The best things to do in Ubud with kids are short, outdoor and close together: a morning walk through the Tegalalang rice terraces, gentle cave or river tubing, the spring pools at Tirta Empul, the Campuhan Ridge Walk, and an animal park such as Bali Zoo on the way in or out. Ubud is a little cooler and much greener than the coast, most activities take one to two hours, and nearly everything sits within a 20 to 40 minute drive of the town centre. That makes it one of the easiest places in Bali to keep children busy without long days in the car.
This guide covers 12 family-friendly activities in and around Ubud, compares the three tubing routes we run, and gives you two sample day plans you can copy.
Why Ubud Is a Good Base for Families with Kids
Ubud is the arts and rice-terrace centre of Bali’s interior, about an hour’s drive from the southern beach resorts. Instead of surf and sand you get jungle valleys, village temples and working rice fields, which gives children something new to look at every few minutes.
The rivers that cut through these hills also feed Bali’s subak irrigation system, a centuries-old network of canals and water temples that UNESCO lists as a World Heritage cultural landscape. The Pakerisan watershed around Tampak Siring, where we run river tubing, is one of the areas named in that listing, so a simple float or temple visit here doubles as a gentle history lesson.
One thing to know before you arrive: central Ubud has narrow, uneven pavements and busy roads. A baby carrier is more practical than a pram, and a villa or hotel slightly outside the centre is usually quieter.
Nature Things to Do in Ubud with Kids
1. Tegalalang Rice Terraces
About 20 minutes north of town, Tegalalang is the rice terrace most visitors picture when they think of Bali. Children like the stepping-stone paths and the swings along the ridge. The steps are steep and can be slippery, so wear proper shoes, carry toddlers, and arrive before 9 am while it is cool and quiet.
2. Campuhan Ridge Walk
This paved path follows a grassy ridge just outside the centre. It is free, car-free and easy for school-age children, with cafés at the far end as a reward. There is almost no shade, so go early in the morning or late in the afternoon and bring water.
3. Tegenungan Waterfall
South of Ubud, Tegenungan is the most accessible big waterfall in the area. There are a lot of stairs down and back up, so it suits children who can manage them on their own. Whether you can swim depends on the water level; follow the signs and the staff on the day.
4. Sacred Monkey Forest (With Care)
The shaded paths and mossy statues are beautiful, and children love watching the macaques. Treat it as a look-but-do-not-touch visit: carry no food, put sunglasses and hats in a closed bag, and keep small children next to you. If you would rather skip the monkeys, the rice-field paths around town are a calmer alternative.
River and Cave Tubing in Ubud for Families
Tubing is a guided float down a jungle river on an inflatable tube. Everyone wears a life jacket and helmet, a guide stays with the group, and there is no paddling or technique to learn. For families, that makes it a far gentler choice than white-water rafting. We run three routes around Ubud.
5. Cave Tubing in Tegalalang (Ages 3+)
Cave tubing in Tegalalang is our shortest route and the one we suggest first for younger children. You drift through a natural cave and along the river channel around it in about 45 minutes, which is long enough to feel like an adventure and short enough to finish before anyone gets cold or bored.
6. River Tubing in Tampak Siring
River tubing in Tampak Siring follows the Pakerisan River for roughly 90 minutes through a quiet green valley. It is the classic float, and it works best for older children who are happy in the water for a longer stretch. Our river tubing Ubud guide walks through the session step by step.
7. Ayung River Tubing in Singapadu (Ages 5+)
Ayung River tubing in Singapadu is a 60-minute float south of Ubud. Because it starts in the same area as Bali Zoo and Bali Bird Park, it is the easiest route to combine with an animal morning.
| Route | Time on the water | Best for | Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cave tubing, Tegalalang | ~45 min | Ages 3 and up, first-timers | Adult ~$20 (IDR 350,000), child under 12 ~$17 (IDR 300,000) |
| Ayung River tubing, Singapadu | ~60 min | Ages 5 and up; pairs with Bali Zoo | Adult ~$20 (IDR 350,000), child under 12 ~$17 (IDR 300,000) |
| River tubing, Tampak Siring | ~90 min | Ages 5 and up, longer float | Adult ~$20 (IDR 350,000), child under 12 ~$17 (IDR 300,000) |
Tube, safety gear and a guide are included. Hotel pickup is an optional paid add-on. Minimum ages differ by route and water level, so send us your children’s ages and we will confirm the right option before you book. Still deciding? Read our river vs cave tubing comparison.
Culture and Animal Days Kids Enjoy in Ubud
8. Tirta Empul Water Temple
This holy spring temple in Tampak Siring is one of the most important in Bali. Children are drawn to the clear spring-fed pools and the large koi pond. Sarongs are required and available at the entrance. It sits in the same area as our river tubing route, so the two fit into one morning.
9. Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
Ten minutes from the centre, Goa Gajah has a carved stone face for an entrance, old bathing pools and a short jungle path. It is small enough to see in under an hour, which suits children far better than a long temple tour.
10. A Family Cooking or Batik Class
Hands-on classes are a good choice for a hot afternoon or a rainy day. Many studios welcome children, but minimum ages and class lengths vary, so ask before you book.
11. Balinese Dance at Ubud Palace
Evening performances combine gamelan music, bright costumes and dramatic masks. Shows usually run for an hour or more, so choose seats near the aisle and plan an early dinner first.
12. Bali Zoo and Bali Bird Park
Both parks are in the Singapadu area, around half an hour south of Ubud. They are compact, leafy and easy to cover in a morning, which makes them a good stop on the day you travel between Ubud and the coast.
Two Sample Family Day Plans in Ubud
Plan A: younger children (roughly 3 to 7)
- 8:00 am: Tegalalang rice terraces while it is cool
- 10:00 am: cave tubing in Tegalalang
- 12:00 pm: lunch at a local warung
- Afternoon: pool and nap at your hotel
Plan B: older children (8 and up)
- Morning: river tubing in Tampak Siring
- Late morning: Tirta Empul water temple
- Afternoon: lunch, then rest at your hotel
- 5:00 pm: Campuhan Ridge Walk, followed by a dance show
Practical Tips for Ubud with Kids
- Go in the morning. It is cooler, quieter and the light is better for photos.
- Know the seasons. The dry season, roughly April to October, is the easiest time. From November to March, heavy rain can raise river levels and sessions may be adjusted for safety.
- Pack for water. Swimwear, sandals that strap on, a towel and dry clothes for each child.
- Use a driver. Sights are spread out and parking is tight. Ask for a child seat in advance.
- Book direct. You speak to the team that runs your session, with no OTA commission, and you can ask about your own children before you pay.
Planning the rest of the island too? See our wider list of things to do in Bali with kids, or our guide to Bali with toddlers if your children are under five.
FAQ: Things to Do in Ubud with Kids
1. Is Ubud good for kids?
Yes. Ubud has short nature walks, gentle river activities, small temples and animal parks within easy reach. The town centre is busy and not pram-friendly, so plan to move around by car and on foot with a carrier.
2. How many days do you need in Ubud with kids?
Two to three nights is enough for most families. That covers the rice terraces, one river activity, a temple and an animal park without rushing.
3. Can young children go tubing in Ubud?
Our cave tubing route in Tegalalang accepts children from age 3 with an adult. The Ayung River and Tampak Siring routes are for children aged 5 and up.
4. Is the Ubud Monkey Forest safe for children?
It can be, with care. The monkeys are wild and will grab food and loose items. Carry nothing edible, keep children close and do not let them touch the animals. If anyone is scratched or bitten, get medical advice straight away.
5. Is hotel pickup included with tubing?
No, hotel pickup is an optional paid add-on. Send us your hotel area on WhatsApp and we will confirm the price before you book.
Conclusion: Easy Family Days in Ubud with Kids
Ubud works for families because the good things are small and close: a rice terrace before breakfast gets hot, a gentle float through the jungle, a temple pool full of koi, and a pool waiting back at the hotel. Choose one or two activities a day and let the children set the pace. For the float, start with cave tubing in Tegalalang if you have younger kids, or compare everything on the Tubing Ubud Bali homepage.
Ready to plan your day? Message us on WhatsApp with your children’s ages and travel date, and we will confirm the best route and the price.
