Pienten Helsinki
Where to go with children in Helsinki? What kid-friendly activities are available in Helsinki this week? Pienten Helsinki's weekly "Where to go this week" series finds tips and suggests child-friendly events and activities in Helsinki and the surrounding area.
This article contains a commercial collaboration advertisement and activity tip.
Advertisement / Commercial collaboration with JT-Line
How does a time travel to the past sound? JT-Line operates archipelago cruises from July to August 2025 from Helsinki Market Square to the Archipelago Museum Pentala.
Advertisement
A trip to Pentala Island and the archipelago museum is full of experiences, beautiful landscapes and fascinating history.
And sheep that spend the summer on Pentala Island!
Pentala cruises are still available on two Sundays in August. Departures August 17 and 24, 2025. The half-day trip and adventure starts from Market Square at 10:15 and returns at 16:30. You have three hours to explore Pentala. The archipelago cruise is also suitable for families with children.
Tickets starting from: adults 44.50€, children 7-16 years 19.50€, pensioners/students 39.50€.
Read more about adventures in the archipelagos of Helsinki and Espoo and book your places for a summer trip to the past on JT-Line's website.
a journey back in time. Photo: Remu Shemeikka
Current topics
- Pienten Suomi - over 1000 reasons to explore Finland with children!
- Summer in Helsinki series already has over 70 articles full of ideas for summer activities!
- All of Pienten Helsinki's playground tips can be found through this link!
- Museum tips can be read with children in Pienten Helsinki's theme article!
- Pick-your-own peas and flowers in the city's fields have started again! This year, the flower field is located in Tuomarinkylä along Vanha Tuusulantie. The pea fields are located next to the flower field and on the Haltiala side near Kuninkaantammentie. Please pick flowers and peas only for your own use so there will be plenty for others. Sunflowers are still waiting to bloom.
- At Lasipalatsi square, in the surroundings of the Amos Rex museum hills, opened on Midsummer Eve Yinka Ilori's Transparent Happiness installation, which emphasizes play, interaction and togetherness. You can bring your own basketball or table tennis rackets, as this artwork allows you to play. Play equipment is also available for loan from the Amos Rex museum against a deposit during opening hours. Free admission.
- You can also borrow museum passes to the Natural History Museum or admission tickets to Korkeasaari Zoo from the library! From Viikki Library you can borrow an admission ticket to the Natural History Museum. From Kalasataman Library you can borrow an admission ticket to Korkeasaari Zoo.
- MLL's Family Home Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0-12. Read more from the family home's Facebook page!
- MLL's family cafés schedule can be found on MLL Uusimaa's website.
MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2025
Events and
activity tips
- Summer in Helsinki series already has over 70 articles full of ideas for summer activities!
- Playgrounds return to regular schedule and presumably all Helsinki city playgrounds are open again (except those under renovation!)!
Playgrounds' indoor spaces are available free of charge in the mornings from 9am-12pm, afternoons they are reserved for schoolchildren. Playgrounds Loru does not have afternoon school programs. - At the playground Loru in the Central Library Oodi, Monday's program includes:
- 10:30–11:30 Loru games for children over 1 year old
- 1:00–1:30 PM Gently in Loru - baby time, Oodi 3rd floor children's area - Helmet library events for children can be found on Helmet's event page.
- Albertin lounge is open Mondays 9:30am–2pm (International Monday).
- What-What Musical on Stoa's square event stage Monday at 9:45am. The performance is best suited for about 3-6 year olds, but everyone is welcome regardless of age! Performance duration approximately 40 minutes. Free admission.
- KEMUT summer music class at Ulvila playground (Munkkivuori) Monday at 10am (ages 2-6) and 11am (ages 2-6). Free admission.
- Skatan 4H farm pasture visit Mondays 3:30pm–4:30pm. Free admission.
- Vantaa: Katrinebergin 4H farm pasture visit Mondays 3:30pm–4:30pm. Free admission.
- Etno-Espa on Espa stage daily August 4–14, 2025. Free admission.
- MUSEUMS open on Mondays in Helsinki include the Mark and Pippi Longstocking exhibition, Helsinki City Museum and Children's City, Tram Museum, Amos Rex and during summer also the Natural History Museum and Seurasaari outdoor museum. The Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden's outdoor garden now has beautiful flowering plants (outdoor garden free admission!). More museum tips with children can be found in Pienten Helsinki's theme article!
TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2025
Events and
activity tips
- Summer in Helsinki series already has over 70 articles full of ideas for summer activities!
- Playgrounds return to regular schedule and presumably all Helsinki city playgrounds are open again (except those under renovation!)!
Playgrounds' indoor spaces are available free of charge in the mornings from 9am-12pm, afternoons they are reserved for schoolchildren. Playground Loru does not have afternoon school programs. - At the playground Loru in the Central Library Oodi, Tuesday's program includes:
- 10:30–11:30 Jamkids park music at Töölönlahti summer park stage (weather permitting)
10:30pm–3:30pm I Ramsans värme, musik, rim och ramsor för bebisar, Oodi 3rd floor children's area - Helmet library events for children can be found on Helmet's event page.
- Albertin lounge Health Clinic at Kamppi family center Tuesdays 9:30am–12pm.
- Summer music class on Annantalo's courtyard A stage Tuesday at 10am. Free admission.
- Mismatched Socks Parade - guided workshop in the spirit of Pippi Longstocking at Museum Merkkiin Tuesday 1pm–3pm. Free admission.
- Skatan 4H farm pasture visit Tuesdays 3:30pm–4:30pm. Free admission.
- Pesis Tuesday at Johanneksen field in Ullanlinna and Akseli Toivonen field in Käpylä Tuesday 4pm–7:30pm. Free admission.
Children and adults can play as follows:
- 4:00–5:00pm: children under 10 years
- 5:00–6:00pm: children 10–15 years
- 6:00–7:30pm: over 15 years and adults - Espoo: Plant walk for schoolchildren at Villa Elfvik's scenery Tuesday at 6pm. Free admission.
- Etno-Espa on Espa stage daily August 4–14, 2025. Free admission.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2025
Events and
activity tips
- Summer in Helsinki series already has over 70 articles full of ideas for summer activities!
- Playgrounds return to regular schedule and presumably all Helsinki city playgrounds are open again (except those under renovation!)!
Playgrounds' indoor spaces are available free of charge in the mornings from 9am-12pm, afternoons they are reserved for schoolchildren. Playground Loru does not have afternoon school programs. - At the playground Loru in the Central Library Oodi, Wednesday's program includes:
- 10:30–11am Stretching with baby (0-9 months)
- 1:00–1:30pm Läsestund med musik för bebisar, Oodi 3rd floor children's area - Helmet library events for children can be found on Helmet's event page.
- Albertin lounge is open Wednesdays 9:30am–3pm.
- KEMUT summer music class at Etupello playground (East Pakila) Wednesday at 10am (ages 2-6) and 11am (ages 2-6). Free admission.
- Vantaa: Katrinebergin 4H farm pasture visit Wednesdays 3:30pm–4:30pm. Free admission.
- Espoo: Glimsin 4H farm pasture visit to the sheep pasture Wednesdays 3:30pm–4:30pm. Free admission.
- Pellehyppy Show at Helsinki Swimming Stadium Wednesday at 6pm. You can purchase advance tickets for the show in advance from the Swimming Stadium and Kumpula outdoor pool cashiers. Tickets 5€ (children under 3 free).
With an advance ticket you can enter the Swimming Stadium stands at 4pm, tickets on-site can be purchased from 5pm if tickets are still available.
- Etno-Espa on Espa stage daily August 4–14, 2025. Free admission.
Pienten Suomi - over 1000 reasons to travel in Finland with children!
THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2025
Helsinki Night of the Arts
Events and
activity tips
- Summer in Helsinki series already has over 70 articles full of ideas for summer activities!
- Playgrounds return to regular schedule and presumably all Helsinki city playgrounds are open again (except those under renovation!)!
Playgrounds' indoor spaces are available free of charge in the mornings from 9am-12pm, afternoons they are reserved for schoolchildren. Playground Loru does not have afternoon school programs. - At the playground Loru in the Central Library Oodi, Thursday's program includes:
- 10:30–11:30am Loru goes Night of the Arts: Arts at Oodi's courtyard, citizens' square
- 3pm–3:30pm Magical baby time, Oodi 3rd floor children's area - Helmet library events for children can be found on Helmet's event page.
- Albertin lounge is open Thursdays 9:30am–3pm.
- Ateneum's free day is celebrated Thursday 10am–8pm.
- Espoo: Glimsin 4H farm pasture visit to the sheep pasture Thursdays 3:30pm–4:30pm. Free admission.
- Insect walk to Töölönlahti summer park plantings Thursday 5pm–7pm. Free admission.
- Etno-Espa on Espa stage daily August 4–14, 2025. Free admission.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2025
Events and
activity tips
- Summer in Helsinki series already has over 70 articles full of ideas for summer activities!
- Playgrounds return to regular schedule and presumably all Helsinki city playgrounds are open again (except those under renovation!)!
Playgrounds' indoor spaces are available free of charge in the mornings from 9am-12pm, afternoons they are reserved for schoolchildren. Playground Loru does not have afternoon school programs. - At the playground Loru in the Central Library Oodi, Friday's program includes:
- 10am–11am Sose painting for babies 5-10 months
- 1pm–2pm Sose painting for babies 5-10 months
NOTE! Pre-registration required for these sessions. Registration instructions can be found on Loru's Instagram account (!!! copied directly from event details). Maximum 18 families can participate. - Helmet library events for children can be found on Helmet's event page.
- Albertin lounge is open Friday 9:30am–3pm.
- Changing of the Guard: Guard Band Friday at 12:20pm. The summer 2025 changing of the guard ceremonies begin at Senate Square, where light music, formations and ceremonial moves are performed. The parade then continues to the rhythm of march music around Esplanade Park and in front of Helsinki's main guard post. From the main guard post, the parade proceeds along North Esplanade back to Senate Square, where the parade ends.
- MIL-Espa: Guard Band at Espa stage Friday at 2pm. Free admission.
- Koffarin Kinofest at Sinebrychoff's park Friday through Sunday. Programming especially for children is available Saturday and Sunday starting at 2pm. Free admission.
Sinebrychoff's brewery horses can be met at Sinebrychoff's park Friday 6pm–7pm.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 2025
Events and
activity tips
- Summer in Helsinki series has over 70 articles full of ideas for summer activities!
- Helmet library events for children can be found on Helmet's event page.
- Vantaa: Saturday for Children: Baby Animals at Håkansbölen manor in the Lastenkulttuurikeskus Pyykkitupa Saturday 9am–12pm. Free admission.
- Fallkulla farm animals and facilities are open Saturday and Sunday 10am–2pm. Free admission.
- Espoo: Summer friend workshop at Lastenkulttuurikeskus Aurora Saturday 10am–2pm. Free admission.
- Nummela: Kites Over Nummela event at Nummela airfield and around Tarmon cabin Saturday 10am–3pm. Free admission.
- Espoo: AMFI Alive: Mega Music Class at Tapiola amphitheatre Saturday 10:30am. Free admission.
- Meltsi Village Festival at Laakavuori elementary school courtyard (Jänkäpolku 1) Saturday 11am–3pm. Free admission.
- Vantaa: Håkansbölen summer exhibitions are open at Håkansbölen manor Saturday and Sunday 11am–4pm. Free admission.
- Koskela Village Festival is celebrated at Koskela service center park and its surroundings Saturday starting at 11am. Free admission.
- Children's guided tours of the illustrators' exhibition at Taidehalli Saturday at 12pm. Museum admission charge, under 18s free.
- Malmitalo's Saturday for Children at Ala-Malmi park Saturday 12pm–5pm. Free admission.
- Espoo: WeeGee Live: Jazz Picnic at WeeGee's courtyard Saturday 1pm–5pm. Free admission.
- Koffarin Kinofest at Sinebrychoff's park Friday through Sunday. Programming especially for children is available Saturday and Sunday starting at 2pm. Free admission.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2025
Events and
activity tips
- Summer in Helsinki series has over 70 articles full of ideas for summer activities!
- Fallkulla farm animals and facilities are open Saturday and Sunday 10am–2pm. Free admission.
- Espoo: Adventure Forest at Villa Elfvik's scenery Sunday 10:30am–12:30pm. Free admission.
- Vantaa: Håkansbölen summer exhibitions are open at Håkansbölen manor Saturday and Sunday 11am–4pm. Free admission.
- Koffarin Kinofest at Sinebrychoff's park Friday through Sunday. Programming especially for children is available Saturday and Sunday starting at 2pm. Free admission.
- Pre-registration required! Children's pie day at Villa Salmela (Karjaisten summer home Villa Salmela, Jollas) Sunday 2pm–4pm. NOTE! Registrations by Thursday, August 14, 2025 to viestinta(a)villasalmela.fi
Free admission.
Pienten Suomi - over 800 reasons to travel in Finland with children!
