Things to do with kids in Tampere

18 family-friendly places in Tampere: zoos, aquariums, playgrounds and more.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

See
Amuri Museum of Workers' Housing
Amurin työläismuseokortteli
Amuri is a block of 19th-century wooden houses turned into an open-air museum that vividly displays how the working-class used to live between 1880s and 1970s. The houses form an almost closed inner court, and there is a nice old-fashioned cafe with seatings both indoors and in the courtyard. Highly recommended for history buffs, but interesting to others as well.
Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00 (summer only)Adults €6, children (7-16) €1
Drink
Brander
Family-owned Tampere institution has 90 years of experience in the fine art of confectionery. The view to a parking lot is not something to remember, but instead you can rest your eyes on the decor from the good old times. Try some of the traditional Finnish sweet pastries or cakes.
Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat 09:00-16:00
Do
Holiday Club Tampere Spa
Tampereen kylpylä
A spa hotel, about 1 km from the city centre, built into an old cotton mill situated next to a marina. The large spa department offers swimming pools, jacuzzis, a children's pool, saunas, a steam room, and spa treatments also for day visitors.
Daily 07:30–21:00€40 for a massage, other services also available
Do
Kauppi Sports Center
A sports centre that offers physical entertainment for both adults and children. Includes e.g. trampoline park, gym, bicycle rental and other group exercise.
See
Moomin Museum
Muumimuseo
The only museum in the world devoted to the Tove Jansson characters, with original sketches and drawings.
Tue–Fri 09:00–19:00, Sat Sun 11:00–18:00Adults €13, children (3–17) €6
See
Nootti
Lenin Museum
Formerly the Lenin Museum, this is a small and quirky museum that has expanded its scope from covering one of the founding fathers of Soviet communism, who met Stalin for the first time in this building still owned by the Workers Association of Tampere, to the broader story of Finland-Russia relations. Contains a lot of texts, maps and pictures as well as some artefacts. The museum shop is also worth visiting.
Mon–Fri 09:00–18:00, Sat Sun 11:00–16:00Adults €5, children (7–16) €3
Do
Rajaportin sauna
The oldest still-functioning public sauna in Finland. In old days, people who didn't have a sauna of their own went to a public sauna to clean up. In addition to seeing a piece of history, you can experience one of the best quality saunas in the world: the stove is 3 m³ in size and contains over a ton of stones that are heated literally glowing red with burning logs. After simmering for a couple of hours, the sauna is ready for the customers, and it doesn't get any bigger or better than this!
Mon Wed 18:00–22:00, Fri 15:00–21:00, Sat 14:00–22:00Adults €5 (F until 17:00 and M €3), children (7–16) €1
See
Rupriikki
Media museum focusing on the history and development of mass communications. There is also an exhibition on the history of the Internet, and a bunch of cool retro computer and video games in the GameCabinet.
Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00Adults €5, children (7–16) and students €1
See
Spy Museum
Vakoilumuseo
Claims to be the first spy museum in the world, exhibiting everything from world-famous spies to their equipment such as spy cameras and secret weapons – many of which you can try. You can also attempt to fool the classic lie detector.
Jun–Aug: Mon–Sat 10:00–16:00, 11:00–17:00; Sep–May: daily 11:00–17:00€8 for adults, €6 for children and students
Do
Särkänniemi Amusement Park
The second largest amusement park of Finland, after Linnanmäki in Helsinki. Rides are open between May and September, and other attractions year round. The park includes a modern art museum ("Sara Hildén Art Museum"), a children's zoo with mainly domestic animals, a planetarium, an aquarium and the landmark 168-metre Näsinneula observation tower, topped by a revolving viewing deck and a fine dining restaurant serving high quality Finnish cuisine. On a clear day, the views of the surrounding forests, lakes, ridges and the city are awesome.
Free entrance, single ride ticket €5–10, day pass €45
Buy
Tallipiha Stable Yard
Unique arts and crafts products in quaint atmosphere next to Finlayson. Find traditional Finnish handicrafts, design, decorations and handmade chocolate to take home. There's also a café, and frequent events and exhibitions. Kids can take a pony ride around the stables, workshops and boutiques.
See
Tampere Mineral Museum
Tampereen kivimuseo
Not quite as boring as you'd think, the museum has plenty of gemstones cut and raw, including a 600-kg chunk of Brazilian amethyst, meteorites and even a couple of dinosaur eggs.
Tue–Fri 09:00–17:00, Sat Sun 10:00–18:00Adults €4, children (7–16) and students €1
See
The Pyynikki observation tower
The Pyynikki observation tower is on top of the world's largest esker over 150 meters (500 feet) above sea level, offering a wonderful view spanning over two lakes and the entire city of Tampere. The beautiful Pyynikki esker surrounding the tower was selected as nationally valuable landscape attraction in 1993. The current over 80-year-old tower is 26 meters (85 feet) tall, and at top there are scenic levels indoors and out in the open air. The top can be accessed by both elevator and stairs, and the entrance fee is €1 for children from 4 to 15 years and €2 for anyone older. Even if the height of the tower wouldn't feel spectacular, considering its location at the top of the Pyynikki esker in the middle of Tampere it is obvious that the view from the top is clear and magnificent in every direction!
See
Vapriikki
Museum centre with ten exhibitions varying from prehistory to technology and art. Exhibitions include the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame, Doll Museum, Shoe Museum and Tampere Museum of Natural History.
Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00,Adults €8, children (7–16) and students €, pensioners and unemployed €6. Some exhibitions may cost extra
Do
Viikinsaari Island
On a sunny summer day, take a 20-minute boat trip here from Laukontori (few blocks south of the central square). There are beaches for swimming, playgrounds for kids, places for barbecuing (buy food beforehand, there is no store on the island) and a restaurant with a dance pavilion on the island. However, most of the island is a nature reserve, and there is a short nature trail around the island.
Price for the boat: adults €10, seniors and students €8, children (4–17) €5, family €25
Do Not mapped
Guided bus tour
A comfy way to get acquainted with the city's attractions and neighbourhoods in less than two hours. Departs from the railway station at 11 during summer months. Tickets are sold in at the tourist office in the railway station.
€17 adults, €4 children
Do
Kaukajärven sauna
A public sauna.
Adults €10, children (under 14) €5
See
Tampere Art Museum
Tampereen taidemuseo
Changing exhibitions of Finnish and foreign art.
Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00Adults €6, children €2. Price varies with exhibitions

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Tampere (CC BY-SA 4.0).