What to Pack for Lapland with Kids

A practical winter packing list from our own experience

Packing for Lapland with children can feel a little overwhelming.

The temperatures look extreme, winter clothes take up a lot of space and it's tempting to pack for every possible situation.

You really don't need to.

After travelling to Lapland with our own little one and spending winters here, I've learned that a few good pieces of winter clothing are much more useful than a suitcase full of “just in case” items.

This is what I would pack.

Not sure how to layer everything once you're here? Start with our guide: What to Wear in Lapland with Kids.

Winter clothing

For each child, I would bring:

• 2–3 merino wool or thermal base-layer sets
• 1–2 wool or fleece mid-layers
• A good insulated snowsuit, or winter jacket and ski trousers for older children
• Warm winter socks
• Proper insulated winter boots with good grip
• A wool hat or balaclava
• A neck warmer or buff
• Waterproof winter mittens
• At least one spare pair of mittens

You don't need a fresh thermal set for every single day. Merino wool in particular can usually be aired and worn again.

And don't fill winter boots with multiple pairs of thick socks. If the boots become too tight, feet can actually become colder.

For babies and toddlers

With very small children, I add a few things.

A wool overall is one of my favourites. We use it as an insulating layer between the base layer and outer snowsuit.

For babies who aren't walking yet, bring warm booties and think about how they'll stay warm when sitting still in a stroller or sled.

Depending on your child's age, I would also bring the everyday things that are surprisingly annoying to replace when you're outside:

spare mittens, an extra balaclava, a blanket and — if they use one — an extra pacifier.

A pacifier disappearing into fresh snow is much easier to deal with when there's another one in your pocket.

What I use for little faces

For our child, I always have wool fat (lanolin) with me in winter.

I use it on exposed skin during very cold weather.

If you prefer a protective cream or balm, make sure it's specifically suitable for winter and very cold conditions. For severe Arctic cold, I avoid ordinary water-based moisturisers immediately before going outside and use wool fat or a water-free protective winter product instead.

I would therefore add wool fat or a proper winter protective balm to your packing list.

A good lip balm is useful too.

Don't forget reflectors

This is something visitors don't always think about before coming to Finland.

Winter in Lapland is dark, and reflectors make both adults and children much easier to see.

Many Finnish snowsuits and jackets already have reflective details built in.

If yours don't, pack a few small hanging reflectors or reflective bands.

They're also very easy to buy once you're here.

What goes in my bag when we go outside?

You don't need to carry half the suitcase with you.

For a normal winter outing with a child, I like to have a few basics nearby:

spare mittens, an extra layer, wool fat, tissues, something to drink and a small snack.

Depending on the weather and how long we're going out, I'll adjust from there.

The spare mittens are probably the thing I use most.

Snow and small children are a very effective combination for making gloves wet.

A few useful extras

Sunglasses can be surprisingly useful once the sun returns and reflects off the snow.

For certain activities, ski goggles may also be useful, although you don't need them for an ordinary day walking around Rovaniemi.

I would also bring comfortable indoor clothes and shoes.

Finnish buildings are warm. You don't want your child sitting in a restaurant wearing three wool layers and a ski jacket.

And of course: swimwear.

Not because you're travelling somewhere tropical, unfortunately.

But because you may want it for the sauna, hotel pool or spa.

What I wouldn't pack too much of

This is where you can save a lot of suitcase space.

You don't need endless sweaters, several winter coats or five pairs of shoes.

I would rather bring one really good winter setup than lots of mediocre alternatives.

I also wouldn't rely on fashionable winter footwear as the main shoes for playing outside. For children, warmth, grip and staying dry matter much more.

And don't pack your child's entire wardrobe because you're afraid of the cold.

Lapland isn't the middle of nowhere.

Well... some of it definitely is.

But Rovaniemi has shops.

Forgot something? You can buy it here

If you discover that you need another pair of mittens, wool socks or an extra thermal layer, don't panic.

In Rovaniemi, you'll find practical winter clothing for children in places such as Prisma, Minimani and Lindex.

This is actually one advantage of buying something locally: winter clothing sold here is made for children who genuinely spend their winters outside.

So I wouldn't buy an enormous amount of new gear at home purely because you're worried you might need it.

Bring the essentials.

If something is missing, you can solve it here.

My simple rule for packing Lapland with kids

Don't pack for every possible scenario.

Pack for warm, dry and comfortable.

Good base layers.

A warm mid-layer.

Proper outerwear.

Good boots.

Good mittens.

And spare mittens.

Always spare mittens.

Once those basics are covered, you're already most of the way there.

And if you're wondering how to combine all those layers when the temperature drops, read What to Wear in Lapland with Kids next.

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