Finnish Family Sauna – A Cherished Tradition Across Generations

Sauna is an essential part of Finnish culture, and for many, it is a cherished family tradition. Do families sauna together in Finland? Absolutely! The Finnish family sauna is a place where people of all ages come together to relax, share stories, and enjoy quality time. If you’re wondering how to enjoy sauna with kids, this guide will provide insights into Finnish sauna customs and how families incorporate sauna into their daily lives.

Do Families Sauna Together?

In Finland, it is a long-standing tradition for families to sauna together. Many families follow this routine weekly, often on Saturdays, though the frequency varies. For example, when spending time at a summer cottage, sauna becomes an integral part of daily life and a cherished way to relax.

Saunas are for everyone in the family, including children. In fact, the average Finnish child experiences their first sauna session at around six months old—though children’s sauna experiences differ significantly from those of adults, as explained later below.

Sauna as a Family Tradition

Finns learn sauna etiquette from their parents and grandparents, making the family sauna a means of passing down traditions. Each family has its unique sauna culture, which may include activities like using a birch whisk (vihta/vasta), rolling in the snow, cooking sauna sausages, taking ice baths, or simply enjoying good conversation. While some families sauna together for an extended period, others prefer shorter sessions.

Finnish Family Sauna as Part of Celebrations

Family sauna sessions are not just a weekly ritual but also play a role in Finnish celebrations and traditions. For example, sauna is an essential part of Christmas and Midsummer festivities.

Saunas are also part of wedding customs, including the bridal sauna, held on the eve of the wedding or during a bachelorette party. This tradition involves rituals, spells, and blessings to prepare the bride for marriage and protect her from bad spirits. Typically, the bride’s sisters, friends, and sometimes also female relatives participate in the bridal sauna ceremony.

How to Enjoy Sauna with Kids

Young children do not sit on the upper sauna benches, where temperatures can reach up to 100°C, as adults do. Children’s bodies regulate temperature less effectively than adults, so they heat up more quickly. Instead, they have their own way of enjoying the sauna. Often, a small plastic tub filled with water is placed on the sauna floor, allowing toddlers to sit and play safely under parental supervision. Older children, who can move independently and express their needs, may play in a tub or sit on the lowest bench and leave the sauna when needed. For the youngest children, sauna time essentially means simply being bathed in the sauna.

From an early age, children are taught to behave calmly in the sauna. They learn to be cautious around the hot stove and understand that running in the sauna is dangerous due to the slippery floor. Ensuring proper hydration is also crucial.

In Finland, it is common to see young children accompanying their parents in the sauna at public winter swimming locations, sometimes even taking a supervised dip in an ice hole.

Sauna as a Time for Family Bonding

For Finnish families, sauna is a moment of togetherness and relaxation. It provides a space for conversation, bonding, and unwinding without the distractions of smartphones and other digital devices. The dim and peaceful atmosphere makes discussions feel more natural than in other settings. Many Finnish families use sauna time to catch up, plan activities, or simply enjoy each other’s company.

Nudity in the Finnish Family Sauna

Finnish families typically sauna together nude. As children grow, sauna habits may change in some families, with men and women sometimes choosing to sauna separately.

Among young adults, it is common to gather at the family sauna or a cottage sauna to spend summer weekends together, and it is not unusual for people to be naked in the sauna even in such a group.

Due to the cultural importance of sauna, Finnish children learn from an early age to view nudity as a natural and everyday part of life, without any sexual connotations. Unlike in some cultures, nudity is not a big source of shame in Finland.

Sauna with family is much more than just a way to wash—it’s a key part of Finnish life, sauna culture, and family connection. Whether it’s a weekly tradition or a special part of celebrations, the Finnish family sauna remains a cherished and meaningful experience for all generations.