Tips for autumn break 2017

Updated 16.10.2017

Helsinki schools have autumn break during week 42, October 16-20, 2017. The number of days off varies: for example, in Finnish-speaking city schools the break is typically the whole week, while Swedish-speaking schools have only a few days off. During autumn break, many organizations arrange programs for children and young people. Various clubs and day camps are organized by playgrounds and youth centers as well as sports clubs, and advance registration is required for these.

Small Helsinki has compiled a list of activities open to all during autumn break week. The list is being updated, so it’s worth checking back regularly for fresh tips.

Also read Small Helsinki’s autumn break tips for nearby areas and Where to go article for week 42.

Animals and farms

Fallkullan farm is open during autumn break all week from Monday to Sunday, 10am-3pm.
Haltialan farm and the Wanha Pehtoori restaurant are also open during autumn break. Pehtoori is open 9am-6pm. Haltiala has at least chickens, goats, sheep and cows at this time of year.
Korkeasaari Zoo is open all autumn break week from Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm. During the week at Korkeasaari you can explore the pine forest and native animals, walk on wooden bridges and grill sausages in a cabin. Helsinki city playground instructors are involved in the activities. Korkeasaari's autumn break program

Visit the library

City libraries throughout Helsinki offer activities for children during autumn break: story time sessions, workshops and themed evenings. Tip: libraries also have board games and, for example, musical instruments for rainy days. The library's autumn break events can be found via this link.

Also remember the Nordic Library on Kaisaniemenkatu Street.

Playgrounds

Many Helsinki city playgrounds offer activities during autumn break as well. Day camps are organized for school children (advance registration required), and other autumn break programs are available at open playgrounds for families. Playgrounds announce their autumn break programs on their own websites. Small Helsinki tries to compile a list of playground programs, but please note that the links mainly lead to the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.

[caption id=“attachment_1415” align=“aligncenter” width=“1334”] Small Helsinki’s website already has several introductions to playgrounds and play areas.[/caption]

Playground programs during autumn break

Autumn break programs for families:

Autumn break programs for school children:

Playgrounds closed during autumn break: Nurkka, Jalopeura, Kesanto, Vähätupa, Munkki

Note! If you know of a playground program missing from the list, send a tip to [email protected]

Children's culture: Annantalo

Annantalo offers activities for children and young people during autumn break. The Revi siitä! workshops from Sunday to Friday are aimed at 3-9-year-olds and the workshop program varies daily. Story Day is celebrated on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. Read more information about the Story Day program on Annantalo's website.

Visit a museum

Helsinki City Museum and Children's City, Natural History Museum, National Museum, Museum of Technology, Theatre Museum... There are several options for museum visits with children. From Small Helsinki's museums page you can read tips for museum visits.

[caption id=“attachment_674” align=“aligncenter” width=“1334”] At the Natural History Museum.[/caption]

During autumn break, the Natural History Museum offers Dinosaur Guided Tours and Skeleton Meets Robot programming and robotics workshops. Read more about the autumn break program on the museum’s own website.

Also, the Kindergarten Museum’s pipe renovation has been completed and the museum will open its doors again with a grand opening on October 18, 2017. Read more about the latest news from the Kindergarten Museum on the museum’s website.

The Design Museum offers programs for the whole family during autumn break week. Read what the museum offers to vacationers and other visitors on the Design Museum’s website.

Children's Traffic City

Children's Traffic City is open for families during autumn break week from Monday to Friday, 9am-3pm. At Traffic City, accompanied by an adult, you can learn traffic rules and speed around in the traffic area on a pedal car or bicycle.

Linnanmäki

Linnanmäki celebrates Light Carnivals in October from October 12-22, 2017. Expect an amusement park bathed in beautiful atmospheric lighting, performers and fireworks. Read more about the Light Carnivals on Linnanmäki's website. At Sealife Aquarium Fish Carnivals are held and Night of the Fishes on weekends.

Get active

Helsinki Liikkuu organizes sports events during autumn break as well. Sports Fun continues on Sundays at the Sports Mill, 9am-10:45am. Family ball games at Ball Mill on Tuesday 9:30am-11:30am and Thursday 4pm-5pm. EasySport Week Monday to Friday 11am-2pm at Töölö Sports Hall offers children versatile sports stations and activity trials at the cost of Sports Hall admission (€1.50).

FunAction Day for young people is held at the Sports Mill on Wednesday, October 18, 4pm-7pm.

Family EasySport water sports day is held at Itäkeskus swimming pool on Sunday, October 15, 2017, 1pm-5pm. Wibit Aqutrack lane is also available at Itäkeskus pool Monday to Wednesday 10am-6pm. Also remember other Helsinki swimming pools and, for example, Flamingo Spa in Vantaa.

Read more about autumn break sports events on the Helsinki Liikkuu website.

Vuosaari swimming pool has programs during autumn break.

[caption id=“attachment_1687” align=“aligncenter” width=“1334”] You can also play family ball games during autumn break.[/caption]

Skating and skiing

Free public skating sessions at Helsinki ice rinks continue. Read more from the Helsinki Liikkuu website. Kivikon ski hall has opened its doors and serves both small and larger skiers. Read more about Kivikon ski hall and its opening hours.

Hiking in Helsinki

Lammasaari and Kuusiluoto, Talosaari, Suomenlinna, Kruunuvuori,... There are numerous places suitable for day trips. You can create your own theme for the hike or follow a planned route. For example, Suomenlinna can be explored in many different ways. Also remember nearby cities and municipalities: Sipoo, Porvoo and Loviisa to the east, Espoo, Kirkkonummi and Inkoo to the west. There are also two national parks near Helsinki: Nuuksio and Sipoonkorpi are excellent family hiking destinations.

Read Small Helsinki’s day trip tips

[caption id=“attachment_1593” align=“aligncenter” width=“2000”] An autumn hike at Kruunuvuori lake.[/caption]