FamilyFun, Finland

Linnanmäki is the most beloved amusement park in Finland and has the widest selection of rides in the Nordic countries. Helsinki's most entertaining district offers also top-quality food and program for all tastes. Linnanmäki is easy to reach from the centre of Helsinki. The admission to the amusement park is free of charge. There are plenty of rides available for children free of charge including the Panorama tower. https://www.visitfinland.com/mystay/product/linnanmaeki-amusement-park/48355/

Helsinki Zoo is home to 150 animal species and almost 1000 plant species that show the diversity of nature. Helsinki Zoo is one of the few zoos located on an island, in the Baltic Sea. It is the perfect place to visit due to its natural environment, animals and history. The zoo was established already in 1889 and this makes it one of the oldest zoos in the world. Helsinki Zoo also participates in the work to protect the habitats in the original homes of the various species. Helsinki Zoo´s mission is to work towards preserving biodiversity. Meet the large Amur tigers, tiny pygmy marmosets, agile snow leopards, impressive wisents and dazzling, free roaming peafowls alongside indigenous Finnish species such as the elk, bear, wolverine and forest reindeer. All this while enjoying the silence and peace of the Finnish nature surrounding you. https://www.korkeasaari.fi/helsinki-zoo/

Särkänniemi Adventure Park combines six very different experiences that together create a quality destination for all the family! There are some 34 different rides in Särkänniemi, offering wild whirls, gentle swaying or other fun experiences spiced with sprays of water, for example. This summer’s newest ride spins its passengers around like a tornado. The ride reaches a height of 15.6m when spinning. The upper part of the ride undergoes a maximum of 12 revolutions per minute with the arms spinning at 4 revolutions per minute. The ride features 24 seats, which spin freely, making each ride feel different. The height restriction for High Voltage is 130cm. The ride was manufactured by Italian company Antonio Zamperla S.p.A. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/saerkaenniemi-amusement-park/

Kokonniemi is a ski center located next to downtown Porvoo (under 50 km from Helsinki). The ski area consists of six very different slopes, a ski rental where you can rent both snowboards and skis as well as buy the ski passes required for the lifts. Next to the ski rental, you will find the restaurant Hölmöpulu where you can both dine or simply relax with a cup of hot chocolate. If you prefer cross country skiing there are many different tracks to choose from around the downhill area, we also rent cross country packages in case you do not have your own gear with you. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/kokonniemi-ski-centre/

You can meet Santa Claus and cross the magical Arctic Circle every day at the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland. Santa Claus spends his time at Santa Claus Village every day of the year to take care of his mission in life; to enhance the well-being of children and the kindness of grown-ups, as well as spread the message of love and goodwill and the Christmas Spirit across the globe. You can find many programme service companies, souvenir shops as well as Santa’s Main Post Office, and cafes and restaurants in Santa Claus Village. And of course, Santa is there too, in his chamber every day of the year! https://santaclausvillage.info/

Come and experience a real reindeer sleigh ride in wintery nature – right in the backyard of Santa’s house at the Arctic Circle. With our guidance, you can rein the reindeer by yourself or just sit comfortably under warm blankets and enjoy the snowy views. You can choose to have a ride with just one reindeer or several reindeers in a line. After the ride, you can an by the open fire where we serve hot juice and experience the magic of the firelight and a real Lappish atmosphere. Explore the snowy forests with your friends on a reindeer sleigh ride and discover the northern lights. The path leads over frozen marshes and spruce woodlands to a winter hut, where we wait for the Northern Lights. While waiting, savour grilled sausages, drink campfire coffee and mulled wine, and enjoy the tranquillity of the wilderness. At the end of the safari, we are feeding a reindeer herd of up to one hundred in their paddock, where you can capture the moment on camera and feed the reindeer. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/santa-claus-reindeer-reindeer-sleigh-ride/

Santa Park is located in an underground cavern just a few kilometres north of Rovaniemi. Along with Santa Claus, the cavern is home to countless happy and helpful elves, and children are able to spend time in Elf School learning their tricks. There is also a bakery where you can help the elves decorate gingerbread, a restaurant, and an ice bar and gallery. Every 2 hours the elves put on an entertaining show for the children on the stage, and there is a charming train to take you around the different areas of the cavern. Santa Park also provides plenty of outdoor fun for the family, including Husky sledge rides, Reindeer sleighs, Skidoo and mini-Skidoo, and sledging – don’t worry about the cold as SantaPark provides arctic wear for the outdoors activities, and there are several open fires and hot berry juices to keep the chill-out. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/santa-park/

The merriest place on the Arctic Circle. Snowman World gives you all the joys of winter in a single location next door to Santa Claus on the Arctic Circle – all with just one ticket. The speedy but safe slide is big fun for grown-ups and children too. You can skate on ice or dive in a snowball pit or go into orbit with a sleigh-go-round. Admire ice sculpture in the ice bar and cafe while we serve kids with raspberry red beverages and adults with icy clear drinks. And the drinking glasses are made out of ice, of course. Around of snow and ice, there is the Snowman World you can meet three happy snowman siblings. Ice Hockey promise Flake is the wildest of the three and you might get him to teach you how to shoot the puck on the ice. You will probably find rock star Frost somewhere playing the air guitar. He believes he can make northern lights appear by finding just the right chords. Aurora, sister to these two rowdy brothers, is a dreamer. She loves poems and artistic ice sculptures but nothing gets her more excited than seeing the beautiful northern lights, Aurora Borealis, of which she has been named after. You might also meet the groundskeeper Snowman who takes care of our guests and watches over the whole world of snowmen. The parents of these siblings will not meet in the Snowman World. They work during winters in the snowball factory in Kaamanen where they store snow to a secret place, in case of the warming of the climate. The snowman siblings spend their winters in the Arctic Circle studying winter sports, ice and snow sculpting and aurora hunting. They will take you to enjoy the arctic outdoors and help you try new things like sliding down the ice hills, ice skating and ice sculpting. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/snowman-world/

Ounasvaara Ski Resort is located almost close to the centre of Rovaniemi city. From the Northern side of Ounasvaara mountain, you’ll find a modern ski resort where you can downhill ski, snowboard, or ski while enjoying the international atmosphere. Ounasvaara’s slopes are suitable for both beginners and professionals. The resort features two slope areas, Ounashissit and Tottohissi. The latter has the 3 most challenging slopes, including an FIS-competition slope, and it is consequentially favoured by professional and more experienced skiers. It is often used by Finnish athletes as a training area. Ounashissit has four slopes ranging from beginner to expert, and also includes a ‘street’ for snowboarders and freestyle skiers with many numerous jumps, rails, press boxes and a Super Pipe. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/ounasvaara-ski-resort/

Are you attracted to northern forests? If so, your place is Pilke in Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland near the Arctic Circle. The science centre’s exhibitions will allow you to explore current forest issues, while the Pilke Shop offers forest products that appeal to all of the senses. The Pilke Science Centre is a memorable and interactive place to visit for people of all ages whether the reason for your visit is work, study or vacation. The exhibition at the Science Centre teaches visitors about sustainable use of the northern forests and about the diverse range of products and commodities connected to the forests. Pilke’s life is rooted in the present moment and in the bright future of finding many uses for the forests. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/pilke-science-centre/

Moominworld is an enchanting blend of authentic archipelago nature and the fairytale creations of Tove Jansson. All visitors are invited to come and embrace the magic, with the Moomins’ island home offering enough activities, attractions and experiences for several days of adventure. We recommend you dedicate at least a day for your visit – there is so much to see and do. From the Moomins’ blue tower house, Snork’s Workshop, Theatre Emma performances and the Fairytale Trail, to the swimming beach, Moominpappa’s Boat and other fun places and activities to keep everyone busy. The daily schedule includes performances at Theatre Emma as well as many interactive shows throughout Moomin Valley. The two Theatre Emma presentations include Moomin’s Great Book of Popular Songs as well as Moomintroll and the Last Dragon on Earth. There are a great variety of activities on offer in Moomin Valley, from Little My’s song adventure to Stinky and the thrilling clue. Delicious treats are available every day, from Moominmamma’s Doughnut House, Fillyjonk’s Waffles as well as Thingumy and Bob’s Ice Cream Bar, will keep the hunger at bay. In addition to Mamma’s Kitchen, there’s also Pizza & Pasta and Burger, from where you can enjoy some lunch before continuing your adventure. http://www.visitturku.fi/en/moomin-world_

Kylämäki Village in Kurala is made up of four farms with buildings still standing at their original sites. The village has been inhabited since the 7th century. Nowadays, Kurala is a village of living history where visitors can travel back in time to a typical Southwest Finnish farm of the 1950s, complete with authentic scents and rural atmosphere. During summer in the Iso-Kohmo kitchen, oven-baked treats prepared to Grandma’s recipes are warming on the wood-burning stove. The farmer’s wife tells of everyday activities from the old days, whilst also giving handy tips on things such as making juice. http://www.visitturku.fi/en/kylamaki-village-of-living-history_

Science Centre Tietomaa has given unforgettable experiences to visitors since 1988. Finland’s first science centre is the perfect place for learning, enjoying yourself, putting your brain and body at test or simply spending some time engaging in entertaining exploration. Science Centre Tietomaa is a household name in Oulu and the entire Northern Finland. It has been one of the best-known attractions in Oulu for years. Many generations have visited it with school groups or their families with more than one million total visits to date – and many come back year after year. The themed exhibitions of the Science Centre Tietomaa feature more than 150 hands-on attractions and demonstrations. New exhibitions are opened every year, and the highlights of past exhibitions become part of the permanent exhibition. Our exhibitions explore different fields of science and technology and give food for thought for all audiences. The sea-themed exhibition called M.O.B. gives you a taste of saltwater and breathtaking speed. Try out hand in magic sand landscapes, test your skill in a sailing competition and try the speedboat simulator – but do not make yourself seasick! http://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/tietomaa-science-centre/

There are 23 slopes at Tahko, the biggest ones 1200 meters long and as much as 200 meters high. At Tahko, you can find speedy slopes for active skiers, but the kids and beginners have their own slope, too. Snowboarders will enjoy the proper pipe and the boxes and rails of the street. There are 13 T-bar lifts and two four-person chair lifts taking skiers to the top of Tahko. In addition, there is a lift connection from the slope area to the parking lot, and a safe carpet lift for the youngest skiers. At Tahko, you do not have to leave the slopes when you get hungry. There are five slope restaurants ready to fill your stomach and quench your thirst. Additional slope services include two equipment rental shops and a ski school. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/tahko-ski-resort/

Lohionginta Korpikeidas is a fishing place with a guaranteed catch! You can take your freshly caught fish with you or have it smoked. A domestic animal park is an excellent destination for family trips. Sheep, rabbits, chickens and roosters, guinea pigs, chipmunks, turkeys, pigeons, emus, a miniature pig and pony riding. Open also during winter time for fishing. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/korpikeidas/