1 June 2026, Ranua Zoo
Thanks to the initiative of the Association of Poles in Northern Finland and the dedication of our wonderful volunteers, Anastazja and Ewa, Polish children living in the Oulu region had the opportunity to celebrate Children’s Day in a truly special way. This year, we took them on a full-day trip to Ranua Zoo, one of Finland’s most well-known wildlife parks.
The excursion was completely free of charge for all participants thanks to the financial support of the City of Oulu, for which we are sincerely grateful.
Although the weather was far from ideal and rain accompanied us for most of the day, everyone’s spirits remained high from the very beginning. Despite the early start, all participants arrived full of enthusiasm and eagerly boarded the bus for our journey. To make the trip more enjoyable, the children completed a specially prepared animal-themed word search featuring species living at Ranua Zoo and took part in games and conversations.
Once at the zoo, many exciting attractions awaited us. The children observed the animals with great interest and learned fascinating facts about their lives and habits. Unsurprisingly, the polar bear—the symbol of Ranua Zoo—attracted the most attention and excitement. We also had the opportunity to see moose, wolves, lynxes, and beavers, which were resting together in their shelter.
After a shared lunch, it was time for creative activities. The children completed worksheets related to the animals they had seen and reflected on their experiences from the trip. There was also a sweet treat waiting for everyone—ice cream and hot cocoa, which tasted especially good on a cool, rainy day.
Despite the challenging weather conditions, the trip was filled with smiles, laughter, and a joyful atmosphere throughout the day. We were especially pleased to see the children eagerly interacting with one another and speaking Polish, building new friendships while strengthening their connection to the language and culture of their families.
It was a truly memorable Children’s Day, full of adventures, shared experiences, and wonderful memories. We are already looking forward to our next trip together!
