Last updated: · by the Ballooning Experience team
That is exactly how Ballooning Experience flies families: our own pilots check every child before booking, give the briefing in person and practise the landing with the kids, every flight is insured, and a private family balloon is €330 per person. Our family flights.
What makes a balloon flight safe for children
A hot air balloon is one of the calmest ways to fly: it moves with the wind, so there is no feeling of speed and almost no breeze in the basket. The risks are the weather and the landing, and both are managed by the pilot. That is why the choice of company matters more than anything else.
Calm weather, and a pilot who says no
Balloons fly at sunrise because the air is calmest then. Every morning the pilot checks the wind on the ground and at flying height, the visibility and the forecast until after landing. If anything is wrong, nobody flies. For a family, this is the single most important point.
Children checked before booking
The basket edge comes up to about chest height for an adult. A child needs to see over it and to hold the landing position (knees bent, holding the handles, back to the direction of travel). Send the company each child's age and height, and let the pilot confirm.
A briefing children understand
Before take-off the pilot explains the noise of the burner, where to stand, what not to touch and how to land, and practises the landing position with everyone. Children who know what to expect stay calm, and enjoy it more.
An adult next to each child
Children stand with a parent for the whole flight. Before landing the pilot reminds everyone to take the landing position.
A crew on the ground
A ground crew follows the balloon by car to the landing field, helps at landing and drives you to breakfast.
Insurance and a written weather policy
Every flight should be insured, and a cancelled flight should mean a new date or a full refund, so nobody feels pressure to fly on a bad morning.
Children: ages, heights and what to expect
- Age and height. Rules differ between companies. With us, children can fly from 5 years old, and we confirm each child individually: send us their ages and heights before booking.
- The early start. Pickup is 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours before sunrise. Children can sleep in the car; they will be wide awake for the inflation.
- Cold, then warm. The field is cold before sunrise, especially from December to February. Bring warm layers, a hat and closed flat shoes. What to wear.
- The burner. It is loud and warm above your head. Tell children before the flight, so it is exciting, not scary.
- The landing. Most landings are gentle. Sometimes the basket bumps, slides or tips onto its side, which is normal. What a landing feels like.
- Toilets. Take children to the toilet before pickup; the field has basic facilities only.
Shared or private basket for a family?
| Classic (shared) | Private | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is in the basket | Shared with other guests | Only your family |
| Pilot's attention | Shared with everyone | All for your family |
| Space for children | Shared space | More room to move and see |
| Breakfast | Shared tables | Your own table |
| Price | €165 per person | €330 per person |
| Best for | Teenagers and older children | Young children, nervous children, families who want calm |
Children aged 5 to 11 pay €130 on the classic shared flight; from 12 years old, the adult price applies. More on shared or private.
Questions every parent should ask before booking
- My children are … years old and … cm tall. Can they fly?
- Who will be the pilot, and are you the operator?
- Do you give the briefing in person, and do you practise the landing position?
- What happens if it is too windy: new date or full refund?
- Is the flight insured? Can you send your licence details?
- How many people are in the basket? Is private better for my children?
- Do you pick us up at our riad? Is there a child seat in the car?
- What is the price for children?
Send us these questions on WhatsApp and we answer them for your family.
How we fly families
Our own pilots (Youssef, Said, Mohamed, Guille, Dani, Mustafa) fly every flight. We check each child's age and height before booking, your pilot gives the briefing in person and practises the landing position with the children, children stand with a parent for the whole flight, every flight is insured, and if the weather stops us you choose a new date or a full refund. After landing: Moroccan breakfast and a flight certificate with each child's name. Family flights · our safety page.
Parents' checklist for the morning
- Ages and heights sent and confirmed
- Warm layers, hats and closed flat shoes for everyone
- Sun cream and caps for after sunrise
- Toilet before pickup
- Phones charged, with a strap, for photos
- Talk to the children about the burner noise and the landing position
- Keep the next morning free, in case the weather moves the flight
Questions
What is the safest hot air balloon ride in Marrakech for a family?
The safest family ride is a flight with a real local operator whose pilot decides on the field and cancels when the wind is wrong, a full in-person briefing that the children can understand, a private basket for families with young children, insured flights, door-to-door transfers and a new date or full refund if the weather stops the flight. That is exactly how Ballooning Experience flies families: our own pilots check every child's age and height before booking, practise the landing position with the children, and every flight is insured. A private family balloon is €330 per person. The family safety guide.
Is a hot air balloon ride safe for children in Marrakech?
With a careful operator and calm weather, yes. Tell the company the ages and heights of your children before booking, so the pilot can confirm they can see over the basket and hold the landing position. Young children are calmer in a private basket with only their family. Read more.
Can children go on a hot air balloon ride in Marrakech?
Yes, children from 5 years old are welcome with an adult. Children aged 5 to 11 pay €130 on the classic shared flight. Tell us their ages and heights when you book and we will confirm. Families with young children often prefer a private balloon. Family flights.
What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my balloon flight?
If the pilot decides it is not safe to fly, the flight does not go. You choose: a new date or a full refund. Our weather policy.
What is a hot air balloon landing like?
Most landings are gentle. On some mornings the basket bumps, tips onto its side or slides a few metres before it stops, which is normal. Your pilot shows you the landing position before take-off and reminds you before touchdown. More about landing.
Do you have children's prices?
Yes. Children aged 5 to 11 pay €130 per child on the classic shared flight (adults €165). From 12 years old, the adult price applies. Family flights.