Scandinavia road trip with kids
Our route through Sweden, Lapland, Finland and Denmark
A road trip through Scandinavia with kids had been on our bucket list for years, and last summer it finally happened. What made this trip so special? It wasn’t a standard vacation to one place, but a true road trip through Sweden, Swedish Lapland, Finland, and even Denmark.
From sleeping in nature in Sweden to spotting reindeer in Lapland and ending in Legoland — this trip truly had it all: adventure, nature, and lots of kid-friendly stops. In this blog, I share our complete route, highlights, and practical tips so you can plan your own unforgettable Scandinavia road trip with kids.
This blog is written by Kim from kleineprijsvooreenwereldreis.
Our route through Scandinavia (± 5,000 km of adventure)
During this road trip, we drove 5,000 kilometers through Northern Europe. This was our route. This route is perfect for families who love nature, freedom, and variety.
- Copenhagen (Denmark)
- Smögen / Hunnebostrand (Sweden – coast & wild camping)
- Sollerön
- Sonfjället National Park
- Arjeplog (this is where Lapland begins)
- Grodkällan (the most beautiful lake in Sweden)
- Jokkmokk (across the Arctic Circle)
- Gällivare (wild camping)
- Abisko National Park (highlight!)
- Rovaniemi (Finland – Santa Claus)
- Gammelstad
- Stockholm
- Västervik (kayaking)
- Skåne / Skanör Beach
- Legoland & Lego House (Denmark)
Sweden with kids – nature, freedom & wild camping
Sweden is perhaps the most relaxed country to travel through with kids. Everything here revolves around nature and space. We often slept right in the middle of nature, by lakes or in forests. Kids can truly play freely here without crowds or overstimulation. Our highlights in Sweden:
- Smögen & Hunnebostrand (coast + charming villages)
- Grodkällan (beautiful crystal-clear lake)
- Sonfjället National Park
- Västervik (kayaking between the islands)
- 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!
- 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!
- Norrköping: Known for its prehistoric rock carvings and a really charming town to explore.
Swedish Lapland with kids – the real adventure
From Arjeplog, the true Lapland feeling begins. This is the rugged, quiet north of Sweden where you can go for days without hardly encountering anyone.
- 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!
Finland with kids – Rovaniemi & the Santa Claus
Of course, a short visit to Finland is part of the journey. Rovaniemi is known worldwide as the “home of Santa Claus.” What you can do here:
- 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.
Denmark with kids – Copenhagen & Legoland
We ended our road trip in Denmark, which was a perfect finale for the kids. These are our top recommendations:
- Copenhagen (kid-friendly city)
- Christiania (Freetown in Copenhagen)
- Tivoli Gardens
- Legoland Billund
- Lego House
👉 Legoland, in particular, is truly a must when traveling through Scandinavia with kids.
→ Also read: Copenhagen with kids
Practical tips for a Scandinavia road trip with kids
- The further north you drive, the smaller and fewer the villages become: Make sure to stop in time for fuel, groceries, and bathroom breaks!
- Planning to go wild camping? Decathlon sells lightweight blackout tents that are perfect. In summer, it never gets completely dark in Sweden, but these tents 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.
Why this road trip is perfect for families
This trip was so much more than just a vacation for us. It was freedom, nature, adventure, and quality time all in one. What makes this Scandinavia road trip with kids so special: it’s incredibly diverse, very safe, not crowded, filled with endless nature, and offers plenty of freedom for children.
Want to plan your own Scandinavia road trip with kids? Start by mapping out your route and choosing a mix of nature, cities, and kid-friendly stops. This is truly one of those trips that will stay with you for years.
Still exploring options for a family-friendly holiday? On our homepage, you’ll find an overview of popular destinations for families.
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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 an enormous 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
