Finland, a magical land with stunning landscapes, vibrant folklore, and the awe-inspiring Northern Lights, offers a treasure trove of inspiration for children’s crafts.
From whimsical gnomes to dazzling representations of the aurora borealis, these crafts will transport your little ones on a creative adventure to the heart of Scandinavia.
We’ve curated a list of 20 Finland-themed crafts, suitable for a range of ages and skill levels.
So, gather your craft supplies, put on some Finnish music (Sibelius, anyone?),
Nature’s Majesty:
Northern Lights in a Jar:
Capture the magic of the Aurora Borealis with a mesmerizing sensory experience. Fill a jar with water, add glitter and glow sticks, and watch the mesmerizing colors dance.
Paper Birch Forest:
Finland’s landscape is adorned with beautiful birch trees. Create a miniature forest by cutting white paper into birch tree shapes and adding black details for the bark. Glue them onto construction paper for a charming scene.
Felt Fox:
Finland boasts a rich wildlife population, with foxes being a common sight. Cut out orange, white, and black felt pieces to create a cuddly fox plushie. Stuff it with cotton wool and add button eyes for a playful friend.
Reindeer Puppets:
Reindeer are iconic symbols of Finland. Craft adorable reindeer puppets using paper bags, brown paint, googly eyes, and pipe cleaners for antlers. Let your children put on a show with their new furry friends!
Folklore Fun:
Haltija Paper Gnomes:
Finnish folklore is filled with mythical creatures like the Haltija, mischievous forest spirits. Create these playful gnomes by decorating paper tubes with felt, yarn hair, and buttons for faces.
Moomintroll Crafts:
The beloved Moomins, a family of hippo-like trolls created by Finnish author Tove Jansson, are adored worldwide. Let your children draw their favorite Moomin characters or create plush Moomins from felt or fabric scraps.
DIY Mölkky Set:
Mölkky, a popular Finnish lawn game, involves throwing wooden batons at numbered skittles. Create a simplified version for kids using sturdy cardboard or wooden blocks decorated with numbers.
Paper Plate Saunas:
Saunas are a vital part of Finnish culture. Replicate this unique tradition by decorating paper plates with wooden craft sticks and colorful paper to create miniature saunas. Add tiny paper figures for a fun touch.
Celebrating Finland:
Finnish Flag Craft:
Introduce your children to the Finnish flag with this simple craft. Use blue and white construction paper or felt to create rectangles and assemble them onto a background.
Coffee Filter Mobiles:
Finland boasts a strong coffee culture. Create whimsical mobiles using coffee filters. Decorate them with paints, markers, or glitter. Let them hang and twirl, mimicking the swirling steam of a hot cup of coffee.
Pipe Cleaner Himmeli Ornaments:
Himmeli are beautiful geometric mobiles traditionally made of straw. Craft kid-friendly versions using colorful pipe cleaners twisted into geometric shapes and hung together with string.
Finnish Paper Stars:
Learn about the Finnish tradition of paper stars, a symbol of light during the long winter months. Use patterned paper or straws to create simple folded stars or more intricate geometric ones.
Creative Activities:
Design a Finnish Stamp:
Finland has a rich history of postage stamps. Let your children design their own Finnish stamp by drawing iconic landmarks or Finnish animals.
Finnish Fact Book:
Encourage your children to research Finland. Create a fact book together, including information about the country’s geography, culture, and traditions. Decorate it with pictures and drawings.
Finnish Word Search:
Create a word search with Finnish words related to animals, food, landmarks, or traditions. Use online resources to find appropriate words.
Sensory Explorations:
Finnish Nature Collage:
Gather natural materials like leaves, twigs, and stones to create a Finnish nature collage. You can even include miniature felt animals for a complete scene.
Scented Playdough:
Finland has distinct seasonal scents. Create pine-scented playdough for the winter or berry-scented playdough for the summer. Explore different textures and smells while learning about Finnish seasons.
Finnish Music Playlist:
Immerse yourselves in Finnish culture by creating a playlist with traditional Finnish music, contemporary Finnish pop, or even nature sounds from Finland’s forests.
Finnish Food Tasting:
Introduce your children to Finnish cuisine by preparing a simple dish like Karelian pasties (meat or rice pastries) or blueberry pancakes (pannakkakku).
Finnish Dress-Up and Storytelling:
Transform yourselves into characters from Finnish folklore! Let your children dress up as Moomins, Haltija gnomes, or even reindeer using clothes, scarves, and accessories. Encourage them to create a story about their Finnish characters and their adventures.
Bonus Crafts:
- Recycled Cardboard Sauna: Upcycle a cardboard box into a larger pretend sauna. Decorate it with paint and paper to resemble traditional wooden saunas. Punch a hole for a “door” and let your children have fun playing inside.
- Felt Runebergs’ Torte: Runebergs’ torte is a delicious Finnish pastry. Create a felt version that’s perfect for imaginative play. Use red felt for the raspberry jam center and brown for the cake base. Add details like icing and sprinkles for a realistic touch.
- Finnish Reindeer Cookies: Bake delicious reindeer-shaped cookies with your children. Decorate them with icing, sprinkles, and candy eyes for a fun and tasty treat.
Final Thoughts:
These crafts are just a starting point for your Finnish adventure with your kids. Explore the rich culture, captivating landscapes, and enchanting stories of Finland. Encourage your children to use their creativity to express their newfound knowledge. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the journey together!
Tips:
- Adapt the difficulty level of the crafts to suit your children’s ages and abilities.
- Use recycled materials whenever possible.
- Integrate Finnish vocabulary while crafting, like “Moi” (hello), “Kiitos” (thank you), and “Hyvää päivää” (good day).
- Consider watching Finnish movies or reading Finnish children’s books for additional inspiration.
With a little imagination and creativity, you can bring the magic of Finland right into your home!
