🧣 What to take for your child to Lapland in winter: clothing, first aid kit, life hacks, map of warm spots
If you want to pack your suitcase and leave your worries at home
Imagine: Lapland greets you with blue silence, steam from your mouth forms clouds, and the snow crunches under your boots like an old record. You open the door to your mökki — and warmth welcomes you. At that moment, it becomes clear: half the success of a family trip is packing the right things.
We have put together a tried and tested kit for children for the season: layers, boots, mittens, a first aid kit, reflectors and little tricks that save energy and time.
Layers that really keep you warm: from merino to membrane
Base layer (next to the skin).
Merino wool or good synthetics. Leave cotton at home: it takes a long time to dry and cools you down. For babies, take two sets to change into.
Middle layer.
Fleece/wool. This is your "regulator": add it in the wind, take it off in a café. Fleece jumpsuits without unnecessary zippers are often comfortable for children.
Outer layer.
A membrane jumpsuit or "jacket + semi-overalls" with insulation. In Lapland, the wind is the main "thief" of heat: make sure that the collar and cuffs close tightly and that the snow skirts work.
Hat and buff.
Lined hat + buff/balaclava. In strong winds (slopes, open fells) — windproof goggles.
How many layers for actual temperatures of -5/-15/-25 °C?
● –5°C: base layer + fleece + membrane; light mittens; one wool sock.
● –15 °C: base layer (thick) + fleece + membrane; "2-layer" mittens; additional buff.
● –25°C and wind: base layer (warmer) + fleece + membrane; "double" mittens; glasses; short outings and frequent "warm breaks".
Life hack: children always warm up when moving and cool down during breaks. Plan your "warm spots" in advance — cafes, visitor centres, chalets on the slopes, saunas at the end of the day.
Boots and socks: warm feet = a happy day
Boots.
High, waterproof, with extra volume (for wool socks + air). Soles — with good tread. Test laces/Velcro fasteners with gloves on: how will your child tighten them themselves?
Socks.
Wool. One pair is better than three thin pairs: the air between the fibres is your "heater". Do not wear "cotton under wool" — everything will get wet.
Insole and heat pack.
Warm insoles (felt/wool) and chemical warmers are your "plan B" for a frosty day. Place warmers on top of your socks, not on your skin.
Drying.
In the evening, remove the insoles and keep your boots away from the radiator. Cottages often have a drying cabinet, which is great for gloves and shoes.
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Gloves, mittens, face and "little things" that make all the difference
Mittens vs gloves.
Children under the age of 10 stay warm in mittens. The "inner liners + moisture-resistant outer layer" combination is the gold standard. Keep a second pair in your backpack — changing wet mittens works wonders.
Face.
Lip balm, simple windproof cream (not water-based). Get rid of fluffy wool scarves, which get wet and make you cold.
Reflectors.
Finnish reflectors are a must: clips on sleeves, a pendant on your backpack, tape on your pram. In the twilight, they can see you from hundreds of metres away.
Goggles.
In the Lapland winds, dry snow "sandblasts" your face. Lightweight ski/windproof goggles solve the problem.
What to put in your daypack for a walk
● A small thermos with cocoa/something warm (without sugar, to drink "little by little").
● Spare mittens and light wool socks.
● A dry seat (folding mat).
● Napkins/bags, a small bag for rubbish.
● A small first aid kit (see below) + power bank and phone in an inside pocket.
● Reflective pendants/clips (keep a couple extra).
Children's first aid kit for travel: a sensible minimum
We are not replacing your doctor, but we can suggest a basic kit that will come in handy in cold weather and on the road:
● Fever reducer/pain reliever in age-appropriate dosage (children's paracetamol/ibuprofen).
● Nasal spray/sea water, eye drops (dry air).
● Plasters of various sizes, antiseptic (wipes/spray), bandage binder.
● Wind cream (without water), lip balm.
● Lightweight elastic bandage for dislocations (just in case).
● Individual medicines prescribed by a doctor (in their original packaging).
● Small pocket torch (and know where it is in your backpack).
Useful: save the 112 Suomi emergency app and the numbers of clinics/insurance companies on your phone. Mark the address of the nearest apteekki (pharmacy) on the map — we have done this for you in the interactive map below.
Washing, drying and "life of things" in the cold
Winter houses/apartments often have drying cabinets — they gently dry gloves/shoes in a matter of hours. Fleece and merino dry quickly, but down items need dry heat and time.
After a snowy day, shake out your snowsuit outside (the snow will fall off by itself), wipe your boots, and remove the insoles. Wet mittens → go straight into the drying cabinet, and always keep a second pair on hand — this solves half of your children's tantrums.
Prams, sledges, baby carriers: what really works in the snow
Pram.
Wide wheels, winter footmuff (envelope), wind protection; for loose snow, a sled-stroller or "sani-pulka" with a warm bag is convenient.
Baby carrier/sling.
Works for short trips (shoulders bounce — back gets warm). Make sure the face is uncovered and breathing is free.
At resorts.
You can often rent sledges and children's equipment on site (rental at slopes/in cities). In large resorts, there are child seats/boosters, pushchairs "for the day", and sometimes warm envelope-style sledges for rent.
Widget assistant: what and how much to take (by day and temperature)
Interactive map of warm spots and rental locations
Markers — pharmacies/rentals/visit centres in key locations. Open to quickly find out where to get "another pair" of mittens, a sledge, a booster seat or warm up with some tea.
🌟 Rookie Mistakes in Lapland — bright sticker tips
❌ “We pack mostly cotton — we will change it more often”
Cotton works against you in the cold: it soaks and cools you. Base layer — merino or synthetic instead.
ℹ️ “Wear three pairs of socks — that keeps feet warmer”
No: tightness prevents insulation. One warm wool sock + air space in the boot is better.
✅ “Always carry two pairs of mittens”
Swap wet ones — and the day goes on. Liner + insulated outer mitt is the best combo.
❌ “Wind? We already dressed for that”
In Lapland wind “eats” heat. Buff/balaclava, protective goggles and short outings are your friends.
A big warm note — share and come back
Winter in Lapland with a child is not a list of "things to do," but short moments of happiness: snow that glitters like sugar; mittens on the radiator; red cheeks; sleeping in a sleigh on the way home; a quiet sauna in the evening. Gather the right layers, mark warm spots on the map in advance, give yourself the right to slow down — and winter will be yours.
If you found this material helpful, share it with your friends, save it for the 2025–2026 season, and write in the comments what else you think is missing from the list: we'll add it to the widget and map.
FAQ
Socks — 3–5 pairs of wool socks, mittens — at least 2–3 pairs (one in your backpack, one "for tomorrow" in the drying cabinet). For temperatures of -15...-25 °C, add liners.
A jumpsuit lets less snow in on children's slides and tubing; a separate set is more convenient in a café/toilet. Both work — the main thing is that the wind protection and cuffs close tightly.
Any "warm" footwear will do, as long as it doesn't get wet and has enough room for wool socks. Valenki boots without galoshes get wet quickly in wet snow; choose boots with good soles.
Lip balm and windproof cream (not water-based). Apply a thin layer 20-30 minutes before going outside. Perfume/strong scents are unnecessary in the cold.
Yes. At dusk, it is important to have a reflective surface and a suspension/clip that "catches" the headlights at the level of moving parts — arms/legs/stroller.
Balaclava + wind/ski goggles. In strong winds, take short walks and choose forest trails instead of open fells.
Short walks — yes, if the child is dressed in layers and a warm envelope; keep an eye on their nose/cheeks, take breaks in a warm room. "Long naps" outside in severe frost — only if the child is used to it and you have a warm place nearby.
Liner gloves, a second pair of mittens, a dry seat pad, spare insoles, reflectors, hand/foot warmers, zip-lock bags for wet items.
Children's dosage fever reducer, antiseptic, plasters, sea water for the nose, wind protection cream, individual medications. Plus — the address of the nearest apteekki on the map.
In the city, a pram with wide wheels; on loose snow, a sledge-pram or pulkka. Resorts often have rentals.
The 112 Suomi app, offline maps of the area, wind/wind chill forecast, rental contacts and pharmacy addresses. Keep your phone in an inside pocket — the battery likes warmth.
Two "combat" sets + one spare. If there is a drying cabinet, two sets will suffice; on active snowy days, a third set always comes in handy.
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