Pienten Helsinki
Spring activity tips for children
What child-friendly activities can be found in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on weekends? What to do on a rainy day? Pienten Helsinki's weekly series searches for activity tips and suggests child-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The website's target audience is preschool children and families with children.
Where to go this week -article continues with a slightly modified concept. The article lists the highlights of the week's events and the most interesting activity tips for the week. Also included are highlights from Pienten Helsinki's new articles and news, plus a new "Have you ever visited" place that changes every week. The future of the page is still open, but we'll continue with this concept through spring.
Pienten Helsinki has now published 101 Where to go this week -articles in just under two years!
NEW: Families' Helsinki group on Facebook is a place for discussion about family life in Helsinki: daycare spots, hobbies, getting around, everyday tips and ideas. Things that families encounter in their daily lives. In the group you can celebrate but also raise concerns about family matters. The group is also a place to share news and information related to family life. You can join the group here.
Are you already following Pienten Helsinki on Facebook? The page has lots of up-to-date event tips, discussions and other highlights related to family life in Helsinki. On Facebook you'll also find its own group for the city's baby families, Baby Helsinki.
Pienten Helsinki can also be found on Instagram using the hashtag #pientenhelsinki for numerous pictures of Helsinki with children.
Find Remember also these -tips at the end of the article for exhibitions and more link tips!
This week's Have you ever visited -place is Winter Garden at the northern end of Töölönlahti. The Winter Garden is a wonderful place year-round, but especially now it's worth going to experience the first signs of spring, blooming orchids and eating packed meals in a beautiful atmosphere. Children particularly enjoy the garden's fish pond. The Winter Garden is open Tuesday 9-15, Wednesday to Friday 12-15 and Saturday and Sunday 12-16 with free admission. The Winter Garden is closed on Mondays.
Events at the Winter Garden:
- Finnish Orchid Society's Snow Queen Days 14.-17.3.2019.
- In late March, the Winter Garden offers a wonderful Jäntti & Venna's Orangerie performance.
Tuesday »| Wednesday »| Thursday »|
Friday »| Saturday »| Sunday »
MONDAY 11.3.2019
Events at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Monday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Events at playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar. Monday's events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Albert's Living Room is an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi. Open Monday 9.30-15. An article about this place is coming to Pienten Helsinki too, as the PH team loved it! Read more on Helsinki Mission's website.
MLL Dad Cafe at Iso-Antti playground in Itäkeskus on Mondays 10-12. More information from the event's Facebook page.
Art Clinic for 3-6 year olds in Annantalo on Monday at 10 and 12.30. This week at the art clinic, children create a treasure map of an unknown island. You can participate in the art clinic weekly or just occasionally, but you should arrive on time. No advance registration required. Read more about the Art Clinic activities on Annantalo's website.
Puppet Theater Music Class at Sampo Aulahall on Monday at 10 and 11. Paid (8€/time or 80€/whole season). Read more on Puppet Theater Sampo's website.
Art Clinic - My own T-shirt! -workshop for children with a parent at African Care's premises in Meri-Rastila on Monday at 12.30. Art Clinic for 3-6 year olds, no advance registration required. Read more on Vuotalo's website.
Museums open on Mondays include Helsinki City Museum and Kids' City, Amos Rex and Newspaper Museum.
TUESDAY 12.3.2019
Events at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Tuesday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Events at playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar. Monday's events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Family ball play at Pallomill indoor hall in Myllypuro sports park. In family ball play, all children under 9 years old move on a soft artificial turf with their own adult. Free play, acrobatics, running or learning to walk. Family ball play on Tuesdays 9.30-11.30 and 16-18. Free admission for morning ball play, afternoon play costs Pallomill's entry fee (3.50 €) for adults. Read more in Pienten Helsinki's Helsinki moves -article.
Toddler Tuesday at Sellos shopping center Tuesday 10-14.
WEDNESDAY 13.3.2019
Events at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Wednesday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Tip for babies and parents: BabyKino at Kallio library. You can go to movies with your baby on Wednesdays at 12 and 14.30. BabyKino has its own Facebook group here, where for example this week's film is published and you can vote on upcoming programs. More information can also be found on BabyKino's Facebook page.
Events at playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar. Monday's events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Mll Goes Oodi Dad Cafe at central library Oodi on Wednesday 9.30-11.30. Read more from the event's Facebook page.
Albert's Living Room is an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi. Open on Wednesdays 9.30-15. An article about this place is coming to Pienten Helsinki too, as the PH team loved it! Read more on Helsinki Mission's website.
In Vantaa: Little Art Mornings at children's culture center Toteemi starting at 9.30. More information from the event's Facebook page.
Fallkullan farm is open to the public on Wednesday 10-18. Free admission.
Helsinki Fire Department's Fire Museum at Erottaja fire station is open on Wednesdays 12-16. Admission 2 €, under 15 years free. Read more on City of Helsinki's website.
Kindergarten Museum has play sessions every Wednesday 12-18. Museum admission 4 €, under 16 years free.
Children's Brain Day at University of Helsinki Learning Center Minerva in Kruunuhaka on Wednesday 13-17.45. Read more from the event's Facebook page.
A Bird Named Agata - a dance story premiere at Kanneltalo on Wednesday at 18. Tickets 6 €. The performance is recommended for over 4 year olds. Tickets and more information on Kanneltalo's website.
THURSDAY 14.3.2019
Events at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Thursday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Events at playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar. Monday's events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Albert's Living Room is an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi. Open on Thursday 9.30-15. An article about this place is coming to Pienten Helsinki too, as the PH team loved it! Read more on Helsinki Mission's website.
Visual Art Adventure - Art course for children and adults at Kannelmäki youth center's Making Space on Thursday 10-13. The whole family goes on a visual art adventure where children paint, model and build together with their parents. Read more on Kanneltalo's website.
Fallkullan farm is open to the public on Thursday 10-18. Free admission.
Finnish Orchid Society's Snow Queen Days 14.-17.3.2019 at the Winter Garden. The exhibition is open Thursday 12-15. Free admission.
Open doors at University of Helsinki science classroom Link on Thursday 15-18. Read more from the event's Facebook page.
Family ball play at Pallomill indoor hall in Myllypuro sports park. In family ball play, all children under 9 years old move on a soft artificial turf with their own adult. Free play, acrobatics, running or learning to walk. Family ball play on Thursday 16-17. Afternoon play costs Pallomill's entry fee (3.50 €) for adults. Read more in Pienten Helsinki's Helsinki moves -article.
Fathers and children's sports group in Puotila elementary school's gym on Thursday 17-18. The event is organized by MLL Uusimaa. Free admission. Read more from MLL father activities Facebook page.
FRIDAY 15.3.2019
Events at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Friday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Events at playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar. Monday's events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Baby Cinema special screening showing Turilas and Jäärä at Annantalo's celebration hall on Friday at 10. Age recommendation: 0–3 years with an adult, older children are also welcome. Free admission to movies. More information on Annantalo's website.
Fallkullan farm is open to the public on Friday 10-18. Free admission.
Pekka Tailfur exhibition opens at Newspaper Museum on Friday.
Finnish Orchid Society's Snow Queen Days 14.-17.3.2019 at the Winter Garden. The exhibition is open Friday 12-15. Free admission.
SATURDAY 16.3.2019
Events at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Saturday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Events and activity tips
HOORAY! - Festival for children and young people 16.–24.3.2019. Festival events in Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen. Partly paid. See the full festival program on the event website.
Sports Fun in Maunula on Saturday mornings 9-10.30 at Maunula sports hall. Admission 3.50 € for adults, children under 9 play for free. You can arrive at your own pace. Read more in Pienten Helsinki's Helsinki moves -article.
MLL's Family Cafe at Central Library Oodi on Saturday 10-12. Read more on the library's website.
MLL Puistola's Creative Saturday on Nurkkatie on Saturday 10-13. Program includes obstacle course, woodworking workshop, crafts and painting and treasure hunt. More information from the event's Facebook page.
FOR BABIES IN ESPOO: Espoo: HOORAY! festival Baby Parties where little ones are pampered on Saturday 10-14. Read more from Aurora's website.
MLL's Family Floorball at Pukinmäki Arc Elementary School gym on Saturday 10.30-12. Free family floorball is aimed at fathers and mothers with approximately 3-6 year old children. Participation does not require advance registration. More information from the event's Facebook page.
Maunula children's club – Singing into the forest concert at Maunula House Forest Stream Hall at 11. Read more on Maunula House website. Free admission to the concert.
Also in Swedish: Book cinema: Princess Lindagull at the Nordic Library on Saturday at 11. The book cinema concept introduces children to children's books through a short film and subsequent crafting. The short film is in Swedish and the crafting session is bilingual. Suitable for 5-6 year olds. More information on the library's website.
Cable Factory Museums' Family Day: Spring Carnival on Saturday 11-15. The joint family day of the Hotel and Restaurant Museum, Theater Museum and Finnish Museum of Photography offers interesting and fun programs for both children and adults. Free admission for under 18 year olds, combined ticket for adults to all museums costs 12 € during the event, Museum Card also works. Read more from the event's Facebook page.
Finnish Orchid Society's Snow Queen Days 14.-17.3.2019 at the Winter Garden. The exhibition is open Saturday and Sunday 12-16. Free admission.
Finland's largest children's and youth theater festival HOORAY!'s opening is celebrated at the Central Library Oodi's Children's World on Saturday 13-16
A Bird Named Agata - a dance story at Kanneltalo on Saturday at 14. Tickets 6 €. The performance is recommended for over 4 year olds. Tickets and more information on Kanneltalo's website.
DanceAbility dance class at Annantalo 14-15. The lesson is suitable for all 3-12 year olds with their own adult, regardless of disability or ability. Read more about DanceAbility classes on Annantalo's website. Free admission.
SUNDAY 17.3.2019
Events and activity tips
HOORAY! - Festival for children and young people 16.–24.3.2019. Festival events in Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen. Partly paid. See the full festival program on the event website.
Sports Fun at Sports Mill in Myllypuro on Sunday mornings 9-10.45. Admission 3.50 € for adults, children under 9 play for free. You can arrive at your own pace, there's space for strollers in the lobby and you should remember to bring your own padlock for the locker. Read more in Pienten Helsinki's Helsinki moves -article.
Espoo: Sunday free skating session at Metro Arena on Sundays 9-12. Read more on City of Espoo's website. From the same website you can also find other City of Espoo's public skating rink times. Free admission. Tapiola Ice Garden is also open (small admission fee)!
Flea market! MLL Pihlajamäki children's clothing and supplies flea market at Pihlajisto Elementary School on Sunday 10-13. More information from the event's Facebook page.
In Espoo: Latokasmarket at Latokaski resident park on Sunday 10-13. Read more from the event's Facebook page.
Children's theater festival at Laajasalo VPK's premises on Sunday 10-14. Tickets to all performances together 2 €/theater enthusiast and face painting, cafe treats and fishing at the interval. Read more from the event's Facebook page. Note: only cash is accepted at the event.
Fallkullan farm is open to the public on Sunday 10-15. Free admission.
Pekka Tailfur: exhibition opening for children at Newspaper Museum on Sunday 11-15. Opening festivities, juice service and balloons. More information on the museum's website.
In Espoo: Spring Kutitus event at Espoo Cultural Center in Tapiola on Sunday 11-15. Sparkles, disco balls and other fun programs for children. Vuokko Hovatalo & Children's Orchestra Sisi Disco concert at 12, tickets 10 €. Otherwise the event has free admission. Read more on Kutitus's website.
HOORAY family day in Space Atmosphere at Annantalo on Sunday 12-15. Read more on Annantalo's website.
Helsinki Fire Department's Fire Museum at Erottaja fire station is open on Sundays 12-16. Admission 2 €, under 15 years free. Read more on City of Helsinki's website.
Finnish Orchid Society's Snow Queen Days 14.-17.3.2019 at the Winter Garden. The exhibition is open Saturday and Sunday 12-16. Free admission.
Suomenlinna's traditional winter event on Sunday 12.30-16. More information from the event's Facebook page.
L
HOORAY festival family day: Hippopotamus and other animals at Malmitalo on Sunday 13-15. More information on Malmitalo's website.
Remember also
Pienten Helsinki articles are available in Finnish, Swedish and English on the My Helsinki tourism website. The latest article takes you to Experience Helsinki with children!
Helsinki Places article is a lifesaver on boring days with children!
Current cross-country ski trail and ice rink freezing conditions can be found at ulkoliikunta.fi service.
HOORAY! - Festival for children and young people 16.–24.3.2019. Festival events in Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen. Partly paid. See the full festival program on the event website.
Children's art festival Spring Kutitus in Espoo 17.3.-4.5.2019.
Exhibition: Dream Mäykkynen is on an adventure again at the Helsinki City Museum. The exhibition is on display at Kids' City 18.2.-17.3.2019.
Exhibition: Nature Trip installation invites all children and adults fascinated by forests. The installation is on display at Annantalo's 2nd floor glass end 6.2.-31.3.2019.
Exhibition: Future Laboratory at Annantalo 1.3.-31.12.2019. The exhibition is open during Annantalo's opening hours. Read more on Annantalo's website.
Exhibition: Rosamaria Bolom's Joy is a Child's Right - Rights for All! -exhibition at Cultural Center Caisa 7.-28.3.2019. More information on Caisa's website.
Note! Toy Museum Horseshoe is closed 4.3.-25.3.2019 for exhibition change. The new Board Game Fun special exhibition opens 26.3.2019 at 11.
In Espoo: Finland's largest miniature train layout can be admired at Tapiola at Heikintori in February-March. More detailed information on Alppirautatiet Association's website.
Pienten Helsinki as an app on your phone!
Pienten Helsinki now also works as a PWA app. You can install Pienten Helsinki on your Android or iPhone by simply opening the page in Chrome or Safari browser and selecting the share button to "Add to home screen". A PWA app differs from a traditional app in that you don't need to install it separately from the App Store or similar. In practice the content is exactly the same as in a browser, but theoretically loads faster.
Pienten Helsinki does not require registration to work now, nor will it ever.
