Winter adventures with kids: husky rides, snow hotels and northern lights

Winter adventures with kids in the far north are unforgettable: racing through the forest behind a team of huskies, sleeping in a room made of ice and watching the northern lights dance above. For the winter holidays, the best places are Swedish Lapland, northern Norway, Finnish Lapland and, for something closer, igloo villages in the Alps. Here are eight spots, which ages they suit and what to pack.

Why winter adventures with kids are worth it

Kids love the Arctic because everything feels like a fairy tale: dogs, reindeer, ice palaces and a sky that turns green. There is snow everywhere, so even a simple walk turns into a snowball fight or a sledge ride. Parents love that the days are full of action, but the evenings are cosy by the fire.

Which ages it suits

From about five, children can join most activities; toddlers enjoy a lighter programme with plenty of warm breaks.

8 winter adventure spots with distance and difficulty

Swedish and Finnish Lapland are the easiest for families, with short transfers from small airports; Tromsø combines a city with wild nature. Distances are from the nearest airport. Check minimum ages and prices on the official websites.

Price per person for the main activity or one night: budget = under about €50, mid-range = about €50–150, premium = over €150. Approximate, prices change.

See winter trips in Lapland on the Kid.ooo map

Sweden

The Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi has been rebuilt from river ice every winter since 1989, with art suites carved by artists. Families can visit during the day or stay a night in a cold room. In Abisko, the Aurora Sky Station sits on a mountain reached by chairlift, one of the best places in Europe for the northern lights. By day, Visit Abisko has tips for easy snowshoe trails in the national park.

Norway

Tromsø is a lively Arctic city with husky farms, reindeer camps and northern lights tours nearby. In winter, many families also join a boat trip into the fjords.

Finland

Near Rovaniemi, the Arctic SnowHotel has snow rooms, an ice restaurant and glass igloos. Levi is a family ski resort where husky and reindeer farms are a short drive away. Further north, the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort near Saariselkä is famous for glass igloos where you can watch the sky from bed.

The Alps

If Lapland is too far, Iglu-Dorf builds igloo villages in Swiss and other Alpine resorts every winter, with igloo nights and fondue. It is a gentle introduction to sleeping in the snow.

Safety and kit

Layers, mittens and short sessions outside are the key to happy kids in the Arctic cold.

• Merino or thermal base layers, fleece middle layer and a windproof snowsuit
• Warm boots, two pairs of mittens and a balaclava
• Hand and toe warmers
• A head torch for the dark afternoons
• Lip balm and moisturiser against dry cold air

Most safari companies lend thermal overalls, boots and mittens, so check before you pack. Keep an eye on noses and cheeks for white patches, a sign of frostbite.

Snacks and stops on the way

Pack energy snacks and a thermos for every outing, because the cold burns a lot of energy. Many safaris include a stop at a fire hut with hot berry juice, sausages or pancakes. In Tromsø and Levi, there are cafés and family restaurants close to the centre, which you can find on the Kid.ooo map.

Parent tip

Book the most important activity early in the trip, so you have spare days if the weather is bad. Northern lights need clear skies, and husky tours can be cancelled in strong storms. Mix one big adventure a day with free snow play and an indoor day if needed.

If you are planning a Christmas trip next year, read our Lapland with kids guide. For indoor alternatives on stormy days, see Europe's best indoor attractions for kids.

For family travel stories from around the world, take a look at @fouraroundtheworld on Instagram.

Find nearby trails and playgrounds in Kid.ooo

Kid.ooo is a free kid-friendly places map where parents share trails, playgrounds, cafés and attractions across Europe. Save your husky farm, a warm café and a sledging hill before the trip, so every winter day is easy to plan.

Find winter trips on the Kid.ooo map

Missing a place you loved? Add it to Kid.ooo and help the next family planning a winter adventure.