Guide · Family

Reindeer farm in Tromsø with children

Feed reindeer from your hand, sit in a sleigh, and listen to stories by the fire: For children, a visit to the reindeer farm is one of the most beautiful experiences in Tromsø. Here is how you can plan the day relaxed.

Check availabilityfrom $200 · free cancellation

Editorial tromsorentierfarm.deUpdated on October 3, 2026about 7 min to read6 sources

The matching tour Tromsø: Reindeer sleigh ride and feeding with a Sami guide 4.8 (6,854 reviews) 4 hoursSami GuideWarm Meal in the Lavvu from$200per person Check availabilityFree cancellation up to 24 hours in advance

In short

01Suitable for families: Feeding, sleigh rides, and the lavvu are easy for children to enjoy; families with younger children rate the visit very positively in their reviews.
02Shorter is easier: A visit of 2.5 to 3.5 hours from $132 is gentle on small children.
03The Classic: 4 hours with sleigh, food, and joik, from $200.
04Safety: Accompany children while feeding and watch for antlers.
05Clothing: Several warm layers; children get cold quickly when standing.

Why Reindeer Delight Children

For children, visiting the reindeer is an adventure they will not soon forget. The animals are large enough to be impressive, yet calm enough that you can feed them from your hand. One guest from Germany writes that feeding the reindeer was great fun and that there was no need to worry about the animals being too spirited. For many children, it is their first encounter with animals of this size.

Then there is the whole setting: the journey into the snowy landscape, the sleigh ride, the fire in the tent, and the stories told by your hosts. Children here experience not only animals but also a culture they rarely encounter in their daily lives. Many children know reindeer only from Christmas stories, and here they learn that behind every animal is a family that lives with and from the herd.

Families with younger children also write enthusiastic reviews. One family from Britain praises the fact that the guides shared many stories about their culture and that there was plenty of time with the reindeer, all of which looked happy and healthy. For parents, this is a good sign that the animals are well cared for. It also shows that children are genuinely welcome here.

The family day

How the day works with kids

9:40 or 12:40

Departure in Tromsø

Meeting point at the Prostneset bus terminal.
Approximately 30 minutes

Drive to the camp

Short enough for little ones.¹
In the enclosure

Feeding

Keep children by the hand and hold the bucket firmly.
In the snow

Sleigh ride

Quiet and leisurely when there is enough snow.
In the Lavvu

Food and joik

Warm up by the fire and listen to stories.

Which Tour Suits Families

For families with young children, a shorter visit is often the better choice. An experience with reindeer sleighs, feeding, and Sami culture lasts 2.5 to 3.5 hours and starts from $132. With a rating of 4.79, it is very well reviewed, and the shorter time in the cold makes the day easier for children. If you are traveling with toddlers, think honestly in advance about how long they can manage outdoors.

With older children, the classic tour works well: 4 hours with sleigh ride, feeding, a warm meal in the lavvu, and joik, starting from $200. The program is varied, and the break in the warm tent comes just when the children need it. If you are traveling with teenagers, you might also consider an evening tour with a chance to see the northern lights. For school-age children, this day is often the experience they talk about in class.

Longer excursions, such as the 7-hour fjord tour, are usually too much for small children. The ride is long, the breaks are fixed, and if a child gets tired or cold, there is hardly any way to turn back earlier. Save tours like that for a trip when the children are older and can handle the day. Evening tours also end late, which can be difficult for younger children.

Climate

How cold it gets in Tromsø in the months ahead

Hours without sunDays with precipitationSeason

Sunless hours at midmonth and days with at least 2.5 mm of precipitation. Measured at the NOAA station Tromsø, 1991 to 2020.⁶

For Families

Which tour fits which age

Tour	Duration	Fits	Price from
Sleigh, Feeding & Culture	2.5 to 3.5 hours	Young children	from $132
Sleigh & Feeding (Classic)	4 hrs	School-age children	from $200
Camp & Culture with Lunch	4 hrs	School-age children	from $179
Sleigh Ride, Dinner, Northern Lights Chance	4.5 hrs	Teenagers	from $219
Fjord Cruise, Feeding, Lunch	7 hrs.	Older children	from $283

Duration and starting prices per person from GetYourGuide; the age recommendation is our assessment.

For Families

Short, classic or evening

Tromsø: Reindeer Sledding, Feeding & Sami Culture Experience

Family

For young children

Short and complete

Duration: 2.5 to 3.5 hours
Price: from $132
Rating: 4,79

Check dates

Tromsø: Reindeer Sledding & Feeding with a Sami Guide

Classic

For school children

Sled, lavvu, joik

Duration: 4 hrs
Price: from $200
Rating: 4,75

Check dates

Tromsø: Reindeer Sled, Dinner, and Chance of Northern Lights

Evening

For teenagers

With northern lights chance

Duration: 4.5 hrs
Price: from $219
Rating: 4,59

Check dates

Decision helper

Which tour fits your family?

The children's age matters most.

Young children School-age children Teenagers Kids who struggle to get going in the morning

Short visit

Less time in the cold.

The Classic

Varied with a pause in the lavvu.

Evening with a chance of northern lights

Reindeer and, with luck, northern lights.

Afternoon appointment

Departure not until 12:40 PM.

Reindeer are the only deer where both males and females grow antlers, though not all females do.

National Geographictranslated from English · Source 2

Feeding with Children: How It Works Safely

When it is time to feed, the reindeer quickly approach out of curiosity. The animals are not dangerous, but they push forward, and their heads are large. One guest from the United States describes how hungry reindeer lifted their front hooves and nipped at them a few times; it was not threatening, but you should be prepared. Explain to your child beforehand that the animals are simply curious and mean no harm to anyone.

Pay special attention to the antlers. Male and female reindeer can carry antlers, though not all females do.² Children are at eye level with the antlers, so parents should always accompany them during feeding and hold the bucket if necessary. Small children are best kept on your lap or right next to an adult. Once the food is gone, the animals quickly lose interest.

One guest from Italy reports that pregnant reindeer are a bit more impatient and that other animals push them away with their antlers because they have priority in the herd. The guides explain beforehand what you need to watch for. Listen together, and explain the rules to the children in your own words before you enter the enclosure. Children who understand why an animal pushes forward usually have less fear of it.

Checklist

Packing list for kids

Dress Up

Thermal underwear
Snowsuit or warm pants and jacket
Gloves and a hat
Warm winter boots

Packing

Spare gloves and spare socks
Thermos and a snack
Note on allergies or vegetarian meals

Cost calculator

What the excursion costs for the whole family

How much does the day cost for you all? Enter the number of children and adults here.

Short visit2.5 to 3.5 hoursfrom $132 Classic4 hrsfrom $200 Camp with Lunch4 hrsfrom $179

people 2

Total from$264

per guest from $132

Check availabilityfree cancellation

Starting prices according to GetYourGuide, converted using the ECB reference rate. The exact price is shown only at booking time.

Video

Reindeer in the far north: a round trip

The video only loads when you tap Play.

The Sleigh Ride with Children

The reindeer sleigh ride is calm and leisurely, very different from a ride with huskies. This is an advantage for children: they can enjoy the ride without being startled and have time to observe the landscape and the animal in front of the sleigh. Even anxious children usually dare quickly, because the animal moves steadily and smoothly. Ask the guides how small children sit safest in the sleigh.

The sleigh ride, however, requires snow. Toward the end of winter, when it is thawing or icy, the ride may be canceled. One family from Austria writes that they could not do the sleigh ride because of the weather but found the feeding and Sami culture wonderful. Prepare children for this so that disappointment is not too great. An honest word in the morning prevents tears in the afternoon.

One family from Britain reports that they were quickly informed when the ride was canceled and received a partial refund of the price. For families, this means: if you really want to ride, plan the visit for deep winter. If you travel in April, it is better to see the sleigh ride as a bonus and enjoy more time feeding instead. And having a plan B in case of cancellation gives everyone more peace of mind.

Dress Warmly: What Parents Should Pay Attention To

Children get cold faster than adults, especially when they stand still for a long time. The average temperature in Tromsø over winter is around minus 4 degrees.³ In the enclosure and on the sleigh, you move little, and even a mild day can feel cold. Children also often do not realize they are cold until it is too late, and then it is hard to warm them up. Ask from time to time, and check for cold cheeks and fingers yourself.

Visit Tromsø recommends thermal underwear directly against the skin, then warm, dry sweaters and a jacket, as well as warm footwear, gloves, scarf, and a hat.⁴ This applies even more for children. A snowsuit is ideal because snow does not slide into the pants, and mittens keep small hands warmer than finger gloves. A hat that covers the ears is more important than any fashionable choice.

Pack spare gloves and spare socks, because when you feed in the snow, they get wet quickly. Tea from a thermos and something to nibble help bridge the time until the meal in the lavvu. Also plan enough time before departure so that no one has to get dressed in a rush. A small bag for wet clothes is also practical. This way, the day stays pleasant for everyone.

In the Lavvu: Food and Stories

The break in the lavvu is often the cosiest part of the day for children. It gets warm by the fire, and there is a warm meal, often a stew with reindeer meat. Guests also mention hot chocolate, which always goes down well with children. Children who have been cold outside visibly warm up here and often listen with great interest when the hosts tell their stories. Let them sit close to the fire but at a safe distance from the flames.

If your child does not eat meat, let them know when you book. One guest from France reports that there was a soup with a vegetarian option. It is also sensible to let the hosts know in advance about allergies or special needs so they can plan accordingly. For children with intolerances, a separate snack in the backpack is also a good backup in case something does not suit them.

To close, the guide sings a joik, a traditional form of Sami singing.⁵ For children, this is often the moment when they become completely quiet. Explain beforehand what a joik is, so they understand that it is a special moment for the hosts and not just a song. Please ask the children to be quiet during the singing. Afterwards, they are welcome to ask questions.

Tips for a Relaxed Family Day

Choose the time to suit the children's rhythm. The morning tour starts at 9:40 at the Prostneset bus terminal, the afternoon tour at 12:40. Children who struggle to get going in the morning are often more relaxed in the afternoon; for children who nap at midday, the morning is a better fit. Check in advance how far you have to walk from your hotel to the meeting point, and allow extra time for icy conditions. With small children especially, the walk in the snow takes longer than you think.

Do not plan any further major activity after the visit. After about 4 hours in the cold, most children are tired and content. A quiet afternoon or evening at the hotel is then the best continuation. Expect that the children will be tired on the way back, and give them the peace of the bus. Also allow time to dry wet clothes before you head out again the next day.

And take time for questions. Children ask bluntly at times, and the hosts are happy to answer. Why do reindeer have antlers? What do they eat in winter? How does a family live with a herd? The answers turn an outing into an experience that children will talk about for a long time. Encourage your children to ask their own questions, because that makes the visit more vivid for everyone. Curiosity is very welcome here.

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