I’m half Finnish and I love going to Finland to visit my relatives.

I absolutely love Helsinki and I have had the best times there with my two smalls as there is so much to see and do with them. It’s a really child/family friendly place to visit, for example they have play areas on long distance trains and lots of buggy space. Generally they’re a family friendly nation and you can feel that when you’re there.

I thought I’d pull together a few ideas for a trip to Helsinki with kids, I imagine it’s not top of most people’s lists but you could be missing out!

HEUREKA (HELSINKI’S SCIENCE MUSEUM)

This was my absolute top pick the last time we went! Perfect for kids and adults too, with loads of interactive activities for everyone to try out. There’s even a bike on a tightrope you can cycle across!! Heureka is a little out of the centre of town but very easily accessible by train, and you can buy travel cards and tickets at kiosks. There’s a lovely cafe there which does cooked food so you can easily spend the whole day there. They’ve thought of everything you might need with kids, lockers and even buggies you can borrow at no cost to let your small relax or have a nap as you walk round.

HELSINKI HARBOUR

Helsinki harbour is always worth a wander round. There’s a nice market and you can grab some local delicacies, reindeer, berries, peas or fish. My likes love a walk around all the market stalls and watching the huge ships dock. Street artists hang around the main road and provide a bit of entertainment while you stroll in the sunshine and listen to the music there often is coming from live bands on the band stand.

SKYWHEEL

Helsinki has its very own skywheel! It’s not as big as the London eye but it’s high enough to see fantastic sights of the city and the kids loved going up in it. It’s a short walk from the harbour so easily accessible in the centre of town.

ALLAS SEA POOL

Another attraction along the harbour in the centre of Helsinki is the Allas Sea Pool which has a heated outdoor swimming pool, a shallow paddling pool and a sea pool, surrounded by a deck with chairs. It’s an absolutist if he weather is good.

FERRY TO SOUMENLINNA

Jump aboard the ferry to visit world heritage sight Soumenlinna from Helsinki harbour. It’s about a 30 minute journey and you get to see some lovely sights on the way. There’s lots to see, little ones would need to be in a buggy as there are hills and quite a bit of walking to do. However there are sights to see and playgrounds to break up the walk, as well as convenient ice cream sellers and cafes.

It’s a nice mix of something for all the family to see, and on a sunny day it’s just a lovely walk.

LINNANMÄKI

One of the best theme parks I’ve been to! Ever! Linnanmäki has a wrist band system for children and adults and for toddlers you just get on the smaller rides! There’s no entrance fee and you can genuinely ride a few of the little rides for free! What’s more child friendly than that?

There are also some amazing and modern rollercoasters for the adults! The queues are rarely long so it’s not too much of a pain to wait with the kids while the other goes on and then swap. I can’t recommend this place enough. I loved it as a kid and my kids love it more. The wooden runaway train is a bit scary…I think it’s years old!

Do check out the toilets…seriously they’re amazing!