Authentic Balinese Play: Traditional Games Your Amed Babysitter Will Share Nanny In Bali
Meta Description: Leave the tablets behind! Discover the engaging, traditional Balinese games your Amed nanny might teach your kids while you enjoy your dive, fostering a unique cultural exchange.
When you book a family dive trip to the spectacular eastern coast of Bali, your itinerary is naturally focused on the ocean. While you are busy exploring the dramatic drop-offs of Jemeluk Bay or swimming through the historic USAT Liberty wreck in Tulamben, your children are experiencing their own terrestrial adventures under the watchful eye of a local babysitter.
One of the greatest, yet most unexpected, benefits of hiring a local nanny in Amed is the cultural immersion your children receive. Balinese childhood is deeply intertwined with nature, community, and resourcefulness. Instead of relying on screens, your babysitter is likely to introduce your little ones to the magic of unplugged, traditional Indonesian play. Here are a few authentic games your children might learn while you are exploring the deep.
Layang-Layang: The Art of Balinese Kite Flying
If there is one activity that defines the breezy coastal afternoons in Bali, it is flying kites (layang-layang). In Balinese culture, kite flying is not just a pastime; it is a serious tradition and an art form.
The steady coastal winds of Amed and Sidemen make for perfect kite-flying conditions. Your nanny might bring a simple, locally crafted kite made of bamboo and lightweight fabric or paper. Together with your children, they can launch it from the black sand beaches, watching it soar against the backdrop of Mount Agung. It is a wonderfully active, joyful experience that teaches children about wind direction and patience, while keeping them completely mesmerized by the colorful displays in the sky.
Congklak: Beachside Strategy and Counting
Congklak is a timeless Indonesian classic that perfectly adapts to a beach setting. Traditionally played on an elongated wooden board with small indentations, the game requires players to distribute small “seeds” across the board mathematically.
When played on the beach in Amed, the game takes on a beautiful, natural twist. Your babysitter might encourage your children to first scour the shoreline to collect smooth volcanic pebbles, pieces of sea glass, or tiny shells to act as the game pieces. They can even scoop out small indentations directly in the damp sand to create a makeshift Congklak board. It is a quiet, shaded activity that subtly enhances counting skills and strategic thinking, all set to the sound of crashing waves.
Gasing: The Mesmerizing Spinning Tops
Another traditional toy that often captivates visiting children is the Gasing, a traditional Indonesian spinning top. Unlike modern plastic tops, a traditional Gasing is usually hand-carved from dense wood and requires a specific technique to spin using a tightly wound piece of string.
Learning to launch a Gasing perfectly is a thrilling challenge for older toddlers and elementary-aged kids. Your nanny will patiently show them how to wrap the string and the exact flick of the wrist needed to make the top spin flawlessly on the villa patio. The sheer sense of accomplishment your child will feel when they finally get the wooden top to balance and spin is incredibly rewarding.
Engklek: Hopscotch with a Local Twist
The beauty of children’s games is how universal they can be. Engklek is the Indonesian variation of hopscotch, and it is a brilliant way to burn off energy before nap time.
Because it requires no shared language to understand, your nanny can simply draw the Engklek grid on the driveway with chalk or carve it into the wet sand with a stick. Using a flat stone as the marker, children hop through the squares, learning to balance on one foot. It is an instant icebreaker that often results in giggles and friendly competition between your kids and their caregiver.
The Gift of Cultural Exchange
Returning from your morning dive to find your children flying a kite or carefully counting shells for a game of Congklak is a heartwarming sight. By entrusting your kids to a local Amed babysitter, you are not just securing childcare; you are opening the door to a genuine cultural exchange. These simple, traditional games leave a lasting impression, ensuring your children return home with fond memories of a truly authentic Balinese adventure.