Pienten Helsinki
What child-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki? Where should you go with kids on the weekend? What can you do on a rainy day? Pieni Helsinki's weekly column searches for activity tips and highlights family-friendly events in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The site targets families with preschool-aged children.
Where to Go This Week article continues to be published with a slightly modified concept. The article lists the week's event highlights and the most interesting activity tips of the week. It also includes selections from Pieni Helsinki articles and news. The site's future is very much open. If you'd like your advertisement to reach its target audience exceptionally well, read more here.
Christmas in Helsinki The first three articles of the article series have been published!
Family city trails: Four first Family city trails have been joined by a fifth trail that takes you on an adventure to the city's new corners in Jätkäsaari. The Jätkäsaari city trail is also the first commercial trail. Check out what Jätkäsaari has to offer from a child's perspective here.
You can also create your own trail and share it with other adventurers!
Read more about city trails and go on an adventure!
The article's cover image
MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2019
Things happening at libraries
Story time sessions and children's events at Helmet libraries in the metropolitan area on Monday can be found at Helmet event calendar.
Things happening at playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar. Monday's events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Albert's lounge, an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi, is open on Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Read more at Helsinki Mission's website.
MLL's Dad Cafe at the Iso-Antinleikkipuisto playground on Mondays at 10 a.m. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Puppet theater music class at Sampo's aula gallery on Monday at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Paid (€8 per session or €80 for the whole term). Read more at Puppet Theater Sampo's website.
Art Clinic for 3-6 year-olds at Annantalo on Monday at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. You can participate in the Art Clinic weekly or just occasionally, but you should arrive on time. No pre-registration required. Read more about Art Clinic activities at Annantalo's website.
Uutela star trail takes you on an adventure in nature and stargazing by flashlight. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Playful Christmas orienteering at the Helsinki City Museum from December 1, 2019 to January 6, 2020 during museum hours. Free admission.
Fortress Elf's self-guided trail at Suomenlinna from November 30, 2019 to January 6, 2020.
Museums open on Mondays include Helsinki City Museum and Children's City, Amos Rex, and Päivälehti Museum.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2019
Things happening at libraries
Story time sessions and children's events at Helmet libraries in the metropolitan area on Tuesday can be found at Helmet event calendar.
Things happening at playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar. Tuesday's events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Family ball games at Pallomylly indoor hall in Myllypuron liikuntapuisto. In family ball games, all children under 9 play on soft artificial turf with their own adult. Free play, stunts, running, or practicing walking. Family ball games on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Morning ball games are free for everyone, evening ball games cost adults Pallomylly's single ticket (€3.50). Read more in Pieni Helsinki's Helsinki on the Move tips article.
Puppet Theater Sampo: Christmas Joy -performance at Sampo on Tuesday at 10 a.m. Tickets €12. More information at Sampo's website.
Espoo: Theater Horseshoe: Viiru and Pesonen at Sellosaali at 10:15 a.m. Tickets €11.50. More information at Sellosaali's website.
Create and Explore workshops at Science Corner on Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Playful Christmas orienteering at the Helsinki City Museum from December 1, 2019 to January 6, 2020 during museum hours. Free admission.
Fortress Elf's self-guided trail at Suomenlinna from November 30, 2019 to January 6, 2020.
Uutela star trail takes you on an adventure in nature and stargazing by flashlight. More information on the event's Facebook page.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2019
Things happening at libraries
Story time sessions and children's events at Helmet libraries in the metropolitan area on Wednesday can be found at Helmet event calendar.
Tip for babies and parents: BabyKino at Kallio Library. You can take your baby to movies on Wednesdays at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. BabyKino's own Facebook group can be found here, where the week's movie is published and voting takes place for upcoming programs. More information is also available on the BabyKino Facebook page.
Things happening at playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar. Wednesday's events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Albert's lounge, an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi, is open on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read more at Helsinki Mission's website.
Puppet Theater Sampo: Christmas Joy -performance at Sampo on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Tickets €12. More information at Sampo's website.
Fallkulla farm animals is open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free admission.
Fire Museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open on Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission €2, children under 15 free. More information at the museum's website.
Ice rink opening on Wednesday starting at 12 p.m.
Around the World Journey Homecoming Celebration on Wednesday, December 4 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Helsinki Container. Read more on the Things Happening at Töölönlahti Facebook page.
Playful Christmas orienteering at the Helsinki City Museum from December 1, 2019 to January 6, 2020 during museum hours. Free admission.
Fortress Elf's self-guided trail at Suomenlinna from November 30, 2019 to January 6, 2020.
Uutela star trail takes you on an adventure in nature and stargazing by flashlight. More information on the event's Facebook page.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2019
Things happening at libraries
Story time sessions and children's events at Helmet libraries in the metropolitan area on Thursday can be found at Helmet event calendar.
Things happening at playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar. Thursday's events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Central Library Oodi's 1st birthday celebration on Thursday all day. Read more about the day's program at Oodi's website.
MLL's family cafe at Krunan Mesta (Meritullinkatu 6) on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. More information from the family cafe's Facebook group.
Albert's lounge, an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi, is open on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Read more at Helsinki Mission's website.
Puppet Theater Sampo: Christmas Joy -performance at Sampo on Thursday at 10 a.m. Tickets €12. More information at Sampo's website.
Fallkulla farm animals is open on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission.
Espoo: For Babies! Baby Meet at Kamu at WeeGee House on Thursday at 12 p.m. Free admission. Read more on Espoo Culture's website.
Independence Day celebrations at Stoa on Thursday from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Read more at Stoa's website.
Family ball games at Pallomylly indoor hall in Myllypuron liikuntapuisto. In family ball games, all children under 9 play on soft artificial turf with their own adult. Free play, stunts, running, or practicing walking. Family ball games on Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Children get free admission, adults pay Pallomylly's single ticket (€3.50). Read more in Pieni Helsinki's Helsinki on the Move tips article.
Family fun at Malminkartano Elementary School on Thursday at 6 p.m. Read more on the event's Facebook page.
Playful Christmas orienteering at the Helsinki City Museum from December 1, 2019 to January 6, 2020 during museum hours. Free admission.
Fortress Elf's self-guided trail at Suomenlinna from November 30, 2019 to January 6, 2020.
Uutela star trail takes you on an adventure in nature and stargazing by flashlight. More information on the event's Facebook page.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2019
Independence Day
Things happening at libraries
Independence Day, libraries closed.
Things happening at playgrounds
Independence Day, playgrounds closed.
Events and activity tips
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2019
Things happening at libraries
Story time sessions and children's events at Helmet libraries in the metropolitan area on Saturday can be found at Helmet event calendar.
Events and activity tips
Christmas markets and bazaars in Helsinki and the surrounding area.
Loviisa: Loviisa Christmas & Old-Time Christmas Homes on Saturday and Sunday. Read more on the event website.
Ruotsinpyhtää: Strömfors Mill Christmas on Saturday and Sunday. More information at the mill's website.
Espoo: Christmas atmosphere at Glimsis on Saturday and Sunday. Museum admission fee. Read more on Espoo Culture's website.
Skateboard school from babies to grandparents at Kontulan skateboard hall, Luuppi Skate, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Course fee. More information, sign-ups, and course times at Helride's website.
Haltiala farm animals is practically always open. Stop by to say hi to the farm animals and play at Haltiala playground.
Espoo: Saturday Workshop: Crazy Work Day! at Children's Culture Center Aurora on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Read more on Aurora's website.
Tom's Market at Senate Square from December 6-22, 2019.
Espoo: Jazz for Kids - a whole family jazz session at Espoo Cultural Center (Tapiola) on Saturday at 11 a.m. Free admission. More information on Espoo Culture's website.
Dream Gingerbread House workshop at Hotel and Restaurant Museum at Kaapelitehdas on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The museum is free to visit all day (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.), so you can also visit, for example, the Taste of Magic exhibition running until the end of the year. More information at the museum's website.
Julstigen på Hertonäs gård – Herttoniemi Manor's Christmas Trail in the Herttoniemi Manor area on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Read more on the event's Facebook page.
Children's Music Orchestra Ammuu: Christmas at Piippola -concert at Stoa on Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets €6. Tickets and more information at Stoa's website.
Tatu and Patu, Let's Eat! -performance at Music Theater Kapsäkki on Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets €14/€20. More information at Kapsäkki's website.
Fortress Elf Karel's Tour at Suomenlinna on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Tickets €8. Read more on Suomenlinna's website.
Star Night at Uutela on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event is part of Uutela's Star Trail. Read more on the event's Facebook page.
Uutela Star Trail takes you on an adventure in nature and stargazing by flashlight. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Fortress Elf's self-guided trail at Suomenlinna from November 30, 2019 to January 6, 2020.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019
Events and activity tips
Christmas markets and bazaars in Helsinki and the surrounding area.
Playful Christmas orienteering at the Helsinki City Museum from December 1, 2019 to January 6, 2020 during museum hours. Free admission.
Fallkulla farm animals is open on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission.
Haltiala farm animals is practically always open. Stop by to say hi to the farm animals and play at Haltiala playground.
Tom's Market at Senate Square from December 6-22, 2019.
MLL Pihlajamäki's Little Christmas Party at Salpausselä playground on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Espoo: Nuuksio Northern Gate Christmas Trail on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Read more on the event's Facebook page.
Fire Museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission €2, children under 15 free. More information at the museum's website.
Sunday Clinic: Music from Pictures -workshop on Sunday at 1 p.m. More information and sign-up at Annantalo's website.
Fortress Elf's self-guided trail at Suomenlinna from November 30, 2019 to January 6, 2020.
Uutela Star Trail takes you on an adventure in nature and stargazing by flashlight. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Helsinki Places article is a lifesaver on boring days with children!
Also remember
Uutela star trail takes you on an adventure in nature and stargazing by flashlight. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Playful Christmas orienteering at the Helsinki City Museum from December 1, 2019 to January 6, 2020 during museum hours. Free admission.
Fortress Elf Karel's Tour at Suomenlinna in November and December (paid event).
Helsinki's outdoor ice skating season has begun at Oulunkylä's artificial ice rink and, weather permitting, other city artificial ice rinks and the Ice Rink will open in November and December.
Helsinki Places article is a lifesaver on boring days with children!
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