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Northern Lights in Rovaniemi with Children
Experiencing the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi is an adventure for the whole family, but it is also a matter of timing, cold, and patience. Here you will find the family tour, shorter alternatives, and tips for a relaxed evening.
Check availabilityfrom $228 · free cancellation
Editorial rovaniemipolarlichter.deUpdated on October 3, 20266 min read10 sources
In short
- 01For Families
- The family-friendly Northern Lights tour lasts 3 hours, is limited to 8 participants, and starts from $121.
- 02Time of day
- The best chances are usually between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m., which is late for children.1
- 03Cold
- In January the average low temperature is -17 °C; plan for warm layers.2
- 04With Toddlers
- On a family snowmobile tour, children aged 4 to 14 and toddlers up to 3 years old sit in a heated sled.3
- 05Without a Tour
- Ounasvaara is reachable on foot from the center and is relatively dark.4
Northern Lights with Children: What You Should Know
For a child, the Northern Lights are like a fairy tale that suddenly appears in the sky. To make sure the evening does not end in yawning and shivering, a bit of planning is worthwhile. The most important question is the length of the night: many Northern Lights tours last deep into the night, which is too long for small children. A shorter tour or an evening right near the accommodation usually fits better.
The season is long. In Rovaniemi the Northern Lights season begins in late August and runs until early April.5 In early autumn the nights are milder, in winter there is snow instead, and the outing becomes a winter experience with sleds and snowball fights. For many families, the Christmas holidays are the time they travel to Lapland.
Make sure to discuss expectations with the children beforehand. The Northern Lights cannot be ordered, and sometimes the sky stays cloudy. If the children know that the search itself is an adventure, the disappointment is smaller if the lights do not appear. And when they do appear, the joy is all the greater. A small ritual helps: each child may be the first to call out when they spot something green in the sky. This keeps everyone attentive, and the waiting becomes a game.
How it works
A family evening under the northern lights
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In the afternoon
Rest
An afternoon nap makes the night more relaxed for children.
-
In the evening
Check the forecast
The Finnish Meteorological Institute shows the forecast for the northern lights.6
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Before departure
Dress warmly
Several layers of winter clothing keep you warm.7
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At night
The tour
The family tour lasts 3 hrs.
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Later
Sleep in
A quiet morning after a late night.
The Family-Friendly Northern Lights Tour
The tour we recommend for families is the family-friendly Northern Lights tour from Rovaniemi. It lasts 3 hours, is limited to 8 participants, and pickup is included. It is rated 4.52 out of 172 reviews and starts from $121. The live guide speaks English.
The short duration is its greatest advantage. A short night outdoors is manageable for children too, especially if there are breaks in between. The small group means the guide has time for questions, and children usually have plenty of those. Whether there are drinks, snacks, or rental clothing is stated in the description when you book. Still, pack your own snacks and a warm blanket so that no one ends up hungry or cold in the vehicle.
You can reserve now and pay later, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours beforehand. This is especially practical with children: if someone falls ill or the weather forecast looks bad, you can reschedule the evening at no cost. It is best to plan several possible evenings during your trip.
Duration
How long the tours last
Hours
Compare
Short tours for families
| Tour | Duration | Group | Rating | From price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family tour | 3 hrs | Up to 8 people | 4,52 | from $121 |
| Hunt with a grill evening | 3 hrs | Not specified | 4,27 | from $87 |
| Lapland tour with grill | 3 hrs | Not specified | 4,00 | from $103 |
| Sleigh ride | 3 hrs | Not specified | 4,09 | from $89 |
| Snow train to the camp | 4.5 hrs | Not specified | 4,02 | from $129 |
Details from the offers on GetYourGuide; all prices are starting prices per person. Whether children of any age are welcome is not stated in the offers.
Selection
Family evenings under the northern lights
Decision helper
Which evening suits your family?
How old are the children, and how much night can they handle?
Family tour
3 hours, at most 8 participants.
Hunt with a grill evening
3 hours, from $87.
Snow train to the camp
4.5 hours, from $129.
Tour on this page
8 hours, at most 8 guests.
Ounasvaara without a tour
Reachable on foot from the center.4
The Timing: Late for Children
The Northern Lights are a nighttime event. The best chances in Finland are usually between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.1 For families this means: the children should rest or sleep in the afternoon so that they are fit in the evening. An early dinner and a midday nap make the night considerably more relaxed.
In December it is almost dark all day in Rovaniemi. In the middle of the month the sun is above the horizon for an average of only 0.9 hours.2 This has an advantage: the sky is dark enough early in the evening, and sometimes the lights appear before the children have to go to bed. A glance outside after dinner is therefore worthwhile.
Also plan the next day. Anyone who has been outdoors until midnight will be tired in the morning. A quiet morning, a late breakfast, and an activity near the accommodation help prevent the trip from becoming exhausting. With children, fewer activities are often more. When you have several nights in a row, you quickly notice how much rest the children need and can adjust the plan in time.
Checklist
For the family night
01
Clothing for children
- Wool or functional fabric as the base layer
- Snowsuit and warm boots
- Mittens and spare gloves
- A hat that covers the ears
02
For the night
- Afternoon nap
- Thermos flask with cocoa
- Snacks for the waiting time
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
Cost calculator
How much does the evening cost for your family?
Calculate the price for your whole family.
people
Total from$242
from per person $121
Check availabilityfree cancellationDeparture prices according to GetYourGuide, converted at the ECB reference rate. The exact price is shown when you book.
Video
Lapland in winter with children
The video only loads when you tap Play.
Staying Warm in Lapland's Cold
The cold is the biggest challenge with children. In January the average low temperature in Rovaniemi is -17 °C.2 In December the average is -13.2 °C at night.2 Visit Rovaniemi recommends staying warm with several layers of winter clothing.7
This especially applies to children. Dress them in wool or thermal underwear on the bottom layer, fleece on top, and a thick snowsuit. Add boots with room for warm socks. Mittens are warmer than gloves, and a hat that covers the ears is a must. Pack spare gloves, because wet gloves get cold quickly.
Children cool down faster than adults when standing still. Keep them moving, hopping, or walking short distances while you wait for the lights. A thermos of warm cocoa works wonders. Watch for signs of cold like pale cheeks or whimpering, and head back sooner rather than letting the children get cold.
Shorter alternatives for families
Besides the family-friendly tour, there are other short programs. The Polar Light Hunt with BBQ lasts 3 hrs and starts from $87. It is rated 4.27 out of 1,122 reviews. The Lapland Polar Light Tour with BBQ also lasts 3 hrs and starts from $103.
For children who cannot sit still for long, the sled ride under the northern lights is an idea. It lasts 3 hrs and starts from $89. The snow train to the polar light camp lasts 4.5 hrs and starts from $129. These operators do not state whether children of every age may join; ask the provider before booking.
The tour on this page is a long night. It lasts 8 hrs and is limited to 8 guests. For teenagers who want a real northern lights chase, it may fit, but for small children it is usually too long. So think carefully about who in your family can manage which night. If you are unsure, book the short tour first and decide afterward whether a longer night still makes sense.
Northern lights without a tour, very close by
With small children, it does not always have to be a tour. Ounasvaara is reachable on foot from the city center and offers elevated viewpoints and a relatively dark environment.4 When the forecast is good, you can go there for an hour and head back anytime when the children get cold.
According to Visit Finland, even a short distance out of town makes a big difference for the dark sky.8 An accommodation on the outskirts therefore has advantages for families. If you can look at the sky from the window or the terrace, you do not need to dress the children for every sighting.
You check the forecast at the Finnish Meteorological Institute on the northern lights and space weather page.6 Show the children how to read the forecast. This makes the wait more exciting and gives them the feeling of being on the search themselves. Along the way, they learn something about the sun, the magnetic field, and the weather, and the search becomes a small research project.
Rovaniemi as a family destination
Rovaniemi lies on the Arctic Circle and is for many children the hometown of Santa Claus.9 Santa Claus Village lies on the Arctic Circle and is open every day of the year.10 A daytime visit and a northern lights tour in the evening combine well if you plan a break in between.
Many families combine the northern lights with animals. Reindeer and huskies are often just as big an experience for children as the light in the sky. On a family snowmobile tour, children aged 4 to 14 and toddlers up to 3 years can ride in the heated sled behind the guide's snowmobile.3 This shows that operators in Rovaniemi are geared toward families.
In the end, everyone comes back with a smile. Build in enough buffer, choose short tours, and have a plan B for cloudy nights, such as a game evening or a museum visit. Then the trip becomes a memory the children will talk about for a long time, even without a perfect sky.
Book the tour
Tonight the sky could turn green over the forests.
Reserve now, pay later, and cancel for free up to 24 hours before the start.
You ask,we answer.
Is there a northern lights tour for families in Rovaniemi?
Yes, from $121. The family-friendly northern lights tour lasts 3 hours and is limited to 8 participants.
What time is a northern lights tour?
Mostly from the evening until after midnight. The best chances are mostly between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.1
How cold does it get for children outside?
In January, on average -17 °C at night. That is the average lowest temperature in January.2 Warm layers are therefore a must.7
Can toddlers join?
Yes, with some programs. On a family snowmobile tour, children aged 4 to 14 and toddlers up to 3 years ride in the heated sled.3 For northern lights tours, ask the operator.
Is a pickup included?
Yes, on the family tour. According to the offer, pickup is included.
Can you see the northern lights with children without a tour?
Yes, for example in Ounasvaara. Ounasvaara is reachable on foot from the center and is relatively dark.4
What if no northern lights appear?
Plan several evenings. The family tour can be canceled free of charge up to 24 hours in advance.
Sources
What this guide is based on
- 1Visit FinlandHow to see Northern Lights in Finland↩
- 2↩
- 3Visit RovaniemiFamily Snowmobiling↩
- 4↩
- 5Visit RovaniemiDiscover Northern Lights Season - Visit Rovaniemi↩
- 6Finnish Meteorological InstituteAuroras and space weather↩
- 7Visit Rovaniemi8 Safety Instructions For Winter Travellers↩
- 8Visit FinlandBest times to see the Northern Lights in Finland↩
- 9Visit RovaniemiCross The Arctic Circle In Rovaniemi↩
- 10Santa Claus VillageInfo & tips - Santa Claus Village↩
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