Morocco Itinerary With Kids: A Family-Friendly Route That Works
Morocco is a great country to visit with kids, as long as you keep the driving short, the days flexible and the Sahara night at the heart of the plan. Children love camel rides, sandboarding, kasbahs that look like movie sets, colourful souks and the chance to sleep in a tent in the dunes. The main challenge is distance: long drives are hard for small children. A good family itinerary uses fewer bases, adds a rest day, and starts with an easy city before the long road to the desert. This Morocco itinerary with kids gives a 7-day and a 10-day family route, daily driving times, the best kid-friendly stops, tips for the Sahara with children, and practical advice on food, health, heat and packing.
Every family is different, so adjust the pace to your children’s ages and energy. Driving times are approximate and depend on traffic, weather and stops.
Morocco Itinerary With Kids at a Glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Best length for a family trip | 7 to 10 days, with a rest day in the middle |
| Best season | Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) |
| Main kid highlight | A camel ride and a night in a desert camp |
| Longest drive to avoid | Over 5 hours in one day with young children |
| Best way to travel | A private vehicle and driver, with room for luggage and car seats |
| Hardest part | Long drives and midday heat |
| Good ages | Most children from about 4 or 5 enjoy the desert most |
Rules for a Family Itinerary in Morocco
- Do not rush. Plan no more than 3 to 4 hours of driving on most days, and add stops for lunch, toilets and play.
- Stay two nights in key places. Fewer hotel changes means fewer packing days and happier children.
- Add a rest day with a pool, a short walk, or a free afternoon.
- Choose family-friendly places to sleep, with a pool, a garden, or connecting rooms.
- Use a private driver. You can stop when needed, and ask about child seats before you book.
- Keep the desert for the middle or end, when everyone has settled in and has energy for an adventure.
7-Day Morocco Itinerary With Kids
| Day | Plan | Driving |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Marrakech, easy afternoon, dinner in Jemaa el-Fna | Airport transfer |
| 2 | Marrakech: gardens, a horse-drawn carriage ride, souk visit in the morning, pool in the afternoon | None |
| 3 | Cross the High Atlas to Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate | About 4 to 5 hours with stops |
| 4 | Dades valley and Todra gorge, on to Merzouga | About 5 hours with stops |
| 5 | Merzouga: camel ride at sunset, desert camp night | Short transfer |
| 6 | Sunrise in the dunes, sandboarding, relaxed day in Merzouga | Short |
| 7 | Return towards Marrakech or fly out from a nearby airport | Long, split if possible |
This route is the classic. If the long drives worry you, it is easy to add an extra night in the Dades valley or Ouarzazate. Our 4-day Marrakech desert tour follows the same road at a slower pace than the 3-day version, and our guide to Morocco tour packages compares the options.
10-Day Morocco Itinerary With Kids
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | Marrakech: souks, gardens, pool, a cooking class or craft workshop for kids |
| 3 | Atlas mountains and Ait Ben Haddou, night in Ouarzazate |
| 4 | Dades valley, short walk in the gorge, night in the valley |
| 5 to 6 | Merzouga: camel ride, desert camp night, sandboarding, a day of rest |
| 7 | Drive north through the Middle Atlas, with stops for cedar forests and monkeys |
| 8 to 9 | Fes: medina visit, tanneries view, pool and relaxed time |
| 10 | Transfer to Casablanca, Rabat or Marrakech for your flight |
You can swap the northern part for Essaouira, a small walled seaside town with a beach, easy streets and a relaxed feel, or for Chefchaouen, the blue town in the Rif mountains, which children often find magical. For a full day-by-day plan, see our Morocco 10 days itinerary with kids.
The Sahara With Children
For most families, the night in the desert is the best day of the trip. Here is how to make it easy:
- Camel ride: usually about one hour to the camp. Young children can ride in front of an adult or with a guide beside them. Ask the team about age and weight limits.
- Camp comfort: ask for a private tent with real beds, blankets and a bathroom, and for a camp that is not far from the dunes.
- Fun: sandboarding, running down the dunes, drumming around the fire and stargazing keep children busy.
- Cold nights: bring hats, socks and warm layers, even in spring and autumn.
- Sun and sand: bring sun hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and a scarf to protect faces from wind.
- Quad rides: usually have age and size limits. Ask first.
Read our guide to the desert camp and camel ride in Merzouga for the full evening, and our list of things to do in Merzouga for more family ideas.
Best Kid-Friendly Stops
| Place | Why kids like it |
|---|---|
| Marrakech gardens and carriage ride | Green space, fountains and a fun way to see the city |
| Jemaa el-Fna in the evening | Music, food stalls and street shows |
| Ait Ben Haddou | A mud-brick village that looks like a film set |
| Todra and Dades gorges | Short walks and huge cliffs |
| Merzouga dunes | Camels, sandboarding and a night in a tent |
| Ifrane and the Middle Atlas | Cedar forests and wild monkeys |
| Essaouira | Beach, kites and a calm walled town |
| Chefchaouen | Blue streets and cats everywhere |
Food, Health and Safety Tips
- Food: children usually enjoy couscous, grilled chicken, kefta, bread, fresh orange juice and fruit. Fussy eaters can find pasta, omelettes and plain rice almost everywhere.
- Water: drink bottled water and use it for brushing teeth. Choose busy places for street food.
- Medicine: bring a small kit with children’s pain relief, oral rehydration salts, plasters, sunscreen and insect repellent. Check health advice and vaccines with your doctor before you travel.
- Hand hygiene: carry wipes and hand gel for the road.
- Medinas: narrow lanes get busy, so hold small children’s hands and agree a meeting point. Strollers are hard to use in old towns, so a carrier is easier.
- Insurance: take travel insurance that covers medical care for the whole family.
When to Go and What to Pack
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for children. Summer is too hot for the desert and the cities in the middle of the day, and winter nights are very cold in the Sahara. Our guide to the best time to visit Morocco explains each month. Bring light clothes in layers, sun hats, closed shoes, a warm jacket, a scarf, swimwear, a small first aid kit, snacks and a few toys or books for the car. Our guide on what to wear in Morocco for women has modest clothing ideas for parents, and our Moroccan dirham guide covers money.
For a general overview of the country, see Morocco on Wikipedia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morocco good for kids?
Yes. With a relaxed pace, a private driver and family-friendly places to stay, children enjoy the camels, the dunes, the colours and the food.
What is the best age for a Sahara trip?
Children from about 4 or 5 usually enjoy it most, but babies and toddlers can also go with extra planning. Ask the camp about tents, warmth and facilities.
How many days do I need for Morocco with kids?
Seven days is a good minimum for Marrakech and the desert. Ten days gives time for Fes or the coast and a slower pace.
Are there child seats in Moroccan cars?
Not always. Ask your driver or company before you book, or bring your own seat if your children need one.
Is the food suitable for children?
Yes. Mild dishes such as couscous, chicken and bread are easy for most children, and plain options are widely available.
Can we do a camel ride with small children?
Often yes, with an adult or a guide beside them. Tell the team the age and weight of your children when you book.
Plan Your Family Trip With Local Help
We are a local Merzouga team, and every trip is private and flexible, so we can adjust drives, stops and the camp for your children. Message us on WhatsApp at +212 620 628 083 or use our contact page with your dates and the ages of your children, and we will build a family itinerary with a relaxed pace and a comfortable desert camp.