Mariehamn with Kids – 10 Fun Activities for the Whole Family
Mariehamn offers fun activities for children of all ages. Spend a day on Lilla Holmen island or compete in a water slide race at Mariebad bath. Small children will love the playgrounds, while older kids will enjoy an exciting boat trip at sea.
Here are 10 tips to help your family create unforgettable summer memories in Mariehamn.
1. Lilla Holmen – Children’s Own Island
Lilla Holmen is known as the children’s island and is only a short walk from the town centre. Here children can swim, play in the sand, climb in the pirate ship and see rabbits and hens. Children can also try fishing from the pier – Lilla Holmen is a great place for it.
Lilla Holmen is also perfect for a picnic. If you get hungry, the town centre with cafés and restaurants is just a short walk away.
2. Mariebad Bathhouse
Mariebad is open seven days a week all year round. It is located by the eastern shore of Mariehamn and is a favourite for the whole family. Here you’ll find a hot tub, an exercise pool, a thrilling water slide and a fun leisure pool for children. After swimming, you can relax in a traditional sauna or a steam sauna. Outside, there is a sandy beach for those who prefer to swim in the sea. The café serves light meals and drinks.
3. Minigolf at Äventyrsgolfen
In the Äventyrsgolfen minigolf park, you can test your putting skills and challenge your family members. This is not ordinary minigolf – the courses are more creative and a bit more challenging. Each course has two levels of difficulty, so you can choose the one that suits you best. This means the whole family can play together. In the evening, the park is beautifully lit with more than 120 lights. There is also a café and a restaurant with a view over the town's eastern guest harbour.
4. Visit Child-Friendly Museums
At the Åland Maritime Museum you can go on a treasure hunt with the museum’s mascot, Ruby the ship’s rat. The museum has something interesting for all ages. Did you know it’s one of two places in the world where you can see an authentic pirate flag?
You can also visit the museum ship Pommern, the only four-masted barque in the world preserved in its original condition. Here, you are taken on an interactive sea adventure. Pommern is an impressive sight and an attraction you shouldn’t miss when visiting Åland. You can visit the ship daily in May–September.
Continue exploring Åland’s history in the Åland Cultural History Museum and the Åland Art Museum at the eastern side of the town. They are open all year round and in addition to the interesting main exhibition, they offer several activities for children during summer. All children aged 0–17 have free admission.
5. Find Your Favourite Ice Cream Stand
What would summer be like without ice cream? In Mariehamn you’ll find ice cream stands all around town. Local favourites include the stands on Torggatan, by the Alandica Cultural and Congress Centre, at the Maritime Quarter and in Badhusparken in the evening sun. Why not take a bike trip to Lemström Channel or the Ramsholmen nature trail, where an ice cream stop awaits? How many ice cream flavours will your family taste in Mariehamn?
6. Discover Playgrounds Around Town
In Mariehamn, playgrounds are spread all over town, so there is always one nearby when little legs need a break. The newly renovated playground at the Market Square is a favourite, with trampolines, a slide, swings and games for slightly older children. Just a short walk through the park takes you to Lilla Holmen, where you’ll find a balancing trail, swings and a pirate ship ready for new adventures. There are also playgrounds at Lindan, in the northern part of town at Ljungvägen and Backeberg, and at Västernäs in southern Mariehamn.
7. Discover the Nabben Wetland and Beach
The Nabben wetland in northern Mariehamn is a favourite among all children interested in exploring nature and wildlife such as birds, butterflies, fry and frogs. The area was awarded the Nordic Council Environment Prize in 2022 and is within a short walking distance from the centre. The wetland has wooden paths and viewing platforms, and information signs explain the ecosystem and the animals and plants that live here. The wetland has easy access and you can even bring a stroller.
Just a short walk away, you’ll find Nabben Beach. It’s perfect for small kids thanks to the shallow waters and the playground with swings and a slide. Older children can enjoy a game of beach volleyball. There’s also a small kiosk where you can buy ice cream and soft drinks.
8. Make a boat trip to Kobba Klintar
When visiting Åland, there’s one thing you absolutely don’t want to miss – a boat trip in the archipelago. It’s exciting both for children and adults. A perfect destination is the old pilot station Kobba Klintar south of Mariehamn, where pilots used to guide ships into the harbour. You may have seen the white buildings when you travelled to Åland by ferry, and now you’ll get the chance to see the cruise ferries from the island instead. Trips are available daily in summer and can also be booked in spring and autumn.
9. Sauna and activities at Gröna Udden Camping
If you long for a break from the town bustle, head to the Gröna Udden camping site. It’s less than one kilometre from the town centre and a stroll through the Tullarns äng green area is a treat in itself. Gröna Udden has a beach, and for young children you’ll find a playground, a bouncing castle and a Moomin-playhouse. You can also play mini golf or hire bikes and explore the area by bike. The café serves pizza and is open all day during the summer season. What’s more, there are two beach saunas that you can rent privately for an hour. Is there a better way of enjoying the evening than relaxing by the sea?
10. Play Disc Golf on the Badhusberget rocks
Have you ever played Disc Golf? In Mariehamn you can find a nice course by the Badhusparken green area. Disc Golf suits all ages and all you need is a couple of discs and a little competitiveness. If you didn’t bring your own discs, don’t worry – you can borrow a set from the tourist information or from the town library. You can play free of charge every weekday all year round. This is a nice activity where you can spend time together in the fresh archipelago air. And the views are great too!
