Egypt with Kids: A Family Travel Guide

Egypt is one of the great trips to take with children. The history they half-know from cartoons and schoolbooks turns real in front of them — actual mummies, actual pyramids, camels and boats and treasure — and the sense of wonder is contagious. It takes a little planning to do well, and here is what we have learned.

It's more kid-friendly than you expect

Egyptians adore children, and families are welcomed warmly everywhere, from bustling markets to quiet temples. Children often get more patience and more smiles than adults do. The country's headline sights happen to be exactly the ones that light young imaginations: pyramids to gaze up at, tombs to peer into, a river to sail.

Pace and ages

The one rule that saves a family trip is to slow down. Two sites a day is plenty; a rushed schedule undoes everyone. School-age children — roughly six and up — tend to get the most from it, old enough to remember the pyramids and follow a story. Younger ones can absolutely come; just build in pool afternoons and downtime, and lower your sightseeing ambitions accordingly.

Beating the heat

Heat is the real challenge, so work with the day rather than against it: early starts, a long midday break, and plenty of water. A Nile cruise is a brilliant family base — a floating hotel with a pool that carries you between sites, so nobody spends the hottest hours trudging around, and there is always somewhere to cool off.

Food and tummies

Stick to bottled or filtered water, including for brushing teeth, and favour freshly cooked, busy places over anything that has been sitting out. Bread, rice, grilled meats and fresh fruit keep most children happy. Pack rehydration salts just in case, and ease into the local food rather than diving in on the first night.

The trips that work

Private, guided travel pays off doubly with a family — a good guide pitches the stories to your children's ages and keeps the day flexible. Fold in the things that turn history into adventure: a camel ride at the pyramids, a felucca sail, the mummy rooms at the museum, a horse-drawn carriage in Luxor. Get the pace right, and Egypt becomes the trip your children talk about for years.