What can you do or where can you go with children? What child-friendly activities are available in Helsinki this week? Pienten Helsinki's weekly "Where to Go This Week" series searches for activity tips and recommends child-friendly events and things to do in Helsinki and the surrounding area.

This week's tips are brought to you by: Pienten Helsinki

What's Happening Now

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2023

Events and Activity Tips

  • Dance and Play Workshops at Caisa Cultural Center (Kaikukatu 4 B) in the Maissi room on Mondays. Toddlers (ages 1-3) dance with their own adult at 9:15 am and Play-age children (ages 3-5) at 10:15 am. The Dance and Play workshop encourages and guides Helsinki parents and children to create and experience dance art together. You can participate in the workshop instruction whenever it suits you—at all sessions or just some. Choose a time that works for you and arrive on time. No pre-registration required; spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The first 12 arrivals will be accommodated. Free admission.
  • Last week! Family Fun Time provides children under school age and their parents with a space where they can move together independently and free of charge. Family Fun Time is held on Mondays at:

    - Family Fun Time at Tapanila Elementary School (Veljestenpiha 2) on Mondays from 5–6:30 pm during October 2–December 11, 2023.
  • MLL Father's Meet-up at Myllynsiivi Playground (Yläkivenrinne 6, Myllypuro) on Monday from 6–7:30 pm.
  • St. Thomas's Market on Senate Square features a carousel with free rides. However, be prepared to queue, especially in the evenings and on weekends. On the Cathedral steps, you can experience Helsinki's wildest sledding hill without queuing, especially when there's fresh snow.

Activity at Playgrounds on Monday

  • Playgrounds and family centers are open as usual. Playground indoor facilities are open to families on weekdays mostly from 9 am–12 pm, with afternoons reserved for school children. For more details, check the playgrounds' and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs on the City of Helsinki's events calendar and on their own Facebook pages.
  • At Loru Playground on Monday:
    10:30–11 am Loru Moves – movement session for children over 2 years old
    1–1:30 pm Cuckoo Song – baby session for children under 1 year old
    3–3:30 pm Cuckoo Song – baby session for children under 1 year old

Library Events on Monday

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2023

Events and Activity Tips

  • Clinic Park on Tuesday from 9:30 am–1 pm in the lower lobby of Kamppi Family Center. Free admission.
  • Art for Toddlers Workshop (Open Studio for Toddlers Workshops) at Caisa Cultural Center (Kaikukatu 4 B) on Tuesdays from 1:30–3:30 pm. Workshops are suitable for children ages 1.5–3 with their own adult. No pre-registration required; free admission. You can attend the workshops for the full time or just stop by for a bit.
  • Last week! Family Fun Time provides children under school age and their parents with a space where they can move together independently and free of charge. Family Fun Time is held on Tuesdays at:

    - Pallomylly Indoor Hall at Myllypuro Sports Park (Pikajuoksijankuja 9) on Tuesdays from 9:30–11:30 am and 4–6 pm during September 5–December 12, 2023.

    - Käpylä Elementary School (Mäkelänkatu 89) on Tuesdays from 5–6:30 pm during September 5–December 12, 2023.
  • Lighthouse Keeper's Route on Suomenlinna from November 24, 2023 to January 31, 2024.
  • St. Thomas's Market on Senate Square features a carousel with free rides. However, be prepared to queue, especially in the evenings and on weekends. On the Cathedral steps, you can experience Helsinki's wildest sledding hill without queuing, especially when there's fresh snow.

Activity at Playgrounds on Tuesday

  • Playgrounds and family centers are open as usual. Playground indoor facilities are open to families on weekdays mostly from 9 am–12 pm, with afternoons reserved for school children. For more details, check the playgrounds' and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs on the City of Helsinki's events calendar and on their own Facebook pages.
  • At Loru Playground on Tuesday:
    11 am–11:30 am Stroller Gymnastics, Oodi Courtyard
    2:30–3:15 pm Christmas Story Time, in partnership with Helsinki Mission

Library Events on Tuesday

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023

St. Lucy's Day

Events and Activity Tips

  • Kindergarten Museum is open on Wednesday from 12–7 pm. Small admission fee.
  • Espoo: Grand Model Railway at Ainoa Shopping Center in Espoo is open on Wednesdays from 3–6 pm. The exhibition is located on the second floor of Ainoa, opposite the BYD car exhibition, next to the Itsudemo restaurant. Free admission.
  • Lucia Procession and Coronation on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. Finland's Lucia is crowned at Helsinki Cathedral on Wednesday at 5 pm. The Cathedral is open to the public, but seating inside the church is limited. The coronation can also be watched live on Yle Fem and Yle Areena. After the coronation, the Lucia procession travels through the city center starting around 6 pm. The procession follows the traditional route, departing from the Cathedral steps area on Hallituskatu and traveling along Unioninkatu–Aleksanterinkatu–Mannerheimintie–Pohjoisesplanadi–Unioninkatu, returning to Senate Square. Finland's Lucia in 2023 is Madeleine Amoroso.
  • MLL Oulunkylä Traditional Family Christmas Event at Mäkitorppa Playground courtyard (Mäkitorpantie 42) on Wednesday from 5:30–7 pm. Free admission.
  • Malminkartano Shines Event on Wednesday starting at 5:30 pm. Free admission.
  • Last week! Family Fun Time provides children under school age and their parents with a space where they can move together independently and free of charge. Family Fun Time is held on Wednesdays at:

    - Kannelmäki Elementary School (Runonlaulajantie 40) on Wednesdays from 5–6 pm during September 6–December 13, 2023 (not during week 49).
  • Lighthouse Keeper's Route on Suomenlinna from November 24, 2023 to January 31, 2024.
  • St. Thomas's Market on Senate Square features a carousel with free rides. However, be prepared to queue, especially in the evenings and on weekends. On the Cathedral steps, you can experience Helsinki's wildest sledding hill without queuing, especially when there's fresh snow.

Activity at Playgrounds on Wednesday

  • Playgrounds and family centers are open as usual. Playground indoor facilities are open to families on weekdays mostly from 9 am–12 pm, with afternoons reserved for school children. For more details, check the playgrounds' and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs on the City of Helsinki's events calendar and on their own Facebook pages.

Library Events on Wednesday

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2023

Events and Activity Tips

  • Haltiala Farm Animal Farm Christmas Atmosphere can be viewed from December 5, 2023 to January 7, 2024. The farm is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am–1 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am–2 pm (closed December 23–24, 2023). Free admission.
  • Art for Toddlers Workshops (Open Studio for Toddlers Workshops) at Caisa Cultural Center (Kaikukatu 4 B) on Thursdays from 10 am–12 pm. Workshops are suitable for children ages 1.5–3 with their own adult. No pre-registration required; free admission. You can attend the workshops for the full time or just stop by for a bit.
  • Last week! Family Fun Time provides children under school age and their parents with a space where they can move together independently and free of charge. Family Fun Time is held on Thursdays at:

    - Tali Sports Park Football Hall (Purotie 8) on Thursdays from 9:30–11 am during September 21–December 14, 2023.

    - Kamppi Sports Center (Malminkatu 3) on Thursdays from 5–6:30 pm during September 7–December 14, 2023.

    - Malminkartano Elementary School (Puustellintie 6) on Thursdays from 5–6:30 pm during September 7–December 14, 2023.

    - Porolahti Elementary School (Roihuvuorentie 2) on Thursdays from 5:30–6:30 pm during September 7–December 14, 2023.
  • Lighthouse Keeper's Route on Suomenlinna from November 24, 2023 to January 31, 2024.
  • St. Thomas's Market on Senate Square features a carousel with free rides. However, be prepared to queue, especially in the evenings and on weekends. On the Cathedral steps, you can experience Helsinki's wildest sledding hill without queuing, especially when there's fresh snow.

Activity at Playgrounds on Thursday

  • Playgrounds and family centers are open as usual. Playground indoor facilities are open to families on weekdays mostly from 9 am–12 pm, with afternoons reserved for school children. For more details, check the playgrounds' and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs on the City of Helsinki's events calendar and on their own Facebook pages.

Library Events on Thursday

FRIDAY, 15.12.2023

Events and Activity Tips

Activity at Playgrounds on Friday

  • Playgrounds and family centers are open as usual. Playground indoor facilities are open to families on weekdays mostly from 9 am–12 pm, with afternoons reserved for school children. For more details, check the playgrounds' and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs on the City of Helsinki's events calendar and on their own Facebook pages.
  • At Loru Playground on Friday:
    11 am–12 pm Loru Finds – Search activity for children over 2 years old
    1–1:30 pm Loru Songs – Song session for all ages
    3–3:30 pm Loru Songs – Song session for all ages

Library Events on Friday

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2023

Events and Activity Tips

  • Haltiala Farm Animal Farm Christmas Atmosphere can be viewed from December 5, 2023 to January 7, 2024. The farm is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am–1 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am–2 pm (closed December 23–24, 2023). Free admission.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2023

Events and Activity Tips

  • Lighthouse Keeper's Route on Suomenlinna from November 24, 2023 to January 31, 2024.
  • St. Thomas's Market on Senate Square features a carousel with free rides. However, be prepared to queue, especially in the evenings and on weekends. On the Cathedral steps, you can experience Helsinki's wildest sledding hill without queuing, especially when there's fresh snow.
  • Tuusula: Lotta Museum's Self-Guided Gnome Trail can be experienced from November 18, 2023 to January 6, 2024.

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