9 Reasons You'll Love Taking Your Kids to Helsinki Central Library Oodi

Spending some time in Helsinki with kids and looking for fun things to do? Why not visit the architecturally magnificent Helsinki Central Library Oodi!

Did you know that in Finland the local library system is kind of an institution and doesn't only offer books to borrow but also provides computers, gaming stations, sowing machines and you can even borrow instruments, ice skates and more.

Our goal for today was to spend some time at Helsinki central library Oodi which is one of the most architecturally beautiful buildings in Helsinki.

Not only is Oodi a public library, it is also a meeting place for friends and provides countless activities that you can do in your spare time. This library also offers an indoor playground for kids. And guess what, it's all free!

1. Helsinki Central Library Oodi is Easy to Find

Oodi is walking distance away from the Helsinki Central Station. Kansalaistori Square (in English the "Citizen's Square") spreads out right in front of the Central Library doors, which gives it even a more majestic feel.

Kiasma Museum of Modern Art, The Finnish house of parliament, Helsinki Music Center, the National Museum and Finlandia Hall are all situated walking distance away from the library, which are all great places to also visit in Helsinki.

2. Bringing a Stroller to Helsinki Central Library is Easy

Not only is Helsinki Central Library easy to find, arriving with a stroller is made very simple. The doorways are nice and wide and the doors open automatically taking into account accessibility factors.

There is a designated parking area for strollers on the 3rd floor. Sometimes, if the library is very busy, such as during the weekends, the 3rd floor parking space can become too full and the staff will suggest you park your stroller on the 1st floor instead. The 1st floor provides an additional parking space for strollers.

3. Helsinki Central Library Oodi Offers a Great Indoor Playgrounds for Littles in Helsinki

The indoor playground Loru located on the 3rd floor of the Helsinki Central Library Oodi is one of the main reasons so many parents love spending their parental leave days here sipping coffee and watching their kids play.

There is even scheduled activities at the playground such as play dates and music sessions. Check the official website to find the updated schedule.

4. A Great Lunch Restaurant and Café to Feed Yourselves and Your Little Ones

I've visited the lunch restaurant a few times during my maternal leave when I've met up with other mom friends for lunch. The lunch restaurant on the 1st floor is buffet style and usually has a great variety of healthy food options such as salads, soups, bread and warm dishes.

As you head straight up to the third floor of Oodi Library, you'll find a coffee shop, which is lovely. They even have a signature cinnamon roll, which is great. We've created a habit of getting one with my fiancé and splitting it in half.

This is also a great place to get a snack for your kids. Both the café and lunch restaurant is spacious and provide plenty of space around the tables to fit strollers as well, which is a great plus!

5. High Chairs Everywhere

A great thing about Helsinki Central Library is that it's very child-friendly. You can find plenty of high chairs around at both the 1st floor lunch restaurant as well as the café and children's area on the 3rd floor.

6. It's a Safe Space to Hang Out With Your Kids

In Finland it's generally safe to leave your stuff unattended in places reserved for luggage, coats and such on long distance train rides, restaurants, public libraries and other places, where it is assumed that you have reserved a space or a seat and left your things there on purpose. In this case it is assumed that the things left there by you are not intended for somebody else to take.

That being said, please note that theft is a real thing in every part of the world, even in Finland. So, I wouldn't leave anything valuable in the stroller. I try to check on our stuff every now and then to see everything is still there. Although if somebody really felt the need to grab my almost rotten banana, baby diapers or dirty muslin cloths, they must really be desperate.

7. Finnish Values such as Being Respectful of Communal Spaces and Cleaning Up After Yourself Plays Out Most of the Time

Although Oodi central library has plenty of visitors each day, especially families with young children, the communal spaces are kept relatively clean.

An example of this is that it's quite common to see parents trying to bring their strollers very close to the kids play area in order to keep a better eye on their belongings. I've done this too.

However, the staff will soon come over and tell you not to bring your stroller too close, because it can bring mud and dirt onto the kids area. You also have to remove your shoes and put them on a shoe rack before entering the playground.

Next to the playground you'll also find a separate designated area just for families who are feeding their kids. As we headed over to the table and sat down, there was soon a personnel lady who came over and said she would call the cleaners to wipe the table. We appreciated this so much!

8. Helsinki Central Library Offers a Huge Variety of Children's Books in Multiple Languages

The variety of children's books available at Helsinki Central Library Oodi is quite spectacular.

Not only are there picture books available close to the kids indoor playground, but there is also an upstairs department above the playground which provides more activities for kids as well as - you guessed it, more books.

Our favorite book at the moment is Kai Goes to Sleep by Cat and Dave Cad, which is written in three different languages, English, Finnish and Swedish. My friends bought me this book as a baby shower gift. It was perfect, because we are a bilingual family speaking both Swedish and Finnish to our daughter.

9. Unique Rooms to Explore with Your Kids, such as a Cozy Story Room and Interactive Wall Art

Oodi Central Library in Helsinki also offers other cool features for kids on the 3rd floor such as a cozy story room, where you can ready with your little ones in your own little voice insulated nook. Next to the story room you'll also find another large space with an interactive wall art display, which creates shapes and patterns when touched.

Conclusion

If you only have time for a few places to visit in Helsinki with your kids, let Oodi Central Library be one of them. This is such a wonderful place to spend time with your kids in a variety of ways from having a great lunch, reading books and getting cozy, researching different topics or just marveling at the cool architecture.