Best way to see the Northern Lights: Preschool Edition

Post date: 2025-05-20 07:21:14

My soon-to-be-4-year-old has lately become entranced with the Northern Lights. To feed her interest (and at her request), we've looked at lots and lots of books, photos, and videos of the Aurora Borealis, and read many story books where the Northern Lights feature. Her birthday is coming up, and I'm considering surprising her with a family trip to see the Northern Lights. But where? and when?

We live on Vancouver Island, Canada, but the Northern Lights are not routinely visible here (I've personally never seen them, and have lived here off-and-on for over 30 years). I'd like to travel somewhere where we can have a very good chance of a good viewing (yes, I know that nothing in nature is guaranteed). I am also very aware that, while her obsession is pretty big right now, the actual experience of seeing the phenomenon might not hold a four-year-old's attention for long, so would love to go somewhere that has other preschooler-friendly cultural and natural attractions as well (so maybe not Churchill, Manitoba.....unless my assumptions are wrong and Churchill, Manitoba is actually a hidden toddler paradise!) Timing and budget are flexible (but not unlimited).
So, where and when would you recommend we travel for the best little kid Northern Lights experience? Looking for both general recommendations, and specific endorsements.
Thanks!

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