Kid-friendly things to do in Reykjavik
By Holly Rosen Fink
Reykjavik, Iceland (Flickr: Marco Bellucci)
Reykjavik is a special city, without a question. There is not only spectacular, rugged nature in the way of volcanoes, glaciers, geysers and mountains on the outskirts of the city, but there are also family-friendly events and activities that make a visit to the capital of Iceland a worthwhile, and often cultural and educational, experience.
Reykjavik is a great city with kids in tow – it’s easy to walk around and is fully accessible to the natural settling Iceland is known for. The people are also what make the city special – they are welcoming and are happy to share a place they clearly hold close to their hearts.
We’ve compiled a list what to see and do with kids on your next trip to Reykjavik:
Head to Laugardalur Sports and Recreational Park, one of 18 thermal pools in Reykjavik, where kids can go for a swim in a local geothermal pool with a kid’s area and play mini golf.
Whales of Iceland (Courtesy Whales of Iceland)
Spend time at Whales of Iceland, a relatively new museum to the city center and the biggest whale exhibition in the world.
Older kids will love the Saga Museum, recreating key moments in Icelandic Viking history.
Explore the National Museum of Iceland, which houses a vast collection of arts, crafts, religious artifacts and archaeological remains.
Go ice-skating at Reykjavik Skating Hall in Laugardalur.
Take the City Sightseeing Reykjavik Tour, a hop on-hop off bus tour of the city or take a tour outside the city and watch bubbling hot springs and waterfalls.
National Museum of Iceland (Courtesy Special Tours)
Get on a Puffin Express ride, to see puffins in their natural habitat, or go whale-watching.
(MORE: 10 Reasons to Visit Iceland with Kids)
Take your kids on a Gastronomic Tour, sampling Icelandic food including hot dogs, soft ice cream, skyr, liquorice, fish, lamb, reindeer, smoked fish, char, eggs and spices from nature.Choose from one of several annual events for kids to attend including Reykjavik Children’s Culture Festival, a weeklong arts and cultural festival dedicated to children and youth in April/May, First Day of Summer in April, the Festival of the Sea in June or Independence Day in June, or Reykjavik Culture Night in August.
Climb to the top of Mount Esja and check out the views from up top.
Last but not least, should you visit Reykjavik in the wintertime, visit the Hafnarfjörður Christmas Village or skate on Tjornin Lake. The city will be lit up like a star.
Holly Rosen Fink of The Culture Mom contributed this to MiniTime. She is the founder of Pivoting Media who blogs about her love of culture and travel.
