Tips for enjoying the outdoors in Helsinki with your kids

Facing away from the camera, a little girl carrying a beach ball under one arm and a bag in her opposite hand, walks down a trail that is surrounded by grass, bushes and trees.
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Helsinki offers lots of interesting outdoor activities for families. Enjoy a day out in the city with the kids and visit places you have never been to before – or see them from a new perspective.

Helsinki Zoo

Helsinki Zoo on the pretty island of Korkeasaari is open all year round. If it’s raining outside you can visit the animals indoors and enjoy the warm environments inside the tropical houses Africasia and Amazonia. In wintertime you can discover the Finnish nature and wildlife along the Korpi wilderness trail. Altogether you can discover over 150 animal species at the zoo!

Fallkulla Farm

Kids love farm animals, and at Fallkulla you can pet the cows, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits and horses. Fallkulla Farm is open to all animal lovers and the best part is: free admission!

Trainspotting

If your kids are crazy about trains, then head for the pedestrian bridge in the Linnunlaulu “Birdsong” district, from where you can see all the way down the train lines to the Central Railway Station. All incoming and outgoing trains pass beneath the bridge, which is also conveniently located close to the playgrounds in the Hakaniemi district, the pretty Tokoinranta shoreline and the Töölönlahti park.

Töölönlahti playground

The playground next to Finlandia Hall is a great place where kids can climb and play to their hearts' delight. The modern playground is also conveniently located close to the city centre and right by the Töölönlahti park

Lammassaari – Sheep Island

Walking across the duckboards to “Sheep Island” in the Old Town Bay is a great way to experience nature close to the city centre. While exploring the island you can also climb the birdwatching tower and view the city from a different perspective through the tall reeds. The duckboards were recently renewed and are wide enough for strollers and prams, even in wintertime. The trail to the island starts from Pornaistenniemi. Lammassaari is a great place to bring visitors from out of town!

Talosaari – House Island

The island of Talosaari (Husö in Swedish) in East Helsinki is a recreational area where you can enjoy the splendid archipelago nature. A trail around the island starts from the parking lot at the riding centre, so you might also come across riders on horseback. “House Island” offers splendid views and is the perfect spot for a family picnic. You can even get about with strollers and prams.

Suomenlinna

The massive sea fortress is a great place to spend the day. For example, see if you can find the lighthouse, dry dock and submarine on the five islands that make up the fortress. You can also visit the unique island library and a toy museum. It’s easy to spend hours exploring Suomenlinna!

 

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Helsinki offers lots of interesting outdoor activities for families. Enjoy a day out in the city with the kids and visit places you have never been to before – or see them from a new perspective.