Safety & trust · By our family trip planners in Marrakech · 3 min read

Sun, Heat and Water: Keeping Kids Well in Morocco

How to protect children from sun and heat in Morocco: the right season, timing of activities, hats, sun cream and drinking enough water.

Quick answer

Morocco is sunny all year; children need sun protection even in winter, especially in the desert and mountains.
From June to September, plan outdoor activities early in the morning and late in the afternoon.
Give children bottled water often, before they say they are thirsty.
Know the signs of heat exhaustion: tiredness, headache, red skin, little urine, irritability.

The sun in Morocco

Morocco has strong sunshine almost every day of the year. In summer, Marrakech and the desert often go above 40°C. In winter, the air is cool but the sun is still strong, especially at altitude in the Atlas Mountains and in the desert, where sand reflects light. Children burn and dehydrate faster than adults, so sun care is part of every day of the trip.

Plan the day around the heat

From June to September, visit sights early in the morning and late in the afternoon
Keep the middle of the day for the pool, lunch, a nap or indoor visits
Camel rides in the desert take place at sunset and sunrise
Choose shaded routes in the medina; the covered souks are cooler than open squares
In hot months, consider the coast (Essaouira) or the mountains for cooler days

On our trips we plan the timetable around your children and the season. In July and August we usually suggest shorter days, more pool time and cooler places.

Sun protection

Pack a high-protection sun cream for children and put it on every morning, then again every two hours and after swimming. Add a wide hat that covers the neck, light long-sleeved clothes, and sunglasses for children. A UV swimsuit with sleeves is very useful for long pool afternoons.

Tip: Put sun cream on before breakfast, not when you leave the riad. It works better and children do not run away from it at the door.

Drinking water

Give your children water often, in small amounts, before they say they are thirsty. In the heat, a child may need much more water than at home. Use bottled water, which is cheap and available everywhere. On our trips, water is kept in the vehicle.

Each child can have their own bottle with their name on it: they drink more when it is "theirs". Fresh orange juice is delicious and popular, but it does not replace water.

Signs of heat exhaustion

Watch for these signs, especially in small children who cannot explain how they feel:

Unusual tiredness, crying or irritability
Headache, dizziness or nausea
Red, hot skin, or pale and clammy skin
Little urine, or dark urine
A child who stops playing

If you see them, move the child into the shade or air conditioning, give water in small sips, cool the skin with a wet cloth, and rest. If the child becomes confused, vomits repeatedly, or does not improve quickly, get medical help at once: your driver or our team can take you to a doctor.

Winter sun and cold nights

From November to February, days can be sunny and pleasant while nights are cold, especially in the desert and the mountains. Children still need sun cream and sunglasses during the day, and a warm jacket at night. Dress them in layers so you can add and remove clothes easily.

Questions families ask

Is Morocco too hot for kids in summer?

Marrakech and the desert are very hot in July and August. Families travel in summer, but plan quiet middays and cooler places like the coast and the mountains.

What is the best season for children?

Spring (March to May) and autumn (late September to November) are the most comfortable for most families.

Can children drink the tap water?

We recommend bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth.

Do we need sun cream in winter?

Yes. The sun is strong all year, especially in the desert and at altitude.

What should we do if a child shows signs of heatstroke?

Move them to shade, cool them, give small sips of water and get medical help quickly if they do not improve.