Lapland is Finland's vast, mystical northern wilderness, stretching above the Arctic Circle and home to the Northern Lights, endless fells, pristine national parks, and the legendary Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. This subarctic region offers extraordinary experiences year-round, from dogsled adventures and snowmobile safaris in winter to midnight sun hiking and wild berry picking in summer. Lapland is also the ancestral homeland of the indigenous Sámi people, whose rich culture and reindeer-herding traditions add a unique dimension to any visit.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Santa Claus Village Visit
Meeting the real Santa in his Arctic Circle home is a dream come true for children. The village's magical atmosphere with snow, reindeer, and elves creates unforgettable family memories.
Duration: Half day to full day
Reindeer Farm Visit and Sleigh Ride
Visiting a working reindeer farm, feeding the reindeer, and taking a guided sleigh ride through snowy forest is a gentle and magical family experience available across Lapland.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Husky Dog Sled Safari
Older children can mush their own team of excited huskies across frozen landscapes. Younger children ride in the sled with a parent. One of Lapland's most thrilling family adventures.
Duration: 1-3 hours
Ranua Wildlife Park
Finland's only polar bear park delights children of all ages with up-close views of Arctic animals including polar bears, wolves, wolverines, and reindeer in natural forest enclosures.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Snowmobile Safari (children as passengers)
Children ride as passengers on powerful snowmobiles driven by parents across frozen lakes and snowy forests. An exhilarating winter adventure suitable for confident children from age 7+.
Duration: 1-3 hours
Ice Fishing Experience
Drilling through ice, baiting a hook, and catching Arctic fish combines patience with excitement in a uniquely Finnish experience. Children often love the drama of pulling up their first catch.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Beginner Skiing at Family Resorts
Lapland's ski resorts including Levi, Ylläs, and Ounasvaara have excellent beginner slopes and children's ski schools with patient instructors and entertaining terrain gardens.
Duration: Half day to full day
Northern Lights Family Hunt
Staying up late on a clear winter night to watch the Aurora dance overhead is magical for children. Many operators offer family-friendly guided hunts with snow adventures included.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Amethyst Mine Visit (Lampivaara)
Children love digging their own real amethysts at Luosto's Lampivaara Mine—one of Europe's few public gem-mining experiences. They can keep everything they find.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Pilke Science Centre
Rovaniemi's interactive forest science centre features hands-on exhibits exploring trees, logging, and wood products that engage young visitors with Finland's most important natural resource.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Holiday Club Saariselkä
Large resort hotel in Saariselkä with an extensive waterpark, kids pool, multiple restaurants, and a comprehensive activities programme for children of all ages.
Family features: Waterpark, kids' club, family rooms, babysitting service available, proximity to national park
Levi Hotel Spa
Full-service ski resort hotel with indoor pool, kids' club, and ski school operating from the doorstep. Connecting family rooms available.
Family features: Kids' club, indoor pool, ski school, family rooms, kids menus, slope access
Santa Claus Holiday Village
Staying directly at Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle gives families an immersive Christmas experience. Log cabins and glass igloo family suites available.
Family features: Santa Village location, glass igloo option, reindeer activities on site, family log cabins
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Most Lapland restaurants welcome children; family portions and kids menus are standard
High chairs available at most restaurants—ask upon seating
Lunch (lounas) buffets are excellent value for hungry families at €10–14 per adult, often free for children under 7
Finnish food is generally not spicy, making it very child-friendly; reindeer is mild and widely enjoyed by children
Self-catering cottages with kitchen facilities allow families to control children's meal schedules—excellent for young children
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Book Santa meetings and Christmas packages 6–12 months in advance—they sell out a year ahead
Dress all family members in proper Arctic layers (base, mid, outer) and ensure children's extremities are covered
The polar night in December is not as dark as expected—twilight and Northern Lights create beautiful light
Children adapt quickly to the cold if properly dressed; quality gear from rental shops is available if you don't own it
February is often preferred to December by families—more daylight, ideal snow, and lower prices than Christmas peak