Last Updated on January 3, 2026 by Lindsey
This Iceland with kids itinerary lays out exactly how we spent five days road tripping around the country as a family. It’s designed for parents who want a realistic pace, minimal backtracking, and the flexibility to adjust plans when weather or crowds change, which happens often in Iceland. We followed this route while traveling with kids in late May, combining must-see sights with kid-friendly stops that actually worked in real life.
If you’re still deciding whether Iceland makes sense for your family, or want help with timing, costs, safety, and logistics, start with our full Iceland with kids travel guide.
5-Day Iceland with Kids Itinerary
Is This Itinerary Right for Your Kids?
Planning note: This is a day-by-day Iceland with kids itinerary. If you’re still deciding when to go, whether to road trip or stay in Reykjavík, or how much to budget, start with our complete Iceland with kids travel guide before diving into the daily plan.
Iceland with Kids Day 1 – Snaefellsnes Peninsula
A camper van is the ultimate way to travel in Iceland with kids
Our adventure began on a Thursday morning in late May as we landed in Iceland. The first item on our agenda was picking up our camper van at Camp Easy Iceland, our home for the next few days. Hotel rooms are expensive and few and far between in Iceland and are not sized to accommodate four people, so a campervan is a much more affordable option when traveling in Iceland with kids.
There are comfortable campgrounds throughout the country, and you don’t need reservations. I am not normally a camper, and I enjoyed this experience much more than I expected. Our beds were surprisingly comfortable and spacious (roughly queen-sized for both bunks), and I loved the flexibility to sleep in whatever area we happened to be in when we were tired. In the spring and summer it’s light until well after midnight, so you can explore well into the night, but remember to pack a mask so you can go to sleep while it’s still light out!
Head to Snaefellsnes for smaller crowds and stunning Icelandic beauty
With our vehicle secured, we hit the road, beginning our journey with a scenic three-hour drive to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. On the way, we hit a Bonus grocery store to stock up on breakfast and lunch items, and a few bags of Icelandic licorice, which is everywhere and surprisingly delicious. The variety we loe is chocolate and a little salty. It’s weird but it works!
After that, our next stop was Rauðamelsölkelda, a hidden gem that deserves recognition. Tucked away in solitude, this stunning waterfall and bridge offer more than just visual delight. Here, we were able to collect natural mineral water, a refreshing treat that blew my kids’ minds.
Restaurants are a bit skimpy in the Snaefellsnes peninsula, especially before the high season starts. For dinner, we headed to Lýsuhóll, a cozy restaurant at a horse farm bed & breakfast. The buffet-style dinner satisfied our hunger, although the dishes might not have reached the heights of culinary excellence. Nevertheless, the pleasant setting and attentive service made up for any minor shortcomings.
Next on our itinerary was Gatklettur, a natural arch that serves as a testament to the raw power and beauty of nature. We took advantage of the midnight sun and kept our kids closer to an EST schedule and ended our night around midnight by settling into Hellissandur campground, with a clean bathroom set up and a playground.
Iceland with Kids Day 2 – Snaefellsnes/Golden Circle
Friday was a blustery rainout, but we were eager to continue our Icelandic adventure. No one wanted to sit on an open boat for three hours of whale watching in the lousy weather, so we canceled our whale-watching tour and instead headed to Kirkjufelsfoss, a waterfall that captivated us with its cascading waters and the majestic view of the famous Kirkjufell as its backdrop. Covered head to toe in waterproof clothing, we dragged the kids up the hill to enjoy the misty scene.
When all else fails, hit an Icelandic hot spring with kids
Iceland is famed for its hot springs. We were originally not going to do it because we’re prudes and couldn’t stomach the idea of open showers. It’s customary to fully shower before going in the hot springs, and my search didn’t turn up any options with private showers. But we had a big opening in our schedule to fill, and I figured it was now or never for a hot spring.
Krauma ended up being a perfect option. It wasn’t very crowded, and I sucked it up and did the public shower, and since no one was paying attention, I let the girls get away with a bathing suit shower (sorry, Iceland, I promise they reached under the suits to clean). The well-appointed facilities, complete with spa-like bathrooms, open showers, multiple naturally heated pools, and a steam room, were just what we needed to warm up and relax. In the end, it was one of our favorite experiences, and I’m so glad I got over my never-nude ways.
Most of my trips are all about the food, but Icelandic food is generally not anything I get excited about. So when traveling to Iceland with kids, we stuck with the family-friendly to make our lives easier. We headed south to Olverk Pizza and Brewery for dinner. Here, we dove into quirky pizzas infused with local flavors, all while washing them down with delicious craft beers. I didn’t brave the banana pizza, but I appreciate that they had some truly novel stuff on the menu! Having satisfied our cravings, we settled in for the night at Selfoss, a campsite with comfortable amenities and a convenient location.
Iceland with Kids Day 3 – Golden Circle/Vik
We started our day with a horseback riding tour with Nupshestar, where we were treated to awe-inspiring views of mountains and rivers. Hilariously, when I’d booked the tour, the owner told me the scenery was nothing special. I guess when you live in a natural wonderland, stunning vistas of mountains and rivers are nothing special, but compared to suburban Virginia, it was glorious.
Icelandic horses are a unique breed and are smaller and shaggier than the horses you typically see in America. My favorite part was getting to experience the Icelandic tölt, a unique gait where the horses move quickly but much smoother than a trot. Despite the sun that day, it was cold and windy, so we were very glad to be bundled up with our ears covered and gloves. Our guide and the horses were lovely, and I highly recommend this company for a kid-friendly Icelandic adventure!
After, we stopped quickly at Geysir (the original one for which all others are named!), we visited Gulfoss, the iconic “Golden Waterfall.” Compared to other waterfalls we visited in Iceland, this one is huge. As we stood before the cascading water, we could its raw power and understood why it holds a special place in the hearts of Icelanders.
The restaurant you can’t miss when traveling in Iceland with kids
Our next stop took us to Friðheimar, a unique tomato farm where we enjoyed a hearty tomato soup. The setting is a working greenhouse where they grow tomatoes, and crowds filled it on the day we were there. I was too late to get reservations when I checked a week in advance, so plan ahead. Fortunately, you can walk in for a seat at the bar, and although their menu there is limited, you can still get the tomato soup and crusty bread for which they’re famous. I washed it down with a green tomato cocktail. Read my full review from a previous visit to Friðheimar.
Waterfall overload in Iceland
Stuffed with bread and tomatoes, we continued our journey to Seljalandfoss, a waterfall that beckoned us to explore its wonders from a different perspective. Adventurous souls that we are, we donned our rain gear again and ventured behind the waterfall. A perfect rainbow dazzled just in front of the waterfall, just begging to be Instagrammed. It was a three-waterfall kind of day, so we squeezed in one more – Skogafoss, another iconic waterfall with another perfect rainbow. All three spots should be on your must-visit list.
An early closing time thwarted our attempts to visit Dyrhólaey, but we still had time to visit Reynisfjara Beach before dinner. This beach is famous for its black sands, sneaker waves, and dramatic basalt rock caves, and sea stacks. However, the unpredictable Icelandic weather had other plans. The strong winds whipped up sand, stinging our faces, and forced us to seek refuge in the basalt caves. It was an unexpected twist in our adventure, but it only added to the thrill of experiencing Iceland’s untamed elements.
Hungry after our exhilarating encounter with nature, we headed to Smiðjan Brugghús for burgers and beer. It was the perfect end to an eventful day. We retired for the night at Vik, a crowded campsite that boasted good bathroom facilities and proximity to town.
Iceland with Kids Day 4 – Vik/Jokulsarlon
Sunday greeted us with the promise of new discoveries. We kick-started the day with a visit to Skool Beans, a cozy café in a school bus known for its delectable hot chocolates. The rich, velvety drink warmed us up and prepared us for our journey to the glaciers.
But first, we had to return to one of my favorite spots from my previous visit to Iceland – the unpronounceable Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, hilariously nicknamed Justin Bieber Canyon because he filmed a video there. At one point they had to close the canyon because Beliebers overran it, but fortunately, Fjaðrárgljúfur has since reopened as gorgeous as ever. As we ventured along the trail, we enjoyed the stunning cliffs, winding rivers, and verdant landscapes.
Icy, kid-friendly fun in Iceland
The highlight of the day was our zodiac boat tour of Jökulsárlón, the famous Ice Lagoon. Our tour company Ice Lagoon dressed us in heavy waterproof gear that made me feel like I was heading to space. But the lagoon really is otherworldly, so maybe I wasn’t far from the truth.
If you want to experience the glacier up close, this is one of those stops that requires a guided tour. We cover our favorite family-friendly options — including age requirements — in our Iceland with kids travel guide.
As we raced across the water in our zodiac boat, we marveled at the shimmering icebergs that dotted the landscape, feeling as though we have stepped into a surreal wonderland. The experience was exhilarating and unforgettable. I highly recommend witnessing the glacier up close and personal before it’s too late. Our guides told us how quickly the glacier is receding, so it may cease to exist eventually.
There are several food trucks in the parking lot, and we opted for inexpensive, fresh lobster rolls from Heimahumar, a local langoustine truck. The one disappointment was Diamond Beach, which looks so lovely in photos. Unfortunately, even on a cold day in May, whatever ice was there in winter was long gone and it was just a black beach.
We headed back to Vik and grabbed dinner at Black Crust Pizza. Intrigued by their unique offerings, we decided to try their unconventional black-crust pizza. The combination of duck, orange, nuts, and cream cheese was bizarre but satisfying.
By evening, it was pouring buckets again and the Vik campground was already packed. We decided to head further west and spent our night at the Skogar campsite, which sits directly in front of Skógafoss waterfall. This campground has fewer amenities than others we visited, but we only needed the basics, and I loved the novelty of opening my door to a waterfall in the morning.
Iceland with Kids Day 5 – Reykjavik
Monday arrived, and it was time to bid farewell to the captivating landscapes of Iceland. But before we go, we spent the day exploring Reykjavik, the capital city. The city is quite compact, and in my opinion, is not a must-do. But with time to kill, we visited Hallgrímskirkja, a striking church towering over the city. We spent most of our time poking into a zillion nearly identical tourist stores. For lunch, we enjoyed Skál!, a trendy eatery that serves up the fanciest Icelandic cuisine of our trip. The delicious scallops and beef tartar were a final gift to myself after days of burgers and pizza.
Reluctantly, we return our faithful camper van, bidding it a fond farewell. Full of memories of an epic 4-night adventure in Iceland, we headed home. Iceland is a truly stunning place and so easy to get around. We enjoy nature but are not particularly outdoorsy, and we loved every minute of it. The camper van made it all feel more adventurous and allowed us to change course when weather or crowds required. The flight is a mere 5.5 hours from the east coast, so you have no excuse not to add Iceland to your must-see list!
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Pin for Later
Keep Planning Your Iceland Adventure
- Iceland With Kids: Plan the Best Ever Family Adventure
- The unique Icelandic tomato soup restaurant you’ll fall in love with
- Icelandic Licorice: The Unexpected Sweet Treat You Need to Try
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I love this post! Most people recommend doing Iceland as an adults-only trip, but we LOVE traveling with our kids! Looks like a dream trip!
What amazing memories you made with your girls. Travel really is the best and most exciting education.
I didn’t use a campervan but I followed almost this exact itinerary on a roadtrip through Iceland last year. What a gorgeous country! I liked all of my airbnbs but it would be cool to camp as close to the sites as you did.
What amazing memories you are making! We traveled with our boys when they were young too! Travel really is the best and most exciting way to understand other cultures and cuisines!
We loved our family visit to Iceland. Wish we had made it to Snaefellsnes, but perhaps that’s for another trip.
Incredible places and what an experience to share this with kids !
Your trip sounds like an amazing travel plan for families! My husband and I visited Iceland before we had kids, and we had a whirlwind, jam-packed itinerary where we drove the entire Ring Road in just 7 days. The natural beauty of this country is absolutely breathtaking, and we’re thinking about returning someday to experience it at a slower pace with our children. Renting a van seems like the perfect way to explore Iceland as a family. I’m saving your itinerary for future reference – thank you for sharing!
Literally laughed out loud when I read that the canyon is nicknamed Justin Bieber Canyon