Suomenlinna Toy Museum

The basics

With some toys dating back 200 years—and some retro Soviet pieces that will please fans of mid-century design—the Suomenlinna Toy Museum offers something for both adults and kids to enjoy, and you certainly don’t have to be traveling as a family to visit. Tove Jansson, the Finnish illustrator who created the Moomin trolls, was born in Helsinki, and her work is on display, alongside wind-up toys, doll’s houses, and more. Adults enjoy discounted entry with the Helsinki Card.

Things to know before you go

• There’s a moderate charge to visit Helsinki’s Toy Museum.
• There are a few steps at the front but the Toy Museum is basically stroller-friendly. Some kids will love its retro charm and others will long for interactivity, but all will adore the café.
• Suomenlinna island is generally a challenging environment for travelers who use wheelchairs and an assistant is recommended. The Toy Museum is on an accessible route and staff can place a ramp over the entrance steps. The exhibition space occupies just one floor and has an accessible bathroom.

How to get there

The Suomenlinna Toy Museum is toward the eastern coast of Iso Mustasaari, the largest of Suomenlinna’s islands, which lies about a mile (1.5 kilometers) south of mainland Helsinki. The museum is about a 10-minute walk south of the main harbor, where the ferry from Salutorget in Helsinki’s Kauppatori District arrives.

When to get there

The Toy Museum is closed from early January until April, opens on weekends only until May, then operates daily until the end of September, when it closes. It reopens for the Advent, Christmas, and New Year period—excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Opening hours are generally late morning until late afternoon.

Suomenlinna with Kids

A group of islands linked by bridges, the Suomenlinna UNESCO World Heritage Site was once a defensive fortress and today is a favorite summer escape for Helsinki families. Many kids will love clambering on the fortress ramparts, playing on the cannons, and exploring the tunnels. Other highlights include a dry dock that’s still full of ships, more than 10 different eateries, and the Submarine Vesikko, a pre-WWII German U-boat.