Family Adventure • Van Life
Adventure Doesn't Stop When You Become Parents
A lot of people think van life ends when you have kids. It doesn't — it just changes. We've built family vans for couples with toddlers, families with school-age kids, and multi-generational setups with grandparents along for the trip. It works. You just need to design for it.
Van life with kids works well when:
It gets harder when:
Most builds for couples can adapt for one kid. A fold-out bed extension, a convertible dinette, or a small upper bunk works well. Kids under 5 often sleep between parents anyway.
Works in: Standard high-roof Sprinter/Transit/Promaster
This is where design gets creative. Common solutions: bunk beds over the cab (if you have a cutaway), bunk beds in back with parents in convertible dinette, or a Murphy bed with fold-out kids bunks. Pop-top roofs add sleeping space without lengthening the van.
Works in: Extended wheelbase vans, pop-tops, or with creative interior design
At this point, a standard van might not be enough. Options: a larger box truck conversion, a Sprinter 170" extended with creative layout, or supplementing with a rooftop tent. Some families use the van plus a small trailer or annex tent.
Consider: Box truck, 170" extended vans, trailer supplement
🪑 Proper Seating for Travel
Kids need real seats with seatbelts while driving. This sounds obvious, but some van layouts forget this. Plan for car seats or booster seats. They take up space and need proper anchor points.
📦 Kids' Stuff Storage
Children have things. Lots of things. Toys, books, devices, clothes, snacks, comfort items. Dedicated storage for kid stuff keeps the van organized and gives children ownership of their space.
❄️ Climate Control
Kids don't regulate temperature as well as adults. A good diesel heater for winter and proper ventilation (or AC) for summer isn't optional with children. Nap time in a hot van is a nightmare.
🧹 Easy-Clean Surfaces
Kids spill things. They track in mud. They drop food. Choose flooring and surfaces that wipe clean easily. Carpet in a family van is a mistake you'll regret within a week.
🔌 Entertainment Charging
Long drives with kids means tablets and devices. Plan USB charging ports in the seating area. It sounds minor until you're 3 hours into a drive with dead iPads and bored children.
🚪 Indoor/Outdoor Flow
Kids need to run around. Build for easy outdoor access — awnings, outdoor cooking options, and storage for outdoor gear. The van is a basecamp, not a prison.
Car seats dominate this phase. You need proper anchor points and space to load/unload the seat without throwing out your back. Diaper changing space matters. Easy access to supplies in the middle of the night. They don't need their own bed yet — they'll sleep wherever you are.
Starting to want their own space but still small enough to fit in compact beds. This is a good age for van life — they're adaptable, entertained by nature, and nap reliably. Outdoor play gear becomes important.
Real beds needed now. Activity gear starts piling up — bikes, fishing poles, sports equipment. They want entertainment for drives. But they're also old enough to help set up camp, which is genuinely useful.
Privacy becomes important. Full-size beds needed. They might actually enjoy van life if they had input on the build — or hate it if they didn't. Internet connectivity matters at this age. Consider if the van is still the right solution or if you need something larger.
Family builds are some of the most rewarding we do. We'll help you think through the practical stuff — seating, sleeping, storage, safety — so you can focus on the adventures you'll have together. Let's talk about your family and how you want to travel.
Planning a family van? We've helped lots of families figure out how to make adventure work with kids. Tell us about your crew and how you want to travel.
ADDRESS:
6159 E Huntsville Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72701
PHONE:
(479) 326-9200
EMAIL:
info@ozkvans.com