Top 10 Things to Do in Ruka with Families in December (Lapland with Kids)

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We visited at Christmas the high point of the winter season and found Ruka was packed with loads of activities for kids of all ages, including a great mix of:

• Once-in-a-lifetime experiences

• Simple snowy fun

• Indoor activities

• And things that don’t cost a fortune

Here are the 10 best things to do in Ruka with families, based on our trip plus what we saw other families doing while we were there.

1. Visit Santa Claus 🎅 (Unmissable, Paid)

If you’re going to Lapland with kids, this is the big one.

The Santa experience in Ruka is:

• Very well organised

• Intimate and personal

• Not rushed

• And genuinely magical for younger children

Each child is spoken to by name, gets a small gift, and you get time for photos.

👉 We explain exactly what happens here:
What Actually Happens When You Visit Santa in Finland (Our Real Experience)

If you’re visiting in December, this is usually the main reason families choose Ruka.

2. Go Skiing (Even If You’re Beginners) 🎿

Ruka is brilliant for families and beginners to skiing. Either book as part of holiday package or it can easily be organised independently once you are there.

Why is Skiing in Ruka good for beginners?

• Short, gentle runs

• Great ski school

• Floodlit slopes

• Fun snow parks for kids

Even if you’re not hardcore skiers, it’s a really enjoyable part of the trip.

👉 Read: Skiing in Ruka with Kids: Is It Beginner-Friendly?
👉 And: Our Family Ski Day in Ruka: What to Expect

3. Try Snowmobiling ❄️ (Paid, Older Kids)

This was one of our favourite experiences.

You:

• Ride through snowy forests

• Stop to look for the Northern Lights

• Warm up with hot drinks

• And go at a pace that feels safe and controlled

Kids ride with parents, everyone wears proper helmets and balaclavas, and the guides check on the group regularly.

👉 Full review here:
Is Snowmobiling in Finland Safe for Families? Our Experience

4. Take a Reindeer Sleigh Ride 🦌 (Paid, Gentle & Festive)

This is a slower, calmer, very “Lapland” experience.

• Perfect for younger kids

• Very festive

• More about atmosphere than adrenaline

You’ll ride through snowy forest, learn about reindeer, and usually get a warm drink afterwards.

👉 Our honest take:
Is a Reindeer Ride in Lapland Worth It?

5. Ride the Ruka Coaster 🎢 (Paid, Or Half Price with Ski Pass)

This was the most unexpectedly fun thing we did.

It’s:

• A mountain coaster on rails

• You control the speed

• And it’s brilliant for kids and adults

In winter, everything is covered in snow, which makes it even more fun.

👉 Read: The Most Unexpectedly Fun Thing We Did in Ruka

6. Go Sledging (Free!)

This is one of the best free activities in Ruka.

There are:

• Sledges everywhere

• Little hills around the village

• A proper sledging slope in the centre

Kids literally just pick up a sledge, slide, leave it, and move on.

Simple. Brilliant. Hours of fun.

7. Snow Walking in the Forest 🌲 (Free or Guided)

Walking through the snow-covered forest in Ruka feels like being inside a Christmas film.

You can:

• Just walk around the resort paths

• Or book a guided snowshoe walk

Some of the best moments were:

• Throwing snowballs

• Building snowmen

• Walking through the trees

• Watching the lights come on

• Jumping in the snow

Sometimes Lapland doesn’t need an itinerary. We loved these as a non-ski afternoon activity.

8. Go Bowling 🎳 (Paid, Great for Bad Weather Days)

There’s a bowling alley in Ruka village, and on snowy or stormy days it gets very busy — for good reason.

• Great for families

• Warm and indoors

• Nice break from the cold

Expect to pay around €30 per lane per hour.

9. Play Pool or Indoor Games 🎱 (Paid, Cheap & Easy)

There are a few bars and venues with:

• Pool tables

• Games areas

• Casual food like the Churro van

We used this as a wind-down evening activity.

Pool was around €16 per hour.

10. Pick any of the other amazing activities available in Ruka!

• Dog farm and sledding

• Snow shoe walking in Oulanka National Park

• Northern lights snow show walking

• Night time sleigh ride

• Introduction to cross country skiing

• Ice fishing

• Night time snow show walking

• River floating (height and age restrictions)

• Ice karting (height and age restrictions)

How Many Activities Should You Book?

Our honest advice: Don’t overbook.

You’ll want:

• Some activity days

• Some ski days

• Some slower days

Lapland is tiring in the cold, especially for kids.

We found 2–3 paid excursions in a week was perfect.

How Much Do Activities Cost in Ruka?

Rough guide:

• Santa: usually included in packages or premium excursion

• Snowmobiling: higher end

• Reindeer rides: mid-range

• Coaster: ~€19 or half price with ski pass

• Bowling: ~€30/hour

• Pool: ~€16/hour

• Sledging, walking, playing in snow: free

👉 For full budget planning:
How Much Does a Lapland Family Trip Cost?
👉 And:
Lapland on a Budget: Where You Can Save and Where You Can’t

Is There Enough to Do If You Don’t Ski Much?

Absolutely yes.

Many families:

• Ski only half days

• Or only a few days

• And spend the rest of the time doing activities

👉 Read: What to Do in Lapland If You Don’t Ski

Do You Have to Book Activities Through Crystal Ski?

Not at all, you can pre book with companies like Viator or Get your guide which I use for almost booking almost all my tours before I travel. I trust them as they almost always offer free cancellation and therefore complete flexibility if plans change.

We used Crystal for convenience, but you can mix and match, book independently or simply decide once you’re there.

Our Honest Verdict

Ruka is:

• One of the best places we’ve ever been for family winter activities

• Not just a ski resort

• But a proper Lapland experience with something for everyone

Whether you want adrenaline, Christmas magic, or just snowy fun — you’ll find it here.

Planning Your Own Trip?

Start here:

👉 Ruka Lapland with Kids: The Complete Family Guide (UK School Holidays Edition)
👉 Our Honest Review of Crystal Ski in Ruka, Finland