Small Finland: Five Activity Tips for Winter Break 2026

Five Activity Tips for Winter Break Week in Southern Finland

What to do or where to go with kids during winter break? Winter break week is celebrated in southern Finland during week eight. From Small Finland's tip map you can find over 1000 tips on where to go and what to visit when traveling with children around Finland, and many of the tips also work during the winter season. This article brings together five highlights of interesting events and activities for winter break week.

What is Small Finland anyway? You can read more about this domestic travel service created with community developers through this link!

Also remember Small Helsinki's winter break week tips for Helsinki and the capital region.

Small Finland - over 1000 reasons to travel in Finland with children!

The article's cover image is from the L.U.M.I. exhibition at Lahti Ski Museum, which is a nice experience for children!

Kotka: Moomins at Vellamo Maritime Centre

Vellamo Maritime Centre features a large "Courage, Love, Freedom! - a Moomin Adventure" exhibition. The exhibition is a dive into the world of the Moomins and offers plenty to do and experience for little Moomin fans as well.
As a location, Vellamo Maritime Centre is a wonderful whole, and in addition to the Moomins, there are many other things to see in the museum center. For example, Kymenlaakso Museum's "What's What Town" exhibition is a fun experience for children!

The Moomin exhibition is partly the same one that was seen at the National Museum in Helsinki in autumn 2020 and was closed prematurely due to coronavirus restrictions.

Note that Vellamo Maritime Centre is closed on Mondays. Museum admission fee, under 18s free of charge.
There is also a lot more to see in Kotka, check out the tips on Small Finland's map!

*Courage, Love, Freedom! - the Moomin Adventure can be experienced at Vellamo Maritime Centre in Kotka.*

Lahti: Play and Sports in Winter Sports in Lahti

Lahti is known for its winter sports, and what better place to spend winter break than to visit Lahti. Go see the impressive ski jumping towers (stunning sight!), try winter sports at the Ski Museum, and play at Launee's vast family park. By the way, there is also a new playground called Huvipömpeli at the family park, which was opened for playing in autumn 2024. Lahti has comprehensive skiing and outdoor trails.
During the Olympic Games, Lahti is an excellent day trip destination!

The Ski Museum's L.U.M.I. exhibition is interactive and really suitable for children. The exhibition also features a ball pit of snowballs!

There is also much more to see in Lahti, check out the tips on Small Finland's map!

Read more: Launee Family Park
Read more: Lahti Ski Museum
Read more: Tips for Spending Winter Break in Lahti

*The L.U.M.I. exhibition at Lahti Ski Museum also features a snowball ball pit.*

Lohja: Journey Into the Depths of the Earth

Tytyri Experience Mine in Lohja offers special programs when the experience mine invites children on an adventure underground. During winter break week, Tytyri Experience Mine is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission fee.

Read more: Tytyri Experience Mine

Tuusula: Outdoor Activities and Museums in National Landscapes

Around Lake Tuusula you can find plenty of interesting things to see and experience. At Lake Tuusula you can cross-country ski, use a scooter (scooter rental for a fee), roast your own food at outdoor areas surrounding the lake, or go on museum adventures to the many different museums in the area. The landscapes are beautiful and familiar from many paintings.

Note that some museums are closed on Mondays!

- Rent cross-country skis, scooters, and snowshoes
- Skate on Lake Tuusula ice
- Current ice conditions can be found on the Ice Masters' Facebook page
- Visit Tuusula Lake Museums
- Lake Tuusula outdoor areas and fire pits

Swimming in Warm Waters

Southern Finland is home to modern swimming pools and spas where it's easy to visit and enjoy with the whole family! In this article, we highlight a few very different and differently priced swimming venues that are also great for children.

Vesimaailma Louhi Water World, Lempäälä

In Lempäälä, Vesimaailma Louhi operates in connection with the Ideapark shopping center and offers a diverse pool selection and a water slide as well. Dynamic pricing is used, so winter break week tickets are slightly more expensive than regular week tickets.

Read more: Vesimaailma Louhi Water World

Kerava Swimming Pool

The new Kerava Swimming Pool, opened a few years ago, is compact but fully functional, especially with younger children. The clean and spacious swimming pool offers good conditions for swimming at a reasonable price. The pool also has a small water slide. For the brave, there's an outdoor winter swimming opportunity.

Read more: Kerava Swimming Pool

Matinkylä Swimming Pool, Espoo

Espoo's newest swimming pool at the Iso Omenia shopping center offers warmth especially for small children and the latest swimming pool technology. The children's pool at Matinkylä Swimming Pool has water at 31 degrees! A nice and clean swimming pool where you can also enjoy hot tubs at a very reasonable price.

Read more: Matinkylä Swimming Pool

During the school winter break week, Espoo city swimming pools have free admission for 7–17-year-olds Monday through Friday, February 16–20, 2026. Swimming pools also have programs during winter break week.

Porvoo Swimming Pool, Porvoo

Porvoo Swimming Pool is a functional and nice whole for children. The pool also has a water slide and separate pools for little ones. The bright pool was completely renovated and expanded in the early 2000s.

Also remember: Porvoo: Skidimarket invites new shelves stockers, cashiers, and grill stand workers for ski break jobs at Porvoo Art Factory from Wednesday to Sunday, February 18–22, 2026. Skidimarket is open Wednesday to Friday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Free admission.