4-Day Packing List for Kids to Iceland!

Disclaimer: This Iceland Itinerary guide may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. All opinions are my own and I would never post about something I have not personally used.

When we went to Iceland, I spent hours researching what to pack for the kids (7 and 4-year-old). We visited for four days in November and stayed somewhere with a washer and dryer, which was helpful because we only did carry-ons to save on the bag check cost with IcelandAir (saved $300 so was worth it in my eyes! See the carry on only products I used here). Below is what truly worked for us—and what I wish we had more of.

Truth be told, you can create great winter layers using things you probably already own. Don’t feel pressured to buy expensive merino wool sets or $200 specialty gear as other influencers might be posting about. We ball on a budget and stayed perfectly warm with these items!

This list is straightforward, no fluff—just what you need. Only the items I purchased are linked :)

What We Packed for the Kids (and What Worked!)

• 2 underlayer sets

  • Most of ours came from local consignment shops. Brands included Target’s All in Motion, CuddleDuds, and UnderArmour. These are very similar to the ones I found if you don't like to thrift and they're the most affordable ones I could find. Don’t stress about fabric—ours were a polyester/spandex blend and worked great.

• 2 pairs of sweatpants

  • Useful for adding a comfy extra layer or for lounging in the evenings.

• 1 pair of hiking pants

  • Waterproof, windproof, fleece-lined hiking pants were our go-to. The kids wore these daily, and we’ll keep using them for winter hikes here in Maryland!

• 1 pair of snow pants

  • We packed these in vacuum-sealed bags with a hand pump so we could reseal for the trip home.

• Waterproof winter hiking boots

  • I used these Keen boots for my daughter and these Columbia ones for my son. I would have bought both the same ones but the Columbia ones were on a sale I couldn't pass up but they both proved to be amazing! Not once did either kid complain about cold feet—even when the boots got wet. This was hands-down the best investment. Don't skimp on the boots!

• 4 pairs of wool socks

  • The kids are still wearing these wool socks post-trip and even asking for more.

• 2 long-sleeve shirts & 2 sweatshirts/athletic full zips

  • Layering is key so you can adjust if you go into a warm restaurant or back in the warm car between stops.

• Winter coat with extra inner jacket

  • I chose coats that had the extra small jacket as the liner in case we needed to unzip and use separately. We never took advantage of that feature because it was so cold that we needed both layers so as long as you have a nice waterproof thick one with a hood, the kids will be good! My daughter's is a hand-me-down from my sister (Cat&Jack from Target) but my son needed a new one. I found it used on Facebook Marketplace but this is the one he is using in the photo above!

• Crampons

  • We actually needed these at a waterfall. The kids were literally army-crawling across icy rocks until we put the crampons on. It's an extra cost but it is not worth a fall and a broken arm in Iceland! XS fit my kids shoes (toddler size 12 and big kids size 2)

• Balaclavas and Hats

  • These water resistant, windproof balaclavas were lifesavers on windy days. I also packed this regular winter hat as an extra just in case and used them when it wasn't as windy.

• Light gloves

  • Great when just walking around town where you know you will be going in and out of restaurants, museums, or shops.

• Winter/snow gloves

  • Necessary when on hikes or outside for longer periods.

• Hand warmers (yes—110%!)

  • I brought a pack of 10 for the family and wished we had more. You could also bring these rechargeable hand warmers too so it wasn't as wasteful!

• SNACKS

  • Pack alllll the snacks in every crevice of your bags. Trust me on this one.

• Digital camera

  • My best friend just got my son one for his birthday and he took pictures the entire time! Love that it sparked his creativity. So many beautiful scenes he wanted to capture.

• Don't forget your other usual items, including pajamas, underwear, toiletries, basic first aid kit, ibuprofen/thermometer if needed, vitamins, and anything to keep them occupied on the plane in their carry-on.

This was everything I packed for the kids and when we go back, I will be bringing again! I hope this saves you time, mental space, and money! Don't forget that you can use many items you likely already have! Don't buy the things you don't need <3 Let's save our money for the actual trip so we can see more of His creation. Praying for safe travels!

Love,
Abby