Best family activities in and around Finnish Lapland: Ruka skiing, SnowCastle Kemi, Sampo icebreaker cruise, husky safaris, Northern Lights, summer adventures.
Husky safaris, reindeer rides, snowmobiling, ice fishing. Every Lapland activity rated by age and how well it works with kids.
From husky safaris to icebreaker cruises, the best Arctic activities for families with kids of all ages.
From husky-cart rides to gold panning, canoeing and reindeer farms, the best summer activities for families with kids of all ages.
Lapland is not only about snow. Whether your kids are toddlers or teenagers, in winter or summer, there is something here they will talk about afterwards. Every activity below is a real one, run by real operators in and around Finnish Lapland.
One of Finland's most family-friendly ski resorts, with 41 slopes, 22 lifts, and excellent ski schools for children. The beginner area is gentle and well-supervised. In summer, Ruka transforms into a mountain biking and hiking hub with summer sledge runs and guided nature walks. Oulanka National Park is just 20 minutes away.
Winter Park Jan - Apr; SnowExperience365 all year
Kemi's snow world comes in two parts: the SnowCastle Winter Park, rebuilt from scratch every winter and free to enter, and SnowExperience365, an indoor snow hall that stays below freezing all year. Between them you get ice sculptures, an ice restaurant where you eat from ice plates, and snow slides that kids cannot get enough of.
A retired Finnish icebreaker that now runs tourist cruises through the frozen Gulf of Bothnia. You watch from the deck as the ship cracks through thick sea ice, tour the engine room, and the brave ones float in the frozen sea wearing full-body survival suits.
Husky sledding is one of the most popular family activities in Lapland. Kids sit in the sled while a parent drives, gliding through snow-covered forests pulled by a team of eager huskies. Reindeer safaris are calmer and suit even the youngest children: you sit in a traditional wooden sleigh pulled by a reindeer while the herder tells stories about Sami culture.
Late August - early April (darkest months best)
Family-friendly Northern Lights tours take you away from city lights to the best viewing spots. Guides know where to go based on weather and aurora forecasts. Most tours include warm drinks, a campfire, and sometimes snowshoeing or a visit to a wilderness cabin.
Lapland in summer is a completely different world. The midnight sun means 24 hours of daylight in June and July. Families can go hiking in national parks, pick wild berries and mushrooms, fish in crystal-clear rivers, go river rafting, and visit reindeer farms. Summer in Lapland is quieter, cheaper, and surprisingly warm (15-25 C).
Our partner sites in the LaplandVibes network offer in-depth guides for specific activity types.
Full guide to tours, safaris, and experiences across Lapland
Dedicated husky safari guide with farm reviews and booking tips
Family-friendly snowmobile safari guide for all skill levels
Complete guide to ski resorts in Finnish Lapland
Check our practical guide for tips on getting to Lapland, what to pack, and how to budget for your family trip.
Ski pass: 35-55 EUR/day, kids under 6 free
Children's ski school with patient, English-speaking instructors
Dedicated beginner slopes with magic carpet lifts
Summer sledge run (1,100 metres) that kids love
Mountain biking trails graded by difficulty
Winter Park free entry; SnowExperience365 ticketed separately
Snow slides in the Winter Park, free to use
Ice restaurant serving hot food on ice plates
A new Winter Park design every winter, so no two visits are the same
Guided tours explain how a winter of snow becomes a sculpture park
Adults about 400 EUR on the afternoon cruise from Kemi (transfer, lunch and floating included); children discounted, age limits vary by departure point and package
Ship breaks through sea ice up to 1 metre thick
Float in the frozen sea in a survival suit
Engine room tour explains how icebreakers work
4-hour experience including bus transfer from Kemi
Short safaris: 60-120 EUR. Longer trips: 150-250 EUR
Kids ride in the sled while a parent drives
Meet and cuddle husky puppies before or after the ride
Reindeer farms teach about indigenous Sami culture
Hot berry juice and cookies around a campfire afterward
Guides use real-time aurora forecasts to maximise chances
Warm drinks and snacks included on most tours