Simpson with kids

Took our 8 year old daughter across the Simpson in 1991 - no problems - she slept all the way !! LOL

I took my two back in 2004 at about that age and they still talk about it today.
Take some things like a football or tennis/ cricket bats and ball so they can burn off a bit of energy when camped.
Cheers Dave

They'd certainly love places like Dalhousie Springs at the start and rolling down Big Red at the finish. And if they're good travellers (and their parents are good teachers) then I reckon there's heaps to keep them interested along the way - camel spotting included.

if they are seasoned travellers as you say they are, then it won't be a problem. so long as they have something to do in the vehicle (as they'd likely have when you've travelled long distances), the experience is no different IMHO. i don't recall my kids being bored at any stage when we crossed The Simpson, though i guess we did do it with friends who had kids of a similar age to ours, so the kids were excited to get out of the vehicle each stop to see each other...lol. Just be sure and take plenty of warm clothes and a good warm sleeping bag for them each, as it gets pretty cold out there of a night time.
once out of the vehicle the kids will run around and roll down the sand dunes and make their own fun, it's what kids do.

Gday,

Wouldn't you be the best judge of what your kids find boring and what to do to keep them interested? Make it fun for them?

Cheers

At ages 9 & 11 they will probably get more out of the "dune after dune" part of the trip if you make them a part of all the decision making, rather than just be idle passengers. Teach them to become your navigators. Get them to log the daily stats. Give them responsibilities. Talk to them about what's going through your head as you drive - what are you alert for, how can they help you? Can they operate the UHF, the HF, the Satphone, the EPIRB etc? Can your 11 yr old drive? Teach him/her when there is a safe flat place off the main track. Can they identify different types of shrubs/trees? Take a long necked bottle and take small samples of coloured sand from each track - you'll be amazed at the variance in colours. I have a bottle with sand from every part of the Simpson - but it was a gift from Don Rowlands, but what a great idea! We always try to let the kids feel we are exploring and let them feel that its their adventure too, not just the parents. Just some ideas to get you thinking. Good luck

I'm crossing the simpson in July, when my kids will be 6 months and 2 1/2 years. I think I'll get a headrest dvd player for the 2 year old and possibly some anti-histamines for the 6 month old haha!

Our kids were 8 and 6 and it was always exciting, especially when we got stuck on one dune tops. The camp evenings were sensational.

A trip they'll remember for ever

Thanks for the comments. Now, i reckon I have to con some friends to come along, and we'll be set.

We have 2 boys the same age as your kids.

My tip. Pack plenty of toy cars and a footy

Simpson desert = greatest sand pit on earth

Everytime we stopped the boys would get out their toy cars and start creating race tracks in the sand. Only fair given that I was out there playing with my truck in the sand.