Levi with Kids: Family Activities in Finnish Lapland

Levi is one of the few places in the world where children's fairytale expectations and reality actually match. Snow deep enough to build caves 

in. Huskies that let you hold the reins. A Santa Claus who genuinely knows your child's name. Reindeer you can feed by hand.

We've been running family tours in Levi since 1998 and have worked with hundreds of families, from parents with babies in snowsuits to groups 

with teenagers who arrived sceptical and left planning their return trip. This page brings together everything we know about making a Levi family 

trip work: the best activities by age, honest answers to the questions parents ask most, and a few things most tour sites won't tell you.

Tours start from €23 per person. Most activities include free pickup from your accommodation and winter clothing.

Find the Right Activity by Your Child's Age

Not every Levi experience suits every age, and the best operators will tell you that honestly. Here's a straightforward guide to what works at each stage.

FREE THINGS TO DO IN LEVI WITH KIDS

Some of the memories families take home from Levi cost nothing at all. Here are six free activities that work especially well with children, no booking required, no equipment needed, available any time of day.

Snowman Challenge

Build a snowman or snow creature.

Take a photo and share on social media.

Snow Angel Creation

Make a snow angel.

Take a photo and share on social media.

Photo Hunt

Find and photograph: a snow-covered pine tree, a reindeer, a frozen lake. Take photos of each item/location. Create a collage and print it after your Lapland trip.

Snowball Target Practice

Set up a target and have a snowball-throwing contest.

Take a video or photo of the activity.

Hot Chocolate Break

Take a break and enjoy some hot chocolate at a local cafe.

Find the Hidden Gem of Levi

Behind the Levi Hotel Spa, among the snow-covered trees, lies a hidden gem: 766 stairs ascending to the Levi fell top.

Honest Answers: What's Actually Challenging About Levi with Kids

Every family holiday has its friction points. Here are the six things parents ask about most and what actually helps.

01  Cold Weather

The cold is real - temperatures in Levi regularly drop to -15°C and sometimes lower. But it's very manageable with the right layers. 

The key rule: cotton kills warmth, wool and synthetic base layers keep it. For small children, a good one-piece snowsuit over thermal layers covers most situations.

The good news: almost all paid tours in Levi include insulated overalls, boots, gloves and hats in the tour price. If you're spending significant time outdoors between activities, you can rent a full winter outfit for the week from €75 which is often cheaper than buying gear you'll use once.

Rent winter overalls

02  Keeping Kids Entertained

This is genuinely not a problem in Levi. The snow is deep, soft, and everywhere and children need almost no encouragement to spend hours 

in it. Sledding hills are free and scattered across the resort. Building snow caves, igloos, and snowmen keeps kids busy for entire afternoons.

For planned activities, the variety is real: from calm (reindeer encounters, Elves Village crafts) to physically exciting (husky safaris, igloo building, mini-snowmobiles). Most families find that unstructured snow time becomes their children's favourite memory even more than the organised tours they paid for.

03  Limited Daylight 

In December, Levi gets around 2-3 hours of actual daylight. By February, it's up to 7-8 hours, and in March, closer to 12. This shapes how you plan your days. The practical solution: almost all family-friendly tours run between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM, which catches the full daylight window even in midwinter. Evening activities, Northern Lights hunts, Polarman's Camp, night snowshoeing are genuinely magical for children and replace what you lose in afternoon light. Best months for families wanting the most daylight combined with guaranteed snow: February and March. Best month for a full Christmas atmosphere and Santa visits: December (book very early, it fills fast).

04  Booking and Timing

The most popular family activities - Santa Secret Hideaway, 5km husky safari, family snowmobile safari, can sell out weeks in advance during December and the February school holiday period. If your dates are fixed, book as soon as you know them.

A practical rule: the closer you are to Christmas week (December 20-27), the earlier you need to book, some families secure their Santa visits 3-4 months ahead. For February and March departures, 

2-4 weeks in advance is usually sufficient for most tours.

You can also visit Safari Market Levi at Keskuskuja 2B3 in the resort centre, the staff there can check availability across multiple operators and help you plan a full itinerary on the spot.

05  Food

Levi is not a gourmet destination, but feeding a family here is straightforward and most dietary needs are well covered.

Family-Friendly Restaurants in Levi:

• Restaurant Ammila: warm, cozy atmosphere and a diverse menu that includes local Finnish dishes and kid-friendly options.
• Kafet Café & Bakery: Perfect for a quick and tasty meal or a snack, this café has a selection of pastries, sandwiches, and salads.
• Hesburger: a popular Finnish fast-food chain similar to McDonald's, offering burgers, fries, salads, and vegetarian options.

Grocery Stores in Levi for picking up ingredients for self-catering or snacks for day trips:

• K-Market Levi: This local grocery store has a wide variety of products, including fresh produce, dairy, snacks, and ready-to-eat meals.
• S-Market Levi: Another excellent supermarket offering a broad range of groceries, including organic and gluten-free options.

06  Transport

Navigating around Levi with kids is easy if you stay in or within 1-1.5 km of Levi Center. The area is compact and walkable. Additionally, a ski bus runs throughout the day around the Levi fell, providing easy access to various parts of the area.

Activity providers and safari companies also offer free return transfers for their activities, ensuring hassle-free transportation for your family adventures.

One more thing worth knowing: most tour operators in Levi, including us, offer free return transfers from your accommodation. You don't 

need a car to reach any of our tours. Just give us your address when you book.

Daylight Hours in Levi by Month - Plan Your Days

All times approximate for the Levi area (68°N). Times shift significantly week-to-week - check a local sunrise calculator for your exact dates.

Not Sure Which Activities Are Right for Your Family?

Tell us the ages of your children, your travel dates, and roughly what kind of experience you're looking for:

active, magical, budget-conscious, or a mix.

We'll suggest a realistic itinerary and let you know what's available for your dates.