A Practical Guide to Iceland Holidays With Children

Family holidays always require detailed planning, especially for parents travelling with younger children, and this is particularly relevant for those heading to snowy Iceland in the winter or exploring the wild scenery of the land of fire and ice during the rest of the year.

While booking Iceland family holidays might seem complex, the reality is that the wide-open spaces, friendly small cities, and limitless things to do make Iceland an incredible place to travel with little ones, with even the capital a perfectly safe place for kids to walk and play.

To help families hoping to visit Iceland this year, we’ve put together some tips and advice, from where to stay, what to do, and how to ensure you’ve got the right footwear and clothing for any of the activities and excursions you might want to plan.

Choosing the Right Accommodation for Icelandic Family Holidays

There are varied accommodations that could be perfect for Iceland holidays with children. You might, for instance, want to find an amazing rustic lodge in a great location for Northern Lights viewing, book a luxurious hotel with all the amenities kids could need, or reserve adjacent cabins in a wilderness setting to give yourself a little calm space to relax after a busy day of sightseeing.

We’d recommend you consider:

• The ages of your children and whether they’d rather have their own room, an adjoining room, or to share as a family.
• Locations, with rural spots perfect for Northern Lights hunting, far from the light pollution of the cities, where your view won’t be as dramatic.
• Catering options, with many families preferring hotels or lodges with breakfast and dinner included to ensure they don’t need to worry about self-catering.

You could also consider a fly-drive holiday, such as the Iceland Circle Package. All accommodation is pre-booked and included with your car rental, along with maps and routes, so you can take your holiday at your own pace and choose the accommodation category that suits your budget.

These holidays are ideal for families, who can spend more time enjoying quad biking, whale watching, or swimming in the geothermal pools, or continue onward if the children are tired or keen to reach the next stop-off point.

Outdoor Activities to Experience With Children in Iceland

The vast landscapes of Iceland offer so much to see and do, which is ideal for active kids. This applies whether you’re visiting Northern Iceland over the festive season, or enjoying Iceland in summer and the midnight sun, when the extended hours of daylight mean you can explore outdoors late into the evening.

Some of our favourites include glacier walks, which usually allow children from age 8, depending on the difficulty of the terrain, hiking through ice caves and tunnels in destinations like Langjökull or opting for a jeep tour of the Skálafellsjökull Glacier, which welcomes kids from age 5.

Dog sledding is another hugely popular activity, with guides able to take children from age 6, although some operators can organise gentle, slower-paced rides for younger children, or invite you to meet the dogs and learn all about them if a husky sled excursion is a little much.

Thingvellir National Park is a brilliant place to venture with children, with guided tours included in our Land of Northern Lights five-day short break, traversing the Golden Circle Route with an experienced, English-speaking guide who can take you to see the Icelandic horses, the hot waters of the geothermal fields, and the might of the Gulfoss Waterfall.

In the summer, families love river rafting in Southern Iceland, with the Hvítá river providing gentler currents which are usually suitable from age 10 and upward. An alternative in the north is to head to Vestari Jökulsá, where children from age 6 can join family rafting experiences and swimming, followed by a warming hot chocolate.

Indoor Attractions for Family Holidays in Iceland

If your children are younger or prefer gentler activities, we can offer several recommendations. The Dýragarðurinn í Slakka petting zoo on the south coast has a cute and cuddly selection of small animals, with no age limits at all. This centre also has a playground and arcade and is open throughout the summer.

Guests staying in Reykjavik for all or some of their Icelandic getaway can pre-book specific tours and attractions through our team or can consider buying the Reykjavik City Card for between one and three days, which offers access to most of the galleries and museums in the city.

That includes the Árbær Open Air Museum, entry into geothermal swimming pools with children’s pools and slides, the Reykjavík Family Park and Zoo, which has both farm animals and amusements, and the Reykjavík Botanical Gardens.

Packing for a Trip to Iceland With Children

The key to having a fun-filled time in Iceland is the right clothing. Although the summer months are warmer, Iceland is one of the most northerly destinations, and the weather can be cool and unpredictable.

We suggest packing thermal layers regardless of when you travel, along with waterproof footwear, hats and gloves and cosy outdoor coats, ideally with a quick-drying fabric to ensure your clothes are warm and dry in the morning if you’ve been caught in the rain.

If you intend to visit the world-famous Blue Lagoon, which is open to children from age 2, you might also wish to bring flotation aids or arm bands, although there is an on-site shop that sells swimming costumes and other items in case you forget or run out of packing space.

During the Icelandic winter, thermals suitable for the snow are essential, and it’s wise to bring woollen base layers, gloves, hats, thick socks, sturdy boots and winter coats. Layering is the best way to stay warm and makes it easier to remove layers once you’re back indoors.

Help and Advice With Family Holiday Planning for Your Trip to Iceland

We hope we’ve shown why Iceland is a fantastic place to travel with children and given you just a taste of the sights and attractions that kids love.

As always, if you’d like more personalised advice or need help picking from our Iceland Family Holidays, you are very welcome to get in touch with the Baltic Travel Company.