Liikluslinn (Traffic City)

Tartu Toy Museum, situated in the Old Town of Tartu, takes adults back to the brighter days of their childhood and offers children plenty of interesting things to see and do.The permanent exhibition displays toys that Estonian children have played with throughout the years. Artist-made dolls, souvenir dolls of different nations, and Finno-Ugric traditional toys are also exhibited. Playrooms and workshops are also open. You can see puppets from Estonian puppet films and temporary exhibitions in the outbuilding. The museum also has a theatre building named ’Teatri kodu’ (The Home of Theatre) with a theatre hall, a museum of puppets, and a children’s studio.

In the summer of 2020, the Otepää Central Square and Flag Square dedicated to the Estonian tricolour got a new look. The Central Square is illustrated by Bruno Kadak's bronze sculpture – the fountain 'Fun Ott'.There is a well-known belief around the world that throwing a coin in a fountain brings happiness, but when coming to the Otepää fountain, you have to scratch the bear's rear paw.The Flag Square has one of the highest flagpoles in Estonia. Next to the Estonian flagstaff are pavilions and information stands telling the story of the flag. The community garden with a children's playground offers leisure opportunities for both adults and children.Come to Otepää!

AHHAA is family-friendly, with activities for both young and old science enthusiasts. At AHHAA, science comes to life, and the joy of discovery never ends. Interactive exhibitions, engaging science shows and workshops, and exciting planetarium sessions take you to the heart of science and technology. Our guided tours open doors that you might not otherwise notice. We believe that science is a driving force in the world. Our goal is to spark curiosity, inspire thinking, and encourage you to ask why and how. Come to the AHHAA Science Centre in Tartu to get your hands on science and see the world from a new perspective.

The Kodavere Heritage Center in Tartu County breathes new life into the historical Pala Town Hall, which has been the heart of the local community for years. The center showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Peipsi region and is a place where old stories, languages, and traditions are revitalized. Visitors can gain a comprehensive overview of the history of Kodavere parish municipalities and town halls, and view the intriguing photo exhibition "People of Kodavere Parish in Oskar Tõrva's Glass Negatives," which reveals the everyday and festive life of rural areas a century ago. Additionally, they can admire the handicraft exhibition "Kodavere Kupuliud," highlighting the skills of local craftsmen and folk aesthetics. A separate display is dedicated to the Kodavere dialect, an essential part of the region's identity. The center also features a memorial room for poet Anna Haava and an exhibit "Song Festivals in Pala 100 Years Ago." Guided tours and heritage culture workshops are offered by reservation, suitable for both school groups and adults.

The Estonian Road Museum showcases the development of roads and traffic in Estonia, from the horse era to the present day. Exciting thematic events are organized here, educational guided tours are offered, and rooms are rented for seminars and celebrations. The heart of the museum is the historic Varbuse horse post station, which, together with the outdoor exhibition environment Teeaeg, forms a unique look at history. The Machine Hall is the museum's technical park and interactive traffic education center. It also houses a rotating car and the Estonian Road Museum's traffic safety simulator, which offers an immersive experience and a clear understanding of how seat belts save lives. The standout features of the outdoor areas are the historic road room, where you can seemingly travel back in time, and the recreation area with a traffic city, which offers activities for the whole family, especially during the summer season. Temporary exhibitions are held in the main building of the post station, and the second floor houses a children's museum created specifically for younger visitors.

Põltsamaa Castle has been an important site throughout the centuries and carries a distinguished history – founded in 1272 on the riverbank, it was the residence of Magnus, the King of Livonia, and later evolved into a magnificent Rococo palace. Wars and fires left the castle in ruins, but now it has come back to life and is waiting for you to visit! Today, the castle offers visitors plenty of excitement. First and foremost, it is worth climbing to the viewing platform of the seven-story castle tower, where a captivating view of the city unfolds in every season. The tower is crowned by a restored historical dome, which is unique in all of Estonia. The church, located within the complex, is built directly into the castle's fortification walls and tower, and is open daily during the summer. The convent and gatehouse feature a modern exhibition that tells the colorful story of the castle and the town of Põltsamaa. In the castle courtyard, craft workshops await, where you can watch the work of masters or purchase something interesting yourself. Culinary experiences are offered by the restaurant Oberpahlen, where history and excellent food come together. Discover Põltsamaa Castle – a place where history comes to life!

There is a unique children’s museum on the first floor of the Varbuse post station of the Road Museum. Children have the whole floor to themselves for having fun. Here, you will find exciting reading, educational games and activities, a puppet theatre, and the Chamber of Secrets which introduces fairy tales.There is an animal called Ajaloom (Time Animal) living in the children’s museum who is excited to meet his new friends to explore together what time is. The children’s floor is perfect for organising birthdays: it can accommodate up to 20 guests.

Theatre House, situated in Tartu Old Town, is a theatre inspired by a museum, forming a part of the Tartu Toy Museum. The Theatre House takes its inspiration from our childhood, the games we played, the dreams we had, and the fantasies we brought to life. The Theatre House stages plays, but you can also put on your own show, play games, make handicrafts, and discover what goes on behind the scenes in the theatre world. There is a children’s studio on the first floor, in which children’s groups can take part in theatre-themed programmes. Visitors find a museum, an automated puppet theatre, and several exciting theatre-themed exhibitions in the basement level.