The Great Playground Story

Looking for the best playground in the city? Pienten Helsinki has been exploring Helsinki's playgrounds and play areas throughout its history and asked readers for help with this story. The result is the Great Playground Story, which lists the best places to play with both small and older children in Helsinki according to experienced users.

Published 19.8.2019

Find all of Pienten Helsinki's playground stories HERE!

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First, it's worth explaining Helsinki's playground culture. Helsinki has both playgrounds and play areas. The difference between a play park and a play area is that play parks offer supervised activities on weekdays and mostly have indoor facilities and outdoor toys available. Play parks have their own staff. Play areas are self-managed spaces, but they are still maintained by the city or other operators. Helsinki has playgrounds and play areas in many forms: new, old, diverse, very simple, well-maintained and poorly maintained, actively run and very quiet...

Helsinki has 68 play parks and family centers as well as 222 playgrounds (as of 2019) maintained by the city. In addition to these, children can play at playgrounds managed by shopping centers and other venues in Helsinki. Since the quality of play parks varies and some places are particularly suitable for certain age groups, Pienten Helsinki asked its followers which parks and play areas they enjoy. At the same time, this is a message to the city's playground planners: experienced users have spoken!

It's certainly difficult to rank playgrounds, but over the years, a list of personal favorites begins to form. What makes a place a favorite depends on the users' own ideas and wishes: for some, a fenced area is important, another values proximity to home, someone likes slides or sand toys available even on weekends. Many things are certainly influenced by feelings: good memories or just a good vibe, so it's extremely important that many experienced users' opinions are behind this list.

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Criteria for a good playground

Criteria for a good playground and play park mentioned in Pienten Helsinki's and followers' lists were:

Clean
Safe
Well-maintained
Appropriately diverse
Suitable for different ages
Shaded areas
Different, surprising
Fenced area

Well-regarded playgrounds were listed in July 2019 on Pienten Helsinki's Facebook page. At the same time, users expressed a wish to list information about which target groups each playground is suitable for: toddlers, preschoolers, adults, for example over 120 cm tall, school children, those who value quiet spaces, climbers, those who enjoy bustling environments...

Pienten Helsinki followers' Top 10 playgrounds and play areas in Helsinki:

1. Linnunrata Play Park, Suutarila

A beautiful, lush and partly shaded courtyard area combining tradition and modernity offers an atmospheric setting for children of many ages. The newer courtyard area has play equipment for different ages, and a paddling pool available on weekdays when the park is open. One of Helsinki's most atmospheric play parks, once known for having farm animals during the summer. After a few years' break, in summer 2023, Linnunrata Play Park welcomed summer chickens again, which children can admire during the summer season. The chickens are cared for together with the neighboring community and the park's children.

"A diverse play park, old and new, with animals in the courtyard during summer. Activities for all ages."

Linnunrata Play Park got its chickens back for the summer of 2023 after years away as part of the OmaStadi project!

2. Tuorinniemi Play Park, Herttoniemenranta

Reasons: "A play park next to the swimming beach and ice cream stand! Renovated a few years ago, with modern play equipment and not such a traditional splash play area in summer. Trampolines, a spiral slide and many climbing structures are kids' favorites."

"Tuorinniemi is really diverse: great climbing frame, large net swings, trampolines, climbing nets, sports field. You can access the daycare courtyard at least in the evenings and on weekends, with activities for younger children. Next to a swimming beach and close to restrooms!"

3. Mäkitorppa Play Park, Oulunkylä

Reasons: "Mäkitorppa is one of the city's newest play parks: there's so much to do here! The park is a great example of how one place can appeal to many different ages: the very youngest have their own fenced area, while school-aged children enjoy the other side of the park. A clean and functional whole.
" In a good location in Ogli with excellent access routes. There's something for many ages from small to older. On weekdays you can access restrooms indoors and can eat your food indoors too. A couple of tables outside. Supervised activities, friendly staff, and various bikes and ride-on toys are available. A paddling pool in summer on weekdays. Also city meals at 12 o'clock next to the park on the lawn. In winter you can sledding (if there's snow). A shop and library are a short walk away."

"Suitable for small and older children. The youngest have their own fenced area and the whole park is also fenced. A conveniently compact setup where you can see your child well throughout the area. Climbing structures for young and old, paddling pool, many different bikes, swings, sandboxes, wonderful staff. A busy park and I've heard a lot of positive feedback from other visitors too. The location is excellent in the middle of Ogli and you can get to many places by public transport."

4. Linja Play Park, Hakaniemi

Reasons: "Linja always seems to have a crowd! Linja is also open all summer, so you can access indoor facilities for restrooms, eating, and shelter if it rains. Even the youngest have plenty to do outside: baby swings, small slides and a big sandbox. Sports field and swimming pool. Older children also have climbing frames and climbing nets. Lots of toys and vehicles."

5. Children's Traffic Town, Laakso

Reasons: "Wonderful that such a place exists and it's free! Traffic education from age 5 onwards, with family days on Fridays and Sundays. You can ride pedal cars from about one meter in size, as long as you can pedal; for smaller children a parent can push the car without pedals. I recommend it for 4-9 year olds"

6. Bryga Rooftop Terrace Playground at Redi Shopping Center, Kalasatama

The Redi rooftop playground is found by taking the so-called gull elevator (marked with a seagull icon) from the shopping center. A ramp for light traffic from the Kulosaarensilta bridge leads to the rooftop. Stairs from Englantilaisaukio also lead directly to the mall roof. During summer 2022-2023, the play park is partly closed due to the new tower building next to it, and the park area is protected by netting due to the construction site. The largest climbing structures, swings and sandbox are still in normal use, and most of the roof courtyard is still accessible.

Reasons: "Bryga's playground represents new playground design and stands out favorably from many of the city's parks with its different play equipment. The rooftop location brings its own appeal. Great climbing structures for older children".

*Bryga Rooftop Terrace Playground at Redi Shopping Center*

7. Intia Play Park, Kumpula
Reasons: "This is nice! A large shaded area with a separately fenced area for the youngest if needed. And a swimming pool!"

8. Sanna Play Park, Länsi-Pasila
Reasons: "A fenced diverse area for young children, a lovely rocky little forest, a large climbing frame that isn't too difficult for smaller kids either, a rolling pool where you can slide downhill on a scooter or ride a bike when empty. Shade and greenery. And horse pastures within walking distance. "

9. Kurranummi Play Park, Tapanila
Reasons: "Diverse activities for different ages, interesting even for adults, an incredibly long slide (the longest I've seen at Helsinki play parks!), a fenced area for younger children, a large and green area, a grocery store across the street (and perhaps restrooms too?). Sand field events like circuses and carnivals. I can't speak about indoor facilities and park activities since we only visit on weekends."

10. Tokoinranta Playground, Hakaniemi

Reasons: "Due to its location, it's easy to stop by and the playground always seems to have playmates. Beautiful views, though it can be a bit challenging on windy days."
"Children's favorite because of the large climbing structure - and a chance to spot trains. Hakaniemi Market Square is nearby."

Other playgrounds and play areas that received multiple mentions:

- Mustakivi Play Park, Vuosaari
Reasons: "Recently renovated - has many different climbing structures, slides, sports field and other activities for all ages. A paddling pool in summer, and nearby sledding hills and ice skating rink in winter."

- Lastenlehto Playground, Kamppi
Reasons: "A playground just a stone's throw from Kamppi. Three different fenced parks: sandboxes, climbing structures, slides and a large green artificial lawn where you can practice cycling. The park gets sun all day in some spots, so sunscreen and a water bottle are good to pack in your bag. We've been with a 2-year-old, but older children probably enjoy the stunt area too."

- Piika Play Park, Malminkartano
Reasons: "Suitable for ages 0-6 and school children. A fenced play area and in the unfenced area a paddling pool in summer and programs for school children. Also indoor facilities: baby massage for infants and singing sessions for toddlers. Check the days. Find Piika Play Park on Facebook."
"Nice café next to it!"

- Keuruunpuisto Playground, Vallila
Reasons: "A playground like from an Astrid Lindgren book!"

- Nuoli Play Park, Pitäjänmäki
Reasons: "The equipment might be a bit older, but an idyllic place (with forest surroundings and room to run) plus the best staff who say hello and remember children's names. They also run really nice supervised activities daily. Children over 3 love the park and as a tip for families with babies they also offered baby massage. The park has a paddling pool."

- Laajasuon Sports Park
Reasons: "Laajasuon climbing-focused sports park in Haaga, for preschool-aged children and somewhat older children too"

- Isonneva Play Park, Etelä-Haaga
Reasons: "A large park with shade, new indoor facilities and a small library nearby."

- Viikkari Play Park, Viikki

- Rudolf Play Park, Laajasalo
Reasons: "A newer and diverse play park."

- Kannelmäki Play Park
Reasons: "A grocery store and Kanneltalo with library nearby, lots of toys and different equipment, a large park area, access indoors during the day, always people around, friendly flexible staff that organizes activities for everyone. Activities for both older children such as sports fields and younger children, sledding hill."

- Filpus Play Park, Malmi
- This park is facing closure/demolition.

- Tervasaari Playground, Kruununhaka
Reasons: "Perhaps Helsinki's most sheltered playground on sunny days."

- Nurkka Play Park, Puistola
Reasons: Nurkka play park's courtyard is large and the indoor facilities with a "fireplace room and kitchen" are a bit small but functional. The courtyard has activities for children of all ages (from babies to school children). Nurkka's courtyard is diverse with both sun and shade. When it rains you can also go to the "hall" and continue playing there. In the hall you can also get warm and eat your snacks if the weather doesn't cooperate. The courtyard has a large pool, opportunity to play sports like floorball, scooter and pedal car areas (which were just renovated this summer), nice climbing structures for older and younger children. The very youngest also have their own fenced area. A really nice park in Puistola! One of our favorite parks in Northeast Helsinki."

- Lehdokki Play Park, Itä-Pasila
Reasons: "On our part, the fact that it's a large park with activities for all ages (babies, toddlers, preschoolers, school children). A large pool and plenty of space to ride various vehicles and an open park where parents have good visibility, especially compared to wooded, woody parks. Not too crowded - sort of a hidden summer oasis and open all summer."
"Wonderful instructors (though there's plenty to do and things to find even on your own). And it's in a good location on Mäkelänkatu. Yet it's a sheltered spot, and on the other side of the street are the Vallilanlaakso and Kumpula outdoor recreation areas."

- Seppä Play Park, Punavuori
Reasons: "Next to Mikael Agricola Church. A fenced area with supervised programs in summer and other times. Indoor facilities for ages 0-6."

- Sähköttäjänpuisto, Konepaja
Reasons: "Completely renovated a year ago with new equipment installed, including a hippodrome."

- Iso-Antti Play Park, Itäkeskus/Marjaniemi
Reasons: "A modern park with many different areas, a separately fenced area for the youngest. A fun splash play area in the courtyard in summer."

- Töölönlahti Climbing Area
Reasons: "Clearly a playground for older children that focuses on various climbing structures."

- Kipinäpuisto Play Park, Kivikko
Reasons: "A large park with at least lots of nice things for small children and slightly older children."

- Taivallahti Play Park, Töölö

- Salpausselkä Play Park, Pihlajisto

- Etupelto Play Park, Itä-Pakila
Reasons: "Etupelto play park in Itä-Pakila. Never crowded, friendly staff. Sandbox toys are usually available in the evenings and on weekends too."

- Leppis Park or Estetie Playground, Etelä-Kaarela

- Puuskakulma Play Park, Laajasalo/Jollas