Talviloma on Pienten Helsinki

Helsinki's Islands: Uunisaari

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 23:34:57 +0200

Helsinki's Islands is a series of easy island destinations to visit with children. The series introduces favorites from the Little Helsinki background team around Helsinki. Uunisaari is a small rocky island in front of Kaivopuisto.

This article was first published in 2023.

Update November 2025:
A pontoon bridge for pedestrians will be installed again from Merisatama wharf to Northern
Uunisaari on Monday 17.11.2025 (the bridge will be in use by Monday at the latest at 2 PM) and will be removed on 15.4.2026.

Other parts of the Helsinki's Islands article series

Uunisaari in front of Kaivopuisto is an easily accessible excursion destination from autumn to spring (November-April), when a pontoon bridge runs from Merisatamanranta on Ehrenströmintie to Uunisaari. The walking bridge is removed around mid-April so that boat traffic from Kaivopuisto can pass by the island. During the summer season, Uunisaari is accessible a short boat ride away, and a shuttle service between the island and mainland charges a small fee for the journey. Visiting Uunisaari is also possible and worthwhile in summer, as the island has beautiful rocky shores perfect for picnicking, as well as a municipally maintained swimming beach. The beach also has some playground equipment for children, though its condition and quantity decrease year after year.

Small Finland: Five Activity Tips for Winter Break 2026

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:05:29 +0200

Five Activity Tips for Winter Break Week in Southern Finland

What to do or where to go with kids during winter break? Winter break week is celebrated in southern Finland during week eight. From Small Finland's tip map you can find over 1000 tips on where to go and what to visit when traveling with children around Finland, and many of the tips also work during the winter season. This article brings together five highlights of interesting events and activities for winter break week.

What is Small Finland anyway? You can read more about this domestic travel service created with community developers through this link!

Where to Go This Winter Break Week? February 16-22, 2026

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 23:08:15 +0200

Where to go with children in Helsinki? What kid-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki during winter break? Pienten Helsinki's weekly "Where to Go This Week" series searches for fun tips and recommends family-friendly events and activities in Helsinki and the surrounding area.

The cover image of this article shows the front of Cafe Regatta, where you can ride on a reindeer sleigh on the ice. Nearby are the Sibelius Park and the park's climbing-focused playground.

Winter Holiday in Helsinki and the Metropolitan Area 2026

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 21:18:32 +0200

What to do and where to go during winter break with children in Helsinki and the metropolitan area? Winter break or ski week is celebrated in South Finland schools in week eight, February 16-22, 2026. Move, go outdoors, have adventures, experience and discover - Helsinki and the surrounding area offer plenty to do during the holiday week. Small Helsinki activity tips for winter break have been compiled from the perspective of families with children.

Where to go this week? February 9-15, 2026

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 22:48:44 +0200

Where to go with children in Helsinki? What kid-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki this week? Pienten Helsinki's weekly "Where to Go" series finds tips and suggests family-friendly events and activities in Helsinki and the surrounding area.

In the article's cover image is the children's library bus Stoori on its route. You can find the schedules for the two children's library buses operating in Helsinki here.

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Small Finland - over 1000 reasons to travel with children in Finland!

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0200

What to do and where to go with children on holiday? Where is it worth stopping when traveling in Finland? Where can you find Finland's best playgrounds and most beautiful beaches? What about farm animal parks, easily accessible nature sites, or unforgettable experiences? What do other families recommend seeing and experiencing in Finland? You'll find answers to all these questions in Small Finland!

This article was first published in summer 2024.

Helsinki Playgrounds Open During Winter Break Week and Winter Break Programs

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0200

Helsinki City Winter Break Week at Playgrounds

During winter break 2026, 23 Helsinki city playgrounds will be open. The playgrounds offer diverse programs. Winter break 2026 is celebrated in South Finland schools from 16-20 February 2026.

The following Helsinki city playgrounds are open during winter break week:
(Information retrieved manually from the early childhood education director's decision document on 8 February 2026)

The link opens the page for that playground, where you can find the winter break week program.

Southern District
Loru Playground (Central Library Oodi, Helsinki City Centre)
Ruoholahti Playground (Ruoholahti)

Sledding Hills in Helsinki and the Greater Helsinki Area

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0200

Looking for a sledding hill? Weather permitting, the Helsinki region and surrounding areas have some wonderful places for sledding. Helsinki's only official sledding hill can be found at the Paloheinä outdoor recreation area, while evaluating other hills for sledding purposes is always the responsibility of the sledder. But what do you think is the best sledding hill in the greater Helsinki area? The favorite spot of the Little Helsinki team can be found in the stunning national landscapes of Porvoo!

A Christmas Adventure at the Winter Garden

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 22:47:14 +0200

This article was first published in December 2024.

Where can you find Helsinki's best picnic spot during the winter season? Warmth and light even during the dark times of year? Well, just north of Töölönlahti Bay, from the warmth of the Winter Garden beneath palm trees and banana plants! The Winter Garden is the city's hidden gem, and it's definitely worth visiting with children too!

The Winter Garden is always wonderful, and really perhaps one of Helsinki's most beautiful places. And since entry is free and it's almost always open (closed on Fridays when the plants and fish are tended to), it's easy to pop in multiple times or spend longer there. There's no café at the Winter Garden, so you can bring your own packed lunch, which you can enjoy at tables in the greenhouses while listening to the sound of the waterfall and admiring the garden's hundreds of plants. Kids especially love the carp swimming in the garden's pond and the large spiky cacti.

Ice skating at ice rinks

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 14:18:15 +0200

Where are public ice skating sessions held at ice rinks in the Helsinki metropolitan area during the 2025-2026 season?

Public ice skating sessions open to everyone are organized at ice rinks in Helsinki and the capital region. Pienten Helsinki brings together tips for public skating sessions at ice rinks in one article. Public skating sessions are free for visitors.

Article updated 8.2.2026. Note! Changes to the sessions!

Please note, however, that weekly changes are possible, so the latest information should ALWAYS be checked from the ice rink's booking calendar or by calling the ice rink.

Free Activities for Kids in Helsinki

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:03:39 +0200

What free activities are available for kids in Helsinki? Where can children get in for free and how can you enjoy a city vacation on a small budget in Helsinki? This article on free activities in Helsinki offers ideas from a child's perspective.

The article's cover image is from the Winter Garden.