🧸 Gifts for children and teenagers from Finland: 25 ideas for girls, boys and teenagers

❄️ What this article is about — and why gifts for children require a special approach

Children don't need ‘symbolic souvenirs’. Children need emotions.

A toy they want to play with. A book they want to leaf through. Clothes that allow them to express their personality.

And teenagers? They need something they won't be ashamed to show at school or on social media. Straightforward and honest.

And while adults can be given something ‘symbolic’, children are the strictest judges in the world. They instantly sense insincerity. And just as instantly, they recognise something genuine, made with soul.

In this article, we have compiled 25 gifts that truly delight children, with links to shops, proven ideas and age groups.

And yes — there will be no useless vendor stuff that you can find at any airport. Only things that pass the child test.

🍼 Gifts for toddlers aged 1–3

This is the age when everything should be safe, soft, tactile and cute.

Finland at this age is a paradise in the style of Scandi childhood.

1) Moomin Plush Toys

This is a gift that toddlers hug until it's worn out.

Finns make soft toys that can withstand anything: washing, falling, flying, love.

Bonus: Moomins are safe in composition, with no small parts or ‘sharp’ surprises.

2) Picture books in Finnish (or without words)

Finnish books are small works of art.

And little ones really love them:

— thick cardboard,

— simple plots,

— large illustrations.

Best themes:

Moomins, snow, animals, nature, Finnish winter.

3) Handmade wooden toys

Finnish wood has a clean, smooth, warm texture.

The toys are simple, eco-friendly, durable and perfect for little hands.

4) Scandi rattles and play sets

Natural materials, calm colours, safe joints.

Something that won't look like a ‘garish Chinese fair’ in your home.

5) Small blankets and tactile fabrics

Finns make fantastic children's textiles:

warm, hypoallergenic, and soft.

A blanket is a gift that will last for many years.

🎨 Gifts for children aged 4–7 (the ‘I want everything bright’ period)

This is where the magic begins: the child already understands characters, colours, stories — and the choice of gifts becomes much wider.

6) Educational board games (Finnish mini-games)

Finnish board games are not ‘endless rules’ but easy games for attention, memory and coordination.

Pros:

— 10–20 minutes per game,

— simple rules,

— high-quality materials.

7) Colouring books and art kits

Scandinavian art kits are beautiful, harmonious and not overloaded.

The child doesn't just ‘scribble’, but creates small works of art to be proud of.

8) Puzzles with Moomins and northern animals

From 20 to 100 pieces — ideal for ages 4–7.

And yes, the Moomins look especially cute in puzzles.

9) Mimi accessories from Muumi Baby

Handbags, mini backpacks, pencil cases — functional and beautiful.

For children who love to ‘carry their treasures with them’.

10) Winter accessories for children (mittens, hats)

Warm, soft, comfortable.

And most importantly — made for children, not ‘miniature versions of adult items’.

🚀 Gifts for children aged 8–12 (schoolchildren who already have their own taste)

This is the age when desires are precise:

‘I want something cool,’

‘I don't want childhood,’

‘I want what my friends have.’

And Finland knows how to meet such requests.

11) Moomin mugs (with children's designs)

This works even for 8–12 year olds, especially if you choose bright or collectible prints.

You can drink cocoa, you can collect them, you can swap them.

12) Warm fleece jackets/hoodies without bright branding

Finnish brands make super high-quality items that children actually wear to school.

Comfort, style, minimalism.

13) Branded backpacks and pencil cases (Muumi, Martinex)

Very durable, very ‘Scandi’, with perfect ergonomics.

They don't break after a month.

14) More complex board games

Types of games:

— logic,

— team,

— cooperative.

They are excellent for developing the brain and can withstand dozens of games.

15) Creative kits (wood, paper, textiles)

Finland is the birthplace of ‘slow creativity’.

There are many kits here where children create things rather than just colouring stickers.

🌟 Gifts for teenagers 13+ (teenagers are the most difficult audience, but we can handle it)

Teenagers value self-expression, aesthetics, memes, fashion, and uniqueness.

And Finnish gifts can be a perfect fit if you choose correctly.

16) Clothing from local brands (Uniqlo style, but Finnish)

Minimalist hoodies, sweatshirts, thermal underwear.

Teenagers love it: stylish, comfortable, without kitsch.

17) Muumi merchandise that is ‘not for children’

There are lines with serious, minimalist designs that don't look like ‘children's themes’.

And teenagers enjoy wearing them.

18) Wooden or metal jewellery and accessories

Very Scandinavian style:

simple shapes, geometry, neutral colours.

Ideal for teenagers who love aesthetics.

19) Scandi-style thermos mugs and bottles

These are a must-have for school, university, tutors, and dance classes.

Beautiful, practical, and long-lasting.

20) Experience vouchers (ice rink, museum, VR entertainment)

If your child ‘doesn't want anything,’

give them an experience.

Finland is the best country for experiences.

🚫 What NOT to give children

Sometimes you want to buy ‘something Finnish’... but not everything Finnish is suitable for children.

1) Extreme salmiakki — no.

This is not a gift, but a quest for survival.

2) Knives and ‘teenage knives’ — absolutely not.

Finnish knives are beautiful, but dangerous and contrary to safety rules.

3) Fragile souvenirs and glass figurines.

Children are not museum guards.

4) Kitsch from tourist shops.

The child will say, ‘What is this?’

🎁 How to put together the perfect gift set for a child

Children's gifts are not ‘something Finnish,’ but exactly right for their age and interests.

Remember the formula:

1 gift for emotions + 1 for creativity/development + 1 useful gift.

For example

For ages 4–7

— puzzle + colouring book + mittens

For ages 8–12

— Muumi mug + board game + backpack

For teenagers

— hoodie + accessory + thermos mug

This formula works 100% of the time.

💌 How to put together a children's gift that a child will really love

Gifts for children are not about price or ‘at least something Finnish’.

It's about how a small thing can give a big feeling: joy, play, a sense of care.

Finland makes it easy — with honest materials, cosiness, warm Moomin stories and timeless Scandinavian simplicity.

And if you put together a gift carefully, focusing not on ‘what is customary’ but on the specific child, the result will always be as accurate as the North Star.

Consider their age, interests and personality.

Put together a small set: something for play, something for creativity, something for warmth or school.

Add a little story from your trip — children can sense these things.

Save this article, send it to your friends, share it in your parents' chat group — let gifts from Finland be not just a ‘tick in the box’, but a real joy for children that lasts longer than the trip itself.