Morocco family holidays work best when the plan is built around the children rather than squeezed around them. Kids tend to love this country: there are donkeys in the medina lanes, snake charmers and acrobats in the main square, camels that kneel down to let them climb on, and a swimming pool waiting at the end of most days. Moroccans adore children, too, and families often find doors open that would stay closed to couples.
We are a local team in Marrakech, and many of our drivers are parents themselves. Over more than a decade of organising trips, we have learned that the secret is pacing – shorter drives, early starts before the heat, an afternoon swim and a dinner that is not too late. Here is how we put that into practice.
What children enjoy most in Morocco
- Camel rides: a gentle hour in the Agafay desert near Marrakech, or a sunset ride into the dunes at Merzouga.
- Jemaa el-Fna at dusk: storytellers, musicians, fresh orange juice and food stalls setting up – best enjoyed holding hands.
- Gardens and open space: the Majorelle Garden, the Menara olive grove and the palm groves outside the city give children room to breathe.
- Mountain villages: a short walk in the Ourika Valley or around Imlil, with a mint tea in a family home.
- Hands-on crafts: pottery, weaving or a bread-baking session can be arranged with trusted local partners on request.
- The beach: Essaouira’s wide bay is windy but great for kites, sandcastles and fresh fish lunches.
Our Marrakech activities include many half-day options that fit around nap times and pool breaks.
Desert experiences for families
The Sahara is a highlight at almost any age, but the right desert depends on how far you are prepared to drive. The Agafay is a stony desert about 40 km south-west of Marrakech, reached in 45–60 minutes, with views of the High Atlas. There are no big sand dunes, but it offers camel rides, comfortable camps with pools and a taste of desert silence without a long journey. See our Agafay desert tours, including the short Agafay camel ride.
Erg Chebbi at Merzouga has the real golden dunes, rising to around 150 m, but it lies roughly 560 km from Marrakech – nine or ten hours on the road. With children we always split that journey with a night in the Dades Valley or Skoura, which turns it into an adventure rather than an ordeal. Our comparison of Merzouga vs Agafay helps you decide.
Family tours and activities to book
These experiences suit families well. All can be booked online with a 10% deposit, and the longer trips run privately with your own driver and vehicle.
Private tour · Day trip · from MarrakechCamel Ride in the Agafay Desert at Sunset
- Private tour · Day trip · from Marrakech
Agafay Desert Combo: Camel Ride, Quad and Buggy
- Private tour · 3 days · from Marrakech
3-Day Desert Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga
- Private tour · Day trip
Merzouga Camel Trek & Night in a Desert Camp
Need something more flexible? Our private tours let you stop whenever someone is hungry, bored or needs the loo.
Where to stay: pools, family rooms and riads
Riads are beautiful but not all are child-proof: open staircases, roof terraces with low walls and plunge pools in the courtyard need watching with toddlers. For young children we often suggest a riad with a family suite, or a hotel or villa with a garden and a proper pool just outside the medina. In the south, many kasbah hotels have large rooms and pools that are a lifesaver on hot afternoons. Our article on riad vs hotel in Morocco explains the trade-offs.
Desert camps vary too. Some have family tents with en-suite bathrooms and extra beds; ask us and we will book the right set-up.
Pacing, ages and health
Age advice
| Age | What works well | What to keep short |
|---|---|---|
| Under 4 | Marrakech gardens, Agafay, pool days, Essaouira beach | Long drives, busy souks at peak times |
| 4–8 | Short camel rides, village walks, one night in a desert camp | Days with more than 4–5 hours in the car |
| 9–12 | Merzouga with a split journey, sandboarding, cooking sessions | Long museum visits |
| Teenagers | Longer camel treks, quad biking (age rules apply), hiking, surfing | Very early starts every day |
Quad and buggy activities have minimum ages and are usually done as a passenger for younger children; we will confirm the rules when you book.
Health and practical tips
Keeping everyone well
- Give children bottled or filtered water and use it for brushing teeth too.
- Sun hats, high-factor sunscreen and long sleeves matter from April to October.
- Pack a warm layer for desert and mountain nights, especially from November to March.
- Keep children away from stray cats and dogs, however friendly they look.
- Bring rehydration sachets and any usual medicines; pharmacies are good in the cities but limited in the desert.
- Check with your doctor or travel clinic about vaccinations before travelling.
Food for kids
Moroccan food is flavourful rather than spicy, and most children happily eat chicken tagine with lemon, couscous, grilled kefta, bread with honey and amlou, omelettes and mountains of fruit. Pizza and pasta are easy to find in the cities if someone goes on strike. Our Moroccan food guide lists dishes that win over fussy eaters.
A sample family week
- Day 1: arrive in Marrakech, transfer to a riad or hotel with a pool, evening stroll to Jemaa el-Fna.
- Day 2: morning in the gardens and souks with a guide, afternoon at the pool.
- Day 3: Agafay desert for a camel ride, lunch and sunset; back to Marrakech or overnight in a camp.
- Day 4: Atlas Mountains day trip with a short village walk.
- Days 5–6: drive to Essaouira (about 3 hours), beach, ramparts and fish lunches.
- Day 7: return to Marrakech for your flight.
Families with older children often swap the coast for a three-day desert loop instead. See our Morocco coastal tours if the beach appeals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Morocco suitable for a holiday with toddlers?
Yes, with the right base. Choose a hotel or riad with ground-floor rooms or a family suite, stick to day trips from Marrakech and avoid long drives. A light buggy is fine in the new town but a carrier is easier in the medina.
Can you provide child seats?
Please request them when booking and tell us your children’s ages, so we can arrange suitable seats in your private vehicle.
How old must children be to ride a camel?
Most children from around four can enjoy a short ride sitting with care, and a parent can walk alongside. Longer treks and overnight rides suit older children.
Is the drive to Merzouga too long for kids?
Done in one day it is tiring. We split it over two days with a night in the Dades or Skoura area, plus plenty of stops.
When is the best time for a family trip?
School holidays in spring and October half-term are ideal. Summer is very hot inland, so families travelling in July or August often focus on the coast and the mountains.
Tell us your children’s ages, how long you have and what they are most excited about, and we will design a relaxed family itinerary with a free quote. Contact us by email or WhatsApp on +212 673 55 54 08 – we are happy to answer the small questions too.