The great secret of packing for Bali with children is that you can buy almost everything when you land. Nappies, sun cream, snacks, cheap clothes, a bucket and spade — all cheaper on the island than at the airport. So the goal isn't to pack for two weeks; it's to pack for the first day and for the handful of things that are genuinely hard to find.
The can't-buy-there list
Any prescription medicine, in its original box with a copy of the prescription. A decent factor-50 that suits your child's skin — local sun cream exists but the range is thin. A familiar comfort item, because a lost sleep toy cannot be replaced. Swim nappies if your baby is small, and a lightweight rash vest each, which saves endless re-creaming.
The first-24-hours bag
Assume your main luggage is delayed and pack a carry-on that could see you through a day: a change of clothes each, enough nappies and wipes for the journey plus a buffer, a few snacks, and any medicine. Add a plug adapter and a portable charger so the tablet that keeps the peace on the flight survives the transfer, too.
Leave room, and leave the fear
Half-fill the case. You'll come home with batik shorts, a wooden something and a kite, and you'll have topped up on nappies and snacks locally for a fraction of home prices. A small travel first-aid kit, rehydration sachets and a thermometer round things out — but if you forget them, a Balinese pharmacy is never far away.
Pack light, pack for the airport-day disaster, and trust the island for the rest. It rarely lets you down.
●
