Pienten Helsinki
What to do with children in Helsinki in summer 2019?
Tips for summer 2020 can be found here!
It's always a good idea to check the detailed information and opening hours of the summer destinations mentioned in this article before heading out on your trip!
SUMMER EVENTS
Pienten Helsinki's "Where to go this week" article series.
Pienten Helsinki's summer events list can be found here.
PLAYGROUNDS
Summer at the playgrounds
The playgrounds offer guided and self-guided summer activities, playing, paddling, eating together, singing and spending time with friends. In addition, the parks have themed weeks, events and, for example, the Traditional Games tour. You can find Helsinki's playgrounds and summer opening hours on the playgrounds activity pages and event information on the playgrounds' own pages.
Traditional games in playgrounds
The Traditional Games Association's tour visits Helsinki's playgrounds during the summer of 2019. See the detailed schedule in the image. Read more: Traditional Games Association.
Playground meals
Helsinki offers all children and teenagers under 16 a free lunch at the playgrounds on weekdays at 12 o'clock from the start of school summer break on June 3, 2019 until the beginning of August. You'll need to bring your own deep plate, cutlery and a drink. See the full summer menu and allergy information here.
Park hideouts
Park hideouts unfortunately cannot be searched for during summer 2019.
HELSINKI SUMMER CLASSICS
Children's Traffic Town
Children's Traffic Town near the old Ice Hall, where you can ride pedal cars while learning traffic rules. The Children's Traffic Town operates from June 3 to August 4, 2019, and you can enjoy pedaling almost daily.
On Mondays and Tuesdays you can participate in traffic education classes and practice with pedal cars. On Wednesdays and Thursdays you can participate in traffic education classes and practice with bicycles. Classes start on the hour and last about half an hour. After class you can practice with a pedal car or bicycle for an hour depending on the day.
Fridays and Sundays are family days, when adults accompanying the children guide and instruct them in safe traffic with pedal cars and on foot.
For more information, visit the Traffic Town's website.
Seurasaari
Seurasaari is a museum site, but also an excellent outdoor island for children. There is free entry to the island, with only a fee for visiting the museum buildings. The island has beautiful shores and cliffs, plenty to see and explore, and a grilling area by the festival field. Read more on the Seurasaari Foundation's website, and more information about the outdoor museum on the museum's website.
Linnanmäki
Linnanmäki amusement park is a summer classic that should be experienced at least once. Entry to the amusement park area is free, small children can ride a few attractions for free, and at Lintsy's playground you can climb and there's plenty to marvel at for the whole family. Read more on Linnanmäki's own website.
Korkeasaari
Korkeasaari Zoo invites you to watch animals from around the world in outdoor and indoor enclosures, to have adventures on the island and at its picnic areas, cottages and play areas. In summer you can also reach Korkeasaari by ferry from Market Square and Hakaniemi Quay, and year-round via Mustikkaasaari bridge. A place where you can easily spend several hours! At Korkeasaari you can also explore in rainy weather by visiting, for example, the tropical houses. Read more: Korkeasaari Zoo
Suomenlinna
Suomenlinna is a destination for a sunny summer day trip, and it's worth traveling across the sea with children. You can explore just one part of the island or tour the whole place, visit only the playground or go on a picnic, or even visit a submarine. Sometimes just the ferry ride is an adventure in itself. The island surprises with its diversity and offers guaranteed interesting sights. Also remember the Suomenlinna adventure tours for children in summer 2019.
Kaivopuisto
Kaivopuisto in southern Helsinki is a classic where you can marvel at the Observatory, watch boats, gaze out to sea, spot birds, watch bungee jumping in July, eat ice cream, enjoy a picnic and play at playgrounds.
Mustasaari
A magnificent summer paradise on Seurasaarenselä. Mustasaari Activity Center is a summer island run by the Helsinki Evangelical Lutheran Parish. The island is open to all summer day visitors and is especially popular with families with children. The boat trip from Taivallahti adds a special charm to the island visit.
Read more: Pienten Helsinki's Hot Day at Mustasaari article
Pihlajasaari
A magnificent outdoor island owned by the City of Helsinki. Ferry service to the island from Ruoholahti Canal (small ferry fee, strollers allowed on the ferry). Beautiful rocks, a lovely beach and diverse nature, a true destination for a hot day. The island also has a restaurant. You can also camp at Pihlajasaari. Read more: Pihlajasaari
Hakaniemi Market and Market Hall
The Hakaniemi Hall and market are suitable as a destination for a day trip: lots to marvel at, aromas and atmosphere. The new Hakaniemi Market Hall alternative premises are also accessible and bright, making it easy to visit with strollers. Read more: Hakaniemi Market Hall
Old Market Hall and Market Square
The aromas and atmosphere of the Old Market Hall make it an excellent destination for a trip with children. Visit the Market Hall and Square and watch the boat traffic around the market. Read more: Old Market Hall
Tip: The City Hall lobby has a spacious child care facility.
SUMMER FUN
Spotting machines
Pienten Helsinki's classic article takes you on spotting trips throughout Helsinki. You can surprisingly easily see trains, tractors, ships, police boats, icebreakers, airplanes, fighter jets, cranes and much more in Helsinki and the surrounding area. Make a little machine fan's dream trip and go on a spotting expedition!
Search for Helsinki's fountains
Dozens of fountains flow in Helsinki during the summer months. At least Pienten Helsinki's team is a fan of Havis Amanda and other water elements found near Esplanade Park, and suggests that a fountain tour around the city is an excellent way to spend a summer day with children in Helsinki. From HAM Helsinki's sculptures database you can find many good fountains to spot by searching for "fountain," and you'll find even more by browsing sculptures. #spotfountain
Spot Helsinki's sculptures
Go on a sculpture tour of Helsinki and look for, for example, animal-themed sculptures around the city. Helsinki has at least a magnificent moose, many bear statues, eagles, dogs, fish, lynxes, owls, reindeer and horses. Pienten Helsinki challenges you to see the city with fresh eyes and #spotasculpture! Spotting sculptures can be a nice art experience for the whole family. A list of sculptures found throughout the city with pictures can be found on HAM Helsinki's website.
Torikorttelit Central Park
Torikorttelit's summer courtyard is located in the City Hall's inner courtyard (Sofiankatu 1-3/Katariinankatu 2). In the sheltered courtyard there's a sandbox and sand toys, a hammock, benches, flower plantings and a nice atmosphere. You can enjoy food, play, rest and just be in a sheltered corner away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The area around the courtyard has several restaurants and, for example, the City Hall restaurant terrace where you can enjoy lunch while children play or take a nap. Read more: Torikorttelit
Note! The sandbox and other summer fun will arrive at the central park during the first weeks of June.
Market Square summer
New seating areas and events are coming to the Market Square area during summer 2019, organized by Torikorttelit. Read more: Market Square summer
Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden
Right next to the Central Station, in the middle of Kaisaniemi Park, you'll find an incredibly fine place that's definitely worth visiting with children. Seeing the giant water lilies in the hothouse (paid admission) is an experience, and the outdoor garden (free entry) has many interesting plants, nice picnic spots, a charming cafe and a beautiful environment to marvel at or even take a nap. Read more on Pienten Helsinki's article on Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden.
Helsinki Winter Garden
The Winter Garden's rose garden, the greenhouse's koi pond and abundance of plants, puppet theater Sytkyt performances and overall a beautiful place near Linnanmäki are reasons to stop by the Winter Garden. The garden is free to enter. Read more: Helsinki Winter Garden
Farm animals in the city
Sheep live on Kuusiluoto and Mustasaari from early June far into the autumn doing landscape maintenance work, chickens bustle about in Syötävä Park on Mustikkaasaari and at Herttoniemi Manor Park's Stadin Gardener's garden, Linnunrata Playground in North Helsinki cares for summer farm animals with the help of volunteers and the local community, and Skatan farm in Uutela brings farm animals to its yard during the summer months. Read more: Animals in the city
Fallkulla Farm
Fallkulla is a farm owned by the City of Helsinki where you can admire animals up close and sometimes even pet them. Fallkulla is home to cows, horses, chickens, miniature pigs, rabbits, goats, ducks... The farm on Malmi has free entry and is open during the summer season daily from 10-15. Read more: Fallkulla Farm
Haltiala Farm
Haltiala is a farm owned by the City of Helsinki on the border of Helsinki and Vantaa, in the middle of fields. In the summer, the farm has grazing cows, at least horses, sheep, pigs and chickens. The Haltiala farm yard also has a nice playground, a cafe and grilling facilities. Additionally, flowers and peas can be picked from Haltiala's fields for personal use in August-September, with picking dates announced separately. Occasionally you can also ride a pony (paid), and in the yard you can see the farm's large machines. Read more: Haltiala Farm
Viik Research and Teaching Farm meadows
You can see the University of Helsinki's Viik Research and Teaching Farm cows in summer on the fields surrounding the farm. Near the fields is Viik Arboretum, which has excellent adventure spots and tall bird towers. Read more: Viik Research and Teaching Farm
Sealife
Sealife's marine world in Linnanmäki Amusement Park is a dive into the depths of the sea and the wonderful world of sea creatures. A perfect destination for rainy days. Read more: Sealife Marine World
SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Korkee Adventure Park
Korkee Climbing Park in Mustikkaasaari and Paloheinä is a place for thrill-seekers: different level courses for small children (minimum height 90 cm) up to adult courses in the tree tops. Read more: Korkee Adventure Park. Paid admission.
Summer theaters
Several children's and family-friendly summer theater performances are held in Helsinki and the metropolitan area during the 2019 summer season. Pienten Helsinki's summer theater article has tips for performances aimed at children. Paid admission.
Suomenlinna Adventure Tour
Suomenlinna adventure tours are also organized this summer. Read more on Suomenlinna's website. Paid admission.
Annantalo A•lava
The Children's Cultural Center Annantalo's backyard stage A•lava hosts various performances almost daily. The summer program can be found on Annantalo's website.
Music Hall Summer Concerts
Free summer concerts in various music styles almost daily during summer at the Music Hall. Summer concert information can be found on the Music Hall's website. You can also visit the large concert hall free of charge occasionally in summer.
Malmitalo Summer Park
Summer Park at Malmitalo and Ala-Malmi Park during the first weeks of summer break: summer activities for elementary school children, teenagers and the whole family! Different activities every day. For more information and schedules, visit Malmitalo's website and the Summer Park's Facebook page. Entry to the Summer Park is free and only a few workshops require advance registration.
Riku's Summer Yard
A summer paradise opens at the Rikhardinkatu Library's inner courtyard on Helsinki Day, June 12, 2019. In previous years, events, dancing, reading, playing, crafts and summer enjoyment have been organized here. More information about this year's program coming soon.
Read more: Riku's Summer Yard
Esplanade Stage
Esplanade Stage is the heart of Helsinki in summer: almost daily various performances and concerts on stage. Thanks to its central location, it's easy to stop by, admire fountains and visit the market square. Read more about the Esplanade Stage program here.
Helsinki Libraries
Central Library Oodi next to the Music Hall and Sanoma House, right next to Helsinki's Central Station, serves throughout the summer and offers much interesting to see. Check out Pienten Helsinki's article about Oodi.
Libraries are open during summer months too, even if there's no formal organized program. Read, for example, what the library offers for young children and book recommendations for summer activities with children. The Nordic Library in Kaisaniemi takes a break from Midsummer until early August, so it's best to borrow summer reading and movies well in advance!
SWIMMING
Pirkkola Sports Park's local sports area Plotti
A natural-based shallow children's swimming area in the middle of Pirkkola Sports Park where the pool water is chlorinated.
Sand, playground, water slide, small kiosk and a sheltered swimming area for children. In summer 2019 Plotti, kiosk and changing facilities open on Monday, June 3, 2019. Read more: Pirkkola Plotti
Helsinki's child-friendly beaches
You can find Pienten Helsinki's tips for child-friendly beaches here.
Paddling pools
Detailed information about all 48 of Helsinki's paddling pools can be found in Pienten Helsinki's Paddling article.
Allas Sea Pool
A worthy destination in front of the Market Square. Heated pools and natural water pool plus events for children and families. See and experience Helsinki from a new perspective. Paid admission. Read more: Allas Sea Pool
Kumpula Open-air Swimming Pool and Uimastadion Open-air Swimming Pool
Open-air pools with a touch of history, both have shallow children's paddling pools and space to play on the grass. Nice places on hot summer days. Near Kumpula Open-air Pool is Intia Playground and Kumpula Botanical Garden. Read more: Kumpula Open-air Swimming Pool and Uimastadion.
SUMMER IN MUSEUMS
Päivälehti Museum
The Päivälehti Museum's spring 2019 new exhibition takes you on an adventure with Pekka Töpöhännä and Monni. The exhibition, built by and for children, will be on display at the Päivälehti Museum from March 15 to September 15, 2019, and admission to the museum is always free. Pienten Helsinki's article about the Pekka Töpöhännä exhibition can be found here.
Helsinki City Museum and Children's City
The Helsinki City Museum and Children's City on the side of Senate Square are open all summer (except around Midsummer) and offer, for example, self-guided crafts and other events for summer visitors. Helsinki City Museum and its Children's City are always a sure choice for a small museum visit and a rescue for rainy days.
Kindergarten Museum
The Kindergarten Museum in Sörnäinen in the Ebeneser House is open on Wednesday afternoons in June from 12-18, and the museum is closed for maintenance in July. At this museum you play store, home, hospital, play games and sing. Small admission fee. More information on the Kindergarten Museum's website.
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum has done a good job of welcoming young visitors. There are many small tasks, things to explore and investigate, you can peek into nests hidden in snow by crawling through a snow tunnel and listen to fish sounds on the phone. Have you seen dinosaur bones? Or bears up close? A fun place for the whole family!
Museum admission fee, children under 7 free. Read more: Pienten Helsinki's article about the Natural History Museum
National Museum
The National Museum's permanent exhibitions and the children's Loft have always appealed to Pienten Helsinki's team. Special mention goes to the Finnish Story exhibition, which our family's youngest museum friend also enjoyed. Pienten Helsinki's article about visiting the National Museum with children can be found here.
Tamminiemi
Tamminiemi House Museum is not the first place that comes to mind when planning a museum trip with children. But the museum visit to Tamminiemi is worth it, at least our museum-loving family was impressed by visiting Sylvi's and Urho's home. Read more about the Pienten Helsinki museum trip to Tamminiemi.
Fire Museum
You still have a few weeks to visit Helsinki Rescue Department's fire museum, which is open on Wednesdays and Sundays from 12-16. The museum takes a summer break at Midsummer 2019 and reopens in August. Small admission fee. More information about Helsinki's fire museums on the city's website.
ALSO REMEMBER:
Pienten Helsinki's Helsinki places article has more destinations worth experiencing in Helsinki.
Always check the detailed information and opening hours of the summer destinations mentioned in this article before heading out on your trip!
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