My holiday started with a fantastic long weekend with friends visiting from Belgium and Estonia. Together we did a lot of the fun things that once upon a time I have blogged (further details through the links) about but are worth being mentioned again. As a local I would love to do these more often, but I believe there may be great tips even for travellers who want something else than just sightseeing in the Helsinki summer.
The weather was lovely, when we went to pick up one set of friends from the airport. We went a bit early to have time to a long overdue revisit to the airplane spotting terrace and see a few airplanes land and take off. Good free fun even on a rainy day as there is cover.
On the sunny Saturday we went to Tervasaari island, a lovely oasis close to the city centre, with a playground, some ducks and picnic tables. There is an ice cream kiosk in the beginning of the bridge to the island. All in all, a perfect spot for us all to have a good time, kids got to play and us adults got to have a good chat.
Some guests with toddlers needing a sleep went for a stroller walk to the city centre, and ended up enjoying a free concert at Espa stage, where the concerts are common during the summer.
Our Sunday started in Sealife, an aquarium that we love and that I can recommend for all ages, but that is rather expensive. However, it is right next to the amusement park Linnanmäki, were the entry and a few of the rides are free. Our guests were interested in trying some of the rides out and with a big crowd it was an easy place to eat at.
Also, next to Linnanmäki is the Alppipuisto (Alpine Park), a perfect place for a picnic. There is free live music on summer weekends (please find the programme here in Finnish) and this time even a free circus workshop some of our kids participated in even though we otherwise sat a bit further away from the events. Unfortunately, it was pretty cloudy, so this time there wasn’t as many people as there often is. When it started to rain we fled the park too to one of the, in my opinion, greatest destinations for children in Helsinki, the Children’s Town.
The Children’s Town (Lasten Kaupunki) is again open after renovations and has an easy location opposite the main church. It is a museum for children presenting different eras but in a way where kids get to play all the way through. There is an old boat and a horse with a carriage to show how cargo was handled in the 18th century, there are old type grocery shops with play food, dress up dolls, a class room from the 1950s with a chalk boards and old school books etc. There is also a room for feeding your kids with food you have taken a long (there is a micro too, of course). We had children ranging from 1,5 years to 10 years, and they all had a great time. And yes, it is free to enter this museum.
What a great weekend and start to my summer holidays!
Free But Fun 
Great set of beautiful photos. Thank You.
I am dying to go to Helsinki! Looks awesome.
It has its upsides☺