Introducing Helsinki's Newest Playgrounds 2021

Published 9.5.2021

Looking for the city's best playground? Helsinki has renovated or opened five completely new playgrounds within a year. The Little Helsinki playground article series continues, and this time we're introducing playgrounds that are still gleaming with newness: the renovated playgrounds Orava, Lampi, Ida and Laurinniitty opened in 2020, and Vennynpuisto playground opened in early 2021. Welcome to discover new dimensions of play – I promise this article will inspire playground adventures!

The City of Helsinki appears to have put the playground equipment purchase out for tender, and the playgrounds in this article were largely built with equipment from Kompa company. This is why the parks feature many new types of play equipment compared to older parks, as well as plenty of colors.

Vennynpuisto Playground

Oranssikuja / Kuninkaantamnmekierros (when driving), Kuninkaantammi, Helsinki
When driving, it's best to head to Kuninkaantamnmekierros, where you'll find some street parking (please note the area parking ban and only park in marked P-spaces). From Kuninkaantammenkierros it's a short walk to Vennynpuisto.

A brand new playground opened in early 2021 at Vennynpuisto, on the side of the new Kuninkaantammi residential area, and it's different by Helsinki standards – climbing is the main attraction. Vennynpuisto features several different climbing routes with very unique execution. In addition to climbing, Vennynpuisto also has an area suitable for smaller children as well as structures suggesting a water play area during summer months. The playground's special feature is an outdoor grilling area with picnic tables, so you can venture here with your own packed lunches. This park can be recommended for older children too. The overall experience is quite successful and different – we'd love to see more like this in Helsinki!
Vennynpuisto is located on the Vantaa border in Kuninkaantammi, and bus line 560 runs near the park. The playground itself is complete, but the neighboring park area was still quite unfinished at least in spring 2021. The playground is not fenced.

Check out more photos and atmosphere of Vennynpuisto playground here.

Orava Playground

Karhutie 11, Länsi-Herttoniemi, Helsinki

Orava Playground, formerly called Herttoniemi Playground in Länsi-Herttoniemi, reopened with renovated outdoor spaces in 2020. With the renovation, the playground area also expanded: the so-called upper yard now features colorful and varied play equipment especially designed for smaller children. Sand excavators, a small climbing carousel, slides, swings and a renovated splash pad that also works great as a play arena. Behind the playground building is a refreshing novelty: various outdoor musical instruments. In the lower part of Orava park, below the hill and behind the fence, there's a rope climbing course, climbing structure and carousel for older children.
Orava's upper yard is fenced and partly shaded by surrounding trees and shrubs. The large adjacent park area is suitable for picnicking or more relaxed activities. Orava's location near Herttoniemi metro station is one good reason to stop by for play – it only takes about five minutes from the metro station to the park. You'll often find parking near the park.

Check out more photos and atmosphere of Orava playground here.

Lampi Playground

Leikkikuja 4, Kontula, Helsinki

Lampi Playground in Kontula takes you on a completely new kind of playground adventure in Helsinki! The water-themed park is dominated by a large wooden climbing ship with slides and various other mostly wooden play equipment. Lampi also features several other equipment for climbing and balance activities. Lampi Playground may not be the best choice for the very smallest children, but for slightly older kids there's plenty to do and discover. This playground is not fenced.
Lampi also has a large structure resembling a water basin, but as far as I understand it hasn't been filled yet due to restrictions, so its function and operation remains a mystery. The Lampi playground renovation is overall quite successful and different – we'd love to see more like this in Helsinki.

Check out more photos and atmosphere of Lampi playground here.

Laurinniitty Playground

Laurinniityntie 14, Lassila, Helsinki

Laurinniitty Playground in Lassila, North Helsinki, underwent a complete yard renovation and reopened for children in 2020. The castle-themed collection of mostly wooden Kompa company play equipment is beautiful and inspires even adults to play. Laurinniitty is a spacious play area, only partially fenced, but allows for different play areas grouped by age and skill level. Laurinniitty's special features include a large climbing castle in addition to a giant wooden swing (room for adults too!), smaller play castles, and a functional sandbox. Next to the park there's also a separate, smaller fenced play yard used by the neighboring daycare on weekdays. The park area is green and offers shady play spots during summer heat.
Laurinniitty is definitely worth a playground trip: you'll find plenty to do for both smaller and older children.

Check out more photos and atmosphere of Laurinniitty playground here.

Ida Playground

Ida Aalbergin tie 8, Pohjois-Haaga, Helsinki

Ida Playground in Pohjois-Haaga underwent complete renovation, and with the renovation the playground yard shrank when the park gained a new Aada daycare on its side. During this renovation, the playground's indoor spaces also moved to the daycare's ground floor. Ida's own yard is now smaller, but here you'll find something rare in Helsinki playgrounds: a large climbing carousel! In addition to the carousel, the park's offering is fairly traditional: seesaws, swings, climbing structures and sandbox. The old splash pads have found new purpose, the yard is cheerfully colorful with asphalt paintings, and the row of swings offers something for everyone. Bonus points for the fenced playground and the daycare's play opportunities in the evenings and weekends, as the daycare yard is especially suitable for smaller children.

Check out more photos and atmosphere of Ida playground here.