'Oh my god, he's got a kid!'
In the depths of a frozenJanuary, we took our little boy on his first Icelandic adventure. Wondering down the staircase at Gullfoss waterfall, one traveller couldn't quite comprehend our mini-adventurer was with us.
Looking around, it was apparent there weren't many children. In fact, there were none. But we never let that put us off (after all, there must be children somewhere on the island!)
Iceland and Finland are now our go-to destinations for winter adventures and we have always felt comfortable and safe sharing these experiences with our children. They also love it!
Here are the key things we've learned about arctic adventures with children:
Premier Inn allow up to two children plus one infant in one room - ideal for early or late flights. Two single beds are added to the room along with a cot, which is an option until an infant turns two. Kids also eat free at breakfast - two children per paying adult. This has been a great help with our travel planning.
Flight prices are usually fixed for under 2s at around £25 each way. Check the terms of your airline carrier as this often includes a baby change bag and up to two additional hold luggage items such as a car seat, baby carrier, booster seat, buggy or travel cot.
Having a child under 5 in your party may also allow you to board early. Where possible, encourage little ones to wear boots and jackets on the plane to increase room for other luggage.
Accommodation - consider a rural place to stay that gives you all the home comforts, special treats such as hot tubs and the opportunity to see the northern lights whilst ensuring your children are safe (and possibly outside with you!) You can always ask if they have equipment you can borrow.
Plan some downtime if you can - there's a lot of fun to be had exploring nearby or just getting up to mischief!
Child car seats are a pain but so important when renting a car. Renting one for a week could be more than the cost of buying a new one (and may not be the right size or quality), but they can be cumbersome to carry - especially when you have more than one - and you'll probably need a trolley at the airport. Take a ratchet strap in your bag, you won't regret it.
Consider taking your own car seat - put it in a robust travel bag and check it in for free (although best to check your airline's child baggage policy to confirm this). It's also worth looking at solutions such as foldable car seats if you travel regularly or a Trunkee Boostapak for older children, as they double up as a bag and booster seat. These can often be found hardly used on marketplace.
Rental cars - we've also learned lessons about scrimping on hire cars - estates and small vans can cost a bit more, but are so much better when it comes to ferrying children around safely, especially if you have three like us (and the associated additional luggage). Check sites such as Skyscanner cars regularly, with 4-6 months before travelling being a key opportunity to get the best price. Check weekly if you have the patience and want to secure the best price, remembering that most bookings are free cancellation until 48 hours before if you've paid in full.
Child friendly activities will be a key part of your adventure. Plan ahead to ensure availability as it's not always possible to book at short notice.
Don't forget there are typical things that you can do with children that they'll love - going out for pizza, visiting an ice cream parlour or even going swimming. We had a brilliant time attending a local swimming pool in Selfoss in south Iceland. Various pools, hot and cold plunge pools and water slides - all for just a few pounds.
Children’s clothing and footwear - click here for a few more details about the best cold weather gear.
Looking after our children - it's the little
things that make a difference, such as wind and weather face cream, lip balm, Velcro fastened hats, balaclavas, snoods and gloves attached to outfits. Having the right gear makes such a difference when it comes to combatting the elements.
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