Pienten Helsinki
Where to go in April?
Updated April 13, 2018What fun activities for children can be found in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on weekends? What to do on a rainy day? Pienten Helsinki’s weekly series finds activity tips and points out family-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The target audience of the website is preschool-aged children and families with small children.
Pienten Helsinki’s “Where to go this week” articles are published by Monday at the latest and suggest what’s happening in the city for families with children. The fifteenth “Where to go this week” article of 2018 takes you to see thrilling whitewater rafting at Vanhankaupunkinkoski for the iceBREAK event, stuffed animals sleeping over at Pasila library, and hobby horse races at Fallkullan farm.
New on Pienten Helsinki: Helsinki places Helsinki places featured in Pienten Helsinki articles and stories are now available behind one link as a directory. Wonderful places, nice destinations, lots to see and do with children, Helsinki gems. The basis of the article is the One hundred and one places in Helsinki, but good destinations for children are added to the list frequently. The article contains a lot of insider knowledge about Helsinki and the idea is to create a comprehensive directory of Helsinki places. It’s worth returning to the list on days when it’s hard to think of something fun to do or when you’re planning a day off in Helsinki.
COMING soon! Pienten Suomi takes you on a journey around Finland and suggests nice places to visit with small children. Stay tuned!
The article’s cover image is from Vanhankaupunkinkoski, where you can watch nature’s own show in the coming days as spring meltwater flows turbulently through these landscapes and water levels in the rapids are at their peak. This Sunday, the iceBREAK 2018 event will be held in these settings.
Tuesday » | Wednesday » | Thursday » | Friday » | Saturday » | Sunday »
MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2018
Mikael Agricola Day and Finnish Language DayEvents:
Story time at Puistola library at 10 a.m.
Story yoga at Paloheinen library at 10:15 a.m.
MLL family café Mondays in the first floor lobby of Itäkatu family center at 9:30-11:30 a.m. Families with small children can come to the open family café according to their own schedule to play, spend time and meet other families in the same life situation. Read more on Itäkatu family café’s Facebook page. Tip! You can also suggest activities or performances for the family café. Also suitable for families with babies. TIP: An updated list of MLL family cafés in Helsinki created in collaboration between Pienten Helsinki and Uusimaa MLL is now available on Pienten Helsinki’s website. There are family cafés almost every day of the week throughout Helsinki!
Puppet theater music lesson at Sampo arcade gallery every Monday at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Fee-based (€8/visit or €70/full spring). Read more on Puppet Theater Sampo’s website.
Community gardening work sessions invite you to garden at Kanneltalo Mondays 5-7:30 p.m. and later in May at Antinniitty community garden. A weekly event open to everyone where you can learn gardening activities with a child under adult supervision. Read more on Kanneltalo’s website.
TIP for Vantaa FOR BABIES and parents: Babies’ Museum Monday at Vantaa City Museum on Monday at 10 a.m. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
TIP for Espoo: Tiira tiiraa Tiiraa - concert for children and bird lovers at Sello library stage on Monday at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Admission is free. Read more on Kulttuuri Espoo’s website.
TIP: Päivälehti Museum and Pelle Peloton exhibition is also open on Mondays 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
ALSO READ: Helmet libraries’ wonderful article At the library with small children encourages visiting the library with babies and small children!
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2018
Events:Story time at Kallio library at 9:30 a.m. 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 activity room at 10:15 a.m.
FOR BABIES: Babies’ rhyme time at Tapulinkaupunki library at 10:30 a.m.
Family ball games continue at the Pallomylly indoor hall at Myllypuro sports park. In family ball games, all children under 9 years old move with an adult on soft artificial turf. Free play, stunts, running or learning to walk. Family ball games Tuesdays 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Free admission for morning games, evening games cost adults Pallomylly’s single visit fee (€3.50).
Toddler Tuesday at Itik shopping mall 10 a.m.-2 p.m. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
Make Helsinki Smile! event at Narinkkatori Square on Tuesday 3-6 p.m. The event features programs for all ages. More about the day’s schedule on the event’s Facebook page.
TIP: Kaari shopping center hosts weekly Tuesday Fun, which includes music lessons for babies and toddlers as well as story time for all little ones. Read more on Kaari’s website, advance registration for music lessons required.
TIP for Espoo: Theater Hevosenkengä’s Pippuridino performance at Sello Hall on Tuesday at 10:15 a.m. Tickets €11.50. The performance is recommended for children over 3 years old. Read more about the performance on Sello Hall’s website.
TIP for Espoo: MLL’s International family café in Sello library’s Lastenmaata on Tuesdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Read more on the library’s website. Also suitable for families with babies.
TIP: Roses, bouquets, comments and wishes: tell us what you think of Pienten Helsinki!
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2018
Events:Story time at Paloheina library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Kontula library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Tapanila library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Arabianranta library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Lauttasaari library at 10 a.m. Story time at Maunula library at 10 a.m. Story time at Oulunkylä library at 5 p.m.
Toddlers’ rhyme circle at Oulunkylä library at 10 a.m. Toddler time at Pukinmäki library at 10 a.m.
Ava and the Stubborn Trumpet, a theatrical fairy tale at Arabianranta library at 10 a.m. Read more on the library’s website.
Russian-language children’s club at Malmi library Wednesdays 10-11:30 a.m.
FOR BABIES: Babies’ rhyme circle at Oulunkylä library at 11 a.m. FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme time at Pukinmäki library at 11 a.m.
FOR BABIES and parents: BabyKino at Kallio library. Movies with your baby on Wednesdays at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. BabyKino’s own group on Facebook can be found here, where for example this week’s movie is posted and you can vote on the upcoming program.
Magpie Makes Soup - puppet theater concert at Stoa on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Tickets €12. Information and ticket reservations on Stoa’s website.
TIP: Kindergarten Museum is open every Wednesday 12-6 p.m.
Children’s art session at the National Opera on Wednesday at 2 p.m. This week’s art session theme is The Magic Flute. Tickets €10. Read more on the Opera’s website.
Wednesday’s Leisurely Gallery Workshop creates three-dimensional cards at Vuotalo gallery on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Read more about this workshop suitable for all ages on Vuotalo’s website.
TIP for Espoo: Little Maria’s Animal Songs at Espoo Cultural Center’s Tapiola Hall on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Admission is free. Read more on Kulttuuri Espoo’s website.
TIP: Baby changing rooms on the map! Pienten Helsinki’s latest article in the Baby Helsinki series lists baby changing rooms that have been found to work well around the capital region.
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018
Events:Story time at Pasila library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Suutarila library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Tapulinkaupunki library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Laajasalo library at 9:45 a.m. Story time at Jakomäki library at 10 a.m. Evening story time at Kallio library at 6 p.m.
FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme time at Pohjois-Haaga library at 10 a.m. FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme time at Roihuvuori library at 10 a.m.
Family ball games at Pallomylly indoor hall at Myllypuro sports park. In family ball games, all children under 9 years old move with an adult on soft artificial turf. Free play, stunts, running or learning to walk. Family ball games Thursdays 4-5 p.m., adults pay Pallomylly’s single visit fee (€3.50), free for children.
Magpie Makes Soup - puppet theater concert at Puppet Theater Sampo on Thursday at 10 a.m. Tickets €12. Information and ticket reservations on Sampo’s website.
Helsinki City Orchestra’s Ella and Friends in Concert at Musiikkitalo on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Tickets €17.50/€9/€7. A family story concert featuring Iiro Rantala’s new compositions for Timo Parvelan’s upcoming Ella and Friends book. Read more and book tickets on Musiikkitalo’s website. The Helsinki City Orchestra’s Ella and Friends concert can also be watched as a live broadcast on the big screen at Malmitalo at 6:30 p.m. Admission to Malmitalo is free. More information on Malmitalo’s website.
TIP for Espoo: Little Maria’s Animal Songs at Espoo Cultural Center’s Tapiola Hall on Thursday at 6 p.m. Admission is free. Read more on Kulttuuri Espoo’s website.
TIP: Pienten Helsinki’s Let’s Spot article takes you on an adventure around Helsinki.
FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018
Story time at Roihuvuori library at 9:45 a.m.Toddler time at South Haaga library at 10 a.m.
Stuffed animals’ pajama parties at Pasila library. You can bring your stuffies for a sleepover on Friday between 4:30-5:45 p.m. and pick them up on Saturday. Read more on the library’s website and follow the night’s atmosphere on for example the library’s Facebook page. Story time for stuffed animals and all stuffed animal friends at Pasila library at 5 p.m.
MLL family café Fridays in the first floor lobby of Itäkatu family center at 9:30-11:30 a.m. Families with small children can come to the open family café according to their own schedule to play, spend time and meet other families in the same life situation. Read more on Itäkatu family café’s Facebook page. Also suitable for families with babies. You can find all Helsinki MLL family cafés around the city here.
Naperokino at Annantalo Fridays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. This week’s theme is nature and seasons. Read more about Naperokino on Annantalo’s website.
Magpie Makes Soup - puppet theater concert at Puppet Theater Sampo on Friday at 10 a.m. Tickets €12. Information and ticket reservations on Sampo’s website.
Colorful Everyday Workshop is Stoa’s new open morning workshop for all, this week featuring wild stamps. Workshop at Stoa’s Terrarium (floor 2, elevator in lobby) Friday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. More information on Stoa’s website.
TIP for Vantaa: At Tikkurila library in Vantaa, Let’s sing together with children event on Friday at 10 a.m. You can also bring your own instrument or borrow one from the library. Read more about this fun singing session on the library’s website.
TIP: One hundred and one places in Helsinki article takes you around Helsinki to places that children love, places that are especially child-friendly or just nice places to visit with small children.
SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018
Events:Also in Swedish: Horse Day/Hästdag at Itäkeskus library 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Read more on the library’s website.
Detective adventure at Laajasalo library 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Read more on the library’s website.
Children’s Saturday at Lauttasaari library on Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. More information about the day’s events on the library’s website.
Story time at Munkkiniemi library at 11 a.m.
Barbie clothing workshop at Kontula library on Saturday 12-2 p.m. More information on the library’s website.
Children’s LEGO Saturday at Library 10 at 12-2 p.m. Read more on the library’s website.
Maunula’s Sports Fun activities have ended for this spring.
MLL Herttoniemi children’s goods flea market at Herttoniemi Church on Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. More information about the flea market on the event’s Facebook page.
MLL Pakila children’s goods flea market at NMKY Pakila activity center on Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
MLL Pasila children’s goods flea market at Leankatu 7 on Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
MLL Puistola Creative Saturday at Corner multipurpose building 10 a.m.-1 p.m. At this family event, including an obstacle course, hobby horse course, face painting, disco and treasure hunt. The day’s detailed schedule and more information on the event’s Facebook page.
Fallkullan farm event day on Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. features hobby horse races and an opportunity to see the farm’s spring lambs and other animals. Café Kilikuppila is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
Visseli instrument showcase at Helsinki Conservatory in Ruoholahti on Saturday 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
Saturday workshops at Kiasma in March-April on Saturdays 1-4 p.m. Workshops suitable for ages 3 and up operate on a drop-in basis and the workshop theme changes weekly. Kiasma admission fee. Read more on Kiasma’s website.
Ryhmä Hau’s Samppa and Vainu visit Arabia shopping mall on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Read more on the shopping mall’s Facebook page.
DanceAbility dance class at Annantalo at 2-3 p.m. The class is suitable for all 3-12-year-olds with an adult, regardless of disability or non-disability. Read more about DanceAbility classes on Annantalo’s website. Free admission.
Lurpukka and the Blue Coat - puppet theater performance at Puppet Theater Sampo on Saturday at 3 p.m. Tickets €12. Information and ticket reservations on Sampo’s website. The performance is suitable for families’ youngest as their first theater experience.
TIP for Vantaa: Moomin game day at Tikkurila library on Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. More information about the day’s program on the library’s website.
TIP: Haltia farm is open year-round and for example cows graze outdoors even in cold months. Haltia is definitely worth visiting to see the cows, play at the excellent playground and walk in beautiful scenery. The restaurant Wanha Pehtoori, which operates in connection with the farm, also serves year-round. The Lampola opens again around Easter, when you can admire newborn lambs up close.
TIP for Espoo: At the Children’s Culture Center Pikku-Aurora, you can get to know Bambat dresses and face painting and do crafts on Saturday 3-6 p.m. Read more on Pikku-Aurora’s website. The morning Megamuskari (€4) is fully booked, but it’s worth asking about cancellation spots.
SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018
Events:NOTE! Sports Fun activities at Myllypuro have ended for this spring.
MLL Strömsinlahti Spring flea market at Roihuvuori youth center and playground spaces on Sunday 12-3 p.m. Read more on the organizer’s website.
iceBREAK 2018 whitewater rafting event at Vanhankaupunkinkoski on Sunday, April 15, 2018 12-4 p.m. In addition to the thrilling whitewater rafting event, other side programs and the roar of the rapids as snow melts. Nearby are also places like Lammassaari and Arabianranta playgrounds, so you can spend the day outdoors in the rapids and Vanhankaupunginlahti scenery. Read more on iceBREAK event’s website.
Ryhmä Hau’s Samppa and Vainu visit Suomalainen bookstore in Itik shopping center on Sunday at 12 p.m. and 1:15 p.m., and in Espoo at Suomalainen bookstore in Sello shopping mall at 3:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. Read more on the bookstore’s website.
Italian-language children’s word play event Giocare con le parole at Rikhardinkatu library at 1 p.m. Read more on the library’s website.
Karjala Youth Spring Folk Dance Matinee at Savoy Theater on Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets €16.50/€10.50. More information on Savoy Theater’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 check the schedule on Kino Engel’s website.
Children’s song time at Theater Kultsa on Sunday at 2 p.m. More information on Kultsa’s website.
TIP for Espoo: Olari’s Fun 2018 at Kuitinmäki School and grounds on Sunday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Lots of programs for the whole family. Read more on Lions Club Olari’s website.
TIP: Uutelan kota is open on Sunday 12-6 p.m. The kota’s opening hours can be found on its Facebook page.
