Pienten Helsinki
What child-friendly activities are available in Helsinki? Where to go with kids on the weekend? What can you do on a rainy day?
Pienten Helsinki's weekly "Where to Go This Week" series is back after a break that started during the coronavirus spring and seeks tips for activities and child-friendly events in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The website targets families with children under ten years old.
NOTE! Always check the latest information from the organizer's website,
as unexpected cancellations are possible.
The article's cover image is from Seurasaari Open-Air Museum.
MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020
At the Libraries
Helmet libraries have returned to normal opening hours, but live events are not yet being held. Information about upcoming online events for children can be found on Helmet's events page.
Ode to Nature Exhibition in the Brygga space at Oodi Central Library from June 1 to September 31, 2020 (at minimum).
At the Playgrounds
The fall season at playgrounds and family centers begins on Thursday, August 13, 2020, when all playgrounds (except Loru playground, which opens on August 17, 2020) and family centers are open again as usual. Information about the fall activities at playgrounds can be found on the City of Helsinki website.
Playground meals ended for summer 2020.
Events and Activity Ideas
Albert's Living Room is an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi. Albert's Living Room is open again with special coronavirus precautions, and the living room is open on Mondays from 9:30-15.
The Newspaper Museum has the Seven Dog Brothers exhibition on display from June 1 to December 31, 2020. Free admission, also open on Mondays.
Espoo: Children's City Dances at Aurora on Monday at 5:30 PM. Free admission.
Espoo: Round like Pom Pom Pom - tactile fairy tale space for babies and toddlers at Children's Cultural Center Aurora from August 15 to October 23, 2020. Open Monday to Friday from 9-16 and Saturdays from 10-14. Free admission.
Going to a museum with kids? You can find tips for museum visits in summer 2020 here.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2020
The fall semester begins at Swedish-language schools in Helsinki.
At the Libraries
Helmet libraries have returned to normal opening hours, but live events are not yet being held. Information about upcoming online events for children can be found on Helmet's events page.
Ode to Nature Exhibition in the Brygga space at Oodi Central Library from June 1 to September 31, 2020 (at minimum).
At the Playgrounds
The fall season at playgrounds and family centers begins on Thursday, August 13, 2020, when all playgrounds (except Loru playground, which opens on August 17, 2020) and family centers are open again as usual. Information about the fall activities at playgrounds can be found on the City of Helsinki website.
Playground meals ended for summer 2020.
Events and Activity Ideas
Exhibition: Why Does Mörkö Smile? in Annantalo's Glass Gallery (2nd floor) from August 18-30, 2020. Open during Annantalo's opening hours. Free admission.
Kindergarten Museum is open on Tuesdays from 12-19. Small admission fee.
Espoo: Round like Pom Pom Pom - tactile fairy tale space for babies and toddlers at Children's Cultural Center Aurora from August 15 to October 23, 2020. Open Monday to Friday from 9-16 and Saturdays from 10-14. Free admission.
Have you already visited the new Herttoniemi Library?
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2020
At the Libraries
Helmet libraries have returned to normal opening hours, but live events are not yet being held. Information about upcoming online events for children can be found on Helmet's events page.
Ode to Nature Exhibition in the Brygga space at Oodi Central Library from June 1 to September 31, 2020 (at minimum).
At the Playgrounds
The fall season at playgrounds and family centers begins on Thursday, August 13, 2020, when all playgrounds (except Loru playground, which opens on August 17, 2020) and family centers are open again as usual. Information about the fall activities at playgrounds can be found on the City of Helsinki website.
Playground meals ended for summer 2020.
Events and Activity Ideas
Exhibition: Why Does Mörkö Smile? in Annantalo's Glass Gallery (2nd floor) from August 18-30, 2020. Open during Annantalo's opening hours. Free admission.
Albert's Living Room is an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi. Albert's Living Room is open again with special coronavirus precautions, and the living room is open on Wednesdays from 9:30-15.
Fire Museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open on Wednesdays from 12-16. Small admission fee, children under 15 free.
Kindergarten Museum is open on Wednesdays from 12-19. Small admission fee.
Summer Music Playschool - music class in English at Annantalo's A-stage on Wednesday at 4 PM Free admission, but advance registration is required.
Harvest Festival at Kumpula School Garden (Vähänkyröntie 3-6) on Wednesday from 4-8 PM. In previous years, this event has been a wonderful experience with children, so I dare recommend a visit to the garden this year as well. Café treats and seasonal produce available for purchase, plus activities for children. Free admission.
Dads' After Work with Kids - Fathers' and Children's Park Meetup at playground Iso-Anta on Wednesdays from 5-7 PM.
Virtual Event: Helsinki Harbor Festivities 2020 on Wednesday at 6 PM.
Espoo: Round like Pom Pom Pom - tactile fairy tale space for babies and toddlers at Children's Cultural Center Aurora from August 15 to October 23, 2020. Open Monday to Friday from 9-16 and Saturdays from 10-14. Free admission.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2020
At the Libraries
Helmet libraries have returned to normal opening hours, but live events are not yet being held. Information about upcoming online events for children can be found on Helmet's events page.
Ode to Nature Exhibition in the Brygga space at Oodi Central Library from June 1 to September 31, 2020 (at minimum).
At the Playgrounds
The fall season at playgrounds and family centers begins on Thursday, August 13, 2020, when all playgrounds (except Loru playground, which opens on August 17, 2020) and family centers are open again as usual. Information about the fall activities at playgrounds can be found on the City of Helsinki website.
Events and Activity Ideas
Exhibition: Why Does Mörkö Smile? in Annantalo's Glass Gallery (2nd floor) from August 18-30, 2020. Open during Annantalo's opening hours. Free admission.
Albert's Living Room is an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi. Albert's Living Room is open again with special coronavirus precautions, and the living room is open on Thursdays from 9:30-15.
Summer Music Playschool - music class in English at Annantalo's A-stage on Thursday at 10:30 AM. Free admission, but advance registration is required.
Wild and Free Paintings-Workshop at Annantalo's yard on Thursday at 11 AM. Free admission.
Arts Thursdays: Metkut - a singing, dancing and joking performance for the whole family in Annantalo's celebration hall on Thursday at 2 PM and 5 PM. Free admission, but advance registration is required.
Taskari - Dance Music Class in English at Annantalo's A-stage on Thursday at 2:45 PM. Free admission.
Circus in the Park at Composer's Park in Pukinmäki on Thursday from 4-6 PM.
How Animals Sleep - Book Launch Event for the whole family at Annantalo's A-stage on Thursday at 5:30 PM. Free admission.
The Newspaper Museum has the Seven Dog Brothers exhibition on display from June 1 to December 31, 2020. Free admission, also open on Mondays.
Espoo: Round like Pom Pom Pom - tactile fairy tale space for babies and toddlers at Children's Cultural Center Aurora from August 15 to October 23, 2020. Open Monday to Friday from 9-16 and Saturdays from 10-14. Free admission.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020
At the Libraries
Helmet libraries have returned to normal opening hours, but live events are not yet being held. Information about upcoming online events for children can be found on Helmet's events page.
Ode to Nature Exhibition in the Brygga space at Oodi Central Library from June 1 to September 31, 2020 (at minimum).
At the Playgrounds
The fall season at playgrounds and family centers begins on Thursday, August 13, 2020, when all playgrounds and family centers are open again as usual. Information about the fall activities at playgrounds can be found on the City of Helsinki website.
Events and Activity Ideas
Helsinki Fest Celebration Weekend August 21-23, 2020. Helsinki Festivals cannot be held this summer, but a new multidisciplinary event brings art to parks and streets as well as online, radio and television in August.
Exhibition: Why Does Mörkö Smile? in Annantalo's Glass Gallery (2nd floor) from August 18-30, 2020. Open during Annantalo's opening hours. Free admission.
Albert's Living Room is an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi. Albert's Living Room is open again with special coronavirus precautions, and the living room is open on Fridays from 9:30-15.
Espoo: Round like Pom Pom Pom - tactile fairy tale space for babies and toddlers at Children's Cultural Center Aurora from August 15 to October 23, 2020. Open Monday to Friday from 9-16 and Saturdays from 10-14. Free admission.
Moonlight Swimming at Kumpula Outdoor Swimming Pool on Friday from 7-11:30 PM. Swimming pool admission fee applies; tickets are recommended to be purchased in advance.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2020
At the Libraries
Helmet libraries have returned to normal opening hours, but live events are not yet being held. Information about upcoming online events for children can be found on Helmet's events page.
Ode to Nature Exhibition in the Brygga space at Oodi Central Library from June 1 to September 31, 2020 (at minimum).
Events and Activity Ideas
Exhibition: Why Does Mörkö Smile? in Annantalo's Glass Gallery (2nd floor) from August 18-30, 2020. Open during Annantalo's opening hours. Free admission.
Espoo: Landscape Architecture for Insects - Workshop at Children's Cultural Center Aurora on Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM. Free admission.
Espoo: Round like Pom Pom Pom - tactile fairy tale space for babies and toddlers at Children's Cultural Center Aurora from August 15 to October 23, 2020. Open Monday to Friday from 9-16 and Saturdays from 10-14. Free admission.
Helsinki Fest Celebration Weekend August 21-23, 2020.
Helsinki Fest: Kids' Jams on Saturday at 10:30 AM.
A family concert series open to everyone, Kids' Jams is held during Helsinki's celebration weekend on Saturday. The concert will be broadcast live on HS Kids' News at hs.fi/lastenuutiset and helsinkifest.fi. Featuring children's favorite artists Mimmit, FlipFlop, Maukka and Väykkä, and Hipot. The Kids' Jams broadcast will be sign-interpreted.
Going to a museum with kids? You can find tips for museum visits in summer 2020 here.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2020
Events and Activity Ideas
Helsinki Fest Celebration Weekend August 21-23, 2020.
Fire Museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open on Sundays from 12-16. Small admission fee, children under 15 free.
Vallila Garden Plot Celebration on Sunday from 1-4 PM.
The Newspaper Museum has the Seven Dog Brothers exhibition on display from June 1 to December 31, 2020. Free admission, also open on Mondays.
Ode to Nature Exhibition in the Brygga space at Oodi Central Library from June 1 to September 31, 2020 (at minimum).
Sunday is playground day! The Great Playground Guide tells you where to find Helsinki's best playgrounds.
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