Lapland with kids

Itinerary and best things to do

In this blog, I will share more about our journey through Lapland with kids. Lapland covers the northern part of Scandinavia and is the home of the Sami people. Nature is central to their culture, which is reflected in all aspects of their way of life. The many reindeer herds in the north are largely herded by the Sami. Did you know that Lapland also has a very famous resident? In the Finnish part of Lapland, you can find the home of Santa Claus!

Most travelers who choose Lapland go during the winter, as that’s when the Northern Lights can be seen. For us, however, Lapland was part of a road trip through Denmark and Sweden during the summer vacation. In the summer, Lapland is a huge outdoor playground for kids. Enjoy wild camping, gathering firewood, making campfires, and of course, roasting marshmallows. In the morning, take a dip in an abandoned lake, spot reindeer and perhaps even moose along the way, and explore the most fantastic natural areas.

We have seen many natural areas in Europe, but Abisko National Park in northern Swedish Lapland is truly unmatched. It’s a mix of Lord of the Rings, Lost, and Jurassic Park, and you hardly encounter other people here. If you can only choose one adventure in Sweden, it has to be the two-day hike through Abisko!

This blog is written by Kim from kleineprijsvooreenwereldreis.

Are you looking for a warmer, undiscovered destination in Europe? Consider a road trip through Bosnia with kids!

Lapland with kids – Itinerary

♥ Copenhagen
♥ Smögen / Hunebo beach (wild camping)
♥ Sollerön
♥ Sonfjället National Park
♥ Arjeplog (from here, we were in Lapland)
♥ Grodkällan (the most beautiful lake in Sweden!)
♥ Jokkmokk (here you cross the Arctic Circle)
♥ Galliväre (wild camping)
♥ Abisko National Park (wild camping)
♥ Rovaniemi (Finland, Santa’s village)
♥ Gammelstad
♥ Trolska Skogen (theater amusement park)
♥ Stockholm
♥ Norrköping
♥ Västervik (kayaking)
♥ Skänor beach (pearl white beach)
♥ Copenhagen
♥ Legoland and Lego House

Sweden with kids — This route is approximately 5000 kilometers

Lapland with kids – the best to do’s

There is so much to experience on this trip, but these are the things you definitely shouldn’t miss during your road trip through Lapland with kids:

Ájtte Museum in Jokkmokk – the Sami Centre: A museum where you can learn everything about the Sami people. It’s super kid-friendly and also has a free outdoor section where you can explore different types of Sami buildings from the inside!
Certificate for crossing the Arctic Circle: The Arctic Circle is clearly marked. Stop by the visitor center to get your “Arctic certificate” for a few euros. The gentleman personally adds your last name and signature. We also got two awesome stamps in our passports!
Abisko National Park: Here you can truly go ‘into the wild.’ Ask the visitor center for advice on the best route and learn about animals you might spot, like the wolverine. Camping isn’t allowed inside the park, but you can hike through it and wild camp just outside. You’ll pass stunning rock formations, a ravine, and beautiful landscapes, and even take a cable car ride—an experience in itself. The distance was perfect for our 6-year-old, and just outside the park, we camped by a fast-flowing river. On the way back, you can take a different route. An unbelievably beautiful hike where we saw only five people in two days!
Visit Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi: While the village isn’t very atmospheric in summer, you can still visit Santa Claus. It’s a fun outing for children even in the warmer months.
Arktikum Museum in Rovaniemi: A large, beautiful museum where you learn all about Lapland, the Sami, and other northern peoples. There’s lots of information on climate change, Sami lifestyle, and the Arctic region itself. The museum is very interactive—don’t forget to enjoy the Northern Lights show while lying down!

Tip: Looking for an adventure in nature closer to home? Spend the night in a Cosy Cabin at Nutchel Ardennes.

You can easily find more activities in Rovaniemi below:

Lapland with kids – practical tips

The further north you drive, the smaller and fewer the villages become: Make sure to stop in time for fuel, groceries, and bathroom breaks!
Stop in Malung: Grab food from the local Chinese restaurant and, if the weather is nice, enjoy it in the nearby playground—it’s really fun!
Planning to wild camp? Decathlon sells lightweight blackout tents that are perfect. In summer, it never gets completely dark in Sweden, but inside these tents, it stayed pitch black!
Free overnight stays in shelters or cabins: In Sweden, there are many half-open wooden shelters and even cabins that you can sleep in for free. Ask the locals—they usually know the best spots!
Bring very warm sleeping bags: Especially important if you get cold easily.
Always carry cash: Not everywhere accepts cards, and an ATM can be hard to find in small villages.

Lapland with kids – additional tips

During our road trip, we also traveled through Denmark and southern Sweden. Here are some tips for the rest of the journey:

Christiania (Freetown in Copenhagen)
Norrköping: Known for its prehistoric rock carvings and a really charming town to explore.
Kayaking in Västervik
Ice Bar in Stockholm
Skåne Beach: Featuring a beautiful white sandy beach.
Geomuseum Faxe Kalkbrud (between Køge and Vordingborg): This limestone quarry is full of fossils you can search for yourself for free! There’s even a stunning bright blue lake on the site, but it’s not suitable for swimming. Tip: be careful of truck traffic when visiting with children!

About Kim

Hi, I’m Kim. Since I met my husband in 2010, we – together with our daughter (2006) and son (2015) – have been exploring Europe. For a long time, we traveled on a very small budget. Our solution was couchsurfing: staying for free with locals while actually spending quality time together. Even now that our budget is much larger, we still think couchsurfing is amazing. Through it, we not only discovered the most beautiful hidden gems but also made friendships that will last a lifetime!
As a family, we definitely want to visit Africa. My husband and I traveled to Tanzania together, and that trip made a huge impression on us. From visiting the Maasai to a birth visit in a tiny rural village where the toddlers had never seen a white person before. And I haven’t even mentioned the sunrise safari and snorkeling over a thousand colorful starfish.
Our ultimate goal is to go on a year-long world trip, and behind the scenes, we are working hard to save for it. On my travel blog www.kleineprijsvooreenwereldreis.nl, I share the most beautiful places, the nicest hotels, and the best money-saving tips for traveling!

Follow Kim on Instagram: @kleineprijsvooreenwereldreis