Leisure Pursuits In Levi (Finland):

1. KIDSLAND Levi:

Even at a ski resort, a child is always a child. A growing organism requires variety, and the more active it is, the better. Many cable car stations have special play areas for children so that winter holidays do not turn into monotonous skiing with adults. There is a similar children’s area in Levi. It is located on a mountain, so it is not convenient for everyone to get to it. But it is located in the very center of the resort – this is a big plus. Another advantage is that all the entertainment in the park is absolutely free and is aimed at both toddlers and older children.

Animators work on the territory, who will entice children into interesting games. Active events are held here every day. These include ball games, sled races, and searching for surprises from a snowman in forest snowdrifts. Competitions are developed for different age groups, and all participants receive awards. If they are lucky, the children will meet Wolverine – on some days he walks around the territory. In general, the kids will have fun here on any day. In addition to the events, the park offers swings, two drag races for kids, and ski lifts for beginners. While the kids are learning the swings and slopes, older kids will enjoy racing on dog and reindeer sleds, getting to know the cable car, and going down the hills on sleds.

By the way, Kid`s Land also offers free sleds, but there are not many of them. They all have an unusual and tempting design for children. You can find sleds in the form of a bathtub, a frying pan, or an armchair. Throughout the day, Kid`s Land constantly plays cheerful children’s songs in Finnish. In the middle of the general fun, there is a large Sami tent. It is always warm in it, you can warm up until 17:00, then it closes. Inside, there is a live fire, and free warm fruit tea is served, which is always available in teapots. In this place, you can warm up or fry sausages and other food you took with you.

Tourists who have been here note that visiting the tent and having a lunch snack have become a real and favorite ritual for children, which invariably accompanied skiing. Very young children can be left in the Tenavatokka children’s room under the supervision of English-speaking employees. For an additional fee, of course. You yourself can go skiing during this time, because the children’s area is located right at the foot of the slopes. By the way, there is a ski school nearby, where you can take several lessons with an instructor. Kid’s Land is perfect for leisure and winter recreation for children of preschool and older age.

2. LUVATTUMAA ICE GALLERY:

Places with ice interiors are widespread in Finland. Here and there you can find snow villages, a certain part of which is occupied by ice sculptures. They are created exclusively for the winter period, because with the spring warming it becomes impossible to take care of the snow structures. Such places are notable for the fact that they are always interesting for children. Even if you have already visited such places, children of any age will happily return to the snow kingdom again and again. One of such places is Luvattumaa in Levi.

The complex differs from many similar ones in that it can offer its guests not only a snow kingdom, but also a real spa complex with outdoor pools. The path to the gallery runs along a small path along the river. The main ice attractions of interest to children are located in the main snow building with a total area of ​​10,000 square meters. Every year it is rebuilt anew, carefully creating new snow and ice patterns. Looking at them, it becomes clear that a lot of small and painstaking work was done by the masters. The entire snow complex consists of several parts. It includes a gallery, a chapel, a real hotel and a restaurant.

All the halls are beautifully illuminated with multi-colored LED lights, and there are hot and cold water baths right outside. Fans of the Finnish sauna, located here, can enjoy them. If you come with children, you will hardly be able to find time to visit it. Children are most attracted to the gallery. Ice sculptures are installed in the halls, often among them are the children’s favorite characters. For example, once characters from Star Wars were installed here. Beautiful openings are cut out in the walls, which are effectively illuminated. The vaults of the multi-colored snow corridors have a triangular shape. Wandering around such a castle is a real adventure for little explorers. The hotel rooms are also interesting. Of course, not everyone will risk spending the night with a child in a room where all the furniture is made of snow. But someone definitely loves this hotel, otherwise why would it have rooms of various types of comfort, including luxury ones.

Guests are given sleeping bags, and breakfast by the fireplace is included in the price of accommodation. At night, a warm living room is open. For an additional fee, guests can be provided with thermal underwear. It is very interesting to have lunch with children at the local restaurant. The menu is varied, includes various hot dishes and snacks, pastries, delicacies, you can even order bear meat. At the bar counter, you will be offered cocktails and hot drinks, which are very useful in frosty weather. Children will definitely not go hungry here. There are also toilets in the complex. And there will be no shortage of active games! A small ice slide has been built on the territory for children. Sliding down it will become an indispensable attribute of a visit to this place. There is no child who would not run headlong to slide down the slide after watching the ice figures. Parents will be able to while away the time in a calm atmosphere in the ice restaurant with a glass of good wine. Tourists noted that they would not go to Levi specifically for this place, but if you find yourself with children nearby, be sure to stop by.

3. SNOW VILLAGE LAPLAND HOTELS SNOWVILLAGE:

200 km north of the Arctic Circle is the snow village of Lainio. Those who are actively interested in the sights of Finland may have noticed that such structures are quite common in this country. It will be interesting and convenient for visitors to the Levi and Ylläs ski resorts to go on an excursion to the village of Lainio, and you can get here from Kittila Airport in just 15-20 minutes. Part of the route runs through a snow-covered forest, which in itself is a spectacular sight. The village will be interesting for both children and adults. The snow village, simply called Snow Village, is rebuilt every year. The best time for construction is late October or early November, when the air temperature consistently reaches 10 degrees below zero. It was first erected back in 2000. Since then, every winter the area has become an entertainment for children and adults.

Just imagine: about 1.5 million kg of snow and about 300,000 kg of natural ice are used for construction! It is clear that in Finland such building materials are a dime a dozen, but still! On the territory, children will be able to admire the ice sculptures that are installed everywhere. There are not many buildings in the village – only two. One of them is a real working hotel with 30 rooms of different comfort levels. Inside and outside, everything is made of ice and snow, the corridors are beautifully illuminated, images and patterns are carved into the walls, and figures of animals made of ice are installed. Those wishing to spend the night are given a sleeping bag. And there are also separate rooms for newlyweds, in which instead of the usual slippers they are given ice boots. The temperature inside does not feel like it exceeds 5 degrees below zero, in fact it can reach 4-7 degrees.

The snow hotel has a real cinema. Inside, both the benches and the screen are made of ice. There is an ice bar Icebar, in which everything is made of ice – furniture, fireplaces, candlesticks. The 100% winter atmosphere is complemented by warm lunches and dinners, traditional Finnish drink Glögi. From time to time, there are fiery discos. Right in the hotel there is an ice slide for children. It is not high, so both toddlers and older children will be able to overcome the slopes. Outside, children will have a real free time – here they organize snowmobile rides, skis, reindeer and dog sleds. There is also a small church in the village. Inside, everything necessary for Protestant services is equipped. Of course, everything is also made of snow. But the benches are made of transparent ice and decorated with patterns. By the way, there is also a regular cafe on the territory of the village. And although the selection in it is small, the prices are quite democratic. Near the entrance there is a large free parking lot.

If desired, the village can be rented for weddings and celebrations. Nearby there are cozy wooden houses available for booking and accommodation. Tourists who have visited here recommend this place for a holiday with children. The picturesque road to the village and the nature are interesting, as well as the snowy interior, which is updated annually. This means that each new visit will be different from the previous one. For children and adults, both quiet recreation options and active pastimes will be offered. In the snow village of Lainio, you will take many interesting photos and can safely say that you have visited the real kingdom of the Snow Queen. Well, how to spend time in an exotic ice village is up to you.

4. SANTA’S PET FARM :

When walking around Levi with your child, visit Santa’s Pet Farm. It is located at the foot of the mountains, in a beautiful picturesque place for family walks. This cozy place will delight you with an abundance of tame animals, which any child will enjoy feeding and petting. The farm is only 2 km from the center of Levi – this distance can be covered in half an hour of leisurely walking or a couple of minutes by car. In winter, parents with children like to take a sled and go here on foot. A walk in the fresh frosty air, combined with a visit to the animals, turns into a real event for the kids.

Summer entertainment:

Santa’s Farm is open all year round. In summer, you can have picnics on its territory, ride a pony. Some of the inhabitants of the farm – mini-pigs Sulo and Pinkku – demonstrate funny tricks for visitors. In addition to them, there are many other animals living on the territory. Among the most familiar to us are dogs, a cat, cows, fluffy sheep, chickens. Here you can also buy fresh home-made eggs. Children really like rabbits – the farm is home to some unusual breeds for us. Belgian rabbits are considered the heaviest in the world. There are three of them living here. They are cute and calm, but not everyone can lift them in their arms because of their large weight. There are also shaggy Angora rabbits, whose thick fur should be sheared every 3 months, otherwise it will be difficult for them to move.

Farm in winter:

In winter, the farm offers reindeer sleigh rides. There are several reindeer on the farm. The oldest is 12 years old, he knows how to pull a sleigh. But his relative, who is half his age, has not yet been trained in this craft. For an additional fee, children can feed these friendly animals, ride in a sleigh or on a pony. Winter has prepared other entertainment for children at Santa’s Pet Farm. All the kids willingly make snowmen, participate in active games and competitions – it’s free. During the Christmas period, Santa Claus himself visits his domain. He gladly receives everyone in his cozy house, treats them to a warm drink and gingerbread, and is assisted by nimble elves. And if you are staying in the vicinity of Levi, you can invite the New Year’s wizard to your home for a certain amount. However, the visit will last only 20 minutes. You can visit the farm both independently and with a tour. If you buy a tour, then its price in the summer includes juice and cookies, an English-speaking or Finnish guide. In winter, the price includes cookies and juice, a guide, and pony or reindeer rides. If you come without a tour, there is an atmospheric cafe on the territory, no one will go hungry. Whichever way you choose to travel to the farm, the children will enjoy the walk.