Summer Helsinki's Birthday and Playground Hide-and-Seek

Updated June 15, 2018

What kid-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki? Where to go with small children over the weekend? What to do on a rainy day? Pieni Helsinki’s weekly series searches for activity tips and suggests child-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The target audience is preschool-aged children and families with children.

Pieni Helsinki’s Where to Go This Week stories are published by Mondays at the latest and suggest all kinds of activities happening in the city for families with children. This week’s Where to Go story has plenty to celebrate: Helsinki turns 468 years old on Tuesday, June 12, and the birthday is celebrated with numerous Helsinki Day events. Find Pieni Helsinki’s tips for Helsinki Day here. On Tuesday, the first-ever Playground Hide-and-Seeks are also launched, as Pieni Helsinki and Helsinki’s playgrounds begin a summer-long adventure in playgrounds and other interesting places. So boldly head out on an adventure around Helsinki and enjoy quality time with family or friends while searching for hiding spots!

Pieni Helsinki’s Summer in Helsinki series already has over twenty articles about summer in Helsinki. Have you already read about all the summer activities you can do during vacation days in Helsinki?

FEEDBACK: Criticism, compliments, comments and suggestions: tell us what you think about Pieni Helsinki!

Would you like to collaborate with Pieni Helsinki (commercially) or do you have a project or job where I could be helpful? I’m happy to hear all ideas. Feel free to get in touch ([email protected]) and let’s talk about new possibilities! Read more about this idea here.

Tuesday »| Wednesday »| Thursday »| Friday »| Saturday »| Sunday »

MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2018

Library Events:

Moment Songs - Family Music Class for 1-3 Year-Olds at Kallio Library's Satulinnas Monday at 10 AM.

Puluboin and Poni’s Day at Suutarila Library Monday 1-3 PM. You can read more about the day’s program on the library’s website.

Libraries are also open during summer months, even without organized activities. Read about what the library offers for small children and book tips for summer activities with children.

Playground Events:

Helsinki playgrounds’ summer opening hours can be found here.

Traditional Games Summer Tour at playgrounds: Monday at Kesanto Playground 11 AM-1 PM.

Other Events:

Helsinki City Museum and Kids' City open from 4.6.2018 onwards at 9 AM during the summer season. A great playground for early risers! Read more on the museum's website. Kids' City also features the illustrator Jenni Isotoff's narrative art exhibition Dream Mäykkynen & Helsinki from May 29 to August 31. At Kids' City, during the summer there is daily self-directed paper crafting for families as usual. From June 1 onwards, paper city fox chains and other decorations featuring Helsinki animals are made. More information on the city museum's website. The museum is also open on Mondays and admission is always free.

Open Family Coffee Hour at the MLL at Itäkatu Family Center Mondays 9:30-11:30 AM.

Summer Family Group at Käpylä Church Monday 9:45-11:15 AM. More information on Oulunkylä Parish’s website.

Summer Park at Malmitalo and Ala-Malmi Park during the first weeks of summer vacation: summer activities for elementary school-aged children, young people and the whole family! Daily varying activities from 12 PM onwards and street games and other surprise programs. More information and schedules on Malmitalo’s website and Summer Park’s Facebook page. Summer Park is free to enter and only a few workshops require advance registration.

Summer Theater: Tomppeli at Tervasaari Summer Theater Monday at 6 PM. Tickets €14, children under 2 free, family packages also available. Read more about the production on the theater’s website.

Also remember: Espa Stage features almost daily different concerts and performances during the summer. Read more and see the summer concert program on the City of Helsinki’s culture services website.

What to do today tip: Go on a city vacation, pack good snacks and a blanket and head to Kivino! Kivino, a short walk from Kulosaari metro station, is a summer paradise and Kivinokka’s swimming beach is one of Helsinki’s best for families. The beach has shared toys for everyone, a shallow shoreline and true summer atmosphere! Kivinokka also has a nice walking trail, nature path and Maija’s Café.

TUESDAY, JUNE 12, 2018

Helsinki Day

Library Events:

Riku's Summer Courtyard Opening 12-8 PM at Rikhardinkatu Library's inner courtyard. Read more about the event here.

Puluboin and Poni’s Day at Itäkeskus Library Tuesday 1-3 PM. You can read more about the day’s program on the library’s website.

Notebook Crafting at Tapanila Library 1-3 PM.

Library Tip for Espoo: International Family Coffee at Sello Library Tuesdays 10 AM-12 PM.

Libraries are also open during summer months, even without organized activities. Read about what the library offers for small children and book tips for summer activities with children.

Playground Events:

Helsinki playgrounds' summer opening hours can be found here.

Helsinki offers free lunch at playgrounds for all children and young people under 16 on weekdays at 12 PM throughout the summer holiday. Bring your own plate, utensils and drink. Tuesday’s playground menu is clarified broth salmon soup and rye bread. See the full summer menu and allergy information here. Summer Park is free to enter and only a few workshops require advance registration.

Traditional Games Summer Tour at playgrounds: Tuesday at Hilleri Playground 11 AM-1 PM.

Other Events:

Helsinki Day brings events all over the city! There's something for everyone to do, experience and see. Pieni Helsinki compiled tips for Helsinki Day for those out and about with young children. Read what to do on Helsinki Day with small children.

The Helsinki Day program can be found in its entirety at www.helsinkipaiva.fi. On the page, you can browse the day’s tips by event type or by neighborhood, for example.

The first tips for Playground Hide-and-Seeks are announced on Helsinki Day morning at 8 AM. But what exactly is a Playground Hide-and-Seek? Find out here. You can continue this exciting summer adventure under Helsinki’s sky until early August. Will anyone be able to find all of the city’s Playground Hide-and-Seeks?

[caption id=“attachment_4639” align=“alignright” width=“225”] Playground Hide-and-Seeks are searched for around Helsinki in summer 2018.[/caption]

Also FOR BABIES: Annantalo A•lava Summer Music Class invites everyone from babies to grandparents to make music under the direction of music instructor Tuuli Paasola on Tuesday at 10:30 AM. Admission to the music class is free. Read more on Annantalo’s website.

Summer Park at Malmitalo and Ala-Malmi Park during the first weeks of summer vacation: summer activities for elementary school-aged children, young people and the whole family! Daily varying activities and street games. On Helsinki Day, activities for all ages 3-6 PM. More information and schedules on Malmitalo’s website and Summer Park’s Facebook page. Summer Park is free to enter and only a few workshops require advance registration.

Jätkäsaari Block Party in Jätkäsaari at Malagankatu 3, in the Jallukka music building’s courtyard 4-8:30 PM. A family event with lots of music, notable performers, dance performances and a painting workshop for children. Free admission. More information on the event’s Facebook page.

What to do today tip: Helsinki’s birthday is worth celebrating: there are many events in the city but even just a quick visit to your favorite place in Helsinki, a ferry trip to Suomenlinna, lounging on Pihlajasaari’s rocky shores or the mayor’s morning coffee at Espa are quiet ways to spend Helsinki Day

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2018

Library Events:

Puluboin and Poni's Day at Lauttasaari Library Wednesday 1-3 PM. You can read more about the day's program on the library's website.

Libraries are also open during summer months, even without organized activities. Read about what the library offers for small children and book tips for summer activities with children.

Playground Events:

Helsinki playgrounds' summer opening hours can be found here.

Helsinki offers free lunch at playgrounds for all children and young people under 16 on weekdays at 12 PM throughout the summer holiday. Bring your own plate, utensils and drink. Wednesday’s playground menu is broiler and root vegetable stew. See the full summer menu and allergy information here.

Traditional Games Summer Tour at playgrounds: Wednesday at Tuorinniemi Playground 11 AM-1 PM.

Other Events:

A•lava Open Stage Wednesdays 5-7 PM. The event is open to the public and performers. You can go on stage to perform or watch other performances. More information on Annantalo's website.

Kindergarten Museum is open in June Wednesdays 12-6 PM. In July the museum is on vacation.

MLL Munkkiniemi Summer Family Coffee at Munkkiniemi Playground Wednesdays May 30-June 19, 2018 at 2 PM.

Taivallahti Barracks Summer Happenings Wednesday 2-5 PM. Open doors at barracks area operators with activities for all ages. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

Summer Theater: Laajasalo Huvilateatteri presents: Pekka Töpöhäntä. Kylämetsä ry’s summer theater brings Gösta Knutsson’s Pekka Töpöhäntä to the stage in Laajasalo. Performance Wednesday at 6 PM. Tickets €15, children under 2 free. Read more on Kylämetsä ry’s Facebook page.

What to do today tip: A trip to Mustasaari is part of summer: the activity island is a short ferry ride from Taivallahti Beach, the island has lots to do and experience for small and big, chickens, rabbits and sheep to pet, and the café has world-famous giant Finnish pastries. Could there be a better summer day?

THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2018

Library Events:

Moment Songs - Family Music Class for 1-3 Year-Olds at Kallio Library's Satulinnas Thursday at 10 AM.

Puluboin and Poni’s Day at Kallio Library Thursday 1-4 PM. You can read more about the day’s program on the library’s website.

Libraries are also open during summer months, even without organized activities. Read about what the library offers for small children and book tips for summer activities with children.

Playground Events:

Helsinki playgrounds' summer opening hours can be found here.

Helsinki offers free lunch at playgrounds for all children and young people under 16 on weekdays at 12 PM throughout the summer holiday. Bring your own plate, utensils and drink. Thursday’s playground menu is ground meat stew. See the full summer menu and allergy information here.

HDW Kids Design Week Preview Event at Lahnalahti Playground Thursday 10-11:30 AM and 1-2:30 PM. More information on the event’s Facebook page.

Traditional Games Summer Tour at playgrounds: Thursday at Dragon Playground 11 AM-1 PM.

Other Events:

Summer Park at Malmitalo and Ala-Malmi Park during the first weeks of summer vacation: summer activities for elementary school-aged children, young people and the whole family! Daily varying activities from 12 PM onwards and street games and other surprise programs. More information and schedules on Malmitalo's website and Summer Park's Facebook page. Summer Park is free to enter and only a few workshops require advance registration.

Also FOR BABIES: Annantalo A•lava Summer Music Class invites everyone from babies to grandparents to make music under the direction of music instructor Tuuli Paasola on Thursday at 6 PM. Admission to the music class is free. Read more on Annantalo’s website.

Summer Theater: Laajasalo Huvilateatteri presents: Pekka Töpöhäntä. Kylämetsä ry’s summer theater brings Gösta Knutsson’s Pekka Töpöhäntä to the stage in Laajasalo. Performance Thursday at 6 PM. Tickets €15, children under 2 free. Read more on Kylämetsä ry’s Facebook page.

Summer Theater: Theater Tuikki’s The Three Little Pigs is a summer theater performance seen on Tapanila Village Farm patio Thursday at 6 PM. Tickets €12/€10. Read more on Theater Tuikki’s website.

What to do today tip: Mustikkamaaa’s Edible Garden has received its summer residents and chickens now live in the garden. The Edible Garden is a communal urban farming and cultural activity center where everyone can participate in gardening and enjoy the harvest. An important task is also daily garden watering, which you can do even on your way by. The garden is located near Korkeasaari Bridge and you can make a nice summer trip to Mustikkamaaa via Isoisänsilla Bridge, past the Edible Garden all the way to Mustikkamaaa’s beach. Read more: Edible Garden.

FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2018

Library Events:

Puluboin and Poni's Day at Kallio Library Friday 1-3 PM. You can read more about the day's program on the library's website.

Tip for Vantaa: Let’s Sing Together with Children at Tikkurila Library Friday 10-11 AM. Read more on the library’s website.

Libraries are also open during summer months, even without organized activities. Read about what the library offers for small children and book tips for summer activities with children.

Playground Events:

Helsinki playgrounds' summer opening hours can be found here.

Helsinki offers free lunch at playgrounds for all children and young people under 16 on weekdays at 12 PM throughout the summer holiday. Bring your own plate, utensils and drink. Friday’s playground menu is Good Mood Puree Soup. See the full summer menu and allergy information here.

HDW Kids Design Week Preview Event at Viiri Playground Friday 10-11:30 AM and 1-2:30 PM. More information on the event’s Facebook page.

Police Orchestra Nallekopla performs at Kurranummi Playground Friday at 11 AM.

Other Events:

Open Family Coffee Hour at the MLL at Itäkatu Family Center Fridays 9:30-11:30 AM.

At Children’s Traffic City an open family day is held during the summer season on Fridays and Sundays 10 AM-4 PM, where all ages practice in the traffic city under the guidance of their own adult. On other weekdays, guided traffic education for children born in 2013 and older. Read more on the Children’s Traffic City website. Free admission.

Guard Parade tradition continues on Fridays. The guard parade procession departs at 12:30 PM from Helsinki's Senate Square marching through the Market Square to the main guard, and from there back to Esplanade and the Barracks Square. After the guard parade, an entertaining MIL-Espa Concert at 2 PM is held on Espa Stage. On Friday June 15, the Guard's Band is responsible for the guard parade music. More information on the event's Facebook page.

What to do today: Fallkulla Farm is open all summer daily May 26-August 26, 10 AM-3 PM. Read more on the farm's website. Also, for example, Linnunrata Playground in Helsinki, Glims House Museum in Espoo and Katrineberg Manor in Vantaa have farm animals as summer guests.

SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 2018

Library Events:

Library Tip for Espoo: Hoopukka Music Story Session at Sello Library Children's Area at 10:30 AM.

Libraries are also open during summer months, even without organized activities. Read about what the library offers for small children and book tips for summer activities with children.

Other Events:

Kids' Vacation Day! At Teatterimuseo offers music, disco, soap bubbles, dance sessions and much more Saturday 11 AM-5 PM. Held at the same time, the Children's Book Festival at the other side of Teurastamo's courtyard offers diverse programming for book lovers. Read what fun things to expect on the Kids' Vacation Day Facebook event page.

The Future Tram is Here! -exhibition at Kaapelitehdas Merikaapelihalli until June 20, 2018. The exhibition is open Saturday 12-4 PM. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

If you’ve never been to Kivinokka, now is the perfect time. Open Doors at Kivinokka invite you to experience cottage living. On the same trip, you should visit Kivinokka’s beautiful nature trail, spot birds from the bird tower, swim at Helsinki’s most child-friendly beach and stop by Maija’s Café for a pastry. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

Summer Theater: Theater Tuikki’s The Three Little Pigs is a summer theater performance seen on Tapanila Village Farm patio Saturday at 2 PM. Tickets €12/€10. Read more on Theater Tuikki’s website.

Tip for Espoo: At Haltia Nature Center’s auditorium or outdoors if weather permits, see Pip and Peep in Concert performance Saturday at 11 AM. The performance is recommended for children over 3 and lasts 40 minutes. Admission is free. Read more on Haltia’s website.

Tip for Kerava: TE!Fest, focused on new folk music, is held in Kerava on Saturday. At the free concerts at Paasikivenkaukio, you can hear, for example, Mutaveijarit at 3 PM. Read more about the festival program on the City of Kerava’s website.

TIP: Summer in Helsinki series tips for families can be found here.

TIP: Helsinki Places are child-friendly Helsinki gems with lots of insider tips and the beginning of Helsinki’s place directory.

What to do today: Cows in the city! Cows live at both Haltia and Fallkulla, as well as in summer in the fields of Viik Research Farm. On the Espoo side, goats are working on landscape maintenance tasks in the Laajalahti Nature Reserve. Read more about Espoo’s goats here.

SUNDAY, JUNE 17, 2018

Other Events:

Also remember: Playground Hide-and-Seek adventure continues around the city!

EastFest Helsinki 2018 on Family Sundays features music, theater and relaxed hanging out in the beautiful Puotila Manor Park Sunday 11 AM-5 PM. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

The Future Tram is Here! -exhibition at Kaapelitehdas Merikaapelihalli until June 20, 2018. The exhibition is open Sunday 12-4 PM. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

Children’s Island Adventure on Hara Island off Kaivopuisto Sunday 1-3 PM. Island adventure is aimed at 4-10 year-olds. The connecting ferry to Hara Island leaves from Kaivopuisto’s Ulanlinna Pier (Ehrenströmintie 3). Round-trip ferry ticket costs €5 for adults, €2 for children and seniors (card payment only). Admission to Hara Island and the island adventure is free. More information about the island adventure on the event’s Facebook page.

Summer Theater: Theater Tuikki’s The Three Little Pigs is a summer theater performance seen on Tapanila Village Farm patio Sunday at 2 PM. Tickets €12/€10. Read more on Theater Tuikki’s website.

Tip for Espoo: Villa Elfvik Wildflower Day Family Hike is a whole family active nature hike where you travel at children’s pace. Bring small snacks and dress according to the weather. Hike in Elfvik scenery Sunday 10:30 AM-12:30 PM. Free admission, no advance registration required. More information on Villa Elfvik’s website.

Tip for Kerava: Kerava Day is celebrated Sunday 10 AM-5 PM. Programming for all ages, see detailed program information in the event brochure.

What to do today: The Helsinki Fire Department’s Fire Museum will be closing soon for summer vacation, so the museum is worth visiting now! The Fire Museum, located at the Erottaja Fire Station, is open Wednesdays and Sundays 12-4 PM. Admission is €2, children under 15 free. More information on the fire museum’s website.

New at Pieni Helsinki: Summer Cafés around the city!

Also Remember These:

Mustasaari Summer Island regular ferry service began June 5, 2018 and you can take a trip to the island from Taivallahti Beach through August. Read more about Mustasaari here.

At Espa Stage you can see almost daily different concerts and performances during the summer. Read more and see the summer concert program on the City of Helsinki’s culture services website.

Fallkulla Farm is open all summer daily May 26-August 26, 10 AM-3 PM. Read more on the farm’s website. Also Linnunrata Playground in Helsinki, Glims House Museum in Espoo and Katrineberg Manor in Vantaa have farm animals as summer guests!

Helsinki City Museum and Kids’ City open from June 4, 2018 onwards at 9 AM during the summer season. A great playground for early risers! Read more on the museum’s website. Kids’ City also features the illustrator Jenni Isotoff’s narrative art exhibition Dream Mäykkynen & Helsinki from May 29 to August 31. At Kids’ City, during the summer there is daily self-directed paper crafting for families as usual. From June 1 onwards, paper city fox chains and other decorations featuring Helsinki animals are made. More information on the city museum’s website.

Haaga Alpine Rhododendron Park Bloom continues for a while and the park is nice to visit with children too. So head out on a trip to the wooded rhododendron park to marvel at the beautiful multicolored blooms. Read more about the rhododendron park here.

Linnanmäki Amusement Park has opened the 2018 summer season. Check June’s exact opening hours on the amusement park’s website.

Current museum tips in Pieni Helsinki’s museum news article.