13 Fun Things To Do In Finland With Kids

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Finland, the land of enchanting wilderness, should be high on your list of destinations to travel to if you’re looking for a family adventure.

There are so many things to do in Finland with kids, you’ll come back from your family holiday with memories your little ones will talk about for years to come.

Whether it’s a chance to marvel at the magical Northern Lights, explore Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, or taking a thrilling husky safari, there are plenty of attractions and activities the whole family can enjoy.

In this guide, I share some of the moments I will forever treasure from our family holiday in Lapland, so if you’re not sure what to do in Finland with kids, let these activities inspire you!

Things To Do In Finland With Kids

1. Visit The Real Santa Claus

After spending a day exploring Helsinki we jumped on a flight to Rovaniemi, the Capital of Finnish Lapland. We had arrived at the Official Airport of Santa.

Traveling with three children under 9, of course our first stop in Rovaniemi had to be to visit Santa Claus.

We traveled in Ruska, which is Finland’s Autumn, and although this may seem like an odd time to go to visit Santa, I actually think it made our family vacation even better. Not only did we avoid the crowds but we got a much more personal adventure.

Each time we visited Santa at the Santa Claus Village (yes we visited more than once…in fact on our first day the children wanted to go see him twice), we were either the only family there or joined by one or two other families.

Considering that annually over 300,000 people visit here, I would say we hit jackpot! Our children all got to have a long chat with Santa with no feeling of being rushed or moved on.

At Santa Claus Village, you can see the workshop where the elves work, meet Mr and Mrs Claus, learn about elf life at Elf School, and go on reindeer sleigh rides.

Things to Note:

• Entry is free to see Santa with the option of professional videos and photographs available for a fee.
• You can stay in Santa Claus Village. Cabins have a great festive feel all year round with Christmas trees. We also had our own personal sauna.
• Travelling in off season means some stores and restaurants will be closed. Santa Park was also closed at this time of year.

2. Chase The Northern Lights

One of the top things to do in Finland is see the Northern Lights. At the information desk in Santa’s Village, it is possible to book a variety of day trips and adventures. Being on a limited time frame we booked all our tours from here.

Even in Autumn temperatures go below 0 degrees Celsius at night. Luckily with our tour, we were provided with full thermal suits that kept everyone toasty.

The Northern Lights usually appear around mid-August up until the beginning of April and can be seen on over 150 nights of the year.

Unfortunately, it is still a game of chance and we did not see any lights on our first evening. We did, however, get to cook sausages over an open flame and enjoy listening as our guides told us aurora borealis facts and local tales.

Luckily we had an extra evening in the area and were lucky enough to catch a small glimpse of these amazing lights on our second evening.

3. Get Up Close With Reindeer

There are a wide variety of reindeer feeding activities available too. We choose to head out to one of the local reindeer farms at Sieriporo Safaris.

In the winter this family owned business takes you out on a reindeer sleigh ride.

As there was no snow during our stay we instead got to meet the reindeer who usually pull the sleigh.

These gentle giants came out of the surrounding woodland at the call of our guide and we got to feed them by hand.

All the while our guide explained about his long family history in the area and even showed us the sauna he was born in!

4. Have Fun With Huskies

No matter what time of year you choose to visit Finland, Husky rides are available and one of the best things to do in Finland with kids. If you think that because there is no snow your ride won’t be as exhilarating, think again.

Hooked up to the back of a quad bike, our team raced at speeds that took our breath away.

At Huskypoint we got to play with adorable husky pups and learn all about the extreme races this team are involved in.

Depending on the time of year you visit Finland you can do anything from a 10-minute joy ride to a 5-day husky safari. This was truly one of the highlights of our Lapland adventure and you could hear the children whoop for joy the whole ride.

5. Visit the Moomin Museum

Children born after the 90s will probably not know who the Moomins are, but that doesn’t mean the Moomin Museum will not appeal to them.

Located in Tampere, Finland, this enchanting museum brings to life the beloved characters and stories created by Finnish author Tove Jansson.

As you wander around the whimsical world of Moomin Valley, children can see how the artwork was created, learn about the inspiration behind the stories, and relive some of the most iconic chapters in the books.

Beyond the entertainment value of the museum, the Moomin stories have been loved by children all over the world because of their positive messages of inclusion, acceptance, and friendship.

Who knows, you may even spark a new favorite series of books for your little one?

6. Visit the North Pole Post Office

Rovaniemi is located in the Arctic Circle, and is where you will find the post office of the North Pole.

Inside Santa Claus Village, this iconic post office allows children of all ages to step into Santa’s world and see where he sends his letters from.

Capture the joy on their faces as they send postcards with Santa’s special postmark to loved ones around the world!

7. Stay at A Unique Stay

Treat your kids to a unique stay at a snow hotel, or sleep under the stars in a glass igloo.

Why should these unique stays only be for couples? Children will love them too!

You can also rent a hut in the wilderness of Nuuksio National Park for quality time together or stay in an iglootel for a cool experience.

You can find a whole bunch of cool and unique places to stay on HostUnusual.com

8. Take a Dip at Allas Sea Pool

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Finland with kids that don’t revolve around the snow, then step into the world of aquatic adventures at Allas Sea Pool in Helsinki.

This vibrant complex offers a range of recreational activities designed to cater to the whole family.

You can dive into the warm water pool or let your little ones splash around in their own dedicated children’s pool.

The geothermal pool adds a unique touch to the experience, while traditional Finnish saunas provide relaxation for parents.

With stunning views over the Baltic Sea, Allas Sea Pool is the perfect place to spend an afternoon.

9. Visit Korkeasaari Zoo

Your little explorers will love Korkeasaari Zoo in Helsinki. As the oldest wildlife center in Finland and one of the oldest zoos in the world, this is the perfect place for animal lovers to explore.

With over 150 animal species, from wolverines to Bactrian camels to Bengali tigers, there are animals here from around the world.

The zoo’s island location is another special reason to visit. Surrounded by the sparkling waters of the Baltic Sea, visiting Korkeasaari Zoo not only creates cherished memories but also allows you to explore Helsinki’s waterways.

10. Check Out The Helsinki Christmas Market

If you happen to be visiting Helsinki over the holidays, don’t pass up a chance to visit the Helsinki Christmas Market, located in Senate Square outside Helsinki Cathedral.

As you wander around the wonderland of festive delights, marvel at the Lucia procession and witness artists creating their masterpieces right before your eyes.

Check out over a hundred stalls filled with beautifully crafted gifts and Christmas ornaments and enjoy a cozy beverage at one of the sipping huts and indulge in traditional Finnish delicacies.

With its vibrant atmosphere and family-friendly attractions, the Helsinki Christmas Market is a great place to find joy-filled moments with your kids in Finland.

11. Go Cross-Country Skiing

If you can brave the cold, consider checking out a ski resort in Finland with your kids.

You can discover the beauty of the Finnish nature as you glide along pristine snow-covered trails, and end you day on the slopes by relaxing in a sauna (or a thermal swimming pool for the kids).

If your children are a bit older, you might also want to try your hand at snowmobiling, which is a fun and exciting form of transport that you can only do in certain countries.

12. See The Snow Castle in Kemi

This enchanting attraction is one of the most unique places in Finland. The castle has been constructed entirely from snow and ice, which is sure to astonish any member of your family, no matter the age.

See the intricate snow art, slide down the tube slide, and marvel at the stunning ice sculptures.

For an unforgettable experience, consider a stay at the castle where you can sleep in a cozy snow room (though this isn’t cheap).

13. See the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

Another destination to check out on your trip to Finland is Suomenlinna Sea Fortress.

This island fortress and UNESCO World Heritage site boasts a rich history and offers a plethora of activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Explore the museums, delve into the fascinating past through guided tours, and immerse yourselves in the scenic surroundings of the harbor.

The ferry ride itself is an experience, adding to the excitement of the journey.

Final Thoughts

Our adventure to Finland will be one our children will talk about for many years to come. I think this place would be amazing any time of year and has so much to offer in any season.

It has also stretched out those magical beliefs in our household for just that little bit longer because after all, they’ve seen the real Santa at home.

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