Iceland with Kids: Family-Friendly Adventures

Iceland is not always at the top of the list for family vacations, but it's a great place to take kids of any age. Kids can enjoy the spectacular landscapes, fantastic food, and outdoor activities. We have a lot of suggestions here, but here are some of our top ones if you go to Iceland with kids.

Animals and Wildlife

Iceland's wildlife is fascinating. Although the island has no native land animals bigger than the Icelandic fox, it has a breed of horse that's unchanged for centuries and, of course, has lots of birds and marine life.

Whale Watching

Kids will love spotting whales, dolphins, and puffins at the right time of year. You can go whale watching from Reykjavik, but the undisputed center is Husavik, which is in the far north. The peak whale watching season is June, July, and August, but tours are operated between March and November in Husavik and all year in Reykjavik.

The vast majority of tours will see whales. Also, watch for dolphins and harbor porpoises. Between April and September, you also have a good chance of spotting puffins in the morning and the evening. Some specific puffin-watching tours and tours will give you the best opportunity to see both. Younger kids will love the puffins with their clown-like beaks and awkward walks.

Kids will love spotting whales and dolphins at the right time of year.

Horseback Riding

There's only one breed of horse in Iceland. The Icelandic horse has remained unchanged since imports of horses were banned during a plague in the 11th century! These horses are tiny, incredibly tough, and known for their highly smooth gait, called a tolt.

These gentle, small, yet sturdy animals are perfect for kids (and their parents. Don't worry if they seem small; they can carry more weight than "modern" horses). There are tours of varying lengths, catering to riders of all levels. If you have horse-crazy teenagers, you can do a full-day ride. Talk to us about adding horseback riding to your itinerary.

Reykjavik Family Park & Zoo

The Reykjavík Family Park & Zoo is small but a great place to take your kids. They have Icelandic sheep and cattle on display and reindeer (also introduced to Iceland). They also have arctic foxes, mink, seals, and a trained gyrfalcon. On top of that, they have a variety of rides, including, of course, a biking ship and a carousel. The zoo is open all year round, but rides are only open on weekends.

It's a great place to learn about Iceland's domestic and wild animals, especially Icelandic farming practices.

Icelandic Seal Center

Add the Icelandic Seal Center to your itinerary if traveling to north Iceland. It's a research center with a museum and lots of information about the best places to go and hopefully spot some seals. Their website recommends safely watching seals without disturbing these beautiful animals.

There are lots of other opportunities to see seals, too. You might see them while whale watching or on a glacial lagoon tour. Teach your kids how to tell apart the various seal species found in Iceland.

Arctic Fox Center

We already mentioned arctic foxes - the largest native land animal found in Iceland (humans brought everything else). In the Westfjords, the Arctic Fox Center aims to collect everything about Arctic foxes. It has a museum that teaches kids about the Arctic fox and its relationship with humans. They also have a live Arctic fox ambassador named Móri.

Seeing arctic foxes in the wild is unlikely as they are small, shy, and have been hunted. However, if you go to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, they're well-protected and have become quite curious. Take your kids there and hopefully get some pictures of these adorable animals.

Tjörnin City Pond

If you have younger kids, take them to Tjörnin Pond in Reykjavik. It's a popular place to feed the ducks, geese, and swans. Please only feed grains and seeds - you can purchase bird seed easily in Reykjavik. Feeding bread can cause severe problems for the birds. In winter, Tjörnin freezes over and becomes an outdoor ice rink, with the ice solid enough that they ride horses on it!

Museums

Not all museums in Iceland are suitable for children. We have four suggestions for interactive exhibitions that your kids will love.

Whales of Iceland Museum

The Whales of Iceland is the largest whale museum in Europe. It's in Husavik, and you should take the kids here before you go whale watching. They can see the life-size whale models and know what to look for out in the ocean. Whale sounds and information stands surround the models; they aren't just to look at. Kids and adults alike can touch the models, which are designed to feel like actual whales.

The Fin Whale Theatre shows documentaries every day for no extra charge.

Perlan Museum and Ice Cave

One exciting place you can go to Iceland with your kids is the Perlan Museum and Ice Cave. Natural ice caves melt. Perlan Museum's ice cave is there all year round, built using snow from the Blue Mountains and letting kids see a glacial environment in complete safety. They also have a planetarium that shows the northern lights, a volcano show, and a model of the giant bird cliff in Europe.

The museum is open year-round and is on a hill in the center of Reykjavik. It's only a 30-minute walk from the city center, or you can take the bus, so this is an excellent option if you're not renting a car while in Reykjavik. Oh, and it has an ice cream parlor on the fourth floor, selling ice cream made on the premises.

Akureyri Christmas House

Although it's called the Christmas House, it's open all year round in the afternoon. It's in Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland, and looks like Santa's workshop. The store sells all kinds of Christmas gifts, including local handicrafts.

It also has the world's most extensive advent calendar, a shed that sells sugar-glazed apples, and a candy store. Outside, there's the Christmas Garden. It's really great for little kids, and you can also do your Christmas shopping there in June if you want.

Jólahúsið store sells various Christmas gifts, including local handicrafts.

FlyOver Iceland

FlyOver Iceland is a flight simulator that takes you on a journey across Iceland. Kids (and adults) will love the full-motion seating, a wraparound screen, and wind and scents. Children must be 40" tall to ride and accompanied by an adult. There's a variety of pre-ride experiences, including a replica Viking longhouse. It's located near downtown Reykjavík.

The experience takes about 35 minutes, and they also have a cafe with high-quality coffee for the parents and fun treats for everyone.

Icelandic Lava Show

Active volcanoes can sometimes be viewed during your visit, but nature has to cooperate, and you don't want to get too close. A safer, more reliable alternative for you and your kids is the Icelandic Lava Show. While not recommended for kids under 4, it's great for older kids. The show involves natural lava, and you will feel the heat and a lot of educational material (in English).

Add a backstage tour where your kids can get an insight into how the show is made for even more education and fun.

Aurora Reykjavik

Chasing the northern lights? If you are, the Northern Lights Center can help you out. They have an interactive exhibition to help you and your kids learn more about the northern lights, a movie theater that displays some of the most spectacular auroras of the past, and lots of information to help you get a better viewing experience, including forecasts, advice on photography, etc.

Swimming Pools and Geothermal Baths in Iceland With Kids

Many of Iceland's geothermal spas focus on adults, but you can also find places suitable for your entire family. The Blue Lagoon is the most famous, and you can swing by on your way to or from the airport.

Every town in Iceland also has a swimming pool, whether heated naturally or with hydroelectric power. Swimming is an integral part of Icelandic culture, and you should enjoy a good splash while you are there.

Outdoor Adventures For Families

We've already mentioned horseback riding. There are also lots of short hiking trails your kids will enjoy. Here are some more specific recommendations.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Amphibian Boat Tour

Lagoon tours are part of the Iceland experience. Jökulsárlón is a particularly popular glacier lagoon, and you can tour it by boat, Zodiac, or, for older kids, kayak. You can choose one that is suited to your family, including boat tours that are great for grandma and the little kids at the same time.

You'll get to see the glacier from another angle, and the lagoon often has seals. Look for them resting on the ice or darting around in the water.

Reykjadalur Hot Spring Valley

Just 50 minutes out of Reykjavik, this is a short hike with a great reward. At the end of the easy hike is a thermal river you can bathe in. It's natural, so check the temperature before going in, especially if you have young kids. It's a popular destination, so you may also be able to ask the people who are already there.

You can ride a horse through the valley too if you prefer.

Hvitserkur

A short hike in the Vatnses Peninsula leads to a 15m tall monolith that is, of course, rumored to be a troll who turned to stone. It's a manageable trek to a viewpoint at the top of the cliffs (just watch out for the Arctic terns; they get cranky).

You can teach your kids about Icelandic troll legends. In fact, there are a lot of trolls you can go check out. You can make an entire vacation just about trolls.

Food and Sweets When You Go to Iceland With Kids

Icelandic food is fantastic. Your kids will learn to appreciate salt cod (which isn't that salty) and other treasures from the sea. But if you want some specific recommendations, here are a few.

Ice Cream

Iceland may be far north and cold often, but the Icelanders know how to make ice cream. Cafe Loki, opposite the big church in Reykjavik, is known for its black bread ice cream, which is a lot better than it sounds.

The Icelandics are also fond of soft serve vanilla with a dip made from caramel and chocolate, called lúxusdýfa, or licorice pebbles. However, traditional Icelandic ice cream comes in two styles: old (more watery and milk-based) and new (creamier). You should try both!

Reykjavik has plenty of ice cream parlors to try.

Pylsa

Another interesting food in Iceland is Pylsa. You can enjoy this with your kids in Iceland. Did you know there was an Icelandic-style hot dog? Called pylsa, Icelandic hot dogs are made from a mixture of beef and lamb, and you can get great ones at Bæjarins Beztu, a local chain in Reykjavik. You can also get them at the airport while waiting for your flight home. Bæjarins Beztu calls a hot dog with just mustard a Clinton because that's what Bill Clinton ordered when he visited. But there are lots of other toppings to experiment with, too.

fPylsa, Icelandic hot dogs, are made from a mixture of beef and lamb.

Warming Soups

Cold day in Reykjavik? You and your kids might enjoy some soup in a bread bowl from Svarta Kaffid, which has been Reykjavik's premier soup joint for many, many years. You might also find traditional soups at sandwich spots and traditional Icelandic restaurants. Grandma Meat Soup sounds as delicious as it is.

Soup is delicious if you've been out whale watching. It does get cold on the North Atlantic, especially for the little ones.

Meringue

Another thing the Icelanders have done that a lot of kids like is meringue. Lakkrís toppar are traditional licorice meringue cookies. But there are layered meringue desserts with all kinds of flavors.

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