There actually isn’t any journey extra magical than visiting Lapland – the snowy landscapes, the possibility to fulfill Santa, to go husky sledding. However which means most of us have by no means taken a visit fairly prefer it earlier than – which is why I’ve pulled collectively my high suggestions for visiting Lapland with children.
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I’m all ready for seaside breaks however have spent fewer holidays within the snow, and this was my first with my daughter. And whereas packing lists for Lapland holidays are at all times helpful, there’s extra to it than merely remembering your thermals, as I found on our four-night break in Levi.
So right here’s what we discovered and my high suggestions for Lapland with children, to make sure you have a magical journey.
Ideas for visiting Lapland with children: earlier than you go
Select your dates rigorously
The sooner you go, the extra gentle you get and the hotter it’s more likely to be. However you do danger there being much less snow than standard, if it’s a yr with greater temperatures (like in 2018) – whereas that isn’t but widespread, the climate will at all times fluctuate throughout the six week season.
Journey later and also you would possibly match it into college holidays (we needed to request a depart of absence to get away earlier) or you possibly can even journey over Christmas Day itself, however it will likely be darker and doubtless colder.
The placement could make a small distinction too: Saariselka is the furthest north of the primary Santa Break resorts, so it has extra probability of early snow. Rovaniemi – the official house of Santa Claus – is the furthest south – with Yllas and Levi within the center, though all are within the Arctic Circle.
Test what’s supplied
If you happen to’re travelling on a Santa break bundle vacation, as we did, you’ll get a thermal swimsuit included which makes an enormous distinction.
We additionally had boots included – however keep in mind that you just’ll be strolling down snowy steps from the aircraft to the airport and onto a switch earlier than you get the boots, so that you’ll want one thing to deal with snow as quickly as you land (the identical goes for having gloves, hat, ski jacket and heat layers on the aircraft).
My very own pair have been additionally hotter and a greater match than those supplied, though my daughter wore her two pairs interchangeably.
Contemplate what’s included
With a number of most important exercise suppliers and tour operators in areas like Levi, Yllas and Rovaniemi you might discover that the excursions are comparable whether or not you’re travelling on a bundle or independently.
For our Santa Break with Inghams, we had a go to to Santa’s Workshop on the Santa Claus Village and a gala dinner with Santa Claus on the finish; you’ll be able to ebook some other excursions individually, though our husky sledding and reindeer sleigh rides, and snowmobiling have been each organized by the corporate too.
Different firms embrace extra excursions, whilst you can at all times ebook your individual if there’s time free. If you happen to prepare any independently, don’t neglect you might also be chargeable for your individual transfers (both at an additional price or hiring a automotive to drive within the snow).
Learn extra about our actions on our Levi Santa Break right here
What age is finest?
Lapland is magical at any age (I used to be in my 30s once I first visited) however when the main focus is on visiting Santa in Lapland, it pays to time it proper if you happen to can.
Most firms advise you journey with children aged 4+ and thermal fits and boots aren’t often included for under-threes. However wait too lengthy and the Santa magic could also be gone as soon as they’re too previous.
Age 6-7 is right, though having stated that, we noticed households with toddlers and teenagers too.
How lengthy to go for?
It relies upon partly on how a lot you need to slot in – there’s something from in the future journeys to Lapland to week-long breaks.
Most have a tendency to fall someplace within the center with three or four-day breaks being the preferred: shorter is cheaper however you’ll have to be ready for busy days or fewer excursions and any flight delays can have a much bigger affect.
We went for 4 nights, which felt good – it gave time for an tour day-after-day in addition to time for ourselves, and we by no means felt rushed (plus we bought again on Sunday moderately than midweek), though you possibly can nonetheless have fitted all the pieces right into a three-night break.
Personally I believe a one-day journey can be very full-on with younger children and dangers drained meltdowns as you lastly arrive and get to fulfill Santa – flights to Finnish Lapland are three and a half hours, so that you’ll have an early begin and a protracted day.
If you happen to’re planning to ski in addition to the excursions, otherwise you wished to enterprise additional afield or strive a Northern Lights tour, you may want longer to take advantage of the ski resort services.
Ideas for Lapland with children: what to pack
Select merino wool
It goes with out saying that you just’ll want thermal layers to maintain out the coolness within the Arctic Circle.
We took two units of long-sleeved tops and leggings every, largely of merino wool, which was unbelievable – it’s skinny and light-weight, dries rapidly but additionally retains you fantastically heat.
Pack numerous layers
Take numerous layers to remain heat moderately than one thick layer, because it’s simpler to adapt to the completely different temperature.
On our first day, the temperature was round -6C, by the tip of the journey it was all the way down to -15C and associates who visited the yr earlier than have been met with -32C, so this fashion you’ll be able to layer up or down relying what awaits you.
Click on right here to see what we packed for Lapland and to get my downloadable packing listing
Pack completely different weight layers
There’s a restrict to simply how a lot can match beneath a thermal swimsuit (and selecting a much bigger measurement would have swamped my daughter solely), so I rapidly realised that there was no probability that we may zip it up over each her ski jacket and thicker hoody (plus thermals).
As a substitute, we had some thinner jumpers which went underneath the ski jacket or may put the thermal swimsuit excessive (once more with thermals beneath).
The identical went for my very own swimsuit, so having a range meant there was at all times one thing which labored.
Double layer your gloves
If potential strive them on collectively before you purchase. We had thermal gloves and waterproof ski gloves for my daughter to layer up.
However the unique thermal gloves we bought have been too thick to suit contained in the ski gloves, and the replacements nonetheless wanted some tugging to squeeze the second pair over.
As my daughter’s fingers barely got here up half-way the ski gloves, a much bigger measurement wouldn’t have labored any higher.
One in every of my very own high buys for Lapland was some silk glove liners to go underneath my very own thermal gloves – I used to be continuously having to tug my proper glove off, to take images, to fish tickets out of a pocket, to tug my daughter’s gloves again on (once more!) and easily couldn’t do any of it with the thermal layer on.
Having the glove liner meant my hand wasn’t continuously within the freezing air nevertheless it was skinny sufficient that I may (largely) even use the touchscreen on my telephone.
I purchased this pair last-minute from Amazon though if you happen to’re close to a Decathlon retailer, these are touchscreen appropriate.
Pack spare gloves
Having rigorously thought by the completely different glove layers, I managed to neglect that my daughter has a expertise for shedding gloves.
Setting out the primary morning to discover, we realised her thermal ones have been already lacking…
Fortunately they’d simply been dropped within the lodge foyer at check-in and scooped into misplaced property, however I used to be kicking myself for not having a number of back-ups!
Double layer your socks
Surprisingly, the low temperatures don’t at all times really feel that chilly , particularly whenever you’re bundled up in layers and thermals, because the air is so dry and we had no or little or no wind.
So it’s your toes and fingers which really feel the chilly first. I layered atypical socks with thermal socks for each of us, inside heat ski boots, however nonetheless wished for thicker socks myself a number of occasions.
Purchase extra handwarmers
We had two units of reusable handwarmers with us, which labored fantastically the primary time we used them (simply bend to snap the steel disc they usually warmth up immediately).
I then managed to drop one in a snowdrift the place it vanished solely, and when making an attempt to warmth them in boiling water to reuse them, one popped, and the opposite two flatly refused to go squashy once more.
Subsequent time I’d take much more and go for disposable air activated ones as an alternative like these.
Get a gaiter
I’ve additionally heard them known as buffs, gaiters and snoods, however no matter identify you fancy giving this handy piece of clothes, ensure you’ve bought one!
The circle of cosy materials is loads much less faff than a shawl, simpler to snuggle underneath a jacket and simple to tug up over your face and nostril, particularly if you happen to’re husky sledding after we felt the coolness of the air much more.
My daughter’s was fleecy and albeit I used to be jealous sufficient to strive it on to see if it fitted (it did, simply – click on right here to try the fluffiness) so whereas my multicoloured snood did the job, I had my eye on an identical fleecy neck hotter subsequent time.
Be sure that your hat covers your ears
Or take into account a balaclava (though once I wore one underneath my helmet for snowmobiling, I assumed my daughter would explode with laughter).
And in case your children are like my daughter, who can lose hats as simply as gloves, take no less than two. Tassels can are available helpful to tie it underneath their chin too, though it’s value understanding huskies prefer to play with longer tassels…!
You’ll find conventional trapper-style hats in addition to some very cute animal variations – all the pieces from a unicorn to a fleecy fox and furry wolf.
Slip in some slippers
Or some cozy footwear. I had my very own ski boots and was additionally supplied with one other set however there’s nothing like pulling on a snug pair of slippers after a day clomping round in heavy boots.
Thermal socks might be heat however typically tight so I used to be glad to peel these off and this saved me heat with out underfloor heating.
My daughter had her slipper socks (together with some fleecy tracksuit bottoms) for a similar motive – I used to be tempted by this fox pair for her as effectively and this fleece-lined pair for me!
Have a scorching water bottle
The apparently skinny duvets on our beds have been impressively heat, so we may definitely have managed with out our scorching water bottles.
However there’s nothing fairly so comforting as curling up with one whenever you’ve been chilly – I packed this 1 litre scorching water bottle with a fleecy cowl for me, and a dinky 0.5 litre model for my daughter.
I additionally threw on this fleece journey blanket simply in case: in the long run we by no means wanted it, however for a fiver it was nice as a back-up.
Pack moveable snacks
Chocolate biscuits, fruit leather-based, cereal bars… I got here armed with loads of snacks for each of us which may simply be slipped right into a bag after we have been out for the day, every time my six-year-old wanted a high-energy enhance.
Taking part in in snow is big enjoyable, as have been all our winter actions, however it may be tiring so a number of treats have been splendid to maintain her going and Finland will not be the most affordable place to purchase meals.
Follow your individual favourites, though the fruit Bear Nibbles and Cadbury Animal Biscuits labored wonders.
You’ll be able to by no means have an excessive amount of scorching chocolate
Ticking the excessive power field and excellent to heat us up as we relaxed after a day within the snow, I believe I misplaced depend of the variety of scorching sweets we had between us. So considered one of my high suggestions for Lapland with children is to ensure you deliver loads!
As we have been in a lodge moderately than self-catering, I grabbed a handful of various sachets which solely wanted boiling water – Cadbury, Galaxy, Wispa – and sipped by all of them. Yum.
For a bit of additional luxurious, a variety of fancy scorching sweets have to be made with scorching milk however the Basic scorching chocolate from Lodge Chocolat might be made with boiling water.
Carry wine
The bottle of crimson wine I picked up in Obligation Free at Gatwick was just a few kilos greater than a small glass in a single Levi restaurant (and barely lower than a big glass in our lodge).
You should buy wines on the Alko store however the one in Levi is slightly stroll from the centre of city and you may’t merely decide up a bottle in a grocery store in Finland.
Take a rucksack
You in all probability received’t have an enormous quantity to hold however when you’re in a thermal swimsuit, you might have restricted accessible pockets, so one thing to stash the necessities in and preserve your fingers free to fiddle within the snow is helpful.
I took my Osprey daylite backpack which had loads of room for all the pieces, sufficient pockets to maintain all of it separate, plus a helpful compartment on the again to stuff gloves and hats in after we went inside.
Contemplate find out how to carry your telephone
Even with my glove liners on, my chilly fingers managed to fumble my telephone and drop it right into a snowdrift on day one.
Fortunately the powdery snow meant it emerged unscathed (though the battery stage dropped immediately to three%) however I regretted not taking the waterproof case I personal, which hangs round my neck.
Utilizing the telephone with glove liners by the skinny case may need been difficult however it could even have made me really feel safer holding it on our husky sled.
This case is appropriate with any telephone as much as 6.8 inches, together with a Samsung S23 and iPhone 15, this bigger case for handsets as much as 7.5 inches like a Samsung S30 or iPhone 14 Plus.
Bulk purchase batteries
Even if you happen to handle to not drop your telephone right into a snowdrift (extremely suggested!), the chilly temperatures drain batteries a lot sooner.
Plus you’ll be snapping away on the beautiful surroundings loads, in addition to capturing some unbelievable household recollections.
So if you happen to’re utilizing a digicam, it’s value having a second battery charged and prepared. If you happen to’re utilizing a telephone, preserve a charged moveable battery handy.
This slimline Anker energy financial institution is right because it’s not too cumbersome however can rapidly and utterly cost a telephone (with energy leftover)..
Or preserve your telephone in the identical pocket as handwarmers if it’s beginning to get chilled.
Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise
The dry air would possibly imply you don’t really feel the chilly as a lot as you anticipate, however your pores and skin definitely will.
My fingers felt as dry as paper, so numerous hand cream is crucial – I had my Neutrogena Norwegian Method hand cream (apt for a visit to Finland!) and super-moisturising L’Occitane Shea hand cream for an added enhance.
Be sure you’ve bought loads of lip balm too: my Elizabeth Arden eight-hour cream was additionally nice for any notably sore spots on my fingers from pulling stiff zips.
Lapland suggestions: the place to stick with children
Lodge or self-catering?
There are self-catering residences and chalets in addition to inns in locations like Levi, so you’ll be able to select which fits you finest (together with each half-board and full-board choices within the inns).
It’s value taking into account that meals in Finland isn’t low cost, so self-catering will not be as low-cost as different locations – and that whereas I’ve had some completely good meals there, you don’t actually go to Lapland for the delicacies!
With chips and little one favourites like rooster nuggets on the buffet at our lodge, Levi Panorama, there was one thing for my daughter each night, plus a few stand-out grownup choices together with salmon with dill and a melting beef stew.
If you happen to’re planning to eat out, two huge pizzas with drinks at Basic Pizza in Levi price us round 40 Euros. You’ll be able to eat extra cheaply or simply spend extra although.
How far is it to the restaurant?
One factor that’s value contemplating is how shut your rooms are to the restaurant – some can be in a separate constructing within the lodge so on chilly evenings or if it’s quite a lot of minutes stroll, you would possibly want thermal fits on the way in which.
The identical goes if you happen to’re planning to eat out and can be strolling out of your lodge. After a enjoyable day trip within the snow, I used to be very happy to take off some layers and simply hop into the raise to get to ours.
Central or secluded?
Levi itself isn’t large – and the identical goes for lots of the different most important Santa break locations – however with snow, thermal fits and chilly climate, if you happen to’ve bought a 15-minute stroll to get wherever, you’ll rapidly get fed up of that with drained children.
On the plus facet, if you happen to’re slightly method out of the primary city, you get unspoiled snow to discover.
Levi Panorama is linked to the city by a gondola, and I used to be in two minds whether or not I’d find it irresistible or whether or not it could be an added faff.
Fortunately, it was the previous – we had snowy woods to wander by, the gondola was solely a minute or so away and left us proper within the coronary heart of Levi, and my daughter and I beloved the views as we have been carried up and down the mountain.
We by no means needed to wait greater than a few minute for it to reach and by no means didn’t get a seat both (and tickets are free if you happen to keep within the lodge).
It runs from 9.30am to 9pm which labored effectively, as we weren’t out exploring earlier or later.
There are a number of bonuses for Lapland inns which you received’t discover in most lodging – for starters, a drying cabinet is unbelievable whenever you’ve discovered your self coated in snow.
Inside a thermal swimsuit, you’ll keep comparatively dry however in addition to soggy gloves, hats and socks, we ended up with moist cuffs and hems at varied factors, which this sorted out superfast.
Some inns actually have a mini sauna within the room (not suggested for youngsters underneath 12) in addition to communal saunas – women and men’s are separated however you’ll be anticipated to go in bare in Finland.
After a freezing day, it may be blissful (particularly if you happen to’ve bought another person to take care of the youngsters as you gently toast).
Even in freezing temperatures a swimming pool can go down effectively, particularly when it’s too chilly to go exterior for lengthy or if you happen to’re unfortunate sufficient to not get a lot snow – though my pool-obsessed daughter managed fairly fortunately with out a swim on this Lapland journey.
Ideas for Lapland with children: whenever you’re there
Take it gradual
Permit additional time for all the pieces right here. There’s no query of merely grabbing a coat and coming out (not that there often is with children!)
In Lapland, you must think about additional time to get into thermal fits, to tug gloves over gloves, then to stroll by the snow.
Consider downtime
Having a thermal swimsuit to put on is a large bonus, preserving the snow out and preserving everybody heat, however they’re not light-weight.
Carrying one might be surprisingly tiring, even for adults, not to mention children, particularly whenever you’re clambering over the snow and becoming in all types of enjoyable actions.
On the finish of the day, as we bought again to the lodge, I used to be glad to unzip mine, take off my boots and simply relax. (That is the place the new chocolate and slippers is available in too).
This Lapland kids’s exercise ebook and journal is nice for whenever you’re kicking again after your day trip, and makes a enjoyable memento too.
Keep in mind the darkish
After we visited in early December, there’s solely about two hours between dawn and sundown. By mid December, it’s the polar evening and formally darkish all day.
On the plus facet, we had probably the most stunning gentle in the course of the day, a pinkish gold shade, and the gradual daybreak and nightfall means you do get some daylight earlier than the official dawn and sundown.
There are additionally loads of streetlights and the snow displays to provide a half-light later than you would possibly anticipate. Nevertheless, if you’re heading off the overwhelmed observe, take a torch.
Waking up at the hours of darkness and it being full darkish by mid afternoon undoubtedly confuses your physique clock although, particularly on the primary day with a two-hour time distinction and a really early begin for the flight. Be ready to suppose it’s bedtime by 5pm!
You may not want all of your layers
I used to be so equipped for the low temperatures and decided the chilly wouldn’t cease us that it got here as a shock to find we didn’t want our thermal swimsuit day-after-day.
On our first day, the temperatures hovered round -6C – not precisely tropical, however thermal layers, a thick hoody, ski jacket and ski trousers, plus ski boots (and hat, gloves and so on) saved us toasty heat.
My daughter’s thermal swimsuit was too heat for the heated pods after we went snowmobiling too!
Obtain an Aurora app
I’ve visited the Arctic Circle thrice and have nonetheless but to see these superb swirling inexperienced Northern Lights.
Sadly the cloud cowl meant I used to be no luckier this time, however to save lots of hours spent exterior staring hopefully on the sky, I downloaded My Aurora Forecast app (click on right here for Android) which helps you to know your possibilities and the perfect occasions to identify them.
*First printed 2018, up to date 2024*
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Disclosure: My Santa Break was courtesy of Inghams. All opinions are my very own, primarily based on our experiences from our journey, together with countless faffing with gloves and fumbling with telephones. This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Photographs copyright MummyTravels