Bali is easy to love and easy to overpack for. This family-first packing guide shows you exactly what to bring (and what to leave at home) for beaches, temples, rice terraces, water parks and rainy afternoons—with kids in every age bracket.
Quick tools while you pack
- ✈️ Check baggage rules before you choose suitcases: compare airline options in this Bali flight finder and see cabin vs checked baggage limits.
- 🏨 Match your packing to your actual stay: open this Bali family stays search to check if your hotel has laundry, kids clubs and beach access.
- 🚗 Decide on strollers vs car seats vs boosters: see if a car rental even makes sense for your dates via this Bali car comparison.
- 🎟️ Check what your activities really require: skim weather-sensitive tours and day trips on Bali family experiences so you can pack for temples, boats and waterfalls with confidence.
- 🛡️ Protect the whole trip in one click: once bags are nearly packed, set up flexible coverage with SafetyWing so delays, illness or lost bags don’t wreck the budget.
For context on climate and timing, pair this with the Bali Weather & Seasons Guide for Families and Best Time To Visit Bali For Families.
Quick snapshot: what families actually need to pack for Bali
You do not need ten outfits each and a suitcase full of “just in case.” Bali is warm, casual and forgiving. You’ll live in light clothes, swimsuits and sandals, with one small stack of “respectful temple outfits” and a compact health kit for kid surprises.
At a glance, most families need:
- 2–3 light outfits per person (mix-and-match)
- 2–3 swimsuits each + 1 UV rash guard
- 1 pair of comfy walking sandals + 1 closed shoe
- Temple-ready layers (shoulders + knees covered)
- Sun gear, bug protection and basic medicines
- Compact stroller or baby carrier (for younger kids)
Core packing essentials for every Bali family trip
This is the foundation. Whether you stay in a beach resort in Nusa Dua, a villa in Seminyak or a jungle hideaway in Ubud, these items work in every neighborhood.
- Passports (with at least 6 months’ validity)
- Printed + digital copies of passports and bookings
- Bank cards + a small amount of local cash
- Light daypack or crossbody bag for outings
- Refillable water bottles for each family member
- Light, breathable clothing (tops + shorts/dresses)
- 1–2 pairs of lightweight long pants or maxi skirts
- Comfortable sandals for walking and beach
- Closed-toe shoes for hikes, temples or scooters (if you ride without kids)
- Swimwear and rash guards
- Sunhats that actually stay on kids’ heads
- Sunscreen (reef-safe if possible)
- Basic toiletries (you can top up easily in Bali)
- Light scarf or shawl for sun + temple visits
- Reusable shopping bag (for markets and snacks)
Check your chosen hotel’s facilities with the Bali family stays search. If there’s on-site laundry or a washer in your villa, you can cut outfits even further.
Kids & baby gear: what’s worth the suitcase space
Bali is child-friendly but doesn’t always stock your favorite brands or sizes. A small, intentional kid kit keeps everyone happier.
For babies & toddlers
- Lightweight travel stroller optional that can handle uneven paths and narrow walkways.
- Soft baby carrier or toddler hiking carrier (essential for rice terraces, markets and stairs).
- Swim diapers (you can find some locally, but bring your preferred brand).
- Light sleep sack or muslin for air-conditioned rooms.
- Favorite small comfort toy or blanket for sleep transitions.
- Sippy cup or leak-proof water bottle.
- Basic snacks you know they’ll eat (especially for flights and early days).
For older kids
- Own water bottle with easy-open lid.
- Simple travel games or colouring for restaurants and transfers.
- One small “comfort from home” item to help with new beds and routines.
- Flip-flops or slides for pool and beach.
- UV tops/rash guards from your beach days list.
Clothes & dress code for Bali temples, towns and resorts
Day-to-day, Bali is relaxed. Resorts, cafés and beach clubs are used to families in shorts, sundresses and sandals. The exceptions are temples and more formal dinners, where you’ll want a simple, respectful outfit ready.
Everyday outfits
- 2–3 breathable tops per person (linen, cotton, rayon).
- 2–3 lower-body options (shorts, light skirts or trousers).
- 1 breezy dress or shirt that makes you feel pulled together for dinners.
- Undergarments and sleepwear that work in warm, humid conditions.
Temple-ready layers
For temples from your Best Bali Temples for Kids and cultural nights from Best Cultural Experiences for Families, pack:
- One lightweight top that covers shoulders (t-shirt or loose blouse) per person.
- One long skirt, loose trousers or sarong for each adult (many temples also offer sarongs).
- Kids can often use a scarf or smaller sarong tied around shorts.
Evening & air-con
- Light cardigan or long-sleeve layer for over-enthusiastic air conditioning.
- One slightly smarter outfit if you plan a nicer dinner or resort restaurant evening.
Beach & pool packing: simple kit, big payoff
From calm mornings in Sanur to surf lessons in Canggu, the right beach kit lets you lean into Bali’s coastline without spending the whole time chasing hats and towels.
Core beach & pool items
- 2–3 swimsuits per adult and child (rotate while drying).
- Rash guards for sun protection (especially mid-day).
- Sunhats with chin straps or secure fit for kids.
- Packable microfiber towel if your stay doesn’t provide beach towels.
- Simple beach bag or foldable tote for toys, towels and snacks.
- Small set of pool/beach toys that fit in your luggage.
For water parks & adventure days
Check your choices from Best Bali Adventure Parks & Water Parks for Families and make sure you have:
- Swimwear that stays put on slides.
- Easy-on sandals or flip-flops for wet surfaces.
- Compact dry bag for phones and cash near water.
- Change of clothes for kids who get cold after long water sessions.
For snorkel-heavy trips from Best Snorkeling Spots for Kids in Bali, you can choose between renting gear locally or packing child-sized masks if they’re picky about fit.
Extra items for Bali’s rainy season
If you’re traveling in wetter months from the Weather & Seasons Guide, a few small extras make a big difference in comfort.
- Compact umbrellas (one per 2–3 people is enough).
- Light rain jackets for adults; many kids are happy in quick-dry clothes + towel.
- Waterproof or quick-dry sandals that handle puddles and wet tiles.
- Waterproof pouch or small dry bag for phones, passports and cash on day trips.
- Extra changes of clothes for younger kids on big outing days.
Family health & safety kit for Bali
Local pharmacies are excellent, but having your family’s basics on hand means you can respond in seconds instead of translating symptoms in the middle of the night.
Core health items
- Any prescription medications (in original packaging)
- Basic children’s pain/fever relief
- Adult pain relief and anti-inflammatory tablets
- Rehydration sachets for heat or stomach upsets
- Simple first-aid kit (bandages, plasters, antiseptic wipes)
- Motion sickness remedies if needed (boats, winding roads)
- Hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes
- Insect repellent suitable for kids
- After-bite or soothing cream for insect bites
- Aloe vera or after-sun gel
- Any allergy medications your family uses
For peace of mind beyond what’s in your bag, set up a simple travel policy via SafetyWing. It’s built for families, remote workers and long trips, and slots in easily after your flights and stays are booked.
Tech, money & documents that make Bali smoother with kids
These aren’t exciting to pack, but they quietly protect your time, energy and budget once you land.
Tech & power
- Universal travel adapter (Indonesia uses mainly Type C and F plugs).
- Multi-port USB charger so the whole family can power up at once.
- Portable power bank for long days out, especially when you’re using maps and camera heavily.
- Downloaded offline maps of your Bali neighborhoods from the Neighborhood Guide.
Money & documents
- Cards that don’t punish you on foreign transaction fees, plus a small stash of cash.
- Printed confirmations for key stays and transfers in case your phone battery dies.
- Travel details for your top experiences from the Ultimate Family Guide to Bali Attractions, saved offline or in screenshots.
Luggage, strollers & how much to bring
Once you know what to pack, the final decision is: how are you carrying it all, especially with little legs and airport transfers in the mix?
Choosing luggage
- Most families do well with one checked suitcase + one carry-on, or two medium checked bags if you’re combining Bali with other countries.
- Soft-sided luggage can be easier for villa stairs and smaller cars; hard-shell suitcases protect fragile items better.
- Check your airline baggage rules using the flight comparison tool before you buy new bags.
Strollers vs baby carriers
- Compact stroller: great for airports, malls and smoother paths in places like Nusa Dua, Sanur and some resort areas.
- Carrier: essential for rice terraces, uneven pavements and temple steps (Ubud, Sidemen, more traditional villages).
- Many families bring both and choose day by day.
How much is too much?
A good test: imagine arriving late at night, with sleepy kids, and one parent grabbing a taxi while the other manages bags. If it feels overwhelming, reduce one layer of “just in case.”
Remember: Bali has supermarkets, pharmacies and markets for anything you genuinely forgot. Use the space you save for calm, not clutter.
What to read after this Bali packing list
Now that your bags are basically planned, the fun part is deciding how to use everything you’re bringing. These guides tie your packing into real days on the island:
- Understand the climate behind your clothing choices: Bali Weather & Seasons Guide for Families
- Lock in your month: Best Time To Visit Bali For Families
- Match outfits to neighborhoods: Bali Neighborhood Guide for Families
- See how your swimsuits and temple outfits play out in real plans: Ultimate Family Guide to Bali Attractions
- Tie it all together with flights, routes and transport: Ultimate Bali Logistics & Planning Guide and Getting Around Bali With Kids (Taxi, Scooter, Driver).
If this list calmed your “Did I forget something?” brain, it will do the same for another parent.
Drop it into your group chat or pin it to your planning board so everyone packs light, smart and on the same page.
When you’re back from Bali, come leave a quick comment with “we wish we’d brought…” It quietly upgrades this guide for the next family.
Stay Here, Do That uses a few trusted travel partners so these guides can stay clean, calm and ad-clutter-free. If you book through the links above, it never costs you extra—think of it as leaving a tiny tip in the jar for the next family-friendly guide.
© 2025 Stay Here, Do That — Family Travel Guides. Packed with love for the parents who carry the snacks, the passports and the invisible mental checklist.
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