Lapland summer with kids: midnight sun, hiking, berry picking, river rafting, mountain biking, fishing, and more. Fewer tourists, lower prices, endless daylight!
Midnight-sun adventures for families, berry picking, lake swimming, hiking and reindeer farm visits.
Endless daylight, far fewer tourists, lower prices, and plenty to do outdoors.
Most people picture Lapland in winter, and they miss the other half of the year. Summer here means the midnight sun (it does not set for weeks), nature with almost no tourists, noticeably lower prices, and a long list of things to do outdoors with kids. If you want the place without the crowds, come in summer.
From early June to mid-July, the sun never sets in Lapland. Children can play outside at midnight in full daylight, which throws the whole family's body clock off in the best way. A midnight picnic by a lake or a 10 PM hike in sunshine is hard to forget. Bring blackout curtains or eye masks for sleep, and lean into the long day.
All of Lapland (the further north, the longer the midnight sun)
The midnight sun is strongest around Midsummer (June 20-25). Pack eye masks for everyone, hotel blackout curtains are not always enough for kids.
Ruka's summer sledge lets you ride a wheeled sled down the ski slopes without any snow. You control the speed with a brake lever, winding down through the forested hillside. It's a huge hit with kids and a surprisingly fun ride for adults too. The lift takes you up, and gravity does the rest.
Start slow on the first ride, because kids sometimes brake too hard. After that, they'll want to go again and again.
Ruka transforms into a mountain biking paradise in summer, with trails for every skill level from gentle forest paths to challenging downhill routes. Bike rental is available at the resort including children's bikes and helmets. The family trails wind through open fell scenery with wide ridge-line viewpoints.
Ages 6+ (family trails), 12+ (downhill trails)
Start with the easy forest trails to warm up. The bike park has a skills area where kids can practise before hitting the trails.
Lapland's forests are carpeted with wild berries in late summer: blueberries, lingonberries, and the rare Arctic cloudberry (lakka in Finnish). Thanks to Finland's Everyman's Right, anyone can pick berries for free in any forest. Kids love the treasure-hunt feeling of finding berries, and you can make jam, pies, or just eat them straight off the bush.
Everywhere in Lapland, forests, roadsides, fell slopes
Blueberries July-August, Lingonberries August-September, Cloudberries July
Cloudberries grow in boggy areas and are Finland's gold: locals guard their spots. Blueberries are easiest to find. Bring a berry picker comb for efficiency.
Lapland has thousands of lakes, rivers, and streams teeming with fish. Simple rod fishing is free for everyone in Finland. Guided family fishing trips teach kids how to bait a hook, cast a line, and (hopefully) reel in a catch. Common catches include trout, pike, perch, and grayling. Many guides will help you cook your catch on an open fire.
May - September (around midsummer the sun never sets)
Simple angling with a rod, line, and hook requires no licence in Finland. For lure fishing, buy an inexpensive fishing permit online at eraluvat.fi.
Oulanka National Park near Ruka is one of Finland's finest hiking areas. The short family trails (2-6 km) feature hanging bridges, river gorges, and waterfalls. The famous Karhunkierros trail has a shorter 12 km version perfect for older kids. Riisitunturi National Park offers open fell-top views over snow-laden forests. All national parks are free to enter and have marked trails with rest stops.
Ages 4+ (short trails), 10+ (longer trails)
Oulanka (near Ruka), Riisitunturi, Pyha-Luosto, Urho Kekkonen National Park
June - September (trails can be muddy in early June)
Start with the Kiutakongas waterfall trail in Oulanka (2.5 km, easy). Pack snacks, water and mosquito repellent: Lapland mosquitoes are fierce in July.
Family-friendly white water rafting on the Kitka River near Ruka is safe, exciting, and one of the best summer adventures in northern Finland. The rapids are class II-III, thrilling but not dangerous for families. Everyone wears helmets and life jackets. Guides handle the navigation while your family paddles and gets splashed. It's a guaranteed scream-and-laugh experience.
Wear clothes you don't mind getting wet (you will get soaked). Bring a change of clothes for the drive home.