The best things to do in Oulu with kids

What is it? Located just outside the city centre, Hupisaaret city park, also known as Ainola Park, is a paradise for families! As well as being a truly beautiful park with streams, ponds and charming white bridges, it’s home to one of the best playgrounds in Oulu. The playground has separate areas for younger and older children, and the views stretch straight out over the river, where fountains rise behind the popular Oulu letter installation.

Why go? In early summer, the playground fills with apple blossom, and people gather under the trees for picnics and children’s birthday parties. In late summer, the nearby rose garden bursts into bloom and delights well into autumn. The park’s small paths invite you to explore hidden corners lined with lush ferns and step beneath the branches of towering trees. There’s also a clean toilet building by the playground, open during the day.

Time Out tip: Next to the play area is Café Kiikku, set inside a greenhouse. In summer, the café spills out onto two separate terraces. One of the greenhouses is open to visitors, and you can enter for free to enjoy a tropical atmosphere – and, if needed, escape bad weather. There’s also a summer theatre in the park.

Hupisaaret. The park is always open and free to enter.

What is it? At the start of 2026, a children’s cultural centre called Kotilo opened on the fourth floor of Saari central library. Kotilo features a living room space, open whenever the library is open, as well as a gallery with a rotating exhibition.

Why go? Kotilo is mainly aimed at children under 12. Kids can do crafts daily in the living room, which also has books, games and Lego. The space has been designed with children in mind, including a large entrance area where you can leave coats and prams. In the gallery, children can move around freely and explore different sensory surfaces and play elements while discovering the exhibition. With the book ‘The Book of Oulu’ (also available in English), kids can explore the city guided by other children. From the fourth floor, there are fantastic views over the Oulu River delta.

Time Out tip: Kotilo also offers interesting activities for slightly older children, including animation workshops. You can check schedules and programmes on Kotilo’s Instagram and Facebook. On the ground floor of the library, Café Tarina serves porridge breakfasts, lunch and café treats.

Kaarlenväylä 3. The living room is open Mon–Fri 8–20, Sat–Sun 10–16, the gallery Tue and Thu 13–19, Wed and Fri 9–15, Sat 10–16. Free entry.

What is it? Often dubbed the Riviera of the North, the Nallikari area in Hietasaari has developed significantly in recent years. Its biggest draw is the gently sloping, soft sandy beach, which stretches for up to a kilometre. The beachfront boulevard, light blue changing huts and sunny restaurant terraces create a stylish yet relaxed holiday vibe. At the end of the beach stands the iconic Nallikari Lighthouse, a year-round favourite for photographers. The lighthouse-shaped building has also housed a café. There’s also a large climbing frame, beach volleyball courts and a small outdoor fitness area. Most recently, a new playground has been built right by the beach.

Why go? Nallikari is hugely popular in summer, but it’s visited year-round. The long beach offers plenty of space for play, and it’s ideal for families with children. The Nallikari Aalto hotel and restaurant building has clean public toilets and showers. The playground boasts great sea views, and even younger children can climb to the top of the lighthouse.

Time Out tip: Two restaurants operate in Nallikari all year: Restaurant Nallikari, which serves an archipelago-style buffet at lunchtime and à la carte in the evening, and the Italian restaurant Bistoria Patio. Both have terraces with beautiful beach views. In summer, there are also ice cream kiosks along the beach. Café items are available at the restaurants too.

Hietasaari. The beach is always open and free.

What is it? The 101-year-old Turkansaari Open-Air Museum sits in a scenic setting in the middle of the Oulu River. You can reach the island via a bridge, and there’s a free car park. Turkansaari has been a marketplace for centuries and was already known in medieval times. Its beautiful wooden church dates back to 1694. The museum’s buildings showcase traditional livelihoods, folk skills and beliefs from the region.

Why go? At Turkansaari, children can explore local history while wandering across different islands. At Vekaravintti, they can step into the everyday life of children in the 1940s and 1950s. Kids can play shop and school and discover old toys – most of which they’re allowed to touch. At certain times, you can also watch sheep and other animals in the museum yard. Events and themed days are held throughout the year.

Time Out tip: The museum café is a charming old cottage filled with the scent of freshly baked buns. Its long wooden tables create a cosy spot for lunch or coffee. On sunny days, there’s extra seating in the garden. You can also visit the café without a museum ticket, except on event days.

Turkansaarentie 165. Open in summer. Expect to pay €12 per adult, under 18s go free. On event days, there is a €2 surcharge per ticket.

What is it? Oulu is known for winter cycling, as the city invests heavily in maintaining cycle paths in winter, even prioritising them over roads for cars. In summer, cycling opportunities are even more impressive, with a total of 930 kilometres of cycle paths, around 20 kilometres of which are cycle highways. These wide, red asphalt routes are easy to spot and form the main arteries of the network. They have two lanes, and real-time maintenance updates and user numbers can be tracked online.

Why go? There are 12 main routes and five ring routes. Thanks to this excellent network, there are countless options for a family bike ride. Particularly scenic routes include main route 12, which starts at Market Square and runs through the idyllic Pikisaari all the way to Nallikari (3.4 km). Pikisaari can also be circled by bike along the waterfront. The Coastal Route (12 km) runs, as the name suggests, along waterways in the Oulu River delta and Hietasaari. The Two Lakes Route loops around Kuivasjärvi and Pyykösjärvi.

Time Out tip: There are plenty of great stopping points along the routes, including Pikisaari’s restaurants and sights, the cafés at Olosauna and Huvila, and Restaurant Varikko, known for its popular pizzas. Nallikari also has dining options and clean public toilets.

Oulu’s cycling routes have been compiled into a map.

What is it? Vauhtipuisto is a small amusement park in Nallikari aimed at younger children. Some rides have height restrictions, such as over 90 cm or 110 cm, but all are designed with younger kids in mind. The park has around 20 rides, as well as a play village called Kakaravaara, where children can play post office, shop and other role-play games. There’s also a café and a restaurant on site.

Why go? Vauhtipuisto is ideal for families with small children, as the area is compact and easy to navigate, so you won’t waste time moving between attractions. Queues are usually manageable too. Since all rides are aimed at younger children, it offers excellent value for money. Its location in Nallikari is perfect, with a beautiful beach and a new playground right next door. There’s plenty of free parking, and you can also get there by bus or on the Potnapekka city train, which departs from the city centre. The train is included in the wristband price, and wristbands can also be purchased on board.

Time Out tip: Inside the café there’s a charming carousel you can hop on between treats. Restaurant Huvilinna hosts a variety of events, including Midsummer dances. If Vauhtipuisto feels too tame for older children, Nallikari Minigolf is right next door.

Leiritie 2. The park is open 30 May–8 August 2026 daily 12–19. Expect to pay €25–30 for a wristband, single rides €6.

What is it? The Oulu region is home to numerous beautiful sandy beaches. Coastal beaches have soft sand and gently sloping shores, making them ideal for families. Inkonnokka beach is located in Haukipudas and is best reached by car or bike. There’s plenty of parking. Facilities include changing huts and portable toilets, but no other services.

Why go? Inkonnokka is an easy destination, with just a short walk from the car park to the beach. It’s popular with families and remains peaceful, although the car park can fill up quickly on busy summer days. The sand is very pale and soft, while closer to the shoreline it becomes firmer and darker, making it perfect for building. When the water level is low, small pools and sandbanks form along the shore. Pack your own picnic and enjoy a relaxed day by the sea!

Time Out tip: On the same trip, you can visit nearby Isoniemi, home to the new Runtelinharju observation tower. The route to Isoniemi passes through the centre of Haukipudas, where you can stock up on extra snacks if needed.

Inkonnokantie. The beach is always open and free.

What is it? Pilpasuo is one of Oulu’s most popular hiking areas, located about 18 kilometres from the city centre and best reached by car or bike. It’s a large, near-natural peatland area with two marked trails: Lystireitti (1 km) and Aistireitti (7 km). The terrain is fairly flat, consisting mainly of paths and boardwalks. There are campfire spots and a lean-to shelter along the route.

Why go? The Lystireitti trail is very accessible and suitable even for the youngest family members. It loops around Pahalampi, with a campfire spot halfway and a lean-to at the end, so there are plenty of places to rest. Along the route, there are four tasks designed for small children, encouraging them to observe nature. Despite being close to the city, Pilpasuo feels wonderfully wild and natural. The trail is not maintained in winter, but it becomes walkable thanks to frequent use.

Time Out tip: There’s a car park at the start of the trail. Firewood is sometimes provided at the shelters and campfire spots, but it’s safest to bring your own. The nearest lean-to to the car park has an outhouse, so it’s a good idea to bring your own toilet paper.

Pilpaselän metsätie 244. Open year-round and free.

What is it? Hostel Cafe Huvila in Toppilansalmi offers budget-friendly accommodation in a beautifully restored villa. The villa, originally built for a brewery in 1856, has been renovated with respect for its history. Its delicate tower looks like something from a fairytale, and the interiors feature numerous traditional tiled stoves. The hostel’s 4–6 person rooms are ideal for families, as they can be booked for private use.

Why go? Staying in such a beautiful villa is a unique experience! The rooms are charming and spacious enough for larger families. Shared spaces are clean and peaceful. There’s a well-equipped kitchen for cooking your own meals, and breakfast supplies are included in the price. There’s an excellent grocery store nearby, also offering a range of takeaway food. Free parking is available in the yard, and pets are welcome too.

Time Out tip: If you can’t stay overnight, you can still enjoy the manor-like atmosphere by visiting the café. It serves excellent lunch, as well as beautiful cakes and freshly baked buns. The grand hall, with its chandeliers, is a lovely spot for coffee. In summer, there’s also seating on the second-floor balcony. There’s a small play corner for children.

Panimotie 1. The hostel is open year-round. The café is open Tue–Sat 10–16. Expect to pay from €124 for a four-person room and from €184 for a six-person room.

What is it? Hollihaka is a popular outdoor area offering a wide range of activities for different ages: a playground, traffic park, skate area, parkour and street workout zones, barbecue area and a fitness area for seniors. In addition to these activity zones, there are large grassy areas for games and play. The traffic park is open for part of the summer.

Why go? Hollihaka is great for families with children of different ages. The playground caters to the youngest visitors, while older children can practise traffic rules by driving pedal cars. The traffic park is supervised and has toilets and an ice cream kiosk. Teenagers will enjoy the skate park, graffiti wall and parkour area.

Time Out tip: The park is about a kilometre from the city centre and easy to reach on foot or by bike. There’s a car park next to the traffic park, but it fills up quickly on summer days. The area will be developed further in the coming years, including improvements to the nearby Sonnisaari beach.

Saarankatu 2. The park is always open. The traffic park is usually open in July. Free.