Pienten Helsinki
Activity ideas for an autumn week plus children's theatre extras
Updated September 22, 2017What activities suitable for children can you find in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on weekends? What to do on a rainy day? Pienet Helsinki’s weekly series searches for activity tips and recommends child-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The target audience on this site is children under school age.
This autumn week’s activity tips receive special attention to theatre performances suitable for preschoolers. However, I don’t yet have personal experience with performances with children, so the information is based on information provided by theatres. The theatre listing can be found at the bottom of the article under “Remember also these”. What experiences do you have with children’s theatres? What age child enjoys theatre? Comment and share your experiences with others too!
This week’s highlights include library children’s events and other cultural activities. There are fewer major public events this week than in previous weeks, but interesting things to try and do can still be found for every day.
Playgrounds and family centres’ weekly programs have started and parks offer activities in the mornings for babies, toddlers and other parents on parental leave. The indoor spaces of playgrounds are available for families even if there is no organized activity. Step in boldly and ask the instructors for more information!
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Playgrounds are open meeting places for families.[/caption]
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2017
Events:Story time at Puistola Library at 10 a.m.
Toddler session at Maunula Library at 9:30 a.m. Baby rhymes at Maunula Library at 10:30 a.m. Baby rhyme session at Kontula Library at 10 a.m.
At Annantalo’s art clinic, this week’s theme is Worlds and landscapes on a plate. The art clinic is aimed at 3-6 year-olds in home care. Entry is free. There are two clinic groups on Monday, starting at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Read more about Annantalo’s art clinics here.
Tip: Free public skating sessions have started in Helsinki and five ice halls offer free skating at separate reserved times. Read more about Helsinki’s public skating here.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2017
Events:Story time at Herttoniemi Library at 9:45 a.m. Story time at Kannelmäki Library at 10 a.m. Story time at Malmi Library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at North Haaga Library at 10 a.m. Story time in Töölö Library’s club room at 10:15 a.m. Story session at Viikki Library at 9:30 a.m. Story hour in Swedish at Månsas Library at 10:00 a.m.
Jussi Ollila’s story session at Itäkeskus Library at 9:30 a.m. Jussi Ollila’s story session at Vuotalo’s entrance at 10:30 a.m. Read more here. Reading dog available at Töölö Library at 6 p.m. Read more here.
Family football takes over Pallomylly’s indoor hall at Myllypuro Sports Park and invites all children under 9 to move with an adult on soft artificial turf. Family football includes free play, stunts, running or even learning to walk. Family football on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Free entry for children, adults pay Pallomylly’s single fee of €3.50. Read Pienet Helsinki’s article about Helsinki’s sports events here for additional information about family football and getting to Pallomylly.
The Wonderful Painter puppet theatre performance on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Annantalo. The performance is aimed at over 3-year-olds. Tickets €8 / €10. Read more about the performance here.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 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 a.m. Story time at Lauttasaari Library at 10 a.m. Story time at Maunula Library at 10 a.m. Story time at Oulukylä Library at 10 a.m. Story time at Pukinmäki Library at 10:15 a.m.
Baby and toddler rhyme session at Tapiola Library at 10 a.m.
Moomin Day is celebrated at North Haaga Library Wednesday from 2-7 p.m. Music, face painting, Moomin Valley characters and lots more programming. Read more about Moomin Day here.
Tip: Have you already visited and experienced Annantalo’s new Dream Threads exhibition? The exhibition is on display at Annantalo through mid-December and you can marvel at it during the facility’s opening hours for free. Read more from Annantalo’s pages and see pictures here.
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Annantalo is a children’s cultural centre in the heart of Helsinki.[/caption]
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017
Events:Story session at Jakomäki Library at 10 a.m. Story time at Laajasalo Library at 9:45 a.m. Story time at Vallila Library at 6 p.m.
Toddler session at South Haaga Library at 10 a.m. Animal Day is celebrated at Kontula Library from 3-5 p.m.
Children’s art clinic takes over Kanneltalo’s Workshop on Thursday from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. This week’s theme is “That beautiful flying thing”. The art clinic is aimed at 3-6 year-olds in home care. No advance registration required, free entry. Read more about Kanneltalo’s Art Clinic here.
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The art clinic is aimed at 3-6 year-olds.[/caption]
Tip for Vantaa: At Tikkurila Library in Vantaa, the Let’s Sing Together with Children event takes place on Thursday at 10 a.m. You can bring your own instrument or borrow one from the library. Read more about this fun sing-along moment here.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2017
Events:Story time at Roihuvuori Library at 9:45 a.m.
Toddler session at Malmi Library at 10 a.m. Baby rhyme session at Malmi Library at 11 a.m.
Annantalo’s Naperokino continues and offers the youngest (0-3 years) their own cinema. Short films can be watched on Friday mornings all autumn from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Read more about Naperokino here.
Children’s art clinic this week is also at Stoa Cultural Centre from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. This week’s theme is “Winter trip supplies”. The art clinic is aimed at 3-6 year-olds in home care. No advance registration required, free entry. Read more about Stoa’s Art Clinic here.
Oulunkylä Library celebrates its 30th anniversary and offers programming for children as well from 2-6 p.m. At the same time, the Squirrel invites stuffed animals for a sleepover, so you can take your soft friend to visit the library for a night. Read more about the celebrations here.
Tip: Explore Helsinki with children! The city has numerous places to visit with children for a picnic or just to marvel at, have adventures or explore. A trip to an unfamiliar playground is a big adventure for the little ones. A few trip tips for Helsinki can already be found on Pienten Helsinki’s pages and more are coming throughout the autumn!
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The Finnish maritime museum’s slipway at Suomenlahden is worth seeing, preparations for winter are already underway there.[/caption]
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2017
Events:Story time at Munkkiniemi Library at 11 a.m. Story massage at Tapiola Library at 11 a.m.
Risto Räppääjä Day is celebrated at Tapulikaupunki Library from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Read more about the day here.
Story Safari puppet theatre performance at Pukinmäki Library on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. The performance suits over 3-year-olds and is free. More information here.
Miamaja and Mom’s Adventures – story performance at Roihuvuori Library at 11 a.m. Read more about the adventure here.
Myllypuro Day is celebrated at Myllypuro Shopping Centre and Resident House Myllär from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Families are offered crafts, football training, yard games and much more. The Martas bake waffles. Read more about Myllypuro Day here.
Family Day at Vartiokylä Church on Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Programming and activities for small and older children. Read more here.
Whole family safety day at Rastila camping area from 12-6 p.m. Police and fire engine will be there as well as programming for the whole family. Read more about the safety day here. Cafe Monami, located at the camping area, also participates in the day and serves treats as usual.
Tip: Read about Pienten Helsinki’s visit to this East Helsinki gem, the story is the first part of the Pienet in a restaurant series.
Love and Anarchy Festival’s Kids Saturday! event is held at Korjaamo Cultural Centre on Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The event is aimed at over 5-year-olds with parents. Free entry. Read more about the event here.
School equestrian team SM competitions can be watched at Laakso equestrian stadium Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. In addition to equestrian competitions and horses, you can try, for example, pony riding in the barrel arena. Entry is free. Read more here.
Oil Tank 468 at Kruunuvuorenranta is open to the public again and you can marvel at this unique attraction and Helsinki from a new perspective on three autumn weekends. On Saturday, the Oil Tank is open from 6-9 p.m. The event has been popular with children in previous years and children can freely explore, for example, the tank's exciting soundscape. You can reach the location and the tank itself well with strollers too. Free entry. Read more about the Oil Tank here.
Tip for Espoo: Children’s Cultural Centre Pikku-Aurora’s Dream Saturdays are being held again. There’s fun programming for all ages, with no upper age limit. Some of the day’s programming requires advance registration. Read more about Dream Saturdays here.
Tip for Sipoo: The Royal Theatre of Häme’s puppet theatre performance takes you on a journey through the history of European puppet theatre and music. The performance is suitable for the whole family and is part of the Sipoon äänet event. Tickets €5. Read more about the performance and event here.
Tip for Sipoo: Sipoo MLL organizes a pancake day at Söderkullan Library where you can learn to make different types of pancakes under the guidance of pancake artist Jenni Petänen from 2-4 p.m. Read more here.
Tip for Vantaa: Pii Poo’s LEGO Building Event 2017 fills the Energia Arena on Saturday and Sunday and offers activities and experiences for the whole family. The event is paid. Read more here.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2017
Events:Annantalo’s Sunday meetups gather again. This week’s theme is Romani tradition. Birgit Tapaninen in Baltzar Ramandan dance-performance workshop at Annantalo from 1-2 p.m. Read more about Sunday meetups here. Free entry.
At Sampo’s Sundays, ventriloquist Sari Aalto performs her Höpöhöpö show at 2 p.m. Tickets €11. The venue is Puppet Theatre Sampo on Erottaja, read more here.
Songs of Puluboin and Poni are heard at the National Theatre on Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets €18, family ticket €60. Read more about the performance from the National Theatre’s pages.
Haraka Island guided island tour on Sunday from 2-3 p.m. offers a trip to the island’s rich nature, history and present day. Suitable for the whole family, though the route is not wheelchair accessible. A shuttle boat to Haraka Island departs from Kaivopuisto’s Ullanlinnan pier (Ehrenströmintie 3). Round-trip ticket to the island costs €5 for adults, €2 for children and pensioners. Entry to Haraka Island and trips is free. Read more about Haraka Island here.
Espoo: Fairy School is a family nature walk at Villa Elfviki in Espoo on Sunday from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The walk is suitable for the whole family, bring small snacks and weather-appropriate clothing. You can participate in Fairy School with a small child as the route can be walked with strollers. Free entry. Read more here.
Oil Tank 468 at Kruunuvuorenranta is open to the public again and you can marvel at this unique attraction and Helsinki from a new perspective on three autumn weekends. On Sunday, the Oil Tank is open from 6-9 p.m. The event has been popular with children in previous years and children can freely explore, for example, the tank’s exciting soundscape. You can reach the location and the tank itself well with strollers too. Free entry. Read more about the Oil Tank here.
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Kruunuvuorenranta’s Oil Tank is open three autumn weekends.[/caption]
Tip for Vantaa: Pii Poo’s LEGO Building Event 2017 fills the Energia Arena on Saturday and Sunday and offers activities and experiences for the whole family. The event is paid. Read more here.
Remember also these: To the Theatre with Children
City Theatre: Fluffy Bunny – theatre performance is aimed at 2-7 year-olds. The performance premiered on September 13, 2017. Read more and see performance times on City Theatre’s pages. Tickets €10. (daytime performances)
City Theatre: Pippi Longstocking – performance is suitable for children from age 5 onwards and adults. The performance premiered on January 15, 2017. Read more and see performance times on City Theatre’s pages. Tickets €17-45.
Puppet Theatre Sampo: Magpie Brews Stew – puppet theatre concert at Sampo’s facilities on Erottaja. Suitable for the small and somewhat older. Read more and see performance times here. Tickets €11. (daytime performances)
Other suitable performances are also in Puppet Theatre Sampo’s programme. See the full programme here.
Dance Theatre Raatikko: Pottuwarvas Takes a Holiday is an interactive performance recommended for over 3-year-olds. The premiere was September 9, 2017. Read more and see performance times on Raatikko’s pages. Tickets €13.
Dance Theatre Hurjaruuth: The Little Prince – performance is a dance story about seeking happiness, loneliness, friendship and wondering about life. The performance is suitable for over 3-year-olds. Read more and see performance times on Hurjaruuth’s pages. Tickets €12 / €15.
National Theatre: The Fools is a joyful children’s theatre performance in the main stage’s warm-up room. The performance suits over three-year-olds. Read more and see performance times on the National Theatre’s pages. Tickets €15, family ticket €50. (daytime performances)
National Theatre: The Dropstone Case is a family musical on the National Theatre’s main stage. The performance is recommended for over 5-year-olds. The premiere is in November on November 22, 2017. Read more about the performance and see performance times on the National Theatre’s pages. Tickets €22 / €43.
Valtimo Theatre: The Riddle of the Fallen Star – puppet theatre performance is shown on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. in Valtimo Theatre’s facilities. The performance is suitable for 3-8 year-olds. Read more about the performance here. Tickets €10.
Music Theatre Kapsäkki: Mimmi the Cow and the Raven – performance is shown at Kapsäkki on September 24, 2017 at 2 p.m. The performance is suitable for over 3-year-olds. Read more about the performance on Kapsäkki’s pages, where you can also find other autumn children’s events. Tickets €13.50-22.50.
Alexander Theatre: The Emperor’s New Clothes is Red Nose Company’s first anticipated children’s performance. Age recommendation +5 years. Premiered September 17, 2017. Note: Only three performances in Helsinki. More information and performance times can be found here. Tickets €15-22.
