp. 300,000 (roughly $21 USD) per person, and last about two and a half hours. Dicarik Warung doesn’t have a website, but you can message them through their Facebook page for their class schedule. 

For those with a limited 3 days Ubud itinerary, taking a cooking class is a great way to get a feel for Balinese culture, and have a delicious meal! If you want to try other cooking classes during your time in Ubud with kids, consider one of these:

Subak cooking class and Market Tour

Bali Ubud Paon Cooking Class

Balinese Cooking Class at Mai Organic Farm

Jambangan Bali Cooking Class

6. Sample Balinese cuisine at Green Kubu Cafe (and enjoy family-friendly Ubud activities too!)

The way to our family’s heart is through food, and Ubud has no shortage of great places to eat! If you’re looking for authentic local Balinese cuisine in Ubud for kids and families, I suggest making a trip out to Green Kubu Cafe. 

Green Kubu is located north of Ubud in Tegalalang, in the middle of rice paddies! It’s one of our favorite kid friendly restaurants in Ubud that we recommend to families visiting Ubud with kids.

At Green Kubu you can sample Balinese dishes like Satay Ayam (chicken satay) or Bakmi Ayam (chicken soup with egg noodles). My kids love the various smoothies and juices you can order.

And after your meal, you can walk around the grounds, have your kids play in the playground, or take a ride on their big swing (it’s a fraction of the cost of some of the other Bali swings, and just as fun!). Green Kubu is a great option for things to do in Ubud with kids.

7. Do some cultural Ubud activities with a tour at a royal palace

While there is no longer a king in Bali, there are still princes and princesses who live in Bali! One of the fun experiences in Ubud with kids you can do is to tour a royal palace and learn about how the traditional Balinese homes are structured. 

The Ubud Royal Palace, known as Puri Saren Palace, is open for tours to the public and is a nice cultural activity to do in Ubud for kids. But the nearby Peliatan Palace, in the neighboring village of Peliatan is also available for tours. We visited this palace with Global Family Travels and had a chance to meet a real prince!

8. Watch a dance performance

At the Ubud royal palace, as well as other places throughout Ubud, you can watch a traditional Balinese dance performance. This is one of my favorite activities in Ubud for kids to experience. And it’s a must if you only have time to spend 2 days in Ubud Bali.

Within Balinese culture, dance is an important part of Hindu ceremonies at the temples. The dance is often accompanied by a traditional percussion ensemble called a gamelan. The gamelan sets the rhythm and mood for the dance, with its frenetic beats and multi-layered melodies. It’s such an iconic part of the Bali experience, and a must-see if you’re visiting Ubud with kids.

9. Do some activities in Ubud for kids with a walk among the rice paddies

Another iconic part of Bali are the rice paddies. The most famous rice paddies around Ubud are the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, located north of the city. But if you want a rice paddy experience without the crowds, head to the Juwuk Manis rice fields walk, just off of Jalan Kajeng in central Ubud. 

We walked along this walking route as part of an herbal walk we took with Global Family Travels. The walk was led by a local company called Nadis Herbal, and we got to learn all about the local herbs that Balinese use in their cuisine and medicines. 

The herbal walk offered by Nadis Herbal costs Rp. 300,000 (roughly $21 USD) per person. They last about two and a half hours. 

You can also just do the Juwuk Manis rice paddy walk on your own if you’re visiting Ubud with kids that aren’t able to sit through a two and a half-hour tour. This is a great low-key option to add if you’re trying to fill a 4 day Ubud itinerary. The entrance to the Juwuk Manis trail (called the Sweet Orange walk trail in Google Maps) is located just west of the Puri Saraswati, more commonly known as the Ubud Water Palace.

10. Hike along the Campuhan Ridge Walk

For families visiting Ubud with kids and who love experiencing outdoor activities, a hike along the Campuhan Ridge Walk is a must. Campuhan Ridge Walk is a paved walkway in the west side of Ubud, that goes along fields and hills. On the map, you can find it as Jalan Bangkiang Sidem. 

The best time to go on the walk is in the early morning, as the heat of the sun can get pretty brutal in the afternoon. But if you end the walk back in Ubud, you can head over to Murni’s Warung on Jalan Raya Ubud. (As I mentioned, this is the same owners as Murni's House and Spa that I mentioned above!)

Murni’s Warung is one of our favorite restaurants in Ubud for kids and families because it offers multiple levels of seating areas. So you can pick a table that’s a bit more tucked away from other restaurant goers and let your kids be more relaxed.

11. Visit the Tegenungan Waterfall

Another popular thing to do in Ubud for kids and families is to visit Tegenungan Waterfall. This waterfall is located southeast of Ubud, and is one of the largest waterfalls in Bali. Travelers like to come to this Bali Ubud waterfall because it offers beautiful views of the surrounding jungle. But you can also take a swim in the water too. 

If your kids are going to be going in the water, make sure they are strong swimmers as the water current can get strong. Alternatively, your little ones can wade in the shallower parts, away from the actual waterfall. If you plan to do some climbing, make sure you use caution as the rocks can get slippery.

There are also plenty of other waterfalls located around Ubud that aren’t as busy as Tegenungan Waterfall. If you want to visit other waterfalls during your time in Ubud with kids, book this tour:

Bali Waterfalls in One Day: Tukad Cepung, Hidden Waterfall, Tibumana, Kanto Lampo

12. Spend an afternoon at animal parks in Ubud for kids

If you have more time to spend in Ubud with kids, consider taking an afternoon to visit one of the animal parks around Ubud. This is one of the more touristy things to do with kids in Ubud, but it can still be fun and educational.

You’ll need to arrange for a driver, as the animal parks are outside of the city. Some animal parks that are fun to visit in Ubud for kids include:

1. Bali Bird Park - located just south of Ubud, this animal park is full of exotic birds

2. Bali Reptile Park - this is an animal park near Bali Bird Park that showcases reptiles 

3. Bali Zoo - located south of Ubud, this zoo features lions, primates, small mammals, birds, and reptiles

4. Bali Butterfly Park - this Ubud butterfly park is located west of the city, and features a variety of butterflies and insects

13. Walk through the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary 

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a habitat for Balinese long-tailed macaques. The first time I went to the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud was in 2004, and I remember being surprised at how freely the monkeys roamed through the sanctuary. But I later learned that it’s part of the culture.

Within Balinese mythology, monkeys play a prominent role. The monkey god, Hanuman, is a central character to the Hindu epic, The Ramayana, and you will often see Hanuman statues around Ubud. There are a few Balinese temples within the forest, and you might occasionally come across a ceremony while you’re visiting there.

The Ubud monkey forest is a popular place to visit in Ubud for kids and families. I visit the Ubud monkey forest every time I’m in Ubud with kids! 

It is open every day from 9am to 6pm. Tickets are Rp. 80,000 (roughly $5 USD) for adults and Rp. 60,000 (roughly $4 USD) for kids on Mondays to Fridays. The price is Rp. 100,000 (roughly $6) for adults and Rp. 80,000 (roughly $5 USD) for kids on Saturdays and Sundays. If you’re looking for activities to include in a 3 day Ubud itinerary, this place is a must!

14. Visit a water temple in Ubud with kids

Water is life in Bali. It’s what helps the rice grow, which in turn feeds the population of Bali. In fact, the Balinese continue to use a centuries old irrigation system called subak that brings water from the mountain springs to the far reaches of the island.

At the base of the water sources are water temples, the most famous of which is Tirta Empul. The water temples provide holy water to help Balinese purify themselves during worship. And if you’re looking for a cultural experience to have in Ubud for kids, visiting a water temple is a good one to have.

During our tour with Global Family Travels, we visited Pura Mengening, a smaller water temple located near Tirta Empul. We had a chance to learn about Hindu prayers at the temple, and our guide also led a prayer for us. Similar to my experience visiting Pura Lempuyang, it was so moving to take part in this ritual and learn about another religion.

However, if you do want to visit the more popular Bali Ubud temple, Tirta Empul, and experience a water ceremony during your time in Ubud with kids, you can book this tour: 

Bali Tour: Spiritual Cleansing and Shamanic Healing

15. Enhance your Ubud activities with a ride out to nearby villages

Another one of the Ubud activities we enjoy doing as a family is riding around the villages outside of Ubud on our scooters. Riding of the small roads, past houses and shops, you can really get a glimpse of what Bali life is like, away from the buzz of Ubud. But if you’re not comfortable with riding scooters during your time in Ubud with kids, you can get a similar experience by taking a bike tour.

As part of our tour with Global Family Travels, we did a bicycle tour through the small roads near Tegalalang with Greenbike Adventure. During the bike ride, we stopped by a traditional Balinese house to experience local Balinese culture from a village perspective. And we also rode through traditional rice paddies. I was definitely channeling my inner Julia Roberts from the movie, Eat, Pray, Love!

Our bike tour was a modified version of their regular Kintamani Downhill Cycling Tour. These tours usually cost Rp. 550,000 (roughly $30 USD) per person. Bicycles and helmets are included, even for kids. There’s a van that rides down behind the bicycles during the ride, so young kids can take part in the tour as well. 

Book this bike tour in Ubud for kids from Greenbike Adventure:

Half Day Cycling Tour

Bonus: Enjoy fun activities in Ubud for kids at Titi Batu

If you’re looking to connect with other families while you’re visiting Ubud with kids, head over to Titi Batu Ubud Club. It’s a restaurant, gym, coworking space, swimming pool, and community center all in one place!

The club offers dance, fitness, and swimming classes in Ubud for kids and families. There is also a skate park that offers classes for kids. But even if you don’t partake in any of the classes, you can come to Titi Batu and simply enjoy the Olympic size swimming pool and the relaxed vibes. This is a great place to go if you’re traveling in Ubud with a toddler because the club has a shallow wading pool and a large grassy area to run around.

Titi Batu hosts various events throughout the week, including Sunday Funday, which is geared specifically towards families. It’s like going to an Ubud kids club!

Travelers can take advantage of Titi Batu’s Bali family day and weekly passes to get access to all they have to offer. Daily passes start at Rp. 150,000 (roughly $10 USD) for adults and Rp. 100,000 (roughly $7 USD) for kids.

Go beyond Bali! Read my Indonesia articles to learn more.

Tips for getting to Ubud with kids

The village of Ubud, and the surrounding villages, has historically been a center of culture for the Balinese. And it’s this richness in culture that draws tourists to come to Ubud in search of the quintessential Bali experience. We love coming to Ubud with kids!

The Lonely Planet Bali, Lombok, and Nusa Tenggara guide book has some helpful introductory information to Balinese culture and history. And it also has more information on how to get to Ubud from within and outside of Indonesia.

The village is surrounded by rice terraces and rice paddies, as people still cultivate this crop for their own subsistence. Many rental accommodations and villas in Ubud are located next to rice paddies!

Ubud is located close to the central part of Bali, away from the beaches and ocean. It’s about an hour and a half drive from Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar. The airport in Denpasar services many domestic and international destinations, including Jakarta, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Hong Kong. 

The best way to get to Ubud from Denpasar is to hire a private car and driver. When calculating the transportation portion of your Indonesia trip cost, estimate between Rp. 400,000 to 600,000 (roughly $28-35 USD) for a private car and driver. 

Getting around Ubud for kids and families

Once in Ubud, you can hire taxis to get around (you’ll need to make contact with local drivers as they are all privately owned). Sometimes drivers can also serve as your Bali Ubud guide and can offer some tour packages for you. 

Alternatively, you can rent scooters to get to all your activities in Ubud for kids. Scooters cost roughly Rp. 50,000-70,000 per day to rent. You’ll need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive a scooter around. Also, be sure that you get helmets to go along with the scooters. Many of the injuries among travelers in Bali occur from scooter accidents.

Diving into Balinese culture with a group tour of Ubud for kids

An alternative to trying to organize all the activities in Ubud for kids on your own is to go with a group tour, like Global Family Travels. This takes all the travel planning out of your hands, so you just need to go along for the ride as you discover Balinese culture. This makes your Bali Ubud itinerary so much easier!

Global Family Travels’ tours really focus on cultural immersion and service learning. It’s a perfect fit for worldschooling families, who want more than just the standard tourist sites. During all of Global Family Travels’ activities we did in Ubud for kids, we really got a chance to talk with Balinese people, and learn about Balinese culture first-hand. I love their philosophy of traveling responsibly and sustainably.

During our Bali tour, we met a Balinese prince, took part in cultural activities, and even learned all about the complex water irrigation system that ties the rice paddies to the temples throughout the island. In Bali, Global Family Travels partners with an organization called Bali Institute to select activities and organizations that are locally-focused and locally-run. We truly had an immersive experience in Ubud with kids!

Global Family Travels has upcoming family-focused trips to places like Galapagos, Ecuador, and India. Take a look at the tours they offer to find one that fits your family’s travel plans.

Getting the ultimate Bali experience from these Ubud activities

Frequenting only the tourists spots in Ubud doesn't give you a full picture of the island of Bali. To really get a Bali experience while you’re in Ubud with kids, it takes a bit more effort to step outside of the tourist path. But it’s doable, especially for families. 

We left Bali with meaningful Bali memories and a deeper appreciation for Balinese culture. And with this Bali guide, your family can do that too. All of these activities in Ubud for kids can help you gain a deeper understanding of the culture of Bali.

Have you done any of these activities in Ubud for kids? What did you think? Share your family’s experiences with Balinese culture in the comments!

If you’re planning to spend more time in Bali, take a look at these posts.

6 Amazing Bali Cultural Experiences You Must Do

8 Useful Tips for Visiting a Bali Night Market With Kids

4 Reasons To Love The Bali Hot Springs At Toya Devasya

And if a family trip in Bali is part of a larger gap year adventure you’d like to take with your family, take a look at my ebook, Hey Kids, Let’s Go Travel!, to walk you through the process of planning a family gap year.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I received a free tour of activities in Ubud for kids from Global Family Travels in exchange for writing about the company. However, the views expressed in this post are completely my own.

Need help thinking through how to budget for a family trip? My Travel Budget Worksheet is just the tool you need! Click here to receive your free copy by signing up for my newsletter.

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