Yes, the famous technology giants and the world’s most popular mobile game are Finnish creations. And, contrary to the popular belief that Santa lives at the North Pole, Finns know the truth: his real home is in Korvatunturi in Lapland, Finland!
As we approach February 28th, which marks Finnish Culture Day (also known as Kalevala Day), there is no better time to explore this fascinating Nordic nation. Whether you are a teacher planning a multicultural geography lesson or a parent looking for winter-themed activities, these Fantastic Finland Crafts for Kids are the perfect gateway to learning.
In this guide, we will explore the geography, fun facts, and 10 immersive crafts that celebrate the culture of “Suomi.”
Where is Finland? A Quick Geography Lesson
Before we grab our glue sticks, let’s find Finland on the map. Finland is a Nordic country located in Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden to the West, Norway to the North, and Russia to the East, with the Baltic Sea cradling it to the South.
Because of its location, Finland experiences unique natural phenomena, from the “Midnight Sun” (where the sun doesn’t set for weeks in summer) to the “Polar Night” (where the sun doesn’t rise in winter).
Fun Facts About Finland
- The Name: Finns call their country ‘Suomi’.
- National Symbols: The Whooper Swan is the national bird, and the majestic Brown Bear is the national animal.
- Nature: 75% of Finland is covered in forests, making it one of the greenest countries in the world.
- Water: It is nicknamed the ‘Land of a Thousand Lakes,’ but that is an understatement—there are actually 187,888 lakes in Finland!
- Education: Finland is famous worldwide for having one of the best education systems, with very little homework and plenty of playtime
10 Fantastic Finland Crafts for Kids
Let’s travel to the Arctic Circle without leaving our living room! These crafts cover everything from natural wonders to folklore and modern pop culture.
1. Watercolor Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)
Watching the Northern Lights is on the bucket list of every traveler. Since Finland is one of the northernmost countries, it is one of the best places to witness these dancing green and purple lights.
The Craft: We will create a silhouette landscape against a magical sky.
- Materials: Watercolor paper, watercolors (blue, green, purple), salt, black construction paper, glue.
- Instructions:
- Wet the watercolor paper with clean water.
- Paint streaks of blue, green, and purple. Let the colors bleed into each other to mimic the shifting lights of the aurora.
- While the paint is still wet, sprinkle coarse salt over it. As it dries, the salt absorbs the pigment, creating a starry, textured “galaxy” effect.
- Once dry, brush off the salt.
- Cut a silhouette of pine trees or a reindeer out of black paper and glue it to the bottom.
2. DIY Geometric Himmeli Ornaments
The Himmeli is a traditional Finnish Christmas ornament. Historically, they were made from rye straw and hung over the dining table to ensure a good rye harvest for the coming year. They are beautiful, geometric, and minimalist.
The Craft: We will make a kid-friendly version using drinking straws.
- Materials: Plastic or paper drinking straws (cut into equal lengths), string or yarn, scissors.
- Instructions:
- Cut 12 straws of equal length (e.g., 4 inches).
- Thread string through three straws and tie them into a triangle.
- Add two more straws to one side of the triangle to make a diamond shape.
- Continue adding straws to build a 3D diamond or octahedron shape.
- This is a great STEM activity that teaches geometry and engineering!
3. The Toilet Roll Haltija (Finnish Gnome)
In Finnish folklore, a Haltija is a spirit or gnome that guards something—a forest, a lake, or even a home (called a Kotitonttu). They look very similar to the popular garden gnomes but are often associated with winter and Christmas.
The Craft:
- Materials: Toilet paper roll, red felt or paper, cotton balls, paint, googly eyes.
- Instructions:
- Paint the bottom half of the toilet roll grey or blue (for the clothes) and the top half a skin tone.
- Cut a cone shape out of red felt or paper to make a tall, pointy hat. Glue it to the top.
- Glue a large cotton ball beard right under the rim of the hat.
- Add a small wooden bead or pom-pom for the nose peaking out of the beard.
4. Angry Birds Pom-Poms
We cannot talk about Finland without mentioning its biggest modern export: Angry Birds! Created by the Finnish company Rovio Entertainment, these birds are icons.
The Craft:
- Materials: Red yarn, cardboard, scissors, orange felt, googly eyes, black pipe cleaners.
- Instructions:
- Create a large red pom-pom by wrapping yarn around a cardboard ring or using a pom-pom maker.
- Once the pom-pom is fluffy, trim it to be spherical.
- Cut a small beak from orange felt and glue it on.
- Add the distinctive thick, angry eyebrows using black pipe cleaners or felt.
- Glue on the eyes. Now you have your own Red Bird!
5. Handprint Reindeer of Lapland
Lapland, the northernmost region of Finland, is home to the Sami people and thousands of reindeer. In fact, there are roughly as many reindeer in Lapland as there are people!
The Craft:
- Materials: Brown construction paper, darker brown cardstock, red pom-pom, glue.
- Instructions:
- Trace the child’s foot on the brown paper (this is the face).
- Trace the child’s hands on the darker cardstock (these are the antlers).
- Glue the handprints to the top of the footprint (the heel side).
- Add eyes and a red nose (Rudolph style) to the toe area.
6. Finnish Flag Mosaic
The Finnish flag (Siniristilippu) features a blue Nordic cross on a white background. The blue represents the thousands of lakes, and the white represents the snow that covers the land in winter.
The Craft:
- Materials: White cardstock, blue tissue paper or old magazines, glue.
- Instructions:
- Draw the outline of the Nordic cross on the white paper.
- Have the child tear up small pieces of blue tissue paper or find blue sections in magazines.
- Glue the torn pieces into the cross outline to create a textured mosaic. This is excellent for fine motor skills!
7. The Ryijy (Rya) Rug Wall Hanging
Ryijy is a traditional Finnish textile art form. These thick, woven tapestries were originally used as warm covers but evolved into decorative wall art.
The Craft:
- Materials: Cardboard piece (loom), thick yarn in various colors, scissors, masking tape.
- Instructions:
- Cut slits at the top and bottom of the cardboard.
- Wrap yarn vertically to create the “warp.”
- Cut short strands of colored yarn (about 3 inches).
- Teach kids to tie these short strands onto the warp threads using a simple knot.
- Layer them to create a shaggy, mini wall hanging that mimics the warm Finnish rugs.
8. The Moomin Valley Scene
Tove Jansson, a Swedish-speaking Finn, created the Moomins—white, hippo-like characters that are beloved in Finland. There is even a Moomin World theme park!
The Craft:
- Materials: White air-dry clay or white cardstock, markers, blue paper.
- Instructions:
- Since Moomins are round and white, they are easy to draw or sculpt!
- Drawing version: Cut Moomin shapes out of white paper. Paste them onto a blue background. Draw birch trees (white trunks with black dashes) around them to create Moomin Valley.
- Clay version: Roll white clay into a pear shape for the body and a smaller oval for the head. Add ears and a tail.
9. Paper Plate Brown Bear
The Brown Bear is the national animal of Finland. In ancient Finnish mythology, the bear was considered so sacred that people were afraid to speak its name, using nicknames like “The Honey Paw” instead.
The Craft:
- Materials: Paper plate, brown paint, brown construction paper, black marker.
- Instructions:
- Paint the paper plate dark brown.
- Cut two circles for ears and a smaller oval for the snout from the brown paper.
- Glue the ears to the top and the snout to the center.
- Draw a nose and mouth. For texture, you can use a fork to scratch “fur” lines into the wet paint before it dries.
10. The Kantele (Cardboard Box Guitar)
The Kantele is Finland’s national instrument. It is a plucked string instrument that plays a central role in the Kalevala (the national epic poem).
The Craft:
- Materials: Empty tissue box or cereal box, rubber bands of different sizes, a pencil or dowel.
- Instructions:
- If using a cereal box, cut an oval hole in the center. A tissue box is ready to go.
- Decorate the box with Finnish designs (flowers or geometric shapes).
- Stretch rubber bands across the box over the hole.
- Slide a pencil under the rubber bands on one side to act as the “bridge,” which lifts the bands so they make a sound when plucked.
- Now your child can strum their own ancient Finnish tunes!
Why Teach Kids About Finland?
Incorporating global studies into craft time does more than just keep hands busy. It fosters cultural awareness and curiosity. By learning about Finland, children understand that:
- Nature is precious: Finns have a deep respect for their forests and lakes.
- Innovation comes from everywhere: A small country can create massive things like Nokia and Angry Birds.
- Folklore matters: Stories about Gnomes and the Kalevala shape how people see the world.
So, grab your scissors, paint, and imagination. Whether you are building a Himmeli or painting the Aurora Borealis, these Finland crafts for kids are sure to bring a touch of Nordic magic to your home.
Hyvää matkaa! (Have a good trip!)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: When is Finnish Culture Day? A: Finnish Culture Day, also known as Kalevala Day, is celebrated on February 28th. It honors the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala.
Q: What is the easiest Finnish craft for toddlers? A: The Finnish Flag Mosaic or the Paper Plate Brown Bear are the best options for toddlers. They focus on simple colors, sticking, and painting without complex assembly.
Q: Is Santa Claus really from Finland? A: According to Finnish tradition, yes! While Americans say the North Pole, Finns believe Santa (Joulupukki) lives in Korvatunturi in Finnish Lapland. You can even visit his official village in Rovaniemi!
