Looking forward to a new week of children's events

Updated 26.5.2018

What family-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on weekends? What to do on a rainy day? Tiny 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 includes children below school age and families with children.

Tiny Helsinki’s Where to go this week articles are published by Monday at the latest and offer tips on what’s happening in the city for families with children. The 21st article of Tiny Helsinki’s Where to go this week in 2018 is an overview of a May week: surprising children’s concerts, apple orchard blossoms, the opening of the summer theatre season and a peek inside the central library Oodi. The Lovely Helsinki event brings floral splendor to the city center, and the World Village festival takes over Kaisaniemi Park.

MLL Helsinki’s family cafés are also included in the event listings, but it’s always good to check the current information from the organizer’s website, as some family cafés will be closed for the summer.

Would you like to collaborate with Tiny Helsinki (commercially) or do you have a project or job where I could be of help? I welcome all ideas with open arms. Get in touch boldly ([email protected]) and let’s talk about new possibilities! Read more about this idea here.

Coming soon: Tiny Helsinki’s Summer in Helsinki series is already in the works! You can already peek at summer events in Helsinki here.

REQUEST: Criticism, compliments, comments and wishes: tell us what you think of Tiny Helsinki!

The cover image is from Suvila Bay, which is an interesting place through the eyes of little ones too.

Tuesday »| Wednesday »| Thursday »| Friday »| Saturday »| Sunday »

MONDAY 21.5.2018

Library events:

Story time at Puistola Library at 10 a.m.

Hetken laulut - family music class at Kallion Library’s Satulinna on Monday at 10 a.m. Read more from the library’s website.

MLL family cafés on Monday:

NOTE: It's always a good idea to check current information from the organizer's website, as some family cafés will be closed for the summer.

South-Haaga family café Mondays 9.30-11.30 at Isonneva Playground Itäkatu family center Mondays 9.30-11.30 at Itäkatu Family Center. Jätkäsaari Terhokerho Mondays 5-7 p.m. at Good Hope Chapel in Jätkäsaari. Pakila family café Mondays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Maunula House. Munkkivuori family café Mondays 9.30-11.30 at Ulvila Playground. Siltamäki Mondays 9.30-11.30 at Jalopeura Playground. Suomenlinna family café Mondays 9.30 a.m. at Suomenlinna Church crypt. Tapaninlahti Mondays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Fallkulla Farm. Tapiola Mondays 10-11.30 a.m. at Tervapääsky Playground. Töyrynummi Tuesdays 9.30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Kesanto Playground. Vuosaari evening family café Mondays 5.30-7 p.m. at Kajuutta Family House. All MLL family cafés operating in Helsinki can be found listed on Tiny Helsinki’s website.

Other events:

Kruununhaka Upper School spring concert at Savoy Theatre Monday at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. The afternoon concert is free, the evening concert tickets cost €10/€5. More information from Savoy Theatre's website.

Gardening work parties invite you to garden at Kanneltalo Mondays 5-7.30 p.m. and in May at Antinniitty community garden. The work parties are open to everyone, a weekly event where gardening can also be practiced by a child accompanied by an adult. Read more from Kanneltalo’s website.

TIP: Take a trip to the wonderful apple orchard in Malminkartano! The gates are now open and the trees are blooming. A wonderful place to photograph children, enjoy a picnic and simply admire the often-closed orchard. Note that there is no garbage disposal in the park, so you’ll need to take your own trash with you. Current information about the orchard’s opening hours can be found here.

TUESDAY 22.5.2018

Library events:

Story time at Kannelmäki Library at 9.30 a.m. Story time in Töölö Library's activity room at 10.15 a.m.

Library tip for Espoo: International family café at Sello Library Tuesdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Library tip for Espoo: Moppi and Pensseli on a treasure hunt - a music-filled adventure play on Tuesday at 5 p.m. in Sello Library’s Children’s Area. Read more from the library’s website. Library tip for Espoo: Juvenalian Children’s and Youth Choir performs on Sello Library’s stage Tuesday at 6 p.m.

MLL family cafés on Tuesday:

NOTE: It's always a good idea to check current information from the organizer's website, as some family cafés will be closed for the summer.

Myllypuro family café Tuesdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Myllykylä Village House (Ryynimyllynkatu 1). Puistola family café Tuesdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Tapuli Playground. Tammisalo family café Tuesdays on odd weeks 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Tammisalo Church. Töyrynummi family café Tuesdays 9.30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Kesanto Playground. North Haaga evening family café Tuesdays on even weeks 5-7 p.m. at Laurinniitty Playground. Roihuvuori family café Tuesdays on even weeks 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Roihuvuori Playground. All MLL family cafés operating in Helsinki can be found listed on Tiny Helsinki’s website.

Other events:

Language immersion concert on Espa stage Tuesday at 10 a.m. Children's music group Sås och Kopp performs for children from Helsinki's language immersion daycare centers, but there's room for other listeners at Espa too. More information about the concert can be found here.

Come and take a peek at what the new central library Oodi construction site looks like. First peek into Oodi Tuesday 3-6 p.m. Entrance from Citizen’s Square. More information from the central library’s website.

East-Pakila day at Etupello playground Tuesday 5-8 p.m. Magician, music, flea market, raffle, treats, pony and horse, sled dog rides and therapy dogs, frisbee golf, obstacle course, children’s sing-along… More details on the event’s Facebook page.

Tip for Espoo: Robin Rekku and Jekkuorkesteri at children’s cultural center Pikku-Aurora in Espoo Tuesday at 9 a.m. Tickets €4. More information and ticket reservations from Pikku-Aurora’s website.

TIP: Linnanmäki is open on weekdays too, and on good weather, a trip to the amusement park on a weekday works great with young children. We visited the amusement park in the afternoon during a May week with children, and there were no queues at the rides, very few people in the park but still plenty to marvel at and try, plus fun shows. Two children under five had a blast on the free rides (for example, the Egg Train is no longer there, but there was plenty of entertainment for our taste), climbed on the playground and were delighted by the commotion. Tiny Helsinki recommends having fun before the summer crowds!

WEDNESDAY 23.5.2018

World Turtle Day

Library events:

Story time at Konttula Library at 9.30 a.m. Story time at Tapiola Library at 9.30 a.m. Story time at Arabianranta Library at 9.30 a.m. Story time at Maunula Library at 10 a.m.

For babies and parents: BabyKino at Kallion Library. You can bring your baby to the movies on Wednesdays at 12 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. BabyKino’s own group on Facebook can be found here, where, for example, this week’s film is published and voting takes place for future programs.

MLL family cafés on Wednesday:

NOTE: It's always a good idea to check current information from the organizer's website, as some family cafés will be closed for the summer.

Herttoniemi family café Wednesdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Ankkuri Resident House. Jätkäsaari family group Wednesdays 9.30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Good Hope Chapel in Jätkäsaari. Konala family café Wednesdays 9-10.30 a.m. at Konala School’s activity room (Riihipellonkuja 2, C building). Laajasalo family café Wednesdays 4.30-6.30 p.m. at Kiiltotähti Playground. Lauttasaari family café Wednesdays 9.30-11.30 a.m. at Apaja Youth Center. Malmi family café Wednesdays 9.30-11.30 a.m. at Filpus Playground.' Oulunkylä family café Wednesdays 10-11.30 a.m. at Mäkitorppa Playground (Mäkitorpantie 42-44). Pakila family café Wednesdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Pakila Youth Center. Pihlajamäki family café Wednesdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Maasälpä Playground. Pukinmäki evening family café Wednesdays 5.30-7 p.m. at Unikko Playground. Ruoholahti father-child group Wednesdays 5-7 p.m. at Ruoholahti Playground. All MLL family cafés operating in Helsinki can be found listed on Tiny Helsinki’s website.

Other events:

The Ship is Loaded puppet theatre concert at Stoa Wednesday at 10 a.m. Tickets €12. More information and ticket reservations from Stoa's website.

Children’s concert The Magic of Song - opera and operetta arias in the Musiikkitalo lower hall Wednesday at 12 p.m. Popular opera and operetta arias performed by the Helsinki Police Band and Sibelius Academy students. The concert is free to attend. More information from Musiikkitalo’s website.

Kindergarten Museum is open every Wednesday 12-6 p.m.

Tip for Espoo: In honor of World Turtle Day, children’s cultural center Pikku-Aurora’s very slow Turtle Walk event at 10 a.m. Departure from Träskända Manor steps. (Träskändanristi 1). Suitable for all ages, turtles too. More information from Pikku-Aurora’s website.

REQUEST: Criticism, compliments, comments and wishes: tell us what you think of Tiny Helsinki!

THURSDAY 24.5.2018

Library events:

Story time at Pasila Library at 9.30 a.m. Story time at Tapulikaupunki Library at 9.30 a.m. Evening story time at Kallion Library at 6 p.m.

Stadin Strummit - spring ukulele event at Kallion Library Thursday 5-7.30 p.m. A family ukulele event for all sizes, ages, and anyone interested in ukulele. Read more from the library’s website.

Interactive exhibition “Oh, what Scatterbrain!” A Russian-language interactive exhibition based on a children’s poem by Samuil Marshak at Itäkeskus Library 25.5-1.6. in the library’s meeting room. The exhibition supports and develops a bilingual child’s Russian language skills. More information from the library’s website.

Library tip for Espoo FOR BABIES and parents: BabyKino at Entressa Library at 10.30 a.m.

MLL family cafés on Thursday:

NOTE: It's always a good idea to check current information from the organizer's website, as some family cafés will be closed for the summer.

Jätkäsaari Sukupolvi block family group Thursdays 5-7 p.m. at Länsisatamankatu 34 A. Kruununhaka family café Thursdays 9.30-11.30 a.m. at Kruna restaurant (Meritullinkatu 6). Laajasalo family café Thursdays 9.30-11.30 a.m. at Kiiltotähti Playground. Pihlajisto family café Thursdays 10-11.45 a.m. at Salpausselä Playground. North Haaga family café Thursdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Laurinniitty Playground. Pukinmäki busy Thursdays 10-11.30 a.m. at Pukinmäki Youth Center (Säterintie 2, 2nd floor). Tapulikaupunki family café Thursdays 9.30-11.30 a.m. at Nurkka Playground (Nurkkatie 2). Töölö family café Thursdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Ruusul Family Activity Center (Ruusulankatu 10, side building). Vesala family café Thursdays 9.30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Vesala Youth Center (Tuukkalankuja 4).

Other events:

Lovely Helsinki festival begins. Thursday, 21 wonderful floral artworks rise in the city center, forming Lovely Helsinki's Traveling Flower Art Exhibition. You can also see traditional flower basket decoration competitions in the street lights along Pohjois-esplanadi. Read more from Lovely Helsinki's website.

Torikorttelit central park awakens to summer and invites you to plant flowers and strawberry seedlings in the spirit of Lovely Helsinki Thursday 3-6 p.m. Hosted at City Hall’s inner courtyard at Sofiankatu 1-3/Katariinankatu 2. You can also share wishes and ideas for the central park at the event itself or contact Torikorttelit by May 27. More information from Torikorttelit’s Facebook page. Note: Sandbox and toys will be coming to the summer patio soon :)

[caption id=“attachment_60” align=“aligncenter” width=“828”] Torikorttelit summer patio 2017. The sandbox is coming to the central park this year too, but it’s not here yet :)[/caption]

Tip for Kauniainen: Graniday is celebrated Thursday starting at 5 p.m. in Thurman Park.

TIP: Did you know that the Natural History Museum opens in the winter season (also in May) Tuesday to Friday starting at 9 a.m.

FRIDAY 25.5.2018

Library events:

Art club at Oulunkylä Library Friday 2-4 p.m.

Library tip for Vantaa: In Vantaa at Tikkurila Library Let’s sing together with children session Friday at 10 a.m. You can bring your own instrument or borrow one from the library. Read more about this fun sing-along from the library’s website.

MLL family cafés on Friday:

NOTE: It's always a good idea to check current information from the organizer's website, as some family cafés will be closed for the summer.

Itäkatu family center family café Fridays 9.30-11.30 a.m. at Itäkatu family center. Kannelmäki family café Fridays 9.30-11.30 a.m. at Kannelmäki Playground. Käpylä family café Fridays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Koskela Youth Center. Lassila family café Fridays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Settlement housing resident lounge (Eliel Saarisen tie 15) Malmi family café Fridays 9.30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Traktori Playground. Munkkiniemi family café Fridays 9-11.30 a.m. at Munkki Playground. Pasila family café Fridays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Sanna Playground. Viikki family café Fridays 10-11.30 a.m. at Viikkari Playground.

Other events:

Lovely Helsinki festival continues. Friday's festival program can be found here.

Guard parade tradition continues again on Fridays. The guard parade procession departs at 12.30 p.m. from Helsinki Senate Square marching through Market Square to the main guard, and from there back along Esplanade to Castle Square. After the guard parade, the entertaining MIL-Espa concert is held at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 25. The Rakuunasoittokunta provides the music for the guard parade. More information from the event's Facebook page.

Tip for Espoo: Children's orchestra Henxelit asks, guides, plays and performs excellent music! Concerts at children's cultural center Pikku-Aurora Friday at 9.30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets €4. Read more from Pikku-Aurora's website.

TIP: New at Tiny Helsinki: Museum buddy and I explore Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden marveling at giant water lilies, giraffes, fountains and poison plants. Read what Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden has to offer for little ones!

[caption id=“attachment_4189” align=“aligncenter” width=“768”] Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden surprises.[/caption]

SATURDAY 26.5.2018

Clean-up Day

Library events:

Laajasalo day at Laajasalo Library 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Skidi library bus at World Village festival. Story time at Munkkiniemi Library at 11 a.m. Yard games day at Vuosaari Library 12-3 p.m.

Other events:

Fallkulla Farm opens its doors Saturday at 10 a.m. after a few weeks' break and will now be open for the entire summer daily 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Read more from the farm's website.

Lovely Helsinki festival’s children and families day is celebrated at Esplanade Park and downtown museums on Saturday. Check the day’s detailed program on Lovely Helsinki’s website. There may be admission fees to museums, otherwise the event is free.

World Village festival takes over Kaisaniemi Park and Rautatientori Saturday and Sunday, offering programs and activities for children and adults interested in world cultures, as well as many children’s music concerts. The day’s detailed program and more information can be found on the festival’s own website, information about the children’s program here.

Kumpula Village Festival 2018 offers a record amount of programming for children and families this year at Intiankatu’s Saksan Park. The whole event works great with children and you can even stop by for a swim at the local outdoor pool during a Kumpula trip. Read more about Kumpula Village Festival here, and learn more about the festival’s children’s program at this link. If you need a break from the hustle of Kumpula Village Festival, pop over to Kumpula Botanical Garden on May 26. without admission fees.

Merihaka Summer Carnival Saturday in different parts of Merihaka. Lots of programming for children too. Read more from the event's Facebook page.

Spring Hustle at Kurranummi playground Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Lots of fun for little ones and older ones too. More details about the day's program on the event's Facebook page.

Children's Saturday at Linja playground Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Pony rides, fire truck, fishing and buffet treats. More information from the event's Facebook page.

Laajasalo day at Ylistalo Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Read more about the program from the event's Facebook page.

Anne Hirvonen Ballet School spring performance at Malmitalo Saturday at 12 p.m. Tickets €16.50/€13.50/€10.50. Read more from Malmitalo’s website.

In Swedish: Saturday Sweets: FlipFlop children's orchestra on Annantalo's A-stage Saturday at 1 p.m. No advance registration needed, free admission. More information from the event's Facebook page.

Escape - comedy play for children at Musical Theatre Kapsäkki Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets €12.50/€22.50. Read more and book tickets on Kapsäkki's website.

Fly Fly Ladybug puppet theatre performance at Puppet Theatre Sampo Saturday at 3 p.m. The performance is suitable for different ages and also works very well as a first theatre experience for the family’s smallest members. Tickets €12. Read more on Sampo’s website.

Tip for Vantaa: MLL Kivistö children’s supplies and clothing flea market at Rubiinipark resident center in Kivistö in Vantaa Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Read more from the event’s Facebook page.

Tip for Espoo: At children’s cultural center Pikku-Aurora’s Dream Saturday, it’s Spring Magic when the Magic Cloak workshop and face painting take over the cultural center Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Read more from Pikku-Aurora’s website.

TIP: Summer theatre season begins, when Tomppeli takes over Tervasaari. Read more about Tiny Helsinki’s summer theatre article.

SUNDAY 27.5.2018

Other events:

Uimastadion outdoor pool opens Sunday at 9 a.m. and invites you to splash around again. Opening hours and admission fees can be found on the Helsinki active website.

Lovely Helsinki festival continues. Sunday's festival program can be found here.

World Village festival takes over Kaisaniemi Park and Rautatientori Saturday and Sunday, offering programs and activities for children and adults interested in world cultures, as well as many children's music concerts. The day's detailed program and more information can be found on the festival's own website, information about the children's program here.

Lovely Kivivuokko event at Kipinä Playground Sunday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Read more from Kipinä Playground’s Facebook page.

Kaittila Hall summer market Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. More information from the event’s Facebook page.

Pirjo Kuha Ballet School spring performance at Malmitalo Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets €16.50. More information from Malmitalo’s website.

Tip for Vantaa: Katrineberg and 4-H farm summer opening Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Animals, pasture visits, wooden horse races, bird watching and plant planting. Possibility to grill your own food, youth café on the grounds. Read more from the event’s Facebook page.

Tip for Espoo: Glims Manor Museum Children’s Sundays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. for example, various workshops and live demonstrations, Gommi and Pommi songs, farm animals and pasture visits as well as archery and wooden horse races. Museum admission fee (€4 adults, under 18 free, museum card venue). More detailed program information on Glims’ website.

TIP: Helsinki places are child-friendly Helsinki gems, plenty of quiet knowledge and a start to the directory of Helsinki places.

Remember these too:

Take a trip to the wonderful apple orchard in Malminkartano! The gates are now open and the trees are blooming. A wonderful place to photograph children, enjoy a picnic and simply admire the often-closed orchard. Note that there is no garbage disposal in the park, so you'll need to take your own trash with you. Current information about the orchard's opening hours can be found here.

Linnanmäki amusement park has opened its 2018 summer season. Check May’s detailed opening hours on the amusement park’s own website.

Library 10 presents children’s ninth art exhibition, when the exhibition space features art created by children ages 1-6 from Daycare Laivuri. You can admire the exhibition during library hours 7.5-27.5.2018. The opening is celebrated on Tuesday, May 8 at 9 a.m. The opening will feature a few spring songs. Children’s art exhibition activities are supposedly a unique concept in Finland and anyone can create an exhibition. More information about the event and Library 10’s exhibition activities.

Current museum tips from Tiny Helsinki’s museum news article.