Ask a child what they remember from Morocco and the answer is rarely a monument. It is the camel that grumbled when it stood up, the dune they rolled down twenty times, the fire in the camp and the sky full of stars. A Morocco desert tour with kids can be the highlight of a family holiday — as long as the itinerary is built around their energy, not just the adults' bucket list.
Here is our practical guide to planning a Morocco desert tour with kids, based on many family trips we have organised.
Choose the right desert for your children's ages
Toddlers and young children (under 6)
Keep it short and close. The Agafay desert, 40 minutes from Marrakech, offers camels, open space, a camp night and stars without long drives. Our 3-day Atlas & Agafay tour adds an easy walk in a Berber village and the lake of Lalla Takerkoust, with no leg longer than two hours. See our Agafay desert guide.
Children aged 6 to 12
They are the perfect age for the real dunes. The best option is a circuit that spreads the driving: the 5-day Grand South loop avoids very long days, while the 4-day Merzouga tour gives two nights in the dunes but has a long return day. The Zagora desert tour is a good compromise for shorter holidays.
Teenagers
Add adrenaline: sandboarding, a buggy ride, a hike in the Todra gorge, a visit to the film studios. Our quad and buggy guide explains age rules. A 6 or 7-day circuit ending on the coast, with a surf lesson, is often a hit.
Managing driving times
- Limit driving to around four or five hours a day where possible, broken into chunks.
- Stop every one and a half to two hours: viewpoints, a mint tea, a village, a walk.
- Ask for child seats when you book; we arrange them on request.
- Prepare for winding roads: the Tizi n'Tichka is beautiful but twisty — motion-sickness remedies, a front seat if possible and fresh air help.
- Download films, audiobooks and games for the longer stretches.
Our private circuits are flexible: if the children need a swim at the hotel pool or a slower morning, we adapt the day.
The desert night with children
Children usually love the camp. Choose a family tent or connecting tents, ideally with a private bathroom, and a camp at the edge of the dunes rather than very deep inside, so the camel ride is shorter. Nights can be cold from November to March: bring warm pyjamas and hats. Our desert camp guide has the details.
Activities children love
- Camel rides: young children ride with a parent or on a camel led by the cameleer. See our camel ride guide.
- Sandboarding and dune rolling: the softest playground in the world.
- Stargazing: count shooting stars, spot the Milky Way.
- Fossil hunting: the shops of Erfoud and Alnif sell trilobites and ammonites millions of years old.
- Film studios in Ouarzazate: Egyptian temples and sphinxes are a big hit — see our film studios guide.
- Gnawa music in Khamlia, where children are often invited to play the castanets.
A sample Morocco desert tour with kids (5 days)
- Day 1: Marrakech to Aït Ben Haddou with stops in the Atlas; explore the ksar like a castle and sleep in a riad with a pool.
- Day 2: Ouarzazate film studios in the morning, then a short drive to Skoura and a kasbah guesthouse among the palms.
- Day 3: Dades and Todra gorges with an easy walk, then camels into the dunes and a family tent in Merzouga.
- Day 4: sandboarding, Khamlia music and fossils, a second relaxed night in the desert or a hotel at the edge of the dunes.
- Day 5: the long drive back, broken by lunch and a playground stop in Ouarzazate.
Food, water and health
- Food: bread, omelettes, couscous, grilled meat, kefta, rice and fresh fruit are easy for children. Ask for simple dishes without too much spice; hotels are used to it.
- Water: drink bottled water and carry plenty in the car.
- Sun: hats, sunglasses and sunscreen, even in winter.
- Hygiene: hand sanitiser and wet wipes are your friends.
- Rest: plan quiet afternoons in the shade during hot months.
Our Sahara packing list includes a section for children.
Safety
The desert is a safe and welcoming place for families. Keep an eye on children on dune slopes and near camp fires, agree on a meeting point at the camp, follow the guides' advice on quad and buggy rides and avoid the hottest hours in summer. Moroccans are wonderfully warm with children, who often become the stars of the trip.
Arriving with children
Start the trip gently: a pre-booked Marrakech airport transfer with child seats and a calm first night in a riad make a huge difference. Our family airport transfer guide explains how it works.
Plan your family Morocco desert tour with kids
Tell us your children's ages, your dates and what your family enjoys on WhatsApp, and we will design a private circuit with the right pace, family-friendly accommodation and activities. Or start by comparing routes in our guide to multi-day tours from Marrakech.
