My first journey to Iceland was simply lengthy sufficient to present me a style of this fascinating nation, to get me hooked and able to head again asap, to find extra past Rekyjavik and the Golden Circle – particularly with so many issues to do in Iceland with youngsters.
accommodates affiliate hyperlinks*
As a result of Iceland is ideal for a household vacation. As quickly as youngsters are sufficiently old to benefit from the journey, there are waterfalls, geysers, sweeping landscapes, volcanic seashores and dramatic surroundings (to run round in) – but in addition civilisation isn’t too far-off.
And as I nonetheless haven’t seen the Northern Lights regardless of a number of journeys to the far north, together with Lapland, Canada and Iceland, when rain and cloud scuppered our possibilities, I’ve acquired another excuse to enterprise again.
For those who’re planning an Iceland highway journey with youngsters, try extra ideas right here.
When to go to Iceland with youngsters
The primary query is when to go to Iceland with youngsters. The summer time months are warmest, with lengthy days (together with the midnight solar in June – not essentially supreme with little ones who gained’t sleep) but in addition the busiest and priciest.
However the lengthy darkish chilly days in winter, when some areas of the nation are inaccessible due to the highway situations, is probably an journey too far with kids. For those who’re not assured driving in difficult climate situations and the darkish, you’re going to be very restricted as to how far you may go in case you’re visiting Iceland in midwinter.
So one of the best time to go to Iceland is usually through the shoulder months for a great compromise of value and practicality – visiting outdoors the coldest winter months means there are nonetheless loads of adventurous issues to do in Iceland with youngsters but it surely’s a bit simpler than January when out of doors actions are few and much between.
Once I visited in October, we nonetheless acquired to see waterfalls frozen within the chill but it surely wasn’t so icy that we needed to huddle indoors 24/7 and you may nonetheless match lots into the daytime.
For extra concepts of issues to pack for a vacation in Lapland or Iceland, try this submit.
There’s additionally a greater likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights across the spring and autumn equinox (March typically being simpler than September once you’re working round faculty holidays).
For those who’re hoping to see whales, April to October is an effective interval – loads of boat excursions gained’t run outdoors these months, plus among the whales solely go to for a part of the yr. For those who’re hoping to see humpback whales, this era is a good time to identify them round Akureyri in north Iceland.
You may as well see puffins in Iceland, often between April and early September, though the summer time months are greatest for recognizing the birds (except you’ve very affected person youngsters who’re joyful to hold round ready).
The most effective issues to do in Iceland with youngsters
One huge bonus of a household vacation in Iceland is how a lot you may pack into a brief journey, though it’s very straightforward to fill an extended journey in case you’re joyful to drive additional afield.
In my first three-day go to alone, we managed to discover Reykjavik itself, together with a motorbike tour, museums and seafood on the harbourside Saegreifinn, plus the highlights of the Golden Circle – the valley of Thingvellir, the falls of Gullfoss and the geysers at Geysir.
Final however not least, the well-known Blue Lagoon, the place the milky blue water is so heat, you don’t discover the very fact you’re open air in Iceland in winter.
Though it’s one of the best identified of the nation’s geothermal sizzling swimming pools, it’s very removed from the one place to take pleasure in them too. So whereas these are among the best-known highlights, that actually is only the start, with my 17 of one of the best issues to do in Iceland with youngsters.
Lower your expenses on a visit to Reykjavik with youngsters with a Reykjavik card totally free entry and reductions
Take a tour of Reykjavik
This compact capital is simple to get round so that you don’t want a guided tour to discover, though it’s an important introduction to the town.
We cherished the town’s bike tour which might be nice for older youngsters. For some implausible views, take the carry up the Hallgrimskirkja alongside the best way.
However there are some nice strolling excursions that will help you get to know the town. How a few strolling tour led by a Viking? Or this small group tour packs tons into 2 1/2 hours.
Try the themed strolling excursions of Rekyjavik too – the myths and monsters tour consists of tales of magic, elves and trolls, whereas there’s additionally a foodie strolling tour with tastings that’s appropriate for all ages. You would even be part of a unusual cat-themed strolling tour masking the myths and historical past of cats in Iceland as you discover the town.
The Nationwide Museum
The two,000 reveals on the Nationwide Museum take guests on a journey by way of time from the primary settlers on the island to the fashionable day, masking 1200 years of historical past.
Together with thousand-year-old artefacts, there are two very hands-on rooms to discover and a household room with objects from the museum’s assortment, in addition to video games and colouring. There are additionally orienteering video games to assist youngsters discover the museum shows, which you’ll be able to choose up on entry, in addition to a kids’s audioguide.
Don’t miss the determine of Thor, which is over 1,000 years previous. You may as well ebook tickets with free cancellation.
Reykjavik 871: The Settlement Exhibition
Cease in at The Settlement Exhibition Reykjavik 871 10 minutes away from the Nationwide Museum telling the story of the early settlers close to the place they’d have made landfall.
It was solely in 2001 when building found archaeological stays, which turned out thus far from round 871, the oldest proof of human settlement within the metropolis, together with a tenth century corridor or longhouse.
The exhibition was created across the real archaeological website to study extra in regards to the earliest days of what would grow to be Iceland’s capital metropolis.
Reykjavik Saga Museum
Wish to convey Iceland’s Viking previous to life? Head to the Saga Museum in Rekyjavik, a waxwork museum masking the times of the earliest settlers within the nation.
You’ll be able to costume up as a Viking your self, hear among the key tales in Iceland’s tradition, and see 20 vital moments within the nation’s historical past, from these early settlers who gave Reykjavik its title, to the founding of Parliament nand extra.
Bathe in a geothermal pool
These volcanic sizzling swimming pools and sizzling springs are dotted throughout the nation, with 18 in Reykjavik alone, together with the Nautholsvik seaside.
Probably the most well-known of the geothermal baths is the Blue Lagoon – try the following pointers for visiting with youngsters in addition to discovering the Secret Lagoon in Iceland with youngsters.
You’re suggested to not take youthful kids into the geothermal swimming pools, and among the larger ones gained’t settle for under-twos anyway. Youthful youngsters can also have to put on some form of floatation assist, even when they will swim.
As a bonus seaside day journey, Reynisfjara black sand seaside has volcanic black sand, and is without doubt one of the best black sand seashores in Iceland to succeed in – it’s a few hours from the Westman Islands, or you may cease on on this a part of South Iceland on a self-drive tour. Diamond Seashore is an alternative choice, proper by Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Gaze on Gullfoss
Most likely the preferred waterfall to go to in Iceland with youngsters, Gulfoss is a part of the traditional Golden Circle tour.
A spectacular 32 metres of cascading waterfalls, you may see rainbows reflecting within the sunshine, or a part of the cascades halted mid movement because it turns into eerily frozen icicles in winter.
Undoubtedly someplace to maintain tight maintain of littler ones…
See icebergs
At Jokulsarlon glacial lake, in Iceland’s south east, thousand-year-old ice floats throughout the lagoon in eerie glittering blue and white shapes.
There are boat excursions to get a close-up view of Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, together with Zodiac excursions which may convey you closest to the ice, and also you would possibly even spot seals – undoubtedly a temptation for my daughter.
Throughout the winter months, it’s also possible to go to the ice caves right here – this is just one to strive with older youngsters although, there’s often a minimal age of round 13 relying on the tour you go for. Undoubtedly not one thing to try alone.
Stroll by way of Thingvellir
The dramatic panorama at Thingvellir Nationwide Park is brought on by the assembly of two tectonic plates, plus it’s additionally the location of the world’s oldest current parliament.
One other of the usual stops on the Golden Circle tour, the surroundings is fascinating year-round in addition to providing you with likelihood to study extra in regards to the nation’s historical past.
With older teenagers, you may even snorkel and dive (in dry fits) between the tectonic plates. That is one cease which is more likely to be extra attention-grabbing to older youngsters than a three-year-old, however you may take pleasure in wandering round right here at any age.
Step into historical past
Arbaer out of doors museum has greater than 20 buildings exhibiting how life would have been lived within the nation, from a farm to turf roofed homes within the village, with most buildings introduced from Reykjavik.
Guides put on conventional costume too and this residing historical past museum is an ideal method to introduce the tradition of Iceland to youngsters.
See a geyser erupt
The ultimate, unmissable cease on the Golden Circle tour is the geysers at Strokkur – the Nice Geysir is the one which gave its title to geysers around the globe.
There are numerous ones of various sizes, however you’re assured an eruption of water from Strokkur itself, which blasts water round 15-20m into the air like clockwork each 5 to 10 minutes, though it might probably gush larger, as a lot as 40m at occasions.
The others are much less predictable however equally spectacular too.
Uncover Iceland’s animals
Reykjavik’s zoo may be small however you may see reindeer and seals right here which is certain to please – and a great possibility in case you’re not venturing too far off the crushed observe.
There are arctic foxes, and a small variety of unique animals in addition to livestock and play areas, together with a summer time funfair.
Entry to Reykjavik Zoo is included within the Reykjavik card
See puffins
Greater than 60% of the world’s puffins head to Iceland between late April and August, to mate and lay their eggs, with pufflings hatching principally throughout July and August.
There are a number of locations to see the birds, with their famously vibrant beaks, round Iceland however one fo one of the best choices is to take a ship journey to the Westman islands to identify them (from a secure distance).
There are day excursions from Reykjavik for age 4+ (though it’s an extended day) or you may keep nearer to choose up the ferry and tour of the Westman Islands.
Go whale-watching
You may as well take whale watching journeys to see among the completely different species which come to Icelands waters, together with humpback whales within the north round Akureyri and Husavik from April to September, in addition to orcas in Snaefellsnes from February/March to June/July.
One of many best methods to go whale-watching in Iceland with youngsters is to choose up one of many many boats in Rekyjavik harbour, which is an effective possibility with youthful kids – in case you’re heading additional off the crushed observe, it’s higher with older ones. Most whale-watching excursions in Reykjavik run from round April to October.
Or go to the Whales of Iceland Museum to study extra in regards to the completely different species, with life-size fashions of the 23 forms of whale which go to Iceland’s waters.
Uncover Reykjavik’s ‘pearl’
The Perlan constructing sits on a hill simply over a mile past the town with synthetic geysers, implausible views and a mirrored end to make youngsters consider spaceships.
It’s an important place to get a style of a few of Iceland’s dramatic panorama with younger youngsters who can’t enterprise into the true factor (in addition to older youngsters who’d favor to not!) You’ll be able to uncover how glaciers are shaped and journey by way of sub-zero tunnels to study extra about ice caves and their ecosystems.
There’s additionally a planetarium constructed inside certainly one of Perlan’s sizzling water tanks, for assured views of the northern lights, and a few implausible 360-degree views from the commentary deck.
See the Northern Lights
These magical dancing inexperienced lights are nonetheless alone wishlist, after chasing them in Iceland, Finland and Canada (thus far!) However regardless of my very own dangerous luck, Iceland is a good place to identify the aurora borealis.
Specialist excursions will examine one of the best locations for sightings, though with lengthy drives out from the town and late nights, they’re often higher for older kids.
Alternatively, examine right into a lodge with a Northern Lights wake-up providers, so that you’ll be advised in the event that they’re shining. There are additionally Aurora apps to obtain, so you may get an thought of whether or not it’s a great evening to step out and scan the skies.
Go off-road
Buggy and 4×4 journeys run across the island if you wish to get out of the town, and even off the nation’s well-known ‘ring highway’, with a complete collection of adrenaline thrills.
And there’s even the possibility to strive horse driving on Iceland’s sturdy ponies which goes to tempt loads of youngsters – how about driving by way of the lava fields, exploring an Icelandic valley on horseback in addition to shorter horse driving excursions to present a style. Most journeys out on Icelandic horses have an age restrict in order that they’re just for youngsters aged 6+, some 8+, and expertise ranges fluctuate.
Comply with the ring highway
Over 830 miles of highway stretching across the island, Iceland’s ring highway is a world away from the common bypass.
As an alternative this round route takes you to wild landscapes the place you’ll begin to consider the tales of giants, trolls and fairies who stay there.
Try my ideas for what to do on an Iceland highway journey with youngsters, together with the place to go and sensible data about when to go, and what you’ll have to discover safely.
For those who’re tempted by these concepts of issues to do in Iceland with youngsters, try these tips about saving cash on a household journey to Iceland from Travelynn Household.
*First revealed 2015, up to date 2026*
PIN FOR LATER: ICELAND WITH KIDS
Disclosure: This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Pictures courtesy Depositphotos
LIKED THIS? SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER