Top 10 Things to Do in Ruka in December With Kids (Lapland Family Guide)
If you’re planning a family trip to Ruka this winter, Finland and wondering whether there’s enough to do beyond skiing, you’ll be pleased to hear: there’s loads. One of the reasons we loved Ruka so much is that it’s not just a ski resort — it’s a proper winter playground for families.
RUKAFINLANDSKIEUROPEWHAT TO DO
Clare
1/23/20267 min read
Why Ruka is Perfect for a Family Winter Trip
We visited Ruka at Christmas, right at the peak of the winter season, and were genuinely surprised by just how much there was to do beyond skiing. The resort was buzzing and packed with activities that really work for families.
If you’re travelling with school‑aged kids, the top three experiences to prioritise based on our trip were:
Snowmobiling – exciting, fast‑paced and a real adventure
Reindeer sleigh rides – calm, magical and very Lapland
Husky safaris – unforgettable and a clear trip highlight
Alongside these big experiences, we also found a great mix of:
Skiing (Ruka is perfect for beginners)
Simple snowy fun you can dip in and out of
Indoor activities for colder days
Plenty of options that don’t cost a fortune, which really helped balance the budget
This list covers the best things to do in Ruka with families, based on what we did ourselves and what we saw other families enjoying during our stay.
We booked our Ruka family trip through Crystal Ski, staying at Ruka Chalets, and we’ve included links throughout this guide to help with planning and current availability. Some links in this article are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only ever recommend trips and experiences we’ve personally used and genuinely loved.
1. Take a Reindeer Sleigh Ride
(Paid · Gentle · Very Festive)
This is one of the calmest and most traditional Lapland experiences — perfect if you want something magical rather than high‑energy.
Why it works well for families:
Ideal for younger kids or those needing a quieter activity
Very festive and atmospheric
More about the experience than adrenaline
You’ll usually ride slowly through a snowy forest, learn a little about reindeer, and end with a warm drink by the fire, which makes it feel especially cosy in winter.
Our honest take: Is a Reindeer Ride in Lapland Worth It?
2. Take a Husky Safari
(Paid · More Adventurous)
This is one of the most exciting experiences in Ruka and a clear standout for school‑aged kids.
Why families love it:
More adventurous and fast‑paced than a reindeer ride
Kids love meeting the huskies before the ride
Feels like a proper Lapland bucket‑list experience
You’ll usually travel through snowy forest trails with a team of huskies pulling the sled, and it’s as thrilling as it sounds.
3. Try Snowmobiling
(Paid · More Adventurous · Night Adventure)
This was one of the highlights of our trip and a brilliant option for families with older children who want something a bit more adventurous.
What to expect:
Riding through snowy forest trails
Stops along the way to look for the Northern Lights
Time to warm up with hot drinks
A pace that feels exciting but controlled
Kids ride with a parent, everyone is kitted out with proper helmets and balaclavas, and the guides check on the group regularly, which made it feel very safe and well organised.
If you’re travelling with school‑aged kids who want a real adventure, this is one experience worth booking in advance, especially during peak weeks.
Read our full review here: Is Snowmobiling in Finland Safe for Families? Our Experience
4. Go Skiing (Even If You’re Beginners)
(Paid · Beginner‑Friendly · Easy to Dip In and Out)
Ruka is brilliant for families and first‑time skiers. You can either include skiing as part of a package holiday or organise lessons and lift passes once you arrive — both options work well.
Why skiing in Ruka works so well for beginners:
Short, gentle runs that build confidence
A great ski school, especially for children
Floodlit slopes, so you’re not restricted to daylight hours
Fun snow parks that make skiing feel playful for kids
Option to try night skiing on a Friday
Even if you’re not a hardcore skiing family, skiing in Ruka is a really enjoyable part of the trip — and works particularly well when combined with half‑days and other winter activities.
Read: Skiing in Ruka with Kids: Is It Beginner-Friendly?
And: Our Family Ski Day in Ruka: What to Expect
We booked our ski holiday to Ruka through Crystal Ski, which made flights, accommodation, ski hire and lessons easy to organise in one place.
5. Ride the Ruka Coaster (Paid, Or Half Price with Ski Pass)
(Paid · Free or Half‑Price with Ski Pass · Fun for All Ages)
This was the most unexpectedly fun thing we did in Ruka — and a surprise hit with both kids and adults.
Why it’s so popular:
A mountain coaster on rails that runs down the hillside
You control the speed, so it can be gentle or fast
Works brilliantly for both kids and adults
In winter, everything is covered in snow, which makes the ride feel even more exciting and very “Lapland”.
If you have a ski pass, this is an easy win — rides are heavily discounted, making it great value and a perfect activity to slot in between ski sessions.
Full review here: The Most Unexpectedly Fun Thing We Did in Ruka
6. Visit Santa Claus
(Pre‑Christmas Only · Paid · Magical for Younger Kids)
If you’re visiting Lapland with kids, this is often the main reason families choose the trip — especially in December.
The Santa experience in Ruka is:
Very well organised
Intimate and personal
Unrushed, even during busy periods
Genuinely magical for younger children
Each child is spoken to by name, receives a small gift, and there’s plenty of time for photos, which makes the whole experience feel calm and special rather than hurried.
We booked our Santa experience directly through Crystal Ski as part of our package, which made planning easy and meant everything was organised for us before we arrived — especially helpful during the busy pre‑Christmas season.
We explain exactly what happens here: What Actually Happens When You Visit Santa in Finland (Our Real Experience)
7. Best free winter activities: Sledging, Snowy walks (and snowball fights)
(Free · Easy · Hours of Fun)
This was one of the best free things to do in Ruka and a big hit with kids.
You’ll find:
Sledges everywhere around the village
Small hills dotted near accommodation and walkways
A proper sledging slope right in the centre of Ruka
Kids literally pick up a sledge, slide down, leave it at the bottom, and move on to the next hill. Simple. Brilliant. And genuinely entertaining for hours.
8. Go Indoors: Bowling & Indoor Games
(Paid · Great for Bad Weather Days · Easy Evenings)
On snowy, windy or stormy days, having a warm indoor option is a real win — and Ruka has a few easy choices right in the village.
Go Bowling
There’s a bowling alley in Ruka village, and it gets busy for good reason.
Why it works well for families:
Warm and indoors
Easy for all ages
A nice break from the cold
Expect to pay around €30 per lane per hour.
Play Pool & Indoor Games
Several bars and casual venues in the village have:
Pool tables
Games areas
Simple food options (including favourites like the churro van nearby)
We often used this as a wind‑down evening activity after a full day outside. Pool was around €16 per hour in Colorado, bonus was reasonably priced bar food (think burgers and chips - big sharable portions!).
9. Try Snow Bike Racing at Night
(Paid · Evening Fun · Great for Kids & Adults)
Once the ski slopes close, several runs open up just for snow racing — and it’s great fun.
Why it’s worth doing:
Takes place on floodlit slopes after skiing ends
You ride a steerable snow racer sled down the hill
Use the gondola to the top and ride as many times as you like
Works well for both children and adults
Snow racing runs in the evenings (usually 7.30–9.30pm), and is a brilliant way to finish the day with something active but different from skiing. A fun, easy evening activity that kids love — especially after a half ski day.
10. Go Beyond the Basics: More Adventurous Experiences
(Paid · Best for Older Kids & Teens)
If you’re travelling with older children or confident teens, Ruka has plenty of activities that go beyond the classic Lapland experiences.
Good options to consider include:
River floating (usually height 150cm+ and age 14+)
Ice karting (usually height 150cm+ and age 14+)
These experiences are best suited to older kids who enjoy adventure and trying something new, and they’re a great way to add variety if skiing isn’t the main focus every day. If you have teens or confident older kids, these activities can be some of the most memorable parts of the trip.
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?
Costs add up quickly, most activities are £100+ per person, some slightly less. As a rough guide:
Santa: usually included in packages or premium excursion
Snowmobiling: £100+ per snow mobile (2 people)
Husky ride: £100+ per person
Ice floating: £100+ per person
Reindeer rides: £25 - 70 depending on if you include a ride or just visit the farm
Coaster: ~€19 or half price with ski pass
Bowling: ~€30/hour
Pool: ~€16/hour
Sledging, walking, playing in snow: free
For full budget planning, see: 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. This is how we structured our Ruka trip, and it worked really well with kids:
Ski for half days (it gets cold, especially for children)
Head back to Ruka Chalets, which were right on our doorstep — a huge bonus
Warm up, then either head out for an activity, take a snowy walk, or go sledging
Spend the rest of the time focusing on experiences rather than full ski days
Splitting the days like this kept things relaxed, avoided burnout, and meant everyone actually enjoyed both the skiing and the activities.
For more, see: What to Do in Lapland If You Don’t Ski
Where should you book activities?
We usually organise our activities through platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide, and they’re what I use for most tours before we travel. The main reason is flexibility — they almost always offer free cancellation, which is invaluable if plans change, weather turns, or kids aren’t feeling it.
If you book your trip through Crystal Ski, you can also book some (but not all) excursions directly with them, often at similar prices. The one downside we found was that Crystal Ski assigns the date and time for you, so there’s less control over fitting activities around skiing, tiredness, or weather.
In reality, there’s no right or wrong option — it comes down to family preference. Costs are broadly similar either way, and even when booking through Crystal Ski, excursions are often run by the same local tour operators. We simply preferred the flexibility of booking independently.
Planning Your Own Trip to Ruka with Crystal Ski?
Start here:
