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Iceland is a wonderful place to take a trip with the whole family. There are plenty of fun adventures that both kids and parents can enjoy. If you really want to experience something special, book a stay at Hotel Rangá during northern lights season. Our exclusive property is located near all the best south coast sights in Iceland. What’s more, we offer excellent amenities that will enhance your stay while you wait for the northern lights to appear. Make memories of a lifetime when you experience the northern lights with kids in Iceland.
What are the northern lights?
The northern lights – or aurora borealis – are colorful displays of light that dance across the dark night sky. The northern lights can be green, purple, pink or even red. Some nights, the aurora twists and turns in amazing displays of varying intensity. Other nights, we might see a large band of green light stretching far across the horizon. But what are the northern lights, anyway? If you have curious kids, they will likely want to know why it is possible to see the northern lights in Iceland but not back home.
How can parents explain the northern lights to kids?
First, parents can explain that the northern lights are only visible in countries that are located far up north. Show your kids a world map or a globe and point out the North Pole. Tell your kids that places like Iceland, Norway and Alaska are special because they are located close to the North Pole. These locations experience shorter days and longer nights during the winter months. Dark night skies plus a location near the North Pole makes Iceland a great location to see the northern lights.
Next, parents will need to explain why the northern lights actually occur. You can say that the Sun sends out little particles that then travel all the way to Earth. After reaching Earth, these little particles mix with special gases that are high in the sky. This mixture of particles from the Sun with gases surrounding the Earth creates the northern lights.
Your kids might also be curious why the northern lights come in a variety of colors. This is due to the types of gases that interact with solar particles. For example, green northern lights occur when the Sun’s particles mix with oxygen. On the other hand, purple northern lights occur when solar particles mix with nitrogen.
What is the best time of year to see the northern lights with kids in Iceland?
If you want to see the northern lights with kids in Iceland, you will need to plan your trip between late August and early April. During these months, there is enough darkness in the night sky to see the northern lights. In fact, by mid-December, Iceland experiences only 4 hours of daylight!
On the flip side, Icelandic summers are filled with daylight from the midnight sun. From mid-April to mid-August, the night sky is just barely dark. This means that we are unable to see the northern lights in Iceland during the summertime.
What conditions are necessary in order to see the northern lights in Iceland?
In order to see the northern lights we need three things. First, we need dark skies. You can explain this to your kids by giving the example of a flashlight. Just like it is impossible to see a flashlight in broad daylight, we need darkness to see the northern lights. That’s why we have to look for the northern lights at night.
Second, we need solar activity. The Sun doesn’t always send the same amounts of particles towards the Earth. In order to see the northern lights, we need the Sun to send many particles. If there is less solar activity, there is less chance that we will see the northern lights.
Third, we need clear skies. If there are too many clouds, they can cover up the night sky. Tell your kids that they can think of the clouds almost like a blanket. During a game of hide and seek, you might hide underneath a blanket. No one will be able to see you until they take the blanket away. Similarly, we cannot see the northern lights without a clear sky.
Can we predict when the northern lights will appear?
No, it is impossible to predict exactly when the northern lights will appear. Even when all the correct conditions are in place, sometimes the aurora fails to show up. On the other hand, we have seen some incredible northern lights even when the predicted solar activity has been quite low. The mysterious nature of an aurora sighting is part of what makes them so magical.
Can we also go stargazing at Hotel Rangá?
Yes, Hotel Rangá is an excellent place to go stargazing! Because our property is located far from the glow of city lights, the night sky remains dark and pristine. When the skies are clear, stargazing conditions at Hotel Rangá are truly epic. The lack of light pollution makes it easier to see beautiful constellations and sometimes even shooting stars. What’s more, we have our very own Rangá Observatory!
Can our kids use Hotel Rangá’s stargazing observatory?
Yes, kids and parents alike are welcome to use the Hotel Rangá Observatory. This special structure houses two high-tech telescopes that make it possible to see far-off stars and planets in greater detail. We open the observatory on clear nights when conditions are right. What’s more, we also host a local astronomer who guides our guests on tours of the stars. This is an incredibly fun activity for families. Listen as the astronomer shares stories and facts about the night sky. Then, take a peek into the telescope and see sights that are not visible to the naked eye.
What day trips can we do in Iceland with kids?
While you wait for the northern lights to appear at night, there are many family-friendly activities to experience during the day. If you have younger kids, we recommend that you drive down the south coast. First, make a stop at the stunning waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi. From there, you will drive a bit further to see the mighty Skógafoss waterfall. Next, visit the black sand beaches and basalt cliffs at Reynisfjara. Your final destination is the quaint village of Vík. There, you can stop for a bite to eat and enjoy stunning views of the sea.
Another lovely day trip with kids is the Golden Circle route. This scenic route features the breathtaking waterfall Gullfoss that spans the entire width of the Hvitá river. On the Golden Circle you will also visit the amazing Strokkur geysir that regularly erupts every 6 to 10 minutes. Check out our Golden Circle Guide for all the best stops including sights, restaurants and even hot springs.
If your kids are school-aged, we highly recommend a visit to the Lava Centre. The mission of this interactive space is to educate visitors about volcanic activity in Iceland. With plenty of hands-on exhibits such as an earthquake simulator, the Lava Centre is perfect for the whole family.
What activities can we do in Iceland with kids during the daytime?
Make memories that will last for a lifetime when you take a family horseback riding adventure. Children 10 and older can join riding tours. If you have younger kids, they can also get up close to Icelandic horses on a stable visit.
If you want to experience Icelandic nature up close, we recommend a super jeep tour. A driver will pick you up directly from Hotel Rangá in a mighty super jeep. From there, you will journey off the beaten path to locations like Þórsmörk and Landmannalaguar. Your guide will stop so that you can take short hikes and see the Icelandic countryside. Kids aged 5 and older can join a super jeep tour.
For the teenage crowd, we suggest a high adrenaline buggy or snowmobiling tour. Teens who are 17 or older with a valid drivers license can even drive the buggy or snowmobile themselves. What’s more, younger kids can accompany their parents as passengers. Zooming across a black sand beach on a buggy or across the mighty Eyjafjallajökull glacier on a snowmobile is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
What activities can we do with kids at Hotel Rangá while we wait for the northern lights to appear?
After a day of outdoor adventures, head back to Hotel Rangá for an evening of family fun. First, relax a bit in your room. The kids can watch an episode of their favorite show while parents can grab a glass of wine at the Rangá Bar. Then, head to our well-stocked game room for a bit of play time. The game room has a pool table, puzzles, board games and cards and offers entertainment for all ages.
As dinnertime approaches, head over to our Rangá Restaurant. We serve locally-sourced, gourmet cuisine and have a special kids menu for the younger crowd. While your kids wait for their dinner, they can do a bit of coloring in our very own Rangá coloring book. This beautifully illustrated book includes Icelandic folklore and history – so your kids can learn about Iceland while they color.
After dinner, we highly recommend a soak in Hotel Rangá’s geothermal hot tubs. Relax in the soothing water while you wait for the aurora to appear. Who knows, you might even get lucky enough to see the aurora while you are enjoying the hot tub!
Does Hotel Rangá have an aurora wake-up call?
After reading about all the fantastic activities available around Hotel Rangá, you are likely ready to plan your trip to Iceland to see the northern lights. However, we are sure you have one important question. Will we have to stay up late in order to see the aurora? Sleepy kids are not the best travel companions. However, with Hotel Rangá’s aurora wake-up call, you can get as much sleep as you need but never miss the northern lights.
Yes, that’s right – our night guard is on northern lights duty all evening. If the aurora should appear, we will call your room directly with our special aurora wake-up call service. This means that you can get a good nights sleep and still see the northern lights.
How should we prepare to see the northern lights at Hotel Rangá?
Because the northern lights can appear at any time of night, it is a good idea to prepare before going to sleep. Set out your warm clothes beside the bed so you can get dressed quickly. Many of our guests don a warm woolen sweater or pair of wool pants straight over their pajamas. Then, make sure your coat, hat, gloves and shoes are also ready and waiting by the door. It’s no fun to go on a search for clothing in the middle of the night!
How can we take family photos of the northern lights at Hotel Rangá?
If you want to take photos or video, we also recommend that you have all cameras and cell phones charged and ready. For excellent northern lights photos, we strongly recommend shooting on a DSLR camera. However, if there is enough solar activity, cell phones can also capture shots of the northern lights. For more information about taking photos of the aurora, check out our blog posts How to Photograph the Northern Lights in Iceland and Taking Photos of the Northern Lights at Hotel Rangá.
How should kids dress to see the northern lights in Iceland?
We can only see the northern lights in Iceland from late August through early April. What’s more, we have to look for the lights when the sky is completely dark. This means that the temperatures are going to be on the lower side when you see the aurora. However, as long as your family dresses well, you will still stay comfortable despite the cold temperatures.
First, we recommend a wool base layer. This will keep your kids nice and warm without adding bulk. Layer up with hiking pants and a warm coat. Accessorize for the cold with wool gloves, wool socks and a warm woolen hat. If you want to do like the Icelanders do, buy a woolen lopapeysa sweater from a unique local shop. Finally, don’t forget to wear durable hiking shoes or boots. Though it will not be raining when we see the northern lights, you will likely encounter some rain on your trip to Iceland.
Why is Hotel Rangá such a great place for kids and parents to see the northern lights?
Hotel Rangá is located in the Icelandic countryside, far away from light pollution. In fact, on dark nights when the aurora might appear, we always turn off all external lighting. This means that our location offers truly excellent conditions for prime northern lights sightings. Furthermore, we are ideally located for families to explore all the top sights along Iceland’s south coast.
What’s more, we offer luxury accommodation, excellent hospitality and even gourmet dining. Families can take advantage of our fun game room and relaxing geothermal hot tubs. Our Hotel Rangá front desk staff are ready to help you plan daily excursions and book fun day trips. In addition, our property has gorgeous views of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano-glacier, Hekla volcano and Rangá River.
Check out our blog post to learn why we think Hotel Rangá is the best hotel to see the northern lights in Iceland.
Does Hotel Rangá have kid-friendly locations to see the aurora?
We have already mentioned our cozy geothermal hot tubs – these make a wonderful place to enjoy the aurora! Hotel Rangá also has custom made wooden benches for guests to use when the aurora appears. These benches are specially made so that guests can lie back and gaze at the night sky.
If your kids get a bit cold, just step inside Hotel Rangá for a cup of hot chocolate. If anyone in the family is feeling a bit peckish, our bar menu is available 24/7. And if the parents are feeling chilly, might we suggest a cup of Irish coffee or a hot toddy?
More Hotel Rangá Blog Posts About the Northern Lights
- Taking Photos of the Northern Lights at Hotel Rangá
- The Best Hotel to See the Northern Lights in Iceland
- Icelandic Folklore About the Northern Lights
- Is Iceland A Good Place to See the Northern Lights?
More Hotel Rangá Blog Posts About Traveling With Kids in Iceland
