Traveling to Iceland with children can feel intimidating at first glance: long distances, unpredictable weather, high prices. Yet every time I go back, I’m struck by how naturally this country lends itself to family travel. Distances between major sights can be short, most streets feel safe, and the landscapes are so dramatic that even usually impatient kids tend to stay glued to the windows.
Planning your family trip to Iceland
Before I map out an itinerary with readers, I always ask the same three questions: How old are the children? How many days do you have? And how much driving are you comfortable with? Your answers will shape the style of your trip far more than any “perfect” route you might find online.
For most families, I recommend using Reykjavík or one other base as a hub and planning day trips. Packing and unpacking every night quickly becomes exhausting with younger kids. For older children and teenagers, a road trip with new scenery every day can be part of the adventure.
In general, I find that:
- Families with children under 6 often prefer short day trips and one or two bases.
- Families with children between 7 and 12 handle moderate road trips well, with frequent activity stops.
- Teenagers usually enjoy longer drives, especially if you balance sightseeing with adventurous activities.
If this is your first time in Iceland, I suggest focusing either on the south coast + Reykjavík area or on a shorter section of the Ring Road, rather than trying to see everything. In my experience, “less but deeper” works far better with kids than rushing from one attraction to the next.
When to visit Iceland with kids
I’ve visited Iceland in all seasons, and with families, I almost always recommend late spring to early autumn for a first trip.
Summer (June to August) is the most popular time. Days are long, roads are clear, and most attractions and activities are open. For children, the midnight sun can be magical, although it can also disrupt sleep if you don’t have good blackout curtains or eye masks. I personally love early July for family trips: lambs are in the fields, the weather is relatively mild, and you have maximum flexibility.
May and September can be excellent compromises: fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and reasonably good road conditions. However, in May, some highland roads and remote areas may still be closed, and in September you can start to feel the autumn chill, especially at night.
Winter (November to March) can be enchanting but also challenging with young children. Short days, icy roads, and frequent storms mean more time indoors and a need for flexible plans. I only recommend a winter family trip if you are comfortable driving in snow and ice, or if you plan to rely on guided tours from Reykjavík. The northern lights can be a major draw for older kids and teens, but for small children, the late-night waiting outside in the cold can be tough.
Family-friendly itineraries in Iceland
Here are a few itineraries I often suggest to readers planning their first family trip. I adapt them depending on the children’s ages, energy levels, and the family’s travel style.
Reykjavík and the Golden Circle (4–5 days)
If you don’t want to drive too much, this is the easiest option and works year-round.
Base yourself in Reykjavík and explore:
- The Golden Circle: Þingvellir National Park (easy walks between the tectonic plates), Geysir geothermal area (predictable eruptions at Strokkur), and Gullfoss waterfall. With kids, I like to limit stops and add a farm visit or a geothermal pool at the end of the day.
- Reykjavík city: The harbor area, the interactive Perlan museum with its ice cave and northern lights show, and the Whales of Iceland exhibition are particularly engaging for children. I’ve watched even restless kids become absorbed here.
- Thermal pools: Local swimming pools such as Laugardalslaug are a highlight for many families. They’re affordable, fun, and a perfectly Icelandic way to end the day.
South Coast adventure (5–7 days)
For a week-long trip, I often suggest extending beyond the Golden Circle and following the south coast, which concentrates a lot of iconic sights along one main road.
Highlights include:
- Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls: Both are easily accessible with short walks. At Seljalandsfoss, if the ground isn’t too slippery, you can walk behind the waterfall, which is usually a hit with kids.
- Vík and the black sand beaches: The dramatic coastline at Reynisfjara is impressive, but I always emphasize to families that the waves are dangerous. Children must stay well away from the water’s edge.
- Skaftafell and Vatnajökull National Park: Gentle hiking trails, glacier views, and, for older children, the possibility of beginner-friendly glacier walks with a guide.
- Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach: Watching icebergs drift in the lagoon and then spotting ice chunks on the black sand is something I’ve seen captivate children of all ages.
For this route, I usually recommend at least two overnight stops along the south coast to avoid long driving days.
Ring Road highlights with kids (10–14 days)
If you have two weeks and enjoy road trips, the full Ring Road allows you to experience a wide variety of landscapes with relatively straightforward driving. With children, I’d keep daily driving to 3–4 hours when possible and include plenty of stops for picnics and short walks.
Family-friendly stops along the Ring Road include:
- The south coast waterfalls and black sand beaches
- Glacier lagoons around Vatnajökull
- Eastern fjords with small fishing villages and reindeer spotting in winter
- Lake Mývatn area in the north, with its pseudocraters, geothermal areas, and the Mývatn Nature Baths (often quieter than the Blue Lagoon)
- Akureyri, the “capital of the north”, with its swimming pools, botanical garden, and whale-watching opportunities
I personally find that families who choose the Ring Road enjoy the sense of progression around the island, but it does require more planning and flexibility, especially with weather.
Activities that work well with children
The key to a successful family trip in Iceland is variety. Children generally cope better with a mix of short walks, playful stops, and the occasional “wow” activity.
- Thermal pools and lagoons: From local pools to the Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, or Mývatn Nature Baths, water time is often the highlight of the day. I like combining a relatively demanding morning (for example, a hike or a long drive) with a relaxing soak in the late afternoon.
- Easy hikes: Short trails to viewpoints, waterfalls, or lava fields are usually manageable for children. Trails in Skógafoss, Skaftafell, and around Mývatn are among my favorites.
- Wildlife watching: Puffin-viewing in summer (for example, in Dyrhólaey or the Westman Islands), whale-watching tours from Reykjavík, Akureyri, or Húsavík, and spotting Icelandic horses along the road keep kids engaged.
- Farm and horse visits: Many family-run farms welcome visitors, offering close-up encounters with Icelandic horses, sheep, and sometimes goats. These stops are often surprisingly memorable.
- Museums and interactive experiences: The Perlan museum, the Saga Museum, and local folk museums can help children connect with history and nature when the weather is too harsh to be outside.
Driving and safety with kids
Driving in Iceland is, for the most part, straightforward, but there are a few rules I always emphasize when readers tell me they’re traveling with families.
- Choose the right car: For summer trips staying on main roads, a small 2WD car is usually enough. For winter or if you plan to explore gravel roads, a 4×4 is much more comfortable and safer.
- Respect road and weather conditions: I always check the weather (vedur.is) and road conditions (road.is) each morning. With kids in the car, I’m even more conservative about avoiding marginal conditions.
- Seat belts and car seats: Iceland has strict rules about child safety in vehicles. Make sure you request the right-sized car seat from your rental company or bring your own if it meets international standards.
- Frequent breaks: Gas stations, small cafés, and picnic spots become essential rest points. I plan my days with time buffers, knowing that each stop takes longer with children.
- Safety near water and cliffs: Some of Iceland’s most iconic sights have limited barriers. I always keep children close at waterfalls, on clifftops, and near the sea.
Budgeting and accommodation tips
Iceland is not a budget destination, and traveling as a family can increase costs quickly. That said, there are a few strategies I’ve found that really help.
- Self-catering: Choosing accommodation with a kitchenette or staying in apartments or cabins allows you to cook some meals. Supermarkets like Bónus and Krónan offer better value than small convenience stores.
- Picnics: Preparing simple picnic lunches can save money and time. I often pack sandwiches, fruit, and snacks and then look for scenic spots along the route.
- Family rooms and cabins: Guesthouses and small hotels often have family rooms or small cottages. These are practical for early bedtimes and for spreading out luggage, toys, and outdoor gear.
- Local pools instead of always choosing luxury lagoons: While the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon are special experiences, local geothermal pools are much cheaper and often more authentic. Kids usually care more about the waterslides and hot tubs than the design.
- Free nature: Many of Iceland’s greatest attractions—waterfalls, beaches, viewpoints, lava fields—are free to access, apart from occasional parking fees.
Packing for a family trip to Iceland
Packing well can make the difference between an enjoyable trip and a frustrating one. Icelandic weather is famously changeable, and children feel the cold quickly when they are wet or standing still.
- Layered clothing: I always recommend a base layer (merino or synthetic), a warm mid-layer (fleece or wool), and a waterproof outer layer for everyone.
- Waterproof footwear: Puddles, wet grass, and moss are irresistible to children. Waterproof boots help avoid cold, wet feet by mid-morning.
- Hats, gloves, and buffs: Even in summer, wind can make it feel much colder. I keep these in the daypack at all times.
- Swimwear and quick-dry towels: You might visit a pool almost every day, so it’s worth having separate bags ready for wet gear.
- Snacks and water bottles: Healthy snacks can be expensive in remote gas stations, so I like to stock up in larger supermarkets. Tap water in Iceland is excellent and safe to drink.
What I wish I had known before my first family-style trip to Iceland
Over time, I’ve realized that traveling in Iceland with a family is less about ticking off famous sights and more about embracing the rhythm of the country: the weather, the long days, the slow drives through vast landscapes. A few lessons stand out from my own experiences and the feedback I receive from readers.
- Plan less than you think you can do: Distances may look short on the map, but frequent photo stops, weather changes, and snack breaks add up. I now plan no more than two or three main activities per day with children.
- Be flexible: Storms can close roads, northern lights might refuse to appear, and a favorite planned hike can be too windy. I always keep a list of indoor back-up options—museums, local pools, cafés, or simply time to relax in the accommodation.
- Use nature as your playground: Lava fields become adventure zones, driftwood on beaches turns into building material, and mossy rocks become imaginary kingdoms. Many families tell me that their children remember these unstructured play moments more than any paid activity.
- Accept that not every day will be perfect: There will be tiredness, rain, maybe even a bit of car sickness. But in my experience, the overall memory of the trip tends to be overwhelmingly positive, especially once back home.
In the end, Iceland rewards families who travel with curiosity and patience. If you build in enough rest, choose an itinerary adapted to your children’s ages, and stay flexible with the weather, you’ll likely come home with shared memories that feel far bigger than the time you actually spent on the island. For me, that’s what makes Iceland such a compelling destination for family travel.