Lapland with kids – is it worth the money?

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If you’re thinking of visiting Lapland with kids you’ll likely be wondering is it worth the money? In recent years, Lapland has become one of the most talked-about winter trips for families, but it’s also one of the most expensive. When you start looking at prices for flights, accommodation and excursions, it can easily feel like a huge amount of money for a relatively short holiday as most people only visit for a few days. So the big question many parents ask is: is Lapland actually worth the money with kids?

After visiting Lapland as a family, my honest answer is that it depends on your expectations and how you plan the trip. For many families it’ll be one of the most magical travel experiences they’ll ever have, but it’s also important to know what you’re paying for, how to get the most from your money and what the trip is really like. Here’s an honest look at whether Lapland is worth the cost for families.

What makes Lapland so special for kids?

Lapland isn’t just another winter holiday – it feels like stepping into a real-life Christmas story and it’s honestly one of the most magical places we’ve ever been. The snow alone is enough to make it feel special – I felt like a big kid again rolling around in the snow! During winter the forests, rivers and hills are usually completely covered in deep snow, and children can spend hours sledging, making snow angels and simply playing outside. For many kids the biggest highlight is meeting Santa Claus. In places like Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, children can meet Santa, cross the Arctic Circle line and explore a festive village that feels straight out of a Christmas film.

There are also unique experiences that you simply can’t do in most places, such as riding through snowy forests on a husky sled or a snowmobile, or taking a reindeer sleigh ride. Places like Lapland Winter Park offer a whole host of winter activities like cross-country skiing, sledging, ice-skating, feeding the reindeer and more. Then, when the night falls, you’ve got the aurora hunt to keep you busy – we’ve found it on foot just a 15 minute walk from Rovaniemi city centre and it was such a special and unique evening. Lapland is a holiday like no other – magical from start to finish and a wonderful place to make new memories. My 3 day itinerary article is a fabulous place to start your planning – have a look at what we got up to during our trip.

Why are Lapland trips so expensive?

One of the reasons Lapland holidays cost so much is the short travel season. Most families visit between late November and early January, which means demand is very high for a relatively short period. For the people that work there, the snow usually disappears by April so it’s a relatively small amount of time for companies offering accommodation, attractions and excursions to make their income. The location also adds to the cost. Lapland sits far north in Finland, within the Arctic Circle, so flights and logistics can be more expensive than typical European city breaks. Excursions are another major factor. Many of the classic Lapland activities such as husky sledding, snowmobile safaris and reindeer sleigh rides are guided experiences that involve trained animals, specialist equipment, transport to and from the site, and winter clothing. Take a look at this article to see all the costs involved: How much does a Lapland trip cost for a family of four?

What kids actually enjoy most in Lapland

Interestingly, some of the things children enjoy most in Lapland are not always the big organised excursions. Many families find that simple activities become the highlights of the trip. Playing in deep snow, sledging down hills, toasting marshmallows on a fire and exploring snowy forests can be just as exciting for children as the organised tours. Walking through Santa Claus Village, visiting Santa’s Post Office and crossing the Arctic Circle line are also memorable moments that don’t necessarily cost anything. Lapland has a very relaxed, outdoors-focused feel, and children often enjoy the freedom to run around in the snow and explore. For those looking at an adventure in Rovaniemi you’ll want to check out my guide: The 15 best things to do in Rovaniemi with kids.

Is Lapland better with younger kids or older children?

Lapland works well for a wide range of ages, but the experience can feel slightly different depending on how old your children are. Younger children tend to fully embrace the magic of Santa and the festive atmosphere. Meeting Santa and exploring the Christmas-themed attractions can be the highlight of the whole trip. Older children often enjoy the more adventurous side of Lapland, such as snowmobile safaris, cross-country skiing, ice-karting or longer husky sledding tours. Teenagers will also appreciate the dramatic Arctic scenery and the chance to see the Northern Lights if conditions are right – my two were so made up with actually getting to see the aurora and a midnight adventure is always good fun. In reality, most families find Lapland works best with children aged around five and above, although younger children can still have a wonderful time.

Package holidays vs DIY Lapland trips

When deciding if Lapland is worth the money, one of the biggest factors is how you choose to travel. Package holidays are often the easiest option. They typically include flights, accommodation, transfers and several excursions, which means everything is organised for you. For families who want a simple, stress-free trip this can be very appealing. The downside is that you really pay for the privilege of booking your trip as a package, and you may find you still want to include additional excursions on top. Many trips are also only three nights and I think you really need 4 nights to make the most of it – that way you get three full days to enjoy the magic without rushing around.

Planning a DIY Lapland trip can make the experience more flexible and potentially cheaper. By booking flights, accommodation and activities separately, families can choose exactly which excursions they want to include and spread them across several days. This approach can also give you more time to enjoy the surroundings rather than following a packed itinerary. With the flights making up a big chunk of the cost, adding an extra day or two to actually experience Lapland properly is well worth it. Our four night trip cost £2500 (a family of four with two teenagers) – this included everything so flights, accommodation, excursions, food and transport. If you want to plan your own break, this article is a great place to start: How to plan a DIY Lapland trip with kids – travel, excursions & saving money!

When’s the best time to visit Lapland with kids?

If your family’s dream is snow, sledding and meeting Santa in a proper winter setting, December through to March is the most reliable window – often in November there just isn’t enough snow so booking too early in the season can be a risk. If budget matters and you still want snow, January and March can offer better value (and less crowds) than peak December. However, the temperature in January can drop as low as -30°C which can lead to cancelled excursions and intolerable outside conditions. If you want to avoid the extreme cold, late February – early March offers the perfect blend between snow and more manageable temperatures. By this time, there’s also a greater amount of daylight which is preferable for enjoying the activities and excursions on offer and it’s a fabulous time to see the Northern Lights. We visited the first week of March and the temperature was between -3°C and 0°C which was really pleasant.

When Lapland might not be worth the money

Lapland won’t be the right trip for every family so in some situations it may not feel worth the money. If your children are very young, they may not fully understand the experience of meeting Santa or remember much of the trip afterwards, which can make the high cost harder to justify. Lapland is also extremely cold during winter, often dropping well below freezing, so families who dislike cold weather or spending time outdoors might struggle to enjoy it fully. I think the temperature is definitely something to consider when you’re visiting with kids (especially little ones). This year, temperatures in January went down to -30°C and many excursions had to be cancelled so the time of year really can impact whether the trip is worth it or not – it would be so disappointing to spend out on a holiday only to be unable to do the activities planned.

It can also feel expensive if you’d usually enjoy a longer holiday – many Lapland trips are only three or four nights. For families who prefer warmer destinations or longer breaks for the same budget, a Lapland trip may not offer the same value. Personally, this is something that I really did have to weigh up – we typically enjoy cheap and cheerful road trips over the summer months and have been away for 3 weeks before for around the same price as our 4 night Lapland trip so I can understand the reluctance cost-wise.

So, is Lapland worth the money?

For families who love winter adventures and festive experiences, Lapland can absolutely feel worth the money. It offers something completely different from a typical family holiday and combines stunning Arctic scenery with experiences children rarely get to try elsewhere. That said, it’s important to go in with realistic expectations – Lapland isn’t a cheap destination and excursions can add up quickly. I also think it’s slightly pointless to visit if you’re not going to budget for some of the activities – whilst playing in the snow is magical adding in a few once-in-a-lifetime experiences really is the icing on the cake.

For many families, the key to making Lapland feel worth the cost is planning carefully, choosing the experiences that matter most and allowing time to enjoy the snowy landscapes and simple moments together. Whilst an igloo retreat and an action packed itinerary could set you back £5000+, equally it’s more than doable with half this budget if you’re happy to create a DIY experience. When everything comes together, Lapland is a fabulous destination for a winter holiday with the kids – with a bit of thought it doesn’t need to cost a fortune and for us it was absolutely worth the money. Check out some of my Lapland guides to get started: