Pienten Helsinki
Where to go with children in Helsinki? What child-friendly activities can be found in Helsinki this week? Pienten Helsinki's weekly "Where to go this week" series searches for activity tips and suggests family-friendly events and things to do in Helsinki and the surrounding area.
This article contains a commercial collaboration advertisement and activity tip.
The article's cover image is from Kaivopuisto playground.
Advertisement / Commercial collaboration with JT-Line
How does a time travel to the past sound? JT-Line operates archipelago cruises from July to August 2025 from Helsinki Market Square to the Archipelago Museum Pentala.
Advertisement
A trip to Pentala island and the archipelago museum is full of experiences, spectacular views, and interesting history.
And sheep that spend the summer on Pentala island!
Pentala cruises are still available on three Sundays in August. Departures on August 10, 17, and 24, 2025. The half-day trip and adventure starts from Market Square at 10:15 a.m. and returns at 4:30 p.m. You'll have three hours to explore Pentala. The archipelago cruise is also great to experience with children.
Tickets from: adults 44.50€, children 7-16 years 19.50€, pensioners/students 39.50€.
Read more about adventures in the Helsinki and Espoo archipelago and book your spots for a summer trip to the past on JT-Line's website.
a time travel to the past. Photo: Remu Shemeikka
Current news
- Pienten Suomi - over 1000 reasons to adventure with children in Finland!
- Summer in Helsinki - series already contains over 70 articles full of summer activity ideas!
- All of Pienten Helsinki's playground tips can be found here!
- Swimming spots without blue-green algae? Pienten Helsinki's feature article has many different swimming location tips for hot days!
- Museum tips for visiting with children can be found in Pienten Helsinki's feature article!
- Pick-your-own peas and flowers have started again in the city's fields! This year the flower field is located in Tuomarinkylä along Vanha Tuusulantie. The pea fields are located next to the flower field and on the Haltiala side near Kuninkaantammentie. Please pick flowers and peas only for your own use so there's plenty left for others. Sunflowers are still waiting to bloom.
- On Lasipalatsi square, in the environment of the Amos Rex museum's mounds, Yinka Ilori's Transparent Happiness installation opened on Midsummer Eve, emphasizing play, interaction, and togetherness. You can bring your own basketball or table tennis rackets, as this installation allows for play. Sports equipment is also available for loan from Amos Rex museum during opening hours for a deposit. Free admission.
- You can also borrow museum passes to the Natural History Museum or admission tickets to Korkeasaari from the library! From Viiki library you can borrow an admission ticket to the Natural History Museum. From Kalasatama library you can borrow an admission ticket to Korkeasaari Zoo.
- MLL's Family House Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0-12. Read more from the family house's Facebook page!
- MLL's family café schedule can be found on the MLL Uusimaa website.
- Finland's Highest Bungee Jump visible at Kaivopuisto beach next to Cafe Ursula July 25 - August 10, 2025.
MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 2025
Events and
activity tips
- Summer in Helsinki - series already contains over 70 articles full of summer activity ideas!
- NOTE! It was impossible to confirm playground opening hours for the first week of August, so always check the playground's opening hours in advance before heading to the playground!
Playgrounds open on Monday, August 5, 2025:
Playgrounds Etupelto, Filpus, Intia, Iso-Antti, Isoneva, Kannelmäki, Kiikku, Kurranummi, Lehdokki, Linja, Linnunrata, Lohikäärmepuisto, Maunula, Mellunmäki, Orava, Piika, Rudolf, Ruoholahti, Rusthollari, Seppä, Tuorinniemi, Ulvila Viikkari, Kankarepuisto, Salpausselkä, and Vähätupa. - Helmet library events for children can be found on Helmet's events page.
- KEMUT summer music school at playground Filpus (Ala-Malmi) on Monday at 10:00 a.m. (ages 2-3) and 11:15 a.m. (ages 4-6). Free admission.
- Back to School book cover workshop at Vapaakaupunki in Rede shopping center on Monday from 1-3 p.m. Free admission.
- Skatan 4H farm pasture visit on Mondays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free admission.
- Vantaa: Katrineberg 4H farm pasture visit on Mondays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free admission.
- Skeittipakun summer skateboard school at Stoa square Monday to Thursday from 4-6 p.m. No pre-registration required! Come with your own skateboard and protective gear, or borrow equipment from the pack on your turn. Free admission.
- Etno-Espa at Espa stage daily August 4-14, 2025. Free admission.
- Helsinki MUSEUMS open on Mondays include Mark and Pippi Longstocking exhibition, Helsinki City Museum and Children's City, Tram Museum, Amos Rex and seasonally also Natural History Museum and Seurasaari open-air museum. The Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden's outdoor garden has beautiful flower beds now (free admission to the outdoor garden!). More museum tips for visiting with children can be found in Pienten Helsinki's feature article!
TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2025
Events and
activity tips
- Summer in Helsinki - series already contains over 70 articles full of summer activity ideas!
- IF I have interpreted correctly, all playgrounds are closed on Tuesday due to staff development day. You can still play freely in the playgrounds' yards.
- Helmet library events for children can be found on Helmet's events page.
- Skatan 4H farm pasture visit on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free admission.
- Skeittipakun summer skateboard school at Stoa square Monday to Thursday from 4-6 p.m. No pre-registration required! Come with your own skateboard and protective gear, or borrow equipment from the pack on your turn. Free admission.
- Pesistiistai at Johanneksen field in Ullanlinnan and Akseli Toivonen field in Käpylä on Tuesday from 4-7:30 p.m. Free admission.
Children and adults can play as follows:
- 4:00–5:00 p.m.: children under 10
- 5:00–6:00 p.m.: children 10–15 years
- 6:00–7:30 p.m.: ages 15+ and adults - Open Air Cinema: The Lion King at Market Square Pier on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Free admission.
- Etno-Espa at Espa stage daily August 4-14, 2025. Free admission.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2025
Events and
activity tips
- Summer in Helsinki - series already contains over 70 articles full of summer activity ideas!
- Despite my efforts, I don't know which Helsinki city playgrounds are open on Wednesday, so you should always check with the playground's own website. My apologies!
- Helmet library events for children can be found on Helmet's events page.
- KEMUT summer music school at playground Etupelto (East-Pakila) on Wednesday at 10 a.m. (ages 2-6) and 11 a.m. (ages 2-6). Free admission.
- Vantaa: Katrineberg 4H farm pasture visit on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free admission.
- Espoo: Glimsin 4H farm pasture visit to the sheep pasture on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free admission.
- Skeittipakun summer skateboard school at Stoa square Monday to Thursday from 4-6 p.m. No pre-registration required! Come with your own skateboard and protective gear, or borrow equipment from the pack on your turn. Free admission.
- Etno-Espa at Espa stage daily August 4-14, 2025. Free admission.
Pienten Suomi - over 1000 reasons to travel in Finland with children!
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2025
Happy school year to all children starting school!
Events and
activity tips
- Summer in Helsinki - series already contains over 70 articles full of summer activity ideas!
- Playgrounds return to normal operation and presumably all Helsinki city playgrounds are open again!
Playgrounds' indoor areas are freely available in the mornings; in the afternoons they are reserved for school children. Loru playground does not have after-school activities for school children.
NOTE! It was impossible to confirm playground opening hours for the first week of August, so always check the playground's opening hours in advance before heading to the playground! - Helmet library events for children can be found on Helmet's events page.
- Espoo: Glimsin 4H farm pasture visit to the sheep pasture on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free admission.
- Skeittipakun summer skateboard school at Stoa square Monday to Thursday from 4-6 p.m. No pre-registration required! Come with your own skateboard and protective gear, or borrow equipment from the pack on your turn. Free admission.
- Etno-Espa at Espa stage daily August 4-14, 2025. Free admission.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2025
Events and
activity tips
- Summer in Helsinki - series already contains over 70 articles full of summer activity ideas!
- Playgrounds return to normal operation and all Helsinki city playgrounds are open again!
Playgrounds' indoor areas are freely available in the mornings; in the afternoons they are reserved for school children. Loru playground does not have after-school activities for school children.
NOTE! It was impossible to confirm playground opening hours for the first week of August, so always check the playground's opening hours in advance before heading to the playground! - Helmet library events for children can be found on Helmet's events page.
- Guard Parade: Rakuuna Brass Band on Friday at 12:20 p.m. Summer 2025 guard parades start from Senate Square, where light music, formation marches, and weapon movements are presented. The parade then continues in step to the Esplanade park area and to the front of Helsinki's main guard. From the main guard, the parade proceeds along North Esplanade back to Senate Square, where the parade ends.
- Etno-Espa at Espa stage daily August 4-14, 2025. Free admission.
- Tuusula: Tuusula Night of the Arts is celebrated on Friday.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2025
Events and
activity tips
Tove Jansson and Finnish Art Day
- Summer in Helsinki - series contains over 70 articles full of summer activity ideas!
- Helmet library events for children can be found on Helmet's events page.
- Siuntio: Siuntio Medieval Market at the churchyard of St. Peter's Church on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission.
- Espoo: Traditional Landscape Work Day at Laajalahti nature reserve on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register by August 6, 2025 at 11 a.m. so the organizers can provide sufficient refreshments and work tools. The work day is also suitable for children!
- Tove Jansson Day at HAM Helsinki Art Museum on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum admission fee; children under 18 free.
- Vantaa: Helsinga Medieval Day in the surroundings of St. Laurence Church in Vantaa on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission.
- Children's Day at Villa Salmekulla (Karelians' summer home Villa Salmela, Jolla) on Saturday from 12-4 p.m. Free admission.
- Vantaa: Vantaa Artists Association's Family Art Workshop at Galleria Gjutars in Tikkurila on Saturday and Sunday from 12-4 p.m. Tickets: whole family (1-2 adults + child/children) total 7 euros, adults 5 euros, children 2 euros.
- Etno-Espa's Children's Saturday at Espa stage from 2-4 p.m. Free admission.
- Vantaa: Håkansbölen Summer Exhibitions are open in the landscapes of Håkansbölen Manor on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 10, 2025
Events and
activity tips
- Summer in Helsinki - series contains over 70 articles full of summer activity ideas!
- Hyvinkää: Railway Museum Day at Hyvinkää Railway Museum on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets: 20€ / adults, 0€ / under 18 years old.
- What-What Musical at Töölönlahden Summer Park event stage on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The performance is best suited for ages 3-6, but everyone is welcome regardless of age! Performance duration approximately 40 minutes. Free admission.
- Espoo: Villa Elfvik's Fairy School in the Villa Elfvik landscape on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free admission.
- Flea Market! Traditional Tapanila Street Flea Market on Kuulijantie, Kertojantie and nearby streets on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Vantaa: Håkansbölen Summer Exhibitions are open in the landscapes of Håkansbölen Manor on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission.
- Children's Island Adventure on Hara island on Sunday from 12-2 p.m. Free admission; ferry trip to the island is paid. Bring your own refreshments. Merenkävijät connection boat operates to Hara from Ullanlinna pier, next to Café Ursula (Ehrenströmintie 3). Round trip adults 9 €, children (7-17 years) and pensioners 6 €, under 7 years free.
- Vantaa: Vantaa Artists Association's Family Art Workshop at Galleria Gjutars in Tikkurila on Saturday and Sunday from 12-4 p.m. Tickets: whole family (1-2 adults + child/children) total 7 euros, adults 5 euros, children 2 euros.
- Summer Festival - Sommarfest at Ruskeasuo allotment garden on Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Free admission.
Advertisement / Ticket to event received * - Flow Festival's Family Sundays at Suvilahti including Skidiens Hattivatti Disco and other programs for younger children from 1-5 p.m. Admission with the festival's main ticket for adults; children (0-12 years) get in free with an adult ticket.
- Etno-Espa at Espa stage daily August 4-14, 2025. Free admission.
Pienten Suomi - over 800 reasons to travel in Finland with children!
