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

The cover image of this article is from the Japanese-style garden in Roihuvuori, where cherry blossoms will surely be blooming in full this week. Roihuvuori has two wonderful cherry blossom spots: the Cherry Park at the corner of Abraham Wetterintie and Sahaankatu, and higher up in Roihuvuori, a Japanese-style garden near Roihuvuorentie 18.

Current Events

  • Did you know that the Children's Traffic City can be explored on your own outside operating hours (weekdays 8 am-4 pm) with, for example, your own scooter? The area gates are open and the traffic lights are working. And it's free! :)
  • New exhibition! Merkillinen Skidipeli at Media Museum and Archive Merkkiin May 8–October 27, 2024. Free admission.
  • New exhibition! Kirsi Kunnas: Poem Room - Interactive Exhibition featuring poems and stories at Annantalo gallery May 10–August 24, 2024. Open during Annantalo's regular hours. The exhibition is part of Kirsi Kunnas' centenary celebrations.
  • Skidimarket is open on the 2nd floor of Hakaniemi Market Hall throughout May!
  • You can also borrow museum tickets from the library!
    From Viikin Library you can borrow admission tickets to the Natural History Museum: a family ticket (2 adults, 4 children) or a single person ticket. Ticket loan period is 7 days. Admission tickets cannot be reserved in advance.
  • Espoo: Being Happy is Being - Play Space and Exhibition at Children's Culture Centre Aurora. Exhibition open:
    April 30–May 29, Mon-Fri 9 am-4 pm, Sat May 4, 11, 18, and 25 10 am-2 pm, and during events. Closed on Ascension Day May 9.     Free admission.
  • Art in the Heart of the City! Kim Simonsson's Moss Giants can be encountered at Lasipalatsi square and at Bio Rex terrace until October. Impressive, thought-provoking, and delighting to children as well.

MONDAY, MAY 13, 2024

Events and Activity Ideas

  • Skidimarket has opened its doors again on the 2nd floor of Hakaniemi Market Hall and desperately needs staff!
  • Dance and Play Workshops for toddlers and their parents at Caisa Culture Center (Kaikukatu 4 B) in the Maissi space on Mondays at 9:15 am and 10:15 am.
    The Dance and Play workshop inspires and guides Helsinki parents and children to create and experience dance art together. You can participate in the workshop whenever it suits you, every time or just sometimes. Choose a time that works for you and arrive on time. No advance registration required; spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Space for 12 first arrivals. Free admission.

Playground Activities on Monday

  • Playgrounds: Playground indoor spaces are open to families on weekdays mainly 9 am-12 pm; afternoons are reserved for school children. More detailed information on individual playground websites. Playgrounds provide updates on their programs in Helsinki's city event calendar and on their own Facebook pages.
  • At Loru Playroom on Monday:
    10:30-11:15 am Loru's Games - play or movement for over 1-year-olds, Oodi 3rd floor event space
    1 pm-1:30 pm Kukkuluuruu Baby Session for under 1-year-olds, Oodi 3rd floor event space
    3 pm-3:30 pm Kukkuluuruu Baby Session for under 1-year-olds, Oodi 3rd floor event space
  • Family Centers Have Activities:
    - Family Center Naapuri (Kivikonkaari 11, Kivikko) weekly schedule can be found on the center's Facebook page.
    - Family Center Sahrami (Kangasalantie 11, Vallila) weekly schedule can be found on the center's Facebook page.

    - MLL's Family Center Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0-12. Read more on the family center's website!

Library Activities on Monday

  • Helmet Library Children's Events can be found on Helmet's event page.
    (Due to updates on the Helmet website, linking to specific daily events is no longer possible.)

TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2024

Events and Activity Ideas

  • Skidimarket has opened its doors again on the 2nd floor of Hakaniemi Market Hall and desperately needs staff!
  • Last time this spring! Metropolia's HyMy-Village Family Club Metku at Myllypuro Metropolia premises (next to the metro station) on Tuesday 9-11 am. Each session also features varying programs for families led by early childhood education, social services, health, and culture students. Free admission.
  • Health Center Park on Tuesdays 9:30 am–1 pm at Kamppi Family Center's lower foyer. Free admission.
  • Ateneum Free Day on Wednesday 10 am-8 pm.
  • Kindergarten Museum is open on Tuesdays 12 pm-7 pm. In honor of the Kallio Blooms festival week, admission to the Kindergarten Museum is free.
  • Art for Toddlers Workshop (Open Studio for Toddlers Workshops) at Caisa Culture Center (Kaikukatu 4 B) on Tuesdays 1:30 pm-3:30 pm. Workshops are suitable for children aged 1.5–3 years with an accompanying adult. No advance registration required; free admission. You can attend the workshops for the full time or just for a while.

Playground Activities on Tuesday

  • Playgrounds: Playground indoor spaces are open to families on weekdays mainly 9 am-12 pm; afternoons are reserved for school children. More detailed information on individual playground websites. Playgrounds provide updates on their programs in Helsinki's city event calendar and on their own Facebook pages.
  • At Loru Playroom on Tuesday:
    11 am Stroller Gymnastics, Oodi outdoor area
    3 pm Loru's Warmth - Baby Session for under 1-year-olds
  • MLL's Family Center Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0-12. Read more on the family center's website!

Library Activities on Tuesday

  • Helmet Library Children's Events can be found on Helmet's event page.
    (Due to updates on the Helmet website, linking to specific daily events is no longer possible.)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2024

Events and Activity Ideas

  • Skidimarket has opened its doors again on the 2nd floor of Hakaniemi Market Hall and desperately needs staff!
  • Fire Museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open on Wednesdays 12 pm-4 pm. Small admission fee.
  • Kindergarten Museum is open on Wednesday 12 pm-7 pm. In honor of the Kallio Blooms festival week, admission to the Kindergarten Museum is free.

Playground Activities on Wednesday

  • Playgrounds: Playground indoor spaces are open to families on weekdays mainly 9 am-12 pm; afternoons are reserved for school children. More detailed information on individual playground websites. Playgrounds provide updates on their programs in Helsinki's city event calendar and on their own Facebook pages.
  • At Loru Playroom on Wednesday:
    10:30 am-12 pm Loru Creates – Crafts for all ages at Oodi 3rd floor
    1:30 pm-3 pm Loru Creates – Crafts for all ages at Oodi 3rd floor
    2 pm and 2:45 pm Story Time with HelsinkiMission, Oodi 3rd floor
  • MLL's Family Center Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0-12. Read more on the family center's website!

Library Activities on Wednesday

  • Helmet Library Children's Events can be found on Helmet's event page.
    (Due to updates on the Helmet website, linking to specific daily events is no longer possible.)

Pienten Suomi - Over 700 Reasons to Travel in Finland with Children!

THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024

Events and Activity Ideas

  • Skidimarket has opened its doors again on the 2nd floor of Hakaniemi Market Hall and desperately needs staff!
  • Albert's Living Room is open on Thursdays 9:30 am–3 pm.
  • Art for Toddlers Workshops (Open Studio for Toddlers Workshops) at Caisa Culture Center (Kaikukatu 4 B) on Thursdays 10 am-12 pm. Workshops are suitable for children aged 1.5–3 years with an accompanying adult. No advance registration required; free admission. You can attend the workshops for the full time or just for a while.
  • Vantaa: Tuntupolku - Experience Space for Babies and Toddlers at Children's Culture Center Pessi (Tikkurila) April 5–June 30, 2024. Open Wed-Fri 10 am–4 pm and at Pessi's evening and weekend events. Free admission.
  • University of Helsinki Observatory on Tähtitornin Hill is open on Thursday 12 pm–8 pm. Museum admission fee applies.
  • Whole Family Maunula Day on Thursday 4 pm-7 pm at Maunula Community School yard (Kuusikkotie 3). Free admission.

Playground Activities on Thursday

  • Playgrounds: Playground indoor spaces are open to families on weekdays mainly 9 am-12 pm; afternoons are reserved for school children. More detailed information on individual playground websites. Playgrounds provide updates on their programs in Helsinki's city event calendar and on their own Facebook pages.
  • At Loru Playroom on Thursday:
    11 am–11:30 am Loru's Warmth – Baby Session for under 1-year-olds
    2:30 pm–3:15 pm Loru's Games – Action Session for over 1-year-olds
  • Family Centers Have Activities
    - Family Center Naapuri (Kivikonkaari 11, Kivikko) weekly schedule can be found on the center's Facebook page.
    - Family Center Sahrami (Kangasalantie 11, Vallila) weekly schedule can be found on the center's Facebook page.
  • MLL's Family Center Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0-12. Read more on the family center's website!

Library Activities on Thursday

  • Helmet Library Children's Events can be found on Helmet's event page.
    (Due to updates on the Helmet website, linking to specific daily events is no longer possible.)

FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2024

Events and Activity Ideas

Playground Activities on Friday

  • Playgrounds: Playground indoor spaces are open to families on weekdays mainly 9 am-12 pm; afternoons are reserved for school children. More detailed information on individual playground websites. Playgrounds provide updates on their programs in Helsinki's city event calendar and on their own Facebook pages.
  • At Loru Playroom on Friday:
    1 pm-1:30 pm Loru's Songs - Song Session for all ages, Oodi 3rd floor
    3 pm-3:30 pm Loru's Magic – Session with a changing theme featuring play, movement or stories for over 2-year-olds, Oodi 3rd floor.
  • Family Centers Have Activities
    - Family Center Naapuri (Kivikonkaari 11, Kivikko) weekly schedule can be found on the center's Facebook page.
    - Family Center Sahrami (Kangasalantie 11, Vallila) weekly schedule can be found on the center's Facebook page.
  • MLL's Family Center Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0-12. Read more on the family center's website!

Library Activities on Friday

  • Helmet Library Children's Events can be found on Helmet's event page.
    (Due to updates on the Helmet website, linking to specific daily events is no longer possible.)

SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024

International Museum Day

Events and Activity Ideas

  • Helmet Library Children's Events can be found on Helmet's event page.
    (Due to updates on the Helmet website, linking to specific daily events is no longer possible.)
    - Tomi Pulkkinen Duo - Music Story Caravan at Arabianranta Library on Saturday 1 pm.
  • On International Museum Day many museums offer free admission.
  • Merkillinen Skidipeli at Media Museum and Archive Merkkiin May 8–October 27, 2024. Free admission.
  • Sounding Courtyard Event at Kindergarten Museum's Ebeneser building courtyard and inside on Saturday 10 am-2:30 pm. Free admission.
  • Arabian Street Festival and its extensive program (including a flea market!) is held on Saturday on Hämeentie at the Arabianranta end. Free admission.
  • Pikkis Celebrates on Saturday 1 pm-4 pm in Pikku Huopalahti park, Pensselis playground, court, sand field and school. Free admission.

SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2024

Commemoration Day

Events and Activity Ideas

Don't forget:

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