Summer Week Activity Tips for Preschoolers and Introduction to Helsinki Summer Courtyards

The opening ceremony of the Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden is being held on Saturday.
The Palm House in the photo dates from 1889.
 

After surviving a rainy but event-filled Helsinki day, you can start planning the program for the upcoming summer days. This week too, June 14-18, 2017, there is plenty of family-friendly activities and things to do for little ones. Little Helsinki compiles event listings with activities and tips that are mainly suitable for preschool children.

Weekdays: Nearly all of Helsinki's playgrounds are still open and organize guided activities daily and free lunch for under 16-year-olds. For example, the children's orchestra VimmaRalli performs on Wednesday, June 14 at Kiiltotähti playground in Laajasalo, and at Linnunrata playground in Suutarila you can pet summer animals, and on Thursday, June 15 at Filpus playground in Malmi, Nallekopla performs. On Friday, June 16 at Trumpetti playground there is a Finland 100 celebration, which also features Nallekopla. A fire truck, coast guard dogs, games, and play activities will be present at Trumpetti. Playgrounds always offer free outdoor play on weekdays, and indoor activities when it rains. Many playgrounds also have swimming or water play activities on warm days.

Children’s Traffic City hosts family days every Friday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., where children can be guided by an adult to drive around the traffic city and learn about traffic rules and pedal cars. Free admission.

Pikku Pavu Orchestra.
On Saturday, June 17, Holiday Day at Teurastamo is being held. Holiday Day is a versatile summer event for families with children, featuring workshops, music, and yard games. On the yard stage, in addition to Kirjaverstas program, Kikattava Kakkiainen's disco at 12 and 2 p.m., and Pikku Pavu Orchestra at 3 p.m. The Hippalot art festival from Hämeenlinna also brings programming to the area. Free admission.
At the same time on Saturday at Teurastamo, Kirjaverstas Children's Book Festival is a family event offering diverse programming for small and large children. Expect author interviews led by Katti Matikainen, Etana Editions workshops for children, music, and other children's book-related programming. Free admission.

Quieter programming on Saturday is offered by the Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden opening. The event also launches Nature Day. The renovated Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden outdoor area opens ceremonially on Nature Day. The garden and greenhouses are free to enter and there is programming for all ages. The place itself is worth experiencing for both small and large visitors. Note, however, that strollers cannot navigate inside the indoor greenhouses. The outdoor garden gate is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., greenhouses from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On Sunday, June 18, Kivinokka Children’s Flea Market is being held at Kivinokka Beach and its surroundings, where children sell items to other children, though adults are naturally also welcome. The event is open to all and free of charge.

On Sunday, as on every summer Sunday, Children’s Island Adventure at Harakka Nature Center takes place from 1-3 p.m. The adventure is aimed at 4-10-year-olds. You can reach Harakka Island by shuttle boat from Kaivopuisto or Ullanlinnan pier. The ferry ride is paid, but entry to the island adventure is free. Harakka Island’s complete summer program

Helsinki Summer Courtyards

There are several summer courtyards in the downtown area. The National Museum's interior courtyard is worth a quick visit to admire the courtyard trees and listen to the city buzz. The Rikhardinkatu Library summer courtyard hosts diverse programming, but you can also visit the courtyard to escape the city hustle or read in the shade. Riku's summer courtyard program can be found here. The Torikorttelit children's summer courtyard at the City Hall back courtyard is, according to rumors, being built little by little, and as in last summer, children can play in sandboxes and rock in hammocks. A reliable source promises that the final result will be visible in the coming days. Summer courtyards are free to enter.

From the Herttoniemi Manor area, you can find City Gardener’s summer café this summer along with the gardener’s chicken coop and chickens and rooster Timo. The summer café is open Tuesdays from 2-5 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You should also pop by the beautiful Herttoniemi Manor park. The charming Kahvila Siili summer café and courtyard serves in Käpylä daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the summer.

More Information About Events and Event Venues

Kiiltotähti Playground, Ilomäentie 8 VimmaRalli performs in the playground on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at 10:15 a.m., lunch service at 12 p.m. The day's soup is meat soup.

Linnunrata Playground, Linnunradantie 8 During the summer, Linnunrata Playground is home to sheep, chickens, and rabbits.

Filpus Playground, Filpuksenpolku 4 Nallekopla performs at Filpus on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 11:15 a.m., lunch service at 12 p.m. The day’s soup is broiler and root vegetable soup.

Trumpetti Playground, Trumpettikujan pää Finland 100 celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day’s lunch is a mood-boosting vegetable soup.

More Information About Summer Lunch in Helsinki Playgrounds

Children’s Traffic City, Auroranportti 2 Children’s Traffic City Summer

Holiday Day - Children’s Event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Teurastamo, Työpajankatu 2 Teurastamo Event Area Introduction Kirjaverstas Children’s Book Festivals from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Teurastamo, Työpajankatu 2

Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden, Unioninkatu 44 Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden Outdoor Area Opening

Kivinokka Children’s Flea Market, Kivinokka Recreation Area More Information About Kivinokka

National Museum, Mannerheimintie 34 Rikhardinkatu Library, Rikhardinkatu 3 More Information About Riku’s Summer Courtyard

City Gardener’s Summer Café, Herttoniemi Manor Area, Johan Sederholmintie 3 Kahvila Siili, Ilmattarentie 8 C

Missing an event from the list? Tip others in the comments here or send an email to [email protected]