What animals live in Estonia?

Estonia has some wonderful wildlife roaming its forests and wetlands! Brown bears lumber through the thick woodlands, wolves and lynx hunt quietly through the trees, and wild boar root around in the undergrowth. In the sky and along the coast, white-tailed eagles — one of the largest eagles in the world — soar over the Baltic Sea. Estonia's bogs and marshes are especially rich with life. Moose (called elk in Europe) wade through shallow waters, and during spring migrations, thousands of birds stop over in Estonia on their way across the continent. Ringed seals pop up along the rocky shores of the islands too. God packed a lot of variety into this small northern country! And just as He cares for every creature in those forests, He cares even more for the people of Estonia — many of whom have not yet heard the good news about Jesus.

What do kids eat in Estonia?

Estonian kids eat some really hearty, satisfying food! A favorite is black rye bread — it's dark, dense, and a little tangy, and Estonians eat it with almost every meal. You might also find creamy potato dishes, smoked fish, and a thick soup called 'supp' on the table. For something sweet, Estonian kids enjoy 'kohuke' — a small snack bar made of soft curd cheese coated in chocolate. In summer, wild berries like blueberries and strawberries are picked fresh and eaten by the handful. It's the kind of simple, down-to-earth food that fuels kids whether they're exploring forests or heading to school.

How do people say hello in Estonia?

In Estonia, the most common way to say hello is 'Tere!' (say it like 'TEH-reh'). It is simple, friendly, and Estonians use it all the time — whether greeting a neighbor or walking into a shop. If you want to be a little more formal, you can say 'Tere hommikust' for good morning or 'Tere õhtust' for good evening. Estonian is a unique language — it is related to Finnish, not to Russian or German, even though Estonia is surrounded by countries that speak those languages. Learning even one word like 'Tere' can open a door to friendship with an Estonian person.

What sports or games do kids play in Estonia?

Estonian kids love many of the same sports you might know — football (which most of the world calls soccer), basketball, and volleyball are all popular. But Estonia also has its own traditional games, like a bat-and-ball game called 'pesapall,' which is a bit like baseball but with its own Estonian twist. Winter in Estonia is cold and snowy, so skiing and ice skating are big favorites when the ground freezes over. Estonia is also known for being strong in athletics and weightlifting — the country has even produced Olympic champions! Kids there grow up proud of those traditions, cheering on their athletes with a lot of heart.

What's the weather like in Estonia?

Estonia sits up in northern Europe, not far from the Arctic Circle, so the weather there is quite different from much of the world. Winters are long and cold, with lots of snow and ice — temperatures can drop well below freezing, and the sun sets very early, sometimes as soon as 3 in the afternoon! Summers in Estonia are short but surprisingly warm and bright. In fact, during midsummer the sky barely gets dark at night — people call this 'white nights.' The forests fill with wildflowers, and Estonians love to spend time outdoors during those precious warm months. It is a land of real seasons, each one very different from the last.

Tell me a fun fact about Estonia.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Estonia is one of the most forested countries in all of Europe — about half the land is covered in pine and birch trees, and people there love spending time outdoors picking wild mushrooms and berries. It is a small country on the Baltic Sea, about the size of the state of Tennessee, but it has a big story. Here is something that might surprise you: Estonia was one of the first countries in the world to let people vote over the internet, way back in 2005. Estonians are known for being quiet and thoughtful — they even have a saying that silence is golden. But the best news is that the gospel of Jesus is not silent there, and Estonian believers meet together in churches to worship the God who made those beautiful forests and that Baltic coastline.

What is school like for kids in Estonia?

Herman here, with Rusty peering over my shoulder at the map! Estonian kids start school around age 7, and they take their studies seriously — Estonia is actually known for having some of the best-educated children in all of Europe. Classes are taught in Estonian, which is a tricky language with lots of long words, though some schools near the Russian border teach in Russian too. Rusty wants to add that Estonian kids often learn English and other languages starting at a young age, and many of them become quite good at it. School days include subjects like math, history, and art, just like you might expect. One thing that makes Estonia stand out is how much technology they use — kids there have been learning computer skills in school for decades. What really matters, though, is that some Estonian children are hearing the gospel and growing up knowing Jesus, while many others still need someone to tell them about Him.

Who are the unreached people in Estonia?

Estonia is a small country on the Baltic Sea in northern Europe, and while some people there know about Jesus, many do not really follow Him. The largest group of unreached people in Estonia are ethnic Russians — many families moved there during the Soviet era and today still speak Russian at home. Most of them grew up with either Russian Orthodox religion (which has some Christian words but often misses the true gospel) or no faith at all. There are also many ethnic Estonians who are secular — meaning they live as if God simply does not exist. After decades of Soviet rule, which tried hard to stamp out faith, a lot of people in Estonia grew up never hearing clearly that Jesus died for their sins and rose again. That is why missionaries and local believers there work hard to share that good news, and why your prayers matter — that Estonian and Russian families alike would hear about Jesus and trust Him as their Savior.

How can I pray for the people of Estonia?

Estonia is a small country in northern Europe on the Baltic Sea, and most people there do not follow Jesus. In fact, Estonia is one of the least religious countries in the world — many Estonians have grown up not thinking much about God at all. So one of the best things you can pray is that God would open their hearts to hear the good news about Jesus. You can also pray for the small but faithful churches in Estonia, that they would grow strong and bold in sharing the gospel with their neighbors. Pray for missionaries who are working there, that God gives them courage and open doors. And ask God to raise up Estonian men and women who will become church leaders and take the message of Jesus to their own people — because sometimes the best messengers are the ones who already know the language and the land.

What is a holiday or celebration in Estonia?

One of Estonia's most beloved celebrations is Jaanipäev, or Midsummer Night, on June 23rd and 24th. Families and friends gather in the countryside, light enormous bonfires, sing folk songs, and stay up almost all night — because in summer, Estonia barely gets dark at all! It is one of the biggest nights of the year for Estonians. Estonia also celebrates Song and Dance Festivals, where thousands of singers come together in a giant outdoor stage and perform Estonian folk songs all at once. These festivals have been going on for over 150 years. Herman and Rusty think it is something to imagine — thousands of voices filling the air together. While many Estonians celebrate these traditions, most do not yet know Jesus personally, which is one reason missionaries are so important there. You could pray that Estonian families who gather for these celebrations would one day hear the good news about Jesus and trust Him as their Savior.

What language do people speak in Estonia?

People in Estonia speak Estonian, which is one of the more unusual languages in Europe. It is related to Finnish, and both languages sound quite different from most other European languages like German or French. Estonian has some tricky features — for example, the same word can mean different things depending on how long you hold a vowel sound when you say it! The good news is that the whole Bible has been translated into Estonian, which means people there can read about Jesus in their own heart language.

What's a famous place to visit in Estonia?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! One of the most famous places in Estonia is Tallinn's Old Town — a walled city that has stood for hundreds of years. When you walk through its stone gates and cobblestone streets, it feels like stepping back into medieval times. Rusty loves the part where you can climb Toompea Hill and look out over the red rooftops and the Baltic Sea in the distance. The old church towers rising above the city remind us that for centuries, people there have heard about God — and today, missionaries and Estonian believers are working hard so even more people will truly know Jesus.

Estonia — Kids Missions Explorer

Barn Swallow

Estonia's national bird, the barn swallow, returns every spring from Africa and has been a symbol of home and good fortune for Estonian farmers for centuries.

European Lynx

The lynx is one of Estonia's most secretive hunters, padding silently through the forest on its wide, snowshoe-like paws to stalk deer and hares in winter.

Black Rye Bread

Dense, dark, and slightly sour, Estonian rye bread is eaten at almost every meal and Estonians consider it a serious part of their identity, not just a side dish.

Verivorst

These traditional blood sausages are made with barley and pork, roasted until the skin crackles, and are especially beloved at Christmas time with lingonberry jam.

Kama

Kama is a uniquely Estonian powder made from roasted grains that gets stirred into yogurt or buttermilk for a nutty, earthy snack that Estonians have eaten for generations.

Estonia

Things you should know about Estonia

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Estonia

Missions in Estonia

Pray for Estonia