Pienten Helsinki
The Little Helsinki and Little Finland background team is on vacation and having adventures in Finland. Little Helsinki's summer special gathered summer activity tips for Turku with children. And there's so much fun that Turku has to offer! This article includes tips from the latest trip as well as from previous visits to Turku.
What would you recommend experiencing in Turku with children?
The article's cover image is from Adventure Park.
The article was published in summer 2024 and updated in July 2025.
What to do with children in Turku in summer?
Kupittaa Park
Kupittaa Park is Finland's largest and oldest city park, offering activities and experiences for all ages. The city of Turku's large park area is an amazing whole, especially during the summer months, and offers various activities and experiences: sheep and birds at Kupittaa Bird Lagoon, mini golf in the middle of a green park, riding at Traffic Park (fee: go-karts 3.50 € / 15 min., safari car 8 € / 30 min.), splashing at the Kupittaa Outdoor Swimming Pool (admission fee), playing chess in the shade of trees, beach volleyball, and picnics in the park. The area often offers other activities as well as the opportunity to buy coffee, ice cream, and snacks. Kupittaa Park is beautifully maintained and easy to spend time in. There are few places you visit again and again while traveling, but Kupittaa Park is one of them—even outside the summer season.
Kupittaa Park is easily accessible from many directions and is about two kilometers' walking distance from, for example, Turku's main market square. It's a ten-minute walk from Kupittaa Railway Station to the park.
The absolute highlight of Kupittaa Park is Adventure Park, or Seikkis, which is a huge playground complex with several different play areas for children and young people of different ages. Adventure Park also offers guided activities led by the Children's Culture Center Färi, as well as various performances during the summer months.
During our visit on a July Sunday, Seikkis was offering information about bees and bark boat crafts. Restroom facilities were also available on Sundays, but opening times may vary by season.
The water play area was removed from Adventure Park a few years ago, but in July 2024, while parts of the park were undergoing renovation, there was a cheerful message on the construction fence: a water play area would be completed by August 2024!
Adventure Park is free to enter. Sometimes the park hosts performances with a small admission fee.
The Little Helsinki background team warmly recommends visiting Kupittaa Park and Seikkis! A similarly great complex would be needed in Helsinki too, as it serves not only children but also many other target groups by offering such a wide range of activities and experiences in a beautiful park. We always visit here when we're in Turku! Adventure Park is a reason to visit Turku often and proves that a good city and play park can be a tourism asset! Nearby you'll also find an excellent Citymarket Kupittaa, which surely has Finland's best snack selection!
All activities at Kupittaa Park are located in one park area within walking distance of each other.
Museum visits with children in Turku
Forum Marinum
Located on the banks of the Aura River, near Turku Castle, Forum Marinum is a large museum complex that showcases the history of seafaring as well as various ships and boats. Children are also considered in the museum, and smaller museum visitors will definitely find activities and experiences.
The museum is not completely accessible, as it operates in two old warehouse buildings and partly in covered outdoor space. Museum admission fee.
Aboa Vetus Ars Nova
Aboa Vetus Ars Nova is an archaeology and contemporary art museum on the banks of the Aura River near Turku Cathedral. It's a surprising museum complex built in many ways with children's needs in mind. The archaeological museum is built around the excavated Old Turku, and in the museum you explore the ruins of old Turku. Scale models, dollhouses, games, and for example a bone yard interested the children.
The contemporary art museum was a nice addition and at least at the time of our visit, it fit well with visiting with children. The museum also has a nice café and an excellent museum shop!
Museum admission fee, children under 7 free.
Turku Castle
Turku Castle is a classic museum destination that requires an adventurous spirit and concentration while navigating the castle corridors. Children are considered at Turku Castle: there are children's own tours, small play areas, in summer 2024 also a dedicated exhibition for children, and much more. The castle itself is already impressive and will surely raise many thoughts and questions in young minds. The castle is worth experiencing, as there aren't many similar places in Finland. The park surrounding Turku Castle is also a nice summer destination where you can have a picnic.
Access to the castle courtyard and inner courtyard is free; an entrance ticket is needed to explore inside the Castle.
Access within Turku Castle is not fully accessible, and you should allow time for navigating steep stairs and corridors with small children.
Kurala Village Slope
Kurala Village Slope is a bit like Seurasaari in Helsinki: an outdoor area where you can visit on your own schedule. The area's historic buildings are open during summer months; otherwise the area is open year-round.
Kurala Village Slope hosts various themed days and programs for children. An absolutely wonderful outdoor destination and a journey back in time. Free admission to Kurala Village Slope.
Turku Main Library
On a rainy day or as a city day activity, Turku Main Library and its wonderful children's section is a good option with extensive opening hours. The children's section is quite large, offering children more activities besides books, and the shelves and floors of the children's section have lovely story windows that provide hours of exploration.
The library also hosts various performances and programs for children. Turku Main Library also has a nice summer courtyard!
Turku Main Library is located a few blocks away from Turku's market square, almost on the banks of the Aura River.
Funicular
The Funicular is worth experiencing at least once! This uniquely Finnish outdoor incline elevator carries passengers from Linnankatu to Kakolanmäki on a non-stop basis—as long as it's working. The funicular has had some operational challenges during its history, but for the most part, the incline elevator functions well. If the funicular isn't working for any reason, there's a light traffic path to Kakolanmäki. In addition to a hotel, Kakolanmäki has small shops and a bakery, Bageri Å.
Turku's funicular is located on Linnankatu, near Turku Castle and Forum Marinum. Free admission.
Swimming with children in Turku
Wading pools
In summer, Turku has five (5) free wading pools open to everyone, located near playgrounds. Information about Turku's wading pools for summer 2025 could not be verified.
Kupittaa Outdoor Swimming Pool
Kupittaa Outdoor Swimming Pool is the Little Helsinki background team's favorite. A children's pool, a sloping practice pool, two water slides, and clean facilities plus a green outdoor area with play equipment work well with children. Admission fee, open only during the summer season.
Brinkhallin Beach
On a two-part island (connected by bridge) with a lake in the middle of the island, there's a small and lovely Brinkhallin Beach. During hot days, the beach parking lot can get crowded. Brinkhallin Beach also works well as a picnic spot.
Nearby is Brinkhall Manor (known from the Hovimäki series!), which has a summer café.
Ekvalla Beach
Ekvalla Beach in Kakskerta is a large beach on the seashore. The beach is also supervised during the summer season, and there's a small kiosk on the beach. Ekvalla's special feature is accessible swimming opportunities as well as a very nice small pirate-themed playground.
Don't forget either!
Mannerheim Park Playground
Mannerheim Park in Turku was opened as a renovation in June 2025. The park's playground is particularly successful and appeals to many small and larger players. Pictures from the park will also come to Little Helsinki!
Mannerheim Park
Puutarhakatu 24
Little Finland
From Little Finland's map you'll find more tips and ideas for Turku and the Varsinais-Suomi region.
