Lapland is the largest region located in the northernmost part of Finland, which it shares with Sweden and Norway. It is home to the indigenous Sami people and is known for its stunning natural landscapes, including the Arctic Circle, which runs through the region.
Lapland is an ideal destination for travelers looking to experience the Arctic’s magic and participate in various outdoor activities. Your Finland travel with kids must include Lapland in your itinerary. Here are some of the best things to do in Lapland with your family:
1. Visit Santa Claus Village
Located in Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, Santa Claus Village is a must-visit destination for travelers of all ages. It might be touristy, and there are other places in Lapland to meet Santa, but you still should not miss it if you’re going to Lapland. After all, it is home to the official residence of Santa Claus, where your family can meet the man himself, get your picture taken with him, and send letters to your loved ones from the post office. It is one of the top things to do in Lapland with kids.
The village also features a range of shops and restaurants, including our favorite Santa’s Salmon Place. And there are a lot of activities you can do at Santa Claus Village with your kids, including reindeer and husky sled rides, snowmobile tours, and more.
2. Go dog sledding
One of the most popular activities in Lapland is dog sledding, also known as mushing. It is a great way to experience the beauty of the Arctic wilderness and is suitable for travelers of all fitness levels. You can choose to participate in a guided tour or take a lesson to learn how to drive a sled yourself. If your kids are too small, they can just enjoy the ride.
We booked a 15-km., 1-hour husky safari through All Huskies Sled Dog Safaris. We rode and drove through forests on trails close to the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, with Aakenustunturi fell as our scene. Afterward, our kids spent time with the dogs and learned more about huskies and sled dog racing. It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Lapland.
3. See the Northern Lights
Lapland is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. It is definitely one of the absolute things to do in Lapland with your family. The further north you are and the more remote the area, the greater your chances of seeing them. These stunning natural phenomena occur when solar particles collide with Earth’s atmosphere, creating a dazzling display of colors in the sky. The best time to see the Northern Lights in Lapland is between September and April when the skies are clear and dark.
We booked our excursion through Kinos Safaris. at the frozen lake Sirkkajärvi, Kittilä, with a wide-open view of the northern sky. We waited in freezing temperatures, but it was good we could warm ourselves inside a huge hut with a fire pit and drink coffee and hot chocolate. There was always a chance the Northern Lights would not show up, but it did that night, and it was awesome!
4. Go skiing, snowboarding, or sledging
Lapland is home to a number of ski resorts, making it a great destination for winter sports enthusiasts. Whether you prefer skiing down slopes, cross-country skiing, or snowboarding, you can find a ski resort to suit your skill level and interests.
We stayed at Levi, one of Lapland’s most popular and top ski resorts. We don’t ski or snowboard, which might sound strange since we went to a ski resort. But many resorts also offer other winter activities, such as ice skating, ice fishing, and snowshoeing. Our kids did a lot of sledging, which is just grabbing a sled, going up the slope, and sliding!
5. Go reindeer sledding
Reindeer sledding is another popular activity in Lapland, allowing you to experience the thrill of riding through the wilderness on a traditional sled pulled by reindeer. You can choose to participate in a guided tour or take a lesson to learn how to drive a sled yourself.
We booked our reindeer safari through Wolverine Fell Wilderness and Nature Ltd. It was a five-hour, three-in-one activity along with ice-fishing and snowshoeing. The 3-km. The reindeer safari was magical, as our ride took us into a snowy forest. We took the reins and drove the sled ourselves. Our kids also fed the reindeer some lichen, a kind of moss. This is one of the highlights of our trip, making it one of our favorite things to do in Lapland.
6. Cross the Arctic Circle
The Arctic Circle runs through Lapland, marking the border between the Arctic and the rest of the world. It is one of the two polar circles and the northernmost of the five major latitude circles, as shown on Earth maps. You can visit the Arctic Circle line, which is marked by a monument, and take a picture to prove you’ve been to the top of the world.
The Santa Claus Village is one of the best places to cross the Arctic Circle. You’ll find groups of excited tourists ceremoniously stepping over the demarcated line. You can even order an Arctic Circle Crossing Certificate to make it official.
7. Go ice fishing
Lapland is home to a number of frozen lakes and rivers, making it a great destination for ice fishing. Even if you don’t catch any fish, your family will still have fun drilling holes and setting up your hook. Plus, it doesn’t mean you’re stuck waiting for hours. With our experience at Wolverine Fell, we went snowshoeing and just went back to check if we caught any fish (we didn’t but we didn’t mind).
8. Visit an ice hotel
There are different ice hotels across Lapland, including Arctic SnowHotel near Rovaniemi, SnowCastle in Kemi, Igloo Village in the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, and SnowVillage near Kittilä. These ice hotels are made entirely of ice and snow and feature a range of ice sculptures and artworks. You can choose to spend the night in an ice room, or just visit for a tour and a drink at the ice bar.
We went to SnowVillage as it was close to Levi. Aside from the hotel rooms, there was an ice bar, ice restaurant, ice chapel, and ice exhibitions. When we visited, Game of Thrones was still on the air, so the ice exhibits had that theme.
9. Go snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a great way to explore the Lapland wilderness during winter. It is a relatively easy activity that is suitable for people of all fitness levels (although I did trip once!). You can choose to participate in a guided tour or explore on your own, and take in the stunning winter landscapes along the way.
Part of our Wolverine Fell Wilderness and Nature Ltd. package was snowshoeing through the forest, hiking through an easy trail. It was fun for everyone.
10. Visit the Arktikum Science Museum
The Arktikum Science Museum, located in Rovaniemi, Finland, is a great place to learn about Lapland’s natural history and culture. The museum features exhibits on the region’s flora and fauna, as well as the history of the Sami people. We watched a short video, checked out exhibits, and had fun taking photos.
11. Go snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is a popular activity in Lapland, allowing you to experience the thrill of riding through the snowy wilderness on a powerful machine. You can choose to participate in a guided tour or rent a snowmobile and explore on your own.
We booked our snowmobile safari through Wild Nordic. It’s a 3-hour, 2-in-1 program where we drove a snowmobile to a reindeer farm at night. It was exciting (and at a certain point, tiring) driving over frozen lakes, through a forest, over bridges, and into the wilderness.
12. Try traditional Sami food
Lapland is home to a number of traditional Sami dishes, including reindeer meat, smoked fish, and cloudberry jam. These dishes can be found at local restaurants and markets, and are a great way to experience the region’s culture. We liked reindeer sausages, reindeer meatballs, and reindeer burgers.
Overall, Lapland is a unique and beautiful destination that offers a wide range of activities and experiences for families. From meeting Santa Claus and seeing the Northern Lights to skiing and snowshoeing, there is something for everyone in this magical region. So, if you are planning a trip to Lapland, be sure to add these activities to your Finland travel itinerary with kids to make the most of your visit.
