Rovaniemi With Children: 7 Activities That Your Kids Will Love

Wondering whether there are kid-friendly activities for you to do in Rovaniemi with children? Absolutely — and more than you’d expect.

While Lapland is famous for adrenaline-filled snowmobile rides and midnight Northern Lights hunts, Rovaniemi is actually one of the most family-friendly destinations in Finland. Whether you’re traveling with a baby, a toddler, or older children, there are plenty of fun, age-appropriate things to do — from reindeer rides and forest adventures to hands-on museums and winter sports made just for kids.

Here’s your guide to the best activities in Rovaniemi with children that are truly enjoyable for the whole family (and doable!) with little ones.

1. Meet Santa Claus at Santa Claus Village

📍 Santa Claus Office, Joulumaantie 1, 96930 Rovaniemi

🚗 10 min by car / taxi or 30-40 min by public transport

Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, it’s crowded during high season. But meeting Santa in the official town of Santa Claus is still an experience worth having, especially for little ones.

When you arrive at Santa Claus Office, you’ll receive a time slot to get inside and see Santa. But here’s the catch: once inside, you’ll find another long queue that can test the patience of even the most mellow child. Make sure to pack snacks, a drink, and maybe a small toy or book to keep them entertained. The wait can feel like forever, in our case it was around 1 hour.

Santa greets each child in their native language (magical, really), and takes a few moments to chat. Some kids are star-struck; others might cry. Totally normal. Elves will take professional photos, which you can purchase afterwards.

The visit itself is free, but the photo package costs around €55 — expensive, yes, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing and definitely worth it when in Rovaniemi with children.

2. Kotatieva Winter Leisure Park: Ice Skating Through a Forest

📍 Kotatieva Winter Leisure Park

🚗 15 min by car / taxi / transfer service Kotatieva

Kotatieva is a stunning outdoor skating rink set deep in the forest — one of the most unique and magical places to visit in Rovaniemi with children.

Even if your child isn’t ready to skate, they can still join in the fun. Toddlers can ride alongside you on a kick-sledge or toboggan, and even buggies are allowed on the ice. Skates and support frames are available for rent, making it perfect for beginners and families alike.

Little ones will love the sledding hill, sleigh carousel, and snowy play areas — there’s something here for every age. And when it’s time to warm up, head to the cozy café and family-friendly changing area.

Best of all, children under 3 get in for free.

3. Kids Snowmobiles

📍 Arctic Circle Snowmobile Park, Joulumaantie 5, 96930 Rovaniemi

🚗 10 min by car/ taxi or 30-40 min by public transport

At the Arctic Circle Snowmobile Park in Santa Claus Village, there is a small snowmobile track for children. It is a great place to let your child try snowmobiling — safely and with lots of fun! The Mini-snowmobiles are suitable for children aged 4 to 12 years old and max 150 cm height.

Before starting, the staff will help suit them up and give clear instructions. Parents are encouraged to stay nearby for support. Kids can drive around a short dedicated track for 10 minutes and at the end, every little rider receives a snowmobile driving license — a proud moment guaranteed!

4. Reindeer And Husky Safaris In Rovaniemi With Children

📍 Santa Claus Reindeer, Joulumaantie 13, 96930 Rovaniemi

🚗 10 min by car/ taxi or 30-40 min by public transport

Reindeer rides are calm, scenic, and ideal for families visiting Lapland with toddlers or even babies. The pace is slow and peaceful, and you can cuddle up with your little one under warm blankets as you glide through snowy forest trails. There are many providers near Rovaniemi — Santa Claus Reindeer at Santa Claus Village is the most convenient if you’re visiting anyway.

If you’re open to venturing a bit further, consider Raitola or Apukka Resort.

• Raitola offers family day packages suitable for children from 4 years old.
• Apukka allows infants aged 0–3 to join for free, making it a great baby-friendly option.
  Both are located slightly outside the city, but easily reachable by rental car or shuttle service.

Husky safaris, on the other hand, are much faster and more adventurous — typically recommended for kids aged 4 and up. The rides go deeper into the wilderness and are much colder, so they’re not ideal for toddlers or babies. That said, older children usually love the excitement and will remember it forever!

For younger siblings, there’s still fun to be had — they can stay warm indoors or enjoy watching the friendly huskies being prepared for the ride. Raitola and Apukka are again top choices for husky safaris with families.

5. Santa’s Pets: Petting Zoo Fun

📍 Santa’s Pets, Joulupukin Pajakylä, Pukinpolku 12, 96930 Rovaniemi

🚗 10 min by car/ taxi or 30-40 min by public transport

Located right in Santa Claus Village, Santa’s Pets is a petting zoo with alpacas, donkeys, sheep, goats, rabbits and different birds, and of course, reindeer. It’s compact, calm, and a big hit with toddlers.

For a more memorable experience, you can also book a guided forest walk with a reindeer or alpaca. These walks are a fun way for older kids to connect with nature and animals. However, the terrain is uneven and not stroller-friendly, so if you’re visiting with babies or toddlers, a baby carrier is recommended.

Walks must be booked in advance, but regular zoo visits do not require pre-booking.

Families are welcome to relax at the traditional Lapland hut (kota) and enjoy the campfire or barbecue area. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase at the elf’s store on site.

6. Indoor Fun: Pilke and Arktikum Museums

Lapland may be famous for its snowy adventures and breathtaking nature, but if you’re looking to spend some time indoors, Rovaniemi has excellent family-friendly museums that are well worth a visit. Both Pilke and Arktikum are less than a 10-minute walk from the city center, making them easy to reach even with little ones in tow.

If you want to visit both of them, consider getting the Culture Pass. This multi-entry ticket gives you access to all three city museums (Arktikum, Pilke, and Korundi) for seven consecutive days — and you can visit as often as you like. It’s also very budget-friendly: just €30 for adults or €65 for a family (2 adults + 2 children). A great way to enjoy culture and stay warm during your trip!

Pilke Science Centre

📍 Pilke Science Centre, Ounasjoentie 6, 96200 Rovaniemi

If you’re looking for a fun, educational indoor activity in Rovaniemi with children, Pilke Science Centre is definetely one of the most family-friendly museums we have ever been to. Focused on forests, nature, and sustainability, it presents these themes in a way that’s incredibly engaging for kids of all ages — including toddlers, but for adults as well.

Here’s what you can look forward to at Pilke Science Centre:

Your kids can build towering structures with wooden blocks, test their minds with hands-on logic puzzles, and explore simple video games. One of the highlights? Climbing into a full-size logging machine — a thrill for little explorers!

Every exhibit is thoughtfully designed to teach through play, making learning about forests and sustainability genuinely fun and engaging for children of all ages.

The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming — no one will mind if your child runs around or gets a little loud. It’s a great place to let kids explore freely while still learning something valuable about nature and the environment.

Before you leave, don’t miss the gift shop. It features beautiful, handcrafted local items — from wooden cutting boards and jewelry to toys and homeware. It’s our go-to spot for finding authentic Finnish souvenirs that are both meaningful and beautifully made.

Whether you’re escaping the cold or just want to mix up your activities, Pilke is a must-visit for families in Rovaniemi.

Arktikum Museum

📍 Arktikum, Pohjoisranta 4, 96200 Rovaniemi

Arktikum is a great indoor stop, especially if you’re visiting with older kids or just want a slower-paced day. It’s all about Arctic nature, science, and Sámi culture — with beautifully curated exhibits and cool visuals.

One of the highlights is a stunning short film showing how nature in the Arctic changes through the seasons. It’s super calming and really captivating, I could watch it on repeat.

The museum isn’t super interactive, so it’s better suited for kids who are a bit older, but it’s still a peaceful place to explore with the family.

Pro tip: their lunch buffet is one of the best in Rovaniemi — delicious, cozy, and only €15! Perfect way to warm up and recharge.

The gift shop at the Arktikum is even larger than the one at Pilke. You’ll find everything from beautifully designed postcards and handcrafted gifts to Arctic berries, natural skincare, and even reindeer meat. It’s the perfect place to pick up meaningful items to remind you of your Lapland adventure.

7. Ranua Wildlife Park: Arctic Animals in a Peaceful Forest

📍 Ranua Wildlife Park, Rovaniementie 29, 97700 Ranua

🚗 1 h by car/ bus/ private transfer

Ranua Wildlife Park is perfect for a day trip from Rovaniemi with children. Set in the heart of a tranquil forest, this walk-through wildlife park is designed to feel more like a nature trail than a typical animal exhibit. It’s home to over 50 Arctic and subarctic species — including lynxes, wolves, arctic foxes, and Finland’s only polar bears.

What makes Ranua truly stand out is the thoughtful layout of the park. In some sections, you even walk above the habitats of large carnivores, offering unique elevated perspectives that both kids and adults will love.

The entire trail is stroller-accessible. In the summer months, there’s also a petting zoo, plus playgrounds for kids to enjoy. Ranua is a calm and engaging place that works well for toddlers and older kids alike.

👉 Check out our complete guide:

Visiting The Amazing Ranua Zoo? Everything You Need To Know

8. Kid-friendly Winter Hikes

Can you go hiking in Lapland with kids? Totally — and it actually is super rewarding. We did the hike to King’s Lean-to with a 2-year old and a 10-month old and all of us (kids and adults) enjoyed it.

There are plenty of guided tours available, most require children to be at least 5 years old. There are also plenty of self-guided trails you can tackle at your own pace.

Just bundle up, pack snacks and a thermos of hot berry juice, and spend the day out in nature. Fresh air and wide-open spaces have a magical calming effect on kids (and parents!), so you’ll find everyone a bit more relaxed.

For gear, we swear by normal baby carriers, toddler hiking carriers and sleds. Kids absolutely love being pulled through the snow, and it’s all part of the Arctic adventure. Dress warmly, keep it simple, and let Lapland’s wilderness work its magic on your little explorers.

And now, you might be wondering:

Is Lapland too cold for kids?

A valid concern, but the short answer is: not at all, as long as they’re dressed right. While winter temperatures can drop below -20°C (-4 °F), most of the time it stays between 0°C (32 °F) and -15°C (5 °F). On both of our trips, it never got colder than -12°C (10 °F), and to our surprise, we sometimes even felt too warm while hiking—yes, even with kids!

The key is proper winter gear: high-quality thermal base layers, insulated outerwear, waterproof boots, gloves, and hats. Kids who move around a lot actually stay quite warm.

And let’s not forget—Lapland is home to thousands of local families. Babies are born here, toddlers play outside daily. So no, Lapland is absolutely not too cold for kids—you just need to be well-prepared.

Here are our top trail ideas that you can do near Rovaniemi with children:

Pikkurompa Trail

This easy 4 km loop is perfect for families — you’ll wander through a mix of marshy wetlands and snowy forest, all at a relaxed pace. It’s a popular spot for both hikers and snowshoers, so you’ll likely bump into fellow nature lovers along the way.

Best part? There’s a cozy hut halfway where you can warm up and grab lunch.

Ounasvaara nature trail

Just 3 km from Rovaniemi’s center, the Ounasvaara Nature Trail is super easy to get to and perfect for a half-day family outing. The route winds through short loops and forest paths, so you can let your toddler toddle along safely or pull them in a sled if the snow’s deep. It’s a simple, beautiful way to soak up Lapland’s winter vibes without venturing far from town.

King’s lean-to (Santavaara hill)

The hike to King’s Lean-to is a gentle uphill walk through peaceful forest trails—perfect for families with kids. On our way, we even spotted a few reindeer, which made the experience feel extra magical.

At the top, there’s a cozy lean-to shelter with a fire pit where we grilled sausages and soaked in the stunning views of the Ounasjoki River, especially beautiful at sunset.

The best part? You can sled part of the way back down—fun for kids and adults alike. A great mix of nature, fresh air and winter magic.

Final Thoughts: Rovaniemi Is a Hidden Gem for Young Families

Lapland doesn’t need to be all adrenaline and midnight tours. Traveling to Rovaniemi with children means slowing down, enjoying small everyday moments, and seeing the magic of the Arctic through your child’s eyes.

From meeting Santa to watching polar bears, from gliding through forests on skates to cuddling goats, there is so much to do in Lapland that’s not just possible with small kids — it’s wonderful.

Let the snow slow you down. Plan less, embrace more. And don’t forget the snacks!