5 tips for taking a sauna with a child

Today’s post delves into the question: can taking a sauna with a child be a relaxing experience for the whole family? 

Having a sauna with a child – opportunity or threat? Well, it depends on the situation, the child and your mindset. It can be a great experience, or it can be a total disaster. 

And when a disaster strikes, it is not nice for anyone. Not for you or your child. 

I have tried to teach my child how to act in the sauna. He knows that you have to stay calm, speak in a soft voice, and that you should not make sudden movements or quarrel. 

I strongly believe that children learn by example. And children who are used to taking a sauna with their parents from an early age, are much more experienced and “well-behaved” than children who only take a sauna occasionally. 

I experienced this myself with my son’s cousin. He only takes a sauna few times a year. He is a bit livelier than my son anyway, but whilst he is in the sauna, he just cannot stay still at all. Last time, he was constantly going in and out of the sauna and got my son to join him in all sorts of unwanted behavior (things that can be harmful and lead to injuries). My son has never done anything like that before, so he was definitely influenced by his cousin. 

Restlessness and going in and out is probably familiar to everyone with small children. Children want to take a shower and then come back to the sauna. That, in my opinion, is perfectly normal and acceptable. A child’s body does not regulate heat like an adult’s does, so it is only natural that they need more breaks. 

Too many rules and restrictions take the fun out of anything, so instead of giving out rules, I decided to share my best tips on how to make taking a sauna a pleasant experience for you and your children. 

1. Songs 

In some Finnish families, singing in the sauna is a taboo. I think that if singing keeps a child calm and happy, then what is the harm in it? Especially steam-throwing songs are fun and very popular with my family and friends. 

I remember how my grandfather used to sing to us a one specific sauna song. It was a Finnish song, but you could use any song that you like. Here are some examples: 

Löylyä lissää

Saunavihdat

1. Lapsoset ketterät kotihaasta

koivusta oksat taittaa.

Noistapa nopsilla käsillänsä

saunahan vihdat laittaa.

:,: Lauteilla saunan kotoisen

taas illalla kylpy maittaa. :,:

2. Pehmyt on lapsista aina vihta,

äiti jos vihtomassa.

Lämpöinen löyly on kotisaunan,

toisin on vierahassa.

:, : Jospahan säilyis äidin lapset

kylmältä maailmassa.:,:

2. Playtime 

Playing in the sauna can sound a bit dangerous, but it is actually less scary than it sounds. Here are some fun games children love to play in the sauna: 

DONKEY 

You need a ball (maybe even a snowball) for this game. You gently pass the ball to someone in the sauna. If they drop the ball, they get a letter. When someone has all the letters of the word donkey, they are out. The person with least letters is the winner. 

Mommy Mouse cooks porridge 

This is a classic in Finland. It is a poem about a little family of mice. You take your child’s hand in yours and start the poem; first the mommy mouse stirs the porridge (you make small circles with your finger on the child’s palm), then she feed the babies (gently squeeze the fingers one at a time) and she stores the rest (the adult’s fingers run along the arm to child’s armpit and then gives the child a little tickle). You can start the poem again, this time leaving one finger out and continue until only thumb is left. 

Rock, paper, scissors 

A legendary game that works very well in the sauna. 

Simon says 

Here, of course, you have to be careful. You should stay seated whilst playing. Clapping your hands, clapping your thighs, closing of the eyes etc. are easy and safe options. 

3. Water games 

Who doesn’t love water games? Sauna is a great place for having a bit water fun (as long as there is a drain). 

Small children can have their bath in the sauna. Just sit them in a little bathtub or a wash basin and let them play.

Make sure you bring a: 

• Bucket 
• Scoop 
• Platter 
• Little Cup 
• And some toys 

Make sure you dry the sauna properly afterwards! 

4. Drawing 

If the sauna has a glass door, then you could let your child draw on the door. Steamed glass is the perfect for drawing with your finger. 

You can also draw for your child or try to guess what someone else is drawing. 

5.Word and letter games 

You can play many word games, especially with slightly older children. The time will just fly by. Here some of my favourites: 

My ship is loaded with… 

A classic game, you can play it in many different ways. 

No, yeah, grandpa’s pants 

This is a Finnish one. You ask three question (you can ask whatever you want). The answer to the first question is NO, then YES and then Vaarinhousut (granpa’s pants). It is really simple, but children seem to love it. 

Chinese whispers 

Someone comes up with a long message or a sentence. The sentence is whispered to the next person and who whispers it to the third person, and so on. The last person has to announce the message which is compared to original message. Usually, errors accumulate in the retellings which makes the game really fun. 

Remember that you can always come up with your own games, sky is the limit here! 

I hope these 5 tips for taking a sauna with children have been useful. You can and you should try taking a sauna with your child. Of course, always remember to supervise the situation and make sure children know that the sauna stove is hot. 

Have a great sauna! And don’t be not be nervous, with a little planning and imagination, taking a sauna can be a great family experience!