If you are planning to make a little educational family trip to capital region,
here are 10 museums for kids in Helsinki area you might want to visit.
Museums for Kids in Helsinki
1. Sederholm House – Children’s Town
Are you interested in the history of Helsinki?
Children’s Town exhibition at the Sederholm House is a great destination especially for the family’s youngest members. Kids and their companions can learn more about Helsinki’s history through own experiences and joint activities. Entrance to the museum is always free of charge. Visit the Sederholm House website for more information.
Sederholm House is located right in the heart of the city at Aleksanterinkatu 16, Helsinki.
2. The National Museum of Finland
Are you interested in the history of Finland?
The National Museum’s (Kansallismuseo in Finnish) exhibitions offer plenty to explore, discover and experience for visitors of all ages. Especially the Playtime area on the museum’s third floor is is full of activities. Divided into three spaces; the sea, the village and the castle, children get to experience medieval life hands-on by building a castle wall, playing with wooden swords or exploring the sea. Visit the National Museum website for more information.
The National Museum of Finland is located at Mannerheimintie 34, Helsinki.
3. Museum of Technology
Are you interested in technology?
At the Museum of Technology (Tekniikan Museo in Finnish) you’ll get to learn about the development of technology in Finland. For example the museum’s “The Ghost and the Invention Decive” exhibition (open until end of 2027) is a versatile and interactive learning enviroment, designed specially for the children. The museum building is located next to a beautiful park which is a great destination for a picnic after the museum visit. Visit the Museum of Technology website for more information.
The Museum of Technology is located in the old part of Helsinki at Viikintie 1, Helsinki.
4. Tram Museum
What would it be like to be a tram driver in old Helsinki?
At the Tram Museum (Ratikkamuseo in Finnish) you get to explore the history public transport of Helsinki in different times. The tram simulator lets you hop into the driver’s seat or become the conductor, and take you to a journey through time. Visit the Tram Museum website for more information.
The Tram Museum is located at Töölönkatu 51 A, Helsinki.
5. Aviation Museum
Do you love airplanes?
Then you should take a flight through the different ages of the Finnish aviation at the Aviation Museum (Ilmailumuseo in Finnish). The Aviation Museum collection includes 80 aircrafts, including old fighter jets and nostaltic airliners like Douglas DC-3 and Convair Metropolitan. Visit Aviation Museum website for more information
The Aviation Museum is located in Vantaa, near the Helsinki-Vantaa airport at Karhumäentie 12, Vantaa.
6. Theatre Museum
Let your creativity fly!
One of the coolest exhibitons at the Theatre Museum is the Arkadia Theatre. At the Arkadia Theatre, which is a small-scale replica of the theatre house designed by C.L. Engel in 1820, you can be an actor or the director of your own show. In the Dressing room you can change roles and dress up your most creative costume. The Theatre Museum offers a lot of fun for the whole family. Visit the Theatre Museum website for more information.
The Theatre Museum is located at Kaapeliaukio 3, Helsinki
7. Natural History Museum
Want to see the skeleton of a dinosaur?
The Natural History Museum (Luonnontieteellinen Museo in Finnish) has five permanent exhibitions; Finnish Nature, World Nature, The History of Life, The Story of the Bones and Change in the Air. With much to see, the Natural History Museum is of the most most popular museums in Helsinki. Visit the Natural History Museum website for more information.
The Natural History Museum is located nearby the Helsinki Central Station at Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 13, Helsinki.
8. Leikki – The Museum of Play
If museum’s name is Play, it must be fun!
The Museum Leikki (Finnish word for play) is dedicated to play, toys and childhood. But not just for kids, this experiential cultural destination is designed for visitors of all ages. Visit the Museum Leikki website for more information.
The Museum Leikki is located in Espoo, in the same building with the Finnish Clock and Jewelry Museum Kruunu and right next door to the exhibition centre WeeGee, at Ahertajantie 3, Espoo.
9. Suomenlinna Toy Museum
What kind of toys have Finnish children played with?
The Suomenlinna Toy Museum (Suomenlinnan Lelumuseo in Finnish) presents a private collection of antique and vintage toys, like old dolls, tin toys and teddy bears from different ages. Visit the Toy Museum website for more information.
The Toy Museum is located in Suomenlinna, at Suomenlinna C66, Helsinki.
10. Museum Submarine Vesikko
Would you dare to look inside an old submarine?
Another great destination for in Suomenlinna is a Museum Submarine Vesikko. By visiting Vesikko you get to see what an old submarine looked like inside and experience first hand the crowded working and living spaces of a submarine from 1930s. Visit the Vesikko website for more information. Please note that Vesikko is open only during summer.
Submarine Vesikko is located in Suomenlinna, at Suomenlinna B79, Helsinki
Have fun while visiting one, or all of these 10 museums for kids in Helsinki!
Image by Ella Karttunen / Museom Leikki