Thinking of hitting the road with your little ones? Travelling in a caravan with kids might sound daunting, but with the right mindset (and a few snacks), it can be the best adventure your family ever has.

“One day we would love to get a caravan and go travelling.” 

This is what we told our family and friends after our son’s 5th birthday party (and a few celebratory beverages). At the time, it felt like a distant retirement dream. But fast forward a few days, a caravanning expo in Toowoomba, and a couple “We’re just looking, we’re definitely not buying anything” comments – and we were suddenly putting a deposit on a van. Yep, famous last words. 

Hamish had been unhappy in his job, and to be honest, I had been too, even though I didn’t realise just how unhappy I was at the time. So, Hamish quit his job, and I took some well-earned long service leave. We had many mixed reactions from our family and friends. I remember distinctly telling my mum that we had bought a caravan and were going to take off for a few months. Her reaction was along the lines of “What?!” (but imagine a less PG version – mostly because she was going to miss the grandkids!). 

One question we kept getting asked was “How will you all cope being cooped up together for three months?” Short answer? We had no idea. It was either going to make us or break us. Buying a caravan after a few drinks wasn’t part of the plan, but neither was staying stuck. Some risks are worth the chaos. So we gave it a crack, and along the way we learned a lot, laughed a lot, and got weirdly good at surviving in a space the size of a walk-in pantry. An experience that we would highly recommend to anyone! 

Here are our 10 top tips for making the whole experience a little less chaotic – and a lot more fun.

1. Plan Short Travel Days – and Be Flexible! 

When we look at the map of how far we travelled in 3 months, it really doesn’t look like we covered many kms. But the reality is, with young children, you can only travel for 2-3 hours max per day. Of course, some days you can push a little further, but when you’re travelling consistently, the kids get over it…quickly! 

2. Pack Smart – But Don’t Overpack

Trying to pack for a 3 and a 5 year old was tough, because we wanted to make sure we had enough stuff to keep them entertained. As it turns out, they really don’t need much! Bring the essentials (clothes, snacks, meds, first aid, comfort toys), but remember: space is limited. Rotate toys and books rather than bringing everything at once. 

3. Have a Rainy-Day Backup Plan

Rainy days, sick days, or just over-it days…they happen. Our spare bottom bunk became a lifesaver: a play zone stocked with books, toys, games, and colouring gear in a basket, ready to go. No spare bunk? A basket at the end of each bed works just as well. Total game changer.

4. Keep a Routine (Sort Of)

Kids thrive on routine, even on the road. Sticking (loosely) to regular meals, naps, and bedtimes helped us avoid full-blown meltdowns. We also had chore charts, with a bit of holiday pocket money bribery. Did it always work? Nope. But it definitely helped keep us sane!

5. Involve Kids in the Journey

Let them help choose activities, track the route, or be in charge of their packing. Even small jobs give them ownership and reduce complaints. 

6. Prioritise Kid-Friendly Campsites

You don’t have to splash out on caravan parks every night – some of the best spots were free camps where we could just enjoy the simple life. That said, parks were great for kid-friendly fun and making friends. A mix of both kept everyone happy. Camps Australia was our go-to. Game changer!

7. Easy Meals are Gold

Keep food simple: BBQs, wraps, pre-cooked meals, and snacks. Let kids help with camp cooking – it’s messy fun and builds life skills. Besides, who really wants to spend their time cooking when you could be enjoying the world around you? 

8. Safety First

Teach kids the basics of camping safety: don’t wander off, avoid the hitch area, stay back from fires, and what to do if they get lost. Thankfully, the kids didn’t need to call on their knowledge of what to do if they got lost, but it gave us comfort to know that we had prepared them as best we could just in case. 

9. Expect Mess and Embrace It

4 people in a small space? It’s going to get messy and you may end up wearing the same outfit multiple days in a row. But that’s okay! You’re making memories, not hosting royalty. Which leads me to my final point…and arguably the most important!  

10.  Be Flexible…and Laugh Often!

Something will go wrong (spilled milk, tantrum at a servo, surprise weather). Roll with it, laugh about it, and chalk it up to the adventure. Because after all, that’s the whole point, right? 

Caravanning with kids isn’t always easy, but it’s absolutely worth it. If you’re on the fence about giving it a go – take the leap. You might just surprise yourself (and your kids).

Lauren x