Iceland with Kids: Our Winter Family Adventure in November

Planning a trip to Iceland with kids might sound intimidating—especially in the middle of winter—but it turned out to be one of our most magical family adventures yet! As a mom of three little explorers, I was determined to chase the northern lights after hearing reports of strong solar activity. I had once seen the aurora in Alaska, but this time I wanted my kids to experience the wonder too. From snowy landscapes to cozy family-friendly stops, I’ll walk you through everything that made our Iceland trip unforgettable (and totally doable with kids!).

Heads up! Some links on here are affiliate links, meaning I might make a tiny commission if you buy something—at no extra cost to you. But don’t worry, I only recommend stuff I actually love. My opinion? 100% my own!

Trip Type: Road Trip

Difficulty Level: ✈️✈️✈️/5

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Preplanning/Booking

Booking the trip was a challenge since Iceland is known for being pricey. But I always hunt for deals! Thankfully, I found Great Value Vacations, which offers all-inclusive packages, including ICELAND! At the time, they had a Labor Day sale, saving me $500. I booked the “Iceland’s Hot Springs and Cool Arctic Roads” package for 3 adults and 3 kids for $5,600 (sale price). It was a road trip package, perfect for exploring as much of Iceland as possible. Here’s what was included:

• 5 Roundtrip airfare tickets from Boston to Keflavik 
• 6 day/5, night Car rental via Hertz is. (wifi included)
• 5 hotel stays (2 rooms per night)
• 5 breakfasts

Car seat rentals, luggage fees, in-flight food, and tickets from Orlando to Boston weren’t included. Still, it was a great deal at about $900 per person. With just three months until the trip, the challenging part begins: packing for a family of five in winter and planning the itinerary. Planning your trip can be tough, my ultimate travel journal will help you get the ball rolling and allow you to not miss a step!

My Pre-Trip Family Must Haves

Stroller:

Iceland Apps:

• Parka (parking payment app)
• Aurora ( Aurora Borealis information)
• Xe (currently converter, works without wifi)
• Veður (weather app)
• SafeTravel (road closures and alerts)

What To Watch:

• Eurovison Song contest (filmed in husavik, Iceland)
• Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted S3E6 (iceland food)
• Interstellar (filmed in iceland)
• Down to earth with zac effron S1E1 (Iceland food and renewable energy)
• The Northman (Viking/norse beliefs and filming locations)
• Prometheus (filmed at dettifoss)

My Non-Negotiable Pre-Purchased Items For Kids

• Iceland kids book
• Icelandic Yule lad “christmas story”
• roadtrip car games
• waterproof map
• magnetic games
• kids camera
• neck pillow
• Portable Potty (for the kiddos who are potty training)

Boston Layover: As I mentioned before, our flight to Iceland left from Boston, which meant we needed to fly from Jacksonville, FL, to Boston. I’ll post separately about our adventurous  8 hr layover in Boston!

Boarding

Keflavík Airport

Car + Car Seat info

Now a very important note about car seats in Iceland. Icelandic car seats don’t have the chest clips we are used to, making American car seats illegal in Iceland, so don’t waste time or money bringing your own over.  Instead, opt to rent them from your car rental company upon arrival. For a booster (6-year-old) and two car seats(infant, toddler), we paid a total of $60 for 6 days. The car seats did not break the bank! Yay. This article has a really in dept explanation about car seats if you’d like to read more on it.

Traveler’s Tip: Fuel Up Smart! If you’re renting a car, note that many rentals run on diesel, which tends to be slightly cheaper than regular gasoline—though not by much. During our November 2024 trip, gas prices hovered around $8–9 USD per gallon. Ouch! When refueling, always select the preset Krona options at the pump rather than the “fill up” option. Choosing “fill up” may result in a large hold on your card, potentially tying up funds. To avoid this, opt for the 15L selections or similar preset amounts instead.

We jumped into our spacious 9-seater Caravelle, which, by the way, was incredible. With three rows of three seats each and a trunk so massive it could probably fit a small hippo, it was the perfect travel companion. We easily packed three large suitcases, five backpacks, and even an open stroller, with plenty of room to spare. The extra space proved especially useful when we needed to layer up or shed some clothing in the back before heading out to explore different locations.

Day 1 Reykjanes Peninsula + Southwest Iceland

Seljalandfoss + Nauthúsagil

What we wore to see Seljalandfoss: We all wore fleece underlayers (pants + tops) with snow pants over the bottoms, parka, beanies, and snow shoes with ice crimps on.

On our way back to the car, we passed clean restrooms, a café with baked goods and drinks, and a gift shop. It was our first glimpse of Icelandic souvenirs. After browsing, we returned to the van where my mom and youngest kids were waiting.

Laugavegur St

We took a 2.5-hour drive to Reykjavik, where our first hotel, Hótel Klettur, was waiting for us. We arrived around 2:30 PM, hoping for an early check-in, but unfortunately, that wasn’t possible. With some time to kill, we decided to explore and stumbled upon Devito’s Pizza. The staff there were incredibly friendly and even spoke español! We enjoyed some delicious pizza and sodas before heading back to the hotel.

Once we officially checked in, my mom and I dropped off our luggage, left my husband and kids to relax, and set off to explore Laugavegur Street in Reykjavík. I was on a mission to find an Icelandic wool sweater and was determined to search through as many thrift stores as it took. To my delight, all four thrift stores we visited had wool sweaters in stock! After much consideration, I splurged $165 USD on a beautiful handmade sweater from Verzlanahöllin. Mission accomplished! 🤘🏽

Travel Tip: The thrift store offers an excellent range of affordable winter gear for adults, kids, and babies—perfect if you forget something or need warmer clothing during your trip. Store Hours: Keep in mind that most stores in Iceland close early, typically between 4-5 PM, so plan your shopping accordingly. 

Moving on, I discovered Bonús, Iceland’s popular low-cost supermarket, and couldn’t resist checking it out. Over time, I’ve made it a habit to pick up souvenirs from supermarkets, and this was the perfect spot. I stocked up on Icelandic chocolate, coffee, teas, honey, candy, beer, and, of course, Kókómjólk for the road! Iceland is an eco-conscious country, so plastic bags aren’t provided—you can either purchase one or bring a reusable bag or backpack, as I did.

On the short five-minute walk back to the hotel, we stopped at a 24-hour convenience store resembling a 7/11. There, I had the chance to try Iceland’s famous hot dogs. Made with a blend of lamb, beef, and pork, these hot dogs are topped with a mix of fried and raw onions, ketchup, remoulade, and pylsusinnep, a unique sweet brown mustard. It might sound like a lot, but trust me—they were absolutely delicious!

Day 2 Rainbow Road + Hallgrimskirkja

Hotel Klettur includes breakfast, so we headed down to enjoy it. The buffet offered boiled eggs, turkey bacon, cheese, ham, various breads, crackers, fruit, coffee, juice, tea, and more! We then explored Laugavegur St to find the rainbow road, Hallgrimskirkja, and the stunning cathedral. After walking, we got hungry and stopped at Reykjavik Fish shop for fried cod. It was a massive, delicious serving—my favorite meal of the trip!

Laugarvatn Fontana

What we wore/brought to Laugarvatn Fontana: towels and a simple shirt/pants with a warm outer layer, i.e, parka.

We drove an hour to our next stop, an unforgettable bread-making experience! At Laugarvatn Fontana, we saw rye bread baked in the geothermal hot springs. The visit included a scenic lakeside walk and watching bread pulled from the ground. Our guide, David, shared fascinating details and let me cover a pot of dough for the next group. Back inside, we enjoyed warm rye bread with Icelandic butter and smoked trout. To me, this was more thrilling than any waterfall. For a closer look, check out “Down to Earth with Zac Efron” S1:E1.

Now, this rye breaking bread experience was at a geothermal spa. Yupp a spa! So what did we do? We spent the rest of the afternoon soaking away.  This spa/hotspring allowed children so that was nice and even better they were free! They also provided floaties for the kids. 

Side note: Make sure to book geothermal spa experiences ahead of time, we were lucky if they had not reached max capacity. 

We entered a short hallway leading to the lockers. The first step is to store your shoes or boots. Next, you’ll find a high-end locker room with lockers that lock using a wristwatch. There are changing rooms and bathrooms, but most people, local or foreign, change into swimsuits openly. This initially unsettled my eldest, but he quickly adapted. Before entering the spa, you MUST wash with soap while NAKED. Washing in a swimsuit is not allowed. For the shy, there’s one enclosed shower, but most use the open wall of shower-heads with provided soap and shampoo.

Iceland is incredibly accommodating for families with babies. In the locker room, I found a high chair where I safely placed my 5-month-old while I got changed. I was even able to bring the high chair into the shower area, keeping her secure and within sight the entire time.

Okay now the worst part, we had to walk from the locker room, soaking wet in 20 degree weather to the actual hot spring. Although the hotspring was no more then 15 step in front of the locker room door, it was COLD! Mostly because it was very windy the day we visited. 

Side note: You can upgrade your entrance to include slippers and a robe, I did notice a hook on the walls of the sauna where a robe would have been the perfect place to quickly get into the spa. 

However I did want to add that in. Okay, so there are multiple pools with differing temperatures and even one pool closest to the geothermal lake that is made of what looks like lava stone and has huge stone in it (beware, you may trip. I did lol ) 

They had 3 saunas and a very hot tub. Be sure to explore the pools and enjoy the lake views. After heating up, we got hungry. Luckily, Laugarvatn Fontana’s main room, where we ate rye bread, also served as a cafe. They offered bottomless tomato and mushroom soup with bread and butter, along with other options like sandwiches, coffee, and sodas. We tried both soups and loved them, though the mushroom was my favorite—not the kids’.

We had a 4-hour drive to our next stop, 550 Guesthouse, a charming two-story home. The second floor featured an open kitchen and diner-style seating. With no other guests, we cooked mac and cheese for the kids, enjoyed the decor, discussed upcoming plans, and settled into our cozy room.

Side note: Although we were traveling in the winter, our hotel rooms were all super cozy and dare I say it hot. Each night I would crack open a window to sleep comfortably. I blame this “coziness” to the duvet covers. Additionally we were able to dry our bathing suits on the towel warmers in the bathrooms

Side side note: If you brought clothes to wear multiple days, using the sink, bath soap, and the towel warmer was a life saver for us! Count on it. 

The only downside at 550 Guesthouse was that the included breakfast was at another location, Hotel Tindastóll, where check-in occurs. It was just a 2-minute drive, but was it worth waking three sleeping kids? Not for us! My mother stayed with the kids while Isaak and I snuck out for a breakfast date, promising to bring back food for everyone. We left before she could finish her sentence.

Day 3 North Iceland + GlaumbÆr Farm

Our 3rd morning at breakfast turned out to be in Iceland’s oldest hotel, Hotel Tindastóll—how amazing! We entered and descended spiral stairs to a basement-like area. The decor made it feel like stepping back in time, with taxidermy, fireplaces, stone walls, low ceilings, and animal fur seats. Breakfast ended at 10, but the friendly clerk let us linger and even chatted with us. We packed extra food for the crew and noticed a glass bottle of “cod liver oil” at the buffet. Traditionally taken in the morning, we each tried a shot—it wasn’t great but settled well. Try it, if you’re brave! Afterward, we checked out of our cozy guesthouse and headed north.

On our journey, we saw Icelandic horses and The Glaumbær Farm. Though the farm was closed, a kind worker preparing for yuletide celebrations invited us inside. Excited, I fetched my eldest child, and we entered the turf house. Outside, the wind was fierce, but once the door shut, everything became quiet. We felt safe and warm, as if in a hobbit house. The earthy smell was surprisingly cozy.

The house seemed carved from dirt—walls, floor, and roof all made of earth. A central hallway connected small rooms for cooking, fermenting, and tools. At the end was a medium room where everyone ate, slept, and gathered. A side room held children’s “toys” made from lamb, horse, and fish bones, which startled Kanoa. These 11th-century homes reflected their time. During summer, visitors can also explore a nearby church with an entrance fee.

Side note: The Glaumbaer Farm is not stroller friendly, the grounds are kept as they would have been in the 11th century so nice grassy lawns etc. Make sure to bring a baby carrier for this one!

Akureyri + Forest Lagoon

We had more driving ahead—this was a real road trip! On our way to the next hotel, we passed through Akureyri, the capital of the north. This city is famous for its heart-shaped stoplights, added to lift spirits, and they definitely lifted ours! Ilo loved them. Despite their charm, we didn’t lose focus and spotted a drive-through called Vega Nestii, meaning “Road Snack.” We grabbed hamburgers, fries with special sauce, and chocolate-dipped ice cream. Icelandic chocolate never disappoints!

Geothermal spa number two! The newly built Forest Lagoon in Akureyri. Holy smokes was like the epitome of luxury. 

Side note: Once you park there is a very steep way into the entrance, if you follow the handicap sign to the left of the bottom of the entrance you can drive right up to the restaurant entrance drop off your little ones and then return back down to the main parking lot. This kept the kids really warm and not having to take a mini hike to the entrance. 

Forest Lagoon resembled the previous geothermal spa where you check in, undress, use lockers, and MUST wash naked before entering. However, the difference was remarkable. After the locker room, you’re almost immediately in the hot water—just 5 steps away. It’s enclosed, so no freezing winds. I met Isaak there with the boys, both in lifejackets, happily floating in the hot water waiting for me.

Next game changer they had a bar, not one but two walk up bars with the friedlist servers and a large list of local brews, mixed cocktails and non alcoholic drinks that you pay for with your entrance bracelet! They really thought of everything. I am not a huge drinker, more of a food (if you haven’t noticed) however you should absolutely try the 59 SKYRJARMUR, they call it a “berry sour”, it was like drinking blueberry juice that makes your tipsy. I made the mistake of not taking any back home with me , don’t be me! 

Forest Lagoon features a large pool with stunning views of Eyjafjörður and Akureyri, a hot tub near the sauna, and a shallow wading area for kids. The wading area isn’t enclosed, so keep an eye on children as it leads directly to the main pool. Isaak and I noticed people jumping into a small pool near the sauna. Isaak checked it out and discovered it was ice-cold, fed by dripping ice water. Those who entered showed no reaction—unlike Isaak, who did try it. I wouldn’t; I hate cold water. The Lagoon also has a restaurant with great food and friendly staff, perfect for ending the day.

Side note: On our way further north to our next hotel, we passed through the Vaðlaheiði tunnel, where you have to pay a toll fee in either direction. There is a way around it, however, it’s a bit longer. It was incredibly easy to pay the toll, there are many signs with a QR code you scan that leads you to the appropriate page to pay. You are also given 24hr after passing the tunnel to pay. The fee was 1.990 Icelandic Krona or 13.86 USD. 

We passed through the small town of Husavík, known from the movie Eurovision Song Contest. At a local shop, I grabbed some Skyr (Icelandic yogurt) and ramen noodles. We checked into Hotel Skúlagardur, tucked away in a remote area. It was perfect. Inside, all guests left their shoes at the door, and there was a cozy lounge with kids’ toys. The dining room had everything we needed to heat up the ramen I bought earlier.

As we settled into bed, we noticed the sky changing. At first, it looked like a faint silver line, almost unreal. Then, it turned green and began to dance across the sky. We quickly threw on our snow gear, ran outside, and watched the aurora borealis, snapping as many photos as our phones could handle.

Day 4 Arctic Circle + Godafoss

Woke up, checked out of the quaint Skúlagarður Hotel. We ambishly decided to drive 1 hr further north to reach the Arctic Circle and visit the Arctic Henge. It was so cold, around 2 degrees due to the wind chill. It was well worth it, we have officially brought all our children to the arctic circle. Woohoo! Back on the road, we checked out some awesome north beach breaks, absolutely dreamy ! Following that we drove about 2.5 hrs back northwest towards Akureyri but HAD to stop at the waterfall of the gods Goðafoss.

What we wore to Arctic Stonehenge & Goðafoss: A lot! Fleece underlayer (top + Bottom), snow pants, gloves, puffer jacket, wool socks, and beanie. Ilo wore a fleece underlayer, a snowsuit, a baby balaclava, gloves, and personal snuggles.

Akureyri + Thanksgiving

We checked into Kea Hotel, located right in front of Akureyrarkirkja, an iconic Icelandic church. Being Thanksgiving, we found a restaurant to enjoy a festive Iceland-style meal at Bautinn. I had chicken and waffles, Isaak ordered pizza, my mom chose pasta, and the kids had a hamburger. We visited a charming bookstore across from the hotel and found great yule tide books for kids. Later, Isaak and I slipped away to The Forest Lagoon for drinks and hot springs fun.

Day 5 Akureyri

We woke up refreshed in Akureyri ready for a long road trip back south to Reykjavík. Gas station food is phenomenal and everyone is friendly , bathrooms were impeccably clean. I tried the Icelandic lamb stew and caramel gingerbread latte 10/10 . I highly recommend it!

Christmas Market

Once we reached town we rushed over to a Christmas market Hafnarfjörður . Kanoa had a hot chocolate with ice cream 🤤 Also Icelandic churros are awesome! This market sold things like honey, jams, smoked meats, candles, coloring books, clothes. 

 

What we wore to Hafnarfjörður: Triple layer, fleece inner layer, long sleeves and parka/ puffer jacket. Make sure to bring gloves!

Kvika Foot bath + Scooter Rides

The kids were asleep, so my mom let us sneak out. We planned to visit the Sky Lagoon, but it was fully booked. Luckily, we found Kvika foot bath in Seltjarnarnes, a small stone bowl with natural hot water right on the beach. While warming our feet, we admired the northern lights. The rim was icy from the cold, but it added to the charm. After warming up, we rented scooters, zipped around without falling, and discovered the Grótta Island Lighthouse. Back at Hotel Klettur, our balcony offered a view of Reykjavik as Isaak and I sipped Jólaöl & Appelsín, a drink like alcoholic cola.

Day 6 Reykjavik + Elf search party

Our last day in Iceland 😭 me and mom snuck out early to eat breakfast and make one last effort to buy souvenirs in Reykjavík. Shops here open pretty late around 10am. After we reached our luggage limit of goodies we met Isaak up at Reykjavík roasters for coffee.

We then hopped in the car to look for elves at Hellisgerði Park. Kanoa said he was able to see some elves, so that’s comforting lol. Lastly we tried our darnest to get as close to the currently erupting volcanic fissure Grindval. We were able to get as close as we wanted but we were able to see exploding lava so that’s pretty freaking cool. Not to mention we got to fly over this volcano and see the eruptions from above! 

After checking in at the airport, we sat down to eat and nearly missed our flight! Play Airlines lacks an app and had changed the boarding time to an hour earlier at a different gate. We noticed the update via email and sprinted through customs. Isaak, who arrived first, was persuading the flight attendant to hold the plane. We made it just in time, boarded a shuttle, and got to the plane. Safe and sound, we were ready to head back to the States. 👋🏼 Bye, Iceland—our short time with you was amazing. 🇮🇸

The family’s overall favorite: Hot springs!!!!!! No trip to Iceland would be complete without a visit to the geothermal spa/hotsprings in any weather or time of year.

🇮🇸 Free Downloadable Iceland Scavenger Hunt 🇮🇸