Traveling to Iceland with almost 3 yo and 5 yo

[Anonymous]

We have not taken a family vacation ever since the kids were born, partly because DS1 is SNs (hyperactive with suspected high functioning autism). We would really like to start traveling again and heard Iceland is a great place for families to visit. We are planning on visiting during Thanksgiving this year; however DH is worried the kids won't enjoy it because they won't have enough active activities for them. Have any of you with active young kids and have visited Iceland had a good experiences and what are your recommended activities? Our other choice is to do an all inclusive somewhere warm like Cancun.

[Anonymous]

It is VERY expensive for basic things. Cheap to get there, but expensive to do things like eat.

I’d do Cancun with kids before I’d do Iceland.

[Anonymous]

How dark will it be at Thanksgiving? Isn't there hardly any daylight? I would think Mexico would be more fun.

[Anonymous]

I don't know about that time of year, but we did it with 3 and 6 yos. It was a great choice, especially with energetic kids. Climbing and exploring, plenty of space to roam and outdoors so if they get a little loud no big deal. If they are good at sleeping in the car, let them sleep and you just drive and look at the beauty.

We rented a house and mostly bought food. Food is crazy expensive. Supermarkets are somewhat reasonable, but more than here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know about that time of year, but we did it with 3 and 6 yos. It was a great choice, especially with energetic kids. Climbing and exploring, plenty of space to roam and outdoors so if they get a little loud no big deal. If they are good at sleeping in the car, let them sleep and you just drive and look at the beauty.

We rented a house and mostly bought food. Food is crazy expensive. Supermarkets are some reasonable, but more than here.

Do your kids like the cold? I’ve been there that week of the year, and it’s quite cold and windy, and the days are short. We did the Golden Circle in a day; had we been there longer, we would have perhaps done a glacier tour, but your options are more limited at that time of year and that age. Agree I would totally do a trip with those ages during the summer, though.

[Anonymous]

I went during thanksgiving many years ago and would never go with such young kids that time of year, it is extremely dark: what they call daylight during that time was still so dark and lasted for like 30 minutes- the rest of the time it was dark, while ok for adults don’t think young kids would like. At that age kids love Disney. Save tho trip to Iceland for warmer months. I plan to take my kids someday but in the summer and when they are older. The food does suck and my older kid is extremely picky and would be pretty miserable eating there. Hopefully she will outgrow it over the next few years.

[Anonymous]

OP here...thanks for all the recommendations. Both kids are not great sleepers so they likely will fuss on long car rides. They aren't picky eaters though because and love fish (especially salmon). However, they do get cold (we did snow tubing this year and it did not go well). I think we will wait until they are older (maybe 8 and 10). I have never done an all inclusive so hopefully, it will be fun.

[Anonymous]

If it’s your first big trip with kids, why not start with something not so ambitious but still interesting? There are cool places to explore in the US and you wouldn’t have to deal with the hassle of international travel. You would still need a car seat for the 3YO so that’s another thing to figure out.

[Anonymous]

Iceland is very overrated. It's also very expensive once you arrive.

Here's how we approach trip planning for our family (of six): what would the kids enjoy doing? Then we pick a location that checks the boxes for the kids and for us.

City-based vacations can be tricky for some families. Our family actually enjoys touring cities (as long as I do my research and build in off the beaten path fun activities), but most of our friends have commented that they would never be able to take their kids on similar trips. Instead, they tend to take their kids to all inclusives in Mexico, DR or the Caribbean. Disney and other theme parks are also popular.

So, what do your kids enjoy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Iceland is very overrated. It's also very expensive once you arrive.

Here's how we approach trip planning for our family (of six): what would the kids enjoy doing? Then we pick a location that checks the boxes for the kids and for us.

City-based vacations can be tricky for some families. Our family actually enjoys touring cities (as long as I do my research and build in off the beaten path fun activities), but most of our friends have commented that they would never be able to take their kids on similar trips. Instead, they tend to take their kids to all inclusives in Mexico, DR or the Caribbean. Disney and other theme parks are also popular.

So, what do your kids enjoy?

OP here...both kids enjoy activities they can actively engage in. So things like going to museums are usually out unless they can touch the displays and it is interactive. DS1 is suspected of having ADHD and high functioning autism by the child developmental pediatrician so quiet activities or large group activities are out. They don't seem to like nature stuff (i.e. hiking) that much either (or if they do, it is mostly for the sensory stuff such as rolling in mud). We thought an all inclusive would be good because it is contained (DS1 tends to run off) and DS1 is really into the ocean and aquatic animals. Something in the US is fine too but I don't know if there are all inclusive in the US geared towards children or other places that would be contained with easy dining options. We thought about Disney world but I thought half the fun about going to Disney are for the characters which neither of them are interested in for some reason.

[Anonymous]

Maybe San Diego? Lots of kid focused activities (Zoo and Safari Park, Sea World, Lego land). Plus, I was really surprised by how engaging the USS Midway was. They let you touch everything, sit in the command room, flick switches, lie in the bunks, etc. if you go in the summer, there’s also the beach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Iceland is very overrated. It's also very expensive once you arrive.

Here's how we approach trip planning for our family (of six): what would the kids enjoy doing? Then we pick a location that checks the boxes for the kids and for us.

City-based vacations can be tricky for some families. Our family actually enjoys touring cities (as long as I do my research and build in off the beaten path fun activities), but most of our friends have commented that they would never be able to take their kids on similar trips. Instead, they tend to take their kids to all inclusives in Mexico, DR or the Caribbean. Disney and other theme parks are also popular.

So, what do your kids enjoy?

OP here...both kids enjoy activities they can actively engage in. So things like going to museums are usually out unless they can touch the displays and it is interactive. DS1 is suspected of having ADHD and high functioning autism by the child developmental pediatrician so quiet activities or large group activities are out. They don't seem to like nature stuff (i.e. hiking) that much either (or if they do, it is mostly for the sensory stuff such as rolling in mud). We thought an all inclusive would be good because it is contained (DS1 tends to run off) and DS1 is really into the ocean and aquatic animals. Something in the US is fine too but I don't know if there are all inclusive in the US geared towards children or other places that would be contained with easy dining options. We thought about Disney world but I thought half the fun about going to Disney are for the characters which neither of them are interested in for some reason.

Pp here. My kids 3 .5 and 6 don't care a out charters at all yet love the rides. Magic kingdom is great for young kids. Also we always go to the Orlando science museum which is very affordable and very interactive. Kids can easily spend 3 hours there before I can tear them away. Went back a second day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Iceland is very overrated. It's also very expensive once you arrive.

Here's how we approach trip planning for our family (of six): what would the kids enjoy doing? Then we pick a location that checks the boxes for the kids and for us.

City-based vacations can be tricky for some families. Our family actually enjoys touring cities (as long as I do my research and build in off the beaten path fun activities), but most of our friends have commented that they would never be able to take their kids on similar trips. Instead, they tend to take their kids to all inclusives in Mexico, DR or the Caribbean. Disney and other theme parks are also popular.

So, what do your kids enjoy?

OP here...both kids enjoy activities they can actively engage in. So things like going to museums are usually out unless they can touch the displays and it is interactive. DS1 is suspected of having ADHD and high functioning autism by the child developmental pediatrician so quiet activities or large group activities are out. They don't seem to like nature stuff (i.e. hiking) that much either (or if they do, it is mostly for the sensory stuff such as rolling in mud). We thought an all inclusive would be good because it is contained (DS1 tends to run off) and DS1 is really into the ocean and aquatic animals. Something in the US is fine too but I don't know if there are all inclusive in the US geared towards children or other places that would be contained with easy dining options. We thought about Disney world but I thought half the fun about going to Disney are for the characters which neither of them are interested in for some reason.

We went on a fantastic trip to Ireland with active young boys. We skipped Dublin and kept to the countryside where the kids could hike to a waterfall, relax on horse drawn carriage rides, explore castles and old ruins, see authentic Irish dancing in a pub, walk along a beach. Everything was very hands on and we didn't have to hold their hands every minute. There's a famous dolphin in Dingle that your son might like to see, plus a kid friendly aquarium.

[Anonymous]

Lots of kids enjoy Disney for the rides and playful atmosphere and couldn't care less about the characters. Disney/Orlando is a great trip for kids.

Careful with AIs: make sure it has actual activities for the kids. Just because there's a kids club doesn't mean it's much more than a room with coloring books. Make sure there's a great pool, splash pad, etc. See if there's a playground or sports court. Make sure there are kid-friendly water activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Iceland is very overrated. It's also very expensive once you arrive.

Here's how we approach trip planning for our family (of six): what would the kids enjoy doing? Then we pick a location that checks the boxes for the kids and for us.

City-based vacations can be tricky for some families. Our family actually enjoys touring cities (as long as I do my research and build in off the beaten path fun activities), but most of our friends have commented that they would never be able to take their kids on similar trips. Instead, they tend to take their kids to all inclusives in Mexico, DR or the Caribbean. Disney and other theme parks are also popular.

So, what do your kids enjoy?

Yikes. I'll take northern lights, natural geysers, lava fields, water falls, and gas vents over any Disney artificial stuff any day.