Planning a Bali family holiday and wondering what to pack for Bali with kids? I remember being nervous the first time we packed for our first family trip, convinced I’d forget something or show up without the one thing our kids absolutely cannot live without.

Once we landed, I quickly realised you can buy most things in Bali if you need to. But there are definitely a few essentials that are much easier, cheaper or more reliable to bring from home.

This ultimate Bali packing list with kids covers everything to pack. From hand luggage must-haves to medicines, baby gear, swimming equipment and practical tips to make your Bali trip that little bit easier. Whether you’re travelling with a baby, toddler, school-aged kids or teens, this Bali Packing Guide will help you feel organised and ready to go.

No time to read the whole post? Click through to our Bali Packing List with Kids Cheat Sheet Now

Bali Packing Essentials With Kids

Before we get into the complete Bali packing checklist, here are the main items I always recommend bringing from home rather than sourcing them in Bali. Either they’re much cheaper at home, harder to find once you’re there, or, let’s be honest, you really don’t want to be hunting for them at 10 pm when a kid is sick or sunburnt!

• Sunscreen
• Swim nappies
• Night nappies
• Medications like kids’ pain relief
• Tampons
• Rash vests
• Swim goggles
• Swimming floaties
• Portable chargers
• Prescription medications

A quick note on sunscreen: it’s one of the most important things to bring from home. Sunscreen in Bali is often expensive. Pack more than you think you’ll need, especially if you’re spending a lot of time at the pool or beach.

The same goes for prescription medications. Always bring more than enough from home and keep them in their original packaging to avoid any issues at customs.

Below are all our favourite Bali packing tips, along with everything we have packed over the years for our Bali family holidays. Whether it’s your first trip or your fifth, hopefully, there’s something in here that makes your packing a little easier!

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Hand Luggage for Bali With Kids

You may like to travel with hand luggage only, but I’m definitely not great at packing light! If you are travelling carry-on only, remember that liquid restrictions apply and that sharp objects, such as scissors, are not allowed in hand luggage.

We always use backpacks as hand luggage because they keep our hands free for important passport business and wrangling unruly kids 😉 Mini backpacks with safety harnesses are also super helpful, especially in airports! Our son was a runner, and they saved my sanity more than once.

Change of Clothes

I always pack a complete change of clothes for the kids in our carry-on luggage. You never know what kind of mess will happen at the airport or on the flight!

At a minimum, I also recommend packing:

• Spare clothes for adults
• Extra underwear
• Plastic bags for dirty clothes

This is especially helpful if your checked luggage gets delayed or lost.

iPads, Books & Plane Entertainment

A fully charged iPad is an absolute must for flights to Bali with kids. Honestly… how did parents survive before iPads?!

Don’t forget:

• Charging cords
• Portable battery pack
• Kids’ headphones
• Colouring books
• Sticker books
• Small travel toys
• Downloaded movies and games

Portable battery packs must be packed in hand luggage and are invaluable when travelling. Many airlines are now introducing strict rules around portable battery packs and power banks due to fire safety concerns linked to lithium batteries.

Because of this, it’s now more important than ever to fully charge your devices while waiting at the departure gate before boarding your flight.

We always make sure:

• iPads are fully charged before boarding
• Portable battery packs are topped up before the flight
• Downloaded movies and games are ready to go

It’s also worth checking your airline’s latest power bank policies before travelling, as rules are changing frequently.

For younger children, it’s important to use kids’ headphones with built-in volume limits so the sound isn’t too loud for their little ears during long flights. We recommend this pair for travel to Bali with kids, especially for iPads and in-flight entertainment.

As our kids have gotten older, we invested in noise-cancelling headphones. Mason uses JBL noise-cancelling headphones, and they have survived many drops and knocks during our travels.

CHECK OUT THE JBL HEADPHONES WE USE

If you want to use wireless headphones with in-flight entertainment, pack an adaptor so you don’t have to rely on the airline’s headphones.

Great Plane Activity for Kids

Travel journals and activity books are fantastic for flights to Bali. My Big Adventure Bali books are perfect to take on the plane. They are both educational and fun, plus they are fantastic travel journals for kids when travelling to Bali. You can find our full review here.

Snacks, Formula & Drinks

Pack more snacks than you think you need 😂 Plane food can be very hit and miss with kids and a hungry child on a flight is hard work.

We usually pack:

• Snacks
• Formula (for babies if required)
• Empty drink bottles (to fill up after going through airport security)

Important Bali Airport Tip

When departing Bali Airport, there is another security check right before boarding, so any drinks purchased after customs will usually be confiscated.

Formula Tip

If travelling with babies or toddlers, you can bring enough formula, milk and water for the flight and delays. The standard 100ml liquid restriction does not apply to necessary baby items.

Check out this link for info on what you can take on a plane

Pain Relief & Medications

Always pack pain relief in your hand luggage. Keep the bottles 100mls and less to make it quicker to get through security.

We learnt this the hard way on one of our Bali trips when Mason hurt his elbow after we had checked in all our medication. Luckily, another lovely Australian mum nearby had some Panadol.

We always carry in our hand luggage:

• Paracetamol
• Ibuprofen
• Bandaids
• Prescription medications

If you’re heading to Bali with prescription medications, always pack them in their original packaging. While it’s a good idea to carry a letter from your doctor, it isn’t always necessary. We’ve travelled to Bali many times with ADHD medications such as Vyvanse and Ritalin without one. Just make sure you declare them on your customs form. We recommend packing enough for your trip plus an extra week’s supply in case of unexpected flight delays on the way home.

Ear Pressure & Motion Sickness

Kids’ ears can be sensitive during take-off and landing.

Helpful items include:

• Dummies
• Bottles
• Earplanes (our ENT recommend this)
• Kwells motion sickness tablets
• Essential oil roll-ons

If your child uses a specific dummy or bottle, pack extras, as replacing them in Bali can be tricky.

Passports & Travel Documents

All passports must have at least 6 months’ validity remaining before entering Bali.

Also ensure:

• No water damage
• No torn pages
• Passports are in good condition

Bali immigration can be strict, so always double-check passports before travelling.

I also recommend packing:

• A family passport holder
• Pens for arrival forms
• Travel insurance details (can be saved on phone)

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT ENTRY INTO BALI

Wraps, Blankets & Travel Comforts

Large cotton wraps are one of my favourite Bali travel items.

We use them as:

• Blankets
• Pillows
• Sunshades
• Towels
• Seat covers for dirty clothes

Travel towels are also fantastic because they are lightweight, compact and dry quickly.

Nappies & Baby Wipes

When the kids were younger, I always packed extra nappies and wipes in hand luggage in case of delays.

Baby wipes are still incredibly useful even with older kids for:

• Sticky hands
• Spills
• Quick clean-ups
• Plane messes

Huggies nappies always worked best for us on flights and a change mat is a must with babies.

Stroller or Baby Carrier

A compact travel stroller was a lifesaver when travelling with toddlers. We could wheel the kids right up to the airline gate and place the stroller in the overhead locker.

It helped:

• Keep kids contained in airports
• Manage immigration queues
• Encourage naps while out exploring Bali

A baby carrier is also fantastic for keeping your hands free, so it is definitely an option when travelling with babies and infants.

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Checked Luggage for Bali With Kids

When packing checked luggage for Bali with kids, the key is finding the balance between being prepared and not overpacking. Bali has supermarkets, pharmacies, baby stores and cheap laundry services throughout the main tourist areas, so you don’t need to pack your entire house!

However, there are definitely some essential items for a family holiday in Bali that are easier, cheaper or more reliable to bring from home. Below is our complete guide on what to pack in your checked luggage for Bali with kids, including clothing, medicines, baby products, swimming gear and family travel essentials.

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes have completely changed how I pack for family holidays in Bali.

They make it easier to:

• Organise each family member’s clothes
• Separate swimwear
• Quickly find items in suitcases

I was sceptical at first… now I won’t travel without them!

Bali Power Adaptors & Powerboards

Bali power points use two round prongs.

Many larger resorts now have international power points, but I still recommend packing:

• A Bali travel adaptor
• A powerboard

A powerboard makes it much easier for families to charge multiple devices.

Clothing for Bali

Bali is hot and humid year-round, so lightweight clothing is best.

We usually pack:

• T-shirts and singlets
• Shorts
• Dresses
• Swimwear (at least 2 per person)
• Rash vests
• Hats
• Sandals/thongs
• Runners

Pack a light jumper if you are travelling to North Bali, especially the Munduk area. It can get quite cool!

Laundry in Bali is cheap and easy to organise, so there is no need to overpack. We usually pack about four days’ worth of clothing and use local laundries during our stay.

When we stay in South Bali, we use Nikki Laundry. Otherwise, we find a laundry near our accommodation. Nikki’s team will pick up your laundry bag in the morning and deliver it late that afternoon or the next morning.

Shoes for Bali

Shoes we always pack include:

• Nice pair of sandals
• Thongs/flip-flops
• Runners

Runners are especially helpful for activities like bike riding, ATVs and adventure parks.

Baby & Toddler Essentials

Nappies, wipes and baby products are easy to find in Bali, especially in tourist areas and supermarkets.

However, I still recommend packing:

• Night nappies
• Formula
• Favourite baby wipes
• Baby food pouches
• Comfort toys or blankets

If your baby uses a particular formula brand or is very sensitive to products in wipes, definitely bring enough from home. It can be harder to find nappies rather than pull-ups. Pull-ups are extremely common in Bali, even among younger toddlers. Bintang Supermarkets and Grand Lucky Supermarket has a great range of nappies.

I highly recommend packing baby food pouches and favourite snacks from home, especially if you have a fussy eater or a bub just starting solids. Baby food pouches can sometimes be harder to find in Bali, but they are incredibly handy for flights, day trips and busy sightseeing days.

If your baby drinks formula, definitely pack a tin in your checked luggage if they only accept a particular brand. While formula is available in larger Bali supermarkets, there is no guarantee your preferred brand will be stocked. Getting stuck without the right formula is incredibly stressful, so it’s always better to be prepared.

Mum Tip Did you know that Bali Kidz Hire stocks a range of formula, baby food pouches and many more products!

Important Bali Customs Tip You can bring food into Bali, but certain items must be declared upon arrival. Always check the latest Indonesian customs regulations before travelling.

Travel Cot & Baby Gear

When the kids were younger, a travel cot was one of our best baby purchases. Travel cots are often not counted in luggage allowances on some airlines, which can help save luggage weight. This Portable Privacy Pod used over porta-cots is such a great idea. Wish it was around when our kids were babies!

Hiring Baby Equipment in Bali

If you don’t want to travel with bulky baby items, hiring equipment in Bali can make your Bali family holiday so much easier.

Our preferred company is Bali Kidz Hire. They can organise a huge range of baby and toddler equipment, including:

• Portacots
• Strollers
• High chairs
• Pool fences
• Waterslides
• Car seats
• Baby toys
• Safety gates

We love that they deliver directly to your hotel or villa, which makes arriving in Bali with kids far less stressful. Hiring larger items can also save valuable luggage space, especially when travelling with babies and toddlers.

Medicines for Bali

Our Bali medicine kit usually includes:

• Paracetemol
• Ibuprofen
• Anti-Histamine
• Probiotics (this is the brand we use)
• Travelan (we have used these with success)
• Activated charcoal (Norit in Bali)
• Mosquito repellent
• Antiseptic cream
• Ear drops
• Hand sanitiser

Mum Tip Pack all medicines into one separate toiletry bag so they are easy to find quickly.

What To Do If You Get Sick in Bali

Unfortunately, getting sick in Bali can happen, especially with kids. Before travelling, I highly recommend researching hospitals and medical clinics in Bali, so you know where to go if needed.

If you get Bali Belly while in Bali, we have personally used Dr Ari’s mobile doctor service and it was honestly one of the best things we did. A doctor and nurse came directly to our hotel room, provided treatment on-site and we could even pay via EFTPOS. After feeling absolutely awful, it was the best $150AUD I have spent!

If you need medical assistance in Bali (but aren’t sick enough to need hospital), you can contact:

• Dr Ari via WhatsApp: +62 812 3954 567
• Your hotel reception or villa management, as many accommodations can organise medical staff or doctor visits directly to your room

It’s also another reminder why travel insurance for Bali with kids is so important before travelling.

Toiletries

Pack the basics, including:

• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm
• Baby shampoo
• Moisturiser
• Deodorant

And mums… don’t forget tampons! They can be harder to find in Bali and are often expensive.

The items listed above can be found at supermarkets in Bali, but if you like to be organised like me or like a particular brand, bring them from home.

Swimming Gear

You will spend LOTS of time in the pool in Bali.

Helpful things to pack:

• Goggles
• Floaties
• Swim vest
• Rashies
• Inflatable baby rings/wings
• Pool toys

You can buy many of these items in Bali, but sometimes it is much easier to already have them packed.

Tip: Many villas and resorts offer floaties to use or hire, and you can buy them at places like Bintang Supermarket or Artasedana Sanur. 

Out & About Essentials

Some random but very useful things we always pack include:

• Vomit bags for car trips
• Reusable shopping bags
• Portable fans
• Metal straws
• Waterproof bags for wet swimmers
• Pram fan and Snoozeshade

Bali traffic can be long and unpredictable, so being prepared makes a huge difference. You may want to consider taking a car seat. A car seat can be great for longer plane flights with younger kids, so check with your airline. It is also handy if you have your own driver for day trips around the island.

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Bali Packing Tips for Families

Packing for a family holiday can feel a little chaotic but a few simple tricks make it so much easier. Here are my favourite Bali packing tips for families.

Don’t Overpack

One of the biggest mistakes families make when travelling to Bali is overpacking.

Bali has throughout the main tourist areas.:

• Supermarkets
• Pharmacies
• Convenience stores
• Baby stores
• Cheap laundry services

If you forget something, chances are you can easily buy it there.

Pack Less Clothing Than You Think

Laundry services in Bali are cheap, quick and easy to organise.

Most laundries will:

• Pick up your clothes
• Wash and fold them
• Return them within 24 hours

This means you can comfortably pack fewer clothes and save space in your luggage.

The Older the Kids Get, the Less You Pack

The good news? Packing gets easier as the kids grow older!

When travelling to Bali with babies and toddlers, there is definitely a lot more to think about. Once the kids get older, you can pack much lighter, and travel becomes much simpler.

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Bali Packing List With Kids Cheat Sheet

📸 Screenshot, save it to your phone and tick things off as you pack!

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Final Thoughts on Packing for Bali With Kids

Packing for Bali with kids can feel overwhelming the first time, but once you have done it once, it becomes so much easier.

The key things I always recommend are:

• Don’t stress too much
• Pack the essentials from home
• Use Bali laundries
• Bring medications and baby essentials
• Remember, you can buy most things in Bali if needed

Most importantly, enjoy the experience and get excited for your Bali family holiday!

Can’t decide where to stay in Bali with kids? Check out our blog post to help you decide!

I would love to hear your packing tips and must-haves for Bali. Comment below if you have packing tips and feel free to join our Facebook Group to chat about all things Bali with kids.

Kate xx

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