Pienten Helsinki
What fun activities for children can you find in Helsinki? Where to go with the kids on weekends or during summer holidays? And what to do on a rainy day? Little Helsinki's weekly series looks for activity tips and suggests child-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. During the summer months, the activity tips include both events and tips for spending your vacation days. The target audience of the site is families with preschool-aged children.
Where to go this week -article continues to appear with a slightly changed concept. The article lists the highlights of the week's events and the most interesting activity tips of the week. Also included are highlights from Little Helsinki articles and news. The future of the site is open, but we'll continue with this concept until the end of August.
New in Little Helsinki: The Great Playground Story!
Family City Routes
In the coming months, Little Helsinki will launch a new type of city tourism concept when restaurant management student Heidi Säynätkari creates city routes for families in several Helsinki neighborhoods as her final project. The publication of the Family City Routes has been delayed due to server issues and the routes will be published as soon as possible!
Article cover image: This week's cover image takes you to a secret garden at the inner courtyard of the National Museum! Visit there this summer, as in the future an additional building is planned for this location!
MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2019
Events at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Monday can be found at the Helmet event calendar.
Events at playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar. You can browse Monday's events here.
Events and activity tips
Albert's Living Room, an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi, is open on Mondays 9:30-15:00. Read more from Helsinki Mission's website.
MLL's Dad Cafe at playground Iso-Antti on Mondays at 10:00. More information from the event's Facebook page.
Summer theater with the kids? You can find Little Helsinki's tips for summer theater here.
Museums open on Mondays include the National Museum (summer season), Helsinki City Museum and Children's City, Amos Rex, Daily News Museum, and Haltia Nature Center in Espoo (summer season).
TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2019
Events at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Tuesday can be found at the Helmet event calendar.
Events at playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar. You can browse Tuesday's events here.
Events and activity tips
Open Studio for Toddlers Workshops on Tuesday at the Cultural Center Caisa at 14:00. Workshops are suitable for 1.5-3-year-old children with a guardian. You can come for the whole time or just for a moment at a time. No advance registration required, free admission. More information from Caisa's website.
Summer theater with the kids? You can find Little Helsinki's tips for summer theater here.
Vantaa: Free pasture visits at Katrinebergin Manor farm are held on Tuesdays and Fridays 17:00-18:00. More information from the City of Vantaa's website.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2019
Events at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Wednesday can be found at the Helmet event calendar.
Events at playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar. You can browse Wednesday's events here.
Events and activity tips
Sampo 2019 International Puppet Theater Festival in Helsinki August 28 - September 1, 2019.
Albert's Living Room, an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi, is open on Wednesdays 9:30-15:00. Read more from Helsinki Mission's website.
Fallkullan farm is open on Wednesdays 10:00-18:00. Free admission.
Fire Museum at Erottaja fire station is open on Wednesdays 12:00-16:00. Admission fee 2 €, children under 15 free. More information from the museum's website.
Kindergarten Museum is open on Wednesdays 12:00-18:00. Small admission fee.
Summer theater with the kids? You can find Little Helsinki's tips for summer theater here.
Espoo: Pasture visits at Glimsbacka Manor farm's 4H farm on Wednesdays 15:30-16:30. Read more from the manor's website. During pasture visits, admission to Glimsbacka is free.
The last time this summer! You can climb the National Museum tower on summer Wednesdays 16:00-18:00. Tower tour ticket costs 5 € and can be purchased from the ticket office on Wednesdays (no advance ticket sales). More information from the museum's website.
Free admission to Cable Factory museums on Wednesday 17:00-20:00. Read more from the event's Facebook page.
MLL Puotila-Vartiokylä association's family afternoon coffee at Rusthollari playground every other Wednesday 17:30-19:00.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2019
Events at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Thursday can be found at the Helmet event calendar.
Events at playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar. You can browse Thursday's events here.
Events and activity tips
Sampo 2019 International Puppet Theater Festival in Helsinki August 28 - September 1, 2019.
MLL's family coffee at Krunun Mesta (Meritullinkatu 6) on Thursdays 9:30-11:30. More information from the family coffee Facebook group.
Albert's Living Room, an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi, is open on Thursdays 9:30-15:00. Read more from Helsinki Mission's website.
Open Studio for Toddlers Workshops on Thursday at the Cultural Center Caisa at 10:00. Workshops are suitable for 1.5-3-year-old children with a guardian. You can come for the whole time or just for a moment at a time. No advance registration required, free admission. More information from Caisa's website.
Fallkullan farm is open on Thursdays 10:00-18:00. Free admission.
Espoo: Pasture visits at Glimsbacka Manor farm's 4H farm continue on Thursdays 15:30-16:30. Read more from the manor's website. During pasture visits, admission to Glimsbacka is free.
A.Lava's Summer Music School on Thursday at 16:00. No advance registration is required for the music school and admission is free. A.Lava is located behind Annantalo and summer music is sung outdoors under a shelter, so dress according to the weather. More information from Annantalo's website.
Helsinki Festival: Atlas, a contemporary circus performance combining animation and architecture for the whole family at Stoa on Saturday at 14:00. Tickets 14.50 €/ 10 €. Read more from Stoa's website.
Summer theater with the kids? You can find Little Helsinki's tips for summer theater here.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2019
Events at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Friday can be found at the Helmet event calendar.
Events at playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar. You can browse Friday's events here.
Events and activity tips
Visit Vuosaari Weekend August 30 - September 1, 2019.
Sampo 2019 International Puppet Theater Festival in Helsinki August 28 - September 1, 2019.
Espoo: Espoo Day is celebrated on Friday and Saturday, August 30-31, 2019. The day has a lot of interesting programs!
Espoo: Espoo Day at Children's Culture Center Aurora. On Friday, Aurora is in Story Breeze mode 9:00-15:00. The day's program can be found on the culture center's website.
Albert's Living Room, an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi, is open on Fridays 9:30-15:00. Read more from Helsinki Mission's website.
Naperokino at Annantalo on Fridays at 10:00. Age recommendation: 0-3 years with an adult, older children are also welcome. Free admission to movies. More information from Annantalo's website.
Fallkullan farm is open on Fridays 10:00-18:00. Free admission.
Vantaa: Free pasture visits at Katrinebergin Manor farm are held on Tuesdays and Fridays 17:00-18:00. More information from the City of Vantaa's website.
Summer theater with the kids? You can find Little Helsinki's tips for summer theater here.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2019
Events at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Saturday can be found at the Helmet event calendar.
Events and activity tips
Sleep Under the Stars theme day.
At Oittaa outdoor area lots of programs and experiment booths also for those who won't be staying at the Forest Hotel this year. Mostly free event. More information from the event's website.
Visit Vuosaari Weekend August 30 - September 1, 2019.
Sampo 2019 International Puppet Theater Festival in Helsinki August 28 - September 1, 2019.
Espoo: Espoo Day is celebrated on Friday and Saturday, August 30-31, 2019. The day has a lot of interesting programs!
Espoo: Espoo Day at Children's Culture Center Aurora. On Saturday, Aurora sings and dances 10:00-15:00. The day's program can be found on the culture center's website.
Summer's last weekend! Hop aboard the heritage tram from the corner of Market Square, near the Havis Amanda statue 10:00-17:00. Tickets 6 €, children under 2 travel free on lap seats. Read more from the heritage tram's website.
Haltiala farm is practically always open and the animals spend the summer in outdoor pastures. Drop by to say hello to the farm animals and play at Haltiala playground.
Vuosaari Harbor Day at Vuosaari Harbor at the Hansa Terminal 11:00-15:00 on Saturday. Diverse programs for all ages. Read more from the event's website.
Police Day in Helsinki at Espa stage and Market Square square on Saturday 11:00-15:00. Maltti and Valtti will also be present. More information from the event's Facebook page.
Police Day events in other cities can be found on the police's website.
Espoo: Accessible playground opening in Espoo at Lakisto Rinnekodin area on Saturday 11:00-15:00. At the opening, Aarne Alligator & Jungle Drum will also perform. Read more from the event's Facebook page.
Children's Sports Day at Teurastamo on Saturday 11:00-17:00. The full program can be found on the event's Facebook page.
Finland's Nature Day at Kumpula Botanical Garden has free admission 11:00-18:00. More information from the garden's website.
Mopo-Rokki or Generations Rock on Saturday 11:00-19:00 in Roihuvuori at the Roihuvuori multipurpose service center, youth services, and parish facilities and yards. The program will be published on the event's Facebook page. Free admission.
Summer theater with the kids? You can find Little Helsinki's tips for summer theater here.
Masked theater group Orkestar Strada performs at Diana Park on Saturday at 13:00 and 16:00. Mini carnivals have free admission.
The event is part of Sampo 2019 Puppet Theater Festival.
DanceAbility dance class at Annantalo 14:00-15:00. The class is suitable for all 3-12-year-olds with an adult, regardless of disability or non-disability. Read more about DanceAbility classes from Annantalo's website. Free admission.
Espoo: Giggling Poopy's children's disco at Karatalo Summer Yard on Saturday 14:00-16:00. Free admission. More information from the event's Facebook page.
Helsinki Venetians at Vuosaari Uutela at Kahvila Kampela's yard on Saturday 16:00-22:00. Lots of programs for children, the evening culminates in fireworks at 21:45. More information from the event's Facebook page.
Picnic in Lamplight: Venetians at Kivinokka on Saturday 17:00-23:00. More information about this atmospheric evening from the event's Facebook page.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2019
Events and activity tips
Visit Vuosaari Weekend August 30 - September 1, 2019.
Sampo 2019 International Puppet Theater Festival in Helsinki August 28 - September 1, 2019.
Rastila Outing Day is celebrated on Sunday 9:00-15:00 around Rastila Manor. Lots of programs for all ages, as well as opportunity to sauna for a small fee. More information from the event's Facebook page.
Espoo: Tapiola Gymnastics Association family day at Mankki school on Sunday 10:00-13:00. Free admission. More information from the event's Facebook page.
Fallkullan farm is open on Sundays 10:00-15:00. Free admission.
Haltiala farm is practically always open and the animals spend the summer in outdoor pastures. Drop by to say hello to the farm animals and play at Haltiala playground.
Summer's last weekend! Hop aboard the heritage tram from the corner of Market Square, near the Havis Amanda statue 10:00-17:00. Tickets 6 €, children under 2 travel free on lap seats. Read more from the heritage tram's website.
Espoo: Family Wetland Is Alive hike at Villa Elfvik's landscape on Sunday 10:30-12:30. The hike moves at children's pace. Bring small snacks and dress according to the weather. The Fairy School hike is also suitable for those traveling with strollers. More information from Elfvik's website
Flea market! Aleksis Kivi Street Sunday Flea Market starting at 11:00!
Fire Museum at Erottaja fire station is open on Sundays 12:00-16:00. Admission fee 2 €, children under 15 free. More information from the museum's website.
Porvoo: Kungsbackan farm celebrates its 25th birthday and birthday party on Sunday 12:00-16:00. More information coming soon on the event's Facebook page.
Autumn Market at Kumpula allotment garden on Sunday 13:00-15:00. Read more from the allotment garden's website.
Fauna Humana performance brings an wonderful singing and dancing group appearing in Diana Park in the middle of everyone. Performance at Diana Park on Sunday at 14:00 and 16:00. Free admission.
The event is part of Sampo 2019 Puppet Theater Festival.
Summer theater with the kids? You can find Little Helsinki's tips for summer theater here.
Remember also
Helsinki Places article is the salvation of boring days with kids!
Animals in the City article compiles the best tips from Helsinki's and the surrounding area's best places to see farm animals.
Summer sheep in Helsinki's islands: The sheep at Vartiosaari and Kuusiluoto have arrived for their summer stay.
Children's sea adventure - Gun Sloop Diana family sailing trips June 26 - August 31, 2019. More information from the event's website. Paid.
Summer theater with the kids? You can find Little Helsinki's tips for summer theater here.
Espa stage's full summer program can be found on the stage's own website.
In Espoo: Toy Museum Horseshoe embarks on a journey in the Board Game Fun special exhibition. Museum admission fee applies.
Exhibition: Peek and see in Daily News Museum's Pekka Töpöhäntä exhibition!
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