Tips for a November week

What child-friendly activities can be found in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on weekends? And what to do on a rainy day? Pienten Helsinki's weekly series searches for activity tips and recommends child-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The website targets children under school age and their families.

Fortunately, November’s darkness is brightened by many joyful events for the whole family. This week, especially Saturday’s event list is abundant and full of various tips for every taste. The arrival of Christmas is also becoming visible in the event offerings, and this week’s Minne mennä tips include the first CHRISTMAS -themed activity suggestions. For example, the traditional opening of Aleksi’s Christmas Street is celebrated next Sunday.

Don’t forget Pienten Helsinki’s upcoming events list. Christmas-season events have now been added to the list.

Do you know about children’s and family services in your neighborhood and, for example, the schedules of family centers? Help Pienten Helsinki create a comprehensive list of family services in different districts of Helsinki. Read more about the challenge and help make Helsinki an even more child-friendly city. Information will not be used for commercial purposes. Big thanks to those who have already been in touch!

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2017

Events:

November 20, 2017, throughout Finland Children’s Rights Day Also remember the Raise a flag for children campaign!

Story time at Puistola library at 10 a.m.

Skidikino at Vuotalo on Monday at 10 a.m. Skidikino offers quality short films for children over 3 years old. Read more on Vuotalo’s website.

Art clinic activities begin at Malmitalo. This week’s theme is dream catchers. The art clinic is aimed at children aged 3-6 in home care. Entry is free. The art clinic starts at 10 a.m. and can accommodate 20 children. Read more on Malmitalo’s website.

Suominen 100 event week at Malmitalo offers diverse programming from Monday to Friday at Malmitalo and Malmi library. Lots of programs for children, such as music and puppet theater. Read more about this week’s events on Malmitalo’s website.

Tip for Vantaa: Children’s Rights Day event at Taidetalo Toteem in Myyrmäki at 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

Also at Superpark (Tammisto, Vantaa) Children’s Rights Day is celebrated with the theme Together! Tickets 9 €, free for children under 4. Read about Superpark’s program on the event’s Facebook page.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2017

Events: Story time at Malmi library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Viikki library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Herttoniemi library at 9:45 a.m. Story time at Kannelmäki library at 10 a.m. Story time at North Haaga library at 10 a.m. Story time in the Töölö library's club room at 10:15 a.m.

Jussi Ollila’s story time at Itäkeskus library at 9:30 a.m. Jussi Ollila’s story time in Vuotalo’s lobby at 10:30 a.m. Read more here.

Suominen 100 event week at Malmitalo from Monday to Friday.

Family ball games at Pallomill indoor hall at Myllypuro sports park. During family ball games, all children under 9 move on soft artificial turf with their own adult. Free play, stunts, running or practicing walking. Family ball games on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Free entry for children in the morning session; afternoon session costs adults Pallomill’s single entry fee (3.50 €).

Puppet theater Sampo presents the Christmas-themed A Surprise Gift for a Friend at 10 a.m. Tickets 11 €. The performance is suitable for all ages, including very small children. Read more on Sampo’s website.

FOR BABIES: Loiske Ensemble brings BabyTango performances to care homes. On Tuesday, babies and their parents can attend the performance at Esperi Vanhalinna care home in Itäkeskus at 2:30 p.m. Reserve your place in advance on the event’s website.

Kallio sparks: Kindergarten Museum is open Tuesday 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Free entry this week! Read more about the Kindergarten Museum on its own website.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2017

Events:

Story time at Arabianranta library at 9:30 a.m. Story time for ages 3-6 at Rikhardinkatu library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Kontulan library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Tapanila library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Lauttasaari library at 10 a.m. Story time at Käpylä library at 10 a.m. Story time for ages 1-3 at Rikhardinkatu library at 10:30 a.m. Story time at Oulunkylä library at 5 p.m.

Reading dog Doris at Tapulinkaupunki library at 5:30 p.m.

Tuiki Christmas Tree puppet theater performance at Puistola library at 6 p.m.

Mauka and Väyka’s Journey performance at Töölö library at 10 a.m. An interactive adventure suitable for children over 3 that allows children to participate. Free entry. (Information from the library’s brochure, not on their website)

Suominen 100 event week at Malmitalo from Monday to Friday.

The long-awaited Elves as Cobblers performance returns to City Theater’s program, aimed at the family’s youngest members. Wednesday’s performance begins at 10 a.m. Tickets 10 €. Read more on City Theater’s website. Performances in November-December, also on weekdays.

Puppet theater Sampo’s Christmas-themed A Surprise Gift for a Friend performance on Wednesday at Stoa cultural center at 10 a.m. Tickets 11 €. The performance is suitable for all ages, including very small children. Read more and reserve tickets on Stoa’s website.

Puppet theater concert Christmas is Coming with Joy at Puppet Theater Sampo on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Suitable for all ages. Tickets 11 €. Read more on the puppet theater’s website.

FOR BABIES and parents: BabyKino at Töölö library at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Read more about BabyKino at Töölö library on the library’s website.

FOR BABIES: Loiske Ensemble brings BabyTango performances to care homes. On Wednesday, babies and their parents can attend the performance at Helenakoti in Vallila at 2:15 p.m. Reserve your place in advance on the event’s website.

Kallio sparks: Kindergarten Museum is open Wednesday 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Free entry this week! Read more about the Kindergarten Museum on its own website.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

Events:

Story time at Pasila library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Suutarila library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Laajasalo library at 9:45 a.m. Story time at Jakomäki library at 10 a.m.

Toddler time at South Haaga library at 10 a.m. Reading dog at Töölö library at 2 p.m.

FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme time at Puistola library at 10 a.m. FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme time at Roihuvuori library at 10 a.m. Registrations for Roihuvuori: [email protected].

Suominen 100 event week at Malmitalo from Monday to Friday.

Family ball games at Pallomill indoor hall at Myllypuro sports park. During family ball games, all children under 9 move on soft artificial turf with their own adult. Free play, stunts, running or practicing walking. Family ball games on Thursdays at 4 p.m.-5 p.m. Free entry for children; adults pay Pallomill’s single entry fee (3.50 €).

Muksukino films take over Myllypuro media library and residential building Mylläri’s hall on Thursdays at 10 a.m. This week’s film is Moomins’ World. Read more about Muksukino on the library’s website.

Puppet theater concert Christmas is Coming with Joy at Puppet Theater Sampo on Thursday at 10 a.m. Suitable for all ages. Tickets 11 €. Read more on the puppet theater’s website.

The long-awaited Elves as Cobblers performance returns to City Theater’s program, aimed at the family’s youngest members. Thursday’s performance begins at 10 a.m. Tickets 10 €. Read more on City Theater’s website. Performances in November-December, also on weekdays.

Kallio sparks: Kindergarten Museum is open Thursday 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Free entry this week! Read more about the Kindergarten Museum on its own website.

Tip for Vantaa: At Tikkurila library in Vantaa, Singing together with children event on Thursday at 10 a.m. You can bring your own instrument or borrow one from the library. Read more about this fun group sing-along here.

FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS: CHRISTMAS: Tip for Vantaa: At Taidetalo Pessi’s Little Elves’ Christmas Party, children will craft and sing at 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Explore Taidetalo Pessi’s program.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2017

Friday celebrates Take Your Child to Work Day! Read more about the day on the event's website.

Story hour at Roihuvuori library at 9:45 a.m.

Toddler time at North Haaga library at 10 a.m.

FOR BABIES: Baby rhymes at Itäkeskus library at 10:30 a.m.

Suominen 100 event week at Malmitalo from Monday to Friday.

Annantalo’s Naperokino continues and offers young children (0-3 years) their own film theater. Short films can be watched on Fridays throughout the autumn at 10 a.m.-12 p.m. This time the theme is care and love. Read more about Naperokino on Annantalo’s website.

In Swedish: Pettson and Findus Celebrate Christmas, a Swedish-language children’s theater performance at Vuotalo on Friday at 6 p.m. Tickets 6 €. Read more on Vuotalo’s website.

Film tip: Straw Hat, Rag Coat and Ruben’s Brothers opens on Friday, November 24, 2017. The film is suitable for all ages and is excellent as a first film experience. Read more on the production company’s website and watch the film’s trailer.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2017

Events:

Story time at Munkkiniemi library at 11 a.m.

Also in Swedish: Children’s Saturday - Palace Celebrations at Itäkeskus library at 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Programs for children in Finnish and Swedish. Read more about the day’s events on the library’s website.

A Day at the Fire Station - themed day invites everyone to fire stations throughout Finland. Find events in your area and learn about fire station operations. The themed day kicks off the national fire safety week. Read more and find your nearest themed day event on the event’s website.

Sports fun at Maunula Sports Hall on Saturdays at 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Read more on the Helsinki on the Move website and Pienten Helsinki’s children’s sports article.

Children’s Market - event on Saturday at Tavastia at 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS: Concert for the Youngest at Alexander Theater at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Tickets 15 €. Read more on Alexander Theater’s website.

The beloved fairy tale classic The Happy Prince is presented as a puppet theater interpretation at the National Theater’s Large Stage foyer on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Performances also in December. Tickets 15 €. The performance is aimed at children aged 2-7. Read more on the National Theater’s website.

In Swedish: Buu Day invites all Buu Club friends to celebrate at Arcade at 12 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Read more about the day’s program on Yle’s website.

In Swedish: Rimjam: Urkul - a Swedish-language word art moment for the family’s youngest and their parents at Kanneltalo on Saturday at 1 p.m. Read more on Kanneltalo’s website.

Children’s theater Kurnuttava Sammakon Saiturin joulu children’s theater performance at Kanneltalo on Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets 9 €. Read more on Kanneltalo’s website.

Straw Hat, Rag Coat and Ruben’s Brothers at Heliox Cinema at Malmitalo at 2 p.m. Tickets 6 €. The film is suitable for all ages and is an excellent first film experience.

Mimmies Concert at Kettutie Youth Center (Herttoniemi) on Saturday at 3 p.m. The concert is organized by MLL Herttoniemi. Free entry, bring cash for the café. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

CHRISTMAS: Suutarila Elf Path at Linnunrata Playground on Saturdays at 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Christmas program for the whole family. Read more about the event on Linnunrata’s Facebook page.

CHRISTMAS: Tip for Espoo: Tapiola’s Christmas Opening features performances by, among others, Pikku Pappu’s Orchestra and Group Hau. Read the detailed program on Tapiola Center’s website. Psst! It’s now convenient to get there by the West Metro.

Tip for Espoo: Children’s cultural center Pikku-Aurora’s Saturdays feature this week’s word games at 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Read more about the day’s program on Pikku-Aurora’s website. Also explore Pikku-Aurora’s other children’s events.

Tip for Espoo: Children’s Week event in Sello library’s lobby at 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Read more about the day’s program on the library’s website. The event is organized by MLL and the National Children’s Association.

CHRISTMAS: Tip for Porvoo: Christmas in Porvoo: Christmas Season Opening on Saturday at 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Lots of programs for children and, for example, farm animals can be met in the city center. Read more on the City of Porvoo’s website.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2017

Events:

The whole family sports event Sports Fun takes over Sunday mornings at Liikuntamylly in Myllypuro at 9 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Free-spirited exercise and versatile sports trials. Free entry for children, 3.50 € for adults. Also read Pienten Helsinki’s article on sports events, which also includes more information about Sports Fun.

CHRISTMAS: Traditional Aleksi’s Christmas Street Opening is celebrated on Sunday at 3 p.m. onwards on Senate Square. Christmas lights will light up Alexander Street for the 69th time and the Christmas parade will march through the city center. This year’s parade features the National Ballet with a Moomin theme. Read more about the Christmas Street opening and view photos from previous years’ events.

Puppet theater concert Christmas is Coming with Joy at Puppet Theater Sampo on Sunday at 3 p.m. Suitable for all ages. Tickets 11 €. Read more on the puppet theater’s website.

CHRISTMAS: Tip for Espoo: Satu Sopanen and Tuttiorkesteri and Tonttulan touhut! - concert at Espoo Cultural Center (Tapiola) on Sunday at 4 p.m. Tickets starting at 10 €. Read more on Espoo Cultural Center's website.

Tip: Have you already seen the Ateneum Art Museum’s Treasures of the Duck Gallery? Fighting Ducks and Bathing Duck await as part of the Finnish Art Story exhibition. Museum entrance fee. Read more about the Treasures of the Duck Gallery exhibition on Ateneum’s website.

Also remember these:

Children's Art Exhibition at Kaari Shopping Center from November 20-29, 2017. The event is part of the Art Friends project. Read more on the Art Friends' Facebook page.

Library 10 opens the first children’s own art exhibition. 8-year-old Leo Pesonen has the honor of being the first artist whose art fills the library’s exhibition space. Leo Pesonen’s exhibition is on display from November 13 to December 3, 2017 and can be viewed during the library’s opening hours. Children’s own art exhibition activity is apparently a unique concept in Finland, and any child can have an exhibition. More information about the event and Library 10’s exhibition activities.

FOR PARENTS: The University of Helsinki Museum’s Baby in the Box exhibition illuminates the fascinating history of maternity packages. The exhibition is on display at the University of Helsinki’s Science Corner and at the University Museum. Read more on the university’s website.

[caption id=“attachment_2013” align=“aligncenter” width=“1334”] Baby in the Box exhibition at the Science Corner and University Museum.[/caption]

Annantalo hosts the Dream Threads exhibition until mid-December and it can be visited free of charge during the building’s opening hours. Read more on Annantalo’s website and check out photos here. Free entry.