Everyone wants the husky photo. A child in a hat, a sleigh, a team of dogs, snow on the lashes. The problem with December and small children is that the day is short, the cold is real, and a long tour that looks wonderful on paper can end in tears at the 90-minute mark.

We have friends in Rovaniemi with young kids, and the plan below is what they would do with a three-day visit: one short husky ride, one reindeer morning, and plenty of slack. It is built around real StayLapland tours and real prices, and it deliberately avoids stacking too much.

What changes with small kids in December

Daylight is short, so everything happens in a small window, and small bodies lose heat faster than adult ones. A grown-up can happily stand for an hour in the cold; a four-year-old cannot. Tours that keep the child moving, fed and warm work well. Tours with long waiting or long transfers do not.

The second change is energy. Santa, snow and sleigh bells create a lot of excitement, and children run out of it by the middle of the afternoon. We would schedule at most one organised activity per day, in the morning or around midday, and treat everything else as a bonus. Our general advice is in our guide to Rovaniemi with kids, and this post is the practical December version.

The third change is the clothing. Some StayLapland tours provide thermal overalls and boots in children's sizes, and one of the best family rides does not. We will come to that, because it is the single thing parents miss.

Day one: a short husky ride

For the first activity we choose the Arctic Paws 2 km family-friendly husky ride at Lapland Winter Park, from €65. According to the listing it is a gentle ride of about 10 minutes, guided, with a chance to meet the dogs afterwards. The listing shows ages 3–12 and 0–2, so it is aimed at exactly this kind of family.

Short is the point. Ten minutes on a sleigh is long enough for a child to feel they really did it, and short enough that nobody gets cold. The meeting with the dogs is where most children melt: a husky licking a mitten is the picture you will keep.

Two practical notes from the listing. The ticket shows the meeting time, and the actual ride start can vary within 0–40 minutes of it, so bring snacks. And there is no pick-up or drop-off, so decide in advance how you will get there.

Book this if your children are under about ten, you want a low-risk first husky experience, or you simply want a nice photo. Skip it if you want to drive the sleds yourself; look at the longer husky tours instead. Type HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout for 5% off.

Day two: the reindeer morning

For day two we move to reindeer. The Kuoksa Reindeer Adventure is from €159 per adult and takes about three hours, including a 2–3 km reindeer safari in the forest, stories about reindeer and reindeer herding, and cookies and juice. Winter clothing in adult and child sizes, overalls, boots and gloves are provided.

It is rated very easy, and that suits small children. Reindeer are calm, the pace is slow, and there is plenty of looking and feeding. If the weather does not allow a sleigh ride, the listing says the tour is arranged as a reindeer walk instead, so expect flexibility.

The cut-off is 12 hours before the start, so you can decide the evening before. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before. The tour needs at least two people on weekdays and Saturdays, so check the live calendar for your group.

Book this if your kids love animals but are nervous about dogs, or if you want a quieter morning. Skip it if your children need an adrenaline hit; the snowmobile ride below is a better fit.

Day three: slack and a bonus

Leave the third day mostly empty. Go to the playground in the snow, have a long lunch, visit a museum, build a snowman. The point of the slack is to protect the first two days, because tired children remember tired days.

If you want one bonus, choose something short. The Arctic Snowmobile Tour on Private Trails is from €99 and lists ages 13+, 3–12 and 0–2. The listing describes about one hour of actual driving on private family-owned trails by a frozen lake. It is the one tour in this plan where kids can ride along while an adult drives.

See our activities in Rovaniemi hub for the rest of the menu.

What to wear and bring

Dress in layers, with wool or synthetic base layers, a warm mid-layer, and thick socks. Keep one dry spare pair of mittens per child; wet mittens are the main reason children get upset. A balaclava or neck warmer helps on a sleigh.

Remember the one catch: the Arctic Paws listing states that thermal clothing is not included. Dress your children in full winter gear, and consider renting if you travelled light. The reindeer tour, by contrast, includes overalls and boots in child sizes.

Pack snacks, a thermos with something warm, and wipes. Small things matter more than expensive things in the cold. And bring a spare hat; the one on the child's head will fall off at the best photo moment.

Budget for a family of four

Prices are per person and child rates can differ, so use the live calendar for exact numbers. As a rough guide using starting prices: Arctic Paws from €65 and the reindeer adventure from €159 per adult. Two adults on both is already €448 before child tickets and the 5% discount, so it is worth knowing the order of magnitude before you fly.

To bring the cost down, choose only one of the two. If you must pick, choose the activity that fits your kids' character: dogs for energetic children, reindeer for calm ones. Our guide on how far in advance to book explains why December family slots go first.

Remember the discount: HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 works on every StayLapland tour, so the 5% applies to every ticket in your basket.

Upgrades if the kids are older

If your children are ten or older and keen, there are bigger days. The Kuoksa Husky & Reindeer Adventure from €349 combines a 5 km self-driven husky ride, a reindeer sleigh ride and an open-fire salmon soup in a teepee over five hours. It is a full day, so it only works with children who like long outings.

It is a very different tour from Arctic Paws, and the right choice depends on your children, not on budget. Book the long one if your kids have done a sled or a snowmobile before and ask for more.

A few extra notes from the parent's side. Children handle cold better when they have eaten, so give them a proper meal before each activity and carry a snack for the waiting time. Plan the nap if your child still takes one: a tour that starts at the usual nap time is a recipe for a miserable afternoon. If you have a pushchair, remember that snow and sleigh tours do not mix with wheels, so a baby carrier is much easier.

It also helps to prepare your children for the dogs and the reindeer. Show them photos first, explain that husky dogs are loud and excited before the ride and calm once they run, and that reindeer are gentle but should be approached slowly. Children who know what to expect enjoy the day more, and fearful children often become the biggest fans once they meet the animals. If your child is unsure, let them watch from beside you for a few minutes. There is no need to rush.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Arctic Paws husky ride suitable for toddlers?
The listing shows ages 3–12 and 0–2, and describes a gentle guide-driven ride of about 10 minutes (around 2 km). Check the live booking window for the child policy that applies to your children.

Do the families need to bring their own winter clothing for Arctic Paws?
Yes. The listing states this tour does not include thermal clothing, so dress the whole family properly and bring hats and mittens.

Is there hotel pick-up for the Arctic Paws ride?
No. The listing says the tour has no pick-up or drop-off options, so plan how you reach the meeting point.

What is the reindeer adventure like for children?
It is a 2–3 km reindeer safari in the forest with stories about reindeer, plus cookies and juice, over about three hours. If weather does not allow a sleigh ride, it is run as a reindeer walk instead.

How much should a family of four budget for a husky and reindeer day?
Arctic Paws starts at €65 per person and the reindeer adventure at €159 per adult, before the 5% reader discount. Check the live prices for child rates.

When should we book for December?
Early. Family-friendly slots are the first to fill in December, so book as soon as your dates are fixed.

Our final pick

For a family with small children in December, our pick is the short husky ride on day one, the reindeer morning on day two, and a free third day. It costs less than a long day, protects your children's mood, and still gives you the photos.

Check live dates in the calendar below and enter HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY5 at checkout for 5% off.