Two Weeks in Iceland in a Camper Van with Kids: Our Plan Before We Go

This will be our fourth trip to Iceland, but it is the first time we are bringing Aniston and Noah with us. They are 10 and 7 now, and that felt like the right window. They can walk farther, stay engaged longer, and actually remember what they are seeing. We have been dreaming about taking them for years, and in September 2026 it is finally happening.

If you have followed us for a while, you know we did not grow up traveling. We JUST got back from Colorado for the very first time, you can read about that trip here if you want to see how that unfolded. We are just a family finally chasing a dream we have talked about for years, and we are bringing you along with what helped us, what we recommend, and hopefully a little inspiration to try something new yourself.

Iceland is one of those places that feels otherworldly no matter how many times you go. When we first visited in 2023 it was still pretty quiet. Parking lots were mostly free and unpaved, and you could pull over without a line of cars behind you. It is much more well known now, and for good reason. But that also means a little more planning if you do not love crowds. We are not going to chase perfect 5:00 AM shots just to say we were alone, but we will absolutely use shoulder season, early mornings, and late evenings to our advantage when we can.

We chose September for a few reasons. The summer crowds are starting to thin, the roads are still mostly open, and the kids are hoping for a shot at the Northern Lights. Iceland also has something completely different to offer in every season, so part of us already knows we will want to come back again.

This post is written before we leave. Think of it as our living plan. We will update it with real photos, real stops, and real lessons once we get back. For now, here is how we are organizing two weeks in a camper van with kids.

Quick facts

Why a camper van for Iceland with kids

For this trip we wanted the kids to experience Iceland without constantly packing and unpacking. A camper van means we wake up next to waterfalls, make pancakes before the day starts, and have a familiar home base no matter where we end up. It also gives us flexibility. If the weather flips, we can move. If the kids need a slow morning, we take it.

We looked at a few companies and kept coming back to Happy Campers. We have not rented from them before, but their reputation for family friendly rigs, clear pricing, and solid included gear kept them at the top of our list. We booked the Happy 4x4 XL.

The camper van: Happy Campers 4x4 XL

The Happy 4x4 XL is built on a VW Crafter with 4WD, automatic transmission, and a diesel engine. It seats five and sleeps five, which is exactly what we need. It is F-road compatible, so if conditions allow we can head into the Highlands without worrying about whether the van can handle it.

Here is what comes included with the 4x4 XL, based on what Happy Campers lists on their site:

- Seats and sleeps up to 5

- 4WD with automatic transmission

- Wool insulation and a Webasto heating system

- Two extra batteries to keep the heater running all night

- WiFi hotspot with unlimited data

- Full kitchen with two gas stoves, a cooler or refrigerator, and a sink with running water

- Pots, pans, cookware, dishes, and cutlery

- Extra thick duvets, linens, pillows, and blankets for all passengers

- Curtains, reading light, broom and dustpan

- USB charger, Bluetooth, and aux output

- First aid kit and fire extinguisher

- GPS safety tracker and weather warning system

- Campsite map provided

- Unlimited kilometers, insurance included, free cancellation, free airport shuttle, and a fuel discount card

- Winter kit with studded tires available roughly November through March

The one thing it does not have is a shower or toilet. That means campsite facilities, public pools, and the occasional gas station bathroom become part of the routine. We are totally fine with that tradeoff for the freedom the van gives us.

Happy Campers also has a full list of add ons. The ones we are most likely to grab are sleeping bags for the kids if the nights get cold, a camping table and chairs for dinners outside, an inverter for charging camera gear, and maybe a portable grill if we get ambitious. Their bundles bundle insurance and gear together, so we will compare those at checkout.

If you are thinking about booking, use code VENTURE for 10% off new bookings from September 5 through October 31, 2026. It cannot be combined with other coupon codes and does not apply to insurance or extras. On top of that, Happy Campers automatically applies 5% off rentals of 7 days or longer, 10% off rentals of 14 days or longer, and 10% off bookings made at least 3 months in advance. That is real savings, and it is the code we are using ourselves.

How we packed

We have a full printable Iceland packing list we update every time we go. It is broken into non negotiables for everyone, a separate kids section, and a camper van add on section. You can grab it here: download our free Iceland packing list.

The short version is layers, waterproof everything, and wool or synthetic base layers only. Cotton is the enemy in Iceland. We are also packing waterproof hiking boots, water sandals for hot springs, a neck gaiter for wind, goggles, swimwear, and a small medicine bag because over the counter meds work differently there.

A few links we are using for this trip:

- Icewear for Icelandic outerwear, use code VENTSEEK for 15% off through March 2027

- TOBIQ Bags for organized carry on and daypacks, use code theventureseekers for 15% off

- Our Iceland packing list PDF with checkboxes you can print and use

Travel tips to know before you go

Iceland is not a hard country to travel, but it is a country that rewards preparation. We put everything we have learned into our Iceland Travel Tips Survival Guide. It covers driving, roundabouts, apps, payments, weather, gas stations, grocery stores, and the little things nobody tells you.

A few quick reminders we are keeping top of mind for this trip:

- Download offline maps before you leave Reykjavik. Service disappears fast.

- Shower before entering any pool or hot spring. It is required and it is respectful.

- Do not pull off the road except in designated spots. Off road driving is illegal and heavily fined.

- If you head into the Highlands on F roads, submit a travel plan to SafeTravel first.

- Build buffer days for weather. Iceland will cancel your plans and it is always for safety.

Our two week itinerary plan

We are keeping this flexible because Iceland weather is the real itinerary boss. The general idea is a Ring Road loop with a few inland detours if the roads and weather cooperate. Here is the skeleton we are starting with.

Week 1: South Coast and the East

- Days 1 to 2: Land in Reykjavik, pick up the van, stock groceries, and ease into the trip. We will likely hit a local pool to shake off the flight.

- Days 3 to 5: South Coast. Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, black sand beaches, glacier views, and hopefully a stop at Jokulsarlon. We will look for early mornings or late evenings to beat the buses.

- Days 6 to 7: East Fjords. Slower driving, small towns, and a lot of coastline. This is where we expect to just pull over and let the kids run.

Week 2: North, Highlands, and West

- Days 8 to 10: North Iceland. Myvatn area, Godafoss, Akureyri, and maybe a whale watching trip if the kids are up for it.

- Days 11 to 12: Highlands or Westfjords, depending on road conditions and how everyone is feeling. This is the wild card part of the trip.

- Days 13 to 14: Loop back toward Reykjavik with a final soak and a slow last night before flying home.

We will update this section with exact stops, what worked, and what we changed once we are back.

Best spots for kids to burn energy

One of the best discoveries from planning this trip is a website that maps jumping pillows all over Iceland. In Iceland they are called ærslabelgir, and they are basically giant inflatable trampolines built into the ground at playgrounds. We randomly found one on a previous trip and it was so much fun to pull over by a gorgeous view and just let the kids jump.

You can find the map here: aerslabelgir.is. The site is in Icelandic, but the map is easy to use. Just zoom to where you are and look for the nearest jumping pillow. It is now bookmarked on our trip phone.

Beyond jumping pillows, almost every town in Iceland has a public geothermal pool. They are warm, inexpensive, and a perfect reset after a long drive. Many also have small playgrounds nearby. We are planning to use pools as our daily reward for the kids, and for us.

Where this all lives on a map

We have built an interactive Iceland guide on Rexby with every spot we have personally vetted across three trips. Restaurants, waterfalls, hidden hot springs, places to stay, excursions, and the random pull offs we loved. You can filter it by what you want to do and tap straight to directions.

Grab it here: rexby.com/the.ventureseekers/iceland. It is the same guide we will be using on this trip.

FAQ

Is two weeks enough for Iceland?

Two weeks is a solid amount of time for a Ring Road loop without rushing every day. You will not see everything, but you will see enough to fall in love with the country. We would rather leave wanting more than come home exhausted.

Is a camper van worth it with kids?

For our family, yes. It gives us flexibility, a familiar place to sleep, and the ability to cook simple meals. The tradeoffs are no private bathroom and tighter space. With kids this age, the freedom outweighs the inconvenience for us.

Do you need a 4x4 in Iceland?

For the Ring Road in summer, a 2WD is fine. For F roads, river crossings, or shoulder season weather, you want 4WD. We chose the 4x4 XL because we want the option to explore more remote areas safely.

What is the best month to visit Iceland with kids?

It depends on what you want. Summer has midnight sun and the most access. Winter has Northern Lights and ice caves. We love September because it sits in the shoulder season, the crowds thin out, and there is still a chance for Northern Lights.

Can kids handle Iceland's weather?

Yes, with the right gear. Waterproof layers, warm hats, good gloves, and proper boots make a huge difference. We would not bring younger kids on this exact itinerary, but 10 and 7 feels right for us.

Traveling as a homeschooling family

One of the biggest reasons a trip like this is even possible for us is that we homeschool. We wrote our whole story about that here if you are curious why we made the switch. The short version for this post is that homeschooling gives us the freedom to travel in shoulder season, when flights, camper vans, and campsites are cheaper and the crowds are gone. September in Iceland would be almost impossible on a traditional school calendar.

This trip is also school. The kids will journal, read maps, convert currency, learn geology at glaciers and volcanoes, practice patience on long drives, and meet people from all over the world. That is the kind of learning no classroom can replicate, and it is a huge part of why we waited until they were old enough to really take it in.

Homeschool travel deals and how we save

If you homeschool, one of your biggest travel advantages is flexibility. Traveling outside school breaks is the single biggest money saver we have found. Beyond that, here are the actual homeschool travel deals and discount codes we are using on this trip, all in one place so you do not have to hunt for them:

- Happy Campers: code VENTURE for 10% off new camper van bookings September 5 through October 31, 2026 at happycampers.is/camper/happy-4x4-xl. Cannot be combined with other codes or applied to insurance or extras. You may also qualify for automatic booking incentives: 5% off 7+ day rentals, 10% off 14+ day rentals, and 10% off bookings made at least 3 months in advance.

- Icewear: code VENTSEEK for 15% off Icelandic outerwear and clothing through March 2027 at icewear.is

- TOBIQ: code theventureseekers for 15% off travel bags and daypacks at tobiqtravel.com/theventureseekers

- Free Iceland planning resources: our printable packing list, our Iceland Survival Guide, and our interactive Rexby map

A few more ways we keep trips like this affordable as a family of four: we cook most meals in the van, use public geothermal pools as our cheap daily activity, travel in September instead of July, and book gear and vans early before shoulder season prices climb. We will share the real numbers on what this trip costs once we are home.

Follow along

We will be sharing updates on Instagram @the.ventureseekers while we are on the road, and we will update this post with real photos and notes once we are back. If Iceland is on your list, we hope this helps you start planning.

Seek adventure together, The Venture Seekers.

-Brittany, The Venture Seekers