Camping holiday with children

Family holidays in a camper have experienced a real renaissance in recent years – and no wonder, as camping stands for flexibility, a free-spirited, nature-loving lifestyle, and above all, child-friendly travel! Here you'll find practical tips to make your family time in the camper truly unforgettable!

The essentials at a glance

Reliable power supply for mobile phones and tablets
Carrier systems, support systems, manoeuvring systems & more: the right AL-KO VT technology for comfort and safety on the road
You’ll find a variety of useful accessories in the AL-KO VT webstore for caravanning accessories

Tips for a successful camping holiday with children

For many parents, the big advantage of holidaying with babies and toddlers is the relaxed pace for meal breaks, naps and so on. Plus, everything from baby food to cuddly toy and nappies is close at hand.

Younger children are kept well entertained on family-friendly campsites, and can go off and play or explore with friends on their own. Teenagers enjoy the greater freedom a camping holiday offers (maybe with their own tent for sleeping), and can hang out with others their own age – so you manage the balance between time together and the individual freedom each family member craves.

Plan your trip as well as possible

One of the most decisive factors for a successful family holiday is the destination! Some campsites offer lots of facilities for toddlers, others are geared more towards leisure activities for adults (and older children). On family-friendly campsites your child is more likely to find holiday friends of their own age to play with or go exploring.

Especially in the high season it’s advisable – and sometimes even essential in certain countries – to book your pitch well in advance to avoid unnecessary stress searching on arrival. Depending on the distance from home, it may make sense to travel in stages or to consider an overnight drive.

Choose your vehicle according to your needs

If you’re deciding on a new motorhome or your own caravan, certain aspects of the interior are important for travelling with children:

Size of the camper
Number of seats (with seatbelt)
Number of beds
Sleep area configuration (with convertible beds or separate sleeping spaces)
Size of the children’s beds

There are plenty of options for bed arrangements in particular: bunk beds for the children, their own drop-down bed, alcove, or converting sofas to create sleeping space at night. Preference will depend on the number and age of your children.

Martin Waldmann, a mechanical engineer at AL-KO VT, is a keen caravan camper and father himself, and has preferred the bunk variant for years: "Our children had their own beds in the bunks of our caravan. It worked brilliantly for us, because whether child or teenager – everyone appreciates the chance to retreat and enjoy a bit of privacy now and then."

That’s easy to achieve with bunk beds, which often have dividing curtains or similar (pay attention to your child’s size and the length of the bed), and also in an alcove you can create a decent amount of private space.

Pack the essentials and favourite toys

Experienced campers either have a packing list ready, or are relaxed about packing anyway. If it’s your first time on the road with a camper, a detailed packing list is helpful, so you don’t forget anything (especially your child’s favourite toys).

If you need help making a list, you can ask seasoned campers you know, or use handy apps. You’ll find inspiration in this packing list for 'Camping with children'.

When it comes to clothes, follow these three words: functional and versatile. You can pack less and still have what you need – especially if everything is easy to wash and, above all, quick-drying.

Pack your camping equipment to save space

If you’re not confident about packing your camper, it helps to make a note of where you put things as you pack. By the end of your holiday you’ll soon get into a routine.

Finally on holiday – enjoy your family time on the road

How you enjoy your time in a camper is up to each family. Here are some ideas for your time at the campsite.

Enjoy adventures
There are lots of things to do on campsites and in the surrounding area: campfires, night walks or trips to the sea. Many campsites offer entertainment and excursions during the holiday season. Depending on what’s available – and on your preferences – you can create your own sense of adventure on your family holiday.

There are some brilliant campsites near our customer centre in Ramsau in Austria’s Zillertal. Here are a few of them:
- Camping und Erlebnis-Resort Aufenfeld, Aschau
- Eco-Campingplatz Hell, Fügen
- Campingplatz Mayrhofen
  A holiday there can be ideally combined with a garage appointment for the installation of support and levelling systems, manoeuvring systems for caravans, or bicycle and motorbike carriers.
Cook together: (quick) recipes for children and adults
Cooking in the camper doesn’t always have to be rushed, but it should be straightforward. We’ve compiled a few camping recipe tips for children and adults alike.
Game ideas for toddlers, schoolchildren and teenagers
Camping is all about being outdoors, but there are chilly evenings or rainy days when it’s cosier inside the camper. It’s always good to pack games for indoors and outdoors.
Toddlers are often happiest just digging in the sand or on a meadow with a bucket and spade. For getting about on the campsite, a ride-on car is recommended. For older schoolchildren, board games and educational games are ideal – for both outside and cosily inside in the evening. To get moving, try badminton, beach games or football.
Sports activities are also perfect for teenagers, as is outdoor chess – Swedish chess (Kubb) – which provides fun and encourages everyone to get stuck in and play together.
Ensure a power supply for all the family
It’s not just adults – older schoolchildren and teenagers won’t want to be without WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube and so on. If you’re not on a campsite with mains hook-up, solar panels are the best option for reliably charging your camper’s leisure battery. "Used with smart charge controllers and devices, solar panels are an independent, reliable, and long-term way to get power on the road," says Andreas Kling, electronics expert at AL-KO VT. AL-KO VT offers a full range of photovoltaic modules built for camping: they feature a special anti-reflective finish and a special glass with high light transmission, which resists shocks and weather. If you want to set up your own Wi-Fi for the family in your motorhome, a reliable power supply is also needed for the router.

Smart technical solutions – more comfort and safety for the whole family

Useful extras can make your holiday in the camper even more comfortable.

Products for panel vans and motorhomes

Technical features for added comfort

Panel vans and motorhomes are especially suitable for touring trips, letting you spend your holiday in a range of places or cross several countries. Sabbaticals or parental leave in a camper are also increasingly popular. Additional technical equipment provides an extra feel-good factor on your travels.

Carrier systems for bicycles

Whether for long bike rides, a morning run to the bakery or journeys around large campsites – having bikes with you keeps you mobile and flexible at your holiday destination. Shared cycle tours are often a highlight for children on a family holiday. AL-KO VT bicycle carriers offer a wide range of models for different requirements.

If you are travelling with a toddler, you can bring a balance bike or a child seat for your own bike. Depending on how many bikes you want to take and what type of leisure vehicle you have, we at AL-KO VT offer a range of rear carrier models for you:

AGITO 120: aluminium carrier system especially for panel vans, swivels, can transport up to 4 bikes or e-bikes
LIGERO III: for motorhomes, telescopic, can transport up to 4 bikes or a scooter and 2 bikes
VARIO: telescopic and foldable

Support systems for stability

Hydraulic support systems for motorhomes provide a real benefit when travelling with children. There will be days and evenings when the whole family is inside the motorhome and the children may run or jump about. "Fully automatic hydraulic support systems such as the HY4 system from AL-KO VT or LevelM Pro save valuable time when arriving and setting up: automatic levelling instead of strenuous cranking – giving you more time to spend with your family," explains Matthias Ländle, product manager for hydraulic levelling systems at AL-KO VT.

The system is electronically controlled, and the cylinders lower to the ground at the touch of a button, raising the vehicle to level. Levelling is precise to the millimetre and completed within a few minutes. In addition, the integrated scale function in the HY4 system prevents overloading by showing you the current weight.

A special technical feature may also appeal to those holidaying in a panel van: LevelVan is the new steady leg system for panel vans. Thanks to the stable footing, little ones can sleep undisturbed while you move freely about the camper. The carbon cylinders result in low weight, so you’ll have fewer concerns about payload.

Technical solutions for travelling with a caravan

Greater safety thanks to technical solutions

Caravans are particularly suitable for holidays at a campsite. If you’re not used to handling such a trailer every day, technical solutions can provide you with extra comfort and safety.

Safety on the road with the ATC anti-snake system

If you’re on the road with the whole family, as the driver you’re responsible not only for yourself but for all passengers too. This is why, when towing a caravan – especially on narrow roads and mountain passes – it’s reassuring to know you can rely not only on your own driving skills but also on safe technology, like the ATC anti-snake system (AL-KO Trailer Control) for caravans and trailers. The ATC constantly monitors the driving behaviour and movements of your caravan throughout the journey. It’s similar to ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) in cars, but intervenes much earlier – at the first signs of swaying, reliably correcting any snake movements.

Mechanical engineer Martin Waldmann is convinced by the ATC: "The ATC really ought to be required by law – especially for less experienced drivers who might only travel once a year. It really is a huge boost for driving safety."

Manoeuvring system for easy parking (mover)

If you're travelling with a toddler, they won't be able to help you manoeuvre. Teenagers strong enough to assist often prefer not to! Manoeuvring a caravan into position on the pitch can be hard work once you’ve reached the campsite. To save yourself effort – especially with large tandem-axle caravans – and to avoid relying on help from fellow campers, we recommend fitting a manoeuvring system, also known as a mover – for example the AL-KO MAMMUT manoeuvring system.

Martin Waldmann was present at the development of the first MAMMUT system and even milled the prototype himself: "Thanks to the small motors fitted to the caravan wheels, caravan owners can use a remote control to manoeuvre and park with millimetre precision – effortlessly, without straining themselves. Obstacles up to four centimetres high or gradients of up to 28% can also be easily overcome. It really is a huge advantage when parking."

Support system for caravans with Big Foot

Just as with motorhomes, the benefits of a hydraulic support system also become clear when travelling with children: With the LevelC system from AL-KO VT for caravans, all four corner steadies and two axle supports can be deployed at the touch of a button. You can also level the caravan. Maximum stability on all surfaces, from sand and mud to snow, is provided by the Big Foot feet supplied as standard with LevelC, which have an extra-large standing surface of 200 x 180 mm and a load capacity of up to 1,250 kg.

Take more with you thanks to payload upgrade

More people usually means more luggage. But not only do clothes, leisure equipment and more add weight to your caravan – so does extra technology and optional accessories like the manoeuvring system battery or a bicycle carrier. All of this reduces the remaining payload for your luggage. If you’re approaching the payload limit of your caravan, it’s worth looking into a possible payload upgrade.

Adequate protection against break-in and theft

A certain degree of protection against break-in and theft is highly recommended. When it comes to theft protection for motorhomes and caravans, the market offers many solutions. Choose the measures suited to your travel situation, destination and style. In general, alarm systems, additional door locks and wheel clamps (like the PROSAFE) help protect motorhomes and caravans from theft. For caravans in particular there are towbar locks or security locks for stabilisers.

If you prefer holidaying without the little ones, you’ll find ideas here.