Q: "I'm new to Bali with kids and feeling isolated. How do I find other expat parents and make friends?"

You're definitely not alone in feeling this way! Moving to a new country with kids can be overwhelming, but Bali has an incredibly welcoming expat parent community. Here's how to find your tribe:

Facebook Groups - Your Starting Point

Bali Expat Families (15,000+ members)

The largest and most active group for families living in Bali.

What you'll find:

• Daily questions and recommendations
• School comparisons and reviews
• Playdates and meetup announcements
• Buy/sell family items
• Emergency support network

Best for: General advice, finding services, connecting with families island-wide

Canggu Expat Families (3,000+ members)

Focused specifically on the Canggu area.

What you'll find:

• Local recommendations (cafes, activities, services)
• Beach meetups and surf lessons for kids
• Nanny shares and babysitting swaps
• School run coordination

Best for: Hyperlocal connections, immediate area support

WhatsApp Groups by Location

Canggu Mom Network

• Size: 200+ active moms
• Focus: Daily support, playdates, local tips
• How to join: Ask in Canggu Expat Families Facebook group
• Activity level: 20-30 messages daily

Ubud Family Circle

• Size: 150+ families
• Focus: Nature activities, homeschooling support, wellness
• How to join: Contact @ubud_families_bali on Instagram
• Activity level: 10-15 messages daily

Sanur Parents Hub

• Size: 100+ families
• Focus: Beach activities, older kids (school-age)
• How to join: Ask at Genius Cafe or post in Sanur Community Facebook
• Activity level: 5-10 messages daily

Regular Playgroups & Meetups

Canggu Beach Playgroup

When: Every Tuesday, 9am-11am Where: Batu Bolong Beach (in front of Old Man's) Ages: All ages welcome What to bring: Toys, snacks, sunscreen Cost: Free Contact: Search "Canggu Beach Playgroup" on Facebook

Ubud Nature Kids

When: Saturdays, 8am-10am Where: Campuhan Ridge Walk starting point Ages: Walking age to 12 years Activities: Nature walks, bird watching, outdoor games Cost: 50K IDR per family Contact: @ubud_nature_kids on Instagram

Sanur Families Swim Club

When: Thursdays, 4pm-6pm Where: Sanur Beach (Segara Ayu area) Ages: All swimming levels Activities: Supervised swimming, beach games Cost: Free (bring own floaties) Contact: Join Sanur Families WhatsApp group

Mom-Specific Groups

Bali Breastfeeding Support

• Focus: Nursing support, lactation consultants, pump/bottle sharing
• Platform: WhatsApp group + monthly meetups
• Location: Rotating between Canggu, Ubud, Sanur
• Contact: @bali.breastfeeding.support on Instagram

New Moms Bali

• Focus: Babies 0-18 months
• Activities: Coffee mornings, baby massage classes, postpartum support
• Meeting: Weekly coffee mornings in Canggu (Mondays 10am)
• Location: Milk & Madu Canggu
• Contact: Search "New Moms Bali" on Facebook

Single Moms Bali

• Focus: Support network for single mothers
• Activities: Group dinners, kids' activities, emotional support
• Size: 50+ members
• Contact: Private group - ask for referral in main expat groups

Activity-Based Communities

Bali Homeschool Network

Who: Families homeschooling or considering it Activities:

• Curriculum sharing
• Group field trips
• Parent teaching exchanges
• Educational resource swaps Meetings: Monthly gatherings in Ubud Contact: bali.homeschool.network@gmail.com

Little Athletes Bali

Ages: 3-12 years Activities:

• Soccer, swimming, gymnastics
• Weekly training sessions
• Mini tournaments Locations: Canggu, Sanur, Ubud Cost: 200K IDR per session Contact: +6281234567890 | @littleathletesbali

Bali Kids Art Club

Ages: 4-14 years Activities:

• Weekly art classes
• Museum visits
• Local artist workshops Location: Rotating venues Cost: 150K IDR per session Contact: @balikidsart

Professional Parent Networks

Digital Nomad Families Bali

• Focus: Remote working parents
• Activities: Coworking playdates, childcare swaps, business networking
• Platform: Slack workspace + monthly meetups
• Join: digitalnomadsfamiliesbali.com

Entrepreneur Moms Bali

• Focus: Women running businesses while parenting
• Activities: Business workshops, mastermind groups, pitch nights
• Meeting: Monthly at various coworking spaces
• Contact: @entrepreneurmomsbali

Healthcare Professionals Families

• Who: Doctors, nurses, therapists with families
• Activities: Professional development, family meetups
• Platform: WhatsApp group
• Contact: Ask in Bali Healthcare Professionals Facebook group

School-Based Communities

Every international school has active parent communities:

Green School Parent Network

• Platform: WhatsApp groups by grade level
• Activities: School events, carpools, social gatherings
• Join: Automatically added when enrolling

Canggu Community School Parents

• Platform: Facebook group + WhatsApp
• Activities: Fundraising events, sports days, cultural celebrations
• Very active: Daily interactions

Dyatmika School Community

• Platform: Official app + informal groups
• Activities: Academic support, extracurricular coordination
• Strong: Parent volunteer network

How to Get Invited to WhatsApp Groups

Step 1: Join Facebook Groups First

Most WhatsApp groups are "invitation only" and admins recruit from Facebook groups.

Step 2: Be Active and Genuine

• Comment helpfully on posts
• Ask genuine questions
• Offer help when you can
• Share useful information

Step 3: Attend Public Events

• Playgroups are great for meeting admin/active members
• Volunteer at school events
• Join activities at coworking spaces

Step 4: Ask Directly

• "Hi, I'm new to [area] with kids aged [X]. Are there any WhatsApp groups for local parents?"
• Be specific about your location and kids' ages
• Mention what you can contribute to the community

Making Real Friendships (Beyond Group Chat)

Host Something Small

• Beach picnic: Easy, kids love it
• Home playdate: More intimate than public spaces
• Coffee morning: Simple but effective

Suggest Regular Meetups

• "Anyone want to do weekly beach walks?"
• "Looking for gym buddies - kids welcome!"
• "Monthly potluck dinner, anyone interested?"

Be the Organizer

• Start a book club for parents
• Organize group activities (pottery class, cooking class)
• Create seasonal events (Halloween party, Christmas craft day)

One-on-One Connections

• Follow up on group conversations privately
• Suggest coffee dates
• Offer specific help ("I'm going to Denpasar, need anything?")

Support Groups for Specific Needs

Special Needs Support Bali

• Focus: Children with developmental, learning, or physical challenges
• Activities: Resource sharing, therapy recommendations, emotional support
• Platform: Private Facebook group
• Contact: Ask for invitation in main expat groups

Teen Parents Bali

• Ages: Kids 13-18 years
• Focus: High school choices, independence building, cultural navigation
• Platform: WhatsApp group
• Size: 80+ families

Adoptive/Foster Families Bali

• Focus: Unique challenges of adoption/fostering in Indonesia
• Platform: Private group
• Contact: Referral only through social workers or main groups

Seasonal Community Events

Regular Annual Events

• Bali Expat Family Fun Day (July): Games, food, networking
• International Children's Day (June): Cultural performances, activities
• Halloween Trick-or-Treat (October): Organized neighborhood routes
• Christmas Markets (December): Multiple locations, family-friendly

Monthly Recurring

• New Resident Welcome Coffee: First Saturday of each month
• Mom's Night Out: Third Friday (rotating venues)
• Family Beach Clean-Up: Second Sunday
• Cultural Exchange Dinner: Last Saturday

How to Stay Updated

• Follow @baliexpat events on Instagram
• Join "Bali Events for Families" Facebook group
• Subscribe to Coconuts Bali family newsletter
• Check Eventbrite for "Bali family events"