0 Theme Parks in Finland

Since the establishment, Linnanmaki Amusement Park has been the liveliest place and the most popular view in whole Finland. There were a number of 1,000,000 tourists visited here last year. The park lies on the top of mountain which is not far away from the center of Helsinki. Although the area of park is not big, there are 33 various large-scale amusement machines which are suitable for all ages. There are several fabulous shows of magic and acrobatics in amphitheater every day. The Linnanmaki is a un-profit amusement, the whole income of which is donated to the Child Welfare Organization.

Sarkanniemi Adventure Park lies on a small peninsula which is surrounded by two lakes. The park, with a number of 8,000,000 tourists per year, is the most suitable place for the whole family. There are aquarium, dolphinarium, the children's zoo and the highest watchtower in Finland, etc. The most popular amusement program in the park is "Half Pipe", which is the biggest all over the world. If you come here, this is a must to experience.

Serena is the largest in-door tropical water park in Europe, with year-round heated pools 2000 m2. In summer time there is an extra 1000 m2 outdoor pools. Feel the thrill of speed in waterslides and tubes. Let the Wild Stream with the length of 140 m take you in roaring rapids. Are you brave enough to slide through the Black Hole pipe. Sound and light effects from space make your journey in darkness even more mysterious.

The Terrace Bar, various massaging whirlpools, summer outdoor activities and all other Serena services make you forget everyday routine and relax completely. Sauna caves, deep inside solid granite, satisfy all sauna lovers. The Granina Cave Restaurant is famous for delicious snacks and tasty meals.

In winter time, Serena is a famous place for skiing. There are five trails with the different length from 300m to 450m and the height of 60m. Tourists can experience various snow sports here, such as slalom skiing, jumping skiing, alpine skiing and freestyle skiing.

Muumin is a well-known cartoon character who was created by Finns. The Muumin World is located in Naantali, southwest Finland. No matter how old you are, you will be fascinated with those decorations. There is also an adventure island called Vaski where tourists can take part in many excited programs, such as "Bay War".

Santa is a Christmas Theme Park. Once inside the park, you walked through Santa's Christmas Village with 23 Christmas fantasy themes, each with life-sized buildings and animated characters, and enjoyed more than 50 amusement park rides. Santa's Park included 12 entertainment shows each day, free with your admission, featuring puppets, live magicians, white tigers, music and more. There was a giant, gas-lit Menorah, one huge Christmas tree, and 20 more themed trees that are more than 30 feet tall.

Detail: Theme Parks in Finland

0 Your Family Vacation Must-knows When Traveling With Kids

Family vacations are a great way for busy parents to have quality time with their kids. But without proper planning, it can easily become stressful and disappointing for everyone. So, do yourself a favor and plan ahead!

1. Ask the hotel about child facilities

Some resorts are built for couples, with lots of spas and romantic nooks. Kids will hate this. You need a resort with plenty of indoor recreational facilities, where they can play safely, and happily. Some hotels will even offer babysitting or child care services, so you can do some shopping or sight seeing on your own, without someone tugging at your knee and saying, “Mommy, can we go now?”

2. Don’t overload the itinerary

Kids get tired more easily, or can rapidly become overstimulated and cranky. Make sure that the itinerary leaves lots of room for resting, snacks, or (if you’re taking toddlers) even naps.  Ideally you should only cover two major destinations in one day (one in the morning, another in the afternoon). If you want to see more sights, make arrangements to leave your child to rest in the hotel (see tip number one) and do it on your own.

3. Bring a “child care pack”

This includes lots of water (kids get dehydrated more easily), an extra change of clothes, and small toys to amuse them at restaurants.

If you are going to a warm place (like a beach or a tropical country) remember that kids are more vulnerable to sunstroke and sunburn. Bring sunblock, a handheld battery-operated fan, and sports drinks (which will help them retain water). Avoid bringing them out in the hottest times of the day.

4. Choose a kid-friendly itinerary

Consider your child’s age. A toddler will not be able to appreciate a historical tour of the country’s Medieval churches, and even a seven year old may not be able to stay still in a museum. 

Look at the places you plan to visit and think, “Will he be able to understand this?” Compare the length of the tour with the average amount of time he can concentrate on one activity. Do this even before you choose a destination—if he won’t enjoy 50% of the key attractions, find another vacation place.

5. Be prepared to pay extra for comfort

You can save a lot of money by roughing it out in 3-star hotels or taking long bus rides, but it’s just not worth it when you’re traveling with kids. Pay extra for comforts that will keep them in a good mood: soft beds, big pools, 3-minute access to restaurants or tour buses. Because if they’re happy, you can relax, and actually have fun too.

6. Get older kids involved in the planning
Kids are more likely to have fun if you get them “psyched” way ahead of the trip. They can help pick the destination (narrow it down to two places you love and let them have the final say). You can also help them make a vacation scrapbook, where they can put “fast facts” on the place you will visit, as well as photos, postcards and other mementos.

7. Pack your patience
No matter how well you plan, remember, these are kids. Unfamiliar places and changes in schedule will always be a little upsetting for them, so try to be understanding. When they have tantrums, check if they’re overstimulated and bring them to a quiet place where they can calm down. Bring a small comfort toy (which can help them settle down if they are tired, scared or cranky).

Detail: Your Family Vacation Must-knows When Traveling With Kids