Helsinki for Children and Families

Helsinki and the surrounding region offer plenty to see and do for families with children. Whether you're a local or just visiting this beautiful city. From playgrounds, islands and nature trails to museums, indoor activity parks and family attractions, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Helsinki together with children of all ages.

Below you'll find a selection of family-friendly places and activities in Helsinki and the wider metropolitan area, divided into outdoor and indoor activities.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES | SUMMER

Helsinki Archipelago Destinations
The nearby archipelago offers great day-trip destinations for the whole family. Ferries operate from spring until late autumn. Destinations range from the well-known Suomenlinna and Vallisaari to lesser-known gems in the Espoo archipelago.

Töölönlahti Park
Located between Oodi Central Library and Finlandia Hall, this park can make you feel as if you were on holiday in Berlin and Copenhagen at the same time. It is one of the city's most impressive parks, with wooden play structures, playground areas, swings, sun loungers, hanging chairs, barbecue facilities and flower beds. There are also plenty of outdoor fitness equipment and relaxing spots for adults.

— Mainos —

— Sisältö jatkuu —

Haltiala Experience Farm
A touch of countryside in the middle of the city. The traditional farm got new owners in 2026 and now also operates as an experience park. Visitors can meet alpacas, sheep, goats, cows, chickens and pigs. The idyllic farmyard, somewhat reminiscent of a small-scale Puuhamaa amusement park, includes a free playground and farm animal area. Additional activities are available with an activity wristband. The restaurant and several food stalls serve options such as Finnish flatbread pizza, burgers, waffles, metre-long liquorice sweets and soup lunches.

Water Parks
Helsinki and the surrounding region offer fun water parks for the whole family, both outdoors and indoors.

Nature Destinations in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area
The Helsinki region offers enjoyable outdoor destinations for both weekdays and weekends. Nature sites can be found in every part of the city, both nearby and a little further away.

Fallkulla Domestic Animal Farm (Malmi)
Located near Malmi, Fallkulla is a domestic animal farm that also provides employment opportunities for young people. There is a playground for children, and visitors can meet traditional farm animals.

Skata Domestic Animal Farm (Uutela)
During the summer season, visitors to Skata Farm can meet domestic animals and learn about life on a farm.

Linnanmäki
Perhaps the most legendary and best-known amusement park in Helsinki. Rides for small children are free of charge in the park and are included in the Aluehupi admission product. The park is open during the summer season and also hosts popular themed events in autumn, including iik!week and the Carnival of Light.

Kalasatama Swing Park (Kalasatama)
The city's largest collection of swings can be found in Sompasaari, Kalasatama. The enormous swing structure features several different types of swings. The unusual swings offer plenty of speed and fun for both children and adults.

Linnankoskenpuisto Playground (Taka-Töölö)
Renovated and reopened in summer 2025, Linnankoskenpuisto features a new playground designed according to residents' wishes, with separate play areas for younger and older children. The park is also unusual in having a renovated traditional kiosk next to it. Visitors can relax on rag rugs on the lawn while enjoying ice cream or practise their skills on the hobby-horse course.

Seikkailupuisto Huippu Adventure Park (Leppävaara)
A climbing adventure park for the whole family next to Leppävaara Sports Park. At Huippu, you can challenge yourself and your friends on courses stretching high into the treetops. The site also features an adventure golf course suitable for the whole family.

Kumpula Outdoor Swimming Pool (Kumpula)
A popular summer swimming destination in Kumpula, with large lawns and playgrounds.

Helsinki Swimming Stadium (next to the Olympic Stadium)
A popular outdoor swimming pool and summer destination behind Helsinki Olympic Stadium in the Eläintarha area.

Linnunlaulu Bridge (Töölönlahti)
People have been watching trains from this bridge between Tokoinranta and Töölönlahti for well over a hundred years. The bridge crosses the railway tracks and is a favourite spot for train enthusiasts.

Seikkailupuisto Korkee Adventure Park (Mustikkamaa and Paloheinä)
A climbing experience for the whole family on safe courses built high among the trees. Korkee adventure parks can be found in Mustikkamaa and Paloheinä.

Parkour Spots
Parkour is a fun way to develop agility and body control and can be practised almost anywhere.

Kivikko Skills Course and Skate Spot
Kivikko Sports Park features a renovated outdoor activity area completed in 2025. It offers a wide variety of skills courses, climbing areas, parkour, skateboarding and scooter riding.

Korkeasaari Zoo
Helsinki's island zoo is one of the city's most popular destinations for families. Korkeasaari is an interesting place to visit at any time of year, offering opportunities to learn about different species and observe the animals throughout the seasons. The zoo is open all year round. Restaurants and cafés are available on the island, and visitors are also welcome to bring their own food. The island can be reached on foot or by bicycle across bridges from Mustikkamaa or Nihti.

Seurasaari (Meilahti)
A popular outdoor recreation and day-trip destination. Visitors can explore historic buildings, enjoy a picnic and barbecue. Seurasaari is also known for its friendly squirrels.

Finnish Nature Centre Haltia (Nuuksio)
Haltia is a great destination for a family nature trip. Its exhibition introduces visitors to the animals and wonders of Finnish nature, and lunch is available at the restaurant on the second floor. On special theme days, you might even get to enjoy traditional Finnish pancakes cooked over an open fire and coffee brewed in a soot-blackened pot.

Seikkailugolf Oittaa Adventure Golf (Espoo)
A family-friendly miniature golf world opened in 2023 next to the popular Oittaa beach.

Allas Sea Pool (Katajanokka)
A heated outdoor swimming pool open throughout the year. It is perhaps at its most atmospheric on a snowy winter day.

SkyWheel Helsinki
An impressive Ferris wheel and viewpoint rising high above the historic city centre in Katajanokka.

Zippy Adventure Park (Tali)
Zippy offers climbing and challenging treetop adventures high among the trees in Tali, close to Munkkivuori.

Laguuni Water Park (Mustikkamaa and Keilaniemi)
Versatile floating water parks are built each summer in Keilaniemi, Espoo, and Mustikkamaa, Helsinki. Children and teenagers can enjoy well-equipped floating obstacle courses suitable for children who can swim. Children aged 6–12 must be accompanied by a guardian.

Pihlajasaari
A legendary outdoor recreation and day-trip island reached by ferry. The island has a restaurant and a beach with colourful traditional beach huts. Ferries operate from Kaivopuisto and Ruoholahti.

Outdoor Play Areas at Oodi and Töölönlahti Park
The playgrounds at Kansalaistori offer climbing and play areas as well as courts for ball games. Next door is Töölönlahti Park, with sun loungers, plantings and versatile playground areas.

Suomenlinna
A traditional family day-trip destination where children can explore the island's many tunnels and caves with flashlights. During school holidays, adventure tours for children may also be available. More information is available from the visitor centre.

Aircraft Watching Spots
Watch aircraft coming in to land and see planes taking off and landing in a steady stream near Helsinki Airport.

Kumpula Botanic Garden
A beautiful garden and plant collection as well as a green urban oasis in the Vallila area. The garden's geological collections include a variety of gemstones and even a rare meteorite that fell to Earth from space.

Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden
This historic university garden close to the city centre is open throughout the year. It is a great place to discover the wonders of nature and exotic plants in a green paradise surrounded by the city's urban landscape.

Beaches in Helsinki
There are excellent beaches throughout Helsinki, offering great family destinations on hot summer days.

Vennynpuisto Playground (Kuninkaantammi)
A new-generation playground in Kuninkaantammi with large and playful climbing structures for balancing and active play. Nearby attractions include a beach, the Pitkäkoski outdoor recreation area and a café famous for its doughnuts.

Leikkipuisto Linnunrata Playground (Suutarila)
A playground where visitors can also meet domestic animals.

Children's Traffic Park (Rastila)
The former Children's Traffic Park in Laakso is closed due to construction work. Children could previously practise traffic skills there together with adults. A new Children's Traffic Park is scheduled to open at Rastila Camping in autumn 2026.

Winter Garden (Töölönlahti)
The city's indoor and outdoor garden at the northern end of Töölönlahti. During holiday periods, the garden often hosts themed activities and programmes.

INDOOR ACTIVITIES

Annantalo Arts Centre (Kamppi, Annankatu)
A versatile arts centre for children run by the City of Helsinki. Annantalo offers plenty of independent activities, exhibitions, workshops and events for children.

Family Activity Sessions for Young Children
The City of Helsinki organises free physical activities for children under school age and their parents during spring and autumn. At these free events, the city provides a space where young children and their parents can enjoy physical activity together at their own pace.

Wild Trampoline and Adventure Park (Kivistö, Vantaa)
An indoor activity park combining trampolines and rope-course adventures. The park offers trampolines suitable for both beginners and more experienced jumpers and climbers. It is a destination for the whole family, with plenty of challenges involving body control on trampolines and climbing skills on the adventure courses.

Children's Town (Helsinki City Museum, Senate Square)
Plenty to see and do for the whole family next to Senate Square. What was school like in the old days? What did a living room look like in the 1970s? Children can also dress up in costumes from different historical periods.

TAHTO – Centre for Finnish Sports Culture (Olympic Stadium)
Located at Helsinki Olympic Stadium, TAHTO, formerly known as the Finnish Sports Museum, has offered a physical activity adventure suitable for the whole family. Its activity-based experience combines interactive sports stations with body control, mobility and fun.

Cat Café Helkatti (Fredrikinkatu, Kamppi)
Fans of furry cats can meet a variety of adorable feline residents at this cat café in Kamppi. Visitors can also enjoy café treats in a relaxing, cat-themed atmosphere. Booking your visit in advance is recommended.

Escape Rooms for Children and Families
Escape room games are a fun way to develop teamwork and logical thinking skills.

WeeGee Exhibition Centre (Tapiola)
WeeGee in Tapiola offers plenty of activities for children, including workshops, story sessions and self-guided adventures. There is lots to explore for the whole family. The popular Futuro House, often simply called the “UFO”, is occasionally open to visitors.

Theatre Museum (Cable Factory, Ruoholahti)
At the Theatre Museum, visitors can learn about theatre-making, stage sets and spectacular costumes. In its Arkadia Theatre, children can let stories and their imaginations take over with the help of a wide range of props.

Sirkus Magenta (Itis)
A spacious circus centre for the whole family located in connection with the Itis shopping centre. Sirkus Magenta offers dozens of weekly circus classes for children and adults. There are also open practice sessions on weekdays and Friday evenings. From time to time, special Saturday circus sessions are organised where children and parents can practise tricks together and discover different forms of circus. The entrance is at Itäkatu 7 and is accessed from outside.

Helsinki LeikkiLuola Indoor Playground (Hakaniemi)
An indoor play park for children beneath Hakaniemi Market Square. LeikkiLuola offers energetic fun with a wide variety of play areas and activities.

Sugoi Arcade (Malmi)
A traditional arcade paradise in Ala-Malmi with as many as 80 video games dating from the 1980s onwards. Many of the arcade machines may seem exotic to today's children, as they have become much less common in the age of smartphones. Children under 12 are welcome when accompanied by an adult.

Swimming Pools in the Helsinki Region
The city's indoor swimming pools offer enjoyable swimming and splashing for the whole family on weekdays and weekends. Popular choices include Mäkelänrinne Swimming Centre and Vuosaari Swimming Hall, which is known for its indoor water slide.

Irti Maasta Climbing Park (Redi, Kalasatama)
Irti Maasta is a fun indoor climbing park in Kalasatama. Climbers use safety harnesses while following a variety of purpose-built climbing routes. The park is suitable for visitors of all ages.

Pomppulinnapark (Redi, Kalasatama)
An inflatable playground paradise inside the Redi shopping centre in Kalasatama. The indoor park is best suited to younger and primary-school-aged children.

Oodi Children's Area (Oodi Central Library)
Oodi's children's area is a versatile space with places for playing and reading. It also hosts activities such as open storytime sessions.

Finnish Museum of Natural History (Etu-Töölö)
One of the most popular children's attractions in central Helsinki. The museum features fascinating plant and animal collections and exhibitions, making it one of the favourite destinations for families with children in the city centre.

Heureka (Tikkurila, Vantaa)
Heureka is a versatile science centre with changing themed exhibitions throughout the year. Its many exhibitions offer fun activities, opportunities for discovery and hands-on exploration for the whole family all year round.

Paradox Museum (Kluuvi)
A museum concept familiar to many visitors from Stockholm opened in Helsinki in 2025. The experience centre features one unusual illusion after another, including an upside-down room and the sensation of weightlessness.

Museo Leikki – Finnish Museum of Play
At Museo Leikki in Tapiola, visitors can explore the world of play and toys from different eras.

Tempputemmellys (Kirkkonummi)
A trampoline park and versatile gymnastics arena currently operating in Kirkkonummi.

Helsinki Observatory / Helsinki University Museum Flame (Tähtitorninmäki, Kaivopuisto)
At the museum housed in Helsinki's former observatory, visitors can journey through the universe and learn about space phenomena and astronomy. The exhibitions also explore questions such as what climate change is and how it can be tackled.

Tropicario (Vallila)
A tropical animal house located on Sturenkatu in Vallila. The building is filled with snakes and lizards familiar from tropical environments. Birthday parties can also be organised here.

SuperPark (Tammisto, Vantaa)
A large indoor activity park for children and teenagers featuring dozens of sports and activities. There is plenty to do whatever the weather.

Rush Trampoline Park (Pitäjänmäki)
Energetic jumping on large trampoline areas. The park also features dodgeball courts, themed jumping areas and platforms from which visitors can leap into a foam pit.

Media Museum and Archives Merkki (formerly Päivälehti Museum)
A museum operated by the Helsingin Sanomat Foundation in central Helsinki, featuring permanent and temporary interactive exhibitions. The museum also has an extensive information centre focusing on media as well as hands-on exhibitions for children with an emphasis on media literacy.

Funpark by Flamingo Spa (Flamingo, Vantaa)
A small indoor amusement and play park for children in connection with Flamingo.

Taitoliikuntakeskus (Olympiaranta)
Versatile and developmental physical activity in a fun environment.

Leo's HopLop (Tripla)
Large indoor play parks popular with younger children. The parks were previously known as HopLop indoor playgrounds, but the company later merged with Leo's Leikkimaa. Several parks have since been renamed and now operate under the Leo's brand. The indoor playground at Mall of Tripla in Pasila is one of the chain's busiest locations.

SEA LIFE Helsinki (Linnanmäki)
SEA LIFE is a marine attraction for the whole family located next to Linnanmäki. Visitors can dive into the fascinating world beneath the waves and discover its colourful and diverse marine life.

Laserareena (Redi, Kalasatama)
Laserareena offers fast-paced laser tag played safely in teams using light-based laser guns. Birthday parties can also be organised for both children and teenagers, with themed party rooms available.

Megazone (Salmisaari)
A fast-paced laser tag game for children over the age of seven. In the dark arena, laser lights flash and the adrenaline starts flowing. It is a great place for children and teenagers to burn off some extra energy in an exciting game.

Hohtogolf (Redi, Kalasatama)
A glowing miniature golf experience for children and the whole family. Hohtogolf is located in Redi's entertainment area on the third floor.

Tram Museum (Töölö)
Located in Töölö's historic tram depot, the Tram Museum offers plenty of activities and tasks for children. Visitors can drive a virtual tram in a simulator and explore Helsinki through different historical periods.

Fire Museum (Erottaja Rescue Station, Korkeavuorenkatu)
Visitors can learn about the history of firefighting at the Fire Museum on Korkeavuorenkatu. Although primarily aimed at adults, it can also be an exciting and educational destination for children interested in the subject.

Finnish Aviation Museum (Vantaa)
A fascinating world of aviation and a favourite destination for children as well as adults interested in aircraft and flying.

Serena Water Park (Espoo, Lahnus/Korpilampi)
A large water park with both indoor and outdoor pools. Its water slides offer something for everyone, including plenty of speed for those looking for more excitement.

UniCafe Kaivopiha
When hunger strikes in central Helsinki, UniCafe, popular among students, is a convenient option and also a favourite with many families with children, not least because of its reasonable prices. The Kaivopiha restaurant is also open on Saturdays.

FUN THINGS TO DO

Make Giant Soap Bubbles Yourself
In addition to water, washing-up liquid and sugar, all you need is glycerine from a pharmacy or, alternatively, wallpaper paste powder from a hardware store.

Find playgrounds around Helsinki.

Check the menus of Helsinki comprehensive schools.

Find free bedtime stories for children to read.