Pienten Helsinki
What child-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki? Where to go with kids on the weekend? What to do on a rainy day? Little Helsinki's weekly series searches for activity ideas and tips on family-friendly events in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The target audience of the website is families with preschool-aged children.
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New on Little Helsinki: Going to the theater with kids and Children's equipment flea markets in the capital region -articles have been updated!
Article cover image: In Tapiola, Espoo, on the 2nd floor of Ainoa shopping center (new side, across from Synsam) you can see an amazing miniature railway world until the end of April.
MONDAY, FEB 24, 2020
Library events
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Monday can be found at Helmet event calendar.
Central Library Oodi events can be found at Oodi's own calendar.
Playgrounds events
Playground events are now also available on Helsinki City's event calendar in addition to playgrounds' own communication channels. You can browse Monday events here.
Events and activity tips
Albert's living room is an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi. Open Mondays 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
MLL Dad Cafe at Iso-Antti playground Mondays at 10 a.m.
Puppet theater music class at Sampo's aula gallery Monday at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Paid (8€/session or 80€/entire season).
Art advisory for ages 3–6 at Annantalo Monday at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. You can participate in the art advisory weekly or just occasionally, but you need to arrive on time. No pre-registration required. Read more about the Art Advisory program at Annantalo's website.
Museums open on Mondays include Helsinki City Museum and Children's City, Amos Rex (admission fee), Tram Museum, and Päivälehti Museum.
TUESDAY, FEB 25, 2020
Library events
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Tuesday can be found at Helmet event calendar.
Central Library Oodi events can be found at Oodi's own calendar.
Playgrounds events
Playground events are now also available on Helsinki City's event calendar in addition to playgrounds' own communication channels. You can browse Tuesday events here.
Events and activity tips
Family ball play at Pallomill indoor hall in Myllypuro sports park. In family ball play, all children under 9 move with their own adult on a soft synthetic turf. Free play, stunts, running, or practicing walking. Family ball play Tuesdays 9:30–11:30 a.m. and 4–6 p.m. Morning ball play is free for everyone, evening play costs an adult a Pallomill single visit fee (3.50 €). Really easy and low-threshold exercise for the smallest family members!
New opening hours! Kindergarten Museum is open Tuesdays 12–7 p.m. Small admission fee.
Music tale of forest animals for the whole family at Roihuvuori library at 1:30 p.m. Free admission.
Open studio workshops for toddlers (Open Studio for Toddlers Workshops) at Caisa Cultural Center Tuesday 1:30–3:30 p.m. Workshops are suitable for 1.5–3-year-old children with a caregiver. You can stop by or stay longer. No pre-registration, free admission.
Mini Opera: Golden Reindeer performance at the Opera House balcony lounge Tuesday at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets 10 €.
Shrove Tuesday celebration at Rudolf playground (Laajasalo) Tuesday 5–7 p.m.
Children's Snow Days evening fun at Paloheinä Golf area Tuesday 5:30–7:30 p.m. The event will be held regardless of poor snow conditions. Free admission.
WEDNESDAY, FEB 26, 2020
Library events
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Wednesday can be found at Helmet event calendar.
Central Library Oodi events can be found at Oodi's own calendar.
Tip for babies and parents: BabyKino at Kallio library. You can go to movies with a baby Wednesdays at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. BabyKino's own group on Facebook can be found here, where, for example, the week's movie is published and the upcoming program is voted on. More information is also available on BabyKino's fb page.
Playgrounds events
Playground events are now also available on Helsinki City's event calendar in addition to playgrounds' own communication channels. You can browse Wednesday events here.
Events and activity tips
Albert's living room is an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi. Open Wednesdays 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Fallkulla farm animals is open Wednesdays 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Free admission.
Fire Museum at Erottaja fire station is open Wednesdays 12–4 p.m. Admission fee 2 €, under 15 free. More information at the museum's website.
New opening hours! Kindergarten Museum is open Wednesdays 12–7 p.m. Small admission fee.
THURSDAY, FEB 27, 2020
Library events
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Thursday can be found at Helmet event calendar.
Central Library Oodi events can be found at Oodi's own calendar.
Playgrounds events
Playground events are now also available on Helsinki City's event calendar in addition to playgrounds' own communication channels. You can browse Thursday events here.
Events and activity tips
Albert's living room is an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi. Open Thursdays 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Open studio workshops for toddlers (Open Studio for Toddlers Workshops) at Caisa Cultural Center Thursday 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Workshops are suitable for 1.5–3-year-old children with a caregiver. You can stop by or stay longer. No pre-registration, free admission.
Visual art adventure for children and adults at Kannelmäki youth center's Värkkäämö Thursday 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Free admission to North Helsinki art school's art course. Recommended age for children is 3–6 years, and you can participate for one or several sessions.
Fallkulla farm animals is open Thursdays 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Free admission.
Family ball play at Pallomill indoor hall in Myllypuro sports park. In family ball play, all children under 9 move with their own adult on a soft synthetic turf. Free play, stunts, running, or practicing walking. Family ball play Thursdays 4–5 p.m. Free admission for children, adults pay Pallomill's single visit fee (3.50 €). Really easy and low-threshold exercise for the smallest family members!
Espoo: Finland's largest miniature railway on the 2nd floor of Ainoa shopping center Thursday 4–7 p.m. Voluntary admission fee. More information at Alpine Railways Club's website.
Family fun at Porolahti primary school Thursdays at 5 p.m. Free admission. More information at the event's fb page.
Nature Mother's songs performance at Annala villa Thursday at 6 p.m. Free admission.
FRIDAY, FEB 28, 2020
Library events
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Friday can be found at Helmet event calendar.
Central Library Oodi events can be found at Oodi's own calendar.
Playgrounds events
Playground events are now also available on Helsinki City's event calendar in addition to playgrounds' own communication channels. You can browse Friday events here.
Events and activity tips
Albert's living room is an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi. Open Fridays 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Napper Cinema at Annantalo Friday at 10 a.m. Age recommendation: 0–3 years with an adult, older children also welcome. Free admission to the movies.
Circus Sampo performance at Sampo Friday at 10 a.m. Tickets 12 €. Wordless performance suitable for all ages.
Children's Fridays at Alppila Church Fridays 10 a.m.–12 p.m. The entire fall program can be found on the event's fb page.
Fallkulla farm animals is open Fridays 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Free admission.
Eagle flew — music moment for families at Oodi Friday at 11 a.m.
In Swedish: Theater Koja: Vi och vilda väsen (Premiere) performance at Annantalo Friday at 6 p.m. Tickets 15 €. The performance is suitable for ages 3 and up.
Kino Helios: Dog Days (K7) film at Malmitalo Friday at 6 p.m. Tickets 7 €. More information at Malmitalo's website.
SATURDAY, FEB 29, 2020
Leap day
Library events
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Saturday can be found at Helmet event calendar.
Unicorn day at Kallio library Saturday 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Central Library Oodi events can be found at Oodi's own calendar.
Events and activity tips
Exercise fun at Maunula sports hall Saturday mornings 9–10:30 a.m. Admission fee for adults 3.50 €, children under 9 exercise free. You can arrive on your own schedule, there's room for strollers in the lobby, and remember to pack your own locker key. Read more from Little Helsinki's Helsinki on the move tips.
Skateboard school from baby to grandpa at Kontulan skate hall, Luuppi Skate, Saturday 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Course fee. More information, registration and course times at Helride's website.
Snow play event at Kindergarten Museum Saturday 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Free admission.
Espoo: SaturdayWorkshop: Peculiar leap day at Children's Culture Center Aurora Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Free admission.
Melodies from the music forest – Mikael Nyberg's children's songs at Maunula-talo Saturday at 11 a.m. Free admission.
Espoo: Jazz for Kids - family jazz session at Espoo cultural center (Tapiola) Saturday at 11 a.m. Free admission.
Espoo: Finland's largest miniature railway on the 2nd floor of Ainoa shopping center Saturday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Voluntary admission fee. More information at Alpine Railways Club's website.
Circus Sampo performance at Sampo Saturday at 12 p.m. Tickets 12 €. Wordless performance suitable for all ages.
Leap day party at Malmitalo Saturday 1–3 p.m. Some workshops require pre-registration. Free admission.
DanceAbility dance class at Annantalo at 2 p.m. The class is suitable for all 3–12-year-olds with their own adult, regardless of disability or non-disability. Read more about DanceAbility classes at Annantalo's website.
Helsinki places article is a lifesaver on boring days with kids!
SUNDAY, MAR 1, 2020
Events and activity tips
Central Library Oodi events can be found at Oodi's own calendar.
Espoo: Flea market! MLL Tapiola Spring Flea Market at Tapiola School Sunday 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
MLL Haaga SpringMagic family event at Isonnevan playground Sunday 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Espoo: Winter fun at Leppävaara sports park Sunday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Free admission.
Fallkulla farm animals is open Sundays 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Free admission.
Espoo: Badger forest fairy tale at Villa Elfvikin Sunday at 11 a.m. Read more at Elfvik's website.
Great Spring Action at Laajasalo beach Sunday 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Vantaa: Children's ski event at Hakuli sports park Sunday 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Kangaroo exercises will warm everyone up. Register to participate at the organizer's website.
Winter fun around Lauttasaari Church Sunday 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Fire Museum at Erottaja fire station is open Sundays 12–4 p.m. Admission fee 2 €, under 15 free. More information at the museum's website.
Sunday hangout: Critters and other household oddities — building workshop at Annantalo Sunday 1–3 p.m. Free admission, workshop suitable for ages 4 and up with their own adult.
Evening story time at Central Library Oodi Sunday at 5 p.m.
Also remember
At the Natural History Museum during winter weeks 8 and 9 Let the dinosaurs loose! event weeks Tuesday to Saturday 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Museum admission fee, free for children under 7.
GoExpo fair at Helsinki convention center Feb 28–Mar 1, 2020.
Exhibition: Elf forest - images of Helsinki Central Park from Maunula to Pitkäkoski at Maunula-talo Feb 9–Mar 5, 2020. Free admission.
Exhibition: Object as painting base exhibition in the glass end of Annantalo's second floor Feb 6–Mar 8, 2020 during Annantalo's opening hours.
Exhibition: Everyone at home exhibition about everyday life and family diversity at Annantalo art gallery Feb 6–May 14, 2020 during Annantalo's opening hours.
Ice skating is available at several of the city's outdoor ice rinks. Small admission fee for artificial ice rinks. Read more about admission fees and opening hours at Helsinki City's website.
Laajasalo sports park (free) and Jätkäsaari next to Verkkokauppa.com have new ice rinks, which don't have reserved times, only stick times separately. Also Ice Park at Rautatientori and Tapiola Ice Garden (free admission to Ice Garden, as with all Espoo ice rinks) for skating.
Current ice conditions can be found at ulkoliikunta.fi service (change activity to skating).
Helsinki places article is a lifesaver on boring days with kids!
Little Helsinki as an app on your phone!
Little Helsinki now also works as a PWA app. You can install Little Helsinki on your Android or iPhone by simply opening the page in Chrome or Safari browser and selecting "Add to home screen" from the share button. A PWA app differs from a traditional app in that you don't need to install it separately from the App Store or similar. In practice, the content is exactly the same as in a browser, but the page loads faster.
Little Helsinki does not require registration to work now, nor ever.
