What child-friendly activities can be found in Helsinki? Where to go with children on weekends or during summer vacation? What to do on a rainy day? Small Helsinki's weekly series searches for activity tips and recommends child-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. In addition to events, summer month activity tips include suggestions for spending vacation days. The website's target audience is preschool-age children and families with children.

Where to Go This Week article continues to be published with a slightly modified concept. The article lists the highlights of the week's events and the week's most interesting activity tips. It also includes excerpts from Small Helsinki articles and news. The future of the page is open, but this concept will continue through spring.

New at Small Helsinki: Summer in Helsinki series and its 28 articles about summer activities in Helsinki.

New at Small Helsinki: Summer events for children elsewhere in Finland list has been published!

Sponsor Small Helsinki!
Small Helsinki's most popular, weekly Where to Go This Week article series is looking for sponsors! More information behind the link.

City Paths for Families
Small Helsinki will publish a new type of urban tourism concept in the coming months as catering student Heidi Säynätkari creates city paths for families to several neighborhoods in Helsinki as her final project. The city paths will be published on Helsinki Day, June 12, 2019!

Cover image: In Haaga's Alpine Rose Park, blooming season will soon begin and the park will be filled with flowers from evergreen alpine roses. This is definitely worth visiting! More information from the Green Styles website.


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MONDAY, JUNE 3, 2019

Library Events

Story times and children's events at the Helsinki metropolitan area's Helmet libraries on Monday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.

Playpark Events

Summer meals begin!
Monday's playpark meal is archipelago fish soup made with char (M, G, N, S, K). 
Helsinki offers all children and young people under 16 a free lunch at playparks on weekdays at 12 noon through early August. You need to bring your own plate, eating utensils, and a drink. 

Playpark events can now 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 begins. See the detailed summer program on the Traffic City website.

Albert's Living Room is a meeting place open to families with children and seniors in Kamppi. Open Monday 9:30-15. Read more on Helsinki Mission's website.

Fallkulla Farm is open during summer season daily 10-15. Free admission.

Espoo: Summer Courtyard DIY Workshop Monday to Friday, June 3 - August 1, 2019 at the Children's Culture Center Pikku-Aurora yard. More information on Aurora's website.

MLL Dad Cafe at Iso-Antinki playpark in Itäkeskus Mondays 10-12. More information on the event's Facebook page.

Summer Parking in Ala-Malmi Park and Malmitalo lobby Monday 12-15. Read more on Malmitalo's website.

For Babies: Baby Monday at the Art Hall 13-15. The event introduces Susanne Gottberg's exhibition under the guidance of art educators Liini Laes and Iisa Juva. Baby Monday welcomes all children under one year old with their parents. Babies have their own play session. Tickets 12 € / 8 € / Museum Card. More information on the Art Hall's website.

Free Summer Concerts at Music Centre throughout the summer, more information on Music Centre's website.

Museums Open on Mondays include National Museum (during summer season), Helsinki City Museum and Children's City, Amos Rex, and Newspaper Museum. 


TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2019

Library Events

Story times and children's events at the Helsinki metropolitan area's Helmet libraries on Tuesday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.

Playpark Events

Tuesday's playpark meal is sausage soup (M G, N, K).
Helsinki offers all children and young people under 16 a free lunch at playparks on weekdays at 12 noon through early August. You need to bring your own plate, eating utensils, and a drink. 

Playpark events can now also be found in Helsinki's city event calendar. Tuesday's events can be browsed here.

Events and Activity Tips

Traffic Day at Taivallahti playpark Tuesday at 10. The event features the police's Nallecopla orchestra. More information on the event's Facebook page.

Children's Traffic City Summer begins. See the detailed summer program on the Traffic City website.

Thumbling's Adventures with Wild Geese puppet theater performance at Helsinki's Winter Garden courtyard (indoors in rain). Summer's first performance Tuesday at 9:30 and 10:30, free admission. The performance is recommended for 2-9-year-olds and lasts about 20 minutes. More information on the Winter Garden's website.

Fallkulla Farm is open during summer season daily 10-15. Free admission.

Mustasaari Activity Center summer season begins!

Summer Parking in Ala-Malmi Park and Malmitalo lobby Tuesday 12-15. Read more on Malmitalo's website.

Free Summer Concerts at Music Centre throughout the summer, more information on Music Centre's website.

Heart Kings Circus Performance at Sitratori near Kanneltalo corners Tuesday at 14. Free admission. More information on Kanneltalo's website.

City Dances at A.lava's A stage Tuesday at 17:30. Read more on Annantalo's website.

In Espoo for Babies: Evening Color Bath for the family's littlest at Pikku-Aurora garden Tuesday at 18. Color bath costs 8 €. More information on Aurora's website.


WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2019

Library Events

Story times and children's events at the Helsinki metropolitan area's Helmet libraries on Wednesday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.

Tip for Babies and Parents: BabyKino at Kallio Library. You can see movies with a baby on Wednesdays at 12 and 14:30. BabyKino's own Facebook group can be found here, where, for example, the week's film is published and you vote on future programs. More information can also be found on BabyKino's Facebook page.

Playpark Events

Wednesday's playpark meal is ground meat and vegetable soup (M, G, S, K). Helsinki offers all children and young people under 16 a free lunch at playparks on weekdays at 12 noon through early August. You need to bring your own plate, eating utensils, and a drink. 

Playpark events can now also be found in Helsinki's city event calendar. Wednesday's events can be browsed here.

Events and Activity Tips

Albert's Living Room is a meeting place open to families with children and seniors in Kamppi. Open Wednesday 9:30-15. Read more on Helsinki Mission's website.

Helsinki's funniest community garden in 2019 is being established at Annantalo and Wednesdays feature open gardening work sessions 10-14.

Children's Traffic City Summer begins. See the detailed summer program on the Traffic City website.

Fallkulla Farm is open during summer season daily 10-15. Free admission.

Summer Parking in Ala-Malmi Park and Malmitalo lobby Wednesday 12-15. Read more on Malmitalo's website.

Helsinki Fire Department Museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open Wednesdays 12-16. Admission 2 €, under 15-year-olds free. Read more on the City of Helsinki's website.

Kindergarten Museum is open for play Wednesdays 12-18. Museum admission 4 €, under 16-year-olds free, Museum Card also works.

Heart Kings Circus Performance at Sitratori near Kanneltalo corners Wednesday at 17. Free admission. More information on Kanneltalo's website.


THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2019

Library Events

Story times and children's events at the Helsinki metropolitan area's Helmet libraries on Thursday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.

Playpark Events

Thursday's playpark meal is vegetable risotto (M, G, K, VEG). Helsinki offers all children and young people under 16 a free lunch at playparks on weekdays at 12 noon through early August. You need to bring your own plate, eating utensils, and a drink. 

Playpark events can now also be found in Helsinki's city event calendar. Thursday's events can be browsed here.

Events and Activity Tips

Albert's Living Room is a meeting place open to families with children and seniors in Kamppi. Open Thursday 9:30-15. Read more on Helsinki Mission's website.

Children's Traffic City Summer begins. See the detailed summer program on the Traffic City website.

Fallkulla Farm is open during summer season daily 10-15. Free admission.

Suomenlinna Museum Day is celebrated Thursday 10-20. All six Suomenlinna museums have free admission on the event day and are open until 20. More information on Suomenlinna Administration's website.

A.lava's Taskari Season Begins Thursday at 10:45. Taskari is a dance version of Muskari and admission is free. A.lava is located behind Annantalo and Taskari takes place outdoors under a canopy, so dress for the weather. More information on Annantalo's website.

Summer Parking in Ala-Malmi Park and Malmitalo lobby Thursday 12-15. Read more on Malmitalo's website.

Happy Together Summer Festival children's and youth program at Tapanila Sports Hall Thursday 12-15:30. Admission is free. More information on the event's website.
The event continues in the evening 16-22 with a program for all ages. There is an admission fee for the evening event.

Bank Museum Open Doors at Aleksanterinkatu 36 B on the first Thursday of the month 15-17. Free admission to the museum. Read more on the event's Facebook page.

Espoo: Children's Nature Walk in the Villa Elfvik landscape Thursday at 17:30. Free admission. More information on Elfvik's website.

Espoo: Pikku-Aurora Summer Courtyard Opening is celebrated Thursday at 18. Free admission. Read more on Aurora's website.


FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2019

Library Events

Story times and children's events at the Helsinki metropolitan area's Helmet libraries on Friday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.

Playpark Events

Friday's playpark meal is chicken soup (M, G, N, S, K). Helsinki offers all children and young people under 16 a free lunch at playparks on weekdays at 12 noon through early August. You need to bring your own plate, eating utensils, and a drink. 

Playpark events can now 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 begins. See the detailed summer program on the Traffic City website.

Fallkulla Farm is open during summer season daily 10-15. Free admission.

Albert's Living Room is exceptionally closed on Friday.

Guard Parade Procession departs Senate Square at 12:30, marching through Market Square to the main guard, and from there back along Esplanade to Barracks Square. After the Guard Parade, an entertaining MIL-Espa concert is held on Esplanade stage at 14. This week, the Rakkuuna Military Band will be performing. More information on the Defence Forces' website.

Free Summer Concerts at Music Centre throughout the summer, more information on Music Centre's website.


SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 2019

Library Events

Helmet Libraries summer hours.

Story times and children's events at the Helsinki metropolitan area's Helmet libraries on Saturday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.

Events and Activity Tips

World Oceans Day at Tammasaari Pier in Ruoholahti Saturday 10-14. Interesting program for all ages. Read more on the event's Facebook page.

Fallkulla Farm is open during summer season daily 10-15. Free admission.

Feel Helsinki Festival at Music Centre Saturday starting at 10. The day's program can be found on the festival's own website. More information about the festival's children's program can be found on Uniarts' website.

Feel Helsinki Children's Concert: Urpo and Turpo's Music Journey concerts at Music Centre Saturday at 10 and 11. Admission to the concerts is free. The number of concert participants is limited, so you can participate with a free ticket. You can pick up the free ticket from the Music Centre's ticket office on the day before the event, June 7, or on the event day, June 8, before the concerts begin. Read more on Feel Helsinki's website.

Flea Market! Konepaja District Flea Market on the streets and courtyards of the new Konepaja area between Vallila and Alppila Saturday 10-15. More information on the event's Facebook page.

Hop on a Museum Tram from the corner of Market Square, near the Havis Amanda statue, 10-17. Tickets 6 €, children under 2 travel free on laps. Read more on the museum tram's website.

DNA Children's Saturday on Esplanade stage Saturday 11-14. Free admission. More information on the event's Facebook page.

Nurmijärvi: Taabori Summer Carnival: Little Papu's Music Circus performance at Taaborinvuori Saturday at 13. Tickets 12 €. More information on the event's Facebook page.

Helsinki Samba Carnaval Procession departs Senate Square Saturday at 15 on route Senate Square – Unioninkatu – North Esplanade – Mannerheim Street – Aleksanterinkatu (to Mikael Street). Carnival program at Senate Square before the procession. Read more on the event's website.

Open Villages Events are held Saturday throughout Finland. Many events also in Helsinki and the Helsinki region. More information on the event's website.

Porvoo: Porvoo Days June 8-9, 2019. More information on the event's Facebook page.

Exhibition: Peek Inside the Pekka Topohäntä Exhibition at the Newspaper Museum! Museum open Saturdays 11-17.


SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2019

Events and Activity Tips

Now Grab - Fishing at Vuosaari Harbor's Melumuuri Sunday 9-14. Opportunity to borrow equipment and participate in a fishing competition. More details on the event's Facebook page.

Vantaa: Flea Market! MLL Aviapoliksen Children's Clothing and Equipment Flea Market at SuperPark Vantaa parking area Sunday 9:30-13. Read more on the event's Facebook page.

Fallkulla Farm is open during summer season daily 10-15. Free admission.

Children's Traffic City Summer 2019 Opening Sunday 10-16. Police Band Nallecopla performs 12-12:45. Read more on Traffic City's Facebook page.

Flea Market! Aleksis Kivi Street Sunday Flea Market starting at 11!

Vantaa: Kivistö Carnivals at Sapphire Square Sunday 11-14. More information on the City of Vantaa's website.

Töölö Sings and Plays Event at Telia 5G Arena Sunday 11-20. Programming especially for families with children 11-15 and featuring, among others, Siina from Pikku Kakkos and Taikaradio. The event is organized by Töölö Parish and the Finnish Missionary Society. Free admission. More information on the event's website.

Helsinki Fire Department Museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open Sundays 12-16. Admission 2 €, under 15-year-olds free. Read more on the City of Helsinki's website.

Free Summer Concerts at Music Centre throughout the summer, more information on Music Centre's website.

Together on Water Event at Citizen Square Sunday 15-18. Read more on the event's Facebook page.

Porvoo: Porvoo Days June 8-9, 2019. More information on the event's Facebook page.


Remember Also

At Haaga's Alpine Rose Park, blooming season will soon begin and the park will be filled with flowers from evergreen alpine roses. This is definitely worth visiting! More information on the Green Styles website.

Summer Theater with Children? Small Helsinki's tips for summer theater can be found here.

Animals in the City Article compiles the best tips for seeing farm animals in Helsinki and the surrounding area.

Esplanade Stage's entire summer program can be found on the stage's own website.

Linnanmäki has opened its gates again for the 2019 season. The amusement park area has free admission and small daredevils have free amusement park rides.

In Espoo: Toy Museum Horseshoe has a new Board Game Play exhibition. Museum admission fee.

Exhibition: Peek Inside the Pekka Topohäntä Exhibition at the Newspaper Museum!

Helsinki Places Article is a lifesaver for boring days with children!


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