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Family Camping
Family Camping

Camping by the Sea with Kids

Gwen
Article from Gwen

Whether it's the North Sea, the Adriatic, or the Côte d'Azur, here you'll find the most beautiful coastal destinations in Europe for a vacation with kids. We compare the best coastal destinations for your next family trip to the beach.


Building sandcastles isn’t just fun for kids. And who hasn’t experienced it? Sand between your toes and splashing in the ocean. Nothing captures the feeling of a beach vacation better. Camping by the sea is one of the easiest ways for families to unwind together. We’ll show you which coastal destinations in Europe are especially family-friendly, what to look for when choosing a campsite, and how to find the right vehicle for your family vacation.

Family-Friendly Destinations by Camper Van

Reiseziel

Wassertemperatur (Juni-Sep.)

Strandtyp

Beste Reisezeit

Ideal für

Frankreich

18-25 °C

Feinsanding, teils flach abfallend

Juni - September

Familien mit Kleinkinder oder größere Kinder, die Lust auf Wellen haben

Italien

21-26 °C

Feinsandig, flach abfallen

Mai - Oktober

Familie, die Stand & Aquapark kombinieren wollen

Kroatien

21-26 °C

Kiesel- & Felsstrände, klares Wasser

Juni - September

Aktive Familien, Schnorcheln & Natur

Nordsee (DE)

15-19 °C

Weitläufiges Watt, feiner Sandstrand

Juni - August

Wattwandern mit Kindern

Ostsee (DE)

16-21 °C

Feinsandig, ruhiges Wasser

Juni - September

Familien mit kleinen Kindern, kleine Buchten

Dänemark

14-19 °C

Breite Dünenstrände

Juni - August

Naturnahe Familienurlaube, Dünen & Radfahren

Niederlande

15-19 °C

Flache, breite Sandstrände

Mai - September

Fahrradfahren mit Kindern

Camping with Kids by the Sea in France

France’s coastlines offer something for every family: quiet Atlantic coves for the little ones, warm Mediterranean waters for plenty of splashing around, and campgrounds that are like little vacation worlds of their own.
Atlantic or Mediterranean? On the Atlantic coast, the waves are more noticeable and the water is a bit cooler. This makes it especially nice for families with older children who love to splash around in the water or go surfing. The Mediterranean is calmer and warmer, ideal for those first days at the beach with toddlers.
  • Camping Pascalounet: The campground is located just 100 meters from a picturesque swimming cove, so everyone can jump right into the water after breakfast together. The sheltered cove also ensures calmer waters, ideal for younger children.
  • Domaine La Yole: As a 5-star campground, it stands out with a huge water park right on-site. This makes it perfect for days when the weather at the beach isn’t cooperating or you simply want a change of pace.
  • Camping Le Floride & l’Embouchure: Direct access to the beach is perfectly combined here with a spacious water park. This way, kids can choose between the ocean and the pool every day, without having to go out of their way.
A family of three is lying in the pop-up roof of their camper in summer, laughing at the camera.

Camping with Kids by the Sea in Italy

The Italian Adriatic coast is one of the most child-friendly regions in all of Europe. Why? Gently sloping beaches, warm water, and campgrounds that resemble small amusement parks and keep boredom at bay.
  • Union Lido Vacanze – Cavallino-Treporti: wide sandy beach (shallow water), two large water parks, two large play and amusement parks. Agility course for dogs and on-site dog sitters.
  • Centro Vacanze Pra’ delle Torri – Duna Verde: sandy beach or kids’ pool with a slide and water play features. Activities for older children (disco, bouldering, skating)
  • Camping Ca' Savio – Cavallino: The campground is located in a shady pine forest right on the wide sandy beach and features two pools with a children’s pool and a pirate ship. Just a stone’s throw from Venice, it’s particularly well-suited for families who want to combine days at the beach with a day trip to the lagoon city.

Camping with Kids by the Sea in Croatia

Croatia captivates visitors with its crystal-clear waters, a rugged coastline dotted with small coves, and campgrounds that leave nothing to be desired. In recent years in particular, more and more families have been drawn to the Pearl of the Adriatic.
  • Valamar Camping Lanterna: This campground near Poreč stands out with a large pool area featuring a wading pool and family slides, as well as its own theater, movie theater, and game lounge. This way, even a rainy day by the sea won’t be boring.
  • Zaton Holiday Resort: Located near Nin, very close to Zadar, this resort offers its own gently sloping sandy beach combined with a heated pool area and children’s wading pools. It’s ideal for families who want to combine beach days with a trip to Zadar’s old town.
  • Camping Polari: Located in a bay not far from Rovinj, the campground sits on a 2-kilometer-long, well-maintained beach with two children’s pools, one of which has a slide. Children under 3 can even take swimming lessons here for free.
Baltic Sea

Camping with Kids by the Sea in Germany

You don't have to drive for hours to enjoy a family vacation by the sea: For many German families, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea are practically right on their doorstep, yet they still offer everything that makes for a great beach vacation.

Camping with Kids on the North Sea

Vast mudflats, the ebb and flow of the tides right at your fingertips, and plenty of space to run around: The North Sea offers a natural experience for children unlike any other sea. Mudflat walks, crab fishing, and the fresh sea air turn a North Sea vacation into a little adventure.
  • Bensersiel Beach and Family Campground: The campground is located right behind the dunes and offers creative playgrounds with a climbing ship and zip lines, as well as an indoor sand playground for rainy days. An on-site mini-market provides fresh rolls for breakfast in the morning.
  • Biehl Campground – Sankt Peter-Ording: Located right on the 12-kilometer-long sandy beach, families will find child-friendly restroom facilities, a playground, and a kiosk selling fresh rolls. It’s the perfect spot to dig in the mudflats in the morning and run around in the fresh North Sea air in the afternoon.
  • Camping am Deich – Cuxhaven: Located right behind the dike with a view of the Wadden Sea, there’s a heated seawater outdoor pool within walking distance, as well as a children’s playground designed with a North Sea theme. A baby-changing station and a changing area with a radiant heater make everyday life with small children especially relaxing.

Camping with Kids on the Baltic Sea

Calmer waves, fine-sand beaches, and many family-friendly coves make the Baltic Sea the ideal destination for a relaxing getaway. The calm waters are a major plus, especially for families with young children.
  • Rosenfelder Strand Campground: Located directly on the 400-meter-long sandy beach north of Dahme, the campground offers an adventure forest, a go-kart track, and sports fields for soccer and beach volleyball. There’s a separate section of the beach for dogs.
  • Dünencamp Karlshagen: You’re just a few steps away from the beach here, and there are spacious showers for the whole family, changing tables, and baby bathtubs. A playground and a playroom ensure that kids won’t get bored during peak season.
  • Wulfener Hals Camping and Vacation Park: Situated between Lake Burger Binnensee and the Baltic Sea, the campground stands out with six different restaurants and its own evening shows. Its diverse location makes it a great starting point for excursions to the island of Fehmarn.

Camping with Kids by the Sea in Denmark

Wide dune beaches, clean air, and plenty of space for flying kites: Denmark’s coast is perfect for families seeking nature and tranquility. Many campgrounds are located right on expansive stretches of beach, and there are well-developed bike paths that are ideal for family outings.
  • Henne Strand Camping & Resort: Nestled between the beach, dunes, and heathland, the campground features Villa Play—a large play area—and Villa Krea—a creative workshop for children. The nearby Legoland is an easy day trip.
  • Hvidbjerg Strand Feriepark: This 6-star campground on the west coast of Jutland boasts a trampoline park, a play area, and a large water park right on-site. Children will find almost everything they could want here without even leaving the campground.
  • Feddet Strand Resort: Located between the forest and the beach on the Feddet Peninsula near Copenhagen, this resort offers campsites with ocean views and a wide range of recreational activities. It’s ideal for families who want to combine a close connection to nature with comfort.
Mother with two children with camper on the beach in Holland

Camping with Kids in the Netherlands

From the north, the Netherlands is just a stone’s throw away. Flat beaches and an infrastructure completely geared toward cycling make the country the perfect destination for spontaneous family trips. The beaches slope very gently, making them a safe place for little ones to have their first adventures in the water.
  • Camping de Lakens – Zandvoort: The beach is literally right outside the door here, and there are also numerous playgrounds and an on-site entertainment team. The coastal towns of Bloemendaal and Zandvoort are within walking distance and offer additional activities for older children.
  • Camping Waterbos – Rockanje: Located right next to the dunes, it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the popular Rockanje beach. A swimming pool with a children’s pool and a playground with inflatable play structures make the campground particularly enjoyable for families with babies and toddlers.
  • Roompot Beach Resort: Located just 4 kilometers from the North Sea, the resort also includes the Duinrell amusement park with its Tiki Pool featuring 21 slides—available to campground guests at a discounted price. A daily entertainment program provides additional fun.

Here are 5 things to keep in mind when choosing a spot

Not every campground by the sea is automatically the right choice for your family—especially with young children, it’s worth taking a closer look at the following points beforehand:
  • Access to the water: Gently sloping beaches without strong currents are much safer than steep shores or tidal coasts.
  • Shade near the beach: Especially in the south, the midday sun is more intense than many expect. A spot with trees or shade sails will save you from having to reapply sunscreen every hour.
  • Places to retreat during bad weather: A covered play area, an indoor play barn, or at least a common room ensures that even a rainy day doesn’t turn into a drama.
  • Play and childcare options: A playground, pool, or mini-club aren’t just worth their weight in gold on rainy days—they also give you, as parents, a quick breather.
  • Restroom facilities and infrastructure: Separate children’s restrooms, changing stations, and short walks to your campsite often make the biggest difference in everyday life with kids, even if they’re easy to overlook when booking.

Finding the Right Motorhome

Before you even start choosing your destination, it’s worth taking a look at the vehicle itself, because that’s often what determines just how relaxing your vacation will actually be. Here’s what you should look for:
  • Separate sleeping areas: Models with a lift-up bed, an alcove, or a separate kids’ area in the rear allow the little ones to go to sleep while the adults still sit together comfortably in the evening.
  • Bed sizes: Not every “kids’ bed” in the vehicle is truly suitable for older children or teenagers. So be sure to check the dimensions in advance.
  • Storage space: Enough room for toys, books, or a small bike makes everyday life on the road much easier.
  • Safety features: Sufficient Isofix anchor points, the option to add a child seat, and fall protection for loft and alcove beds should be a given before you book.
You can find more details in our blog post on what to keep in mind when camping with kids.

We've thought of everything

A relaxing family vacation starts right at home when you’re packing. To make sure packing doesn’t become a source of stress and that you don’t forget anything, we’ve put together a detailed packing list for camping with kids—from a first-aid kit to a stuffed animal. That way, you can keep your mind free for what really matters: spending time together by the sea.

Fun at the seaside for young and old

Camping by the sea is an adventure for the whole family. There are perfect options for every age group, and there’s no shortage of adventure. In the end, choosing the right campsite is more important than the distance to your destination: gently sloping water, a short walk to the beach, and a few entertainment options for rainy days turn any destination into a successful family vacation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Camping with Kids at the Beach

At what age is it a good idea to go camping by the sea with children?

In general, camping by the sea is perfectly doable even with babies, as long as you choose the right vehicle and campsite. It’s usually most relaxing once children reach toddler age, because that’s when they start playing actively on the beach, can entertain themselves for longer periods, and experience their new surroundings more fully. Older children and teenagers, on the other hand, benefit from destinations with more “character”—waves, tides, or snorkeling spots make the vacation more interesting for them.

Which destination is best for a first camping trip with kids?

To get started, we recommend destinations that are easy to reach and have plenty of amenities. This gives you enough leeway to get used to the vehicle and the daily routine of camping without a long drive adding to your stress.

How far in advance should I plan to book campsites?

For the peak season (July/August) and popular destinations like Croatia, Italy, or the North Sea islands, you should book at least 3–4 months in advance; for highly sought-after accommodations with ocean views or water parks, it’s best to book as early as the previous winter. Outside of school vacation periods and at less crowded destinations, 4–6 weeks’ notice is often sufficient. As a general rule: The closer it is to school vacations and the more popular the destination, the earlier you should book.

What are some essentials that should definitely be included in a camper for kids?

In addition to the standard camping gear, it’s often the little things that make all the difference: a favorite stuffed animal and familiar items to help with falling asleep, a first-aid kit with child-friendly bandages and a thermometer, and plenty of sunscreen. Also, rain gear and rubber boots for rainy days, as well as a few audiobooks, books, or small toys for the drive and quiet moments at the campsite.

Isn't the water temperature in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea too cold for children?

In midsummer (July/August), the Baltic Sea reaches a pleasant 19–21°C, making it ideal for most children to splash around in. The North Sea is slightly cooler at 17–19°C, but makes up for it with the Wadden Sea experience: At low tide, shallow tidal creeks and puddles warmed by the sun form, which are often more exciting for children than swimming itself. Those who prefer warmer waters naturally have the advantage in the Mediterranean or Adriatic Seas, where temperatures range from 23–26°C.

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