Pienten Helsinki
October activity tips and autumn break activities
Updated 18.10.2017What kid-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on weekends? What to do on a rainy day? Small Helsinki’s weekly series searches for activity tips and recommends child-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The target audience of the website is preschool-aged children.
The capital region celebrates autumn break during the coming week, and autumn break programs and events are organized in many places. There is an especially large amount of autumn break programs in Espoo: for example, Sello Library has various workshops every weekday. Small Helsinki has compiled tips for autumn break, read the tips for Helsinki and the surrounding area. Despite the autumn break, Small Helsinki also publishes a weekly “Where to go” article with activity tips for the week. The article also includes highlights from autumn break activity tips that are suitable for younger children. Remember also the program for Story Day celebrated on Wednesday, October 18th.
Also read tips for autumn break from My Helsinki website. Small Helsinki had the honor of serving as a local guide to Helsinki in terms of children’s activities.
Children’s play parks in Helsinki organize programs during the autumn break for both school-aged children and younger players. Event information for play parks can be found on the parks’ own Facebook pages or play park activity websites. However, note that not all play parks are open during the autumn break week.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2017
Events:Story Time at Puistola Library at 10:00 a.m. Toddler session at Maunula Library story room at 9:30 a.m.
FOR BABIES: Baby nursery rhyme session at Kontula Library at 10:00 a.m. FOR BABIES: Baby nursery rhymes at Maunula Library story room at 10:30 a.m.
Autumn break crafts at Hertoniemi Library 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Autumn break crafts at Laajasalo Library 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Autumn break crafts at Roihuvuori Library 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
At Annantalo’s Revi Siitä! workshop 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. on Monday you can build a mysterious kingdom and inhabitants for a glow-in-the-dark garden. The workshop operates on a non-stop basis. The workshops are designed for children under 9 years old with an adult. Read more on Annantalo’s website.
Children’s Traffic City is open for families during the autumn break week from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. At Traffic City, children can learn traffic rules and practice driving with a go-kart or bicycle in the traffic park with an adult. Free admission.
Töölö Ice Hall EasySport Week at Töölö Ice Hall October 16-20, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Numerous sports stations for children, including gymnastics, circus tricks, ball games, and teqball. Ice hall admission fee (€1.50).
Korkeasaari Zoo is open throughout the autumn break week from Monday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. During the week at Korkeasaari you can learn about the forest and domestic animals, walk on wooden boardwalks, and cook sausages in a cabin. Helsinki’s play park instructors are participating. Read Korkeasaari’s autumn break program from the link.
Fallkulla Farm is open during autumn break the whole week from Monday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Free admission.
Haltia Farm and restaurant Wanha Pehtoori are also open during autumn break. Pehtoori is open 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. At Haltia at this time of year there are at least chickens, goats, sheep, and cows. Free admission.
Linnanmäki Light Carnival is open on Monday 4:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Read more on Linnanmäki’s website. Free admission.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2017
Events: Story Time at Malmi Library at 9:30 a.m. Story session at Viikki Library at 9:30 a.m. Story Time at Hertoniemi Library at 9:45 a.m. Story session at Kannelmäki Library at 10:00 a.m. Story Time at North Haaga Library at 10:00 a.m. Story Time at Töölö Library club room at 10:15 a.m. Sagåstund på svenska at Månsas Library at 10:00 a.m.My Land is a Strawberry is a story hour by Liisa Viitala celebrating Finland’s centenary with Finnish texts and songs at Malminkartano Library at 10:00 a.m. The session is suitable for ages 4-99. Read more from the library’s website.
Autumn break poetry crafts at Suutarila Library 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Graffiti painting at Jätkäsaari Library courtyard at 1:00 p.m. Read more from the library’s website.
Autumn break pin-making workshop at Itäkeskus Library 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
FOR BABIES (and parents) Baby Cinema at Korjaamo Cinema and the “Night Feeding” film on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Tickets €7.50. Read more from Korjaamo Cinema’s website.
Family ball play at Pallomill’s indoor hall at Myllypuro sports park. During family ball play, all children under 9 move around with their own adult on a soft artificial turf. Free play, stunts, running, or practice walking. Family ball play on Tuesdays 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Free admission for children, adults pay Pallomill’s per-visit fee €3.50.
Toddler Tuesday event at Kaari shopping mall 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Read more from Toddler Tuesday’s Facebook page.
At Annantalo’s Revi Siitä! workshop 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. on Tuesday you can build magical masks and pop-up scenes from various papers. The workshop operates on a non-stop basis. The workshops are designed for children under 9 years old with an adult. Read more from Annantalo’s website.
Linnanmäki Light Carnival is open on Tuesday 4:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Read more from Linnanmäki’s website.
Who Will Comfort Knyttet play in Swedish at Vuotalo on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. Suitable for ages 3+. Tickets €6. Read more from Vuotalo’s website.
Museum tip: From Espoo, WeeGee exhibition center has a great rainy day destination: Toy Museum Horseshoe! Also remember Children’s City in Helsinki!
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Toy Museum Horseshoe also has a horse stable.[/caption]
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2017
Events:Story Time at Arabianranta Library at 9:30 a.m. Story Time at Kontula Library at 9:30 a.m. Story Time at Käpylä Library at 10:00 a.m. Story Time at Lauttasaari Library at 10:00 a.m. Story Time at Oulunkylä Library at 10:00 a.m. Story Time at Pukinmäki Library at 10:15 a.m.
Song session led by Terttu Paija at Tapulikaupunki Library at 10:00 a.m. Read more from the library’s website.
My Land is a Strawberry is a story hour by Liisa Viitala celebrating Finland’s centenary with Finnish texts and songs at Malminkartano Library at 10:00 a.m. The session is suitable for ages 4-99. Read more from the library’s website.
FOR BABIES: Baby and toddler nursery rhyme session at Tapanila Library at 10:00 a.m.
FOR BABIES (and parents) Baby Cinema at Korjaamo Cinema and the “Night Feeding” film on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Tickets €7.50. Read more from Korjaamo Cinema’s website.
FOR BABIES and parents: BabyKino at Töölö Library at 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Read more about BabyKino at Töölö Library from the library’s website.
At Annantalo’s Revi Siitä! workshop 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. on Wednesday you can build storybook characters’ favorite treats and set a dream dinner for fairy tale heroes. The workshop operates on a non-stop basis. The workshops are designed for children under 9 years old with an adult. Read more from Annantalo’s website.
Linnanmäki Light Carnival is open on Wednesday 4:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Read more from Linnanmäki’s website.
Kindergarten Museum renovation has been completed and the museum opens again with an opening celebration on 18.10.2017. Read more about the Kindergarten Museum’s latest news from the museum’s website.
Tip for Espoo: Sello Hall has free autumn break films for children: at 10:00 a.m. you can watch Onneli, Anneli and the Strange Stranger (S) and at 12:00 p.m. Moana (K7).
Story Day October 18, 2017
Story Day at Annantalo on Wednesday 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Programs include puppet theater, storytelling, and concerts. Read more about Story Day's program from Annantalo's website.Story Day program at Theatre Museum: The Sad Storyteller. Programs suitable for all ages at Theatre Museum 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Admission fee for Story Day event €1. Read more about the museum’s program from Story Day’s website.
Story Day program at North Haaga Library: theater sword fighting and adventure stories 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Tip for Espoo: Story Day program at Toy Museum Horseshoe. Read more about the day’s program from the museum’s website.
Tip for Vantaa: Story Day is celebrated at Tikkurila Library from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Read more about Story Day's program from the library's website.THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017
Events: Story Time at Laajasalo Library at 9:45 a.m.Family ball play at Pallomill’s indoor hall at Myllypuro sports park. During family ball play, all children under 9 move around with their own adult on a soft artificial turf. Free play, stunts, running, or practice walking. Family ball play on Thursdays 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Free admission for children, adults pay Pallomill’s per-visit fee €3.50.
[caption id=“attachment_1687” align=“aligncenter” width=“1334”]
You can also play family ball during autumn break.[/caption]
Muksukino films take over Myllypuro media library and resident house Mylläri hall on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. This week’s film is Moomins World: The Wizard’s Hat. Read more about Muksukino from the library’s website.
Kindergarten Museum is open for opening week celebrations and open on Thursday 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Read more from the museum’s website.
Autumn break Minecraft afternoon at Tapanila Library 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
At Annantalo’s Revi Siitä! workshop on Thursday 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. you can create graphics and print your own designs on various papers using a press. The workshop operates on a non-stop basis. The workshops are designed for children under 9 years old with an adult. Read more from Annantalo’s website.
Linnanmäki Light Carnival is open on Thursday 4:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Read more from Linnanmäki’s website.
Tip for Vantaa: At Tikkurila Library in Vantaa Singing Together with Children event on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. You can bring your own instrument or borrow one from the library. Read more about this fun group singing moment here.
Tip: Nature walks with children in Helsinki? Read Small Helsinki’s nature walk tips.
[caption id=“attachment_1459” align=“aligncenter” width=“2000”]
Read Small Helsinki’s website for a nature walk tip, for example to Talosaar.[/caption]
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017
Story Time at Roihuvuori Library at 9:45 a.m. Toddler session at Malmi Library at 10:00 a.m.FOR BABIES: Baby nursery rhyme session at South Haaga Library at 10:00 a.m. FOR BABIES: Baby nursery rhyme session at Malmi Library at 11:00 a.m.
Annantalo’s Naperokino continues and offers the smallest (ages 0-3) their own cinema. Short films can be watched on Fridays throughout autumn at 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. This week’s theme is imagination. Read more about Naperokino from Annantalo’s website.
At Annantalo’s Revi Siitä! workshop on Friday 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. you can build and arrange collages from art history images and various papers by cutting and tearing. The workshop operates on a non-stop basis. The workshops are designed for children under 9 years old with an adult. Read more from Annantalo’s website.
Linnanmäki Light Carnival is open on Friday 4:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Read more from Linnanmäki’s website.
Tip: Going to the theater with children? Children’s theater tips are now available as a separate article on Small Helsinki’s website.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017
Events:Story Time at Munkkiniemi Library at 11:00 a.m.
East Helsinki Cultural Week: Vuosaari music school pianists at Vuotalo at 1:00 p.m. Free admission to the concert. Read more from Vuotalo’s website.
Children’s music album release concert at Töölö Library where Ville Karttunen plays songs from his Superradio album at 2:00 p.m. Concert at Töölö Library’s Stage (4th floor). Free admission. Read more from the library’s website.
Linnanmäki Light Carnival is open on Saturday 1:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Read more from Linnanmäki’s website.
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It’s worth heading to Linnanmäki Light Carnival as dusk falls.[/caption]
The beloved classic fairy tale The Happy Prince is presented as a puppet theater interpretation at the National Theatre in the Grand Theatre’s warm-up room on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Performances are also held later in October-November. Tickets €15. The performance is aimed at ages 2-7. Read more from the National Theatre’s website.
Helsinki International Horse Show: Children’s matinee morning on Saturday 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. A presentation especially for the family’s youngest. Read more from the event’s website. Paid admission.
Tip for Espoo: At the Children’s Cultural Center Pikku-Aurora’s Saturday workshops this week’s theme is space travel 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Read more from Pikku-Aurora’s website. Free admission.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2017
Events:Wonderful family sports event Sports Fun Games takes over Sunday mornings at Sports Mill in Myllypuro 9:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Free good-spirited exercise and diverse sport tries. Free admission for children, adults pay €3.50 (Sports Mill’s admission fee). Bring your own lock (for locker) and indoor sports clothes. You can leave strollers in Sports Mill’s lobby. Additional information about the event from Helsinki Sports website. This is absolutely fun family activity and the best thing children can do.
Linnanmäki Light Carnival is open on Sunday 1:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Read more from Linnanmäki’s website. Season-ending fireworks at 9:50 p.m.
Also remember these:
Circus Finlandia at Kaisaniemi field until 29.10.2017. Read more and check exact performance times on the circus's own website. Paid admission.Finland 100 Classic Illustrations Exhibition comes to Rikhardinkatu Library and showcases original illustrations from Finland’s leading children’s book illustrators from the 1900s. The exhibition is open during the library’s opening hours. Classic Illustrations at Rikhardinkatu Library until 29.10.2017. Read more from the Great Reading Adventure website. Free admission.
At Annantalo’s café is Minka Heino’s On Top. Pop exhibition from art discourse book illustrations. The exhibition also features a story cabin where children can lounge – be and relax, watch and pause. The exhibition is on display until 12.11.2017. Read more about the exhibition from Annantalo’s website. Free admission.
At Annantalo there is a Dream Webs exhibition until mid-December and you can marvel at it during the building’s opening hours free of charge. Read more from Annantalo’s website and take a look at images here. Free admission.
Children’s Traffic City is open for families during the autumn break week from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. At Traffic City, children can learn traffic rules and practice driving with a go-kart or bicycle in the traffic park with an adult. Free admission.
Linnanmäki Light Carnival October 12-22, 2017. Experience the amusement park beautifully lit as dusk falls. Plus light art installations, performances, music, and discos. Fireworks on opening and closing days at 9:50 p.m. Read more and see the full carnival program on Linnanmäki’s website. Free admission. Also remember Merimaailma Sealife’s Fish Carnival and Fish Night. Paid admission.
Korkeasaari Zoo is open throughout the autumn break week from Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. During the week at Korkeasaari you can learn about the forest and domestic animals, walk on wooden boardwalks, and cook sausages in a cabin. Helsinki’s play park instructors are participating. Korkeasaari’s autumn break program. Admission fee required.
Töölö Ice Hall EasySport Week at Töölö Ice Hall October 16-20, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Numerous sports stations for children, including gymnastics, circus tricks, ball games, and teqball. Ice hall admission fee (€1.50).
Fallkulla Farm is open during autumn break the whole week from Monday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Free admission.
Haltia Farm and restaurant Wanha Pehtoori are also open during autumn break. Pehtoori is open 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. At Haltia at this time of year there are at least chickens, goats, sheep, and cows. Free admission.
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Haltia farm’s sheep in spring 2017.[/caption]
