Early September tips and library extras

Updated 9.9.2017

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 highlights child-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The website’s target group is preschool-aged children.

Early September activity tips include, in addition to events, plenty of information about activities offered by libraries for babies, toddlers, and older children. Story times, Baby rhyme sessions, and for example story yoga are available at city libraries throughout Helsinki. It’s worth following library announcements regularly, since Little Helsinki’s event listing only highlights examples of what’s offered. Helsinki’s wonderful libraries are absolutely child-friendly places and excellent saviors on rainy days!

[caption id=“attachment_844” align=“aligncenter” width=“720”] Helsinki has numerous wonderful children’s sections in libraries and access is always free.[/caption]

Regarding playgrounds, brochures about fall programs from various playground areas have started appearing, but frustratingly few are available in digital form yet. Little Helsinki continues to ponder ways to improve access to playground programs, hoping that as many as possible will find one of Helsinki’s 69 playgrounds.

Activity tips worth mentioning include, for example, Kalasatama Park opening celebration, Family ball games, and Funky Elephant Festival’s family day.

MONDAY 4.9.2017

Events:

Story time at Puistola Library at 10. Story hour in Swedish at Östra centrum library at 9.30.

Story massage for under two-year-olds at Paloheinä Library at 9.30. Read more about story massage here. Story yoga at Paloheinä Library at 10.15 for 2-6 year-olds. Story yoga requires advance registration (also other times available). Read more here. Toddler session for 1-3 year-olds in the story room at Maunula Library at 9.30. More information here. Immediately followed at Maunula by baby rhyme time starting at 10.30. Baby rhyme session at Jakomäki Library at 10. Read more about rhyme sessions here.

Vantaa: Vantaa City Museum holds babies’ museum Mondays on the first Monday of each month from 10-11. The program features free socializing and exploring the exhibition at babies’ pace. Free admission. More information about the event here.

TUESDAY 5.9.2017

Events:

Organic Porridge World Record Day. Eat organic porridge at home or at an event, read more here.

Story time at Herttoniemi Library at 9.45. Story session at Itäkeskus Library at 9.30. Story time at Kannelmäki Library at 10. Story time at Malmi Library at 9.30. Story time at North Haaga Library at 10. Story time in the Töölö Library club room at 10.15. Story hour in Swedish at Tölö library at 9.30. Jussi Ollila’s story session at Vuotalo hall at 10.30. Read more here.

Family ball games take over Pallomylly indoor hall at Myllypuro sports park and invite all children under 9 to move with an adult on soft artificial turf. Family ball games feature free play, stunts, running, or practicing walking. Family ball games are held Tuesdays 9.30-11.30 and 16-18. Free admission for children, single entry fee 3.50€ for adults at Pallomylly. Read Little Helsinki’s article about Helsinki city sports events here for more information about family ball games and directions to Pallomylly.

Toddler Tuesdays are held at Itis shopping center on Tuesday. The program includes, for example, product demonstrations, competitions, and activities for toddlers. Read more about Toddler Tuesdays here.

WEDNESDAY 6.9.2017

Events:

Story time at Arabianranta Library at 9.30. Story time at Kontula Library at 9.30. Story time at Käpylä Library at 10. Story time at Lauttasaari Library at 10. Story time at Maunula Hall at 10. Story time at Oulukylä Library at 10. Story time at Pukinmäki Library at 10.15.

Song session led by Terttu Paija at Tapulinkaupunki Library at 10. Read more about song sessions here.

Tip: A trip to Suomenlinna in early autumn is worthwhile, as the atmosphere feels like you’re abroad: Tourists stroll around the island and the mood is often peaceful when the summer crowds are just a memory. On beautiful days, it’s lovely to hike, play, explore, or even take a museum tour and stop by the library. There’s a playground too! Read how Little Helsinki explored Suomenlinna on a peaceful Wednesday.

[caption id=“attachment_1291” align=“aligncenter” width=“1000”] The Children’s Suomenlinna map leads to adventure on a mysterious fortress island.[/caption]

THURSDAY 7.9.2017

Events:

Story time at Laajasalo Library at 9.45. Story time at Paloheinä Library at 9.30. Story time at Tapulinkaupunki Library at 9.30. Story time at Vallila Library at 18.

Story massage at Maunula Library for children under two at 9.30. Read more here.

Muksukino films take over Myllypuro media library and resident center Myllär’s hall on Thursdays at 10. Read more about Muksukino here.

Jätkäsaari info center and library’s 2nd birthday celebration is held Thursday and features Jytäjyrsijät at 10 onwards. Read more about the library’s celebrations here.

Children’s art consultation takes over Kanneltalo’s Workshop on Thursday 10-12. The art consultation workshops recommend ages 3-6. No advance registration required, free admission. Read more about art consultation here.

Family ball games take over Pallomylly indoor hall at Myllypuro sports park on Thursdays too and invite all children under 9 to move with an adult on soft artificial turf. Family ball games feature free play, stunts, running, or practicing walking. Family ball games are held Thursdays 16-17. Free admission for children, single entry fee 3.50€ for adults at Pallomylly. Read Little Helsinki’s article about Helsinki city sports events here for more information about family ball games and directions to Pallomylly.

Kalasatama Park opening celebration is held Thursday 15-18. Diverse program for all ages and light refreshments. Read more about Kalasatama Park opening here.

Tip: Read what Little Helsinki thought about Kalasatama Park’s playground.

[caption id=“attachment_603” align=“aligncenter” width=“3024”] Kalasatama Park opening celebration is held Thursday 7.9.2017.[/caption]

FRIDAY 8.9.2017

Events: Story time at Roihuvuori Library at 9.45. Wizard story time at Maunula Library at 10. Read more here.

Baby rhyme session at South Haaga Library at 10. Read more about rhyme sessions here. Baby rhyme session at Malmi Library at 11. Read more here.

Toddler session at Malmi Library at 10. Read more here.

Annantalo’s Naperokino continues and offers small ones (0-3 years) their own movie theater. Short films can be watched on Fridays throughout the fall at 10-12. Read more about Naperokino here.

Cats’ Night takes over Korkeasaari from 16-24 and lets you explore the island as it gets dark. In addition to the island’s own adventures, there’s diverse programming. The event is ticketed. More information about Cats’ Night here.

Tip for Vantaa: Moomins’ Song Journey concert in Vantaa at Kulttuurikeskus Martinuksessa at 10. Tickets 5€. Read more here.

[caption id=“attachment_1352” align=“aligncenter” width=“525”] The songs from the Moomins’ Song Journey are heard at Kulttuurikeskus Martinuksessa in Vantaa. Book rights owned by Tammi.[/caption]

SATURDAY 9.9.2017

Events:

Story time at Munkkiniemi Library at 11.

Toddler session at Roihuvuori Library at 10.30. Read more here.

Children’s space Saturday at Library 10 at 12-14. Read more about space Saturday here.

Story Saturday: The Happiest People in the World Story Saturdays are held at the Nordic Library at 13 and feature a story about happiness. At the same time, you should stop by the children’s section and explore what treasures the Nordic Library offers. The library is located at Kaisaniemenkatu 9. Read more about Story Saturday and the Nordic Library here.

[caption id=“attachment_950” align=“aligncenter” width=“960”] The Nordic Library’s children’s section.[/caption]

Music House’s Free Day 2017 event brings diverse programming to everyone on Saturday 9.30-15. No specific children’s program is currently being organized, but many of Saturday’s events are also suitable for children. Read more about the day’s program and Music House’s free day here.

Tip: The Music House and its café are aesthetically accessible and easily accessible with strollers for example. There’s also a functioning childcare room.

[caption id=“attachment_1349” align=“aligncenter” width=“1334”] The Music House café easily accommodates strollers too.[/caption]

SUNDAY 10.9.2017

Events:

Funky Elephant Festival family day is held Sunday 11-19 at Suvilahtelo. Programming and activities for the whole family and children are featured in the program. For example, Count Pompouline from Bouncy Castle performs at 13.30. Festival Family Day has free admission. Read more about the event and check out the full program here.

MLL Aviapolik’s children’s goods flea market offers treasures at Tammisto in Vantaa at 9.30-13. Read more here.

Hara Island guided island tour on Sunday at 14-15 offers a trip to the island’s rich nature, history, and present day. Suitable for the whole family, though the route is not accessible. A connecting ferry to Hara Island departs from Kaivopuisto Ullanlinnan dock (Ehrenströmintie 3). Round-trip ferry ticket costs 5€ for adults, 2€ for children and seniors. Free admission to Hara Island and tours. Read more about Hara Island here.

Espoo: Flea or not flea? - Insect walk is a whole family nature walk at Villa Elfvik in Espoo on Sunday 10.30-12.30 and takes you on an exploration trip to Laajalahti nature. The walk is suitable for the whole family, and it’s good to bring small snacks and weather-appropriate clothing. Free admission. Read more here.

Tip: New playground reviews have been added to Little Helsinki’s pages. LH challenges you to visit a new playground!

[caption id=“attachment_1328” align=“aligncenter” width=“1334”] Check out Little Helsinki’s pages to see what Lohiapanlahti playground in Lauttasaari looks like.[/caption]

Don't forget these either:

Helsinki Design Week city installations take over downtown 7.-17.9.2017. Read more about the works here.

Babies’ and toddlers’ color bath workshops are held at Forum Box on two days in September on 4.9.2017 and 18.9.2017. The event is ticketed. Read more here.

Linnanmäki amusement park hosts Iik!Week 2.9.-17.9.2017. Read more here. The Iik!Week theme is also visible at SEA LIFE Merimaailma.

Where to go this week? 4.9.2017-10.9.2017