Struggling with your family holiday packing list for that Bali trip? You’re not alone! Packing for a family can feel like solving a massive puzzle — especially when you’re heading from cooler New Zealand to hot, humid Bali.
We’re all about real travel — not too cheap, not too fancy, just good value and memorable experiences. And since we’re flying out soon, I thought I’d share the family holiday packing list we just finalised. Yep, this post is based on what actually made it into our bags — complete with photos. No fluff, just practical tips.
Thinking It Through: Planning Our Bali Holiday Packing List from NZ
Making a good family holiday packing list takes a bit of thought, especially going from NZ to warm Bali. First, we checked the weather forecast for Bali – hot, sticky, maybe some rain. Very different from home! For the most current travel tips and local advice, we recommend visiting the official Bali Tourism Board website or trusted guides like Lonely Planet’s Bali travel page. This helps us stay informed on cultural norms, weather updates, and important travel advisories before packing.
Then, we thought about what we’ll do: swim, relax by the pool, visit temples (where you need to cover up), maybe walk through rice fields, and eat tasty food. It’s important to respect local ways, like dressing modestly for temples. We also checked how much luggage our airline lets us bring from NZ. We want good value, so staying under the weight limit is important! Thinking about these things helped us make our final holiday packing list.
If you’re interested in a complete Bali family travel plan to pair with this packing list, check out our Bali Family Holiday: Unlock Paradise with Our 18-Night Plan for itinerary ideas and budget tips.
Clothes That Made the Cut: What’s Really in Our Bags
Clothes take up the most space — so we kept it light and smart.
Tops & Shorts:
Each of us packed 5–7 lightweight t-shirts or tanks, and 3–4 pairs of shorts. I’m going all-in on shorts!
Travel/Temple Pants:
Everyone’s wearing a light long pant on the plane (doubles for temple visits). No extra long trousers. Our plan is simple: if we find we need more long clothing for some reason, we’ll look at hiring or buying something affordable locally in Bali. This avoids packing bulky items we might not even use.
Swimwear: Super important! Two swimsuits each. Quick-dry towels too — essential in Bali.
Shoes – Packed & Organised:
- For Everyone: We’ll each wear 1 pair of sneakers on the plane from NZ (not pictured in the bags). We also packed aqua shoes/beach shoes for everyone to protect our feet from sharp coral or hot sand.
- For the Kids: They each get 1 pair of Crocs – perfect for slipping on and off, and great near the water.
- For the Adults: We each packed 1 pair of jandals (flip-flops) AND 1 pair of sandals for slightly different comfort or occasions.
Hats, Hats, Hats:
Caps, bucket hats, wide-brimmed ones — packed for full sun protection.
Other Clothes:
Undies, socks (mainly for flights), and light pyjamas. We plan to buy scarves/sarongs locally for temple visits.
Bathroom Stuff, Sun Cream & Water Filters: Our Final Checklist
Next up is the bathroom bag and other important bits for our holiday packing list, shown here ready to go. Here’s what we packed:
Sunscreen & After-Sun: We packed lots! You can see the big blue Bondi Sands Sport SPF 50+ bottle and the soothing blue Nivea After Sun. We also have Cetaphil cleanser for sensitive skin. Did you know? Sunscreen can cost almost double in popular tourist spots in Bali compared to NZ supermarkets! Bringing enough saves real money – a key value tip!
Bug Spray: Needed for evenings. We chose one with DEET.
Bathroom Basics: All tucked into the blue mesh bag – small bottles, toothpaste, toothbrushes.
Hair Dryer: We included our own small black travel hair dryer. Hotel ones aren’t always great.
Shower Filter: Those white tubes and metal parts? That’s our shower head filter kit. We packed extra filter cartridges too. We worried a bit about the water quality for kids, so this makes us feel better. It’s maybe extra careful, but it’s on our family holiday packing list.
Other Personal Stuff: Like contact lenses, glasses, basic makeup.
If you’re curious about how to handle money abroad, check out our in-depth guide on Wise Card vs. Traditional Travel Cards: Which Is Better for Your Trip? to get smart about spending and save on fees.
Staying Healthy: Our Family First-Aid Kit for Bali
Feeling safe is important. A first-aid kit is a must-have on our holiday packing list. As you can see, ours is pretty comprehensive:
The Essentials: Inside the red case are basics like pain relief tablets (Paracetamol/Ibuprofen), lots of plasters/Band-Aids and antiseptic wipes, antiseptic cream, and allergy medicine.
Bali Specifics: We included motion sickness tablets and rehydration salts. We also packed Difflam anti-inflammatory gel.
Personal Meds: Includes any necessary prescriptions
Extras: Travel hair dryer, power adapter plug, and two small portable fans – all part of staying comfortable and prepared!
Keeping Kids Happy: Fun Stuff & Useful Gear We Packed
Happy kids mean a happy holiday! Here’s the gear on our holiday packing list just for them:
Fun for the Trip:
Squares board game (Korean edition!), Dragon Girls book, colouring stuff, twistable crayons.
Food Helper: That small electric pot is a lifesaver! Our youngest can be picky, so this lets us easily make her plain pasta or noodles. We also packed the Sistema food container and the green Stanley thermos for snacks or drinks on the go.
Staying Cool: Two small battery-powered fans because the kids aren’t used to tropical weather.
Water Fun: Our own snorkel sets (multiple sizes) because it feels cleaner than renting. Plus waterproof phone pouch and colourful pool diving rings.
Useful Bits: Reusable water bottles, light travel towels.
Night Fun: Head torches for walks after dark.
Phones, Music & Handy Extras We Packed
Here are the last few practical things on our holiday packing list, all laid out:
Quick Fixes: Roll of black electrical tape for little repairs, plus the head torches.
Important Papers & Chargers: Passports kept separately, phones, chargers, multi-plug power strip with USB ports, universal travel adapter, and a grey organiser pouch to keep all cables tidy.
Camera: Mostly phones, but we brought a DJI Osmo Action 4 camera – waterproof and perfect for family videos near water.
Music: Waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker.
Drying Clothes: Travel clothesline.
What We Left Behind: Stuff We Decided NOT to Pack
Knowing what not to pack is just as important! Here’s what we took off our holiday packing list this time:
- Jeans: Way too hot and heavy for Bali.
- Fancy Clothes: Bali is mostly casual.
- Lots of Shoes: Stuck to the essentials shown earlier.
- Big Hair Tools: Just the travel dryer made the cut.
- Lots of Paper Books: Tablets save space.
- Too Many Toys: Packed just a few favourites.
Travel Stat: Studies show many travellers only wear about 60% of the clothes they pack! Leaving unnecessary items behind makes bags lighter and travel easier – a key part of our realistic holiday packing list.
Your Bali Family Packing Questions Answered (FAQ)
Q1: Is the shower filter really needed for Bali?
A: Maybe not essential everywhere, but water quality can vary. For us, especially with kids, packing the simple filter gives peace of mind. It’s small and light, so we felt it was worth including.
Q2: Can I easily buy baby stuff like nappies (diapers) in Bali?
A: Yes, major supermarkets stock them, but brands might differ. We packed enough for the first few days.
Q3: How much cash should we bring versus using cards?
A: Bring some IDR cash for small things. ATMs are common. Cards work in bigger places. Have both.
Q4: Do we need power adapters for NZ devices?
A: Yes! Bali uses different plugs (Type C/F) than NZ (Type I). A universal adapter is essential.
Final Tips & How We Packed Our Bags (Family Packing Advice)
(See luggage photo)
So that’s our full family holiday packing list for Bali, packed and ready to go from NZ! The main tips: pack light but smart, choose clothes that suit the weather, bring sun protection and first aid stuff, and think about what your family really needs (like our electric pot!).
How We Packed: Our final luggage setup: two check-in bags, both kept under 20kg. One is the white hard-shell suitcase with wheels. The other is the tough blue Patagonia Black Hole duffle bag – good if roads are bumpy. Plus, everyone has a carry-on backpack with essentials.
One Extra Bag: Inside one suitcase, we tucked a folded-up extra duffle bag (55 litre size). Why? For shopping! Bali has cool things to buy. This extra bag means we have space to bring souvenirs home easily. It’s a neat trick for your own family holiday packing list!
If you want to learn more about why Bali is a fantastic family destination, check out our post Why Go to Bali for Your Family? Paradise Found: Easy on the Wallet, Lots to See, and Great Flights from New Zealand for more insights.
Hope sharing our detailed holiday packing list, including the photos of our actual gear, helps you get ready for your own awesome Bali trip. Safe travels!