15 Fun Summer Activities in Turku for Kids
WHAT TO DO IN THE TURKU REGION WITH KIDS? GOOD THING YOU ASKED! KEEP READING AND FIND THE BEST IDEAS FOR A FUN FAMILY SUMMER.
We have an idea: take the whole family to Turku! The marvellous summer city is full of fun and offers families plenty to do for both short visits and longer holidays. In this article we've listed some theme parks, swimming areas, museums, accommondations, day trips and shopping possibilities. It’s time to make some lovely memories in Turku!
Moominworld—Moominworld in Naantali brings Tove Jansson’s beloved stories to life and is one of the all time favourite summer destinations. Enjoy performances and exercise sessions, hug moomin characters and experience magic on fairytale trails. You’ll always find something new to experience. The Moominhouse and Snork’s Park of Inventions are must visits, and the bravest ones will peek inside the Hattifatteners’ cave.
JukuPark – Water paradise with the perfect combination of summer and water. Or what would the kids say, if they were asked for their dream destination? We bet it includes exciting water slides, warm pools and a pirate themed water park.
At JukuPark, you’ll have a full day of guaranteed fun (that probably goes by too fast). You’ll find delicious treats for the whole family from grills, cafés, kiosks and terrace restaurants. Enjoy some sauna heat and head back to the slides!
Flowpark – Tree climbing has always been fun and always will be. And it’s especially nice on a course designed for it. You’ll get to experience 19 adventure courses built on trees and get to choose from 5 difficulty levels. Just put on the harness and climb to the sky in this ecological adventure park!
The Kupittaa Adventure Park – Ah, the joy of adventure. Located on the edge of Kupittaa Park, the Kupittaa Adventure Park has been an activity centre for families for 40 years. Here toddlers get to enjoy theatre performances, participative events and workshop activities and have fun at the mushroom fountain and wading pool. The Traffic Town is also close by, if you can’t find enough action from the adventure park (which we highly doubt). Let the adventures continue, right after a cone of ice-cream...
3x Splashing around
Kupittaa Outdoor Swimming Arena – After romping around at the adventure park, it’s time to cool down at the nearby swimming pool. There’s a selection of pools for all kinds of play and splashing, and the large slide will most likely make the little swimmers squeal with joy.
Samppalinna Outdoor Swimming Stadium – Is located on top of a steep hill, giving the swimmers a spectacular view of the city. In addition to the large pool, there is a separate pool for the little ones, and the diving tower provides a nice challenge for the daredevils.
Public beaches – If you'd prefer swiming in natural water, we have some options for you. The Saaronniemi and Ekvalla beaches are perfectly suitable for smaller children. Or maybe a dip into the lake Littoistenjärvi?
All aboard!
Although there’s plenty of stuff to do in Turku, there’s even more fun activities to be found on the horizon. Onboard Viking Line, the whole crew can switch into holiday mode. So, what do you say, time for a summer cruise?
Peaceful family time, archipelago scenery, tasty food and shopping. And hey: adults can have a break and enjoy some quality time, as there are plenty of activities organized for the kids.
Turku Castle – The impressive castle is full of exciting history and wild stories. What does a real dungeon look like? Does an elf really live here? And...how did people go to the toilet in the castle? It’s time to find out.
Pharmacy Museum and the Qwensel House – How were illnesses treated before? What does an 18th century home look like? Find the answers to these questions and much more from the splendid museum duo by the River Aura. Don’t forget the refreshments at the courtyard's secret cafe, Cafe Qwensel. Cakes, homemade juices and lemonades will surely impress the kids.
Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum – Visiting the quarter of wooden buildings saved from the Great Fire of Turku in 1827 is like travelling back in time. Explore and get to know the lives, homes and professions of the craftspeople of the past!
The Biological Museum – The museum that opened back in 1907, takes you on a journey through Finland’s flora and fauna from the Turku archipelago all the way up to the fells of Lapland. Each handmade diorama of the museum is a world of its own. How many animals and plants can you recognize?
Kylämäki Village – Just outside the centre of Turku is located an idyllic country village from the 1950s that functions as a museum of living history. In the summer, you can find the mistress of Iso-Kohmo busy with farm chores. Would you like to help?
Aboa Vetus Ars Nova – Archaeology downstairs and contemporary art upstairs. It’s easy to visit the museum located in the old Rettig Palace, on the banks of the River Aura. Here, the kiddies will be delighted by the exciting Bony Tales exhibition, the ruins of Turku discovered underground, and a fun miniature model of The Old Great Square in 1499.
Forum Marinum – The maritime museum located by the River Aura, right next to the Turku Castle and the city’s harbour. There are many wonders for landlubbers of all ages, from the greatness of seafaring to majestic museum ships and the pearls of the archipelago.
Did you only pack trousers but the temperature outside is begging you to change into a pair of shorts. On top of that, the shopping mall offers a great selection of restaurants so do not worry if hunger surprises the whole family. Off to Shopping Centre Hansa we go!
Travelling with kids can sometimes be, well, hard. Would you like an overnight stay in a pampering hotel? The selection of hotels is broad in the Turku city centre so take a better look of our article: Hotels in Turku x 15.
A convenient home base for your holiday can be found at the Kupittaa train station. Original Sokos Hotel Kupittaa is a comfortable and stylish hotel for the whole family. The joys of the Kupittaa Adventure Park are just around the corner and the amusements of the city centre just a stone's throw away.
Additional fun: Bistro Elli prepares tasty dishes that both the adults and kids will love, and there’s an amazing view of the city from the Kuppis Rooftop Bar.
Let’s stay in Naantali but move across the bridge to Luonnonmaa island’s Kultaranta Resort. The presidential couple of Finland spends their summer on the other side of the island.
The scandi-styled hotel rooms and holiday apartments provide visitors with privacy and luxurious comfort while the services of the Club House are just around the corner. If your family happens to be a group of pro golfers, then this one is for you: an18-hole golf course is just a short distance away from the accommodation. A couple of restaurants, the nearby beaches and the archipelago nature are enchanting for all ages.
Before diving deeper into the day trip, you must remember that the Archipelago of Finland, or how we Finns call it "Saaristo", combines over 40 thousand islands and offers many possibilities for families traveling around the area. Take a look of the Saaristo website and be amazed.
Föli to Ruissalo– With just the price of a bus ticket you can get a taste of the Turku archipelago. Jump on Föli water bus next to the Martinsilta bridge and the boat will take you to the Kansanpuisto stop in Ruissalo. The Kansanpuisto beach is a perfect playground for the kids, and you might just see a Viking Line ship sail by. Fun fact: the oldest rock festival in Finland, Ruisrock, has taken place in Kansanpuisto since 1972.
In case you want to come back by road, the bus number 8 is the correct one. However, if you want to travel back by the Föli water bus, we recommend stopping at the Ruissalo Boatyard. The area of the old boatyard is full of things to explore, and we have some good news for the foodies: The popular Zaké pizzas and Tenlén’s delicious BBQ food are sure to take away even a bigger hunger.
Text Heidi Lajunen and Jemina Sormunen. Video Kim Allen-Mersh. Photos Terri Vahtera, Jenni Virta, Naantali Spa, Aboa Vetus Ars Nova and Visit Turku.
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