Traveling in Iceland with kids:

Everything you need to know!

Is Iceland a kid friendly country? Is Iceland safe for kids? What do I need to have in mind when planning the perfect family holiday in Iceland? In this blog you’ll find everything you need to know when traveling to Iceland with your family!

Is Iceland kid-friendly?

Iceland is a great travel destination for kids. It is one of the safest country in the world, the crime rate is exceptionally low and the local culture offers an attitude of general safety. As a local mother of two who loves to travel around the country with my two kids I feel like Iceland is such a great place for kids to explore. Children are so free here, there is a lot of space and you never loose your kid in “the crowd”. In addition, there are a lot of fun kid-friendly things to do around the country and every part of the country has something unique for things to experience.

When to visit Iceland with kids?

I highly recommend visitin Iceland during summer, from June-August. During that time most of the kid friendly activities are open and it is not as cold. Many activities, farms and fun kid-friendly museums close during the winter and also the driving conditions can be scary at that time. 

On the other hand, If your main goal is to see the Northern lights or try Dog sledding in the snow you’d need to visit during winter. Winter in Iceland can be very beautiful and it is so much fun for kids to play in the snow but just remember more layers and good winter boots! 

Plan your trip ahead of time

Make sure you have everything booked before your family holiday, especially for the busy summer months. Summer in Iceland is high tourism season and accommodations, tours and activities get booked up fast. Booking and planning everything beforehand will allow you to make the most out of your family holiday and enjoy your stay as much as you can while you are in Iceland.

If you need help with the planning please contact me an I will help you plan the perfect family vacation! See more information about custom itineraries here.  

Where to stay in Iceland with kids?

Renting a cabin or an entire apartment is a great option for traveling with family in Iceland. There is enaugh room for everyone and you have access to a kitchen which makes meal times more easy. At booking.com you can find many great family friendly cabins and often you’ll have a lot of space outside the cabin where kids can play. Many Icelanders also rent out apartments at airbnb.com which is a great option for families.

If you prefer to stay at hotels I recommend looking for those who designate them selves as family friendly. There are a lot of great options all around Iceland. There are even some “Farm hotels” where kids can visit the Icelandic farm animals while staying at the hotel.

Another option is to rent a camper van and camp at campgrounds. That’s what I do with my kids in the summer time because it makes you more free and not tide up to a hotel scedual. When camping you follow the weather so if the weather is better elsewhere you can just go there instead of staying where the rain is. Nevertheless, camping also has it’s cons. You don’t have a lot of space in the camper so it can be hard if you have a big family. Also, during summer you’ll have the midnight sun which means you’ll have bright nights.

Of course all of these options both have pros and cons, you just have to decide what suites you and your family the best. 

What to pack for your family holiday in Iceland?

Packing for a family holiday can be quite the headache! What to bring with you and what is unneccicary? In my opinion, more is more when visiting Iceland because of the weather! The weather in Iceland can vary greatly, even during the summer months – there is actually a very fitting saying here in Iceland that goes “If you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes” You might get all four seasons in one day.

Layers, layers, layers! Bring many layers, that means wool base layer, fleece and waterproof gear. Good waterproof boots, wool socks, hats, scarves and gloves for the whole family. For the kids I also recommen bringin a waterproof snowsuit during winter, primaloft snowsuit during summer and of course rainwear!

Checkout my detailed packing list here:

How to travel around Iceland with kids?

Iceland unfortunately does not have a good transport system so I highly recommend renting a car / camper van for your trip, even though you are just staying in Reykjavík city. Traveling with kids means more luggage so It’s good to have a spacious car you can fit everything and everyone into. You’ll also be more flexible on your travel when renting a car. You’ll be able to stop wherever you like and grab a bite wherever you like on your way.

If you want to do a self drive tour around Iceland I recommend you check out my guides or itineraries for tips and tricks on how to travel with kids in Iceland, activities and more!

There are of course other options like staying in Reykjavík and doing day-tours or renting a private guide which is also fun. Please contact me If you have any questions regarding that.

Activities for kids

Your little adventurers will have tons of thing to do in Iceland! Start by renting a car and go sightseeing around the country! Reykjavík is great for kids to explore but the country side has something special about it that kids really love! The freedom of running around in nature, exploring old lava or diamond shaped glaciers on the Diamond beach! There are also a lot of family friendly farms around the country your kids will love. There kids can pet the animals and on some farms kids can try to ride an Icelandic horse.

You can find all of my tips and trick in my guides and itineraries! Including all the secret places! Ready to plan your family holiday in Iceland? Please contact me if you need any help with the planning!