Located near the Atlantic Ocean, Iceland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.The beauty of Iceland not only stems from its geological diversity but also its rich culture and heritage. Hence, a family travel plan to Iceland is certainly worth it.Fortunately, Iceland is a child-friendly place and provides lots of activities for families to take part in together. according to researchers, Iceland is know ranked as one of the best places to raise a family. From swimming in hot springs to spotting the Aurora Borealis, you can explore Iceland and make amazing memories.One of the most ideal ways to tour Iceland, at your own pace, is by renting a car. A self-guided tour of the country allows for you to visit many breathtaking spots without being rushed. Additionally, Iceland has tons of economic accommodations, including large family rooms. You can also get a family room at a discounted rate when you book in advance.A few of the most famous spots in Iceland include the Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon, and the Skogafoss Waterfall. Apart from these, plenty of other well-known and underrated places can be found all over the country.Things To Do In Iceland With KidsAn Iceland family vacation can be a rewarding trip since Iceland offers a vast range of activities for every age group. From trying out delicious local foods to horse-riding, traveling Iceland can only add to your basket of good memories.Beaches are loved by children and adults. So, during your family travel to Iceland, make sure to visit its wonderful beaches. One of the most popular black sand beaches in Iceland is Diamond Beach. This beach is not only special for its black sand, but also due to unique ice chunks that cover the entire beach. These ice chunks closely resemble diamonds, which is how the beach got its name. Kids can have a fun time collecting differently shaped ice chunks for their own entertainment. Additionally, there are lots of adventure parks near this beach which offer loads of fun activities.One topic that can fascinate kids is science. Since Iceland is home to some of the most unique and notable geological features on Earth, it only makes sense to visit Perlan. This establishment located right at the heart of the capital, has an exhibition, planetarium, gift shop, and even an observation deck and restaurant. Perlan is quite an educational location, as it provides exhibitions on volcanoes, glaciers, and geysers.Additionally, this establishment also includes an exhibit on how Iceland was formed and evolved. The planetarium also hosts wonderful shows on the solar system. After taking a complete tour of Perlan, you can have a hearty lunch at their restaurant. Needless to say, a trip to Perlan will fill you and your children with immense knowledge and good food!The history and culture of Iceland are worth knowing and learning about. During your Iceland family vacation, you must take a trip to the National Museum of Iceland, which was established in 1863 and holds some historical artifacts that give a better understanding of the evolution of Icelandic culture. This museum also has Viking artifacts and plenty of information about Iceland during the Viking Era. While kids will enjoy this national museum, the Maritime Museum and Saga Museum, also located in the capital, are two kid-friendly establishments worth visiting with your little ones.Have you ever seen an Icelandic horse? Unlike commonly witnessed horse breeds, Icelandic horses are fluffier and smaller. Luckily, Iceland offers horseback riding experiences for its visitors. So, if you are up for this thrilling activity, many local farms offer this opportunity. Additionally, the Icelandic horses are known for being good-mannered and gentle, making them appropriate horses for kids. However, if riding horses does not interest you, you can still catch a glimpse of these beautiful animals while on your road trip.One of the biggest identities of any country is its cuisine. Needless to say, the local food of Iceland is worth deeply exploring and is something both kids and adults will enjoy. Reykjavik’s hot dog, is one of the local delicacies. With a viking origin, these hot dogs are made using either beef, lamb, or pork, and have a variety of toppings, including deep-fried onions, mustard, and remoulade sauce.Another perfect example of a popular local dish is Harofiskur, which translates to hard fish. locals use wolffish or haddock fish to create this special recipe, which is best enjoyed as a snack. Apart from food, if you are craving a warm and comfy drink, make sure to try out the Icelandic hot chocolate. Hot chocolate is typically a popular drink amongst children, and the Icelandic recipe will make adults fall in love with it too.Another popular activity in Iceland is paying a visit to the Children’s Culture Festival. If you plan to visit Iceland in April, you will get to experience this weeklong kid-friendly festival that incorporates events related to culture and arts. The festival is specifically created with those under 16 in mind. Apart from the Children’s Culture Festival, the National Day of Iceland is on June 17, the Festival of Sea which takes place throughout June, and the First Day of Summer which takes place in April are all child-friendly celebrations worth attending with your family.Apart from these popular activities, whale watching, observing the northern lights, hiking, and seal watching are also popular things to do while in Iceland.When is the best time to visit Iceland?Over the past several years, people have come to love Iceland. While exploring Iceland can be carried out at any given time of the year, certain months fare better than others.So, if you are planning to explore Iceland with your family and kids, make sure to plan your family trip following the helpful guidelines and practical tips given below. An Iceland family vacation most likely will include whale watching. However, did you know that whale watching in Iceland is most successful during certain times of the year?Well, it’s true! According to biologists studying whale behavior, the best time to catch a glimpse of these majestic animals in Iceland is in June and July. Several different species of whales inhabit the beautiful water bodies around Iceland. Some of the species are humpback whales, blue whales, mink whales, and killer whales.In addition to whales, the Icelandic waters are also home to dolphins. Three species of dolphins that are usually present in the southern waters of Iceland are bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, and striped dolphins. While overall, you can visit Iceland during June and July to catch sight of these sea creatures with your whole family, if you travel to Northern Iceland, the chances of catching sight of a whale are higher, as whales here are seen from May to August. Additionally, at times the humpback whales prefer northern waters till the end of the year. Visiting Iceland in the summer months will be the best option to catch the rich aquatic diversity.Apart from whales, Iceland is also famous for the spectacular Morthern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis. Iceland is one of the most well-known places on this planet for offering one of the grandest views of this natural beauty. In addition, a family holiday with kids to Iceland, where you get to see the northern lights will also be a nice learning experience for your children.It is essential to note that, viewing the northern lights cannot be a part of your day trip, as this phenomenon requires darkness, in addition to increased solar activity and a clear sky. The most ideal time to visit Iceland for checking out the Aurora Borealis is from the middle of October to March, as these months have less daylight hours.In addition, be sure to visit any countryside to get clearer skies. However, you should keep in mind that if your Iceland itinerary consists of only the northern lights, you might be disappointed, as the weather in Iceland is not perfectly predictable, and you may end up unable to view the lights at all.Did you know that Iceland has hundreds of hot springs or geothermal pools? West and south-west Iceland have the most number of geothermal pools, but the other regions are not very far behind, either. While the capital city of Reykjavík has nearly 17 hot springs including the famous Blue Lagoon, which incidentally is not one of the natural hot springs, Hveravellir, which is located in the Central Highlands of the country is well-known for being one of the most beautiful natural hot springs.The winter months are particularly best for taking a nice and warm bath in these waters. However, try to make the trip to the pools in September or October, as later the Icelandic roads may become covered in snow and inaccessible. In the capital, most of the local pools remain open throughout the year. If you plan on visiting the Blue Lagoon, you can choose to do so early in the day or evening, when the crowds have died down. However, if you are planning to make your experience even more aesthetic, you can make your family trip to the Blue Lagoon in June to catch sight of the midnight sun, while taking a dip in the thermal waters.Overall, the most ideal time for visiting Iceland is in the summer months, spanning from May to August. Among them, July and August are the two most reliable for having the least amount of sporadic changes in the weather. Hence, your whole family, and especially young children, will be able to enjoy a nice ambiance. The months of September and October can also provide a nice experience for those who are okay with a bit of chill in the air and are looking to catch the northern lights.Places To Visit In Iceland With KidsUnsurprisingly, there is an endless number of places you can visit in Iceland. From the Icelandic countryside to the city center of the capital. For your kids, Iceland will be the perfect vacation spot, as long as you tailor your Iceland itinerary to fit your family’s interests.The famous Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon should be on the top of your list when vising Iceland for its sheer beauty. Located to the south of Vatnajokull National Park, this lagoon covers a wide span of nearly 6.9 sq mi (17.8 sq km). One mesmerizing aspect of this lagoon is the wonderful icebergs that move around the water all the time. Since these icebergs are constantly moving, whenever you visit this lagoon, it will be a brand new sight.Additionally, the animal diversity in this lagoon is fantastic and consists of seals, and a variety of fishes including salmon, herring, and trout. So, apart from being a place of beauty, a visit to the lagoon will also be an educational experience for the kids. Also, you can take a quick trip to the Vatnajokull National Park, as well, which offers some beautiful landscapes and hiking trails.Another must-see in your Iceland itinerary is the Golden Circle. The Golden Circle comprises of three main areas in Iceland, namely the Gullfoss Waterfalls, Thingvellir National Park, and the Geysir area. The Gullfoss Waterfalls are one of the most spectacular places in the whole country, formed by the Hvita River, which flows to the southwest of Iceland. The waterfall has a total height of 105 ft (32 m), which further proves how amazing it truly is.Next, the Thingvellir National Park in the Golden Circle is well-known for its cultural and historical significance. Hence, for young kids, a day trip to this park will not only be entertaining, but exceedingly educational. Additionally, this park offers its visitors to catch a glimpse of the Mid Atlantic Ridge, or the opening between the plates of Europe and North America. The last stop on your trip to the Golden Circle would be the Geysir Area.Did you know that the word ‘geyser’ was derived from Geysir? The Geysir area is geothermal and has frequent eruptions of water from the surface. Even though the great Geysir has not erupted for quite some time, some of the nearby geysers do erupt from time to time. For instance, the Strokkur Geyser is known to erupt every 5-11 minutes. So, make sure to arrange an Iceland road trip to capture a view of the Golden Circle!When talking about Iceland, one of the first things that come to mind is fjords. So, if you and your family are interested to know all about the geography of the fjords, a visit to eastern Iceland is necessary! East Iceland is quite underrated even though it offers some of the most picturesque places in the country. From fishing villages to dense forests and beautiful lakes, East Iceland is not just limited to fjords.If you are traveling to Iceland by via self-drive, then the east fjord region would be a quick detour on your way from south to north Iceland, via Ring Road. For those in Iceland with a baby, you can be assured that your toddler will be quite excited to see the cute little puffins. Additionally, this area offers the highest chances of seeing a reindeer in its natural habitat.If you want to tell your kids about volcanoes, then your Iceland family vacation must include the Myrdalsjokull Glacier Park. The Maelifell Volcano is the star of this park and has a height of 984.2 ft (300 m). The volcano is cone-shaped, and during the summer months, green moss covers the surface of the volcano, making it look like a painting. Apart from this volcano, this family park also consists of several hot springs, a classic feature of Iceland. However, note that this park is only accessible to visitors during the summer months.The Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River hike is 2.2 mi (3.5 km) one-way. The well maintained Golden Circle hiking trail begins by leading over one side of a mountain. This is a very popular hike in the Golden Circle it tours you through some amazing mountain views with many steam vents and boiling water ponds. The Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River hike is a great experience for adults and kids.In the south of Iceland, majestic geographic structures in the form of ice caves are just waiting to be explored! Located within the perimeters of the Vatnajokull National Park, the Skatefall Ice Cave is open throughout the year and offers a spectacular view into the world of ice. The most perfect time to visit this ice cave is right after heavy rain, as the rain washes the upper layers of the glacier.The interiors of the cave reflect a beautiful and aesthetic blue color. However, the best age group for visiting this ice cave, or any one of the other caves in the park is above 10 years old. This is because a younger child may not be able to take part in hiking the cave. Apart from these locations, your family’s travel to Iceland must also include places like the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel, Lake Myvatn and Nature Reserve, and the Skogafoss Waterfall. All these locations are child-friendly, and entertaining for adults, as well!What to pack when visiting Iceland?Visiting Iceland will surely be so much fun when you pack all the essential items that you need. Continue reading to check out all the must-haves for an Iceland family vacation!While packing, one of the most important thing is clothing. Since the weather in Iceland is quite unpredictable, it is best to rely on layered clothing. Make sure to carry extra shirts and tops, in addition to warm jackets and sweaters for everyone in the family. During the summer months, given the average daytime temperature, a shirt on top of a t-shirt works well. However, as the day progresses, the atmosphere can feel colder, in which case, a warm woolen jacket would be the perfect solution.If you are visiting Iceland in the winter months, insulated jackets work well. Additionally, make sure to carry thermal clothes, that will keep you warm at night. It is also best to carry jackets with hoods or caps, as some regions can get quite windy. In terms of shoes, the most reliable shoes to wear in Iceland are comfortable shoes with a good grip. Pair these with warm and fuzzy socks to stay comfortable all day. Additionally, you can also carry hiking boots, in case you plan on visiting a few trails! Apart from all of these, some other essentials are raincoats, scarves, gloves, and swimwear.If you are bringing electronics, apart from your camera and mobile phone, make sure to carry an adapter. The international adapters which work in multiple countries are your best option while shopping in this department. Especially, for adaptors from America, this item is a must. Other essentials are your boarding pass, passport, debit or credit cards, and necessary documents. While you do not need to have an international driver’s license to have a self-drive tour, a valid driver’s license is a must, so be sure to carry one!Certain requirements are mandatory for kids. These include car seats, strollers, medical kits with medicine for children, and fleece blankets. Additionally, if your child is allergic to pollen be sure to pack some anti-allergy medication, as some regions in Iceland have a high quantity of pollen in the air. Sunscreen and sunglasses are also important to protect children from the harsh sun rays. A portable heater is also an item worth carrying, as kids may not be able to tolerate the mildly cold weather of Iceland.
Located near the Atlantic Ocean, Iceland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
