Winter holiday in Lapland for families

Where do you go with children?

Do you want more calm, culture and no mass tourism? Northern Sweden is smaller in scale and less busy, with unspoiled nature and fewer tourists. From December to March we welcome guests in Luleå: you sit by a campfire, we cook the food over an open fire and you feed the reindeer yourself. For children that is often a short introduction to animals they will never forget, and a special experience for the whole family. The airport is close to the city, so the transfers are short.

Do you also want to see something special? The ice hotel in Jukkasjärvi in Swedish Lapland is known for its impressive ice sculptures.

The best activities for children

These are the best activities for a family. Every type of activity has its own pace, so choose what suits your children. When booking, it is important to know which activities are included.

• Feeding reindeer and sitting by a campfire: calm, close up and not too long.
• A husky safari: a dog sled is shared by two people, and husky safaris often start with instructions on how to steer the sled. The tour with huskies usually lasts about four hours. For many children the dogs are the highlight.
• A snowmobile tour: you usually share a snowmobile with two people, and a tour often lasts 2 hours.
• Snowshoeing: you can go snowshoeing in the vast nature of Lapland, over snowy paths. Everyone can join at their own pace.
• Ice fishing: you can also go ice fishing in Lapland. It is a relaxed day for children who have patience.
• Cross-country skiing: cross-country skiing is a traditional Finnish activity in Lapland and suits active families.

Winter activities and excursions like these are a unique experience for the whole family, but do not plan them back to back all day. A relaxed day with free time is just as important.

Seeing the northern lights with children

The northern lights are visible from September to April. It is a magical experience, but a late evening can be difficult for small children. The dark days of December and January offer the longest and best nights, so you can often see the northern lights as early as the end of the afternoon, when it is dark. In March the days quickly get longer and you get light for longer, which is less pleasant for young children because you have to wait longer until it is dark.

How long should you stay?

The ideal length of a trip to Lapland is at least five days up to a full week. With children a calm departure and pace are important. Do not plan a big excursion every day, but alternate with free time. Our Winter Wonderland package lasts 5 days and 4 nights.

Practical tips for families

Good clothing: dressing in layers is essential to protect you against the extreme cold. Temperatures in Lapland can range from -5°C to -30°C in winter. Think of woollen socks, good gloves and a hat. Good preparation prevents cold children. Are you booking a trip with us? Then you get a PDF with clothing tips from our Sámi community. You cannot get better tips than that!

Choose the best time to travel: in March and April you enjoy more daylight and milder temperatures. In January the snow conditions are ideal for winter activities. December offers a magical Christmas atmosphere with a thick blanket of snow.

Arrange transport: transfers from airports to accommodation are usually included. Check this when booking your flight.

Choose accommodation with space: accommodation in Lapland ranges from luxury hotels to simple cabins. Your own cabin gives more peace than a busy hotel, with your own meals or a restaurant nearby.

Ask about guidance: a good guide helps with the safety of children of different ages, and knows when a break is needed.

Be flexible: flexibility with activities is important because of the unpredictable Arctic weather.

How we do it at Go to Sápmi

We deliberately choose calm and small groups. You get time with the animals, a real campfire, a guide who lives here, and we arrange the whole trip for you. You choose between a luxury cabin at the lodge and Clarion Hotel Luleå.