10 FREE & cheap things to do in Rovaniemi with kids

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If you’re on the hunt for free and cheap things to do in Rovaniemi with the kids then you’ll be pleased to know I’ve got 10 fabulous affordable activities for your Lapland family adventure. Rovaniemi might be famous as the official hometown of Santa Claus, but that doesn’t mean every activity has to come with a hefty price tag. While husky safaris, snowmobile rides and reindeer sleigh experiences can quickly add up, there are plenty of free and low-cost things to do in Rovaniemi with kids that still feel magical. In fact, some of the most memorable family moments in Lapland cost absolutely nothing at all. So, if you’re travelling as a family and trying to visit Lapland on a budget, here are 10 FREE and cheap things to do in Rovaniemi with the kids:

1. Visit Santa Claus Village without spending a fortune

Likely the most visited place in Rovaniemi, it might surprise you to know that entering Santa Claus Village is completely free so it can be a cheap thing to do with the kids if you’re smart about your visit. Open year-round, you can wander around the village, explore the Christmas-themed buildings and soak up the atmosphere without paying a penny. The Arctic Circle line is clearly marked on the ground so the kids can jump back and forth across it knowing they’re technically crossing into the Arctic. It’s possible to meet Santa Claus without an entry fee too – you’ll only pay if you want a photo (professional ones only unfortunately – they don’t allow you to take your own) or some souvenirs. If you’re also visiting Santa Park during your stay, wait to see Santa there as you can take your own photos.

Back to Santa Claus Village, bring a flask of hot chocolate and your own giant marshmallows and skewers to toast on the fires dotted around outside. You can also get a glimpse of the reindeer and, especially after dark, the village looks particularly magical when everything is lit up against the snow. Even without spending money in the shops, it’s worth visiting for the atmosphere alone. We had a lovely wander around Santa Claus Village and, into the evening, you might even see the Northern Lights! Check out my Santa Claus Village guide for all the details.

2. Have fun in the snow

One of the best free activities in Rovaniemi (and the thing most kids can’t wait to do!) is to simply play in the snow – it’s a brilliant way to have fun whilst keeping your trip cheap and cheerful. We live right on the coast in Kent so we seldom see snow at home which made it all the more magical! If you’re visiting between winter and early spring, there’s usually plenty of snow on the ground and that alone feels like a proper adventure. Many hotels, cabins and apartments provide sledges for guests to borrow, so it’s always worth asking at reception. There are also public sledging areas around the city, including near Ounasvaara, where families can enjoy the slopes without booking a formal activity. The Arctic Garden has some great slopes too – around a 15 minute walk from the city centre – we had good fun sledging there! It’s the perfect way to make unforgettable memories with the kids. (You could even pack your own inflatable snow tube or sledge to blow up when you arrive.)

3. Look for the Northern Lights on your own

Rovaniemi sits directly on the Arctic Circle so the Northern Lights are often visible on clear, dark nights between roughly late August and early April. There are no guarantees that you’ll see them, even if you book onto an expensive tour, so you might want to have a go at hunting them out yourself – just like we did! On a clear evening, step away from the brightest city lights and head towards open areas to improve your chances. The most common viewing window is around 7pm to 2am, and you’ll be most likely to see them over September-October or in March (luckily when we visited!). With or without a tour, warm clothing and patience are essential. Check out my guide on what to do and where to go to see the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi for free if you’d like to have a free DIY aurora hunt with the kids. We had a fabulous midnight viewing of the Northern Lights at the Arctic Garden, just a short walk from the city centre.

4. Go ice-skating like the locals

In winter, outdoor ice rinks are set up around Rovaniemi – some are free if you have your own skates but there are plenty offering cheap skate hire if you want something fun and affordable to do with the kids. The FunOnIce rink (by the big Christmas tree in the city-centre) offers everything you need for around €10 per person with ice-skates and skating aids for the kids. Having said that, there are plenty of places to skate within the local attractions (places like Lapland Winter Park and Snowman World) – so it’s worth skating for free there if you’re already planning some days out. We had a fabulous time skating at Lapland Winter Park – tickets are pricey but lots of activities are included. Wherever you end up skating, it’ll be far more memorable and fabulous than an indoor rink back at home so enjoy the Lapland magic!

5. Explore the forest at Ounasvaara

A popular outdoor recreation area just outside central Rovaniemi, exploring the forest at Ounasvaara is one of the best free things to do in Rovaniemi with kids – giving families the chance to experience snowy the Arctic scenery without spending a penny. In winter, it’s transformed into a snowy landscape of forest trails and cross-country ski tracks. The trees are often heavy with snow, and the atmosphere is peaceful and quiet. There are viewpoints overlooking the river and the city, making it a lovely place for a family stroll. It’s a simple way to experience Lapland’s natural beauty without paying for a formal excursion. And, if you visit after dark, this rural spot can be a great place to spot the Northern Lights without a pricey tour!

6. Warm up at Sampokeskus shopping centre

Sampokeskus is one of the main shopping centres in the city so it’s worth considering using it as a warm place to reset when travelling with kids in freezing temperatures. It has toilets, places to sit and cafés where you can grab a cheap hot drink or a snack without committing to a full restaurant meal. When temperatures drop well below zero, these small indoor breaks can make the day far more manageable for children so it’s a good option for an indoor base if you don’t want to spend lots of money. It might also be worth looking there for your souvenirs – as they’re likely to be cheaper in the mall than at the attractions across the city.

7. Enjoy the free playgrounds

There are so many playgrounds dotted around Rovaniemi, offering plenty of free places for the kids to let off steam, if you’re looking for cheap and cheerful things to do in between excursions. The playground above is in Santa Claus Village but you’ll find others by the river, the football stadium and in other various locations around central Rovaniemi. There’s also an Angry Birds themed play park located right by the riverbank, within easy walking distance of the city centre, so it’s an easy place to include in your itinerary if you’re exploring on foot. If you’re travelling with younger children especially, this is an easy, no-cost win that breaks up sightseeing and gives them time to just be kids.

8. Walk along the Ounasjoki River

A walk along the Ounasjoki River is a simple but lovely way to experience the winter scenery in Rovaniemi. The river runs close to the city centre, and in winter the surrounding paths and snowy riverbanks create a peaceful place to take a stroll away from the busier attractions. There you’ll find the Lumberjack’s Candle Bridge, one of Rovaniemi’s most recognisable landmarks, and you can see the lights from Arctic Fantasy Park. An evening walk along the river, wrapped up in warm layers, feels wonderfully atmospheric and the riverbanks can also be a great place to North Lights hunt away from the city lights!

9. Enjoy the Christmas vibe central Rovaniemi

Wandering through the city at night is pretty magical – we visited in March and the Christmas vibe was still in full swing with lights, trees and other festive decorations. You can also visit Santa Claus for free at the Santa Claus City Office – perfect if you want a short and sweet experience in a central location. Rovaniemi just oozes Christmas and if you want to feel festive without spending a penny then walking around once the lights go on in the evenings is a great place to start.

10. Splash around at Vesihiisi Swimming Hall

When the temperatures drop really low you might find yourself looking to entertain the kids indoors (sometimes outdoor excursions may even be cancelled!) so bring your swimwear just in case and you can head to Vesihiisi Swimming Hall. Public swimming sessions are really inexpensive (the kids cost just a few euros) and there are even a couple of waterslides for them to enjoy too. There’s a small pool for little ones and grown-ups could pop in the sauna as well if you want to warm up. So, if you need a break from the cold but want to keep busy then a trip to the swimming pool offers an affordable and fun activity for the kids.

How can I save money on my trip to Rovaniemi?

Lapland will never be a cheap destination but there are ways to keep costs down. I’ve added some money saving tips below to help you to keep on top of your budget whilst planning your Lapland Adventure but check out my article: Lapland on a budget with kids – how to save money in Rovaniemi for all the details. Here’s a taster:

Plan a DIY Lapland trip instead of a package holiday: Make the most your money by booking the trip yourself – it’s much easier than you’d think just follow my guide: How to plan a DIY Lapland trip with kids – travel, excursions & saving money! I’ve covered where to stay, where to eat, booking experiences, travel and all sorts.
Pick just a couple of special experiences: A good approach is to choose just a couple of paid experiences rather than booking everything. For example, you might decide to splurge on a husky safari, snowmobiling or a reindeer sleigh ride and then balance it out with plenty of free activities during the rest of your trip.
Look out for combination tickets: If there are a few things you’d like to do, look out for combination experiences for a cheaper, hassle-free way of booking things.
Stay in central Rovaniemi to avoid high travel costs: It’s so easy to get around on foot or via public transport in Rovaniemi so pick at central location for your stay to keep your costs down.
Book a self-catering apartment: Keep costs down by cooking meals at home and taking packed lunches and snacks (don’t forget your marshmallows and skewers!) with you for days out.
Travel outside of December: Don’t worry you can visit Santa year round and the city will still be full of Christmas lights!

What are the best things to do in Rovaniemi with kids?

One of the highlights of a Lapland trip is trying some of the classic Arctic activities and this is another reason why a DIY break works well – you can cater your itinerary to the ages and interests of your kids whilst keeping an eye on your budget. Husky sledding is one of the most popular excursions and gives you the chance to ride through snowy forests pulled by a team of energetic huskies. Reindeer sleigh rides are a gentler experience that might be better with little ones, whilst snowmobile safaris are another favourite – allowing families to explore frozen rivers and forest trails. (Definitely a hit with teens – my two loved it!) Many families also enjoy ice-karting, which takes place on specially prepared ice tracks during the winter months and you can also have a go at skiing and cross-country skiing in Rovaniemi too.

When it comes to the local attractions, most families will want to pay a visit to Santa Claus Village – particularly those with younger children who want to see Santa or play in Snowman World. For a full day of fun with winter sports, sledging, reindeer feeds, ice-skating and all sorts Lapland Winter Park really delivers – that was my favourite day on our trip. For an indoor Santa visit you could head to SantaPark and there are plenty of other attractions that open for the festive season in particular. Although the excursions are likely to be the most expensive part of your trip, they are what makes a Lapland visit so special and memorable so be sure to budget for a few activities. Most excursions can be booked easily through Get Your Guide – I simply planned out what we wanted to do and booked it all on there for ease. If you’re still deciding on what to do – check out this article: The 15 best things to do in Rovaniemi with kids.

I hope that this article has helped you to plan a cheap itinerary for your trip to Rovaniemi – fortunately there are lots of free and inexpensive things to do with the kids if you’re looking to visit Lapland on a budget. Have a magical time! I’ve got lots of guides on the different places we visited, where to stay, general tips for a budget-friendly experience and what to wear etc so make sure you check out my other articles to make your trip run smoothly – I’ve added some links below: