Pienten Helsinki
What to do or where to go with children? What family-friendly activities are available in Helsinki this week? Pienten Helsinki's weekly "Where to Go This Week" column finds tips for activities and suggests child-friendly events and things to do in Helsinki and the surrounding area.
The cover image of this article shows the footbridge connecting Uunisaari to Liuskasaari. The bridge connection from Kaivopuisto to Uunisaari and thus also to Liuskasaari opens again on Wednesday!
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Exhibition tips for children
- Museum tips for visiting with children can be found in Pienten Helsinki's themed article!
- Wonderful Machine exhibition at Annantalo art gallery 15.10.2023 - 9.3.2024. Free admission, open according to Annantalo's opening hours.
- Celebrations in the Forest exhibition at the Museum of Natural History celebrates the museum's hundred-year history and is great for visiting with children.
MONDAY 13.11.2023
Events and tips
- What to do today? Check out tips for boring days from Pienten Helsinki!
- Dance and Play workshops at Caisa cultural center (Kaikukatu 4 B) in the Maissi space on Mondays. Toddlers (1-3 years old) dance with their own adult at 9.15 am and preschool-age children (3-5 years old) at 10.15 am.
The Dance and Play workshop inspires and guides Helsinki parents and children to create and experience dance art together. You can participate in the workshop instruction whenever it suits you, at all sessions or just some of them. Choose a time that works for you and arrive on time. No advance registration needed; spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Space for 12 first arrivals. Free admission.
- Albert's Lounge is open on Mondays 9.30–14 (International Monday).
- Free admission to Korkeasaari Zoo on Monday 10-16.
- Family Fun Times provide preschool-age children and their parents with a space where they can move together independently and free of charge. Family Fun Times on Mondays::
- Family Fun Times at Tapanil primary school (Veljestenpiha 2) on Mondays 17-18.30, 2.10.–11.12.2023.
- MLL Father Meetups at Millynsiive playground (Yläkivenrinne 6, Myllypuro) on Monday 18-19.30.
Playgrounds activities on Monday
- Playgrounds and family centers are open normally. Playgrounds' indoor areas are open for families on weekdays mostly 9-12, afternoons are reserved for school children. For more detailed information, see the playgrounds and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs in the City of Helsinki's event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
- At Loru Playground on Monday:
- 10.30–11.00 Loru moves – movement session for over 2-year-olds
- All Pienten Helsinki playground tips can be found here.
Library events on Monday
- Helmet library children's events for Monday can be found on Helmet's event page.
TUESDAY 14.11.2023
Events and tips
- MLL Myllypuro and Metropolia HyMy Village family café at Metropolia facilities in Myllypuro (next to the metro station) on Tuesday 9-11. Each session also features changing programs for families. Free admission.
- Health Station Park on Tuesdays 9.30–13.00 in the lower foyer of Kampi Family Center. Free admission.
- Kindergarten Museum is open on Tuesdays 12-19. Small admission fee.
- Art for Toddlers workshop (Open Studio for Toddlers Workshops) at Caisa cultural center (Kaikukatu 4 B) on Tuesdays 13.30-15.30. Workshops are suitable for 1.5–3-year-old children with their own adult. No advance registration, free admission. You can come to the workshops for the whole time or just for a bit.
- Albert's Lounge evening hangout on Tuesdays 16.30–18.30.
- Family Fun Times provide preschool-age children and their parents with a space where they can move together independently and free of charge. Family Fun Times on Tuesdays:
- Ball Mill indoor hall at Myllypuro sports park (Pikajuoksijankuja 9) on Tuesdays 9.30-11.30 and 16-18, 5.9.–12.12.2023.
- Käpylä primary school (Mäkelänkatu 89) on Tuesdays 17-18.30, 5.9.–12.12.2023.
- Sakarinmäki primary school (Knutersintie 924) on Tuesdays 17-18.30, 5.9.–28.11.2023.
- Merilahti primary school in Vuosaari (Jaluspolku 3) on Tuesdays 17–18.30.
Playground activities on Tuesday
- Playgrounds and family centers are open normally. Playgrounds' indoor areas are open for families on weekdays mostly 9-12, afternoons are reserved for school children. For more detailed information, see the playgrounds and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs in the City of Helsinki's event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
- At Loru Playground on Tuesday:
- 11–11.30 Stroller aerobics, Oodi courtyard
- 15–15.30 Loru's songs – a singing session for all ages
- All Pienten Helsinki playground tips can be found here.
Library events on Tuesday
- Helmet library children's events for Tuesday can be found on Helmet's event page.
WEDNESDAY 15.11.2023
Events and tips
- Bridge connection from Kaivopuisto to Uunisaari is being installed back in place and the lovely outdoor islands are again more easily accessible.
- Albert's Lounge is open on Wednesdays 9.30–15.
- Button Cinema: Adventure and Journey at Annantalo on Wednesday 10-12. Free admission.
- Kindergarten Museum is open on Wednesday 12-19. Small admission fee.
- Family Fun Times provide preschool-age children and their parents with a space where they can move together independently and free of charge. Family Fun Times on Wednesdays:
- Kurkimäki block building house (Karpalokuja 7) on Wednesdays 9.30-11, 6.9.–29.11.2023.
- Kannelmäki primary school (Runonlaulajantie 40) on Wednesdays 17-18, 6.9.–13.12.2023 (not week 49).
Playground activities on Wednesday
- Playgrounds and family centers are open normally. Playgrounds' indoor areas are open for families on weekdays mostly 9-12, afternoons are reserved for school children. For more detailed information, see the playgrounds and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs in the City of Helsinki's event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
- At Loru Playground on Wednesday:
- 11–13 Loru creates – crafts for all ages
- 14–15.30 Loru creates – crafts for all ages
- All Pienten Helsinki playground tips can be found here.
Library events 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 children!
THURSDAY 16.11.2023
Events and tips
- Albert's Lounge is open on Thursdays 9.30–15.
- Art for Toddlers workshops (Open Studio for Toddlers Workshops) at Caisa cultural center (Kaikukatu 4 B) on Thursdays 10-12. Workshops are suitable for 1.5–3-year-old children with their own adult. No advance registration, free admission. You can come to the workshops for the whole time or just for a bit.
- Family Fun Times provide preschool-age children and their parents with a space where they can move together independently and free of charge. Family Fun Times on Thursdays:
- Tali sports park soccer hall (Purotie 8) on Thursdays 9.30-11, 21.9.–14.12.2023.
- Kampi sports center (Malminkatu 3) on Thursdays 17-18.30, 7.9.–14.12.2023.
- Malminkartano primary school (Puustellintie 6) on Thursdays 17-18.30, 7.9.–14.12.2023.
- Porolahti primary school (Roihuvuorentie 2) on Thursdays 17.30-18.30, 7.9.–14.12.2023.
Playground activities on Thursday
- Playgrounds and family centers are open normally. Playgrounds' indoor areas are open for families on weekdays mostly 9-12, afternoons are reserved for school children. For more detailed information, see the playgrounds and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs in the City of Helsinki's event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
- At Loru Playground on Thursday:
11–11.30 Moving with baby
15–15.30 Loru moves – movement session for over 1-year-olds
- All Pienten Helsinki playground tips can be found here.
Library events on Thursday
- Helmet library children's events for Thursday can be found on Helmet's event page.
FRIDAY 17.11.2023
Events and tips
- What to do today? Check out tips for boring days from Pienten Helsinki!
- Albert's Lounge is open on Fridays 9.30–15.
Playground activities on Friday
- Playgrounds and family centers are open normally. Playgrounds' indoor areas are open for families on weekdays mostly 9-12, afternoons are reserved for school children. For more detailed information, see the playgrounds and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs in the City of Helsinki's event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
- At Loru Playground on Friday:
- 11–12 Loru discovers – search session for over 2-year-olds
- 13–13.30 In Loru's warmth - song and rhyme session for under 1-year-olds
- 15–15.30 In Loru's warmth - song and rhyme session for under 1-year-olds
- All Pienten Helsinki playground tips can be found here.
Library events on Friday
- Helmet library children's events for Friday can be found on Helmet's event page.
SATURDAY 18.11.2023
Events and tips
- Free Activities for Children in Helsinki article – tips for free opportunities in Helsinki!
- Kallio Kipinöi event week 19.-26.11.2023.
- KallioKipinöi: Story Brunch at Kallio Library on Saturday 10-12. The event is free and aimed at 2-6-year-old children and their families.
- Helmet library children's events for Saturday can be found on Helmet's event page.
- Oodi's Book Festival at central library Oodi on Saturday starting at 10 am. Programs for children too!
- Pop-up wooden toy event at Rikhardinkatu library on Saturday 10.30-15.30.
- Espoo: Funny, silly pocket animals! - pop-in workshops at Children's Culture Center Aurora on Saturday 10-14. Free admission.
- Tuusula: Lotta Museum Christmas opening on Saturday 10-17. Museum admission fee applies.
- Martin markets at Cable Factory on Saturday 10-18.
- Espoo: Jazz for Kids - Eero Koivistoinen & Alexi Tuomarila at Espoo Culture Center (Tapiola) on Saturday at 11 am. Free admission.
- Veikko Wants Out - children's musical theater performance at Paloheina library on Saturday at 2 pm. Free admission.
- Vantaa: Maltti & Valtti with Helsinki Police Band in the Great Treasure Hunt at the culture house on Saturday at 3 pm. Tickets from €12.50.
- Helsinki's Christmas opening and Aleksanterinkatu Christmas light switch-on are held on Saturday starting at 4 pm. The parade leaves from Senate Square and travels along Aleksanterinkatu to Mannerheimintie, then continues along Pohjoisesplanadi to Unioninkatu and returns to Senate Square.
- Coca-Cola Christmas truck at Railway Square on Saturday 3-7 pm.
- Bridge connection from Kaivopuisto to Uunisaari was installed back in place on Wednesday and the lovely outdoor islands are again more easily accessible.
- Secrets of Helsinki article reveals big and small secrets of Helsinki!
SUNDAY 19.11.2023
Events and tips
- What to do today? Check out tips for boring days from Pienten Helsinki!
- Bridge connection from Kaivopuisto to Uunisaari was installed back in place on Wednesday and the lovely outdoor islands are again more easily accessible.
- Sports Fun Times at Sports Mill (Jauhokuja 3) in Myllypuro on Sunday 9-10.45.
Sports Fun Times offer under 9-year-old children and their families the opportunity to move in diverse ways and have fun. You can arrive according to your own schedule, there is space for strollers in the foyer, and you should bring your own padlock for the locker. Admission for adults €3.50, others €2, free for under 9-year-olds.
- Kallio Kipinöi event week 19.-26.11.2023.
- Family Fun Times at Tapuli sports center on Sunday 9-11. Admission €5 / family.
- Martin markets at Cable Factory on Sunday 10-17.
- Espoo: Experiential autumn outing for the whole family in the forest at Villa Elfvik on Sunday at 11 am. Free admission.
- Open doors at Elisa's Telephone Museum (Runeberginkatu 43) on Sunday 12-18. Free admission.
- Secrets of Helsinki article reveals big and small secrets of Helsinki!
Remember also:
Pienten Suomi - over 700 reasons to travel in Finland with children!
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