Why choose Lapland for your family holiday?
Lapland represents more than just a winter destination: it's a magical land where the wild nature provides an exceptional playground for both children and adults. This unique region, shared between Finland, Sweden, and Norway, turns your family vacation into a true polar adventure.
Imagine your children experiencing for the first time the thrill of gliding on pristine snow, their eyes wide with amazement at the northern lights dancing in the night sky, or their joy at meeting real reindeer in their natural habitat. Especially, Finnish Lapland has organized itself to welcome families with suitable infrastructure and activities designed for all ages.
This northern destination has the advantage of being accessible from France, with direct flights to Rovaniemi or Kittilä transporting you in less than 4 hours to the land of Santa Claus. The variety of activities offered allows for a balanced program, alternating between moments of adventure and relaxation in cozy accommodations.
The region also offers an authentic cultural immersion with the discovery of the Sami culture, the indigenous people of Lapland. Your children will learn the art of living in harmony with Lapland's nature, a valuable lesson in our modern world.
When to go to Lapland with your children?
The choice of the period largely determines the experience you will have during your family stay in Lapland. Each season reveals a different face of this polar region, with its specific advantages for a family trip.
The Lappish winter spans from December to March, offering the magical spectacle of the great white expanse. December marks the start of the magical season with the arrival of snow and the Christmas atmosphere reigning throughout the region. It's the ideal time to meet Santa Claus in his official village of Rovaniemi, although it's also the most crowded and coldest period, with temperatures that can drop to -30°C.
January and February represent the heart of the polar winter. The days are short, with only a few hours of light, but this period offers the best conditions for observing the northern lights. Winter activities are in full swing: dog sledding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoe hiking.
March often represents the perfect compromise for a family trip to Lapland. The temperatures slightly warm up, oscillating between -15°C and -5°C, the days significantly lengthen, and you still enjoy all the winter activities while benefiting from more natural light. This period is particularly suitable for families with young children.
| Period |
Temperatures |
Daylight Hours |
Available Activities |
Ideal for |
| December |
-20°C to -10°C |
3-4h |
All + Santa's Village |
Christmas Magic |
| January-February |
-30°C to -15°C |
2-5h |
All + Optimal Auroras |
Experienced Adventurers |
| March |
-15°C to -5°C |
6-8h |
All + Milder Conditions |
Families with Young Children |
Essential activities for a family stay in Lapland
The richness of experiences offered in Lapland allows you to create a custom program according to your wishes and the age of your children. Our Travel Planners know this destination perfectly and can advise you on the activities most suited to your family.
Meeting the reindeer and discovering the Sami culture
Visiting a reindeer farm is one of the most authentic experiences of your trip to Lapland. These iconic animals of the Great North roam semi-freely in Laponia's vast expanses, and their encounter fascinates both children and adults.
During this discovery, you will learn how Sami herders have lived in harmony with their herds for millennia. Your children can feed the reindeer, understand their role in the polar ecosystem, and discover the ancient traditions of this northern people. Even a short reindeer sleigh ride offers a magical moment where young and old slip into the shoes of the inhabitants of the Arctic Circle.
This activity perfectly combines with a visit to Santa Claus' Village in Rovaniemi, creating a thematic day that will amaze your children. Seeing Santa Claus in his natural environment, surrounded by his reindeer, gives a special dimension to this encounter.
Introduction to Nordic winter sports
Lapland provides an exceptional playground for discovering the winter sports specific to the Great North. Dog sledding is the flagship activity of the region, accessible from the age of 4 years. Your children will discover the unique complicity that unites the musher to his team before taking control themselves for the older ones.
Snowshoe hikes allow you to explore the wild nature at your own pace. This activity, perfectly suited for families, leads you through snowy forests and across frozen lakes. Local guides share their knowledge of Laponian wildlife and flora, turning each outing into a nature lesson on a grand scale.
Cross-country skiing, Finland's national sport, is easily learned on the many marked trails of the region. Ski resorts like Levi also offer alpine skiing to vary the pleasures. Snowmobiling, accessible to accompanied teenagers, offers more intense sensations for discovering the vast spaces with the family.
Going on a northern lights hunt
Observing the northern lights is the highlight of many trips to Lapland. This extraordinary natural phenomenon transforms the polar night into a magical show, creating unforgettable memories for the whole family.
The success of this northern lights hunt depends on several factors: favorable weather conditions, absence of light pollution, and sufficient solar activity. Our Travel Planners work with experienced local guides who know the best observation spots and can adapt the outing for families with children.
To optimize your chances, several options are available. Snowmobile excursions take you far from urban lights, while dog sledding trips offer a gentler and quieter approach. Some accommodations offer glass-roofed cabins, allowing you to watch the starry sky from your bed, an experience particularly appreciated by families.
The wait for the auroras can be long, especially with young children. The guides provide entertainment activities around the fire, stories about Sami mythology, and hot drinks to maintain the little ones' attention. When the first green glows appear in the sky, the shared emotion creates a moment of unique family communion.
Organize your tailor-made trip to Lapland with Vialala
Planning a family trip to Lapland requires particular expertise to reconcile everyone's desires with the constraints of the polar climate. At Vialala, our Travel Planners specializing in Nordic destinations assist you in creating a perfectly tailored trip for your family.
Our personalized approach begins with a thorough analysis of your expectations: age of the children, desired activity level, available budget, and accommodation preferences. This first step allows us to offer you several travel scenarios, from a 5-day discovery stay to a complete 10-day adventure.
The choice of accommodation is particularly important in Lapland. We offer different options according to your wishes:
- Traditional log cabins offer an authentic experience with a private sauna and fireplace;
- Family hotels in Rovaniemi or Levi combine modern comfort and proximity to activities;
- Glass igloos allow you to observe the auroras from your room;
- Farm inns immerse you in local life among reindeer herders.
Our Travel Planners also take care of all practical aspects: booking direct flights, renting cold-weather equipment suitable for each family member, organizing transfers, and coordinating various activities. This complete management allows you to fully enjoy your Lapland adventure without worrying about the organization.
Personalization extends to the activities offered. Depending on the age of your children and their interests, we adapt the program: gentle introduction to Nordic sports for the youngest, more sporty activities for teenagers, or a focus on cultural discovery for curious families.
Our network of local partners, French-speaking guides, and service providers specialized in welcoming families ensures the quality of your experience. These professionals are well-versed in the specifics of traveling with children in the Polar region and adapt their services accordingly.
Flexibility is another advantage of our tailor-made offer. Weather conditions may influence the course of certain activities, and our Travel Planners always plan alternatives to maintain the richness of your program. This adaptability is particularly valuable during a family stay, where unexpected events are part of the adventure.
Finally, we support your family before, during, and after the trip. Our practical advice on equipment, local habits, and precautions to take with children prepare you best for this polar experience. On-site, a local contact remains available to answer your questions and adjust the program if necessary.