Packing for Iceland with a Toddler: What Actually Worked (And What We Regretted Bringing)

Before our two-week Ring Road trip, I spent hours reading packing lists and watching YouTube videos about Iceland travel. Most of them were written for couples or solo travelers, and the few family-focused ones seemed to assume you'd be checking three suitcases per person.

We flew from Stockholm with one checked bag, two carry-ons, and a toddler who has strong opinions about everything. Here's what actually earned its weight in our luggage - and what I wish we'd left behind.

The Non-Negotiables

A proper baby carrier This was hands down our MVP. Iceland isn't stroller-friendly - you're dealing with gravel paths, rocky terrain, and lots of stairs. We brought our Ergobaby (she was 2½ at the time), and it got used every single day.

At Gullfoss waterfall, when our daughter got tired halfway up those stairs, the carrier saved us. Same story at Dettifoss, during our glacier hike at Fláajökull, and basically anywhere that involved more than 10 minutes of walking.

If your kid is on the smaller side, a carrier is essential. If they're bigger, you might get away with just encouraging them to walk more (good luck with that).

Waterproof everything I'm not talking water-resistant. I mean proper waterproof rain jackets and pants for both you and your kid. We thought we were being clever by bringing "water-resistant" gear. Wrong.

At Seljalandsfoss, where you walk behind the waterfall, we got absolutely drenched despite thinking we were prepared. My daughter's jacket held up okay, but her pants were soaked within minutes. We ended up buying proper waterproof pants at the Gullfoss visitor center shop (around €50 for toddler size, ouch).

Iceland's weather is wet. And windy. That combination means water gets everywhere. Don't skimp here.

Layers, layers, and more layers July is technically Iceland's warmest month. We still used every layer we brought. One morning in Húsavík it was 8°C and drizzling. By afternoon in Mývatn it was 18°C and sunny.

For our daughter we packed:

• 2 fleece jackets (one light, one heavier)
• 3 long-sleeve shirts
• 2 pairs of leggings
• 1 pair of warm pants
• Thermal underwear (we really liked Uniqlo's heattech line, €15)

The key is thin layers you can add or remove. Bulky items are useless because the temperature swings aren't that dramatic - it's more about adapting to wind and rain.

Familiar snacks Icelandic supermarkets are great, but when your kid is melting down at Kerið Crater, you don't want to be learning the Icelandic word for "cheese crackers." You don't need a lot of course, but a small pouch of familiar and favorite snacks for your kid makes things easier with a cranky toddler.

Yes, you can buy snacks there (Bónus supermarkets have decent options), but having backups from home was worth the luggage space. Also, Skyr - those Icelandic yogurt drinks - were a hit. Stock up when you see them.

The Sleep Situation

Blackout gear for summer We traveled in July, which means it never really gets dark. Like, at all. Our daughter's not great with light when sleeping, so we knew this would be an issue. And added to that for some reason most Icelandic hotels had poor curtains.

We brought a portable blackout blind (Tommee Tippee, about €20). It uses suction cups to stick to windows. Did it work perfectly? No - Icelandic hotel windows are weirdly shaped and the suction cups kept falling off. Did it help? Absolutely. Even blocking 70% of the light made bedtime possible.

Some people swear by blackout sleeping bags or eye masks for toddlers. Our daughter would've ripped those off in seconds, but if your kid tolerates them, they're lighter than a blind.

What Worked Better Than Expected

A small dry bag We bought a cheap 10-liter dry bag (€15 at a sporting goods store) thinking we might need it. Ended up using it constantly - for keeping spare clothes dry in the car, protecting electronics during our boat trip at Jökulsárlón, storing wet swimsuits after Secret Lagoon.

Wool socks for everyone Iceland is damp. Regular cotton socks were miserable. We packed wool socks (even got toddler-sized ones) and they made such a difference. They stay warm even when wet, dry faster, and don't smell as bad after multiple wears (yes, we rewore socks - two weeks is long).

A small first aid kit with blister supplies We did a lot more walking than expected. Both my wife and I got blisters from our hiking boots. Having blister plasters (the hydrocolloid ones) saved us from limping through the last week.

What We Regretted Bringing

Too many outfit changes I packed like we'd be changing clothes twice a day. In reality, our daughter wore the same fleece jacket for four days straight because it was comfortable and she liked it.

If I did it again: 5-6 outfits for a 2-week trip is enough for a toddler. They're going to want to wear their favorite thing anyway.

Fancy camera gear This is a tough one. I'm really into photography and Iceland is a great location for shutterbugs. However given that we were travelling with a kid, I overestimated the amount of time I'll get for setting up my perfect shot. So maybe don't drag a heavy tripod and 5 different lenses. I would have been good with just my mirrorless and a regular zoom lens.

Guidebooks Well goes without saying these days - you don't need them. We used Google Maps, saved articles offline, and relied on visitor centers for information. The books just took up space. A good resource for real-time road conditions is https://umferdin.is/en - more useful than any guidebook.

The Gear Specifics

Footwear that actually worked:

• Toddler: Waterproof hiking boots (ankle support helped on rocky terrain)
• Us: Proper hiking boots (broken in BEFORE the trip - don't be that person)
• Everyone: Extra pair of shoes for driving and casual wear

Our daughter's boots were from Viking (about €80), but this was what we use in wintry Stockholm as well; a €30 shoes from Decathlon would work just fine if you don't want to invest more.

The car entertainment kit:

• Small magnetic drawing board
• A few small toys that don't make noise (think finger puppets, not electronic stuff)
• Downloaded shows on a tablet (yes, we gave in to screen time during those long Eastfjords drives)
• Audiobooks (found some on Spotify)

The drives between places can be 2-4 hours. Having distraction options saved our sanity.

What to Buy There Instead

Groceries and snacks - Way cheaper to buy at Bónus or Krónan supermarkets than bringing from home. Their sandwich selection is solid for picnic lunches.

Any forgotten gear - The visitor centers at major sites (Gullfoss, Geysir, etc.) have surprisingly well-stocked shops. Expensive, but convenient if you forgot something critical.

Woolens - If you want Icelandic wool sweaters or blankets, obviously buy them there. Just know they're pricey (adult sweaters start around €150).

The Actual Packing List

Here's what was in our bags:

For our toddler:

• 5-6 full outfits (mix of long and short sleeve)
• 2 fleece jackets (different weights)
• 1 waterproof rain jacket and pants
• 1 warm hat and gloves (yes, in July)
• 7 pairs of socks (wool blend)
• 7 pairs of underwear
• Swimsuit
• Pajamas (she wore the same pair the whole trip, washed once)
• Hiking boots + casual shoes
• Baby carrier

For adults (each):

• 6-7 outfits
• 2-3 layers (fleece, light down jacket)
• Waterproof rain jacket and pants
• Warm hat and gloves
• 8-10 pairs wool socks
• Underwear
• Swimsuit
• Hiking boots + casual shoes
• Small daypack

Shared items:

• First aid kit (blister supplies, basic meds, any prescriptions)
• Toiletries (hotels provide basics, but bring kid-specific stuff)
• Sunscreen (SPF 50, used it more than expected)
• Power adapters (Iceland uses European plugs)
• Reusable water bottles
• Dry bag
• Portable blackout blind
• Car snacks and entertainment
• Phone chargers and power bank

What we didn't need but almost brought:

• Beach toys (the black sand beaches aren't really for playing)
• Formal clothes (nowhere required anything fancy)
• Hair dryer (hotels had them)
• Excess towels (hotels and hot springs provide them)

The Bottom Line

Pack less than you think you need. Iceland has stores. You can do laundry. The key is having the right waterproof gear and layers, not having options for every scenario.

Our checked bag was about 25kg for all three of us. It was tight, but manageable. And honestly? Not overpacking meant less stuff to keep track of while wrangling a toddler through airports and hotels.

The one thing I'd add if we went back? Maybe a second baby carrier so my wife and I could trade off more easily. But that's really it.

Planning your Iceland trip with kids? Check out our full Ring Road itinerary for the day-by-day breakdown of how we tackled two weeks with a three-year-old.