Campervan Trip with Kids: The Greatest Adventure of Your Summer
A Guide to Family-Friendly Campsites and Tried-and-Tested Tips from Seasoned Vanlifers
In this article you’ll find:
- Whether a campervan or a caravan is the better choice for travelling with kids
- The best places to camp with kids in Slovakia, Croatia, Austria and Italy
- Tried-and-tested tips from seasoned vanlifers who’ve done it with kids
Travelling in a campervan with kids is one of the most beautiful ways to explore the world together — no hotel reservations, no rigid schedules. Your kitchen, a comfortable bed and everything you need always within reach, whether you’re parked in nature or at a cosy campsite with animals nearby.
In this article we’ve put together our favourite tried-and-tested campsites in Slovakia, Austria, Croatia and Italy. We’re also sharing practical tips that turn what could be campsite chaos into a smooth, unforgettable experience — not just for your kids, but for you too. 😊
Campervan or Caravan — Which is Better for Camping with Kids?
Let’s start with the practical side. It might seem obvious that a bigger family needs a bigger vehicle — but that’s not always the case.
Choosing the right campervan or caravan comes down to a few key questions:
- How many are you travelling with? Campervans for five are rare but do exist. If you’re a group of five or more, a caravan might be the easier option. Campervans for three or four are common — but if you’re four, avoid the smallest available version. Operators often list maximum capacity as “3 to 4 people”, which in practice can mean four will fit, but it’ll be a tight squeeze. 😊 When in doubt, always contact the operator in advance — they’ll be happy to walk you through the space.
- Are you comfortable driving and parking a large vehicle? Or would you rather start with a smaller campervan and work your way up?
- Where are you planning to camp? Off-grid or at campsites? For wild camping, a campervan is often far more practical — easier to manoeuvre and more self-sufficient.
- What facilities do you actually need? If an indoor bathroom, separate beds and generous living space are all on your list, a larger caravan is worth considering.
Travelling with Kids in a Campervan
Campervans come in a variety of interior layouts. Some have a full bathroom with a toilet, sink and indoor shower — others have an outdoor shower only, with the kitchen sink doubling up as a washbasin. And that outdoor shower makes a surprising difference: without a bathroom taking up space, the interior opens up into something far more airy and practical than you’d expect.
Toilet-free versions are a great choice for families who plan to stay at campsites with facilities, or who don’t mind using public toilets or nature’s own. 😊 What you give up in bathroom privacy, you gain back in living space and storage.
Campervans are also ideal for families who want to stay mobile — pulling over in nature, parking flexibly in towns and generally moving through traffic much like you would in a regular car.
Travelling with Kids in a Caravan
Larger caravans and motorhomes: a fixed double bedroom for the adults, separate sleeping areas for the kids, a full kitchen — it all adds up to something that feels less like camping and more like an apartment in nature. For families with several children or those planning a longer stay in one place, that level of comfort can make a real difference. Bear in mind, however, that a larger vehicle demands more attention behind the wheel, when parking, and when planning your route or finding suitable spots to camp.
Before you decide, honestly ask yourself a few questions:
Are you planning to change locations every day or every other day, or will you stay longer in one place?
- If you want to move around frequently, go for a campervan. If you’re happy with less frequent moves, a caravan could work just as well.
Where will you be parking? Do you want the freedom to be spontaneous?
- Spontaneity = campervan.
Are you comfortable driving a larger vehicle — or would you rather start small and work your way up?
- With a caravan, keep in mind that you won’t fit everywhere. 😊 A standard campervan, on the other hand, will generally park without issue in supermarket car parks and get through most streets and underpasses without a second thought.
Do you need an indoor bathroom and a separate bed for the kids?
- If you want your home on wheels to feel as close to a proper holiday apartment as possible, go for a caravan.
There's only one way to find out...
If you’re looking to rent a campervan or caravan, most hire companies offer short breaks during the off-season — a long weekend is a great place to start. Whether you go for a campervan or a caravan, it’s going to be a great experience either way. And after just a few days on the road, you’ll know exactly what you’d want more of next time — more space, more practicality, more self-sufficiency, or simply something different.
Why travelling in a campervan with kids just makes sense...
With kids, the best itinerary is no itinerary. 😊
Imagine waking up not to an alarm, but to birdsong or sunlight on your face. The kids are still sound asleep — and based on what our guests tell us, children sleep surprisingly well in campervans — while you enjoy your morning coffee in complete silence, sitting on the van’s doorstep. No hotel checkouts, no rushing down for breakfast, no packed schedule pulling you out the door.
What kids remember from a trip like this isn’t the destination — it’s watching the stars from their bed, toasting marshmallows around a fire, swimming in a lake, and the simple magic of living in a house on wheels. Honestly, we get it. We’re just as smitten. Your campervan becomes a cosy, familiar refuge — and no matter where you park up for the night, it always feels like home.
Where to Go? Our Tried-and-Tested Tips for Family Campsites in Slovakia
1. Sedliacky dvor Brezno – An Agro-Campsite with Heart (Farmstead Brezno)
This campsite in Rohozná near Brezno has become something of a legend among Slovak campers. The warm, family atmosphere is down to its Dutch owners, who bring an remarkably personal touch to everything they do.
- Why go: A well-equipped site with spotless facilities and a camp kitchen where you can pick up homemade cakes and fresh salads.
- Kids’ experience: A natural bio lake for swimming, a zip line, a trampoline and morning animal feeding.
- For the social side: A great place to strike up friendships with families from across Europe.
2. Farm & Camping Lazy – Rural Idyll in the South
In the Hont region, far from mass tourism, lies Camping Lazy. It’s a place where time has stopped — in the best possible way. Neat, well-kept grass, ready-to-use fire pits and plenty of space to breathe.
- Why go: Full facilities including a swimming pool, children’s playground and campfire area, all wrapped in a genuinely warm family atmosphere. The owners take great pride in cleanliness and hospitality. The camp kitchen fridge is stocked with cold drinks and fresh farm produce.
- Kids’ experience: Goats, chickens, piglets, sheep and ponies all call this place home. Kids get to play with the animals, learn where their food comes from and experience real farm life firsthand.
3. Farma pod Poľanou (Farm beneath Poľana)
- Why go: Forget overcrowded campsites. There are a maximum of 3 pitches here, each far enough apart for real privacy. No noise — just animals and nature.
- Kids’ experience: They can try milking goats or taste fresh milk, cheese and eggs straight from the farm.
- Bonus: A night sky completely free of light pollution.
Travelling in a Campervan with Kids Beyond Slovakia: Austria, Croatia and Italy
1. Austria: Camping Fürstenfeld and Camping among the Vineyards
If you’re looking for a mix of outdoor swimming and nature, Styria is a perfect choice. Camping Fürstenfeld sits right next to the largest outdoor swimming complex in Austria. From your campervan, you and the kids are just steps away from a 116-metre water slide and trampolines.
Our tip: If you’re after something more intimate, download Park4Night. Through the app you can find Austrian farms and vineyards that allow you to park directly on private land. Look for the tractor icon. 😊
Among our “Tips for campervan trips“, we also offer tips on wild camping in Austria and our popular guide to a campervan trip to the Austrian lakes — a favourite among our guests, families with kids included.
2. Croatia
By the coast, we recommend booking campsites well in advance. There are plenty of campsites in Croatia, and along the coastline they are the only option for campervanning. Many have direct sea access — and those are the ones we’d highly recommend.
Wild camping by the sea is not permitted in Croatia.
If you’re open to heading inland and prefer more privacy, search Park4Night for private olive groves (again, look for the tractor icon) — the atmosphere is wonderfully relaxed and you’ll easily avoid the crowds.
3. Italy
The Italian Dolomites are the most popular destination among our guests. In the morning you park directly at the trailhead, cook a warm meal in the campervan after your hike, then move on in the evening or the following morning. If you prefer more comfort and fewer daily moves, there are plenty of campsites in the area too.
The Dolomites are not “just mountains.” It’s a place where Italian laid-back charm meets Austrian precision and order. For families it’s something close to paradise — the infrastructure (trails, services, cleanliness) is exceptional, and nature is literally on your doorstep. You don’t need to be a mountaineer to show your kids some of the most breathtaking views in Europe.
Among our blogs you will also find a complete itinerary for a campervan trips to the Dolomites.
5 Golden Rules for Stress-Free Travelling in a Campervan with Kids
To truly enjoy campervanning with kids — rather than just survive it — keep these tried-and-tested tips in mind:
- Ditch the rigid itinerary: Everything takes longer in a campervan or caravan — from the morning pack-up to the drive itself. Plan fewer stops and leave more room for doing nothing. The unplanned adventures are usually the best ones. 😊
- Drive while the kids sleep: Save longer stretches of driving for afternoon nap time. You’ll enjoy a peaceful journey and the kids will wake up refreshed in a brand new place.
- Stock up properly: Campervans come with a kitchen and storage — use them. Do a proper shop before you set off and you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips. Keep a box of fruit, nuts or cheese within easy reach on the road. A hungry child means a stressed crew, and petrol stations are rarely stocked with anything worth eating.
- Get the little ones involved as navigators: Hand the kids a map and let them trace the route as you go. When they feel like part of the expedition, the journey becomes an adventure in itself.
- Use camping as a chance for a digital detox: Screens are surprisingly easy to forget about when you’re camping. Between collecting firewood, feeding goats and hunting for fireflies, the kids won’t give YouTube a second thought. And you can lead by example. 😊
Need Some Advice?
If campervanning with kids sounds appealing but you still have doubts or questions, get in touch — we’d love to help.
From our campervan hire fleet, the following vehicles are well suited for families with children:
- Comfortable space for 4 people
- Outdoor shower with hot water
- Large bed sleeping three, plus a comfortable fold-out mattress for the 4th person
- Travelling as three? We’ll remove the 4th seat to give you extra space
- Generous space for 3 people (adults included)
- Large bed
- Outdoor shower
Postal Lady, Gurumobil, Dromedar
- Comfortable space for parents with a younger child
- For three adults, these vans are on the snug side
- Outdoor shower
Read More Campervan Travel Tips
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