The Ultimate Lapland Packing List with Kids (+ Free Printable PDF)
Planning a winter trip to Lapland and wondering what you really need to pack? Then you’re in the right place. After several winter trips to Finnish Lapland, including Saariselkä, Levi, Ylläs, Pyhä, Rovaniemi and now Ruka, we know exactly what’s essential… and what you can safely leave at home.
We travel as a family with two kids (9 and 12 years old) and plan everything ourselves. No group tours, just a full week of snow, saunas and winter activities like skiing, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and fatbiking. With this practical Lapland winter packing list, you’ll be fully prepared.
In short: what do you need for Lapland in winter?
Contents
Our luggage: travelling light in Lapland
For one week in Lapland with kids, we bring:
- 4 backpacks
- 1 suitcase (23 kg)
That’s really all we need. The key is packing smart, layering clothes and not bringing duplicates of things you don’t use daily. One large suitcase instead of two also saves money, since most airlines charge for checked baggage.
What to wear in Lapland: the 3-layer system
The most important rule for extreme cold is layering: base layer, mid layer and outer layer.
Base layer: thermal clothing for Lapland
- 2 thermo shirts Uniqlo Ultra Warm
- 2 thermo leggings Uniqlo Ultra Warm
- 4 sets underwear
Mid layer: insulation
- Wool sweater
- Fleece ski sweater
- Warm trousers with fleece lining
Outer layer: protection from snow and wind
- Ski trousers
- Ski jacket (adults) or one-piece snowsuit (kids)
- Extra winter jacket (for non-ski days)
Tip: Always pack one thermal set and your ski trousers in your carry-on, in case your suitcase is delayed.
Hands, feet & head
- Hestra army leather Ski mittens (much warmer than gloves)
- Fleece mittens (we wear them under ski mittens below -20°C)
- Hand warmers
- 2 pairs ski socks
- 2 pairs wool socks
- Sorel snow boots
- foot warmers (we use them below -20°C)
- Wool hat
Other winter accessories for Lapland
- Pyjamas
- 1 towel per person (shower)
- 2 extra towels for the sauna
- Crocs or slippers
- Swimsuit / swim shorts
Packing tip: Vacuum bags save up to 30–40% space. Perfect for thermals, fleece and sweaters.
Toiletries for extreme cold
Extreme cold has a huge impact on your skin, lips and even your eyes. Below -10°C your skin dries out quickly, and at -20°C normal cream can literally freeze on your face.
Our essentials for a winter trip to Lapland:
- Saunascent (only special sauna fragrance, not essential oils)
- Weleda Baby Weer & Windbalsem, our absolute favourite. No water, perfect for -15°C to -30°C
- Rich hand cream (Weleda Skin Food or O’Keeffe’s)
- Lip balm without water (oil or beeswax based)
- Sunscreen SPF 30+ (yes, even in winter – snow reflects sunlight)
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Shampoo
- Hair mask / conditioner
- Shower gel
- Deodorant
- Saline nasal spray (air is extremely dry)
- Basic first aid kit
- Personal medication
- Laundry detergent sheets detergent sheets (for 2–3 washes)
Elektronica & gadgets in the cold
- Smartphone (navigation & Northern Lights photos)
- Power bank 20,000+ mAh (absolutely essential)
- Chargers
- Camera / Insta360
- Extra camera batteries
Important: Always keep electronics in your inner pockets. In outer pockets, batteries can die within an hour..
3 golden rules for electronics in Lapland
- Keep devices warm against your body
- Keep power banks warm too
- Let devices warm up slowly indoors to avoid condensation. Coming indoors from -30°C? Leave your camera in its bag until it warms up. Rapid temperature changes cause condensation that damages your electronics.
Northern Lights tip: You need a camera that supports long exposure. Phones struggle. Keep spare batteries in your inner pocket.
What to pack for activities in Lapland
These extras make your Lapland trip unforgettable:
- Ski helmet with visor, we use it for all outdoor activities
- Back protectors (skiing)
- Neck warmer
- Balaclava
- Snowshoes
- 2 thermos flasks
- 4 traditional Finnish wooden cups
- Roasting sticks for sausages & marshmallows
- Fire starter cubes
Tip: In Finnish forests you’ll find laavu’s (free shelters with fireplaces). Perfect for warming up during cross-country skiing.
Complete checklist: are you ready for Lapland?
After many trips to Finnish Lapland, we’ve tested and refined this list again and again. The result is a complete, practical checklist that helps you avoid forgetting things – without overpacking.
This checklist is perfect if you:
- are visiting Lapland for the first time
- travel with kids
- plan activities like skiing, huskies or snowmobiling
- want to travel light but stay warm
Download the free Lapland packing list (PDF)
We turned our full Lapland winter packing list into a printable PDF.
📌 Pin this checklist on Pinterest to save it for later.
How we use the checklist ourselves
About a month before departure, I take out all winter clothes. The kids try everything on and I order bigger sizes if needed.
Two weeks before departure, I put our big suitcase in the living room and start adding everything. Then I order missing items like creams or warmers.
A few days before we leave, we open the checklist together. Everyone ticks off their own items (yes, even the kids 😉), so we know:
- nothing is forgotten
- we don’t overpack
- everything is logically divided
- everyone knows what’s in their bag
It saves so much stress and gives peace of mind, even before the trip starts.
Whether you’re going for the Northern Lights, skiing with kids or winter adventures in nature: this is exactly what you need for Lapland. No more, no less.
Follow us for more real-life tips about Lapland and winter travel!
