Pienten Helsinki
Where to go this week?
What child-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on weekends? And what to do on a rainy day? Small Helsinki's weekly series seeks activity tips and recommends family-friendly places in Helsinki and surrounding areas. The website targets children under school age and families with young children.Where to go this week? In November’s greyness we make suggestions for a better Helsinki, enjoy Restaurant Day delicacies, make musical instruments, go to the cinema, do crafts in workshops and celebrate the opening of Kallio Sparkles cultural week. Small Helsinki’s Where to go this week article suggests what’s happening in the city for families with young children.
CHALLENGE: Whoa, where are you? Small Helsinki challenges everyone wondering at lonely playgrounds, missing friends, and wanting livelier playground life to post pictures with the hashtag #whoa where are you. The campaign aims to spark discussion about why playgrounds are losing their appeal with children, think about solutions, and at the same time draw attention to the loneliness experienced by parents of young children. Photos, discussions, concrete actions, opinions - everything moves things forward using the #whoa where are you hashtag. If you want to take concrete action, get in touch! For example, in Helsinki it would be possible to organize bigger play meetups on weekends; the space is already available. The campaign is hoped to spread throughout Finland, not just Helsinki, and you’re welcome to share the challenge!
What’s new at Small Helsinki: Christmas is coming again, so the first tips for Christmas events and markets have now been published! Small Helsinki’s Christmas in Helsinki articles.
Updates on the site: Small Helsinki and site advertising. We’re looking for ways to fund the site’s maintenance costs and are testing relevant advertising on the site for the first time. If advertising space interests you, feel free to get in touch and I’ll tell you more (mari ät pientenhelsinki.fi).
Article cover image from Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden, which is warm and green even on grey days. For example, you can find many flowering plants in the garden’s Palm House right now! Read more about Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden here.
[caption id=“attachment_4188” align=“aligncenter” width=“592”]
The greenhouses at Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden are home to some surprising inhabitants.[/caption]
Tuesday »| Wednesday »| Thursday »| Friday »| Saturday »| Sunday »
MONDAY 12.11.2018
Library events:
Toddler Time at Maunula Library at 9.30 am. Sesame's Journey - Story Session at Kontula Library at 9.30 am. Story Time at Puistola Library at 10 am. For babies: Baby Rhyme Time at Maunula Library at 10.30 am.Malmi Mondays is a craft event for children and families at Malmi Library once a month on Mondays from 5-7 pm. Read more on the library’s website.
Playground events:
Playgrounds, send your special event dates directly to Small Helsinki!Family cafés:
MLL's family café at Itäkatu family center on the first floor on Mondays from 9.30-11.30 am.Tip for Espoo: Family café at Tapiola Library on Mondays from 2-4 pm.
The MLL family café list maintained by Small Helsinki is still waiting for updates.
Other events:
Smart as HEL event at Science Centre 5.-16.11.2018.Puppet Theatre Music at Sampo atrium gallery on Monday at 10 am and 11 am. Paid event (8€/session or 80€/whole fall). Read more on Puppet Theatre Sampo’s website.
Art Clinic for 3-6 year-olds at Annantalo on Monday at 10 am and 12.30 pm. This week’s theme at the art clinic is surprise and wonder. You can participate in the art clinic weekly or occasionally, but you should arrive on time. No pre-registration required. Read more about the Art Clinic on Annantalo’s website.
Museums open on Mondays include Helsinki City Museum and Children’s Town, Päivälehti Museum and Amos Rex.
Tip for Vantaa: Kukkuu Art Festival for babies and toddlers 10.-20.11.2018.
Also remember: Nordic Library on Kaisaniemenkatu.
TUESDAY 13.11.2018
Library events:
Story Time at Kallio Library at 9.30 am. Story Time at Malmi Library at 9.30 am. Story Time at Herttoniemi Library at 9.45 am. Story Time at North Haaga Library at 10 am. Story Time at Kannelmäki Library at 10 am. Story Time at Töölö Library at 10.15 am. For babies: Baby Rhyme Circle at Tapulinkahvila Library at 10.30 am.Playground events:
Playgrounds, send your special event dates directly to Small Helsinki!Family cafés:
Family Group at Itäkatu family center on the first floor on Tuesdays from 1.30-3 pm.Tip for Espoo: International Family Café at Sello Library on Tuesdays from 10 am-12 pm.
The MLL family café list is still waiting for updates.
Other events:
Smart as HEL event at Science Centre 5.-16.11.2018.Family Ball Play at Pallomylly indoor hall in Myllypuro Sports Park. In family ball play, all children under 9 move with an adult on a soft artificial turf. Free play, acrobatics, running or learning to walk. Family ball play on Tuesdays from 9.30-11.30 am and 4-6 pm. Morning ball play has free admission for everyone, afternoon play costs adults Pallomylly’s per-visit fee (3.50 €). Read more about Small Helsinki’s Helsinki on the Move tips.
Art for Toddlers - Open Studio for Toddlers workshop for 1.5-3 year-olds (with an adult) at Caisa cultural center on Tuesday from 10-11.30 am. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
Movie Night at Kallio Elementary School on Tuesday starting at 4.45 pm. The film is Supermarsu. Tickets in advance 4 €, at the door 5 €. More details and ticket reservations on the event’s Facebook page.
Tip for Vantaa: Kukkuu Art Festival for babies and toddlers 10.-20.11.2018.
WEDNESDAY 14.11.2018
Library events:
Story Time at Arabianranta Library at 9.30 am. Story Time at Roihuvuori Library at 9.45 am. Story Time at Lauttasaari Library at 10 am. Story Hour at Pukinmäki Library at 10.15 am. Story Hour at Oulunkylä Library at 5 pm. Instrument Presentation Concert at North Haaga Library at 5.30 pm.For babies and parents in Vantaa: BabyKino at Tikkurila Library at 10 am. Read more about BabyKino on the library’s website. For babies and parents: BabyKino at Kallio Library. Movies with baby on Wednesdays at 12 pm and 2.30 pm. BabyKino’s own group can be found on Facebook here, where for example the week’s film is published and upcoming programming is voted on.
Playground events:
Playgrounds, send your special event dates directly to Small Helsinki!Family cafés:
The MLL family café list maintained by Small Helsinki is still waiting for updates...Other events:
Smart as HEL event at Science Centre 5.-16.11.2018.Kindergarten Museum is open on Wednesday from 12-6 pm. Small admission fee.
Wednesday Leisurely Gallery Workshop where fairytale paper lanterns are made at Vuotalo gallery at 4 pm. Read more about this workshop suitable for all ages on Vuotalo’s website.
Tip for Vantaa: Kukkuu Art Festival for babies and toddlers 10.-20.11.2018.
THURSDAY 15.11.2018
Library events:
Toddler Time at Kallio Library at 9.30 am. Story Time at Suutarila Library at 9.30 am. Story Time at Tapulinkahvila Library at 9.30 am. Toddler Rhyme Circle at Oulunkylä Library at 10 am. For babies: Baby Rhyme Time at Roihuvuori Library at 10 am. Story Time at Vallila Library at 6 pm.Playground events:
Children's outdoor event Piharieha at Omppupuisto in Puistola (Nikonkuja 1) on Thursday from 9-11.15 am. Piharieha is organized by, among others, playhouse Nurkka. More information on Nurkka's Facebook page.Playgrounds, send your special event dates directly to Small Helsinki!
Family cafés:
MLL's family café in Kruunuhaka at Krunan mesta (Meritullinkatu 6) on Thursdays from 9.30-11.30 am. MLL's family café at Kurkimäki block (Musikanttien door) on Thursdays from 9.30-11.30 am. Almost every week the family group has a music play session open to everyone organized by Hupsansaa association at 10 am. MLL's family café in Töölö at Ruusula (Ruusulankatu 10, side building) on Thursdays from 10 am-12 pm. Tip for Espoo: MLL Leppävaara family café at Sello Library's Children's Area on Thursdays from 10 am-12 pm.The MLL family café list maintained by Small Helsinki is still waiting for updates…
Other events:
Submitting suggestions for a better Helsinki begins in the OmaStadi service on 15.11.2018. Dream, wish and come up with ideas for a better Helsinki and submit your suggestions!Smart as HEL event at Science Centre 5.-16.11.2018.
Family Ball Play at Pallomylly indoor hall in Myllypuro Sports Park. In family ball play, all children under 9 move with an adult on a soft artificial turf. Free play, acrobatics, running or learning to walk. Family ball play on Thursdays from 4-5 pm. Afternoon play costs adults Pallomylly’s per-visit fee (3.50 €). Read more about Small Helsinki’s Helsinki on the Move tips.
Seeds Rustle and Drums Sound family event at Annala villa on Thursday from 4-7 pm. Free admission to the event, meals for a fee. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
Fathers and Children Sports Group at Puotila Elementary School’s sports hall on Thursdays from 6-7 pm. Organized by MLL Uusimaa. Free admission. Read more on MLL Uusimaa’s website.
Tip for Vantaa: Kukkuu Art Festival for babies and toddlers 10.-20.11.2018.
FRIDAY 16.11.2018
Let your child dress you dayLibrary events:
Toddler Time at Malmi Library at 10 am. Baby Rhyme Time at South Haaga Library at 10 am. Baby Rhyme Time at Malmi Library at 11 am.Tip for Vantaa: Sing together with children at Tikkurila Library at 10 am.
Playground events:
Playgrounds, send your special event dates directly to Small Helsinki!Family cafés:
MLL's family café at Itäkatu family center on Fridays from 9.30-11.30 am.The MLL family café list maintained by Small Helsinki is still waiting for updates…
Other events:
Kallio Sparkles cultural week 16.-25.11.2018.Smart as HEL event at Science Centre 5.-16.11.2018.
Colorful Everyday workshop at Stoa on Friday from 10 am-12 pm. The workshop is open to everyone. Read more on Stoa’s website.
Napero Cinema at Annantalo on Fridays at 10 am. Age recommendation: 0-3 years with an adult, older children also welcome. Admission to the films is free. This week’s theme is skills and professions. More information on Annantalo’s website.
Tip for Vantaa: Kukkuu Art Festival for babies and toddlers 10.-20.11.2018.
SATURDAY 17.11.2018
Library events:Story Time at Munkkiniemi Library at 11 am.
Tip for Espoo: Colors Cosmos - Sensory Room at Iso Omenta Library from 10.30 am-12.30 pm. Read more on the library’s website. Tip for Espoo: Matinfest at Iso Omenta Library from 12-5 pm. Read more on the library’s website. Tip for Espoo: Open Family Workshop at Sello Library from 2-4 pm.
Other events:
Restaurant Day On Restaurant Day you can cook good food and eat together as a whole family in an exciting way on Helsinki's South Shore, for example on the Nikolai II ship.Kallio Sparkles cultural week 16.-25.11.2018.
Sports Fun continues at Maunula on Saturday mornings from 9-10.30 am at Maunula Sports Hall. Admission for adults 3.50 €, children under 9 play for free. You can arrive according to your own schedule. Read more in Small Helsinki’s Helsinki on the Move article.
Dream Gingerbread House workshops at the Hotel and Restaurant Museum on Saturday from 12-3 pm. The museum is open from 11 am-6 pm and has free admission on workshop days. Read more on the Hotel and Restaurant Museum’s website.
Whole Family Sparkles - Kallio Sparkles Opening at Kallio Settlement House on Saturday from 1-7 pm. More detailed information about the day’s program on the cultural week’s own website.
Meeting Café at Stoa cultural center on Saturday from 1-4 pm. Read more on Stoa’s website.
Concerto Grosso: Viking Baroque Children’s Concert at Musiikkitalo on Saturday at 3 pm. Tickets from 11 €. Read more on Musiikkitalo’s website.
Christmas opening events at many shopping centers: for example at Itis, Vantaa Jumbo, Iso Omenta in Espoo…
Tip for Espoo: Jazz for Kids - Whole Family Jazz Session at Espoo Cultural Center in Tapiola on Saturday at 11 am. Free admission. More information on Espoo’s cultural website.
Tip for Espoo: Piccolo Aurora’s Saturday Workshop is taken over by crackers on Saturday from 10 am-2 pm! Read more on Aurora’s website.
Flea market! Tip for Vantaa: MLL Aviapolis winter flea market at Backas Restaurant at Puimala on Saturday from 9.30 am-1 pm. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
Tip for Vantaa: F-Music’s Children’s Music Days at Vantaa F-Music. Program for children, Fröbel blocks perform at the store at 12 pm. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
Tip for Vantaa: Kukkuu Art Festival for babies and toddlers 10.-20.11.2018.
SUNDAY 18.11.2018
Other events:
Kallio Sparkles cultural week 16.-25.11.2018.Sports Fun continues at Sports Mill in Myllypuro on Sunday mornings from 9-10.45 am. Admission for adults 3.50 €, children under 9 play for free. You can arrive according to your own schedule, strollers can be found in the foyer and it’s a good idea to pack your own lock for the locker room. Read more in Small Helsinki’s Helsinki on the Move article.
Flea market! MLL Myllypuro children’s supplies flea market at Myllykylä village hall on Sunday from 10 am-1 pm. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
Kallio Music School (Agricolankatu 4) open doors day with at least family music classes, instrument path and student performances on Sunday from 10 am-2 pm. The event is part of the Kallio Sparkles cultural week.
Pihlajamäki November Festival at Pihlajamäki Elementary School on Sunday from 11 am-3 pm. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
In Swedish: Barnsöndagar på Kino Engel at 1 pm. Children’s film screenings at Kino Engel in Swedish. Tickets 10.50 €. Read more and see the program on Kino Engel’s website.
Sports tip for Espoo: Sunday stick-free public skating session at Metro Arena on Sundays from 9 am-12 pm. Read more on Espoo’s website. Free admission.
Tip for Vantaa: Kukkuu Art Festival for babies and toddlers 10.-20.11.2018.
Remember these too:
Submitting suggestions for a better Helsinki begins in the OmaStadi service on 15.11.2018. Dream, wish and come up with ideas for a better Helsinki and submit your suggestions!Kallio Sparkles cultural week 16.-25.11.2018.
Smart as HEL event at Science Centre 5.-16.11.2018.
Kukkuu Art Festival for babies and toddlers in Vantaa 10.-20.11.2018.
To the exhibition! Rosamaría Bolomn Joy is a child’s right. Rights for all! paper sculpture exhibition is on display at Annantalo art gallery from 4.11.2018-16.12.2018. Read more on Annantalo’s website.
CHALLENGE: Whoa, where are you? Small Helsinki challenges everyone wondering at lonely playgrounds, missing friends, and wanting livelier playground life to post pictures with the hashtag #whoa where are you. The campaign aims to spark discussion about why playgrounds are losing their appeal with children, think about solutions, and at the same time draw attention to the loneliness experienced by parents of young children. Photos, discussions, concrete actions, opinions - everything moves things forward using the #whoa where are you hashtag. If you want to take concrete action, get in touch! For example, in Helsinki it would be possible to organize bigger play meetups on weekends; the space is already available. The campaign is hoped to spread throughout Finland, not just Helsinki, and you’re welcome to share the challenge!
Helsinki Places article is the perfect cure for boring days! Kalasatama Free Port shopping center REDI invites you to hang out, play, eat your own snacks or just relax. Free Port is located on the 2nd floor of the shopping center. Read more on Free Port’s Facebook page.
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