Pienten Helsinki
What to do or where to go with kids? What child-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki this week? Pienten Helsinki's weekly "Where to go this week" series searches for activity tips and recommends child-friendly events and activities in Helsinki and the surrounding area.
NOW searching for the best playgrounds and play areas of 2023!
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Exhibition tips for kids
Vantaa: Håkansbölen Manor summer exhibitions in the manor's outbuildings (Kartanontie 1, Vantaa) are open on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission.
Museum tips for kids can be found in Pienten Helsinki's themed article!
MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2023
Events and activity tips
Summer in Helsinki - over 50 articles and hundreds of tips for late summer in Helsinki too!
Albertin Living Room is open on Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (International Monday).
Happenings in playgrounds on Monday
Playgrounds and family centers have returned to weekday schedules. The indoor facilities in parks are open to families on weekdays mainly from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., with afternoons reserved for school-age children. For more detailed information, check the playgrounds' and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs on the City of Helsinki's event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
At Loru Playroom on Monday:
- 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. Loru Finds – nature spotting for children over 2 years old
- 3 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Kukkuluuruu – baby time for under 1-year-olds
All of Pienten Helsinki's play area tips can be found behind this link.
Happenings in libraries on Monday
Helmet library children's events for Monday can be found on Helmet's event page.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2023
Events and activity tips
Trick Tuesday at Resident House Ankkuri in Herttoniemenranta on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Free admission.
Summer Music on Annantalo's A Stage on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Free admission.
Kindergarten Museum is open on Tuesdays from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Small admission fee.
Albertin Living Room's evening chat on Tuesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Happenings in playgrounds on Tuesday
Playgrounds and family centers have returned to weekday schedules. The indoor facilities in parks are open to families on weekdays mainly from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., with afternoons reserved for school-age children. For more detailed information, check the playgrounds' and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs on the City of Helsinki's event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
At Loru Playroom on Tuesday:
- 11 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Carriage exercise on Oodi lawn
- 3 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Loru's Songs – sing-along time for all ages
All of Pienten Helsinki's play area tips can be found behind this link.
Happenings in libraries on Tuesday
Helmet library children's events for Tuesday can be found on Helmet's event page.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2023
Events and activity tips
Albertin Living Room is open on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Vantaa: Happiness is – exhibition and play area are open at Children's Culture Center Pessi from Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission.
Kindergarten Museum is open on Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Small admission fee.
Last week! Espoo: Pasture Visit at Glims 4H Farm on Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Voluntary donation.
Harvest Festival at Kumpula School Garden on Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free admission.
Kulosaari Day is celebrated in Eugen Schaumanin Park on Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free admission.
Happenings in playgrounds on Wednesday
Playgrounds and family centers have returned to weekday schedules. The indoor facilities in parks are open to families on weekdays mainly from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., with afternoons reserved for school-age children. For more detailed information, check the playgrounds' and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs on the City of Helsinki's event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
At Loru Playroom on Wednesday:
- 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Loru Creates – crafts for all ages
- 2 p.m.–3 p.m. Loru Creates – crafts for all ages
All of Pienten Helsinki's play area tips can be found behind this link.
Happenings in libraries on Wednesday
Helmet library children's events for Wednesday can be found on Helmet's event page.
Pienten Suomi - over 700 reasons to travel in Finland with kids!
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2023
Events and activity tips
What should we do today? Check out tips for boring days from Pienten Helsinki!
Albertin Living Room is open on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Vantaa: Happiness is – exhibition and play area are open at Children's Culture Center Pessi from Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission.
Neighborhood Party in Kallio at the Deaconess Institution courtyard on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission.
Last week! Espoo: Pasture Visit at Glims 4H Farm on Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Voluntary donation.
Tricks, dancing and flower carnival for the whole family at Sitratori, next to Kanneltalo on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Free admission.
Sunflower Procession in support of Ukraine from Citizen's Square to Senate Square on Thursday starting at 6:30 p.m.
Happenings in playgrounds on Thursday
Playgrounds and family centers have returned to weekday schedules. The indoor facilities in parks are open to families on weekdays mainly from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., with afternoons reserved for school-age children. For more detailed information, check the playgrounds' and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs on the City of Helsinki's event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
At Loru Playroom on Thursday:
- 11 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Moving with baby
- 3 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Loru's Games for children over 1 year old
All of Pienten Helsinki's play area tips can be found behind this link.
Happenings in libraries on Thursday
Helmet library children's events for Thursday can be found on Helmet's event page.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2023
Events and activity tips
What should we do today? Check out tips for boring days from Pienten Helsinki!
Albertin Living Room is open on Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Vantaa: Happiness is – exhibition and play area are open at Children's Culture Center Pessi from Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission.
Espoo: Espoo Day is celebrated on Friday and Saturday throughout Espoo. Lots of programming for kids too!
Happenings in playgrounds on Friday
Playgrounds and family centers have returned to weekday schedules. The indoor facilities in parks are open to families on weekdays mainly from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., with afternoons reserved for school-age children. For more detailed information, check the playgrounds' and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs on the City of Helsinki's event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
At Loru Playroom on Friday:
- 11 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Animal yoga for children over 2 years old
- 3 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Baby time for under 1-year-olds
All of Pienten Helsinki's play area tips can be found behind this link.
Happenings in libraries on Friday
Helmet library children's events for Friday can be found on Helmet's event page.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2023
Finland's Nature Day
Sleep Outside Night
Police Day
Events and activity tips
Summer in Helsinki - over 50 articles and hundreds of tips for late summer in Helsinki too!
Helmet library children's events for Saturday can be found on Helmet's event page.
Finland's Nature Day program can be found on the event's own website.
Espoo: Espoo Day is celebrated on Friday and Saturday throughout Espoo. Lots of programming for kids too!
Vantaa: Martinus Backstage Festival: Family Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free admission.
Tuusula: Children's Museum Days on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Tuusulanjärvi area museums: Ainola, Ahola, Haloscenniemi, Lotta Museum, Artist Home Erkola and Aleksis Kivi's Death Cottage. Free admission with a child.
Kantsu Village Festival at Sitratori, Kanneltalo and Vanhaisten Park on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free admission.
Vuosaari Harbor Day is celebrated in the otherwise closed cargo port area on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission.
Vantaa: Håkansbölen Manor summer exhibitions in the manor's outbuildings (Kartanontie 1, Vantaa) are open on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission.
Children's Saturdays at Comic Center (Herttoniemenranta) on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Energy Adventure for the whole family at Olympic Stadium on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission.
Police Day is celebrated at Stoa Square in Itäkeskus from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and in Espoo at Iso Omena from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lauttasaari Day is celebrated in the area around Kasinoranta Beach on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free admission.
Piazza Moretti food event on Sofiankatu on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Sibbo Spelmanslag performs at Ruiskumestarin Manor (Kruunuhaka) courtyard on Saturday at 2 p.m. Free admission.
Viapori Jazz: Seascape Concert at the Old Record Hall on Saturday at 3 p.m. Free admission, but the Ticket Office charges a handling fee for ticket reservations.
Porvoo: Porvoo River Carnival on the West Bank from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Free admission.
Red Bull Dance Your Style at Erottaja Square on Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free admission.
Venetian carnival, which marks the end of summer, is celebrated in Helsinki on Saturday in at least the following neighborhoods:
- Children's Venetians at Tervasaari on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Lauttasaari Venetians at Kasinoranta on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Reposalmi Venetians in Laajasalo on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Venetians in Kruunuhaka on Liisanpuistikko on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Venetians in Katajanokka, or Matroos's Dinner Under the Stars (at Matruusinpuisto) on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Venetians in Suomenlinna are held at the northeastern shore of Kirkko Island, along Rantatras, in the so-called Crane Pier area on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Venetian carnival fireworks in the metro area:
Fireworks at Hernesaari Beach on Saturday evening, but the exact time has not been announced.
In the Itä-Uusimaa region private fireworks are organized in at least the following locations:
- Porvoo: Pellinki, Rabbas at 9 p.m.
- Porvoo: Emäsalo, north at 9 p.m.
- Sipoo: Calk Shore, Motlandet at 9 p.m.
- Porvoo: Hamari at 9 p.m.
- Porvoo: Pellinki, north at 9:15 p.m.
- Pukkila at 9:15 p.m.
- Porvoo: Little Pellinki, south at 9:30 p.m.
- Sipoo, Myyras at 9:30 p.m.
- Loviisa, Rönnäs at 9:45 p.m.
- Sipoo, Girsholmen at 9:45 p.m.
- Sipoo Bärgasholmen at 10 p.m.
- Sipoo: Calk Shore, Andraholmen at 10:30 p.m.
- Porvoo: At Hamari Night of Ancestral Fires celebration and fireworks at 9 p.m.
Sleep Outside Night events that are suitable for families:
- Sleep Outside Night at Koskela on Saturday starting at 5 p.m.
- Sleep Outside Night at Rastila Camping area. Tent sites must be reserved in advance.
Summer theater with kids?
Secrets of Helsinki article reveals small and big secrets about Helsinki!
SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2023
Events and activity tips
What should we do today? Check out tips for boring days from Pienten Helsinki!
Rastila Day Trip from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission.
Espoo: Wetland Comes Alive – whole family wetland walk in the Villa Elfvik landscape on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free admission.
Vantaa: Håkansbölen Manor summer exhibitions in the manor's outbuildings (Kartanontie 1, Vantaa) are open on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission.
Children's island adventure on Hara Island in front of Kaivopuisto on Sunday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Adventure is free, but the ferry ride to the island is charged.
Kalasatama Resident Party on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Kalasatama Park. Free admission.
Secrets of Helsinki article reveals small and big secrets about Helsinki!
Remember also:
Pienten Suomi - over 700 reasons to travel in Finland with kids!
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