Gofinland / Family holidays in Finland

PLAN A MEMORABLE Family Holiday in Finland

Those travelling with families are offered interesting destinations all over Finland, for example, visits to zoos, theme parks, science centres, ski resorts, spas and water parks. There are plenty of rental cottages in the immediate vicinity of popular destinations, providing a great setting for an enjoyable family holiday.

Zoos in Finland - Explore exotic animals

The range of Finnish zoos ranges from the most extensive ones - Korkeasaari, Ähtäri Wildlife Park, Ranua Zoo and Turku Zoolandia - to small and cosy farms. In the Zoos you can see traditional animals and species of the north as well as exotic creatures: for example, in Turku, you can run into lamas, Ranua is the home of polar bears, and Ähtäri is about to receive some pandas!

Amusement Parks in Finland – Fun times for the Entire Family

Vacationers interested in fast-paced activities should visit the amusement parks in Finland. There are many alternatives to the familiar classics, Linnanmäki in Helsinki and Särkänniemi in Tampere; learn more about PowerPark in Alahärmä, Tykkimäki in Kouvola and Nokkakivi Park in Jyväskylä.

In addition to Finnish amusement parks, there are many other popular family destinations and theme parks in Finland. Children and adolescents fancy the adventures of the Angry Birds Activity Park in Vuokatti, and the youngest kids will have a blast at Puuhamaa in Tervakoski and the Visulahti resort in Mikkeli, known for its versatility.

Adventure and climbing parks provide a fun, active and adventurous alternative for a family holiday in Finland. New adventure parks are built every year in different parts of Finland. One of the newest ones is hiding next to Yyteri Beach in Pori, on the South-West Coast of Finland. Adventure park Seikkailupuisto Huikee opened in 2017 and offers a diverse network of fun and easy but also challenging climbing tracks and zip-lines which makes it an ideal destination for both, beginners and experienced adventurers. Thanks to its dunes, the famous 6-km-long sandy beach and various outdoor activities, Yyteri Beach is a perfect summer holiday destination for families visiting Finland.

Moominworld at Naantali - an Adventure on a Fairy-tale Island

The Moomin characters familiar from television and movies are all present at Moominworld in Naantali. Located on a beautiful, natural island, Moominworld is one of Finland’s most popular family attractions, attracting a wealth of visitors all the way from countries in Asia. At Moominworld, if anywhere, children’s imagination can truly be unleashed.

See accommodation and cottages in Naantali, Finland

Science centres in Finland – Satisfying a hunger for knowledge

The Science Centres in Finland satisfy the children’s endless need for information. The major centres, Heureka in Vantaa and Tietomaa in Oulu, both impress by their interesting thematic exhibitions. Arktikum in Rovaniemi focuses on the presentation of northern culture and at the Pilkkee science centre, in its immediate vicinity, visitors can access outdoor nature exhibitions.

Santa’s Village and Santapark - Christmas Magic All Year Round

To the delight of all children and children at heart, one can meet Santa Claus in person every day of the year! At Santa’s Village, in Rovaniemi, you can visit Santa’s office, the main post office and numerous shops. Santapark, situated near Pajakylä, is a holiday resort built around Christmas themes, where you can visit the elves workshop, do some shopping, enjoy delicacies from the restaurant at the ice bar and attend elf training!

See accommodation and rental cottages in Rovaniemi, Finland

Ski Resorts in Finland - The Favourite Winter Destinations

The numerous ski resorts in Finland are usually open from November to December until May. In addition to northern Finland’s largest ski resorts, Levi, Ylläs, Pyhä and Ruka, there are also many popular destinations located in the south - including Vuokatti in Sotkamo, Tahko in Kuopio and Himos in Jämsä.

  • Read more about the Finnish ski resorts here.

Child-friendly Beaches in Finland

Finland probably isn't your first choice when planning a family beach holiday in Europe, but perhaps it should be. Finland features neverending sandy beaches with shallow waters suitable for families with small children. Yyteri Beach in Pori is one of the best beaches for a family holiday in Northern Europe. Thanks to its dunes and 6-km-long golden beach, Yyteri Beach is like a massive sandpit that will keep small, and even a bit bigger kids entertained even for an entire week. Besides building sand castles, Yyteri Beach offers a great variety of beach games to play; try beach football or beach volley or spend a day playing frisbee golf, tennis, badminton, pétanque or a fun Finnish game called mölkky where you knock over wooden bricks for points. In Yyter Beach, you'll never run out of fun things to do. And remember, Yyteri Beach isn't just a summer destination; in winter, the snow-covered dunes turn into awesome sledge hills that are great fun for the whole family.

If you're looking for child-friendly beaches in Finland, you should also try Kalajoki with its dunes, Nallikari and Hailuoto in Oulu and even the Finnish capital Helsinki with its most famous beaches Aurinkolahti and Hietaniemenranta. Hanko, the southernmost town in Finland, hosts a 30-km-long sandy beach with plenty of suitable spots for families with small children.

Spas and Water Parks - Enjoyable Holidays Regardless of the Weather

In spas and water parks you can enjoy the steam of saunas and whirlpools all year round. To the delight of the family’s youngest ones, there are always also children’s pools and slides. In addition to the largest water parks, Serena in Espoo, Tropiclandia in Vaasa and Jukupark in Kalajoki and Turku, there are cosy spas all across Finland.

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