Visiting Iceland With Kids in the Winter

I’ve wanted to travel to Iceland for years, even before I became a mother. For my 40th birthday, I finally decided it was time to stop postponing this dream trip. I booked a winter adventure from Chicago to Reykjavik for my girls and me to celebrate the milestone.

To drive or not to drive: That is the question

When you research Iceland, you come across a deluge of opinions online, especially on Reddit. I found the experiences posted on the subreddits to be helpful, but they made me nervous, too. Initially, I planned to rent a car and drive us around to where we wanted to go, but so many warnings about winter driving gave me pause. I didn’t know if I could handle it, and driving in a different country is nerve-racking, although it was comforting that Iceland drives on the right side, like the U.S. After vacillating between booking bus tours and a car rental for weeks, I ultimately decided to reserve a small automatic SUV just days before the trip.

Overnight flight to Reykjavik

Another source of nervousness was the overnight flight from Chicago (ORD) to Keflavík International Airport (KEF) on an Icelandair flight. I worried that my girls, ages 7 and 11, would not sleep on the flight there and would be too tired on the first day in Iceland to have fun. For a week before the flight, I prepped the girls by telling them that it’s important to try to rest on the way there. I think this helped because they knew we would likely not have a chance to sleep right away upon landing, so they both slept on the plane. When we landed, it took almost an hour to get our rental car, and by then the girls were getting tired. Luckily, they were able to nap for a while before our first stop, and that seemed to help.

First stop: Blue Lagoon

I’ve seen many Iceland visiters say their first stop was the Blue Lagoon after the overnight flight, and I agree that this is the right move. The lagoon is a relaxing way to start your trip. You must make reservations, of course, so choose the 9 a.m. slot; it’s perfect. We arrived, checked in, showered (which is required before getting in), and walked right into the warm turquoise water.

You should be prepared to freeze your butt off as you take off your robe and walk into the water, especially on windy winter mornings. However, the perk of the winter sunrise being close to 10 a.m. was that we were able to watch the sunrise as we enjoyed the lagoon.

You can stay at the Blue Lagoon as long as you want, so take your time and explore all its nooks and crannies. Your ticket comes with a free drink from the bar (both alcoholic or non-alcoholic) and a silica mask (which you can upgrade). Also, be sure to bring a waterproof pouch for your phone or camera if you want photos or videos. (Tip: If you forget, you can buy one for about $30 U.S. at the bar, but they normally cost less than $10 on Amazon.) Bring snacks, or you can grab something from the snack bar (which has yummy sushi) or one of the restaurants. I decided to spluge on the Lava Restaurant, a fancier and more expensive option for lunch.

Food halls are your friend

If your kids are pickier eaters, you might find something they like at a food hall like Borg29 mathöll. The girls wanted something familiar, so we opted for mac and cheese and pizza for one of the meals. It’s also not that expensive compared to other places.

Book a tour for one day

Even if you decide to drive most of the trip, booking a bus tour offers a nice break. We did a Golden Circle tour the day after exploring on our own, and that was a nice chance to snack or nap between stops. The tour guide also shares a wealth of knowledge about the island, and you’re able to cram a lot of places in a short time. The tours usually include a stop for lunch on your own (at a food hall in Vik).

Other tips for going to Iceland with kids

If you’re heading to Iceland with children, be sure to bring crampons or ice cleats so they don’t slip on the icy ground. Pack lots of warm layers and snacks, too. If you plan to visit waterfalls, bring waterproof clothing, especially jackets.

skemmtu þér!