Mountain holidays with children in summer – activities by age

Travelling to the mountains with children in summer does not have to be complicated. With activities at the right level, there is plenty to experience for young children, school-age children and teenagers – from Valle, swimming and short walks to biking, climbing parks and action-packed adventures.

Choose activities at your children's pace

A mountain holiday with children does not have to mean long hikes, difficult planning or days filled from morning to evening. The great thing about summer in the mountains is that you can adapt the holiday to your children's age, energy and curiosity.

For the youngest children, play, swimming, Valle and short discoveries can be enough. Slightly older children can try biking, climbing and new activities at a safe pace. For teenagers, there is more speed, bigger challenges and activities that feel a little more real.

Here we have gathered tips for activities that often suit different ages. Age and height requirements may vary between activities and destinations, so always check the current conditions when booking.

1. Young children – approx. 0–6 years
2. Children – approx. 7–10 years
3. Older children and teenagers – approx. 11–17 years
4. Activities for the whole family
5. Sälen, Trysil or Åre with children?
6. How to make your mountain holiday easier

Young children – approx. 0–6 years

For the youngest children, a mountain holiday is often mostly about small experiences. A short walk, a moment by the water, meeting Valle or trying a simple activity can be more than enough to make the day feel exciting.

At this age, it is smart to think short distances, simple plans and plenty of time. Choose one main activity per day and let the rest be filled with play, swimming, ice cream and calm moments at your accommodation.

Tips for the youngest children

• Valle's summer holiday in Sälen
• Valle's friendship race and simple Valle activities
• Valle's marble runs in Trysil
• Short walks, swimming, ice cream and play
• Easy biking in Skill Park at the child's level

Some action-packed activities may also be suitable for younger children if they meet the current age and height requirements and take part together with an adult.

Children – approx. 7–10 years

As children get a little older, the mountains can become a place where they get to try something new, develop their skills and feel that they can do more. They can try biking, climbing, swimming, shorter walks and activities that feel a little bigger.

For children of this age, it often works well to combine one clear activity with time for play and breaks. A biking course in the morning, swimming after lunch and a calm evening can make a perfect mountain day.

Tips for school-age children

• Biking on easy trails and practice areas
• Biking courses for children
• Climbing park at the right level
• Mountain Coaster, Mountain Tube or other action-packed activities
• The Adventure Park in Trysil, short hikes and swimming

The most important thing is that the level feels safe. Children can often do more than you think, but the holiday is better when activities let them try something new at their own pace.

Older children and teenagers – approx. 11–17 years

For older children and teenagers, the mountains in summer can be more about speed, freedom and choice. Here there are activities that do not feel too childish, but can still be adapted to level and experience.

Biking, longer walks, climbing parks, downhill, swimming and activities with friends or family can make a mountain holiday more appealing even for teenagers who want a little more to happen.

Tips for older children and teenagers

• Bike Park or Trail Park at the right level
• Climbing parks, ziplines and higher courses
• Longer walks, viewpoint walks and swimming
• Disc golf, padel, bowling, games or other activities
• Restaurants, village life and time with family or friends

For teenagers, it can be especially important to have a say. Let them choose an activity they really want to try, and build the rest of the day around it.

Activities for the whole family

Activities do not always have to be divided by age. One of the best things about the mountains in summer is that several generations can experience a lot together, even if everyone is not doing exactly the same thing all the time.

A family day might start with a short walk or biking, continue with lunch and swimming and end with dinner or a calm evening at your accommodation. Someone may want to do more, while someone else wants to take a break. There is room for both.

Tips for the whole family

• Short hikes and viewpoint breaks
• Swimming, play and simpler activities
• Biking on easier trails or in practice areas
• Climbing parks or family adventures at the right level
• SummerPass for several experiences during your trip

Sälen, Trysil or Åre with children?

Which destination suits you best depends on your children's age, how active you want to be and the feeling you want from your holiday.

• Sälen is often a good fit for families who want an easy, playful and safe mountain summer with Valle, activities and plenty close by.
• Trysil is a good fit for families who want biking, adventure and plenty to do close to their accommodation.
• Åre is often a good fit for families with slightly older children or teenagers who want more energy, biking, hiking, restaurants and a mountain feeling.

If you want to compare the destinations in more detail, read the guide to summer in the mountains in Sälen, Trysil or Åre.

Plan just enough

You rarely need a full schedule for the holiday to be good. Start by choosing your destination and accommodation, then pick a few activities that suit your children's age and energy.

A good plan can be to have one main activity per day and leave room for breaks, swimming, food and spontaneous ideas. This makes it easier to adapt the day if the weather changes or the children need more rest.

If you want service and comfort, hotel or lodge accommodation can be a good choice. If you want more flexibility, an apartment or cabin with its own kitchen may suit you better.

Mountain holidays with children are about the right level

There is no need to do the most, be the most active or plan every hour. A successful mountain holiday with children is often about finding the right level: an activity that feels fun, breaks when needed and time simply to be together.

With Valle, swimming, biking, hiking, climbing parks, family activities and comfortable accommodation close to the experiences, the mountains can become a summer holiday that suits both young and older children.

Start by exploring summer activities in the mountains and find the experiences that suit your family.