Iceland in March with small DCs

[n0ne]

My lovely lovely DH has booked us a trip to Iceland for my milestone birthday. We'll be going the first week of March with DCs 6 and 1.5, and main purpose is to see the Northern lights, but I also want to take in as many of the natural sights as possible. We'll likely do self-catering rather than hotel(s). Anyone been and got any hot tips?

Bump

We went to Iceland last easter with my then 2 and 4 year olds. It was brilliant but quite hard work especially with the 2 year old.

We stayed in a b&b on the outskirts of Reykjavik and hired a car. We found it very expensive so I picked up a lot of snacks and bits in the local supermarkets. It was cold so I found the kids did eat more. Also kept them quiet on longer car journeys!

DH did a northern lights tour with our 4 year but didn't see them. Speaking to others when we were there it wasn't great conditions for seeing them that week. They both enjoyed the tour though.

Top tip-we spent a lot of time in the municipal swimming pools. They are fab especially with little ones. Quite cheap, very clean and most have slides, little toddler areas and toys you can use.

We went whale watching which was good. Wouldn't bother with the whale museum in Reykjavik though-we thought it was very expensive and not that great.

Also there's a couple of Go Jetters episodes-one where they see the northern lights and one where they visit a geyser in Iceland. Your 6 year old might like them and will help explain a bit about what they'll see before they go.

Both of mine loved seeing the geyser! And still talk about it now

We took some snacks in our suitcase as stuff like that is expensive, stuff like cereal bars and Pringles. There are limits on what you can take but it is quite a bit

We went in winter for almost a week - no lights.

Went again August bank holiday and couldn’t move for them!

It’s my favourite place in the world, but is very expensive. DD was 4 when we first went.

Wouldn't bother with the whale museum in Reykjavik though-we thought it was very expensive and not that great.

We went on arrival after a trans-Atlantic night flight. Couldn’t check into our apartment for hours, so went there. Quite enjoyed it, but Jet lag + darkness + whalesong = all of us falling asleep. 😂

Great tips, thanks! Will give whale museum a swerve and bring lots of snacks

Who did people book through? Did you book all the activities upfront or just the flights/accom and sort out tours when you got there? And what specific areas did you visit?

We went with Icelandair and Thomson's, both were package tours and at the cheaper end, also best to get something with breakfast included then you can fill up well before going out as food is so expensive. Its very easy to book the trips when you get there.

Oh we just love Iceland. Went 2 yrs ago when the youngest was 4, and 2 older dcs. We hired a car and rented an airbnb lovely huge house in Fludir. It was very a handy location for the Golden Circle and not too far for us to go back to Reykjavik for the day.
We did Reykjavik, the Golden Circle and the south coast to Vik. This was a long drive but there are plenty stops on the way, and it really is amazing once you get there.

Booked flights super cheap with easyjet, car with GoIceland- they were fab when our flight (leaving) was delayed, they said just keep the car and return later (3 hrs) no probs.
We went back in November without the kids, with another couple and stayed in some lovely hotels.
Yes food is expensive but all the attractions are free, and utterly awesome in every sense of the word. When there with the kids we did a big supermarket shop (some things are normally priced but for e.g. a small bag of potatoes was £7, I had taken a bag of pasta, lentils, herbs, stock cubes etc which I would highly recommend if you are going SC), had a good breakfast, packed lunch if out all day, and home for dinner most nights. I think we ate out twice which was lovely but also nice to come home with the kids. We had a hot tub so the evenings were lovely at the house.
Swimming pools are amazing, we spent 4 hours in each one on both trips and would do the same again.
Are you going to drive? The roads are excellent and the standard is amazing- I would thoroughly recommend this esp with kids.

Do you want any suggestions etc? I could talk about it for hours....it's amazing. You'll love it.

And this from a person who lives in an area awarded Biosphere Reserve status by Unesco, and a recognised area of outstanding natural beauty. Kind of why the kids didn't really appreciate the general landscape of Iceland as it's as beautiful as where they are growing up. Geysers were fantastic though!!

Thanks @Justgivemeasoddingname !