Pienten Helsinki
Where to go with children 5-6.1.2018
The Epiphany weekend is wintry in Helsinki, so in addition to events, sledding hills and ice skating rinks are also calling. Little Helsinki lists its own favorites for the weekend!
Amos Rex and TeamLab's virtual exhibition are on display until 6.1.2018, after which Amos Rex closes its doors for a month. You can enter with strollers from the Lasispalace square side, but be prepared to queue as both entrances have had record-long queues in recent days!
National Museum is open on Saturday and Sunday 11-18. In addition to the attic, Little Helsinki's background team enjoyed the new Finland's Story exhibition, which was also great for little ones. The LUX Helsinki route (5-9.1.2019 11am-10pm) also ends in the National Museum's garden, and in the museum's beautiful courtyard you can see how Mexican light artist Ghiju Díaz de Léon brings the National Museum's façade to life with an amazing video mapping.
Admission to the National Museum is charged for those over 18 years old, the courtyard's light art can be enjoyed for free. More information on the National Museum's website.
In Järvenpää: Children's Epiphany at Järvenpää Art Museum on Sunday 10-14. The day's program includes adventure guidance at 11am and non-stop Three Kings Crown workshop and an all-day orienteering trail in the museum spaces. Järvenpää Art Museum is open on Epiphany Day 10-17. Admission fee. More information on the museum's website.
Winter Garden is filled with Christmas lights and decorations and you can enjoy the Christmas atmosphere until Epiphany. Check the Winter Garden's opening hours on the City of Helsinki's website. Free entry.
Sytkytin puppet theater performance Pessi and Illusia – Forest Christmas can be seen in the Winter Garden also on Epiphany weekend. The performance is free and suitable for all ages.
Sytkytin puppet theater performances in the Winter Garden:
5.1.2019 at 1pm and 3pm
6.1.2019 at 1pm and 3pm
LUX Helsinki illuminates the Kansalaistori and Etu-Töölö neighborhoods this year 5-9.1.2019 5pm-10pm. Read more on LUX Helsinki's website and download the event map to your phone. Paper maps are distributed at, for example, Oodi's lobby.
LUX2050 fills Annantalo 5-9.1.2019 5pm-9pm with various activities related to art and light. The event is suitable for the whole family. Annantalo's café Skidilä also serves on event days. More information on Annantalo's website.
ReLUX 2019 at Lapinlahden Lähde 5-9.1.2019. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Central Library Oodi is open on Saturday and Sunday 10am-8pm. Hang out, relax, read or play – everything is possible at Oodi.
Fallkulla Farm Animals is open until 6.1.2019 daily 10am-3pm. Free entry to the farm. Read more on Fallkulla's website.
Fortress Elf Route in Suomenlinna until 6.1.2019. Read more about the self-guided elf adventure on Suomenlinna's website.
Movies: The latest Onneli and Anneli and the Lullaby Clock and Group Hau Super Puppies are currently playing in cinemas and are suitable for little ones' first movie experience.
New on Little Helsinki: Children in Restaurants Challenge!
Lunch? A snack? Hunger strikes in the middle of an outing and you need to find a place that fits strollers or has a particularly child-friendly atmosphere. Little Helsinki tried to list child-friendly lunch spots, cafés and restaurants, but the challenge was too much for one family. So it's time to declare the Children in Restaurants Challenge!
Outdoor Activities
Uutela Hut is open on Saturday and Sunday 12pm-3pm and offers ready-made fires for grilling and warming up snacks in the middle of beautiful Uutela nature. More information can be found on the hut's Facebook page
Ice skating is possible on at least several city rinks on cold days. Skating on natural ice rinks is free, artificial ice rinks have a small admission fee. Read more about admission fees and opening hours on the City of Helsinki's website.
Current ice conditions can be found on the ulkoliikunta.fi service (change activity to skating).
Ice Park at Railway Square is open daily. Paid. Read more on the Ice Park's own website.
Cross-country skiing on outdoor trails is possible in at least a few places in the Helsinki area, current trail information can be found on the ulkoliikunta.fi service.
Skiing Hall offers consistent skiing conditions year-round. Paid. Read more about Christmas opening hours and admission fees on the City of Helsinki's website.
In Espoo at Oittaa, skiing is practiced fun and playfully at Oittaa Family Day 11am-2pm. Free entry, children's ski packages can be rented on site. Read more on the event's Facebook page.
Sledding hills such as Paloheinä, Kivi Sports Park, Kaivopuisto, Puotila Manor, Koffin Park and Myllypuro Alakivenpuisto invite you to go sledding on Epiphany weekend. Helsinki's only official sledding hill can be found at Paloheinä outdoor recreation area.
Downhill skiing is possible even in Southern Finland, current slope information can be found on the Ski.fi service.
Hiking is also possible in winter! Sipoonkorpi, Nuuksio, Luukki, Talosaari, Lammassaari and even Suomenlinna are wonderful hiking destinations in winter too. Pack your snacks and dress warmly! Read tips about hiking destinations for example in Little Helsinki's day trip articles.
For example, Sipoonkorpi has an easy-access Ponu's Heritage Trail, which leads to a grill site and a hut for warming up. Tip from experience: with little children, the Ponu's Heritage Trail is best hiked from the start to the grill site and back the same way, rather than completing the entire loop. The grill site usually has plenty of ready-made firewood, so bring matches and snacks.
City of Helsinki outdoor recreation areas can be found on the Helsinki on the Move website.
