Pienten Helsinki
Where to go with children in Helsinki? What child-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki this week? Pienten Helsinki's weekly "Where to go this week" series searches for activity tips and recommends child-friendly events and activities in Helsinki and the surrounding area.
This article contains a commercial collaboration advertisement.
Article cover image: Saint Lucy's Day is celebrated on Saturday. Photo from a shop window display in Etu-Töölö from a few years ago.
Current topics right now
- Want more visibility for your event in Pienten Helsinki? Read more about the media package!
- Ice skating? The wish article about public skating times at ice rinks in the greater Helsinki area has been updated!
- Outdoor ice rinks are already open in Helsinki at Oulunkylä and Johanneksenkentän outdoor rinks, as well as Lauttasaari's outdoor ice rink. In Espoo, for example, Tapiola's ice garden is open. Current condition information for the rinks can be found at ulkoliikunta.fi mapping service.
- Bridge connection to Uunisaari has been opened and you can easily access the island for adventures again!
Read more in Pienten Helsinki's Uunisaari feature article! - Pienten Suomi - over 1000 reasons to explore with children in Finland!
- Lighthouse Keeper's Route in Suomenlinna 28.11.2025-29.1.2026. You can get the map for the Lighthouse Keeper's Route from Suomenlinna's visitor center, located near the HSL ferry dock in the pale pink Rantakasarmi building.
- MLL's Family House Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0-12. Read more on the family house's Facebook page!
- Schedule of MLL's family cafés can be found on MLL Uusimaa's website.
- All Pienten Helsinki's playground tips can be found via this link!
New! Haakoninlahdenpuisto playground in Kruunuvuorenranta and Säätytalon puistikon playground in Kruunuhaka have opened! - Museum tips can be read in Pienten Helsinki's museum feature article!
- You can also borrow museum passes to the Natural History Museum or entrance tickets to Korkeasaari from the library! From Viiki library you can borrow an entrance ticket to the Natural History Museum. From Kalasatama library you can borrow an entrance ticket to Korkeasaari Zoo.
- Porvoo: Children's Art Hall at Porvoo Art Hall in Taidetehdas premises from 12.9.2025-13.1.2026. Open according to Art Hall's opening hours. Free admission.
MONDAY 8.12.2025
Jean Sibelius Day
Events and
activity suggestions
- In the playroom Loru at central library Oodi on Monday:
- 11–11.30 Kukkuluuruu baby time
- 14–14.30 Kukkuluuruu baby time - Children's events at Helmet libraries can be found at Helmet's event page.
- Dance and Play workshop for toddlers (ages 1–3) and their parents at Caisa on Monday at 9.15 and 10.15. Free admission, space for 12 first arrivals.
- Dance piece BUBBLING UNDER at Oodi on Monday at 12 and 15. Free admission.
- Espoo: Piano Concert: Iiro Komulainen for all ages at Children's Cultural Center Aurora on Monday at 15. Free admission.
- Last week of autumn season!
Family Fun sessions offer preschool children and their parents a space to move together independently and free of charge. The activity is open to all and advance registration is not required.
Mondays: Family Fun sessions are held at:
- PNV sports center (Ohrahuhdantie 4) 12.30–14 from 1.9.–8.12.2025
-Malmi primary school (Talvelantie 1) 16.30–18 from 1.9.–8.12.2025(not 8.12.)
- Tapiola primary school (Veljestenpiha 2) 18-18.30 from 1.9.–8.12.2025 - St. Thomas's Market at Senate Square from 28.11.–22.12.2025. This year there's also a free carousel at the market! Free admission.
- Vantaa: Vantaa Christmas Market at Tikkurila square 6.-21.12.2025. There's also a carousel at Vantaa's Christmas market! Free admission.
- Helsinki's MUSEUMS open on Mondays include the Mark and Pippi Longstocking exhibition, Helsinki City Museum and Children's City, Tram Museum, TAHTO and Amos Rex. More museum tips for visiting with children can be found in Pienten Helsinki's museum feature article!
TUESDAY 9.12.2025
Events and
activity suggestions
- In the playroom Loru at central library Oodi on Tuesday:
- 10.30–11 Loru moves, gentle movement for parents with babies (0-9 months)
- 13–13.30 Loru rhyming, baby time session
- 15–15.30 In Ramse's warmth, music, rhymes and songs for babies - Children's events at Helmet libraries can be found at Helmet's event page.
- Last time this autumn! Metropolia's HyMy-village Family Group Metku at Myllypuro Metropolia UAS premises (next to metro station) on Tuesday 9-11. Each session also includes varying programs for families led by early childhood education, social services, health and culture students.
- Last time! Albert's Living Room Clinic Park at Kamppi family center on Tuesdays 9.30-12.
- Dance piece BUBBLING UNDER at Oodi on Tuesday at 12 and 18. Free admission.
- Art for toddlers workshop (Open Studio for Toddlers Workshops) at Caisa Cultural Center (Kaikukatu 4 B) on Tuesdays 13.30-15.30. Workshops are suitable for children aged 1.5–3 with their own adult. No advance registration required, free admission. You can participate for the whole time or just pop in.
- Espoo: Christmas wreath-making workshop at Children's Cultural Center Aurora on Tuesday 17-19. Free admission.
- Last week of autumn season! Family Fun sessions offer preschool children and their parents a space to move together independently and free of charge. The activity is open to all and advance registration is not required.
Tuesdays: Family Fun sessions are held at:
- Käpylä primary school (gym) (Mäkelänkatu 89) 17-18.30 from 2.9.–9.12.2025.
- Malminkartano primary school (Puustellintie 6) 17-18.30 from 2.9.–9.12.2025.
- Sakarinmäki primary school (Knutersintie 924) 17-18.30 from 2.9.–8.12.2025. - St. Thomas's Market at Senate Square from 28.11.–22.12.2025. This year there's also a free carousel at the market! Free admission.
WEDNESDAY 10.12.2025
Events and
activity suggestions
- In the playroom Loru at central library Oodi on Wednesday:
- Playroom Loru activities in the morning at the New Children's Hospital - no supervised activities at Oodi. - Children's events at Helmet libraries can be found at Helmet's event page.
- Albert's Living Room is closed for Christmas break until 19.1.2026.
- Fire Museum at Erottaja fire station is open on Wednesdays 12-16. Small admission fee.
- Espoo: Finland's Largest Miniature Railway is on display in Espoo's Tapiola, on the 1st floor of Länsituuli shopping center next to Ainoa shopping center. Open on Wednesdays and Fridays 14-18, Saturdays 11-17 and Sundays 12-16. Free admission.
- Espoo: Himmel workshop at Children's Cultural Center Aurora on Wednesday 17-19. Free admission.
- Last week of autumn season! Family Fun sessions offer preschool children and their parents a space to move together independently and free of charge. The activity is open to all and advance registration is not required.
Wednesdays: Family Fun sessions are held at:
- Merilahti primary school (Jaluspolku 3) 17-19 from 3.9.–10.12.2025 - St. Thomas's Market at Senate Square from 28.11.–22.12.2025. This year there's also a free carousel at the market! Free admission.
- Vantaa: Vantaa Christmas Market at Tikkurila square 6.-21.12.2025. There's also a carousel at Vantaa's Christmas market! Free admission.
Want more visibility for your event in Pienten Helsinki?
Read more about the media package!
THURSDAY 11.12.2025
Events and
activity suggestions
- In the playroom Loru at central library Oodi on Thursday:
- 10.30–11 Loru moves, exercise and dance for parents with babies
- 13–13.30 Loru songs, bilingual music session for all ages, fi-swe - Children's events at Helmet libraries can be found at Helmet's event page.
- Albert's Living Room is closed for Christmas break until 19.1.2026.
- Art for toddlers workshops (Open Studio for Toddlers Workshops) at Caisa Cultural Center (Kaikukatu 4 B) on Thursdays 10-12. Workshops are suitable for children aged 1.5–3 with their own adult. No advance registration required, free admission. You can participate for the whole time or just pop in.
- Ateneum's Free Day on Thursday 10-20.
- Espoo: Glittering ornament workshop at Children's Cultural Center Aurora on Thursday 17-19. Free admission.
- Last week of autumn season! Family Fun sessions offer preschool children and their parents a space to move together independently and free of charge. The activity is open to all and advance registration is not required.
Thursdays: Family Fun sessions are held at:
- Tali sports center football hall (Purotie 8) 9.30-11 from 4.9.–11.12.2025.
- Malminkartano primary school (Puustellintie 6) 16.30–18 and 18–19 (school-age) from 4.9.–11.12.2025.
- Kamppi sports center (Malminkatu 3) 17-18.30 from 4.9.–11.12.2025.
- Porolahti primary school (Roihuvuorentie 2) 17-18.30 from 4.9.–11.12.2025.
- Pukinmäenkari primary school (Kenttäkuja 12) 17-18.30 from 4.9.–11.12.2025. - St. Thomas's Market at Senate Square from 28.11.–22.12.2025. This year there's also a free carousel at the market! Free admission.
FRIDAY 12.12.2025
Events and
activity suggestions
- In the playroom Loru at central library Oodi on Friday:
- 10.30–11 Loru Waves, storytelling playtime for ages 2+
- 13–13.30 Loru songs, music session for all ages
- 14.30–15 Loru games, treasure hunt for ages 2+ - Children's events at Helmet libraries can be found at Helmet's event page.
- Albert's Living Room is closed for Christmas break until 19.1.2026.
- St. Thomas's Market at Senate Square from 28.11.–22.12.2025. This year there's also a free carousel at the market! Free admission.
- Vuotalo's Christmas Party on Friday 12-16. Free admission.
- Staffansby School third-graders' Lucia Procession performs in Malmitalo lobby on Friday at 14. Free admission.
- Espoo: Finland's Largest Miniature Railway is on display in Espoo's Tapiola, on the 1st floor of Länsituuli shopping center next to Ainoa shopping center. Open on Wednesdays and Fridays 14-18, Saturdays 11-17 and Sundays 12-16. Free admission.
- Espoo: String bird workshop at Children's Cultural Center Aurora on Friday 17-19. Free admission.
SATURDAY 13.12.2025
Saint Lucy's Day
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Events and
activity suggestions
- Children's events at Helmet libraries can be found at Helmet's event page.
- Winter toddler disco at Vuosaari library on Saturday at 10.30. - Espoo: Christmas stars workshop at Children's Cultural Center Aurora on Saturday 10-14. Free admission.
- Christmas event day at TAHTO on Saturday 10-17. Museum admission fee applies.
- Honeypot Market at Kallio's Karhupuisto on Saturday 11–14 and Sunday 11–15. Also featuring animals from Ali-Olli's alpaca farm. Free admission.
- Glass Palace district Christmas opening at Glass Palace square on Saturday 11-15. Lucia and the Lucia choir perform at the event at 11. Free admission.
- Espoo: Finland's Largest Miniature Railway is on display in Espoo's Tapiola, on the 1st floor of Länsituuli shopping center next to Ainoa shopping center. Open on Wednesdays and Fridays 14-18, Saturdays 11-17 and Sundays 12-16. Free admission.
- Christmas Path at Technology Museum on Saturday 11-18. Museum admission fee applies.
- Järvenpää: Vanhankylä Christmas Path event on Saturday and Sunday 13-17. Free admission.
- Little ones' Christmas songs led by Siinan and Taikaradio orchestra at Temppeliaukio church on Saturday at 14. Free admission.
- Finland's Lucia Coronation begins at the Cathedral at 17 and the public can also attend the festivities. Please note that seating in the cathedral is limited and you should arrive early. The coronation will also be live-streamed on YLE Areena.
Lucia descends the Cathedral steps around 18 and this year the procession starts from a new location: Lucia and her entourage walk through St. Thomas's Market at Senate Square and the Lucia float departs from the Aleksanterinkatu side of the square. The route of the Lucia Day procession then follows the traditional route: Aleksanterinkatu – Mannerheimintie – Pohjoisesplanadi – Unioninkatu – back to Senate Square. Free admission. - St. Thomas's Market at Senate Square from 28.11.–22.12.2025. This year there's also a free carousel at the market! Free admission.
- Vantaa: Vantaa Christmas Market at Tikkurila square 6.-21.12.2025. There's also a carousel at Vantaa's Christmas market! Free admission.
- Lauttasaari Christmas Path in the area around Lauttasaari church on Saturday 16–19. Free admission.
- Porvoo: Porvoo Christmas Path enlivens the city center with cheerful carousels and interesting vendors as well as experiences from 29.11.-21.12.2025. Open Wednesday to Sunday 11-19 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). Free admission.
- Porvoo: Children's Art Hall at Porvoo Art Hall in Taidetehdas premises from 12.9.2025-13.1.2026. Open according to Art Hall's opening hours. Free admission.
SUNDAY 14.12.2025
Events and
activity suggestions
Advertisement / Commercial collaboration with Verkkokauppa.com.
Great Toy Live on Verkkokauppa.com's social media on Sunday at 9.00
The whole family morning show is packed with Christmas hit gifts. Verkkokauppa's toy selection comes to life when this live broadcast tests and presents the most sought-after Christmas toys! During the broadcast you'll have a unique opportunity to shop from a dazzling wide selection of toys even at half price, and the screen will be filled with the favorites of good children and adults from Moomins to Hot Wheels, from plush toys to board games and smart toys to LEGO!
Join us as heartfelt Christmas elves Iina & Ville-Vesteri open surprise packages, compete in fun games and win amazing prizes for the gift sack – and for the first time there's also a hotline!
Read more on the event's Facebook page and click attend so you'll get a reminder before the event starts!
- Ice skating in October? The wish article about public skating times at ice rinks in the greater Helsinki area has been updated!
- Honeypot Market at Kallio's Karhupuisto on Saturday 11–14 and Sunday 11–15. Also featuring animals from Ali-Olli's alpaca farm. Free admission.
- Open art workshop: Build miniature objects under the guidance of visual artist Zagros Manuchar at Foru Box gallery on Sunday 11-14. Free admission.
- Christmas Park at Säätytalon park on Sunday 11-14. Program includes pony rides and sales of porridge, baked goods and hot drinks - as well as "Virttanen children's own chocolate" and cards drawn by children. Organized by Vironniemi kindergarten school children. Free admission.
- Espoo: WeeGee museum center's Christmas celebrations on Sunday 11-15.30. Programs at the exhibition spaces (EMMA art workshop and Mauri Kunnas meeting Father Christmas) are included in the museum ticket price, other activities free admission.
- Fire Museum at Erottaja fire station is open on Sundays 12-16. Small admission fee.
- Vantaa: Stone Age jewelry workshop at Vantaa Art Museum on Sunday 12-16. Free admission.
- Espoo: Finland's Largest Miniature Railway is on display in Espoo's Tapiola, on the 1st floor of Länsituuli shopping center next to Ainoa shopping center. Open on Wednesdays and Fridays 14-18, Saturdays 11-17 and Sundays 12-16. Free admission.
- Seurasaari Christmas Path on Sunday 12–17. Free admission.
- Järvenpää: Vanhankylä Christmas Path event on Saturday and Sunday 13-17. Free admission.
- Mr. Tossakainen's Remarkable Wardrobe at Museum Mark on Sunday 14-16. Don't forget the wonderful Pippi Longstocking exhibition too! Free admission.
- St. Thomas's Market at Senate Square from 28.11.–22.12.2025. This year there's also a free carousel at the market! Free admission.
- Vantaa: Vantaa Christmas Market at Tikkurila square 6.-21.12.2025. There's also a carousel at Vantaa's Christmas market! Free admission.
- Porvoo: Porvoo Christmas Path enlivens the city center with cheerful carousels and interesting vendors as well as experiences from 29.11.-21.12.2025. Open Wednesday to Sunday 11-19 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). Free admission.
- Porvoo: Children's Art Hall at Porvoo Art Hall in Taidetehdas premises from 12.9.2025-13.1.2026. Open according to Art Hall's opening hours. Free admission.
Pienten Suomi - over 1000 reasons to travel in Finland with children!
