en en fr en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en hbs_lat en en fr en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en is is is is en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en is en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en fr en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en da en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en it is de fi hu hu de en is en nb is en es en de en pt en en is hu en is en is is is is nb en en pl hu hbs_lat de en sk de de hbs_lat en fr hu hu en pt sv en en en en is gl en is de cs pt is en en is en en en en en en en en en en it en en en hu is is pt ca en de da nl en is hbs_lat en en is id nl nb en en en hu de cs gl it it is en ga en cs hbs_lat en is en en nb en de hu hu en is de is is en en nl en de et da is is fr en hbs_lat hu is en nb en nl cs is et is id pl en en en hbs_lat is is en en hu en en en en hbs_lat en it fr de pl id en de en it fr en de en en hu is en is is en is en sk de en en en en nb it en hu fr de is is es ga is nl en en is fr sk en hu ga nl en en en es en hu de en is cs is en en is hu en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en fr en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en fr en en en en en en en is fr is en vi en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en de
What To Do In Reykjavik With Young Children
Take a Walk on the Ice Side
Walk through Ice and Fire
Glacier Walk and Northern Lights
South Shore, Glacier Walk and Ice Climbing
Glacier Walk and Secret Lagoon
Sólheimajökull Glacier Walk and Ice Climbing
Glacier Walk and the Glacier Lagoon
Golden Circle and Magical Nights
Volcanic Wonders of the Reykjanes Peninsula
Iceland Northern Lights and Lobster Jeep Tour
Hot Springs and Lava Cave
Northern Lights and Ice Cave Adventure
Golden Circle and Glacier Getaway
Kingdom of Volcanoes and Glaciers
The Saga of Volcanoes and Fjords
The Crossing of Fire and Water
Kingdom of Glaciers and Northern Lights
The Laugavegur with a Backpack
Laugavegur - Light and Fast
The Ultimate Iceland - Greenland Trek
Hiking at the End of the World
In the Shadow of Vatnajökull
Trails of the East
The Wilderness of Glaciers
The Complete East Iceland Trek
Explorer’s Peak to the Canyon of Fire
The Wilderness of Strútur Trail
The Backroad to Landmannalaugar
Trek of the Trolls
The Complete Volcanic Trek
The Rivers and Glaciers of Vatnajökull
Backpacking along Vatnajökull Combination
Coast to Coast - The Iceland Traverse
The Three Peaks Challenge
On bike from Laki to Landmannalaugar
Iceland’s Best Single Tracks
Knitting and Hiking between Fire and Ice
Icelandic Spring Knitting & Hiking Holiday
Knitting and Hiking under the Midnight Sun
Hiking and knitting with the Elves
Authentic Iceland Knitting & Hiking
Mountains and Fjords of the North
The Peaks of Siglufjörður
Skiing between the Fjords
Westfjords Ski to the Sea tour
Oceans, Valleys and Peaks
Hiking at the End of the World
Laugavegur Trail Self Guided
South Coast Self Drive
Tour of the Icelandic Highlands
Mt Gunnbjörn, the Highest Peak in Greenland
The Peaks of Greenland
East Greenland Winter Expedition
The North Pole – Skiing the Last Degree
South Pole - All the way
South Pole – Skiing the last degree
Ski Touring – Beginner Course
Ice Climbing I Course
Ice Climbing II Course
Other Tours & Services
Ice Climbing Day Tour
Semi-Guided Ice Climbing Trip
4WD Tours in Summer
4WD Tours in Winter
Alpine Mountaineering - Day Tours
Backpacking Tours in Greenland
Backpacking Tours in Iceland
Cross Country Skiing Tours - mountain huts
Cross Country Skiing Tours - winter camping
Cross Country Skiing Tours in Greenland
Ice-Climbing / Winter mountaineering
Ski Mountaineering / Alpine Touring
Ski Mountaineering / Alpine Touring in Greenland
Trekking Tours in Greenland
Hard Ice Guide Beginner Course
Level I Hard Ice Guide Exam
Level II Hard Ice Guide Exam
IMG Mountain Guide Exam
Crevasse Rescue for Super-Jeep Guides
Be a responsible traveller
Adventurer of the Week
We offer our site in the following languages:
Hiking & trekking in Iceland & Greenland since 1994
Call us: +354 587 9999
What To Do In Reykjavik With Young Children
Adventurer of the Week
Subscribe to the blog
Other Tours & Services
What To Do In Reykjavik With Young Children
For those Moms and Dads who want to visit Iceland and will be travelling with young children, this post is for you.  Please note that Iceland is actually a VERY family friendly place.  Icelanders are extremely tolerant in general, especially so with children. Iceland is also very safe with virtually no crime and even less violence.  Many businesses even have play areas for children and many of the larger stores have play areas and movies playing, the kids hang out while the parents shop.
Whatever your reasons for bringing along the young ones - maybe you just don’t want to wait many years to visit Iceland, maybe you want them to have this experience, or maybe you are travelling on business - here’s a few things to do in Reykjavik with young children.
Bring your swim trunks - That’s right, swimming is big in Iceland. In fact, Reykjavik is known as a spa city. Icelanders love to swim and soak and with all of the country’s abundant geothermal hot water, there’s a wonderful pool in almost every neighborhood. And, these are just a pool. Most have slides, water features hot tubs, wading pools and lap pools.  The pools are clean and inexpensive.  Please note that showering naked is mandatory. This is totally normal in Iceland, but a bit less normal for some visitors.  The obvious reason for this is cleanliness, Icelandic pools don’t use much chlorine.  The most famous Reykjavik pool is called Laugurdalslaug, it’s located in a valley in the city called Laugurdalur - it is roughly located in the middle of the city.
The family park and zoo - Is also located in Laugurdalur.  There are loads of walking paths, gardens, historical markers a zoo and minor amusement park, called Husdyragardurinn, a mouthful that roughly translates to “farm zoo.”  The animals in the zoo are mostly just that, farm animals.
Feed the ducks at Tjornin - There is a lovely pond in downtown Reykjavik, called Tjornin. Where the pond abuts the nearest buildings of the city, you’ll see people feeding the ducks and geese that reside here year round.  There is also lovely walking paths around the whole pond and this is a particularly lovely and historic section of the capital city.
Museums - Reykjavik has many museums, but the best one for kids is the National Museum of Iceland. Besides being able to look at cool Viking artifacts, and you can dress up as Vikings! Talk about a cool afternoon.
Fun library - There is a neighborhood called Arbaejar (ar-buyer) and it has a fun library for kids. It’s called Árbæjarsafn (safn roughly translates to library, but it’s closer to a safe, or a place where things are stored). Check out the downstairs bookroom, it’s a great place for kids. By the way, Arbaejar also has a very nice pool!
Restaurant - There’s a fun and quirky cafe in downtown Reykjavik, called The Laundromat Cafe. It has a cool play and reading area for kids in the basement.
Bike and walking paths - There are bike/walking paths all over the city. A lot of people commute this way.  So, if you fancy getting a little exercise with your young one(s), just step outside and find a path, you honestly can’t miss them.
Sightseeing - There is much to see in our capital city, like old historical buildings, art installations, parks, beautiful churches (like Hallgrimskirkja), as well as brand new buildings like the Harpa Concert and Conference Center.
Go to the beach - Reykjavik has a beach?!  Yup.  It is located near Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura and Reykjavik University. It’s called Nautholsvik.  It’s a real beach with sand and everything.  It has a wading pool with hot water, and a sectioned-off bit of ocean water that is warmed with more hot water.  Don’t expect Hawaii-like temps, but it does make the ocean tolerable.  The kids will love it.
Last note - As the name suggests, Iceland is not a warm place. That isn’t to say that it can’t be downright pleasant.  But even in the height of summer, it can be cold, windy and wet.  Be prepared by bring lots of layers for you and your kids, including waterproof boots, hats and gloves. That way no matter what the weather, you can have an outdoor adventure!
From Icelandic Mountain Guides, Iceland’s premiere adventure tour company, offering a great selection of day tours and multi-day tours that will allow you to see and experience Iceland’s amazing nature and attractions!
Subscribe to the blog
You Might Also Like:
The Danger of Cotton in the...
What you need to know about...
10 Iceland Travel Hacks
Tel: +354 587 9999
See what our customers have to say about us!
Member of the Icelandic Travel Industry Association Member of ITA
Certified Travel Service Vakinn - Quality System Vakinn - Quality System
Certified Travel Agency by the Icelandic Tourist Board Certified Travel Agency
Certified Tour Operator by the Icelandic Tourist Board Certified Tour Operator
Member of the Adventure Travel Trade Association ATTA Member
mountainguides.is has a Shopper Approved rating of 4.8/5 based on 382 ratings and reviews
Subscribe to the Icelandic Mountain Guides Blog
Outdoor adventure in Iceland is our specialty. Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter to learn when to go, what to do and where to have the best adventures in Iceland.