Pienten Helsinki
Off on an Adventure!
Updated April 27, 2018What kid-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki? Where should you go with small children on weekends? What can you 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 website targets preschool-aged children and families with small children.
Little Helsinki’s “Where to Go This Week” articles are published by Mondays at the latest and suggest what’s happening around the city for families with children. The seventeenth “Where to Go This Week” article for 2018 takes you on an adventure and, in addition to the week’s events, suggests adventure spots in Helsinki and the capital region.
New at Little Helsinki: MayDay! Where to go and what to do on May Day with your family in Helsinki and the surrounding area? Little Helsinki’s May Day tips in Finnish and in English are now published.
Would you like to collaborate with Little Helsinki on (commercial) projects, or do you have a project or task where I could help? I’m happy to hear all ideas. Feel free to get in touch ([email protected]) and let’s discuss new opportunities! Read more about this here.
Coming soon! Little Finland takes you on a journey around Finland and recommends great places to visit with little ones. Stay tuned!
REQUEST: Complaints, compliments, comments and requests: tell us what you think of Little Helsinki!
Article cover image: Angry Birds Park invites you to adventure! Photo from Espoo, the AB Park at Oittaa outdoor area by Lake Bodom.
Tuesday »| Wednesday »| Thursday »| Friday »| Saturday »| Sunday »
MONDAY, APRIL 23, 2018
Book and Rose DayLibrary Activities:
Toddler Time at Maunula Library at 9:30 am. Story Yoga at Paloheinen Library at 10:15 am.Library 10 hosts the eighth children’s own art exhibition, when preschoolers from daycare Riikka take over the exhibition space with their poems and watercolor paintings of letters. The exhibition is titled “Everything Starts with the Alphabet” and can be viewed during library hours from April 23-May 6, 2018. The exhibition opens on Monday, April 23 at 4:30 pm. Children’s own art exhibition activities are believed to be a unique concept in Finland and any child can hold an exhibition. More information about the event and Library 10’s exhibition activities.
Other Activities:
MLL Family Café on Mondays in the first floor hall of Itäkatu Family Center from 9:30-11:30 am. The family café, open to all families with small children, offers a place to come anytime to play, spend time, and meet other families in similar life situations. Read more on Itäkatu Family Café's Facebook page. Tip! You can also suggest programs or performances for the family café. Also suitable for families with babies. TIP: The updated list of MLL family cafés operating in Helsinki, created through cooperation between Little Helsinki and MLL Uusimaa, is now available on Little Helsinki's website. There are family cafés almost every weekday all around Helsinki!Art Advisory Clinic for 3-6 year-olds at Malmitalo on Monday at 10 am. This week’s topic is tiny plaster sculptures. The Art Advisory Clinic meets at Malmitalo four times and you can participate weekly or whenever you like, but please arrive on time. Read more about this wonderful Art Advisory Clinic activity on Malmitalo’s website.
Puppet Theater Music School at Sampo’s aulahallery every Monday at 10 am and 11 am. Paid (€8/session or €70/entire spring). Read more on Puppet Theater Sampo’s website.
Gardening Work Days invite you to garden at Kanneltalo on Mondays from 5-7:30 pm and later in May at the Antinniitty community garden. Work days are open to everyone as a weekly event where you can practice gardening work with a child in an adult’s company. Read more on Kanneltalo’s website.
Tip for Vantaa: Dance Weeks in Vantaa April 17-29, 2018. Check the Dance Weeks program for the day here.
Adventure TIP: Adventure by Metro? Explore Lauttasaari, search for spring signs, spot water snakes, say hi to a fox, and climb a pirate ship. The first part of the “Metro West” article takes you to Lauttasaari.
REQUEST: Complaints, compliments, comments and requests: tell us what you think of Little Helsinki!
TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2018
Library Activities:
Story Time at Kallio Library at 9:30 am. Story Time at Malmi Library at 9:30 am. Story Time at Kannelmäki Library at 9:30 am. Story Time at Herttoniemi Library at 9:45 am. Story Time at Töölö Library in the club room at 10:15 am.Also in English! TIP for Espoo: MLL International Family Café at Sello Library’s Children’s Area on Tuesdays from 10 am-12 pm. Read more on the library’s website. Also suitable for families with babies.
Other Activities:
Family Ball Games at Pallomylly indoor hall at Myllypuro Sports Park. In family ball games, all children under 9 move on soft artificial turf with an adult. Free play, fun activities, running, or practicing walking. Family Ball Games on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 am and 4-6 pm. Free entry for the morning session; evening games cost adults Pallomylly's single admission fee (€3.50). Final week of Family Ball Games this spring!Lurpukka and the Blue Jacket puppet theater performance at Puppet Theater Sampo on Tuesday at 10 am. Tickets €12. Information and ticket reservations on Sampo’s website. The performance is perfect as a first theater experience for the family’s youngest members.
Spring Fair at Palohein Elementary School on Tuesday from 5:30-7:30 pm. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
Tip for Vantaa: Toddler Tuesday at Jumbo shopping center from 10 am-2 pm. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
Tip for Vantaa: Dance Weeks in Vantaa April 17-29, 2018. Check the Dance Weeks program for the day here.
TIP: Kaari shopping center hosts a weekly Tuesday Hustle & Bustle, with music classes for babies and toddlers as well as story hours for all little ones. Read more on Kaari’s website; advance registration required for music classes.
Adventure TIP: Going on a trip on a sunny day with kids? Read Little Helsinki’s trip tips here.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2018
Library Activities:
Story Time at Kontula Library at 9:30 am. Story Time at Tapanila Library at 9:30 am. Story Time at Arabianranta Library at 9:30 am. Story Time at Lauttasaari Library at 10 am. Story Time at Maunula Library at 10 am. Story Time at Oulunkylä Library at 5 pm.Russian-language Children’s Club at Malmi Library on Wednesdays from 10-11:30 am. May Day Crafts for all ages at Tapanila Library from 1-3 pm. Read more on the library’s website. May Day-themed Crafts at Suomenlinna Library on Wednesday from 2:30-4:30 pm. More information on the library’s website.
FOR BABIES and parents: BabyKino at Kallio Library. You can bring your baby to movies on Wednesdays at 12 pm and 2:30 pm. BabyKino’s own Facebook group can be found here, where the week’s movie is posted and upcoming programs are voted on. FOR BABIES: Baby Nursery Rhyme Time at Kannelmäki Library at 1:30 pm.
Other Activities:
Theater Hevosenkengän's Mimmi the Cow and the Raven performance at Stoa on Wednesday at 10 am. Tickets €11.50. Information and ticket reservations on Stoa's website.Rainbow Fish performance at Puppet Theater Sampo on Wednesday at 10 am and 6 pm. The performance is suitable for all ages. Tickets €12. Read more on Sampo’s website.
TIP: Kindergarten Museum is open every Wednesday from 12-6 pm.
Tip for Vantaa: Little Papu’s Orchestra plays wonderful children’s music at Länsimaä School auditorium on Wednesday at 9:15 am and 10:15 am. Tickets €5 in advance, €7 at the door (cash). Mandatory ticket reservations by phone 09 839 29044 or kulttuuritapahtumat@vantaa. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
Tip for Vantaa: Dance Weeks in Vantaa April 17-29, 2018. Check the Dance Weeks program for the day here.
Adventure TIP: Helsinki’s Places are child-friendly Helsinki gems with lots of insider knowledge and the beginning of a directory of Helsinki’s places.
THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018
Library Activities:
Story Time at Pasila Library at 9:30 am. Story Time at Suutarila Library at 9:30 am. Story Time at Tapulinkaupunki Library at 9:30 am. Story Time at Laajasalo Library at 9:45 am. Story Time at Jakomäki Library at 10 am. Evening Story Time at Kallio Library at 6 pm.FOR BABIES: Baby Nursery Rhymes at Puistola Library at 10 am.
Dancing into the Forest Workshop at Jakomäki Library at 9:30 am. The workshop is suitable for children over 4 years old. Read more on the library’s website.
Muksukino movies take over Myllypuro Media Library and Mylläri community center on Thursdays at 10 am. This week’s film is The Moomin World. Read more about Muksukino on the library’s website.
Other Activities:
Rainbow Fish performance at Puppet Theater Sampo on Thursday at 10 am. The performance is suitable for all ages. Tickets €12. Read more on Sampo's website.Family Ball Games at Pallomylly indoor hall at Myllypuro Sports Park. In family ball games, all children under 9 move on soft artificial turf with an adult. Free play, fun activities, running, or practicing walking. Family Ball Games on Thursdays from 4-5 pm; adults pay Pallomylly’s single admission fee (€3.50), children free. Final week of Family Ball Games this spring!
MLL Ruoholahti-Jätkäsaari May Day Party at Ruoholahti Playground on Thursday from 4-6 pm. The party features a snack buffet, May Day balloon sales, pony rides, disco, and lots of other programs for families. More information on MLL’s website.
Tip for Vantaa: Helsinki Police Big Band Nallekopla and children’s own dance party at Art Hall Toteemi on Thursday at 12 pm and 1 pm. Mandatory registration with Toteemi by phone (09 83929044).
Tip for Vantaa: Dance Weeks in Vantaa April 17-29, 2018. Check the Dance Weeks program for the day here.
Adventure TIP: Spring Suomenlinna, or well Suomenlinna is always a great adventure spot. For example, there’s a lot to see at the drydock in spring, migratory birds have returned, and the entire island is waking up. Jump on the ferry and go explore!
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2018
Library Activities:
Story Time at Roihuvuori Library at 9:45 am. Also FOR BABIES: Toddler and Baby Nursery Rhyme Time at Viiki Library at 10 am.Library Tip for Vantaa: At Tikkurila Library in Vantaa, Singing Together with Children session on Friday at 10 am. You can bring your own instrument or borrow one from the library. Read more about this fun sing-along on the library’s website.
Other Activities:
Traditional May Day Concert and Parade at Lahdalahti Playground on Friday from 9:30-10:30 am. See the parade departure point and detailed information about the event here.May Day Fun at Etupelto Playground on Friday from 10-11:30 am. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
May Day Party at Linnunrata Playground on Friday from 10 am-12 pm. Lots of programs and activities; find more information on the playground’s Facebook page.
MLL Family Café on Fridays in the first floor hall of Itäkatu Family Center from 9:30-11:30 am. The family café, open to all families with small children, offers a place to come anytime to play, spend time, and meet other families in similar life situations. Read more on Itäkatu Family Café’s Facebook page. Also suitable for families with babies. On Friday, April 27, Deputy Mayor Pia Pakarinen will visit the family café. Find all of Helsinki’s MLL family cafés throughout the city here.
Colorful Everyday Workshop is Stoa’s new open morning workshop where this week you’ll make printmaking graphics cards. The workshop is in Stoa’s Terrarium (2nd floor, take the elevator from the hall) on Friday from 10 am-12 pm. More information on Stoa’s website.
Napero Kino at Annantalo on Fridays from 10 am-12 pm. This week’s theme is adventure, day trips, and journeys. Read more about Napero Kino on Annantalo’s website.
Barbie - The Icon Exhibition Opens at the National Museum on Friday, April 27, 2018. More information about the exhibition on the National Museum’s website.
Linnanmäki Amusement Park Opens its Doors again after the winter break on Friday at 4 pm. See detailed opening hours for April-May on the amusement park’s website. Linnanmäki celebrates Circus Carnivals and the carnival program can be found on Linnanmäki’s website.
Pukinmäki Circus School Spring Show at Malmitalo on Friday at 5 pm. Tickets €13.50/€10.50/€7.50. Tickets and information on Malmitalo’s website.
Rainbow Fish performance at Puppet Theater Sampo on Friday at 6 pm. The performance is suitable for all ages. Tickets €12. Read more on Sampo’s website.
Tip for Vantaa: Dance Weeks in Vantaa April 17-29, 2018. Check the Dance Weeks program for the day here.
Adventure TIP: Adventure at Korkeasaari Zoo guarantees seeing animals.
SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2018
Library Activities:
Story Time at Munkkiniemi Library at 11 am.Other Activities:
Kindergarten Museum Children's Party on Saturday from 10 am-1 pm. "At the Kindergarten Museum's Children's Party, you'll create festive little hats, bake delicious pastries, grind and roast coffee beans yourself for real celebration coffee, grow dragons (as you do at the best parties), see/hear/taste the Talking Bun, and play a lot! Guard dog Veikko and Tuija Rantalainen take the stage at the party at 12 pm." Read more on the event's Facebook page. Free entry.Baby Carrier Swap at Arabia Playground on Saturday from 10 am-2 pm. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
Local Food Market at the plaza area next to Havis Amanda by Market Square on Saturday from 10 am-6 pm. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
Museum of Natural History Workshop Day explores bird box fun on Saturday from 10:30 am-3:30 pm. You can participate in the workshop anytime and it’s included in the museum admission fee. Read more on the Natural History Museum’s website.
Children’s May Day Banner Crafts at Hakaniemi Market Hall on Saturday from 11 am-3 pm. Read more on the hall’s website.
Pukinmäki Circus School Spring Show at Malmitalo on Saturday at 11 am and 1:30 pm. Tickets €13.50/€10.50/€7.50. Tickets and information on Malmitalo’s website.
May Day Party at Strömberg Playground on Saturday from 12-4 pm. Music by WimmaRalli. Read more about the party program on the playground’s Facebook page.
Linnanmäki Amusement Park is open from 1-9 pm. Linnanmäki celebrates Circus Carnivals and the carnival program is available on Linnanmäki’s website. On Saturday, the amusement park features performances by the Putous character Ansa Kynttilä, Hurjaruuthi’s circus show, and Jonna Tervomaa.
Runaway to the Theater Comedy for children at Musiikkiteatteri Kapsäkki on Saturday at 1 pm. Tickets €12.50/€22.50. Read more and book tickets on Kapsäkki’s website.
Saturday Workshops at Kiasma from March-April on Saturdays from 1-4 pm. Workshops for ages 3+ to adults work on a drop-in basis and the workshop theme changes weekly. Kiasma admission fee applies; children under 18 free. Read more on Kiasma’s website.
DanceAbility Dance Class at Annantalo from 2-3 pm. The class is suitable for all children ages 3-12 with an adult, regardless of ability or disability. Read more about DanceAbility classes on Annantalo’s website. Free entry.
Rainbow Fish performance at Puppet Theater Sampo on Saturday at 3 pm. The performance is suitable for all ages. Tickets €12. Read more on Sampo’s website.
Tip for Espoo: Children’s Culture Center Pikku-Aurorat Colors Cosmos Workshop on Saturday from 10 am-2 pm. More information on Pikku-Aurora’s website.
Adventure TIP: What cool things are there in East Uusimaa? Little Helsinki explored there last summer.
REQUEST: Complaints, compliments, comments and requests: tell us what you think of Little Helsinki!
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2018
Dance DayOther Activities:
MLL Vuosaari Used Children's Equipment Swap at daycare Rastis on Sunday from 10 am-1 pm. Read more on the event's Facebook page.Old Herttoniemi Yard Swap Meet Day in West Herttoniemi on Sunday from 10 am-3 pm. The swap meet area spreads throughout West Herttoniemi with small snacks for sale as well. A wonderful atmosphere on nice weather! Read more and see the event map on Herttoniemi’s website. Event updates are posted on the event’s Facebook page.
Dance Day Workshop for children (ages 3-7) with an adult at Maunula Hall on Sunday from 10-11 am. Read more on Maunula Hall’s website.
Siina & Magic Radio Orchestra from Little Kakkos perform at Musikante Children’s Culture Center on Sunday at 11 am. The concert is free to attend. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
Getup and Go for May Day event for the whole family at Säätytalon Park on Sunday from 11 am-3 pm. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
National Museum’s Barbie The Icon Children’s Opening Celebration on Sunday from 12-6 pm. Circus, balloons, fashion show, workshops and entertainment for the whole family. Museum admission applies; children under 18 free. Read more on the National Museum’s website.
Linnanmäki Amusement Park is open from 1-8 pm. Linnanmäki celebrates Circus Carnivals and the carnival program is available on Linnanmäki’s website. On Sunday, the amusement park features performances by Putous characters Ansa Kynttilä and Tanhupallo, Hurjaruuthi’s circus show, and Kuningasidea.
Sampo Sundays! Program features ventriloquist Sari Aalto and friends at Puppet Theater Sampo at 3 pm. Tickets €12. Tickets and information on Sampo’s website.
In Swedish: Children’s Sundays at Kino Engel. Children’s film screenings at Kino Engel in Swedish. Tickets €10.50. Read more and see the program on Kino Engel’s website.
Tip for Espoo: Tapiol Gymnasts’ Family Day at Mankkaa School on Sunday from 10 am-1 pm. Free movement and activities for ages 2-8 with their parents. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
TIP: Haltiala Farm is open year-round and farm animals like cows roam outdoors even during colder months. You should definitely visit Haltiala to see the cows, play at the great playground, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The restaurant Wanha Pehtoori, located on the farm, serves year-round. The Lamb Pen opens around Easter, when you can see newborn lambs up close.
Adventure TIP: Uutela Cottage is open on Sunday from 12-6 pm. Cottage opening hours can be found on its Facebook page.
Remember Also:
Barbie - The Icon Exhibition Opens at the National Museum on Friday, April 27, 2018. More information about the exhibition on the National Museum's website.Linnanmäki Amusement Park Opens its Doors again after the winter break on Friday, April 27, 2018 at 4 pm. See detailed opening hours for April-May on the amusement park’s website.
Other Current Museum Tips from Little Helsinki’s Museum Updates article.
