Summer Finn Fun for Families

• Tweet

• Tweet

Finland thrives in the summer as the days get light and long. The extra energy of the juniors of the family can be channelled to the summer activities that Finland has plenty. Several theme parks and zoos open their doors and staged across the country there’s over hundred festivals of song, dance and theatre that will keep the whole family entertained. In a land of thousands of lakes and a beautiful seacoast with plenty of islands, a summer cruise on a boat is a must.

FESTIVALS FOR KIDS

Seurasaari Midsummer Bonfires, 19 June–20 June 2009
A traditional Finnish Midsummer celebration for the whole family, with all of the familiar elements such as handcraft demonstrations, folk
dance and music. The evening concludes with bonfires and Midsummer dances.

For more information www.seurasaarisaatio.fi

Pori Jazz Kids Festival – Back to the roots, 11–15 July 2009
The 5th Annual Pori Jazz Kids Festival kicks off the Pori International Jazz Festival in the picturesque Finnish west coast city of Pori. The
5-day-long kids festival offers over 90 different types of musical workshops, concerts and performances on three different stages. Access
to all concerts and workshops is free. This year’s theme is “Back to the Roots” with blues, jazz, gospel and harmonica.

For more information: www.porijazz.fi

Helsinki Festival for children, 13–30 August 2009
Helsinki Festival’s aim has been to make art accessible for all and this year children are on the top of their list. Kids program features four
Finnish theatre premieres and several international theatre group visits among other things. The junior audiences will love Semianyki,
Teatr Licedei, the outrageously funny theatrical spectacle that plays a tribute to the art of clowning. At the Suvilahti big top, kids and
adults alike will be whisked away on a whirlwind tour of Vietnam in the company of a water puppetry troupe.

For more information www.helsinkifestival.fi/en/lapset

THEME PARKS

Linnanmäki is a cheerful, happy place!
The 60-year old Linnanmäki amusement park is a classic Helsinki destination. A summer day with over 40 rides of different sizes and speeds, thrilling games and surprising novelties will be a day to remember. Admission to the amusement park area is free all summer. The summer season in Linnanmäki is 24 April – 13 September 2009.

Adjacent to the amusement park, Sea Life aquarium is an exciting place to dive into the magical world of underwater life. There are more than 50 tanks in which you can see sharks, piranhas, seahorses and hundreds of other fascinating sea creatures up close.

For more information www.linnanmaki.fi and www.sealife.fi

Särkänniemi – Spin, speed or splash?
If amusement is measured by the number and variety of attractions in a place, the Särkänniemi Adventure Park is the funniest place in Finland. The big smiles of over 700,000 guests each year just go to prove this. Besides the 35 rides, the park features an aquarium, a dolphinarium, a planetarium, a children’s zoo, an art museum and an observation tower. Särkänniemi is located in less than two kilometers from the centre of Tampere, by the beautiful lake Näsijärvi.

For more information www.sarkanniemi.fi

Moominworld – Say hello to Moomintroll and Little My!
The Southwest coast of Finland is home to a family that wakes up from hibernation every spring. The Moomins are fairytale characters originally created by writer Tove Jansson in the 1950’s. Today their blue house stands on an island of magical beauty in front of the old town in Naantali and surrounded by the archipelago. The Moominworld is located in Naantali, at a distance of about 16 km from Turku and about 180 km from Helsinki. It is open from June to August.

For more information www.muumimaailma.fi

ZOOS

Helsinki Zoo – The whole world on one island
At the Helsinki Zoo in Korkeasaari, you travel from tundra to rainforest and from foreign mountain peaks to domestic wetlands. The 150 animal species and almost 1000 plant species truly show the diversity of nature. The exciting visit to the zoo starts already as you step on the boat that takes you to the island. The Helsinki Zoo is open throughout the year.

For more information www.korkeasaari.fi

Ranua Wildlife Park – The northern nature experience
Ranua Wildlife park is one of Finland’s northernmost family attractions situated just south of the Arctic Circle. It offers visitors the chance to see Nordic and Arctic animals in their most natural environment throughout the year. You’ll see Palle-Jooseppi and Doris, two of the Park’s brown bears, as well as snowy owls, wolves, arctic foxes and polar bears. The park offers an excellent line-up of summer activities for children, including horse-riding and helping to feed the animals.

For more information www.ranuawildlife.fi

CRUISES AND SEA EXCURSIONS

Turku archipelago by s/s Ukkopekka
On the historical Ukkopekka day cruise you will be treated to magnificent scenery of the Turku archipelago and a tasty lunch buffet of maritime treats. Alternatively step on board for an evening supper cruise that culminates in dancing on the quays on the bare island of Loistokari.

For more information www.herrankukkaro.fi

Helsinki by sea
Explore the shores of Helsinki and its archipelago of over 300 islands on a day cruise. With an optional lunch the route offers you sights of Suomenlinna sea fortress, Finnish summer villas, the fantastic Degerö Canal, Korkeasaari Zoo, and assorted ice breakers and harbours.

For more information www.sunlines.fi, www.royallines.fi, www.ihalines.fi

Cruise on Saimaa Canal and archipelago on m/s El Faro
Experience the Finnish Lakeland Saimaa Canal or breathtaking scenery of Saimaa archipelago on the beautiful boat m/s El Faro. On board you can find a sundeck, a panorama bar, fully-licensed restaurant, guided route and music.

For more information www.gosaimaa.fi

For more information on Finland visit www.visitfinland.com