Family Travel
Morocco with Kids
Camel rides, desert camping, beach days, and cooking classes — why Morocco is one of the best family destinations you haven't considered yet.
6-14
ideal kid ages
Oct-May
best family months
~$100-250
typical family daily budget
Welcoming
culture for families
Yes — Morocco is a rewarding destination with kids, and the culture is genuinely warm towards children. In a single trip your family can ride camels on the Sahara dunes, swim at riad pools and Atlantic beaches, learn to cook tagine, explore medieval medinas, and stargaze from a desert camp. Many families find ages 6–14 the easiest, though any age can work with the right pace. The best months are roughly October to May, before the summer heat peaks; a typical family daily budget runs around $100–250 depending on accommodation and activities. Travel with a private guide and driver to keep the group together, hold small hands in busy medinas, and choose riads with child-safe or gated pools. The guide below covers activities by age, a 7-day route, food, health and packing.
Written by the Serenity Morocco editorial team · Reviewed by Hassan Ouazzani, Family & Multi-Generational Travel
Last reviewed
Why Morocco Works for Families
Morocco is one of the most family-welcoming cultures in the world. Children are celebrated — expect restaurant staff to entertain your kids, shopkeepers to offer sweets, and strangers to wave and smile. The Moroccan concept of family is expansive and warm, and your children will feel it immediately.
Beyond the welcome, Morocco offers extraordinary variety for families. In a single trip, children can ride camels across Sahara dunes, swim in riad pools and Atlantic beaches, learn to cook tagine, explore ancient medieval cities, trek through mountain villages, and sleep under a sky of stars in a desert camp. No screen can compete.
The value proposition is strong too. Family-friendly riads cost $80-150 per night (for the whole family), meals are $5-15 per person, and activities like camel rides and cooking classes are a fraction of equivalent European prices.
Best Activities by Age Group
Toddlers (0-4 years)
Great Activities
- Riad pool time — most have shallow areas
- Short camel rides (parent holds child)
- Beach days in Essaouira or Agadir
- Majorelle Garden in Marrakech
- Horse-drawn carriage rides
Practical Tips
- Bring a baby carrier — strollers are useless in medinas
- Limit daily activities to 1-2 (nap time matters)
- Choose riads with gated pools if possible
- Formula and diapers available in Carrefour, Marjane supermarkets
- Skip the desert drive — too long for toddlers
Young Kids (5-9 years)
Great Activities
- Camel riding — the absolute highlight
- Desert camping and stargazing
- Souk treasure hunting (let them pick a souvenir)
- Cooking classes (hands-on kneading and mixing)
- Swimming and sandcastle building
- Donkey rides in mountain villages
Practical Tips
- The Sahara drive is manageable if broken into segments with stops
- Kids love the tanneries (the smell is an adventure)
- Bring snacks and games for car journeys
- Private guides adapt pace to children naturally
- Avoid overscheduling — leave free time daily
Tweens and Teens (10-17 years)
Great Activities
- Quad biking in the Palmeraie (age 12+)
- Surfing lessons in Essaouira or Taghazout
- Hot air balloon at sunrise
- Sandboarding on Erg Chebbi dunes
- Photography walks in Chefchaouen
- Atlas Mountain trekking
- Food tours and cooking competitions
Practical Tips
- Teens often love the sensory overload of medinas
- Give them a camera or phone for a photo challenge
- Let them practice bargaining — great life skill
- Multi-day desert trips work well for this age
- Wi-Fi in riads and cafes for connectivity
Suggested Family Itinerary: 7 Days
Day 1
Arrive Marrakech
Check into family riad with pool. Evening walk to Jemaa el-Fna for fresh orange juice and people-watching.
Day 2
Marrakech
Morning: Majorelle Garden and Bahia Palace. Afternoon: riad pool. Evening: cooking class together.
Day 3
Atlas Mountains
Day trip to Ourika Valley. Waterfall walk (gentle), Berber village visit, mint tea with a local family. Kids love the mules.
Day 4
To the Desert
Drive via Ait Benhaddou (explore the kasbah). Lunch stop at Ouarzazate. Arrive at Dades Gorge for the night.
Day 5
Sahara Desert
The highlight. Camel ride to a luxury camp. Sandboarding, stargazing, traditional music around the campfire. Kids sleep in Berber tents.
Day 6
Desert to Essaouira
Return drive via Marrakech to the Atlantic coast. Beach time in Essaouira. Fresh fish for dinner at the port.
Day 7
Essaouira + Departure
Morning on the beach. Rampart walk. Drive back to Marrakech airport (3 hours). Or add a beach day.
A Family Trip in Pictures
Practical Tips for Families
Health and Safety
- Drink bottled water only (sealed bottles everywhere)
- Bring basic first-aid kit and any medications from home
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ — the Moroccan sun is strong
- Pharmacies are abundant and well-stocked in cities
- Private hospitals in Marrakech and Casablanca are excellent
- Hold hands in busy medinas — donkeys and motorcycles share narrow lanes
Food and Dining
- Kids love msemen (flatbread), chicken tagine, and fries
- Fresh orange juice is everywhere and safe
- Most restaurants will make plain pasta or omelettes
- Avoid raw salads at street stalls for young children
- Riad breakfasts are huge — pancakes, crepes, bread, jam, eggs
- Bring familiar snacks for road trips (available at Marjane/Carrefour)
Transport
- Private car with driver is the best option for families
- Car seats available on request — confirm with your tour operator
- Trains work well for Marrakech-Casablanca-Fes corridor
- Avoid shared grand taxis with children (cramped, no seatbelts)
- Domestic flights between major cities (1 hour vs 7 hours)
Accommodation
- Riads with family suites and pools are ideal
- Check courtyard pool safety for toddlers (many are unfenced)
- Hotels offer more predictable family facilities
- Desert camps with flushing toilets for younger kids
- Request extra beds/cots when booking — widely available
Family Travel FAQ
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Plan Your Family Morocco Trip
Our family-specialist guides design age-appropriate itineraries with the right pace, kid-friendly riads, and activities the whole family will love. Private transport, car seats, and 24/7 support included.
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