What to Do During the Summer School Holidays? Ideas for Summer 2026 in Estonia
The 2026 summer school holidays in Estonia run from 10 June to 31 August, giving families almost three months to relax, travel, explore new places, and spend quality time together. The good news is that there are plenty of exciting activities across Estonia — whether you're planning a full family day out, a short trip, or looking for ideas for rainy weather.
1. Spend a Day at Lottemaa
If you have younger children, Lottemaa is one of the safest bets for a summer outing. In 2026, Lottemaa will be open daily from 13 June to 30 August between 10:00 and 18:00. Visitors can meet Lotte and her friends, watch performances, take part in workshops, and explore the various houses and activities of Gadgetville.
This is an excellent choice if you're planning a full-day family trip to Pärnu County. When purchasing tickets, keep an eye out for special offers, as according to Piletilevi, tickets for the 2026 summer season are already on sale.
2. Enjoy Water Fun at Vudila
Located in Tartu County, Vudila is a great destination for an active summer day, especially if your children love water attractions, trampolines, rides, and outdoor play. During the 2026 summer season, Vudila will be open from 24 June to 28 August, Tuesday through Sunday, from 11:00 to 19:00.
Vudila is suitable both as a one-day trip and as part of a longer journey through Southern Estonia. Be sure to bring swimwear, towels, and a change of clothes to make the day more comfortable.
3. Discover Science at the AHHAA Science Centre
If the weather turns cool or rainy, consider visiting the AHHAA Science Centre in Tartu. AHHAA is a place where children can experiment, investigate, and discover things for themselves rather than simply looking at exhibits. The centre features more than 200 hands-on exhibits, as well as science theatre performances and a planetarium suitable for the whole family.
This is an especially good choice for school-aged children because science becomes fun and easy to understand. At the same time, there is plenty to interest adults as well.
4. Visit the Ice Age Centre and See Mammoths
Located on the shores of Lake Saadjärv in Tartu County, the Ice Age Centre is perfect for families interested in nature, animals, history, and fascinating stories about how Estonia’s landscape was formed. Visit Estonia highlights the Ice Age Centre as an educational and family-friendly attraction worth visiting with children.
After visiting the museum, you can enjoy a walk along Lake Saadjärv or plan a family picnic nearby.
5. Attend Tallinn Maritime Days
Tallinn Maritime Days will take place from 10 to 12 July 2026. Activities will be held around the Old City Harbour, Seaplane Harbour, Noblessner, and other waterfront areas. According to Visit Tallinn, the event includes children's areas, market streets, fish markets, a design fair, visiting ships, and sea taxis.
This is an excellent option for families who want to spend a day in the city while enjoying a unique summer atmosphere.
6. Visit the Pärnu Hanseatic Days
Pärnu Hanseatic Days will take place from 3 to 5 July 2026 at Vallikäär in Pärnu. This medieval and heritage culture festival offers handicrafts, live music, food, and a historical atmosphere. The programme also includes activities for children, such as soft-sword battles.
If you're already planning a summer trip to Pärnu, the Hanseatic Days weekend can be a great opportunity to combine a beach holiday with cultural activities.
7. Enjoy Music at the Viljandi Folk Music Festival
The Viljandi Folk Music Festival will take place from 23 to 26 July 2026 in the Viljandi Castle Hills. The festival is ideal for families who enjoy music, a lively town atmosphere, and the feeling of a summer festival. If you're attending with children, it is worth choosing a day ticket and planning breaks, as festival days can be long and crowded.
Viljandi is also a wonderful summer destination even without the festival. The castle hills, lake, cafés, and charming small-town atmosphere make it an excellent place for a family holiday.
8. End the Summer in Haapsalu During White Lady Days
If you'd like to make the end of August extra special, head to Haapsalu. White Lady Days will take place from 28 to 30 August 2026 in Haapsalu’s Old Town, promenade, and Episcopal Castle. At the same time, an open-air performance based on the legend of the White Lady will be staged at the castle.
Haapsalu is perfect for a relaxing family getaway. Walks along the promenade, visits to the castle, cosy cafés, and the sea create a wonderful end-of-summer atmosphere.
9. Send Your Child to a Summer Camp
If it's not possible to spend the entire summer together as a family, a summer camp can be a great solution. The Lastega.ee portal gathers information about summer camps and activities across Estonia for the 2026 school holiday period, which runs from 10 June to 31 August 2026.
When choosing a camp, consider your child's interests. Would they prefer sports, creative activities, nature, robotics, dance, horse riding, or perhaps an adventure camp with overnight stays? The most popular camps fill up quickly, so it is best to make your choice as early as possible.
10. Plan Simple and Affordable Summer Activities
Not every summer activity has to be expensive. Sometimes a single well-planned day is enough. For example:
- a picnic by the sea or a lake;
- a cycling trip around your local area;
- an early morning bog hike;
- a day on an RMK hiking trail;
- a family camping night in the garden;
- a visit to a local museum or playground;
- a train trip to another town;
- an ice cream outing and a walk through the old town or along a promenade.
Visit Estonia recommends museums, hiking trails, beaches, spas, and family-friendly restaurants for family holidays in Estonia. A great summer day does not always require a long trip or a large budget.
How to Plan the Summer Holidays
The easiest approach is to divide the summer into smaller parts. For example, plan a visit to a theme park in June, a festival or seaside trip in July, and quieter outings plus back-to-school preparations in August. This helps avoid the feeling that everything must be done at once.
It is also worth considering your budget before making larger plans. Take into account ticket costs, transportation, food, accommodation, and smaller additional expenses. If you would like to organise a larger family trip during the summer but do not want to cover all the costs at once, you can explore various financing options through laen.ee.
