Things to do in Helsinki, Finland with children
Family-friendly Helsinki attractions include the Helsinki Zoo, the Linnanmäki Amusement Park, the Suomenlinna fortress and Helsinki Sea Life.
Helsinki’s small size and efficient public transport make the city easy to explore with kids. The most famous family-friendly attractions in Helsinki include one of the oldest zoos in the world, the sea fortress Suomenlinna and the Linnanmäki Amusement Park.
Korkeasaari, the Helsinki Zoo
Helsinki Zoo or Korkeasaari Zoo (Mustikkamaanpolku 12) is home to 200 species of animals that come from different parts of the world, from the Amazon rainforests to the Himalayan mountains, and nearly 1000 species of plants. Founded in 1889, Korkeasaari is one of the world’s oldest zoos.
The Helsinki Zoo is open throughout the year and closes only on Midsummer Eve and Christmas Eve. The Zoo is easy to get to by a waterbus from Helsinki’s Market Square (Kauppatori) during the summer, or Zoobus, bus number 11 from the Railway Station (operates throughout the year).
Linnanmäki Amusement Park
Helsinki’s Linnanmäki amusement park (Tivolikuja 1) introduces new rides every year, but one of the most popular is still the old wooden rollercoaster. Linnanmäki opened in the 1950s and has been a must-visit attraction in Helsinki for families ever since. As well as the rides there is an outdoor stage with regular theatre and music performances.
Entrance to the amusement park area is free, but the costs of different rides and attractions vary. The Linnanmäki website has more information about seasonal opening hours and special events. Trams 3T and 3B from the Railway Station stop near the entrance.
Helsinki Sea Life
Located right next to Linnanmäki, the Helsinki Sea Life (Tivolitie 10) features underwater creatures from oceans around the world. There are sharks and rays as well as marine life from the Baltic Ocean, and a big part of Sea Life’s mission is to educate visitors about our marine environment and the need to protect it.
Suomenlinna Sea Fortress
Founded in 1748, the Suomenlinna fortress is one of the world’s largest sea fortresses. The fortress stands on an island just outside Helsinki and is a Unesco World Heritage site. There are museums, exhibitions, guided tours in several languages and enough for the kids to explore for at least half a day.
A very popular picnic and sunbathing site during the summer months, Suomenlinna also has a range of cafes and restaurants. As well as one of Helsinki’s most popular tourist attractions, Suomenlinna is home to hundreds of local residents. Ferries to Suomenlinna leave from Kauppatori (Market Square).