Snowy childhood – an exhibition and interactive section for children

The Snowy Childhood exhibition invited both children and adults to experience snow play traditions. The exhibition combined research of snow play tradition with the Ski Museum’s activity-inspiring environment. The exhibition also portrayed wild animals in their winter coats. 

History of snow play tradition 

Helsinki University’s Folklore Department has collected research data on snow play traditions. Finns have shared their stories about childhood snow games, such as building snow castles, having snowball fights, making snow lanterns, snow men and snow animals – and, naturally, making snow angels on the ground. 

Children had the opportunity to play games, draw and solve problems. The exhibition included four routes planned for different age groups, with questions along the way concerning wild animals in winter. The right answers were provided after finishing the route.  The age groups were: under school-age, 1st–2nd-graders, 3rd–4th-graders and 5th–6th-graders. 

The activity section: A snow castle with a slide down. Elements for building a snow castle, a theatre stage and a wardrobe for dressing up as a snowman, snow king or snow princess.