Salam, friends! If you've been following our Moroccan journey, you know that immersing our children in local culture is something we value deeply. Today, I'm excited to share our recent adventure taking the kids street shopping in Morocco - complete with language mishaps, food discoveries, and those inevitable "I'm tired" moments that come with family travel!
The Morning Market Adventure Begins
It was a bright Sunday morning when we decided to venture out to the local street market with Camryn and Jack. The streets were surprisingly busy despite the early hour - especially considering we had just experienced a time change in Morocco the night before (we moved forward an hour).
Our mission was simple: gather ingredients for a tajine dinner. If you've been following along, you'll know that chicken drumstick tajine with vegetables is our family favorite. However, as is often the case when shopping with kids, our plans quickly evolved!
Travel Tip: Moroccan markets are busiest in the mornings. If shopping with kids, consider going early before the crowds and heat intensify.
Language Adventures at the Vegetable Stands
One of the joys (and challenges!) of shopping in Moroccan markets is navigating the language. While I've picked up essential Darija (Moroccan Arabic) phrases for shopping, having the kids practice their language skills adds an entertaining dimension to our outings.
We started at the vegetable stands, where I encouraged Camryn to ask "ashhal" (how much) for the potatoes. The vendor replied "rabba rabah rabal kilo" - giving us the price per kilogram. Shopping here isn't just about buying food; it's a language immersion experience for the whole family!
I needed to get various ingredients for our planned tajine:
- Turnips
- Carrots
- Parsley (m3adnous in Darija)
- Cilantro (qzbor in Darija)
As we navigated from stall to stall, I realized this wasn't just grocery shopping - it was a cultural education for the kids. They were learning food vocabulary, negotiation skills, and market etiquette all at once.
Strawberry Season: A Sweet Diversion
Our shopping journey took an unexpected turn when Jack spotted some strawberries. Morocco's strawberry season is magnificent, and these weren't just any strawberries - they were "kabir" (huge) according to my description to the kids.
When Camryn asked "hamach" (how much), the vendor replied "ashrin" (20 dirhams) per kilo. At roughly two pounds for 20 dirhams (about $2), it was a deal we couldn't pass up - especially since the kids love them so much. In fact, Camryn had previously demolished an entire container of strawberries on her own after a previous market trip!
Later, we found another strawberry vendor offering them for "khamsa ashrin" (15 dirhams) - highlighting how prices can vary even within the same market. This presented a perfect opportunity to teach the kids about comparison shopping.
Local Insight: Strawberry season in Morocco offers some of the sweetest, juiciest berries you'll ever taste at incredibly affordable prices. Always check multiple vendors for the best deals.
From Chicken Tajine to Shrimp Pasta: Plans Change!
One of the most authentic aspects of shopping with kids in Morocco is how quickly plans can change. We originally set out for ingredients to make a chicken tajine, but when we reached the fish section of the market, everything changed.
Camryn spotted some fresh shrimp, and suddenly our dinner plans shifted entirely. We ended up purchasing a kilo of shrimp for 90 dirhams, which included the cleaning service - they removed the heads and prepared them for cooking. For around $9 for 2.2 pounds of cleaned shrimp, it was an amazing deal compared to what we'd pay back home.
As I was leaving the fish vendor, I had a classic language mishap - instead of saying "bslama" (goodbye), I accidentally called the man "basa" (onion)! These are the moments that remind us we're still learning and that bring laughter to our Moroccan adventures.
The Reality of Shopping with Kids in Morocco
If you follow my social media, you might wonder why the kids don't appear in more videos and posts. Our market trip perfectly illustrated why: about twenty minutes into our shopping expedition, the complaints began:
"My hands hurt!" "My legs hurt!" "I'm tired!" "I want to go home!"
This is the unfiltered reality of family travel and expat life. While introducing children to local markets is incredibly valuable, it also comes with challenges. They get bored, tired, and distracted - sometimes all within the first half hour!
But these moments are part of the journey too. Between the complaints, there were magical moments of curiosity, like when we all spotted what appeared to be a pregnant cat wandering through the market, prompting excited chatter from the kids.
Snack Stops: The Key to Market Success with Children
If there's one piece of advice I can offer parents shopping in Moroccan markets with kids, it's this: plan for snack breaks. They're not just treats - they're survival tactics!
When the kids needed a break, we stopped at a local bakery where Jack got some fresh bread (a "kabir baguette") and a Danone yogurt drink to quench his thirst. The total cost? Just 8 dirhams (about 80 cents) for fresh bread and a refreshing drink.
We also couldn't resist trying some "briwats" - delicious triangular pastries. Jack chose "djaj fromage" (chicken and cheese) briwats for 4 dirhams each. According to him, they tasted "like pasta or Chinese noodles" - a description that made me smile. While he enjoyed these street food versions, I made sure to mention that homemade briwats are even better because I fill them generously with meat.
For the more adventurous, we also picked up some "hrissa hara" - a spicy North African/Tunisian paste that adds heat to dishes. I bought just a dirham's worth (a couple of scoops) for the kids to try later. It would be interesting to see who could handle the heat!
Different Shopping Styles: A Family Divided
Our market experience revealed something interesting about our family dynamics and shopping preferences. As we were wrapping up our expedition, it became clear that we all have different shopping styles:
- Jack prefers "jersey shopping" (shopping for clothes at familiar stores)
- Camryn enjoys mall shopping
- I prefer market shopping "in peace" (which rarely happens with kids in tow!)
These different preferences reflect how each family member adapts differently to life abroad. While I've embraced the local market culture, the kids still hold on to some shopping comforts from back home - and that's perfectly okay.
Henna: A Special Cultural Experience for Teens
While not directly part of our market shopping trip, Camryn shared her experience getting henna the previous night with a friend. Henna is a beautiful cultural tradition in Morocco that many teenage girls (both local and expat) enjoy.
Camryn explained that the process took about 10 minutes and that the henna stings a bit after application - "the more you put, the more it hurts." She chose a design with some glitter added and was "obsessed" with how it looked, saying she felt like she was "rocking it now."
This side story highlights how our kids are embracing Moroccan cultural experiences in their own ways, even outside of our family outings.
Tips for Taking Kids Street Shopping in Morocco
Based on our experiences, here are some practical tips for parents planning to take their children shopping in Moroccan markets:
- Start Early: Markets are less crowded and cooler in the morning hours
- Set Clear Expectations: Let kids know how long you plan to shop
- Involve Them Actively: Have them ask vendors for prices or help select produce
- Plan Frequent Breaks: Schedule stops for drinks, snacks, or just sitting down
- Teach Key Phrases: Simple Darija words for numbers, foods, and greetings go a long way
- Be Flexible: Your carefully planned shopping list may change completely!
- Bring Water: Staying hydrated is essential, especially during warmer months
- Keep It Short: A successful 30-minute trip is better than a miserable 2-hour ordeal
- Celebrate Small Wins: Praise kids for trying new foods or practicing language skills
- Document the Experience: Take photos or videos, but don't let it overshadow the experience
The Authentic Side of Expat Life in Morocco
What I love most about sharing these shopping experiences is that they represent the real, unfiltered side of expat life in Morocco. It's not always the picture-perfect scenes you see on social media. Sometimes it's language mistakes, changing dinner plans, and kids complaining about tired legs.
But within these mundane moments are the authentic cultural exchanges that make living abroad so enriching. When Jack tries a new Moroccan pastry and describes it in his own unique way, or when Camryn proudly shows off her henna design, I'm reminded why we chose this adventure.
Our shopping trip that began with hopes for a chicken tajine ended with plans for shrimp spaghetti instead. We didn't get everything on our original list, but we came home with stories, experiences, and yes, two batches of strawberries!
Join Our Moroccan Journey
If you're interested in learning more about relocating to Morocco or have questions about raising kids here, I offer consultations to help families navigate this transition. The cultural immersion opportunities for children are incredible, even if they sometimes come with a side of "my legs hurt!"
Have you taken your kids shopping in local markets during your travels? How did they respond to the experience? I'd love to hear your stories in the comments below!
Bslama (and I promise I won't call you an onion)!
Interested in moving to Morocco? Book a consultation with me at [contact information].
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