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Tag: family-friendly attractions

  • Affordable Fun for the Family in Bali

    A downturn in tourism numbers makes Bali an affordable destination for a family vacation. With bargains at every turn and a host of family-friendly attractions, there’s never been a better time to visit.

    Where to Stay

    Family-friendly accommodation is easy to find across Bali. The country’s resorts welcome children with extras like complimentary kids’ clubs, tiny bathrobes, and milk and cookies in the evening. The whole family will also enjoy the swimming pools, organized activities, and free breakfasts. These luxurious pads cost much less than they do in the Western world too; you’ll easily find suites for less than $80 a night.

    To really immerse yourself in the local culture, get off the beaten path and stay at Bali Eco Village or Bali Eco Stay. These remote mountain accommodations offer plenty of space for kids to explore. Traditional craft classes and other onsite activities will also keep your young ones entertained.

    What to See

    The whole family will love watching the comical antics of the long-tailed macaques at the Sacred Forest Sanctuary. The Waterbom water park is another fabulous family-friendly attraction. The trap door slide is not for the faint-hearted, but if you’re not feeling brave you can float about on a giant inner tube. Parents can also ride with their children in many cases, which is great news for families with very young kids.

    Bali also hosts many festivals that can entertain your brood for free. Every July some of the world’s most incredible kites fly from Sanur Beach for the three-day Bali Kite Festival. For ten days in early to mid-July streets across Bali come alive to celebrate Galungan. This festival celebrates virtue’s triumph over evil. You’ll see dancing dragons, decorated doorways, and on the tenth day, a feast of local delicacies. The residents of Nusa Dua celebrate their local culture in October at the city’s festival. Your kids will marvel at the residents dressed in traditional costumes and the native music.

    Bali’s many beaches also offer free fun for your kids. Splurge on a banana boat ride, try one of Bali’s famous extreme sports, or just have fun building sandcastles or swimming in the surf. Sanur Beach is regarded as Bali’s most kid-friendly. It’s protected by a reef, so the waves are gentle most of the time.

    Where to Eat

    Bali’s exotic looking food may make some Western kids nervous, but it’s not too hard to find dishes to suit their tastes. Simple rice and noodle dishes are available almost everywhere, and they’re generally light on the chilli. Many hotels offer buffets which allow kids to try a little of everything. The opor ayam, a chicken simmered in coconut milk, and the nasi goreng, an Indonesian fried rice, are usually winners with little ones. Warungs, which are Balinese food stalls, also serve affordable and authentic Balinese street food.

    If your children flatly refuse to try something new, restaurants in tourist areas serve Western fare.

    How to Stay Safe

    Few things can ruin a Bali getaway more quickly than a case of the infamous Bali belly. Make sure you only drink bottled water, and remind your children to never drink from the faucet or shower.

    Bali typically enjoys temperatures between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit all year round. This can take its toll if you’re used to a cooler climate, especially if you’re spending all day outdoors. Make sure you always carry plenty of bottled water to ensure your whole family stays hydrated. Arriving at attractions early can also help you beat the heat, and avoid the crowds. Applying a sunscreen with an SPF factor of at least 40 will also minimize any damage from the sun’s rays.

    Balinese roads can also be a bit chaotic as there are traffic suggestions rather than rules. Make sure you look both ways when crossing the street, and make your way across to the other side as quickly as you can. Driving in these conditions can also be harrowing, so tourists are advised to hire a driver. It’s only a little more expensive than renting a hire car, and you know you’ll all arrive in one piece.

    A Balinese Macaque monkey
    A Balinese Macaque monkey

    A day on a Bali beach can be relaxing, but it’s important to keep your wits about you. Don’t swim on any beaches marked by red flags, as these have dangerous rip tides and undertows.

    So don’t let Bali’s tourist downturn scare you off. This affordable Asian gem is welcoming families from around the world.

  • Las Vegas Vacations for Families – Kid-Friendly Fun on a Budget

    Most travelers think of Las Vegas as a destination for uninhibited bachelor parties, quickie weddings, and senior citizen excursions. The Nevada capital admittedly offers plenty for the footloose and fancy free, but it’s also a great place for a family vacation. Indulging in the city’s wild side is costly, but its kid-friendly activities are more affordable than you’d expect. Read on and discover that it’s easier to save money in Las Vegas than you think!

    It’s expensive to stay at Circus Circus, but visitors to Las Vegas can enjoy many of its family-focused activities without checking in. This playful resort is the kind of place where you can spend as much or as little as your budget allows. The Big Top Arena hosts free live shows daily featuring trapeze acts, clowns, magic, juggling, and other circus talents. The shows change periodically, and run as often as every half hour during peak season. As the performances are free, seating is limited though. We suggest arriving 10 to 15 minutes before your show starts to ensure small children can see all the action.

    Unless you have a lot of willpower, you should probably be prepared to splash around some cash at Circus Circus. There are carnival and arcade games at the Midway and amusement rides in the Adventuredome, including a loop-the-loop roller coaster and tamer fare for tiny tots. If money matters we suggest steering clear of the Midway, as playing the individual games adds up quickly. With each ride in the Adventuredome costing up to $8, a day pass is a more economical choice for most visitors. Regular passes cost $27.95 and junior passes cost $16.95 for a day’s unlimited rides.

    Frankly you won’t be able to stay at any of Las Vegas’ prestigious resorts if you want to save money, but that doesn’t mean you need to avoid them altogether. You’ll be surprised how much fun it is to look around the lobbies! The Mirage has white tigers, an indoor rainforest, and a giant saltwater fish tank thought to be one of the most high-tech in the world. You can view the lions in the lobby of the MGM Grand from the safety of the walk-through tunnel. The Venetian’s lobby transports visitors to Venice, complete with an indoor canal and gondolas, while New York, New York brings the Big Apple to the west.

    And sometimes you don’t even need to step inside a resort. Watch the lights and magic of the Bellagio’s water fountain show from the sidewalk. And don’t leave The Mirage before you see the outdoor volcano erupting on the hour. Older children will love the spectacle at night, but all that rumbling and fire can frighten smaller kids.

    Despite what you’ve heard, there’s action outside Las Vegas’ casinos and resorts too. The hands-on exhibitions at Lied Discovery Children’s Museum in downtown Las Vegas make learning about the arts and sciences fun. A museum trip is also far less stressful for parents when children are encouraged to touch! Adult admission costs $9.50, kids cost $8.50, and babies under one can visit for free.

    Older children will be fascinated by the El Dorado Canyon Mine Tour. The site, located an hour away from the Las Vegas strip, makes a great day trip. $12.50 for adults and $7.50 for kids provides admission to the above and below ground tour, which provides a snapshot of life on the trail a century ago. If you’ve got cash and time to spare, you can rent a canoe or kayak from the tour guides and explore the nearby Colorado River.

    After all that activity, everyone will be hungry. Las Vegas has its fair share of fancy restaurants, but you can cut the costs and cater for fussy eaters at the local food courts. The ones at The Venetian and the Grand Canal Shops are some of the city’s best. Your dollar also goes a long way at The Mirage’s Carnegie Deli. One sandwich is so enormous that it could probably feed your entire family! As long as you stay away from the cocktails, a meal at Margaritaville is also inexpensive and great fun. The kids menu is comprehensive, and little ones will love the balloon-animal making skills of the pirate staffers!

    Get a Las Vegas Travel Deal

    After a busy day, the family will need a place to lay their heads. We’ve discussed plenty of hotels out of the price range of most families, but Las Vegas also has several good options for budget travelers. The Flamingo has an appealing central location, which cuts down on traveling costs, and a pool for keeping the kids entertained during summer. With a little research you can unearth some great deals for this well-placed gem. The Monte Carlo has few frills, but it’s well-kept and relatively inexpensive. The fast food focused food court will please young appetites, but you can find more substantial, well-priced meals at The Monte Carlo Pub and Brewery.

    As you can see, a stay in Las Vegas can be about much more than adults-only entertainment. Do your research and pack the kids into the car to discover a different side of Nevada’s jewel.

  • Sydney for Kids on a Budget – Free Family Friendly Attractions in New South Wales

    Australia’s school holidays are looming, which is enough to fill any parent with dread. The kids will want to be entertained, but it needn’t cost you a fortune.

    Sydney residents can enjoy a staycation and soak up all the free activities in their own backyard. Museums are always a great option for families looking to save cash, with many offering free entry and enough exhibitions to keep folks entertained all day. For a journey back in time, look to The Rocks Discovery Museum tucked away in Kendall Lane, just off Argyle Street. Archival film and archaeological artifacts bring historic Sydney back to life in a way that's engaging for kids and adults. For a day out with a more nautical theme, head to the Australian National Maritime Museum. This free museum always runs school holiday programs especially designed to entertain its youngest visitors. This time around little ones can learn all about the travels of Sindbad the Sailor through, arts, crafts, and music workshops. If arts are their thing, take the children to the Art Gallery of NSW. Entry is also free, and a tour of the museum will seem much more exciting when led by one of the gallery’s fun characters. The holiday period also brings storytelling and special children's performances.Australia piggy bank Forget greasy fast food lunches; a picnic is a much more economical, and healthier option. Centennial Park is a bit of an inner-city oasis with its duck ponds and grassy hills. Take your blades or bikes along and you can enjoy the dedicated cycle and rollerblading tracks, or have a game on the tennis courts or sporting fields. Way out west you can enjoy the wetlands at Sydney Olympic Park. There are 40 hectares of parkland here, with picnic areas and barbecues for families who want a hot lunch. Playgrounds and cycleways should keep the kids entertained while mom and dad relax. So why spend a fortune on the school holidays? Sydney has plenty of fun activities that won't cost you a cent.