Pienten Helsinki
What to do or where to go with children? What kid-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki this week? Little Helsinki's weekly Where to Go guide searches for activity tips and recommends child-friendly events and activities in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The target audience of the website is families with children under ten years old.
NOTE! Always check the latest event information and
any changes on the organizer's website. Some events
may require a COVID certificate for those over 16 years old.
The article's cover image is from the Christmas window display of Verhoomo Laiskanlinna in Etu-Töölö from a couple of years ago.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2021
St. Lucia Day
Events at libraries
Helmet library events for children this week can be found on Helmet's events page.
Activity at playgrounds
Open early childhood activities (playgrounds and family centers) are open, and the indoor areas of parks, playground yards, fixed play equipment, and outdoor toys are available for children and families. More information available on the city website.
Tips for the best playgrounds and introductions to Helsinki's newest playgrounds can be found on Little Helsinki.
Events and activity tips
Last week! The children's and family-friendly café Skidilä, located in Annantalo, is open for its final week.
Art Clinic: Art Clinic's Christmas Laboratory
Art Clinic's non-stop workshop at Annantalo on Mondays from 10am-2pm. The family's younger children, babies, and toddlers can also participate in experiencing the art clinic atmosphere. The activity is free.
Annantalo's Christmas December 9-19, 2021. Note! Part of the program requires advance registration.
Seurasaari Christmas Path can be experienced on your own starting Thursday, December 9, 2021. Free admission.
Espoo: Aurora Christmas District December 7-16, 2021. Part of the program requires advance registration or is paid.
You can celebrate St. Lucia Day by watching the Lucia coronation ceremony live from Yle Arena and Yle Teema at 5pm. The traditional St. Lucia Day procession through the city will not be held in 2021, but the year's Lucia will descend the Cathedral steps after the coronation ceremony. The Cathedral is open to the public for the Lucia coronation, but seating is limited.
Children's Lucia procession leaves from Tapanila Village Green on Monday at 6:30pm. Free admission.
Uutela Star Path is back on the Uutela shoreline trail! This year, the mobile map will guide you to the Star Path checkpoints—there are no checkpoint markers on the ground.
Fortress Christmas and Fortress Elf Route on Suomenlinna November 27, 2021 - January 6, 2022.
St. Thomas Market on Market Square November 27 - December 22, 2021. The market will delight children once again this year with a traditional carousel. Free admission.
Christmas season sales and markets -list can be found here!
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021
Events at libraries
Christmas Party for Families at Vuosaari Library on Tuesday from 4-7pm.
Helmet library events for children this week can be found on Helmet's events page.
Children's library bus travels around the city and stops in different neighborhoods according to its own schedule.
Activity at playgrounds
Open early childhood activities (playgrounds and family centers) are open, and the indoor areas of parks, playground yards, fixed play equipment, and outdoor toys are available for children and families. More information available on the city website.
Tips for the best playgrounds and introductions to Helsinki's newest playgrounds can be found on Little Helsinki.
Events and activity tips
Familyball games at Pallomylly indoor hall in Myllypuro sports park. In family ball games, all children under 9 move with their own adult on the soft artificial turf. Free play, exercises, running, or even learning to walk. Family ball games on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30am and 4-6pm. Morning ball games are free for everyone; afternoon games require paying the Pallomylly entrance fee for adults.
Last week! The children's and family-friendly café Skidilä, located in Annantalo, is open for its final week.
Annantalo's Christmas December 9-19, 2021. Note! Part of the program requires advance registration.
Seurasaari Christmas Path can be experienced on your own starting Thursday, December 9, 2021. Free admission.
Espoo: Aurora Christmas District December 7-16, 2021. Part of the program requires advance registration or is paid.
Kindergarten Museum is open on Tuesdays from 12-7pm. Small admission fee.
Family Fun at Sakarinen Primary School in Östersundom on Tuesdays from 5-6:30pm from October 26 - December 14, 2021. Family Fun offers free, self-directed physical activity for families with pre-school children.
Uutela Star Path is back on the Uutela shoreline trail! This year, the mobile map will guide you to the Star Path checkpoints—there are no checkpoint markers on the ground.
Fortress Christmas and Fortress Elf Route on Suomenlinna November 27, 2021 - January 6, 2022.
St. Thomas Market on Market Square November 27 - December 22, 2021. The market will delight children once again this year with a traditional carousel. Free admission.
Christmas season sales and markets -list can be found here!
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021
Events at libraries
Helmet library events for children this week can be found on Helmet's events page.
Activity at playgrounds
Open early childhood activities (playgrounds and family centers) are open, and the indoor areas of parks, playground yards, fixed play equipment, and outdoor toys are available for children and families. More information available on the city website.
Tips for the best playgrounds and introductions to Helsinki's newest playgrounds can be found on Little Helsinki.
Events and activity tips
Last week! The children's and family-friendly café Skidilä, located in Annantalo, is open for its final week.
Annantalo's Christmas December 9-19, 2021. Note! Part of the program requires advance registration.
Stoa circus courses for babies and toddlers: The Magic of the Circus! For ages 0-2 at Stoa on Wednesday at 9am. Advance registration required!
Stoa circus courses for babies and toddlers: The Magic of the Circus! For ages 3-4 at Stoa on Wednesday at 10:15am. Advance registration required!
Espoo: Aurora Christmas District December 7-16, 2021. Part of the program requires advance registration or is paid.
Uutela Star Path is back on the Uutela shoreline trail! This year, the mobile map will guide you to the Star Path checkpoints—there are no checkpoint markers on the ground.
Fire Museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open on Wednesdays from 12-4pm. Small admission fee.
Kindergarten Museum is open on Wednesdays from 12-7pm. Small admission fee.
Christmas carols at Bear Park on Wednesday at 7pm.
Fortress Christmas and Fortress Elf Route on Suomenlinna November 27, 2021 - January 6, 2022.
St. Thomas Market on Market Square November 27 - December 22, 2021. The market will delight children once again this year with a traditional carousel. Free admission.
Christmas season sales and markets -list can be found here!
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021
Events at libraries
Helmet library events for children this week can be found on Helmet's events page.
Activity at playgrounds
Open early childhood activities (playgrounds and family centers) are open, and the indoor areas of parks, playground yards, fixed play equipment, and outdoor toys are available for children and families. More information available on the city website.
Tips for the best playgrounds and introductions to Helsinki's newest playgrounds can be found on Little Helsinki.
Events and activity tips
Family Fun at Tali Sports Park Football Hall on Thursdays from 9:30-11am from October 7 - December 16, 2021. Family Fun offers free, self-directed physical activity for families with pre-school children.
Seurasaari Christmas Path can be experienced on your own starting Thursday, December 9, 2021. Free admission.
Last week! The children's and family-friendly café Skidilä, located in Annantalo, is open for its final week.
Annantalo's Christmas December 9-19, 2021. Note! Part of the program requires advance registration.
Espoo: Aurora Christmas District December 7-16, 2021. Part of the program requires advance registration or is paid.
Uutela Star Path is back on the Uutela shoreline trail! This year, the mobile map will guide you to the Star Path checkpoints—there are no checkpoint markers on the ground.
Family ball games at Pallomylly indoor hall in Myllypuro sports park. In family ball games, all children under 9 move with their own adult on the soft artificial turf. Free play, exercises, running, or even learning to walk. Family ball games on Thursdays from 4-5pm. Afternoon games require paying the Pallomylly entrance fee for adults.
Family Fun at Kamppi Sports Center on Thursdays from 5-6:30pm from October 7 - December 16, 2021. Family Fun offers free, self-directed physical activity for families with pre-school children.
MLL Oulunkylä Family Christmas Event at Mäkitorppa Playground on Thursday from 5:30-7pm.
Fortress Christmas and Fortress Elf Route on Suomenlinna November 27, 2021 - January 6, 2022.
St. Thomas Market on Market Square November 27 - December 22, 2021. The market will delight children once again this year with a traditional carousel. Free admission.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2021
Events at libraries
What a great event idea! Soft toy Christmas party at Vallila, Oulunkylä, and Kallio libraries!
Helmet library events for children this week can be found on Helmet's events page.
Activity at playgrounds
Many playgrounds are celebrating rice porridge parties with rice porridge and other Christmas activities. For more specific information, check the playgrounds' own (Facebook) pages.
Open early childhood activities (playgrounds and family centers) are open, and the indoor areas of parks, playground yards, fixed play equipment, and outdoor toys are available for children and families. More information available on the city website.
Tips for the best playgrounds and introductions to Helsinki's newest playgrounds can be found on Little Helsinki.
Events and activity tips
Last week! The children's and family-friendly café Skidilä, located in Annantalo, is open for its final week.
Annantalo's Christmas December 9-19, 2021. Note! Part of the program requires advance registration.
Seurasaari Christmas Path can be experienced on your own starting Thursday, December 9, 2021. Free admission.
Espoo: Aurora Christmas District December 7-16, 2021. Part of the program requires advance registration or is paid.
Uutela Star Path is back on the Uutela shoreline trail! This year, the mobile map will guide you to the Star Path checkpoints—there are no checkpoint markers on the ground.
Fortress Christmas and Fortress Elf Route on Suomenlinna November 27, 2021 - January 6, 2022.
St. Thomas Market on Market Square November 27 - December 22, 2021. The market will delight children once again this year with a traditional carousel. Free admission.
Want to ice skate? You can skate at numerous Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa artificial and natural ice rinks! Skating at artificial ice rinks is free again this year. Current rink condition information can be found at Ulkoliikunta.fi service.
Christmas season sales and markets -list can be found here!
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021
Events at libraries
Helmet library events for children for the weekend can be found on Helmet's events page.
Events and activity tips
Seurasaari Christmas Path can be experienced on your own starting Thursday, December 9, 2021. Free admission.
Helsinki Christmas Christmas Path Adventure in the city center offers a storybook Christmas adventure. The Christmas Path story can be accessed and viewed via NFC or QR code until December 19.
Annantalo's Christmas December 9-19, 2021. Note! Part of the program requires advance registration.
Last week! The children's and family-friendly café Skidilä, located in Annantalo, is open for its final week.
Kerava: Kerava Christmas at Heikkilä Local History Museum Saturday from 10am-6pm and Sunday from 10am-4pm. Free admission.
Matavieja Concert at Töölö Christmas Square on Saturday at 11am. Santa Claus will also be present. Free admission.
Vironniemi Kindergarten's Christmas Event at Säätytalo Park on Saturday from 11am-3pm.
Vantaa: Church Village Christmas around St. Lawrence Church on Saturday from 12-4pm.
Christmas Path at Särkiniemi outdoor area in Lauttasaari on Saturday from 4-7pm. Free admission.
Uutela Star Path is back on the Uutela shoreline trail! This year, the mobile map will guide you to the Star Path checkpoints—there are no checkpoint markers on the ground.
Christmas season sales and markets -list can be found here!
Fortress Christmas and Fortress Elf Route on Suomenlinna November 27, 2021 - January 6, 2022.
St. Thomas Market on Market Square November 27 - December 22, 2021. The market will delight children once again this year with a traditional carousel. Free admission.
Don't forget either! Little Finland is Little Helsinki's little sister, offering activity tips and experiences throughout Finland. Also includes plenty of tips for nearby areas and day trips, plus a large list of the best playgrounds around Finland!
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2021
Events and activity tips
Christmas season sales and markets -list can be found here!
Helmet library events for children for the weekend can be found on Helmet's events page.
Seurasaari Christmas Path can be experienced on your own starting Thursday, December 9, 2021. Free admission.
Helsinki Christmas Christmas Path Adventure in the city center offers a storybook Christmas adventure. The Christmas Path story can be accessed and viewed via NFC or QR code until December 19.
Last day! The children's and family-friendly café Skidilä, located in Annantalo, is open for its final week.
Annantalo's Christmas December 9-19, 2021. Note! Part of the program requires advance registration.
Fire Museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open on Sundays from 12-4pm. Small admission fee.
Bear Park Christmas Event on Sunday from 4-7pm (location: Bear Park in Kallio).
Uutela Star Path is back on the Uutela shoreline trail! This year, the mobile map will guide you to the Star Path checkpoints—there are no checkpoint markers on the ground.
St. Thomas Market on Market Square November 27 - December 22, 2021. The market will delight children once again this year with a traditional carousel. Free admission.
Fortress Christmas and Fortress Elf Route on Suomenlinna November 27, 2021 - January 6, 2022.
Tips for the best playgrounds and introductions to Helsinki's newest playgrounds can be found on Little Helsinki.
Want to ice skate? You can skate at numerous Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa artificial and natural ice rinks! Skating at artificial ice rinks is free again this year. Current rink condition information can be found at Ulkoliikunta.fi service.
