Finland with kids: what to see, how to get there and how much it costs

Finland only seems complicated for a trip with kids at first glance. In reality, it is one of the most convenient countries in Northern Europe: trains arrive right at the parks, and tickets to children's attractions are sold online.

We have put together places that will hold a child's attention, with prices and operating seasons. Below, see when to go, how to get to Lapland, and where to stay as a family.

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When to go: winter or summer

💡 In short:

• In winter, Santa Claus Village, snow and reindeer tours are open, and there is a chance to see the northern lights.
• In summer, Muumimaailma, water parks, and amusement parks operate, and daylight lasts almost around the clock.
• Entry to Santa Claus Village is free year-round (as of 09/2026, village page).
• Prices and opening hours: 09/14/2026, verified on the official Muumimaailma website.

Finland welcomes families year-round, but different places are open at different times. Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi operates every day of the year, including winter (according to Visit Rovaniemi). Muumimaailma and some water parks are open only in summer.

There is no off-season in the usual sense here: in winter you go for snow and Lapland, in summer for parks and water. The climate is milder than it seems. In the south, winters are moderate; Lapland can have severe frosts.

Plan the trip around your child. In winter, bring a warm snowsuit and boots; in summer, a light waterproof jacket. The polar day in June and July disrupts sleep patterns for little ones, but in the evening you can make it to everything.

Choose winter if you want snow and Santa. Choose summer if you want parks, lakes, and short trips between them.

How to get to Finland

You fly to Helsinki or take a ferry from Tallinn, Stockholm, or Travemünde. From there you travel around the country by train, bus, or your own car. The most convenient option with kids: the night train VR Santa Claus Express from Helsinki or Turku to Lapland (official VR website).

It's a double-decker train where you choose a seat or your own sleeping compartment. The compartments have power outlets, some have a shower and toilet, Wi-Fi is available, and breakfast is brought to your door. The train runs to Rovaniemi, Kolari, and Kemijärvi.

You can bring your own car on the same train, with dedicated spots for vehicles (car transport). With kids this is convenient: you don't spend a whole day on the road, you just wake up at your destination.

Rovaniemi sits right on the Arctic Circle, and about 63,000 people live in the city. In summer, people more often fly to Lapland: there are more flights to Rovaniemi and Ivalo, and the train takes a long time.

Things to do with kids in Finland

Santa claus village in Rovaniemi

Santa Claus Village sits right on the Arctic Circle line and is open every day of the year. Entry to the grounds is free, you only pay for individual attractions (village opening hours).

Here you cross the Arctic Circle line and meet Santa at Santa Claus Office along with his reindeer (as of 09/2026, Rovaniemi tourist office). In winter, Ice Bar and Ice Restaurant are added to the mix.

Muumimaailma in Naantali

Muumimaailma park in Naantali, near Turku, is open during the summer season. A one-day ticket costs €43 online or €45 at the gate, a family ticket for four costs €164, and children under two get in free (as of 09/2026, Muumimaailma tickets and prices). The price includes all of the day's performances at Theatre Emma.

© Andy Dingley · CC BY-SAPhoto: Andy Dingley, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

You can drive to Muumimaailma from Turku: the park has its own parking lot, 17 € per day if you buy in advance (as of 09/2026, about parking). The catch: the park is only open in summer.

Linnanmäki in Helsinki

Linnanmäki in Helsinki charges a small entrance fee. The Area Entrance Ticket costs 5 € and includes six rides for toddlers (as of 09/2026, Linnanmäki tickets).

© Simbe · CC BY-SAPhoto: Simbe, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The Pikkuhupi wristband for 19 family rides costs 43 €, and the Isohupi for all roller coasters costs 53 € (as of 09/2026, Linnanmäki wristbands). For the youngest kids, the Area Entrance Ticket will be enough.

The park operates seasonally: it is open daily in summer, and in fall there are events like iik!week in September (Linnanmäki season). The catch: outside the season, the rides are closed.

Korkeasaari in Helsinki

Korkeasaari Zoo, also known as Helsinki Zoo, occupies an island near the city center. It is open year-round, with the last entry one hour before closing (according to the zoo).

© Bin im Garten · CC BY-SAPhoto: Bin im Garten, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

You can buy a ticket online or at the ticket office on site, and the price depends on the season (Korkeasaari tickets).

Heureka in Vantaa

The Heureka Science Center in Vantaa is designed for active kids: everything here is hands-on. One ticket covers all exhibitions, planetarium films, and the summer Galilei Science Park (Heureka). You can find current prices in the price list on the website.

© Danila Talikov · CC BY-SAPhoto: Danila Talikov, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Serena in Espoo

The Serena Water Park in Espoo is open year-round and is combined with a ski slope (Serena). Here you will find pools and slides for different ages, and season passes are available for families.

© kallerna · CC BY-SAPhoto: kallerna, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Where to stay with kids

AIIllustrative image: AI-generated

With kids, it is more convenient to book an apartment or cottage: they have a kitchen and separate bedrooms, and in the evening you are not tied to a restaurant. Many hotels let children stay free when sharing a room with parents, and large resorts offer discounts. Check the terms when booking.

In Lapland, cabins with a sauna are popular; in Helsinki, it is more cost-effective to stay near the train station, since trains to Rovaniemi depart from there. In high season, winter and July, book accommodation in advance.

How much a trip with kids costs

The table shows that your main costs go to transportation, accommodation, and admission tickets. Family tickets help you save, and they are available at Muumimaailma (Muumimaailma family tickets).

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

At what age should you take a child to Finland?

Age is not the main criterion. The country is flat and safe, and a stroller is easy to take on trains and in parks. For toddlers, choose short transfers and places without long walks.

When is it better to go with children, in winter or summer?

In winter you get Santa Claus Village, snow, and a chance to see the northern lights. In summer, Muumimaailma, water parks, and amusement parks are open. Choose based on your child: a short summer flight is easier for toddlers, while school-age kids find Lapland more interesting.

How much does it cost to enter the parks?

Santa Claus Village is free, and a wristband at Linnanmäki starts at €43 (as of 09/2026, Linnanmäki prices). See Muumimaailma prices in the table above. Calculate the total for your family in advance.

How do you get to Lapland with children?

From Helsinki and Turku, the overnight VR Santa Claus Express train runs to Rovaniemi, Kolari, and Kemijärvi (VR website). You book a seat or a sleeping compartment and can bring your car. In summer, flying is more convenient: there are more flights, and the train takes a long time.

Where should a family stay?

Choose an apartment or cottage with a kitchen: it is calmer with a child and cheaper on food.

In short: what to book

If you have a school-age child and want first snow impressions: take the overnight train to Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village. If you are traveling with a toddler in summer: put Muumimaailma, Linnanmäki, and Serena Water Park on your plan. If you want to combine city and nature: stay in Helsinki and take trips to Korkeasaari.

Book the train and accommodation in advance in December and July, and buy park tickets online: at Muumimaailma, an online ticket is cheaper than at the ticket office. You can browse hotels across Finland on Trip.com for your travel dates.