Looking for a vacation destination with plenty of things for kids to do and where you’ll find time for yourself, too? Iceland is the perfect place for a family trip.
If you’re planning a vacation in Iceland with kids, you may have more questions than the average traveler. However, Iceland is one of the best destinations a family can choose. From keeping kids entertained all day to child-friendly attractions, Iceland offers endless opportunities for quality family time and a place to make unforgettable memories. Find out everything you need to know about traveling in Iceland with kids.
As one of the safest countries in the world, Iceland is good for families traveling with kids both young and old. Around the cities, children can enjoy family-friendly activities, museums, and cultural sites, while the breathtaking natural landscapes offer a unique and safe environment for exploration and outdoor adventures. Children will also love learning about Icelandic culture and the roles elves and fairies play in ancient and modern society.
The Diamond Beach is a magical spot to visit with the whole family
Do you want to be one of those cool parents kids brag about at school? Take your family on a rafting tour! Imagine sitting on a raft with your family and paddling through the exhilarating Icelandic landscape. Float through rugged canyons, past natural hot springs, and a green oasis. Your kids will remember this experience for many years to come.
Rafting is a great opportunity for family bonding as teamwork plays a big role in this activity. Your kids will quickly learn that only one paddler makes the raft spin in circles, while a team of paddlers working together makes it a smooth and fun ride!
It doesn't get more fun than a family rafting adventure on the West Glacial River!
No rafting experience is required for this tour. If your children are over six years old, sail on the gentle West Glacial River in Northwest Iceland and enjoy nature with the best possible company.
Few activities will be more exciting for your kids than stepping into a Super Jeep and touring past towering mountains and massive ice caps all the way to Kötlujökull Glacier.
Then, you'll strap on your crampons and step on the icy paths along the South Coast. A short hike will lead you to the entrance of a natural ice cave. The strips of blue and black colors inside the cave tell a long history of volcanic eruptions. Kids will be excited to hear all about the fascinating geology!
Allow children to feel like true explorers when they discover smaller, recently formed caves. The Katla Ice Cave tour is a great choice for families with kids over six years old, looking to learn about Icelandic glaciers first-hand.
Step inside an ice cave for incredible photographs
Are there any Disney Frozen fans around? Visiting Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and a crystal ice cave must be on your family’s bucket list. If your kids ever wondered what Queen Elsa of Arendelle’s home looks like, they’ll love this trip!
Hit the South Coast to feel like you’re in your very own icy fairytale. You’ll see large chunks of ice as they float on Jökulsárlón Lagoon and rest on a nearby black sand beach, glittering in the sun like diamonds.
On this family-friendly excursion, step inside the crystal ice cave that features all shades of sapphire blue and snow white colors. The short tour is the best choice for families with younger children, from six years up, who seek to witness the immense power of ice.
Iceland's blue-and-black-striped ice caves feel like another planet
If your children are over 6 years old and keen to enjoy a full day of adventure, a Golden Circle and Northern Lights tour could be the ideal activity! Begin your day visiting the iconic Golden Circle. Explore all three of the famous sights — Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall.
You’ll be able to explore the geography around Iceland and learn about the boundaries between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates which are right in front of you.
You’ll then discover the famous spouting Geysir which erupts roughly every seven minutes. Time and time again, this eruption is guaranteed to fill you with surprise.
The final Golden Circle stop is Gullfoss Waterfall, where, if conditions allow, you and your family will be rewarded with a glistening rainbow as you admire this beloved waterfall. Be prepared to get wet as the spray of glacial water splashes into the faces of those who dare to stand close enough!
As the day transitions into night, the adventure continues with a magical twist, the hunt for the Northern Lights. Heading to the light-pollution-free hotspots near Reykjavík, they provide the perfect backdrop for a potential glimpse of the enchanting aurora borealis.
South Iceland's landmarks provide the perfect background for family pictures
If you are a family who loves a thrilling adventure, then why not explore Iceland’s second-largest glacier by snowmobile? With children aged 8 and over able to ride as passengers, you can glide through the snowy surface of an impressive glacier. Langjökull Glacier is a premier snowmobiling destination. With 580m (1,903ft) of ice underneath you, you’ll feel transported into another universe. Combined with stunning volcanic views, this action-packed adventure is sure to be spoken about for hours.
If your children are older, 17-year-olds with a valid driver’s license can take control of these vehicles themselves, providing an added bite of adrenaline.
Langjökull Glacier is the second-largest glacier in Iceland and a popular snowmobiling spot
Explore the icy surface of Iceland while hiking on Sólheimajökull Glacier near the South Coast. Strap on your crampons and go on an adventure where your kids will learn about the power of ice and see large sinkholes, called moulins. Every little explorer over the age of eight will enjoy this Sólheimajökull Glacier hiking experience!
Glacier hikes on Sólheimajökull are great for kids ages 8 and up
To make this trip even more special, stop to see Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls on your way back to Reykjavík. Seljalandsfoss is one of the very few waterfalls that you can walk behind! Skógafoss is nearly 60 m (200 ft) tall and you can climb the steps to the top of the fall for breathtaking views.
Skógafoss is one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls on the South Coast
The Landmannalaugar hiking tour is a fine choice for hikers with all levels of experience, making it a perfect pick for a family vacation with kids above 10 years old.
Put your hiking shoes on and step onto one of the finest hiking trails in the world. The Landmannalaugar hiking tour takes you to the starting point of the famous Laugavegur Trek. The path is surrounded by colorful rhyolite mountains and takes you through the Laugahraun lava field. To have a full Icelandic experience, finish the day with a relaxing soak in a natural hot pot.
Family hikes through Landmannalaugar are a one-of-a-kind experience
The tour is available to children from 10 years old, and the hike takes around five hours. Whether you want to introduce your children to the world of hiking, or simply wish to explore the landscape of Icelandic Highlands, this tour is a great option.
Adults get excited at the prospect of spotting whales, so you can only imagine what kind of feelings this sight brings to kids!
Watch majestic whales jump out of the water right before your eyes. You’ll hear sounds you’ve never heard before as you watch them simply going about their everyday lives, while you stand on a boat with your breath taken away. Your expert guides know exactly where to sail and where to look for the best opportunities to spot these graceful creatures. Blue whales, dolphins, minke whales, and other giants of the sea are frequently spotted off of the capital’s shores. Nothing matches this experience!
Whale watching in Dalvík in North Iceland is better than any day at the aquarium!
Join a whale watching tour in North Iceland together with your loved ones (over 10 years old) and share this magical moment of watching marine wildlife in their natural habitat.
Looking for an action-filled family vacation? Meet charming Icelandic horses and swim between tectonic plates in Silfra Fissure, ideal for families with older kids.
You will be collected from your accommodation in Reykjavík before heading into Þingvellir National Park to take the scenic drive out to Silfra Fissure. Once at the site, you and your kids will be geared up into a dry suit and mask. Then, it is time to take the plunge into the crystal clear water of the fissure and snorkel up between the tectonic plates. The visibility is unparalleled here, and for a continuous 30 to 40 minutes, you'll feel like you're floating in space.
Once you have dried off and warmed up over a glass of hot chocolate, you will then head to Lanex Horse Farm, located just outside the city. Once you’ve had time to meet the horses and get decked up, you then start the tour. Riding the pure-bred Icelandic horses through lava fields deep into the Icelandic countryside, you will come to understand how Icelandic horses are intelligent and full of character. Beware, it’s likely your children will want to take one home. It’s impossible to resist their charm!
This snorkeling and horse riding combo tour doesn’t require any experience and is available to anyone over the age of 12.
Iceland’s certainly not short of swimming pools. Almost every town has one, and there are plenty of natural hot pools to plunge into. The best part about swimming pools in Iceland is that most have special shallow pools for young children as well as exciting water slides, so kids are sure to have a great time!
Visiting public baths runs deep in Icelandic culture, and people here really know how to relax soaking in hot water. Along with swimming pools, you can often find hot or cold water tubs, various types of saunas, and sometimes snack bars or cafés. Pools are open all year and you can visit them with children of various ages, just make sure to check specific swimming pool websites before you go.
Iceland's many swimming pools guarantee fun for adults and kids alike
The Ring Road goes around Iceland and many of the most famous sights lie within its reaches, including the Golden Circle, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Dalvík in North Iceland, Vatnajökull National Park, and many more. Touring the Ring Road with your kids will allow you to truly soak up the wonders and attractions that the country has to offer. With so many stops, there really is something for everyone.
This multi-day Ring Road tour is the ultimate tour in Iceland. Depending on how many days you wish to travel, choose the best option for you (six, seven, or eight days), and hit the road.
Travel the Ring Road with your family
Along with sightseeing, the tour offers great activities suited for travelers of all ages. From a glacier hike to whale watching, and bathing in geothermal pools, this tour has it all.
The Ring Road tour is available all year round, to everyone over eight years old. The itinerary varies from season to season, but a great time with your family is always guaranteed!
PLAN YOUR FAMILY VACATION
There’s no doubt that Iceland is a great destination for a family vacation with plenty of activities to choose from! Are you an adventurous bunch looking to bond over a white water rafting trip, or gentle animal lovers looking for unique wildlife experiences? Whatever you prefer, Iceland’s got something for you!
Share this blog post with your family and find out what they want to do on your next vacation in Iceland!
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