Overlanding with Kids: Keeping the Adventure Fun, Clean, and Memorable

Overlanding with kids is a wild, wonderful ride. It’s part expedition, part parenting masterclass. Whether you’re carving through dusty trails or watching the stars from a canvas tent, having your children along for the adventure turns every bump and vista into a memory worth keeping. But let’s be honest—keeping them entertained, clean, and calm on the trail takes more than just snacks and good vibes. Here’s how to make your family overlanding trips smoother and more rewarding for everyone on board.

1. Keeping Kids Busy in the Car

The drive is half the journey—but to kids, it can feel like forever. Here are a few ways to turn hours of driving into engaging fun:

• DIY Travel Activity Kits: Create a travel kit with coloring supplies, magnetic puzzles, reusable sticker books, and mini whiteboards. Throw it in a small bin or pouch so it’s easy to stow when not in use.

• Audiobooks and Podcasts: Choose age-appropriate adventure audiobooks or kid-friendly podcasts. They entertain while sparking curiosity about the world outside their window.

• In-Car Games: Go old-school with “I Spy,” license plate bingo, or scavenger hunts customized to overlanding—“Spot a river,” “Find a Jeep,” “See a mountain goat.”

• Map Their Journey: Print out a simple map of your route and let your kids color it in as you go. It gives them a sense of direction and anticipation.
  

2. Keeping Them Entertained in Camp

Once you’re parked, it’s time for your kids to run wild (safely) and enjoy the freedom of the outdoors.

• Nature Projects: Teach them how to build a leaf journal, make a pinecone bird feeder, or identify animal tracks. This transforms downtime into discovery.

• Camp Chores as Games: Let them help pitch the tent or gather firewood—but make it a challenge. “Let’s see who can collect five pieces of firewood the fastest!”

• Evening Chill Time: Pack a few small indoor activities like card games, flashlights for shadow puppets, or a book for tent reading after dark.

• Glow Stick Hide and Seek: A camper favorite! Give each kid a glow stick and let them play hide and seek as dusk sets in.

3. Keeping Kids Clean-ish on the Trail

Dirt is part of the deal, but comfort (and smell) still matter. Here’s how to keep your crew fresh enough to function:

• Portable Showers: Lightweight camping showers are game changers. REI offers affordable options like the Nemo Helio Pressure Shower, which uses a foot pump for pressurized water. It's great for rinsing off dust and mud without needing a full setup.

• DIY Tankless Water Heater Setup: If you're up for a project, a propane tankless water heater connected to a jerry can or water tank gives you warm showers on demand. Mount it to the side of your rig or on a freestanding rack. Just add a shower tent and you're in business. There are super useful YouTube videos like this one from Revere Overland.

• Packable Wipes & Microfiber Towels: Biodegradable wipes, like these Sea-to-Summit wipes from REI. Or, quick drying towels. I use these super compact microfiber towels which are perfect for quick face and hand clean-ups when water’s at a premium.

• Clothing Strategy: Bring enough layers and extras. Kids get dirtier than you think, faster than you expect.
  

4. Off-Roading with Kids and Easing Their Nerves

Technical trails can be exhilarating for adults—but intimidating for little passengers. Here’s how to help them feel safe and confident:

• Explain What’s Happening: Before hitting rough terrain, tell your kids what to expect. "This trail is a little bumpy, but the truck is built for it and we’re going slow and safe."

• Let Them Be Co-Pilots: Give them “jobs”—watching for big rocks, spotting wildlife, or helping navigate. When they’re involved, they feel in control.

• Keep Calm, They Will Too: If you stay relaxed, they’ll follow your lead. If they do get nervous, take breaks and offer reassurance: “We’ve got great tires, we’re going slow, and I’ve done this before. We’re totally safe.”

• Celebrate the Obstacles: After each trail section, cheer it like a game level completed. Make the adventure part of the fun.
  

The Final Word: It's Not the Itinerary, It's the Experience

When you overland with kids, perfection isn't the goal—presence is. Your child might not remember how long the hike was or what you cooked over the fire, but they will remember skipping stones in a remote creek, watching a coyote cross the road at dusk, or the way the Milky Way looked from the roof of the camper.

So lean into the chaos, the mess, and the wonder. Because at the end of the trail, what you’re really building isn't just a trip—it’s a childhood rich with wild places, wide-open roads, and the kind of stories that get better every time they're told.