Last updated: July 2026
Lapland has been on my list for as long as I can remember, and as sad as it sounds I’ve been so looking forward to having a family of my own to take there and embrace the magic. Long before R came along, I was filing it away as a “one day” trip, and that one day suddenly feels very possible. The problem is timing. He’ll be 2 this winter, and like so many parents I’ve spoken to, I’m genuinely torn between going now while he’s little (largely because we are too impatient to wait!) and waiting until he’s old enough to properly remember it.
After weeks of research, a lot of late night parenting forum scrolls, and more than a few conversations with people who’ve already been, here’s where I’ve landed on the best age to visit Lapland, which resort suits young families best, how long to go for, and how we’re planning to book.
In this guide:
Is there a best age for Lapland?
The short answer is: it depends what you want from the trip. Most Lapland operators recommend ages 5 to 9 as the sweet spot as your children are old enough to remember it but young enough to still fully believe. That framing makes a lot of sense if the Santa experience is the whole point.
But plenty of families go younger and have a brilliant time – and families with siblings of varying ages need not wait until their youngest are 5, as you’ll likely then have children who are close to realising Santa isn’t real. A 2 year old will still have an amazing time in the snow and on a reindeer sleigh, they just won’t be able to retell it at age ten.
Whether that matters is entirely up to you, and honestly, it’s the question Jack and I keep coming back to. Here’s what our friends tell us about Lapland and the likely experience with different aged children:
Under 1: probably not yet
Most operators don’t actively discourage babies from coming, but from everything we’ve read, a very young infant makes this trip harder work than you’d want. Feeding schedules, sleep disruption, and temperatures that can drop well below -20°C combine in a way that means you’d spend the whole trip managing logistics rather than enjoying it.
12 months to 2 years: doable, but go in with eyes open
This is where it gets more interesting, as a one or two year old won’t understand what’s happening, but they’ll react to it. The snow, the animals, the lights – all of it registers, even if they can’t process it the way an older child would. From what we’ve seen online, lots of parents who’ve done it at this age say the experience was as much for them as for their child, and there’s nothing wrong with that – that’s what I am chasing, after all!
A few practical things worth knowing if you’re considering this age: thermal suits from operators are often not available in infant sizes, so definitely bring your own snowsuit, just in case. Day trips at this age are also a big ask and likely too much with a 3.5 hour flight each way plus a full day outdoors in Arctic temperatures. An overnight or two-night stay gives a much gentler pace, and from what we can tell, makes for a far better experience.
2 to 4 years: this is where it starts to get really exciting
For us, this is the window that feels most appealing and where we’ll be entering this January. R will be old enough to be completely wide-eyed, young enough that the magic is entirely real, and a willing participant enough to make sure us parents realise our fantasy. I’ve spoken to plenty of parents who dispel the myth to wait until your kids are 5 and say this age brings a lot of joy to all.
Having said that, the cold is still something to manage carefully at this age. Young children can’t regulate their body temperature as well as adults, so keeping a close eye outdoors and not pushing to stay out longer than they’re comfortable with is important. But with the right kit, it’s very manageable.
4 to 7 years: the classic sweet spot
This is the age range most operators target, and for good reason. Kids this age are old enough to feel the full weight of meeting Santa in a snowy forest, and young enough that they haven’t started asking difficult questions. All activities work well, they can participate in more, and they’ll talk about it for years.
7 and up: still brilliant, but consider where they are with the magic
Lapland absolutely works with older children: the husky safaris, snowmobile experiences and Northern Lights tours are exciting for kids of any age. But if the Santa moment is central to your trip, it’s worth being honest about where your child is with that.
The “will they remember it?” debate
Apparently children don’t reliably form long-term memories before around age 3 to 5. So if you go with a two year old, there’s a fair chance they won’t remember it.
But honestly, who cares? We will remember watching them play in the thick snow or the smile on their faces as a reindeer eats from their hand. I talk passionately about travelling regardless of the memories and how it shapes them anyway, here.
If budget is tight and you can only go once, waiting until the 4 to 7 window means they’ll carry those memories too. But if you’re in a position to go while they’re little, I say go for it – you never know what will change down the line.
Levi vs Rovaniemi vs Saariselkä: which suits young families best?
Finnish Lapland has several main resort options and they’re not all the same experience. If you’re booking through a UK operator like MagicBreaks, the three main destinations to know about are Levi, Saariselkä and Rovaniemi.
Rovaniemi is the most famous, home to Santa Claus Village, right on the Arctic Circle, with the most infrastructure around it. The flip side is that it’s also the most commercialised, and in peak December it can feel more theme park than snowy wilderness. For very young children who mainly need the Santa moment and the snow, it delivers. But if you’re picturing a quiet forest experience, it might not quite be that.
Levi is a ski resort that also offers the full Lapland experience: huskies, reindeer, Santa visits, and Northern Lights tours, but in a more low-key setting. It’s well set up for families, has good accommodation options, and tends to feel more like the Lapland parents are picturing. This is where I reckon we’ll stay.
Saariselkä sits further north, which means better Northern Lights odds and a more remote feel. It’s a good option if you want the adult experience to match the child one. MagicBreaks also covers Valtavaara, which offers something smaller and quieter again.
For babies and toddlers specifically, Levi and Saariselkä both tend to come up well, as they are a manageable scale, with good facilities, and not overwhelmingly busy outside peak dates.
Where to stay in Lapland: hotels and something a bit special
Accommodation is one of the things that can really make or break a Lapland trip. For families with young children, the most practical options are the main hotels. In Levi, the Crazy Reindeer Hotel is a popular family-friendly choice within walking distance of the village centre, with spa facilities to wind down in the evenings. The Levi Hotel Spa is the flagship property and includes free entry to its Spa Water World, which is a nice bonus when you need to get little ones out of the cold for a couple of hours. If you like the idea of waking up to panoramic snow views, Hotel Levi Panorama sits at the top of Levi Fell with a free gondola down to the village centre. In Saariselkä, Santa’s Hotel Holiday Club has a good range of rooms and apartments for different family sizes and a central village location.
If you want to splash out or add something memorable for older children, MagicBreaks also offers some more unusual options. The Luxury Arctic Treehouse Hotel near Rovaniemi is a genuinely stunning property — designer treehouse suites with floor-to-ceiling windows facing north, specifically positioned for Northern Lights viewing. Packages include a private visit to Santa’s Secret Forest and a husky sledding excursion, with prices from £2,790 per person in low season. For a one-night add-on, the Golden Crown Glass Igloos and Aurora Cabins near Levi are worth considering if the Northern Lights are on your list — both options have glass or laser-heated glass roofs so you can watch the sky from bed.
For a younger child like R, a standard hotel room is probably the right call for the main stay — the warmth, the routine, the easy access to food all matter more than novelty at that age. But if you’re going for a longer break or want to treat yourself, adding a single night in a glass igloo as an add-on is a nice way to have the best of both.
Lapland day trip vs overnight stay: how long do you need?
A day trip keeps things simple as you fly out, do the activities, and fly home. But the concern we’ve seen raised is that a 3.5 hour flight each way plus a full day in the Arctic is a long one, and by the time you arrive and get going, you’re already working against tired legs.
A 2 or 3 night stay gives you much more time to enjoy the arctic. Waking up in the snow is magic in itself and having the luxury to fit in activities without rushing means you can take it all in. Most families we’ve spoken to who’ve done it say three to four nights is the sweet spot, as it gives enough time for activities each day without burning anyone out.
Activities in Lapland that work for little ones
Not everything on offer suits babies and toddlers, so it’s worth planning ahead rather than assuming you can do it all.
- Reindeer sleigh ride — brilliant for all ages including babies. Warm, gentle, and from every account we’ve read, completely magical.
- Meeting Santa — works at any age, though very young babies may find a stranger in a big red suit slightly overwhelming. A private Santa meeting rather than a group one is worth the upgrade with a young child but if budget can’t stretch, this probably isn’t a priority.
- Husky sled safar — most operators have a minimum age of around 3 to 4, so it’s worth checking before you book.
- Snowmobile safari — generally not suitable for very young children as passengers.
- Northern Lights tour — these run late, which is tough with babies and toddlers. If there are two adults, one staying back with a sleeping child while the other goes is an option.
- Snow play — completely underrated and free once you’re there. If your toddler is like R, they will love this as much as anything else on the itinerary.
If the Northern Lights are as important to you as the Santa experience, MagicBreaks also offer a dedicated Northern Lights Experience package with a 3 or 4 night full board stay. It includes a snowmobile Northern Lights safari, husky safari, reindeer camp excursion and forest trek. Worth looking to go in January or February when aurora conditions are at their best.
When to go to Lapland with kids
November through to February is the main season. A few things to weigh up:
- November— cheaper and less busy, but daylight hours are very short and snow can be less reliable than later in the season
- December— peak season and peak prices, but the festive atmosphere is at its best. If the Santa experience is the main event, this is the month to aim for
- January — quieter and better value, but temperatures can drop to -30°C or below, which can lead to cancelled excursions and is very cold for young children
- Late February/early March — worth considering if you can be flexible. Temperatures are more manageable, there’s more daylight, snow is still excellent, and it’s a good window for the Northern Lights.
What to pack for Lapland: keeping a baby or toddler warm in the Arctic
Layering is everything, and most packages include the loan of thermal suits and boots, which takes a lot of the pressure off, But you’ll need good base layers underneath, and thermal suits in infant sizes may not be available so check ahead if you’re travelling with a very young child and I’d suggest you bring one as a backup.
Things we’re planning to pack:
- Merino wool base layers — worth the investment, thin, warm and fast-drying
- A hat that covers the ears and actually stays on
- Mittens with a long cuff that tuck into sleeves rather than separate gloves for small hands
- Warm socks, two pairs at once if needed
- A neck gaiter or snood — much easier to manage than a scarf with a toddler
- Hand and foot warmers for the activity days
One thing to flag given young children can’t regulate their body temperature as well as adults is watching for signs of them being too cold. Typically this is going quiet, pale or blotchy skin, or fussing – but read up on it before you go. I’m sure I don’t need to say this, but don’t feel any pressure to stay outside as long as everyone else.
Our trip to Lapland with R
We’re planning to book through MagicBreaks who cover Levi, Saariselkä and Valtavaara with packages from day trips to multi-night stays. They’re ABTA and ATOL protected, which matters for a trip like this, and flights, accommodation and activities all come as a package so there’s not a huge amount to organise independently.
We haven’t booked yet, but we’re very close to pulling the trigger on a 3 night stay in Levi. Watch this space!
Allie, Jack & R x
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Lapland with kids: frequently asked questions
There’s no single best age. Most operators recommend 5 to 9, when kids are old enough to remember the trip but still fully believe in Santa. But plenty of families go younger and have a brilliant time. Under 1 is a lot of hard work for the reward, 12 months to 2 years is doable if you go in with realistic expectations, and 2 to 4 years is where we think the magic really starts to land.
Yes. A 2 year old won’t fully understand what’s happening, but they’ll react to the snow, the animals and the lights, and that reaction is worth the trip on its own. Thermal suits from operators often aren’t available in infant sizes, so bring your own snowsuit as backup, and an overnight or two-night stay works far better than a day trip at this age.
Levi and Saariselkä both tend to come up well for young families. They’re a manageable scale, have good facilities, and aren’t overwhelmingly busy outside peak dates. Rovaniemi is the most famous and delivers if you mainly want the Santa moment and the snow, but it can feel more theme park than wilderness in peak December.
A day trip is a long ask with young kids, given a 3.5 hour flight each way plus a full day in the Arctic. A 2 or 3 night stay gives you much more breathing room, and most families we’ve spoken to say three to four nights is the sweet spot for fitting in activities without burning anyone out.
Probably not in detail. Children don’t reliably form long-term memories before around age 3 to 5, so a two year old is unlikely to recall specifics. But that doesn’t make it not worth doing. You’ll remember watching them play in the snow, and if budget allows only one trip, that’s a valid reason to wait until the 4 to 7 window instead.
Temperatures can drop well below -20°C, and in January they can fall to -30°C or lower, which can lead to cancelled excursions. Late February to early March tends to be more manageable, with more daylight and still-excellent snow. Watch young children for signs of being too cold, such as going quiet, pale or blotchy skin, or fussing, and don’t feel pressure to stay outside as long as everyone else.
