Planning Lapland with kids – season, places, activities, clothing

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In short: Finnish Lapland is the easiest choice for families: good access, lots of activities for children, organised excursions with rental clothing. December is magical but dark and expensive; February and March offer more daylight. You must be 18 with a driving licence to drive a snowmobile yourself – children ride along in a sled. Layered clothing matters more than any programme. As of October 2026.

Best time with children

For context: in Rovaniemi average daily highs are around −6 °C in December and −8 °C in January, lows around −12 and −14 °C. These are averages – cold spells of −25 °C and below do occur, especially inland.

The short days in December and January do not mean total darkness: around midday there are a few hours of daylight – and further north, where the sun does not rise at all, at least twilight, often in intense blue and pink tones. Plan outings with children for these bright hours and keep the evenings for sauna, games and a look outside when the aurora app goes off. In February and March it gets light quickly – ideal for longer trips. More on the darkness: Polar night and daylight – how dark is it up north really?.

Which place suits you?

• Rovaniemi: airport, plenty of accommodation and activities, Santa’s village right on the Arctic Circle. Practical for short trips and small children; more urban and very busy in December.
• Levi and Ylläs: ski resorts with children’s slopes, cross-country trails, hotels and cabins – good for families who also want to ski.
• Saariselkä and Inari: further north, quieter, good aurora chances, more wilderness; longer journey.

Getting there from Austria: Rovaniemi, Kittilä (Levi, Ylläs) and Ivalo (Saariselkä, Inari) are usually reached with a change, for example via Helsinki; in winter there are sometimes seasonal direct or charter flights. Current connections are listed on airport and airline websites.

Comparison of places: Rovaniemi, Levi or Saariselkä? Lapland destinations compared.

Activities and age limits

Many excursions in Lapland are geared towards families, but the rules differ between operators. Before booking, always check minimum age, minimum height and whether thermal clothing is included.

• Snowmobile: in Finnish Lapland drivers must be at least 18 and bring a valid category B driving licence in the original. Children are usually allowed as passengers on the snowmobile from about 12; younger children often ride in a sled pulled by the guide’s snowmobile. Some family safaris are advertised for children from 3.
• Husky safari: small children sit in the sled, adults steer. Minimum age and duration vary by operator. Details: Husky safari with kids – how it works, age, clothing and animal welfare.
• Reindeer farm: often the calmest activity, suitable for toddlers too.
• Snowshoeing, sledging, ice fishing: cheap or free – and children often love them more than the expensive tours.

Cabin, hotel or glass igloo?

• Holiday cabin (mökki): lots of space, your own kitchen, often a sauna – very practical with children. But you usually need a car and have to organise excursions yourself.
• Hotel: short distances, pick-up for tours, restaurant on site. Good for short trips and for anyone who does not want to drive in winter.
• Glass igloo or aurora cabin: auroras from your bed – an experience, but expensive and often cramped. With small children better for one night than for the whole trip. More: Glass igloo and aurora cabin – is it worth it?.

Clothing: the layering principle

In the cold it is not one thick jacket that protects you but several layers with air between them:

1. Base layer: merino wool or synthetic thermals, no cotton (it stays damp).
2. Mid layer: fleece or wool jumper.
3. Outer layer: a windproof, warm snowsuit or winter jacket and trousers.
4. Extremities: mittens instead of gloves, wool socks (not too tight in the boots), hat, neck gaiter, well-insulated winter boots.

Many tour operators lend thermal overalls, boots and mittens – that saves luggage. Ask in advance whether they have children’s sizes.

Children and cold

• Children cool down faster than adults and often notice too late. Ask regularly, check hands and feet, and plan breaks indoors.
• Keep an eye on face and ears: white, numb patches are a warning sign of frostbite – get indoors immediately.
• Pushchairs are impractical in snow; for toddlers a sledge or carrier is often better.
• If you are unsure about health questions, talk to your paediatrician before the trip.

Auroras with children

Auroras often appear late in the evening. With children it helps to:

• Choose accommodation away from town lights so a quick look outside is enough.
• Use forecast and alert apps instead of waiting outside for hours.
• Let children nap beforehand and wake them only for good activity.
• Set expectations honestly: auroras are not guaranteed.

When and where your chances are best is covered in Where and when to see the northern lights.

With a baby or toddler?

Lapland is doable with very young children too, but requires a different rhythm. Short activities in the late morning and early afternoon, when it is brightest, work better than long safaris. What matters is warm accommodation with room to dry clothes, short distances and a plan B for days of extreme cold. Many tour operators have minimum ages that exclude toddlers – then split up or choose family-friendly options such as reindeer farms.

Documents and insurance

• Finland, Sweden and Norway are in the Schengen area. For EU citizens a valid ID card or passport is usually enough – children need their own document.
• The European Health Insurance Card is valid in Finland, Sweden and Norway. Private travel insurance with repatriation is still recommended.
• If you want to drive a snowmobile: bring your original driving licence.

Budget: package or self-organised?

Lapland is not a cheap destination, especially in December. Packages with flights, accommodation, clothing and excursions are convenient; self-organised trips with a cabin and individual excursions are more flexible and often cheaper. Rough cost ranges and sample budgets: What does a family trip to Lapland cost? The cost factors. Christmas planning: Christmas in Lapland with kids – planning, Santa and alternatives.

Checklist

• Choose dates according to daylight, budget and school holidays
• Choose the place according to your children’s ages and wished-for activities
• Book excursions early (December!), check age limits
• Bring your original driving licence if you want to drive a snowmobile
• Layered clothing, clarify rental clothing
• Warmers, spare gloves, thermos
• Aurora app and cloud forecast
• Check travel insurance

Everything for packing: Packing list for −30 °C and the polar night – also with kids.

Frequently asked questions