Pienten Helsinki
Carnival week activity ideas for children
What child-friendly activities are available in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on weekends? What to do on a rainy day? Pienten Helsinki's weekly series looks for activity ideas and recommends child-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The target audience is pre-school-aged children and families with children.
Where to go this week continues to be published with a slightly revised concept. The article lists highlights of the week's events and the most interesting activity tips of the week. It also includes highlights from Pienten Helsinki's new articles, news, and a new weekly changing "Have you ever visited" place. The future of the page remains open, but this concept will continue through spring.
New on Pienten Helsinki: Spring children's goods flea markets, list of upcoming spring events, and Going to the theatre with children articles have been updated!
Are you following Pienten Helsinki on Facebook? The page has many current event tips, discussions, and other highlights related to family life in Helsinki. You'll also find a dedicated group for families with babies in the city, Baby Helsinki.
You can also find Pienten Helsinki on Instagram using the hashtag #pientenhelsinki for numerous photos of Helsinki with children.
NEW: Families' Helsinki group on Facebook is a place for discussion about families in Helsinki: about daycare spots, hobbies, getting around, everyday tips and ideas. Things that families encounter in their daily lives. The group is a place to celebrate but also to raise concerns about family matters. The group is also a place to share news and announcements related to family life. You can join the group here.
This week's "Have you ever visited" place is Linnunlaulu Bridge between Hakaniemi and Töölönlahti. Linnunlaulu Bridge offers a view of Helsinki's railway station's tracks and all trains arriving at and departing from the main station pass under this bridge. You may also see lights and other equipment controlling train traffic from the bridge. Linnunlaulu has a pleasant walking trail and you can continue your route to playgrounds at Töölönlahti or Hakaniemi.
Tuesday »| Wednesday »| Thursday »|
Friday »| Saturday »| Sunday »
MONDAY 25.2.2019
Activities at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Monday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Activities at play parks
Play park activities can now also be found in Helsinki's city event calendar. You can browse Monday's activities here.
Events and activity tips
Albert's living room is a meeting place open to families with children and seniors in Kamppi. Open Monday 9.30-15. The place will soon have its own article on Pienten Helsinki, as our team fell in love with it! Read more on the Helsinki Mission website.
MLL Dad Cafe at Iso-Antinki play park in Itäkeskus on Mondays 10-12. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Art clinic for 3-6 year olds at Annantalo on Monday at 10 and 12.30. This week at the art clinic, space pictures are made using watercolor technique. You can participate in the art clinic weekly or just occasionally, but you need to arrive on time. No pre-registration required. Read more about art clinic activities on Annantalo's website.
Puppet theatre music class at Sampo aula gallery on Monday at 10 and 11. Fee (€8/session or €80/entire season). Read more on Puppet Theatre Sampo's website.
Art clinic - Let's paint, let's paint! - art workshop for children with a parent at African Care premises in Meri-Rastila on Monday at 12.30. Art clinic for 3-6 year olds, no pre-registration required. Read more on Vuotalo's website.
Museums open on Mondays include Helsinki City Museum and Children's City, Amos Rex, and Päivälehti Museum.
TUESDAY 26.2.2019
Activities at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Tuesday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Activities at play parks
Play park activities can now also be found in Helsinki's city event calendar. You can browse Monday's activities here.
Events and activity tips
Note! Family Ball sports at Pallomylly will not be held this week.
At the Natural History Museum winter break weeks 8 and 9 feature Pitch Black Winter Break Adventure from Tuesday to Saturday. Museum admission fee, children under 7 free, museum card venue.
WEDNESDAY 27.2.2019
Activities at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Wednesday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Tip for babies and parents: BabyKino at Kallio library. You can go to movies with your baby on Wednesdays at 12 and 14.30. BabyKino's own Facebook group can be found here, where, for example, the week's film is published and voting takes place on future programming. More information is also available on BabyKino's Facebook page.
Activities at play parks
Play park activities can now also be found in Helsinki's city event calendar. You can browse Monday's activities here.
Events and activity tips
Mll Goes Oodi Dad Cafe at central library Oodi on Wednesday 9.30-11.30. Read more on the event's Facebook page.
Albert's living room is a meeting place open to families with children and seniors in Kamppi. Open Wednesdays 9.30-15. The place will soon have its own article on Pienten Helsinki, as our team fell in love with it! Read more on the Helsinki Mission website.
Fallkulla farm is open to the public on Wednesday 10-18. Free admission.
Helsinki Fire and Rescue Museum at Erottaja fire station is open on Wednesdays 12-16. Admission fee €2, under 15s free. Read more on the City of Helsinki website.
Kindergarten Museum has activities on Wednesdays 12-18. Museum admission €4, under 16s free.
At the Natural History Museum winter break weeks 8 and 9 feature Pitch Black Winter Break Adventure from Tuesday to Saturday. Museum admission fee, children under 7 free, museum card venue.
Free admission to Cable Factory museums on Wednesday 17-20. Read more on the event's Facebook page.
At Malmitalo's Kino Helios the film Risto Räppää and the Pudgy One (rated) will be shown on Wednesday at 18. Tickets €6. More information on Malmitalo's website.
THURSDAY 28.2.2019
Day of Kalevala and Finnish culture
Activities at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Thursday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Activities at play parks
Play park activities can now also be found in Helsinki's city event calendar. You can browse Monday's activities here.
Events and activity tips
Note! Family Ball sports at Pallomylly will not be held this week.
Kalevala Day is celebrated at Malmitalo on Thursday. For the little ones there are music classes starting at 9. More information on Malmitalo's website.
Albert's living room is a meeting place open to families with children and seniors in Kamppi. Open Thursday 9.30-15. The place will soon have its own article on Pienten Helsinki, as our team fell in love with it! Read more on the Helsinki Mission website.
Theatre Horseshoe's Goldilocks and the Three Bears puppet theatre performance at Annantalo on Thursday at 10. Tickets €11.50. Read more on Annantalo's website.
Art adventure - art course for children and adults at Kannelmäki youth centre's Workshop on Thursday 10-13. On the family art adventure, children paint, sculpt and build together with their parents. Read more on Kanneltalo's website.
Fallkulla farm is open to the public on Thursday 10-18. Free admission.
At the Natural History Museum winter break weeks 8 and 9 feature Pitch Black Winter Break Adventure from Tuesday to Saturday. Museum admission fee, children under 7 free, museum card venue.
Also for babies: Stroller walk goes #Invaluable #climate election. Departure from the main entrance of Oodi at 15. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Fathers and children sports group at Puotila elementary school gymnasium on Thursdays 17-18. Organized by MLL Uusimaa. Free admission. Read more on MLL father activities Facebook page.
Kitten Kasuli and the Animal Safe Forest book launch at Oodi's Maija hall on Thursday at 19. The event also features performances by Gommi and Pommi. Read more on the event's Facebook page.
FRIDAY 1.3.2019
Activities at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Friday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Activities at play parks
Play park activities can now also be found in Helsinki's city event calendar. You can browse Monday's activities here.
Events and activity tips
Napperkino at Annantalo on Fridays at 10. Age recommendation: 0-3 years with adult supervision, older children also welcome. Movies are free. More information on Annantalo's website.
Theatre Horseshoe's Goldilocks and the Three Bears puppet theatre performance at Annantalo on Friday at 10. Tickets €11.50. Read more on Annantalo's website.
Fallkulla farm is open to the public on Friday 10-18. Free admission.
At the Natural History Museum winter break weeks 8 and 9 feature Pitch Black Winter Break Adventure from Tuesday to Saturday. Museum admission fee, children under 7 free, museum card venue.
SATURDAY 2.3.2019
Activities at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Saturday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Events and activity tips
Sports fun at Maunula starts again on Saturday mornings 9-10.30 at Maunula sports hall. Admission fee for adults €3.50, children under 9 play for free. You can arrive on your own schedule. Read more in Pienten Helsinki's Helsinki in motion tips.
MLL family cafe at Central Library Oodi on Saturday 10-12. Read more on the event's Facebook page.
Puksun Carnival Fun around Composers' Park on Saturday 10-13. Read more about the day's programme on the event's Facebook page.
At the Natural History Museum winter break weeks 8 and 9 feature Pitch Black Winter Break Adventure from Tuesday to Saturday. Museum admission fee, children under 7 free, museum card venue.
In Espoo: Espoo: Little Aurora's Saturday Workshop - macramé tying 10-14. Read more on Aurora's website.
In Vantaa: Children's Medicine Day at Heureka on Saturday 10-18. Adults at children's ticket price, under 6s free. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Espoo: Jazz for kids - family jazz session in Espoo Cultural Centre's grand piano hall (in Tapiola) at 11. Free admission. More information on Espoo cultural services website.
Children's art carnival at Kallio Settlement House on Saturday 11-14. Read more on the event's Facebook page.
Barnfesten – Fun and culture for all children - event at Annantalo on Saturday 11-15. Read more on Annantalo's website.
Nurmijärvi: Angry Birds Go Snow event this week in Nurmijärvi on Saturday 11-15. Free admission. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Espoo: Finnish research expeditions in Espoo around Luontokeskus Haltia on Saturday 11-16. Programme includes research expeditions for all ages in the surrounding area. More information on Haltia's website.
DanceAbility dance class at Annantalo 14-15. 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 on Annantalo's website. Free admission.
Järvenpää: Grandpa Pappy's Orchestra at Järvenpää Hall on Saturday at 14. Tickets €19.50. Tickets and more information on Järvenpää Hall's website.
SUNDAY 3.3.2019
Carnival Sunday
Events and activity tips
Sports fun at Liikuntamylly in Myllypuro on Sunday mornings 9-10.45. Admission fee for adults €3.50, children under 9 play for free. You can arrive on your own schedule, there's space for strollers in the hall and bring your own padlock for the changing room. Read more in Pienten Helsinki's Helsinki in motion tips.
Espoo: Sunday mailless public skating at Metro Arena on Sundays 9-12. Read more on Espoo city website. The same page also has other Espoo city's open ice rink times. Free admission. Also Tapiola Ice Garden is open (small admission fee)!
Fallkulla farm is open to the public on Sunday 10-15. Free admission.
Carnival Sunday pop-up cafe at Villa Vuosanna in Uutela 10-17. Trip to Uutela, lunch and pastry at the cafe?
Carnival fun at Seurasaari Festival Field on Sunday 12-16. Read more on Seurasaari Foundation's website.
CARNIVAL SUNDAY CELEBRATIONS
- Annala Carnival, Helsinki
- Haltiala Carnival Fun, Helsinki
- Great Spring Event in Laajasalo, Helsinki
- Country Fun at Puotila Manor, Helsinki
- Ruoholahti Carnival Event, Helsinki
- Carnival Event at Lauttasaari Church, Helsinki
- Taivaskallion Carnival, Helsinki
- Traditional Viikinki Carnival Fun, Helsinki
- Whole Family Ice Festival at Maunula, Helsinki
- Nuuksion Northern Gate Carnival Fun, Espoo
- Carnival Fun at Perkkaa, Espoo
- Carnival Fun in Ylästö, Vantaa
- Backaksen Carnival Fun, Vantaa
- Winter Event at Koivukylä School Field, Vantaa
Vantaa: Checkers Championships at Seutula school area 10-13. More information on the event's website.
In Espoo: Badger's Forest Story Hour at Nature House Villa Elfviki on Sunday at 11. More information on Elfvik's website.
Helsinki Fire and Rescue Museum at Erottaja fire station is open on Sundays 12-16. Admission fee €2, under 15s free. Read more on the City of Helsinki website.
Annantalo's Sunday Meetings go to future meetings on Sunday 13-15.30. No pre-registration required, suitable for the whole family. Read more on Annantalo's website.
Also remember
Pienten Helsinki articles are available in Finnish, Swedish, and English on the My Helsinki tourism website. The newest article takes you to Experiences Helsinki with Children!
Helsinki Places article is a lifesaver for boring days with children!
Current ski trail and skating field freezing situations can be found in the ulkoliikunta.fi service.
Exhibition for a friend at Annantalo 14.2.-3.3.2019. The exhibition is open during Annantalo's opening hours. Read more on Annantalo's website.
Alma Terra imagination land exhibition invites you to touch, climb and enjoy at cultural center Caisa's gallery 8.2.-27.2.2019. The exhibition is free to visit. Read more on Caisa's website.
In Espoo: Finland's largest miniature railway can be admired at Tapiola at Hekintor in February-March. More information on Alpine Railway Association's website.
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