Pienten Helsinki
What child-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki? Where to go with kids on weekends or summer holidays? What to do on a rainy day? Pienten Helsinki's weekly series searches for activity tips and recommends child-friendly places in Helsinki and surrounding areas. In addition to events, summer tips include ideas for spending vacation days. The site's target audience is families with pre-school-aged children.
Where to go this week -article continues to be published with a slightly modified concept. The article lists highlights of the week's events and the week's most interesting activity tips. It also includes highlights from Pienten Helsinki articles and news. The site's future is open, but we'll continue with this concept until the end of July.
New in Pienten Helsinki: Home by evening – day trips with kids: Espoo. The article takes you to at least the shade of large trees, nature adventures, sandy beaches, and playgrounds.
#pientenhelsinki
Did you explore an interesting place? It would be wonderful if you'd use the hashtag #pientenhelsinki when sharing photos, so the pictures would be a joy and inspiration to other adventurers. As thanks, I promise to treat you to hot drinks at one of Helsinki's classic events held in our neighborhood this fall 😉
City paths for families
Pienten Helsinki will publish a new type of city tourism concept in the coming months, as hospitality student Heidi Säynätkari creates city paths for families to several neighborhoods in Helsinki as her final project. The publication of Family City Paths has been delayed due to server issues, and the paths will be published as soon as possible!
MONDAY 22.7.2019
Things happening in libraries
Story time and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Monday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Things happening in playgrounds
Monday's playground meal is archipelago soup with char (M, G, N, S, K). Helsinki offers free lunch to all children and young people under 16 at playgrounds on weekdays at 12 o'clock until early August. Remember to bring your own plate, utensils, and a drink.
Playground events can also be found in Helsinki's city event calendar. Monday's events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Children's Traffic City summer. Check out the summer schedule in detail on the traffic city website.
Fallkulla farm animals is open during the summer season daily 10 am-3 pm. Free entry.
Espoo: Auroras' courtyard at Children's Culture Center will feature Art Symphony Monday to Thursday 10 am-1 pm, a mix of the joy of art and color symphony! Daily changing art workshops include music, movement, crafts, and the joy of colors. More information on Aurora's website.
Also remember: Aurora's Summer Yard self-service craft workshop Monday to Friday 3.6.-1.8.2019 at the Children's Culture Center Aurora courtyard. More information on Aurora's website.
Pop-up Heureka science show in the Music House's Main Hall on Monday at 11 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm. The science show is suitable for all ages and admission is free. More information and show times on the Music House website.
Tuusula: Tuusula Day is celebrated on Monday with a varied program for the whole family. More detailed information on the event website.
Free summer concerts at the Music House throughout the summer, more information on the Music House website.
Aarne Alligator & Jungle Drum perform on Linnanmäki's stage on Monday at 3 pm and 5 pm. Admission to the concert and amusement park area is free. More information on Linnanmäki's website.
Summer theater with kids? Pienten Helsinki's tips for summer theater can be found here.
Tuusula: Tuusula Week is celebrated during the last week of July.
Museums open on Mondays include the National Museum (summer season), Helsinki City Museum and Children's City, Amos Rex, Päivälehti Museum, and Haltia Nature Center in Espoo (summer season).
TUESDAY 23.7.2019
Things happening in libraries
Story time and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Tuesday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Things happening in playgrounds
Tuesday's playground meal is broiler sausage pasta (M, G, N, S, K). Helsinki offers free lunch to all children and young people under 16 at playgrounds on weekdays at 12 o'clock until early August. Remember to bring your own plate, utensils, and a drink.
Playground events can also be found in Helsinki's city event calendar. Tuesday's events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Children's Traffic City summer. Check out the summer schedule in detail on the traffic city website.
Fallkulla farm animals is open during the summer season daily 10 am-3 pm. Free entry.
Espoo: Auroras' courtyard at Children's Culture Center will feature Art Symphony Monday to Thursday 10 am-1 pm, a mix of the joy of art and color symphony! Daily changing art workshops include music, movement, crafts, and the joy of colors. More information on Aurora's website.
Also remember: Aurora's Summer Yard self-service craft workshop Monday to Friday 3.6.-1.8.2019 at the Children's Culture Center Aurora courtyard. More information on Aurora's website.
Mustasaari on Seurasaari Island is open Tuesday to Sunday until 11.8.2019. Come early, as it gets busy on hot days! Read more about Pienten Helsinki's summer day at Mustasaari.
Kerava: July family Tuesdays at Art and Museum Center Sinkka in Kerava on Tuesdays 11 am-4 pm. Free entry for children, adults pay museum admission (6 € / 4 €). More information on Sinkka's website.
Pop-up Heureka science show in the Music House's Main Hall on Tuesday at 11 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm. The science show is suitable for all ages and admission is free. More information and show times on the Music House website.
Free summer concerts at the Music House throughout the summer, more information on the Music House website.
Mimi and Kuku perform at Linnanmäki's Rollan cabin on Tuesday at 2 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm. Admission to the performance and amusement park area is free. More information on Linnanmäki's website.
Summer theater with kids? Pienten Helsinki's tips for summer theater can be found here.
Vantaa: Free pasture visits to Katrinebergi Manor's farm are held on Tuesdays and Fridays 5-6 pm. More information on Vantaa city website.
City dances on Annantalo's A stage on Tuesday at 5:30 pm. Read more on Annantalo's website.
Tuusula: Tuusula Week is celebrated during the last week of July.
WEDNESDAY 24.7.2019
Things happening in libraries
Story time and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Wednesday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Things happening in playgrounds
Wednesday's playground meal is ground meat stew (M, G, S, K) and fruit juice stew (M, G, K, VEG). Helsinki offers free lunch to all children and young people under 16 at playgrounds on weekdays at 12 o'clock until early August. Remember to bring your own plate, utensils, and a drink.
Playground events can also be found in Helsinki's city event calendar. Wednesday's events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Mustasaari on Seurasaari Island is open Tuesday to Sunday until 11.8.2019. Come early, as it gets busy on hot days! Read more about Pienten Helsinki's summer day at Mustasaari.
A community garden is being set up in Annantalo's yard in 2019, Helsinki's funniest, and on Wednesdays the program includes open gardening work sessions 10 am-2 pm.
Children's Traffic City summer. Check out the summer schedule in detail on the traffic city website.
Fallkulla farm animals is open during the summer season daily 10 am-3 pm. Free entry.
Espoo: Auroras' courtyard at Children's Culture Center will feature Art Symphony Monday to Thursday 10 am-1 pm, a mix of the joy of art and color symphony! Daily changing art workshops include music, movement, crafts, and the joy of colors. More information on Aurora's website.
Also remember: Aurora's Summer Yard self-service craft workshop Monday to Friday 3.6.-1.8.2019 at the Children's Culture Center Aurora courtyard. More information on Aurora's website.
Pop-up Heureka science show in the Music House's Main Hall on Wednesday at 11 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm. The science show is suitable for all ages and admission is free. More information and show times on the Music House website.
Free summer concerts at the Music House throughout the summer, more information on the Music House website.
Mimi and Kuku perform at Linnanmäki's Rollan cabin on Wednesday at 2 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm. Admission to the performance and amusement park area is free. More information on Linnanmäki's website.
Summer theater with kids? Pienten Helsinki's tips for summer theater can be found here.
Espoo: Glims manor museum's 4H farm pasture visits on Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 pm. Read more on the manor museum's website. Admission to Glims is free during pasture visits.
You can climb the National Museum's tower on summer Wednesdays 4-6 pm. A ticket to the tower tour costs 5 € and can be purchased at the ticket office on Wednesdays (no advance sales). More information on the museum's website.
Flea market! Evening flea market pop-up Cleaning Day Goes Karhupuisto in Kallio on Wednesday 5-8 pm. Read more on the event's Facebook page.
Tuusula: Tuusula Week is celebrated during the last week of July.
THURSDAY 25.7.2019
Things happening in libraries
Story time and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Thursday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Things happening in playgrounds
Thursday's playground meal is potato and leek soup (L, G, K) Helsinki offers free lunch to all children and young people under 16 at playgrounds on weekdays at 12 o'clock until early August. Remember to bring your own plate, utensils, and a drink.
Playground events can also be found in Helsinki's city event calendar. Thursday's events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Children's Traffic City summer. Check out the summer schedule in detail on the traffic city website.
Summer theater with kids? Pienten Helsinki's tips for summer theater can be found here.
Espoo: Auroras' courtyard at Children's Culture Center will feature Art Symphony Monday to Thursday 10 am-1 pm, a mix of the joy of art and color symphony! Daily changing art workshops include music, movement, crafts, and the joy of colors. More information on Aurora's website.
Also remember: Aurora's Summer Yard self-service craft workshop Monday to Friday 3.6.-1.8.2019 at the Children's Culture Center Aurora courtyard. More information on Aurora's website.
Fallkulla farm animals is open during the summer season daily 10 am-3 pm. Free entry.
A.stage's Taskari on Thursday at 10:45 am. Taskari is a dance version of a music class and admission is free. A.stage is located behind Annantalo and Taskari is danced outdoors under a canopy, so dress according to the weather. More information on Annantalo's website.
Mustasaari on Seurasaari Island is open Tuesday to Sunday until 11.8.2019. Come early, as it gets busy on hot days! Read more about Pienten Helsinki's summer day at Mustasaari.
Pop-up Heureka science show in the Music House's Main Hall on Thursday at 11 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm. The science show is suitable for all ages and admission is free. More information and show times on the Music House website.
Free summer concerts at the Music House throughout the summer, more information on the Music House website.
Espoo: Glims manor museum's 4H farm pasture visits continue on Thursdays 3:30-4:30 pm. Read more on the manor museum's website. Admission to Glims is free during pasture visits.
Tuusula: Tuusula Week is celebrated during the last week of July.
FRIDAY 26.7.2019
Things happening in libraries
Story time and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Friday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Things happening in playgrounds
Friday's playground meal is chicken and vegetable pasta bake (M, N, S, K). Helsinki offers free lunch to all children and young people under 16 at playgrounds on weekdays at 12 o'clock until early August. Remember to bring your own plate, utensils, and a drink.
Playground events can also be found in Helsinki's city event calendar. Friday's events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Children's Traffic City summer. Check out the summer schedule in detail on the traffic city website.
Fallkulla farm animals is open during the summer season daily 10 am-3 pm. Free entry.
Mustasaari on Seurasaari Island is open Tuesday to Sunday until 11.8.2019. Come early, as it gets busy on hot days! Read more about Pienten Helsinki's summer day at Mustasaari.
Pop-up Heureka science show in the Music House's Main Hall on Friday at 11 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm. The science show is suitable for all ages and admission is free. More information and show times on the Music House website.
Free summer concerts at the Music House throughout the summer, more information on the Music House website.
Guard parade procession departs at 12:30 pm from Senate Square, marching through Market Square to the main guard, and from there back along Esplanade to Barracks Square. This week after the guard parade, NO concert is held on Espa stage. The guard parade is led by the Finnish Armed Forces conscript band on the last Friday of July. More information on the Armed Forces website.
Espoo: Summer yard self-service craft workshop Monday to Friday 3.6.-1.8.2019 at the Pikku-Aurora Children's Culture Center courtyard. More information on Aurora's website.
Vantaa: Free pasture visits to Katrinebergi Manor's farm are held on Tuesdays and Fridays 5-6 pm. More information on Vantaa city website.
Summer theater with kids? Pienten Helsinki's tips for summer theater can be found here.
Kotka: Children's Sea Days 26.-28.7.2019. Read more about the children's program at Sea Days on the event website.
Tuusula: Tuusula Week is celebrated during the last week of July.
SATURDAY 27.7.2019
Things happening in libraries
Helmet libraries summer hours.
Story time and children's events are closed on summer Saturdays.
Events and activity tips
Fallkulla farm animals is open during the summer season daily 10 am-3 pm. Free entry.
Jump aboard the museum tram from the corner of Market Square, near the Havis Amanda statue, 10 am-5 pm. Tickets 6 €, children under 2 travel free in laps. Read more on the museum tram website.
Pekka Töpöhäntä's birthday is celebrated at Päivälehti Museum on Saturday starting at 11 am. Free entry. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Also check out Pekka Töpöhäntä at Päivälehti Museum's new exhibition! Museum is open Saturdays 11 am-5 pm.
Mustasaari on Seurasaari Island is open Tuesday to Sunday until 11.8.2019. Come early, as it gets busy on hot days! Read more about Pienten Helsinki's summer day at Mustasaari.
Baroque Picnic at Alppipuisto on Saturday 1-6 pm. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Haltia farm is practically always open and the animals spend the summer on outdoor pastures. Stop by to say hello to the vacationing police horses, play at Haltia's playground, or have juice at Old Pehtoori.
United Powers Day at Allas Sea Pool on Saturday 2-8 pm. Free entry. Family program can be found on Helen's website.
Summer theater with kids? Pienten Helsinki's tips for summer theater can be found here.
Kotka: Children's Sea Days 26.-28.7.2019. Read more about the children's program at Sea Days on the event website.
Tuusula: Tuusula Week is celebrated during the last week of July.
SUNDAY 28.7.2019
Events and activity tips
Fallkulla farm animals is open during the summer season daily 10 am-3 pm. Free entry.
Haltia farm is practically always open and the animals spend the summer on outdoor pastures. Stop by to say hello to the vacationing police horses, play at Haltia's playground, or have juice at Old Pehtoori.
Children's Traffic City summer. Traffic City is open on summer Sundays 10 am-4 pm. Check out the detailed program on the Traffic City website. Free entry.
Helsinki Farmers' Market at Töölön Market Square on Sunday 10 am-4 pm. More information on the event website.
Mustasaari on Seurasaari Island is open Tuesday to Sunday until 11.8.2019. Come early, as it gets busy on hot days! Read more about Pienten Helsinki's summer day at Mustasaari.
Espoo: Fairy School in Villa Elfvik's scenery on Sunday 10:30 am-12:30 pm. The trip follows children's pace. Bring simple snacks and dress according to the weather. The Fairy School trip is also suitable for those traveling with strollers. More information on Elfvik's website
Flea market! Aleksis Kivilahti Street Sunday Flea Market starting at 11 am!
Flea market! Summer Flea Market at Stansviki around the restaurant on Sundays 11 am-3 pm.
Whole family marine biology trip on Hara Island on Sunday 12-3 pm. Ferry from Ullanlinna dock, next to Café Ursula departs at 12 pm (Ehrenströmintie 3), round-trip ticket adults 5 €, children and pensioners 2 € (card payment only). More information on the event's Facebook page.
Tuusula: Klaavolantie Village Festival in Tuusula at Klaavolahti Museum and Air Defense Museum area on Sunday 12-4 pm. The family-friendly event is free. Read more on the event's Facebook page.
Summer theater with kids? Pienten Helsinki's tips for summer theater can be found here.
Resonaari Fest 2019 at Alppipuisto on Sunday 1-7 pm. The event is suitable for all ages, from babies to grandparents. Read more on the event website.
Free summer concerts at the Music House throughout the summer, more information on the Music House website.
Kotka: Children's Sea Days 26.-28.7.2019. Read more about the children's program at Sea Days on the event website.
Tuusula: Tuusula Week is celebrated during the last week of July.
Also remember
All Helsinki's summer tips and day trip ideas are available at one link.
Summer sheep in Helsinki's islands: Vartiosaari, Kuusiluoto, and Mustasaari (sheep on neighboring Hevossaari island, which has a bridge connection) have arrived for summer.
Animals in the city article brings together the best tips for the best places to see farm animals in Helsinki and surrounding areas.
Hidden Ship Mystery adventure tour in Suomenlinna 11.6.-3.8.2019 and 10.8.2019 and 17.8.2019. Paid.
Children's sea adventure - Cannon Sloop Diana family sailing 26.6.-31.8.2019. More information on the event website. Paid.
Summer theater with kids? Pienten Helsinki's tips for summer theater can be found here.
Espa stage full summer program can be found on the stage's own website.
Linnanmäki is open daily during the summer season. Admission to the amusement park area is free and there are free rides for little daredevils.
In Espoo: Toy Museum at the Horseshoe invites you to travel in the Board Game Fun special exhibition. Museum admission fee applies.
Exhibition: Check out Pekka Töpöhäntä at Päivälehti Museum's new exhibition!
Helsinki places article is a lifesaver on boring days with kids!
Pienten Helsinki as an app on your phone!
Pienten Helsinki now also works as a PWA app. You can install Pienten Helsinki on your Android or iPhone simply by opening the page in Chrome or Safari browser and selecting "Add to home screen" from the share menu. A PWA app differs from a traditional app in that you don't need to install it separately from the App Store or similar. Practically speaking, the content is exactly the same as in a browser, but the page loads faster.
Pienten Helsinki doesn't require registration to work now, nor ever will.
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