Pienten Helsinki
Things to do with children in Helsinki
What child-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on weekends? What to do on a rainy day? Little Helsinki's weekly series searches for activity tips and recommends child-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The target audience of the website is pre-school children.Little Helsinki’s “Where to go this week” articles are published in 2018 always (at the latest) on Mondays and suggest what’s happening in the city for families with children.
The fourth “Where to go” article of 2018 is very art-focused and many events for little ones are organized this week: For example, Art Clinics, Kiasma’s toddler pop-in workshops, children’s art exhibitions, Small Size Days and Sibafest introduce little visitors to visual art, dance, music and theatre alike. Don’t forget the numerous library events and several BabyKino screenings as well as sports activities with children. At the end of the week you can also go birdwatching!
The play parks’ and family centers’ weekly programs have just started, and parks offer activities in the mornings for babies, toddlers and other children in home care accompanied by their adult. Play parks’ indoor spaces are available for families even when there’s no organized activities. Follow the play parks’ Facebook pages, step in boldly and ask the staff for more information!
See also Little Helsinki’s new list of upcoming events, which is updated with upcoming events for spring 2018.
The cover image is from Kiasma’s toddler pop-in workshop. Little Helsinki recommends!
Monday » | Tuesday » | Wednesday » | Thursday » | Friday » | Saturday » | Sunday »
MONDAY 22.1.2018
Events:Story time at Puistola library at 10 a.m.
Toddler time at Maunula library at 9:30 a.m.
FOR BABIES: Baby nursery rhymes at Maunula library at 10:30 a.m.
Birdwatching at Arabianranta library until February. Read more from the library’s website.
The fourth children’s own art exhibition opens in Library 10 on 22.1.2018. Ten-year-old Inka’s Universe exhibition opening is celebrated on 22.1.2018 starting at 4:30 p.m. in the children’s department exhibition space. You can admire Inka’s art during the library’s opening hours until 11.2.2018. Children’s own art exhibition activity is reportedly a unique concept in Finland, and any child can hold an exhibition. More information about the event and Library 10’s exhibition activities.
Art Clinic for 3-6 year-olds at Annantalo on Monday at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. On the first occasion, each child creates their own portfolio for their artistic works. You can participate in Art Clinic weekly or just occasionally, but you need to arrive on time. Read more about this wonderful Art Clinic activity from Annantalo’s website.
Puppet theater music class at Sampo’s aula gallery every Monday at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Paid (€8/session or €70/whole spring). Read more from Puppet Theatre Sampo’s website.
Enchanting Magic Forest in Korjaamo’s courtyard until 4.2.2018. Free admission. Read more from Korjaamo’s website.
FOR BABIES and parents: Baby cinema at Finnkino cinemas on Monday 22.1.2018. Read more from Finnkino’s website.
Tip: Hakaniemi Market Hall opens in new temporary premises at Hakaniementori on Monday at 8 a.m. A great place to visit with children to wonder at the hustle and bustle and atmosphere of the market.
TIP: MLL’s family cafe meets on Mondays at the Itäkatu family center from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The family cafe, open to all families with small children, is a place to come and play, spend time together and meet other families in the same life situation on your own schedule. Read more from the family center’s Facebook page.
TUESDAY 23.1.2018
Events:Story time at Malmi library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Kannelmäki library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Herttoniemi library at 9:45 a.m. Story time at Töölö library in the club room at 10:15 a.m.
Reading dog Doris at Puistola library at 6 p.m. Reading dog at Töölö library at 6 p.m.
The spring season of family ball sports continues at Pallomill’s indoor hall at Myllypuro sports park. In family ball sports, all children under 9 years old move on soft artificial turf accompanied by their own adult. Free play, activities, running or even practicing walking. Family ball sports on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Morning ball sports are free for everyone, evening ball sports cost adults Pallomill’s entrance fee (€3.50).
Leonardo’s Flying Monkeys performance at Puppet Theatre Sampo on Tuesday at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets €12. Read more about the performance from Sampo’s own website.
Enchanting Magic Forest in Korjaamo’s courtyard until 4.2.2018. Free admission. Read more from Korjaamo’s website.
Tip FOR BABIES to Espoo: BabySauna performance at Sello Hall on Tuesday at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Tickets €11. Read more from Sello Hall’s website.
TIP TO ESPOO: Discover the Tunnels is a photo exhibition about the construction phases of the Western Metro. It’s perfect for small explorers interested in machines, tractors and other technical gadgets. The exhibition is on display from 23.1. to 4.2.2018 in Espoo Cultural Center’s exhibition space during the building’s opening hours. Espoo Cultural Center is located in Tapiola right next to the metro station. Read more about the exhibition from Espoo’s cultural services website.
WEDNESDAY 24.1.2018
Events:Story time at Arabianranta library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Oulunkylä library at 10 a.m. Story time at Pukinmäki library at 10:15 a.m.
Song session led by Terttu Paija at Tapulikaupunki library at 10 a.m. Read more from the library’s website.
FOR BABIES and toddlers: Rhyme time at Tapanila library at 10 a.m. FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme time at Kannelmäki library at 1:30 p.m. 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. BabyKino’s own group on Facebook can be found here, where for example the week’s film is published and the upcoming program is voted on.
Reading dog Doris at Tapulikaupunki library at 5:30 p.m.
Enchanting Magic Forest in Korjaamo’s courtyard until 4.2.2018. Free admission. Read more from Korjaamo’s website.
Library 10 is featuring the Wolf Through Children’s Eyes exhibition, which brings together the works of the Finnish Nature League’s nationwide wolf drawing competition. The exhibition opening and award ceremony will be held on 24.1.2018 at 6 p.m. You can view the wolf works created with various techniques at Library 10 during opening hours until 3.2.2018. More information about the exhibition on the library’s website.
TIP: Kindergarten Museum is open on Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Here children and play are in the spotlight. Admission €4/€2/€0.
THURSDAY 25.1.2018
Events:Story hour at Pasila library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Tapulikaupunki library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Laajasalo library at 9:45 a.m. Story hour at Vallila library at 6 p.m.
FOR BABIES: Baby nursery rhymes at Puistola library at 10 a.m. FOR BABIES and parents: BabyKino at Maunula house in Nutan premises from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Read more about BabyKino from the library’s website.
Reading dog at Töölö library at 2 p.m.
The spring season of family ball sports continues at Pallomill’s indoor hall at Myllypuro sports park. In family ball sports, all children under 9 years old move on soft artificial turf accompanied by their own adult. Free play, activities, running or even practicing walking. Family ball sports on Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., adults pay Pallomill’s entrance fee (€3.50), children free.
Toddlers’ pop-in workshops at Contemporary Art Museum Kiasma start and continue on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. until 10.2.2018. The workshops are aimed at 1-4 year-olds and adults accompanying them. You can participate in the workshops with the museum’s admission fee and join according to your own schedule. Read more from Kiasma’s website.
Enchanting Magic Forest in Korjaamo’s courtyard until 4.2.2018. Free admission. Read more from Korjaamo’s website.
TIP: It’s worth checking out Annantalo’s spring 2018 program now, as many events and performances require advance booking! Check out the spring program on Annantalo’s website.
FRIDAY 26.1.2018
Winter story hour at Pasila library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Roihuvuori library at 9:45 a.m. Toddler time at Malmi library at 10 a.m. Story yoga at Arabianranta library at 10 a.m. Pre-registration required.FOR BABIES: Babies’ rhyme time at South Haaga library at 10 a.m. FOR BABIES: Babies’ rhyme time at Malmi library at 11 a.m.
Sibafest 2018 at Music Hall from 26.1. to 3.2.2018. Check the festival program on the event’s own website. There’s also lots of free pop-up program!
Leonardo’s Flying Monkeys performance at Kanneltalo on Friday at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets €12. Read more about the performance from Sampo’s own website.
Toddlers’ pop-in workshops at Contemporary Art Museum Kiasma start and continue on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. until 10.2.2018. The workshops are aimed at 1-4 year-olds and adults accompanying them. You can participate in the workshops with the museum’s admission fee and join according to your own schedule. Read more from Kiasma’s website.
Enchanting Magic Forest in Korjaamo’s courtyard until 4.2.2018. Free admission. Read more from Korjaamo’s website.
TIP to Vantaa: Tikkurila library in Vantaa has a Singing Together with Children event on Friday at 10 a.m. You can bring your own instrument or borrow one from the library. Read more about this fun sing-along session from the library’s website.
SATURDAY 27.1.2018
Events:Story time at Vuosaari library at 10:30 a.m.
Garden birdwatching - Finland’s largest bird event is being held for the 13th time on 27.-28.1.2018. The main purpose of the event is to engage the public in observing winter birds at feeders and in home gardens and to foster interest in local nature. In garden birdwatching, winter birds are observed for an hour in your own garden or another location and observations are reported to BirdLife Finland. Garden birdwatching is an event for everyone and people of all ages interested in birds. Prizes are drawn among participants. Read more from BirdLife Finland’s website and go birdwatching, even in your own garden!
At the Kindergarten Museum’s museum Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., children play house games with friends and sing together. The Kindergarten Museum is a place where children’s play is in the spotlight. Museum admission is free on Saturday. Check the detailed information from the event’s Facebook page.
Toddlers’ pop-in workshops at Contemporary Art Museum Kiasma start and continue on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. until 10.2.2018. The workshops are aimed at 1-4 year-olds and adults accompanying them. You can participate in the workshops with the museum’s admission fee and join according to your own schedule. Read more from Kiasma’s website.
Sibafest 2018 Family Day fills the Music Hall on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and offers concerts and workshops for the whole family. The concerts feature wonderful performers like Mutaveijarit and a Moomins song adventure. The event is free to enter, but free tickets are distributed for concerts before the concert starts due to limited seating. Check the detailed schedule and ticket distribution instructions on the Sibafest website.
Small Size Days at Annantalo on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Check the day’s program and possible pre-registration information on the event’s Facebook page or from Annantalo’s list of upcoming events. Small Size Days is a global event aimed at pre-school children from Friday to Sunday. The event is held simultaneously in different cities around the world and celebrates little spectators for the fourth time now. There’s wonderful programming from tiny babies to slightly bigger little ones. Free admission. More information about Small Size Day’s background on the event’s international website.
MLL Puistola’s Tammi Event at Nurkan school features Watchdog Veikko at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The musical performance lasts about 25 minutes and is suitable for children of all ages. Tickets €2. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
Mauka and Väykä’s Children’s Story Concert at G Livelab on Yrjönkatu at 1 p.m. Tickets €12/€18. Read more from G Livelab’s website.
Three Little Pigs puppet theater performance at Sampo on Saturday at 3 p.m. Tickets €12. Read more about the performance from Puppet Theatre Sampo’s website.
All the World’s Mörri-Möykyt Concert in Music Hall’s main concert hall on Saturday at 5 p.m. Tickets €27/€14.50, children under 3 free in lap. Read more about the concert from the event’s website. The concert is part of the Sibafest 2018 event.
Enchanting Magic Forest in Korjaamo’s courtyard until 4.2.2018. On Saturday 27.1.2018, there’s also participatory performance and face painting. Free admission. Read more from Korjaamo’s website.
Tip: Live caricature drawing awaits at the Päivälehti Museum on Sunday. Free admission to the museum, caricature drawn by Teppo Järvi €20.
SUNDAY 28.1.2018
Events:Garden birdwatching - Finland’s largest bird event is being held for the 13th time on 27.-28.1.2018. The main purpose of the event is to engage the public in observing winter birds at feeders and in home gardens and to foster interest in local nature. In garden birdwatching, winter birds are observed for an hour in your own garden or another location and observations are reported to BirdLife Finland. Garden birdwatching is an event for everyone and people of all ages interested in birds. Prizes are drawn among participants. Read more from BirdLife Finland’s website and go birdwatching, even in your own garden!
Sports Fun at Myllypuro Sports Mill on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Joint sports activity for the whole family with things to do for even the tiniest. Sports Fun continues in Myllypuro on Sundays until 25.3.2018 (not on 18.2.2018). Free for children, adults €3.50. More information on the Helsinki on the Move website.
Small Size Days at Annantalo on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Check the day’s program and possible pre-registration information on the event’s Facebook page or from Annantalo’s list of upcoming events. Small Size Days is a global event aimed at pre-school children from Friday to Sunday. The event is held simultaneously in different cities around the world and celebrates little spectators for the fourth time now. There’s wonderful programming from tiny babies to slightly bigger little ones. Free admission. More information about Small Size Day’s background on the event’s international website.
Life’s Flowers Children’s Disco at cultural arena Gloria on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. Read more and submit song requests on the event’s Facebook page.
In Swedish: Children’s Sundays at Kino Engel. Children’s film screenings at Kino Engel in Swedish. Read more from the event’s Facebook page.Paid.
Enchanting Magic Forest in Korjaamo’s courtyard until 4.2.2018. Free admission. Read more from Korjaamo’s website.
Tip: Live caricature drawing awaits at the Päivälehti Museum on Sunday. Free admission to the museum, caricature drawn by Teppo Järvi €20.
Tip to Espoo: Karakemut at Karatalo on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Mutaveijarit concert at 1 p.m., plus Rhythmic Mud Puddle workshop. Concert tickets €5 (available in advance), workshop free. Read more from Karatalo’s website.
Tip to Espoo: Winter forest walk for families in Villa Elfviks surroundings on Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. More information from Villa Elfvik’s website.
Also remember these:
Sibafest 2018 at Music Hall from 26.1. to 3.2.2018. Check the festival program on the event's own website. There's also lots of free pop-up program!Moomintroll and the Wizard’s Hat ballet at the Opera House from 23.1. to 2.2.2018. Tickets €29-48. Read more from the Finnish National Ballet’s website.
Tip: Hakaniemi Market Hall opens in new temporary premises at Hakaniementori on Monday 22.1.2018 at 8 a.m. A great place to visit with children to wonder at the hustle and bustle and atmosphere of the market.
Go ice skating at Helsinki’s many ice rinks! Read more about the locations, admission fees and opening hours on the City of Helsinki’s website. The Ice Park at Rautatientori is also open daily. Current information about ice rink conditions can be found at www.ulkoliikunta.fi.
Toddlers’ pop-in workshops at Contemporary Art Museum Kiasma start and continue on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. until 10.2.2018. The workshops are aimed at 1-4 year-olds and adults accompanying them. You can participate in the workshops with the museum’s admission fee and join according to your own schedule. Read more from Kiasma’s website.
The fourth children’s own art exhibition opens in Library 10 on 22.1.2018. Ten-year-old Inka’s Universe exhibition opening is celebrated on 22.1.2018 starting at 4:30 p.m. in the children’s department exhibition space. You can admire Inka’s art during the library’s opening hours until 11.2.2018. Children’s own art exhibition activity is reportedly a unique concept in Finland, and any child can hold an exhibition. More information about the event and Library 10’s exhibition activities.
Library 10 is featuring the Wolf Through Children’s Eyes exhibition, which brings together the works of the Finnish Nature League’s nationwide wolf drawing competition. The exhibition opening and award ceremony will be held on 24.1.2018 at 6 p.m. You can view the wolf works created with various techniques at Library 10 during opening hours until 3.2.2018. More information about the exhibition on the library’s website.
Tuula Pere’s children’s book illustrations exhibition at Malmitalo from 15.1. to 28.2.2018. Story hours and other programs for children are organized as part of the exhibition. Read more about the exhibition from Malmitalo’s website.
Previously Unseen Animals exhibition starting 11.1.2018 at the Nordic Library on Kaisaniemenkatu. The exhibition is based on the book of the same name by Ulf Stark and Linda Bondestam, which won the Nordic Council’s Children’s and Young People’s Literature Prize in 2017. The exhibition is on display until 28.3.2018 during the Nordic Library’s opening hours. Read more from the library’s website.
At the cinema: Hay Hats, Blanket Booties and the Rubens Brothers as well as The Moomins’ Winter Magic are currently playing at cinemas and are suitable as a small one’s first cinema experience.
Espoo: Discover the Tunnels is a photo exhibition about the construction phases of the Western Metro. It’s perfect for small explorers interested in machines, tractors and other technical gadgets. The exhibition is on display from 23.1. to 4.2.2018 in Espoo Cultural Center’s exhibition space during the building’s opening hours. Espoo Cultural Center is located in Tapiola right next to the metro station.
Espoo: Finland’s largest model railway in the Sello shopping center from December to January. Exact opening hours on the Alpine Railway Hobbyists’ website.
