Morocco is a vibrant, family-friendly destination offering a rich tapestry of experiences that both kids and adults will love. From the bustling souks of Marrakech to the golden sands of the Sahara, this North African gem is brimming with adventures that captivate young imaginations.
Whether it’s camel trekking through desert dunes, exploring ancient medinas, or wandering through lush, fragrant gardens, Morocco offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty that makes for an unforgettable family vacation.
Morocco promises an enriching and exciting journey for families seeking both adventure and cultural immersion. Here’s a selection our favourite activities to enjoy Morocco with kids.
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Marrakech Cycle Tour with Morocco Toubkal Adventure
Marrakech is a swirling city, alive with sights, smells and sounds that are so different from Europe and yet it’s only a three-hour flight from the UK.
It’s a hard city to get a handle on, especially on foot, so a great way to get your bearings is a bike tour of the city.
Starting in the oldest part near the royal palace, and under the watchful gaze of our trusty guide Ibrahim, we did a 15km circuit of the city, snaking our way through the busy streets and then into the souks – a chaotic maze of shops selling herbs, spices, clothes, jewellery, pottery, cushions and so much more. It’s a rich feast for the eyes.
The trip took us past palaces and gardens, the expensive quarter of Gueliz with its upmarket hotels as well as the oldest parts of the Medina dating back to the twelfth century.
Few places offer such contrast and there’s a palpable sense that some things haven’t changed for generations. We stopped for a welcome fruit smoothies in the central Jeema al Fna square.
The girls loved picking fruits and having them mixed into a bespoke drink. A definite must when it’s so hot.
Ready to book? Morocco Toubkal Adventure – Bike Tour
Basket Embroidery workshop  – Original MarrakechÂ
A short taxi ride transports you from the hustle and heat of the Medina to a cool whitewashed airy studio full of beautiful coloured thread and pompoms spanning every colour of the rainbow.
This is Original Marrakech – a family business set up by Pierre and Jessica, a french couple  who sell their hand-embroidered baskets all over the world. They run workshops on the Champs Élysée and also in Marrakech.
We were ushered downstairs, and sipped sweet mint tea, and nibbled on almond pastries to get the creative juices flowing. In front of us was a basket – a blank canvas, waiting for us to decorate. We chose our thread colour and a word to stitch, all the while guided by the lovely Nadia.
A small corrective stitch here and there from her transformed our handiwork. A final addition of a few pompoms and the project was complete.Â
The girls loved this craft and were thrilled with the final result – a firm holiday highlight.Â
Ready to book? Original Marrakech Embroidery Workshop
Desert Camel Safari Tour – Marrakech Desert Trips (3 Days)
With so much more to see outside Marrakech, we escaped the bustle of the city and headed south-east to the Sahara desert for a camel safari and a night under the stars.
Day 1
We were met early on day 1 by Abdelilah and piled into a comfortable minivan, with all-essential AC. We cut through the Atlas Mountains, passing over the highest mountain road in Morocco at 2,260m. The scenery soon changes to a more arid landscape with palm and olive groves hugging the river valleys.Â
We took a small detour to see Ait Ben Haddou, the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site. An incredible Berber trading citadel dating back to the 12th Century, but quickly nicknamed the gingerbread city by our family as everything is the same biscuit colour. Interest was suddenly pricked when the girls discovered that it was also the film set for Gladiator , Game of Thrones and Outer Banks!
Back on the road and it wasn’t long before we entered Mgouvia, the rose capital of Morocco. We were welcomed with a beautifully scented rose garland. Every year at the beginning of May, this town is carpeted with roses for its annual rose festival.
By mid-afternoon we arrived at our first nights stay – a beautifully situated hotel perched high on a hilltop overlooking the lush valley below. The sparkling infinity pool was a welcome sight after a day in the heat. The views were to die for.
We were treated to incredible Berber hospitality – drinks on the terrace followed by an incredible Moroccan dinner lit by Moroccan lanterns, mint tea and even a spontaneous Berber jam with dancing! Fussy eaters need not worry, our four course feast was gobbled up by everyone, grilled chicken kebabs, grilled vegetables and fresh watermelon – all grown in the valley beneath us.
Our spacious family room, number 9, had a wonderful balcony overlooking the pool and valley. We all slept deeply helped with a bit of air conditioning.
Day 2Â
After a refreshing early-morning dip, watching the sun rise above the valley, we were treated to a breakfast feast. Freshly squeezed orange juice, pancakes, local honey, omelettes, fresh bread and watermelon … we struggled to fit it all on our plates.
We were sad to say goodbye to the exceptional hospitality but excited by what lay ahead.
This morning’s drive tracked a green valley. We stopped to pick ripe figs and paddle in the river running through the Toudra Gorge.
Before lunch a big dose of culture – a tour of the Berber museum giving a fascinating insight into the nomadic life of the Saharan people. A pharmacy of natural remedies, ginger for an upset stomach, black cumin for nightmares and grass hoppers for cough medicine.
At the edge of the village a group of Berber women sat embroidering head scarfs – as we headed into the Sahara this last minute purchase proved essential.Â
We were also allowed to peek into one of the few mosques in Morocco that allow non-Muslims to visit. We happened to time our trip as the distinctive call to prayer sounded. Incredible to watch men and women appear from nowhere to start praying.
We then visited a school for the nomadic children funded by UNESCO. Six year olds in pink uniforms having a maths lesson- our girls loved seeing this and it was a real eye opener.
As the day’s heat began to recede, golden sand dunes arose around us – we spotted wild camels with their distinctive gait. We swapped our people carrier for a 4×4 and hopped in the back. With the warm desert wind in our faces, we were taken to our caravan of waiting camels. There was great excitement as we mounted our camels as they knelt in the sand. Holding on tight we lurched forward then back as the animal got to its feet.
For the next few hours we gently lollopped over the orange dunes, the blue sky turning pink and casting long shadows turning every view into a perfect photo opportunity.
Just before sunset we dismounted and while the camels rested we played in the dunes, running up and jumping down.
Back in the saddle, we rode towards our camp and as we drew closer, we saw paths lit by lanterns, hammocks and a semi-circle of white tents around a large camp fire.
After a rather warm evening in the desert, the welcome couldn’t have been more special – sweet mint tea, salty nuts, local biscuits and best of all cold cold water.
Those not keen on camping needn’t worry – this is definitely glamping. Inside each spacious tent is a huge super-king bed with a feather duvet, crisp white  sheets, and would you believe it air conditioning. Squeals came from the girls tent as they explored and discovered there’d be no need for the wet wipes we’d bought; each tent had its own shower, basin and flushing loo! All the interior design in keeping; Moroccan lanterns, tiled floors rugs and plush embroidered fabrics.Â
The next excitement was supper, served in the dining tent – another four course feast, soup, Moroccan salad, baked aubergine, a meat platter (our youngest was worried she’d been served camel and mightily relieved to find out it was chicken) and the biggest fresh fruit bowl you’ve ever seen.Â
After supper the fire was stoked and the sound of Berber drums and singing filled the air as we lazed in hammocks gazing up at the inky sky watching shooting stars.
Day 3
We were woken by the sound of camels and had we not been lured by the sunrise, we would have been reluctant to leave our comfy beds. It doesn’t matter how many sunrises you’ve seen – you never grow tired of watching the sun slowly rise over the horizon. We sat on the dunes watching beetles make tiny tracks across the sand.
By 7 we were sipping warm hot chocolate, freshly squeezed orange juice and eating omelettes and fresh pastries, and by 7.30 we were back on our camels, who’d been tethered just outside our camp. Amazingly none of us had sore bottoms despite previous night’s ride.
The journey out of the Sahara was just as fun as the one in. Lots of remarking at how these wonderful creatures had adapted to the desert with their long eyelashes and huge feet. The camel ride amongst these beautiful dunes, for our family was definitely worth the drive from Marrakech and THE holiday highlight.
Things to note –
Yes it’s a long drive, a 1,120 km round trip. Our youngest, who is 12, was worried about this, but she needn’t have been. Our English speaking driver Abdul made the miles whizz by. He played music, pointed out interesting facts and had the air conditioning turned up high in our people carrier. We are a family of five and there was plenty of space so the girls could play cards and read.
And if they tired of that there was always something new to spot, a camel, a goat being taken to market or women washing clothes in rivers.Â
We did this trip at the end of May, in the summer half term, it was hot, often climbing to mid 30s but the children coped with it. The nights were much cooler and so we slept well and the camel ride was at the end of the day and early morning. I don’t think you’d want to do this trip in the height of this summer.
Allergic to other tourists ? We visited some popular spots so we did see other tourists but it did feel authentic and we returned to Marrakech feeling as if we’d seen a lot more of the country and understood a little more of its heritage and people.
Ready to book? https://www.marrakech-desert-trips.comÂ
WaterPark – Oasiria MarrekechÂ
When Marrakech gets really hot, you just want to be near water, so a trip to Oasiria was a lifeline. 10 hectares of pools, slides, rapids and a lazy river, set in well-manicured gardens, making it suitable for all ages.
We grabbed a few snacks at the cafe but there is a restaurant set in a lovely garden too. The slides vary from sedate to outright terryfying! The new Free Fall slide leaves you with your heart in your mouth as you plunge near vertically, barely touching the slide for the first 10m before curving into a big pool at the bottom.
After that the lazy river was definitely calling to settle the nerves. The highlight though was actually the Aquaroc – a 25m length climbing wall ( apparently Africa’s first climbing wall) perched over the water which was deceptively hard, especially as you approach the finish. If you make it to the end you get to ring the bell to the applause of others awaiting their turn.
