Best things to do in Lapland with family

Lapland with family can be magic, but it can also be freezing, absurdly expensive, and exhausting if you fall into every tourist trap along the way. From meeting Santa Claus to gliding through frozen forests behind a team of enthusiastic huskies, Lapland can offer experiences your kids will remember for the rest of their lives.

However, planning a trip to the arctic enviroment with children also comes with practical questions: How cold does it actually get? How do you keep kids entertained? And which activities are genuinely worth time and money?

Quick answer: For most families visiting Lapland for the first time, I’d prioritise Santa Claus, one animal experience, plenty of simple snow activities, and one flexible day without a strict schedule. If your children are older, add an aurora hunt, snowmobile experience, skiing or a longer outdoor adventure.

Here is the raw, candid truth from locals about visiting Lapland with kids, who have a kid. What is genuinely worth your time and money, what is a total waste, and how to survive the winter without losing your sanity.

The Best Things to Do in Lapland with Kids at a Glance

Experience	Best for	Cost	My rating
Meet Santa Claus	All ages	Free–€€€	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Husky experience	Children who love animals	€€–€€€	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reindeer experience	Younger children & families	€€–€€€	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Play in the snow	Everyone	Free	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Northern Lights	Older children & teens	Free–€€€	⭐⭐⭐⭐
SantaPark	Young children	€€	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ranua Wildlife Park	Animal lovers	€€	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Snowman World	Active children	€€	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skiing	Families staying several days	€€	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Museums & science centres	All ages	Free–€€	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Snowshoeing	Older children & teens	€–€€	⭐⭐⭐
Traditional Finnish cabin + sauna	Families who want to slow down	€€–€€€	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Meet the “Real” Santa Claus in Rovaniemi

For many families, meeting Santa Claus is the absolute crown jewel of a Lapland holiday. Meeting Santa is why most families fly to Rovaniemi (or anywhere in Lapland), but how you do it makes the difference between a core memory and a nightmare.

• Santa Claus Village: Entrance is free year-round, and Santa is there 365 days a year.
  • Off-season (Autumn/Spring): Actually worth it. It’s quiet, relaxed, and Santa actually has time to chat.
  • Peak Season (December): It is practically a horror show. You will wait in line for hours in sub-zero temperatures with miserable kids, only for a 90-second photo op on a commercial conveyor belt.
  • Note that personal photos are strictly forbidden, and buying theirs costs around 45€.

Would I still visit Santa Claus Village? Absolutely! Village it self is magical without meeting the big man on a high season. And don’t worry, you do not accidentally meet Santa in the Village.

Read our complete guide to Santa Claus Village before you go.

• Santa in Rovaniemi City Center: Free, authentic, and far less chaotic than Santa Claus Village. Popularity is growing, but it’s still much calmer and Santa himself is amazing.
  
• Santa Park: Entrance ticket* includes meeting with Santa! Santa Park is amazing underground cave, with a ton of Christmas athmosphere, but It is little more suitable for young children. (teenagers might get little bored)

• Private Santa Meetings: Rovaniemi is the Santa capital, but Santas know their business and stay out of sight so kids don’t spot three different Santas in ten minutes. Booking a private Santa to visit your cottage/ hotel/ apartment*, or taking a snowmobile ride through the forest to meet Santa in a private cabin*, is 100% worth the extra money.

• Santa Around the Rest of Lapland: You won’t find free walk-in Santa spots outside Rovaniemi (that I know off), but private experience packages* are sold everywhere. Mainly Finnish Santa characters are amazing, but I’ve heard couple incidents where the man is so old they basically don’t remember what they are doing. Otherwise, very safe 🙂

Go Husky Sledding & Reindeer Sleigh Riding

Animal encounters are an absolute highlight for children, but choosing the right tour distance is crucial when traveling with young kids.

Husky Safaris* (High Energy & Loud!): Working in tourism, I can tell that huskies are almost always the #1 favorite for kids because of the speed and playing with the dogs.

• WARNING: If your child is afraid of dogs or isn’t used to them, husky farms can be traumatizing. These are heavy, hyperactive, extremely loud working dogs barking constantly in packs.
• Stick to a short 1–5 km trail if you have younger kids. Long rides can be freezing!

Read our guide to Husky Experiences in Finnish Lapland.

Reindeer Sleigh Rides* (Calm & Gentle): There are more reindeer than people in Lapland, so rides are everywhere. They move at very a slow pace. Perfect for kids who get scared by fast huskies, but can also be extremely boring for the kids who love fast pace. Sleigh rides range from 5-minute spins to 30-minute forest trips or evening aurora rides.

• Most farms end with hot berry juice and stories around a fire inside a traditional kota hut.
• Crucial note: December activity slots sell out months in advance, so book early or get left out!

Hunt for the Northern Lights (Without Keeping Kids Up Until 2 AM)

Don’t drag exhausted, crying children on 6-hour midnight minibus tours in -20°C weather. Think about renting a cottage away from streetlights or book an early, family-friendly aurora tour with a heated hut or camp where kids can roast marshmallows while keeping an eye on the sky.

• The Kaamos Advantage: In December, Lapland experiences Kaamos (the Polar Night), where the sun barely pops above the horizon and daylight lasts only about 2 to 2.5 hours in Rovaniemi.
• Early Dark Skies: Because it gets pitch black by 3:30 or 4:00 PM, you don’t need to stay up until midnight. The Northern Lights can appear as early as 4:30 PM if the sky is clear!

Hunting northern lights with young kids all night long is not hopefully on your list, as it usually is nightmare for the guides and fellow travelers. IF you really really want to hunt them, I recommend to rent a car. Pack a car with pillows, blankets, snacks and everything kids need to be entertained (or sleeping) in the middle of the freezing darkness. (Remember, there is no scenery to watch from the windows, it is going to be pitch black.) Read more about renting a car and driving in Lapland here.

If renting a car is not an option, many companies organize early hunts just for families.

Read our complete guide to Northern Lights Hunting in Lapland.

Embrace Simple (Free!) Snow Fun

You don’t need to spend thousands of euros on organized tours every single day. Some of the best family memories in Lapland cost absolutely nothing:

• Sledding (Liukuri & Stiga): Almost every hotel, cabin rental, or local store in Lapland provides plastic sleds for guests. Finding a gentle snowy hill and spending two hours sledding is pure joy for kids. (NOT on the roads where cars drive!)
• Building Snowmen & Snow Castles: Sticky, fresh snow is perfect for building snowy sculptures right outside your cabin door.
• Local Playgrounds: Local Finnish playgrounds turn into frozen winter wonderlands, kids love climbing snow-covered structures.
• The Mpemba effect: On a really cold day, you can try a fun little science experiment outside: carefully throw hot water into the freezing air and watch what happens.
• Freeze bubbles: On a proper cold day, try blowing soap bubbles outdoors! When it’s cold enough, the bubbles can freeze and form beautiful little ice crystals.

Snowman World, Ranua Wildlife Park and other activity packed parks around Lapland

High energy kids might need some extra activities to do. If you want structured full-day entertainment:

• Snowman World *(Rovaniemi): Ice slides, ice skating, and snow structures right inside Santa Claus Village.

• Ranua Wildlife Park *(Ranua): A brilliant day trip to see Arctic animals (including polar bears) along a snowy forest walking trail.

• Arktikum & Science Centre Pilke (Rovaniemi): Excellent, affordable indoor choices when it’s -25°C outside and kids need to thaw out.

• Tonttula Elves Village (Levi): A magical, cozy stop if you are staying near Levi.

Downhill Skiing

If your family already skis, Lapland’s ski resorts can be an easy addition to your trip. If nobody in the family has skied before, a lesson can be a much better introduction than trying to figure everything out yourselves.

The major resorts around Finnish Lapland offer slopes, rental equipment and ski schools. For families staying for a week or longer, skiing can be particularly useful because it gives you something to do between the more unusual Lapland experiences. And unlike a one-hour activity, you can spend an entire day at a ski resort without constantly moving from one booking to another.

Try Also Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-country skiing is much more deeply connected to everyday Finnish life than many visitors realise. In winter, maintained ski trails can be found around towns, villages and resorts throughout Lapland. If your children are old enough and interested in trying something new, a short beginner-friendly route can be a lovely way to experience the landscape.

It may also be considerably cheaper than booking another organised excursion. For complete beginners, start small. Cross-country skiing looks easy when Finns do it. It isn’t always quite as easy when you are trying it for the first time.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is another good option for older children and teenagers who enjoy being outdoors. The idea is simple: snowshoes spread your weight over a larger area so you can walk through deeper snow without sinking as easily. You don’t need to be an experienced hiker. A guided snowshoe excursion* can also turn into an introduction to nature, animal tracks and winter survival rather than simply being a walk through the forest. For families with very young children, however, I’d choose something shorter and simpler.

Experience a Finnish Sauna

This one is not really an “activity” in the traditional sense. That’s exactly why I recommend it. If your accommodation has a private sauna, use it. Finnish families don’t generally think of sauna as an attraction that has to be booked through a tour operator.It is simply part of life.

After a cold day outside, sitting in a warm sauna can be one of the nicest moments of your holiday. For children, keep things comfortable and never assume that everyone needs to stay in the sauna for the same amount of time. The goal is relaxation.

If your accommodation don’t have sauna, you can find some separate sauna experiences here*.

What Are the Best Lapland Activities for Different Ages?

There is no single list of activities that works equally well for a two-year-old and a sixteen-year-old. Here’s how I’d roughly think about it.

Lapland with toddlers

Prioritise:

• Santa Claus
• Short animal experiences
• Snow play
• Sledding
• Playgrounds
• Indoor attractions
• Short walks
• Flexible days
• Accommodation with enough space to relax

Don’t build every day around a long organised excursion. Toddlers don’t care that you spent €1,000 booking the perfect itinerary.

Lapland with children aged 5–10

This is probably the easiest age group for the classic Lapland experience.

Consider:

• Santa Claus
• Husky rides
• Reindeer
• Snow activities
• SantaPark
• Snowman World
• Ranua Wildlife Park
• Beginner skiing
• Short Northern Lights outings

This is the age when the combination of imagination, animals and snow can work incredibly well.

Lapland with older children and teenagers

Older children often enjoy having something genuinely adventurous to do.

Consider:

• Longer husky safaris
• Snowmobiling, where age and operator requirements allow
• Skiing
• Snowshoeing
• Northern Lights photography
• Wildlife experiences
• Longer outdoor excursions
• Cross-country skiing
• Exploring different Lapland destinations

And don’t assume teenagers won’t enjoy Santa Claus. They may roll their eyes at first. and then they’ll probably take 247 photos.

You can find almost any given activity from GetYourGuide*

What Should Families Avoid in Lapland?

Don’t overbook your holiday

Lapland looks small on Instagram. It isn’t. Distances are long, winter driving can be slow and activities often take longer than the headline duration suggests.

Don’t assume every activity is suitable for every child

A husky safari may be magical for one child and overwhelming for another. A reindeer ride may be wonderful for one family and too slow for another. Think about your actual children, not the idealised family in the promotional photo.

Don’t plan every evening around the Northern Lights

The aurora is unpredictable. You might see an incredible display from your accommodation. You might spend hours searching and see nothing. Leave room for both possibilities.

Don’t underestimate the cold

Finnish Lapland can get seriously cold in winter. Average winter temperatures in Lapland are around -14°C, but temperatures can occasionally drop to around -30°C or lower. Children need appropriate winter clothing, and breaks indoors are important.

Read our complete guide to Layering for Winter in Lapland.

Don’t assume expensive means better

This is probably my biggest piece of advice. A €300 activity is not automatically three times better than a €100 activity. Sometimes the most expensive thing on your itinerary is the thing your children remember least.

Family Accommodation: Traditional Cabins Beat Cramped Glass Igloos

Let’s be completely brutal: Glass igloos are a total waste of money for families.

• The Glass Igloo Reality: Lapland is flooded with 28–30m² glass “shoeboxes” sold as overpriced “luxury.” They are tiny, cramped, offer zero privacy, and have miniature bathrooms with no space for luggage or bulky winter gear. Once your kids go to sleep at 8 PM, you are trapped sitting in pitch darkness in a tiny room. Spend one night for the novelty if you must, but it will not make your trip better.
• The Real Choice: Traditional Log Cabins: Do what locals do. Rent a real Finnish log cabin (mökki). You get separate bedrooms, a fireplace, a private sauna, space to dry wet snowsuits, and a full kitchen. Having a kitchen is a money(and sanity)-saver.
  • You can find very good family friendly accommodation options from all around Lapland on Booking.com

Essential Family Survival Tips: Weather, Clothing & Driving

Traveling to the subarctic with children requires a bit of extra preparation.

How Cold Is It Really?

• In December and January, temperatures typically hover between -7°C and -15°C, but sudden drops below -20°C or -25°C are common.
• Dress in Layers: Thermal wool underwear + fleece/insulating middle layer + windproof winter suit. Never wear cotton base layers, as cotton holds moisture and makes kids cold instantly.
• Read detailed instructions HERE.

Driving with Kids in Lapland

• Renting a car gives your family maximum flexibility to move at your own pace.
• Road Safety: All rental cars come equipped with high-quality winter or studded tires. Drive slowly, double your braking distance, and keep a sharp lookout for reindeer stepping onto icy roads!
• Read more about driving in Lapland HERE.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Lapland suitable for toddlers and infants? Yes, of course. We have kids here too! But you need to manage outdoor exposure time carefully. Frostbite is a real thing! Kids manage well in the cold, usually better than adults, but kids usually also hate hats and cloves, so remember to check that little ones always have them. Frostbite hits fingers and ears first.

Should we buy winter clothes or rent them? Most major tour operators and local rental shops in Rovaniemi, Levi, and Saariselkä offer full thermal suits, boots, and mittens for rent. If you live in a warm climate, renting is much more cost-effective than buying gear your children will outgrow in six months.

How many days should a family spend in Lapland? 4 to 5 days is the sweet spot for a family trip. It leaves enough time for Santa Claus, husky/reindeer safaris, snow play, and an aurora hunt without exhausting young children.

Is a husky safari suitable for young children? It can be, but the experience depends on the operator, the child’s age and the length of the safari. Younger children generally benefit from shorter experiences and plenty of opportunities to warm up.