What is the best for families? Pärnu, of course! Pärnu is a fantastic place for a family vacation. Several water parks, children’s playrooms, playgrounds, adventure parks, a mini zoo, go-kart center and plenty more await you there. In the winter, Santa Claus and sled dogs make wonderful entertainers for kids.
Pärnu is a huge playground
Pärnu’s beach is Estonia’s largest playground. The sandy beach and shallow water that warms up rapidly are especially suitable for families with kids, as the water deepens very gradually and children have a great time playing in the shallow and warm water. The beach features a popular elephant slide which attracts a crowd of playful and cheerful kids on warm summer days.
Our surf club, Surf Center, offers excellent options for family activities on the water.
Estonia’s largest theme park – Lottemaa – is located in Pärnu. Open during the summer and Christmas, every year the children’s playland hosts tens of thousands of visitors from across the world. Lotte Village was named after the most popular Estonian cartoon character, Lotte. Tens of actors play and have fun with the kids work on site.
In Pärnu you can visit Estonia’s largest water center (TerviseParadiis), which has slides for young and old alike.
In Pärnu you will also find:
- many exciting children’s playgrounds (located in the hearts of our beautiful parks)
- several playrooms (Trampoline Center UP, Laser park, Traffic City)
- adventure parks (Valgeranna adventure park, Pärnu adventure park)
- activities Summer track of the Pärnu Go-Karting Centre
Family vacation and culture
If you are looking for something besides playrooms and playgrounds, then Mary Magdalene Guild and Vaas&Vaas in Pärnu offer various handicraft workshops.
History and art lovers can take their kids to the city’s museums. Pärnu Museum welcomes all children who are interested in history to visit their exhibits. Kids will enjoy the fun exhibits at the Museum of New Art. Children can find out about Estonian nature and local smaller animals at the Pernova Nature House.
All younger family members will find fascinating activities at the Farm Museum of C.R. Jakobson in Kurgja. The Estonian Museum Railway at Lavassaare offers a chance to explore real steam engines.
For more than 10 years, every summer Pärnu fills with young soccer players, thanks to the Summer Cup international youth football festival.
Special animal parks
Pärnu features a small mini zoo (MiniZoo), where you can see many exotic animals living in a terrarium. In addition, Estonia’s largestalpaca farm is located here. Alongside the alpacas, the visitors can see pygmy goats, miniature sheep, Angora rabbits, and chickens.
You can also visit:
Eating in Pärnu
All places that offer food in Pärnu are family friendly. Several of our restaurants and cafes feature children’s playrooms.
Restaurants and cafes in Pärnu that have a play corner for kids:
- C. F. Hahn Pub
- Fishing Village Harbour Cafe and Trout Fishing (outdoor play area)
- Restaurant Groot (outdoor play area)
- Bakery-cafe Leivakas
- Maria farm cafe
- Meremaa Café (outdoor play area, open in summer)
- Oliver’s garden café (outdoor play area, open in summer)
- Passion Café
- Restaurant Purpur
- Pärnu Yacht Club Restaurant
- Restaurant Võrgukuur
- Restaurant Strand
- Cafe ‘Statka Resto’ in Rannastaadion
- Postipoiss Tavern
- Villa Ammende Restaurant
(outdoor play area) - Restaurant Villa Wesset
- Wasa Resort Restaurant
Pärnu in the winter
The skating rink in the heart of Pärnu and Jõulumäe Recreational Sport Center, which is a short drive from Pärnu, welcome you in the winter. Have fun there with the whole family for the whole day – ski tracks and sledge runs await you.
In the winter, Mutimuudi’s Sled Dogs will take your family for a ride. Santa’s Korstna Farm family festival offers an opportunity to meet the real Santa Claus.