Turku’s leisure-time survey received nearly 8,300 responses from parents and guardians of children and young people aged 16–20. Time together, independent activities and physical activity are central, while organised hobbies are common but participation declines with age.
The survey, conducted in spring 2026, received 717 responses from parents and guardians of children of pre-primary education age and 5,049 responses from parents and guardians of children and young people of basic education age. In addition, 2,503 young people aged 16–20 responded to the survey.
– The wide range of leisure activities available in Turku provides diverse opportunities for hobbies. Listening to children, young people and their parents and guardians is important when developing the activities available. The survey supplements our knowledge about how children and young people spend their leisure time, their hobbies and their physical activity, says Director of Sports Services Markus Kalmari.
Spending time with friends, consuming media content, gaming, creative activities and reading, as well as independent physical activity, feature prominently in the different age groups. According to the responses, alongside organised hobbies, children and young people also need space for independent activities and opportunities to spend time together.
– It is important that children and young people find enjoyable ways to spend their leisure time. A diverse range of hobbies and leisure activities, physically active days in daycare and at school, and support for participation in organised hobbies strengthen well-being, inclusion and equality, says Director of Children and Young People’s Services Anu Parantainen.
Participation in organised hobbies decreases with age – many would like to take part
According to the parents and guardians who responded to the survey, 74% of children of pre-primary education age regularly participate in an organised hobby, while the corresponding figure for children and young people of basic education age is 81%. Participation increases up to the fourth grade, but by the ninth grade, only 65% participate in organised hobbies. Although only 42% of the 16–20-year-olds who responded take part in an organised hobby, 66% engage in independent physical activity at least a few times a week.
Of children of pre-primary education age, 26% do not participate in an organised hobby, compared with 19% of children and young people of basic education age. However, many of them would like to: 66% of children of pre-primary education age and 48% of those of basic education age. This is particularly pronounced among children and young people who speak a language other than Finland’s national languages. Of the 16–20-year-olds, 58% do not participate in an organised hobby, but 34% of this group would like to have a regular hobby. Based on the responses, there are therefore more than 900 children and young people across the different age groups who would like to take up a hobby.
The most common barriers to participating in organised hobbies were the lack of a suitable hobby or group, limited interest on the part of the child or young person, and the demands of everyday life. Costs were also mentioned by respondents who did not participate in an organised hobby.
– The City supports participation in organised hobbies through the Boostii benefit, which is available annually to every Turku resident aged 7–19. In addition, the Finnish Model for Leisure Activities in Turku offers opportunities to participate in free hobby activities in connection with the school day. The aim is for an increasing number of children and young people to find a hobby that is easy to participate in, says Sports Services Manager Esko Halonen.
According to the survey, 80% of children of pre-primary education age and 66% of children and young people of basic education age also engage in independent physical activity with friends or family at least a few times a week. In addition, 69% of children and young people of basic education age walk or cycle to school at least a few times a week.
City strengthens diverse leisure opportunities
The results show that participation in organised hobbies varies not only by age but also according to factors such as the family’s financial situation and the language spoken at home. Regular participation in organised hobbies is less common in single-parent households than in households with two parents or guardians. Regional differences are particularly evident in organised hobbies, everyday physical activity and participation in clubs and activities organised in connection with the school day.
The City of Turku supports children, young people and families in finding hobbies and continuing to participate in them. In addition to financial support, attractive activities, suitable groups and opportunities that can be fitted into everyday life are needed. The City will continue to provide young people with flexible opportunities for independent activities and spending time together.
– We will use the survey results to plan activities in different areas and target the activities available where the need is greatest. At the same time, we will remove barriers to participation in hobbies and develop new ways to take part in activities and spend leisure time, says Development Manager Annakaisa Niiles.
The survey on children’s and young people’s leisure time is conducted every four years.