What Is the Currency of Finland?

Did you know that Finland doesn’t use its own old money anymore? Like many countries in Europe, Finland uses the euro (€) today! But it wasn’t always like that. Let’s explore how Finnish money has changed over time, how people pay for things in Finland now, and along the way discover the history, holidays, places, stories, and playful words that make Finland such a special country to learn about.

From Markka to Euro

Before the year 2002, Finland had its very own currency called the markka. It had been used for a long time and had its own coins and paper bills. But then something big happened! In 1999, many countries in Europe joined together to create one shared currency, the euro. This made travel and trade easier across different countries. In 2002, Finland said goodbye to the markka and started using the euro for everything: shopping, school lunches, train tickets, and more! Finland was one of the first countries to switch to the euro, after joining the European Union in 1995.

What Does the Euro Look Like?

The euro comes in colorful banknotes and shiny coins, just like other currencies. Each coin and bill looks almost the same across Europe, but each country adds its own special symbols. Finnish euro coins often have images like the lion of Finland or lovely designs from Finnish nature and art.

How Do People Pay in Finland?

In Finland, people love using credit and debit cards. Even small shops, ice cream stands, and buses accept cards, sometimes more often than cash! There are also digital wallets and contactless pay options that are super popular. So while you can still use coins and bills, many Finns just tap their card and go!

A Country Shaped by Snow, War, and Sisu

Finland may be known today for its great schools, modern design, and fun inventions like Angry Birds, but this small northern country has a powerful story of survival, courage, and growth. It’s a tale of winter, war, wisdom, and something very Finnish called sisu.

Learning to Live with Nature

Long ago, Finnish people lived in a world full of snow, forests, and silence. With freezing winters and wild landscapes, their main goal was to stay warm and safe. To survive, they learned to respect nature instead of fighting it. They built their lives around the seasons and lived in harmony with animals, trees, and the land. One special invention, the sauna, helped people keep warm and healthy during the icy months, and it’s still a beloved part of Finnish life today.

Quiet Strength and Independence

Finns are known for their quiet strength. For many years, Finland was ruled by Sweden. Then, after the Finland War (1808–1809), it became part of Russia. This wasn’t easy: Finns felt closer to Swedish culture, and the Russian rule felt distant and uncomfortable. Over time, the Finnish desire for independence grew stronger.

On December 6, 1917, Finland finally became its own country. But staying independent wouldn’t be easy. In 1939, during World War II, Russia tried to invade Finland again. The Finnish army was much smaller, but the people stood strong. They had sisu, a special Finnish word that means inner courage, strength, and never giving up, even when things seem impossible. Although Finland didn’t win the war, they didn’t lose their freedom either.

Rising with the West

After the war, Finland began to rebuild, and it did so quickly. Although it shares a long border with Russia, the Finnish identity has always leaned toward the Western world. In 1995, Finland joined the European Union, and was one of the first countries to switch to the euro. Finland balanced old tensions with Russia while becoming a star of the West. Today, it has one of the world’s most respected school systems, and many successful companies like Nokia, Kone (elevators), and Abloy (locks). Even the famous Angry Birds game came from Finland!

Why Finnish Kids Love Holidays So Much

Finland is a country full of light, snow, joy, and tradition. Whether it’s cold and quiet during Christmas or sunny and bright during Midsummer, Finnish holidays bring families and communities together with unique customs, magical symbols, and unforgettable fun.

Christmas in Finland

Christmas is the most important holiday of the year in Finland. Celebrations begin weeks before Christmas Eve, with festive decorations, school parties, and winter activities. On Christmas Eve, families bring home and decorate Christmas trees, sing songs, dance, and enjoy traditional meals together.

At midday on Christmas Eve, something very special happens: “Christmas Peace” is officially declared from the city of Turku, the former capital of Finland. This peaceful tradition is broadcast to the whole country. Families also light candles on the graves of loved ones, creating a glowing and respectful atmosphere. On Christmas morning, many people attend church services to hear the Christmas message. And of course, Finnish children wait for Joulupukki, the Finnish Santa Claus, who brings gifts to those who have been kind throughout the year! Joulupukki is said to live in northern Finland, in Lapland.

Midsummer Celebrations

Midsummer, known as “Juhannus” in Finnish, is the second biggest holiday in the country. It is all about the sun and nature. Around the summer solstice, the sun barely sets, creating the magical Midnight Sun. Families escape to their countryside cottages, build bonfires by the lake, and enjoy music, food, and laughter. Midsummer is a celebration of light, warmth, and togetherness, the perfect time to make lasting family memories.

Easter Traditions

Easter is a deeply rooted religious celebration in Finland. Children take part in many fun activities, like planting grass on plates, decorating Easter eggs and cards, and dressing up as Easter witches on Palm Sunday. They go door to door with willow branches and say special rhymes to receive chocolate eggs or small coins, similar to trick-or-treating! Church plays a big role during Easter week, and families often attend services together. The traditions may feel different from other countries, but they carry the same joy and spirit of spring.

Amazing Places to Explore in Finland

Finland is full of exciting places where kids can learn, explore, and have fun. From peaceful lakes in the north to lively parks and markets in the capital city, there’s something magical for every child and family.

Lake Inari: Nature, Culture, and History

Located in northern Lapland, Lake Inari is one of Finland’s most beautiful and historic natural sites. Children can watch fish like trout, perch, and salmon swim through the crystal-clear waters. It’s also home to Hautuumaasaari Island, a sacred burial site of the Sami people, offering a glimpse into Indigenous Finnish culture. This peaceful lake is a great place for family nature walks, quiet reflection, and storytelling under the open sky.

Helsinki Market Square: A Colorful Adventure

In Finland’s capital city, Helsinki Market Square is a lively place where families can stroll together and enjoy the sights. It’s filled with souvenir shops, local vendors, and traditional foods. Children will love exploring the colorful stalls and watching boats dock along the waterfront. It’s also a perfect place to try Finnish snacks, learn about local crafts, and buy something special to remember the trip.

Esplanadi Park: A Green Escape in the City

Just steps away from the market is Esplanadi Park, a favorite for picnics, music, and playtime. In the summer, families gather here to enjoy outdoor concerts, fun shows for kids, and lots of space to run and relax. Whether you bring a ball, a blanket, or just your imagination, this park is a peaceful and playful stop in the heart of Helsinki.

Finnish Children’s Stories: Trolls, Fairies, and Moomins

Finland is a country with deep roots in storytelling. For centuries, stories were not just for entertainment, they were tools to teach, to comfort, and to pass on wisdom. When it comes to Finnish children’s stories, the traditions are rich, emotional, and full of magical northern charm.

A Long Tradition of Storytelling

In the beginning, there wasn’t a separate genre called “children’s literature” in Finland. Stories were told for both adults and children, often shared aloud by firelight during long winters. Many early Finnish tales came from folklore and mythology, often teaching moral lessons about obedience, kindness, and respect for parents. One of the earliest recorded works for children in Finland was Mikael Agricola’s “Abckiria,” published in 1543. It marked the beginning of Finnish written literature for the young.

Santa Claus and Finnish Values

One of the most beloved figures in Finnish children’s stories is Santa Claus, or “Joulupukki,” who is said to live in northern Finland (Lapland). Finnish children are taught from a young age that good behavior is rewarded by Santa, making storytelling an important way to pass down values like honesty and kindness. Santa’s role in stories has always been more than magical; it’s also educational and rooted in Finnish customs.

From Kalevala to Nature-Inspired Tales

Many Finnish stories are influenced by the Kalevala, Finland’s national epic. This grand poem has shaped the country’s national identity and inspired generations of writers. Nature is also a major theme: animals, forests, and magical beings often play central roles. Unlike many Western tales, Finnish stories frequently mix realism with folklore, and fantasy literature is a relatively recent addition. One powerful example of Finnish fantasy storytelling is “Pessi and Illusia” by Yrjö Kokko. Written during World War II as a gift for his children, it tells the story of a troll named Pessi and a fairy named Illusia. Their love brings hope to people during a time of darkness. This story, filled with deeper philosophical ideas, reflects how Finnish children’s stories often carry real-world emotions.

The Moomins: Finland’s Most Famous Family

Perhaps the most famous children’s stories from Finland are the Moomin books by Tove Jansson, a Swedish-speaking Finn. The Moomins are friendly, curious trolls who live in Moominvalley. With their friends and neighbors, they go on adventures that explore themes like family, courage, loneliness, and friendship. Moomins are adored not only in Finland but around the world. Their soft wisdom, gentle humor, and heartwarming lessons have appeared in books, cartoons, and movies. Children can even visit Moomin World, a fantasy theme park located in Naantali, Finland.

The Moomins are also a wonderful way to start learning Finnish. Their stories are full of gentle words that are easy to learn and fun to say:

• mökki – cottage
• metsä – forest
• ystävä – friend
• taikuri – magician
• seikkailu – adventure

Try saying: “Muumit rakastavat seikkailua!” (“The Moomins love adventure!”) You can read a Moomin story together, pause at each new Finnish word, and write the words down to say aloud. Children can also draw a Moomin-style comic strip and add Finnish labels to people, places, and feelings.

Fun Finnish Words Kids Can Learn

Learning a new language doesn’t have to be tricky. With Finnish, even the everyday things around us turn into fun learning moments! From greetings to nature to magic spells, here are playful Finnish words your child can start using right away, grouped by theme.

Everyday Words You’ll Use All the Time

• hei – hello
• kiitos – thank you
• pallo – ball
• kirja – book
• kissa – cat
• ovi – door
• tuoli – chair
• lelu – toy

Say this fun sentence together: “Hei kissa! Missä on minun pallo?” (“Hi cat! Where is my ball?”) You can label items around the house with sticky notes, saying each Finnish word as you see it, or practice “hei” and “kiitos” in different voices like a whisper, a robot, or a monster to make repetition fun.

Nature Words from Lakes, Forests, and the Arctic Sky

Finland is the land of lakes, over 180,000 of them! Nature is such a big part of life here that many everyday Finnish words come straight from the outdoors. From snowy forests to magical skies, these words are as beautiful as the places they describe:

• järvi – lake
• puu – tree
• vesi – water
• taivas – sky
• kala – fish
• lumi – snow
• poro – reindeer
• revontulet – northern lights

Try saying: “Kala ui järvessä.” (“A fish swims in the lake.”) or “Revontulet loistavat taivaalla!” (“The northern lights shine in the sky!”) For a fun activity, draw or print pictures of trees, lakes, and clouds for a round of Finnish nature bingo, or paint an “aurora” picture and write the word “revontulet” on top.

Words with Big Meanings

Some Finnish words are more than just vocabulary, they carry big feelings and deep cultural meaning. For kids, learning these words can be a window into empathy, strength, and the Finnish way of seeing the world:

• sisu – inner strength, determination, never giving up
• hiljaisuus – silence, often peaceful and meaningful
• kaamos – the dark season in the north, with long nights
• luonto – nature, a deeply loved part of Finnish life

Try saying: “Minulla on sisu!” (“I have inner strength!”) Ask your child to draw a time they felt strong or brave and write “sisu” under the picture, or sit together in peaceful silence for one minute and then say “hiljaisuus” out loud, a lovely little mindfulness moment.

Magic Words from Finnish Stories

Finnish stories are full of enchanted forests, brave heroes, and yes, magic words! Kids love learning words that sound like they belong in a fairy tale:

• taika – magic
• noita – witch
• loitsu – spell
• sankari – hero
• metsä – forest

Try saying: “Loitsu metsään tuo taikaa!” (“A spell brings magic to the forest!”) Make a wand from paper, sticks, or glitter and cast a spell with a word like “taika,” or act out a simple fairy tale and let each family member say a magical word.

Polite and Casual: The Two Ways to Say “You”

In Finnish, there’s more than one way to say “you.” Whether you’re talking to a friend or showing respect to an adult, knowing the right word makes a big difference, and it’s super simple for kids to learn:

• sinä – casual “you” for friends, family, or someone your age
• te – polite “you” for adults, teachers, or more than one person

For example: “Sinä olet ystäväni.” (“You are my friend.”) and “Te olette opettajani.” (“You are my teacher.”) Try a match game with pictures of a friend, a grandma, or a teacher, and ask your child to say “sinä” or “te” based on who it is. You can also role-play a quick chat between a student and a teacher, switching between the two forms.

Listen for the Double Vowels

One thing that makes Finnish stand out is its love for double vowels: when a vowel is written twice, it stretches the sound of the letter! Learning to spot and pronounce these vowel pairs is a great way to boost reading and speaking skills:

• maa – land (longer “a”)
• suu – mouth
• puu – tree
• kiipeä – to climb
• jäätelö – ice cream (look for the “ää”)

Try saying: “Minä haluan jäätelöä puun alla.” (“I want ice cream under the tree.”) Play an echo game by saying a short word like “ma” and stretching it to “maa,” then go on a vowel hunt in a picture book and circle every “aa,” “ee,” or “oo” pair you can find.

Learn to Love Long Words

Finnish is famous for its long words, but don’t worry! These big words are often just small words joined together. Once kids learn how to spot them, they become fun puzzles to read and say:

• lentokonesuihkuturbiinimoottori – airplane jet turbine engine (yes, really!)
• kirjahylly – bookshelf (kirja = book + hylly = shelf)
• päiväkoti – daycare (päivä = day + koti = home)

Try saying: “Minun kirjani on kirjahyllyssä.” (“My book is on the bookshelf.”) Write short Finnish words on cards like “koti,” “päivä,” and “kirja,” then mix and match them to build new long words. You can also pick a long word and clap for each syllable, counting as you go. Some words have five or more!

Learn About Finland While Learning the Language

Understanding how money works is just one fun part of learning about a new country. When kids learn Finnish with Dinolingo, they explore not just the words, but also the culture, traditions, and daily life of Finnish families, from the euro and sisu to Moomins, Midsummer bonfires, and magical nature words. Dinolingo offers games, songs, videos, and printable activities, all designed for children ages 2–14, and easy to use on phones, tablets, or computers, online or offline.