Pienten Helsinki
October's Children's Culture Week
Updated 29.10.2017What kid-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on weekends? What to do on a rainy day? Pienet Helsinki’s weekly series searches for activity tips and recommends child-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The website targets children under school age.
October is drawing to a close and the week offers diverse cultural programming for children: Book fairs, music education, and fantastic library events. Late in the week, stuffed animals get to have sleepovers, and wonderful children’s concerts are held throughout the week. Sports activities at Maunula sports hall also begin.
Pienet Helsinki’s list of upcoming events has been updated. Check out, for example, activities for the All Saints’ weekend in advance.
Do you know about children’s and family services in your neighborhood and, for example, the schedules of parent-child groups? Help Pienet Helsinki create a comprehensive list of family services in different Helsinki neighborhoods. Read more about the challenge and help make Helsinki an even more child-friendly city. Information will not be used for commercial purposes. Thank you to everyone who has already been in touch—I’ll respond to messages early in the week!
Tip: Libraries currently have an open survey about children’s library websites. You can share your opinion and make suggestions until 15.11.2017. Link to the survey on Helmet’s website.
MONDAY 23.10.2017
Events:Story time at Puistola library at 10 a.m.
At Annantalo’s art clinic this week’s theme is Centaurs and other strange creatures made of clay. The art clinic is designed for 3-6 year olds in home care. Free admission. There are two clinic groups on Monday, at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Read more about Annantalo’s art clinic.
MUs!!kK!A! Music teacher education celebrates 60 years and continues until Saturday. Lots of open programming at the Music Center daily. Read more from the University of the Arts website.
Tip: Clear autumn days are excellent reasons to go spot cranes, work machines, police boats, and submarines! Read spotting tips from Pienet Helsinki’s website.
[caption id=“attachment_1885” align=“aligncenter” width=“1334”]
You can spot all kinds of machines in Helsinki’s hustle and bustle![/caption]
TUESDAY 24.10.2017
Events: Story time at Malmi library at 9:30 a.m. Story session at Viikki library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Herttoniemi library at 9:45 a.m. Story session at Kannelmäki library at 10 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.Halloween crafts at Suutarila library from 1-3 p.m. Story massage in Töölö library’s club room at 6 p.m. Pre-registration required.
Art clinic is now also available at Vuotalo on Tuesday at 10 a.m. This week’s theme is Role-play Costumes. The art clinic is designed for 3-6 year olds in home care. Free admission. Read more about the art clinic from Vuotalo’s website.
Family ball games at Pallomylly indoor hall in Myllypuro sports park. During family ball games, all children under 9 move around with their own adult on soft artificial turf. Free play, acrobatics, running, or practicing walking. Family ball games on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Free admission for all on the morning session; evening games cost adults Pallomylly’s single entry fee (€3.50).
Tip: Want to move with your kids? Read tips for sports activities on Pienet Helsinki’s website.
WEDNESDAY 25.10.2017
Events:Story time at Arabianranta library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Kontula library at 9:30 a.m. Story time for ages 3-6 at Rikhardinkatu library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Tapiola 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 for ages 1-3 at Rikhardinkatu library at 10:30 a.m. Story time at Oulunkylä library at 5 p.m.
Sagostund in Swedish at Bocksbacka library at 10:15 a.m.
Reading dog Doris at Tapulikaupunki library at 5:30 p.m.
Maukka and Väykkä’s Journey performance at Pasila library at 10 a.m. An interactive adventure suitable for children over 3 where children can participate. Free admission. (information from library materials, not on website)
FOR BABIES and parents: BabyKino at Töölö library at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Read more about BabyKino at Töölö library from the library’s website.
FOR BABIES (and parents) at Korjaamo Cinema: Baby Cinema and Late-night Feeding movie on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Tickets €7.50. Read more from Korjaamo Cinema’s website.
Rabbit Fluffy puppet theater performance at the City Theater’s Small Stage lounge on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Performance is aimed at ages 2-7. Tickets €10. Read more from the City Theater’s website.
Book Wednesday at Puppet Theater Sampo at 4:30 p.m. this week features guest Eppu Nuotio. Location: Puppet Theater Sampo café (Erottajankatu 7). Read more from Puppet Theater Sampo’s website.
Children’s Music Orchestra All Stars concerts at Music Center’s Sonore hall on Wednesday at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets €6/€11. According to current information, concerts are fully booked. Concerts are part of the MUs!!kK!A! Music Teacher Education’s 60 Years celebration week.
THURSDAY 26.10.2017
Events:Story session at Suutarila library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Laajasalo library at 9:45 a.m. Story session at Jakomäki library at 10 a.m.
Toddler session at South Haaga library at 10 a.m. Reading dog at Töölö library at 2 p.m. Story massage at Pukinmäki library at 6 p.m.
FOR BABIES: Baby rhymes at Puistola library at 10 a.m. FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme session at Roihuvuori library at 10 a.m.
Music story Prince and Flower at Maunula-house’s Forest Stream room at 10 a.m. The music story is aimed at children under 7 and is thus perfect for the smallest children and those speaking Finnish as a second language. As the story progresses, children sing, chant, and move (in place) together with the prince. Read more from the library’s website.
Muksukino movies take over Myllypuro media library and residents’ building Myllärin hall on Thursdays at 10 a.m. This week’s movie is Paddington Here and Now. Read more about muksukino from the library’s website.
Rabbit Fluffy puppet theater performance at the City Theater’s Small Stage lounge on Thursday at 10 a.m. Performance is aimed at ages 2-7. Tickets €10. Read more from the City Theater’s website.
Linnateatter’s Tatu and Patu at Work performance at Kanneltalo on Thursday at 6 p.m. The performance is recommended for ages 3 and up. Tickets €6. Read more from Kanneltalo’s website.
Family ball games at Pallomylly indoor hall in Myllypuro sports park. During family ball games, all children under 9 move around with their own adult on soft artificial turf. Free play, acrobatics, running, or practicing walking. Family ball games on Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. Free admission for children; adults pay Pallomylly’s single entry fee (€3.50).
[caption id=“attachment_1687” align=“aligncenter” width=“1334”]
You can play ball games on Tuesdays and Thursdays.[/caption]
Helsinki Book Fair begins at the Convention Center and continues through Sunday. Fair is open Thursday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Lots of programming for children too. Adult admission €16, children under 7 free. Read more about programming and hours from the Book Fair’s website.
Tip for Vantaa: In Vantaa at Tikkurila library, Singing Together with Children event on Thursday at 10 a.m. You can bring your own instrument or borrow one from the library. Read more about this fun group singing moment here.
FRIDAY 27.10.2017
Story time at Roihuvuori library at 9:45 a.m. FOR BABIES: Baby rhymes at Itäkeskus library at 10:30 a.m.Annantalo’s Toddler Cinema continues and offers the smallest ones (ages 0-3) their own movie theater. Short films can be watched on Friday mornings throughout autumn from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. This week’s theme is friends and family. Read more about Toddler Cinema from Annantalo’s website.
Stuffed animal sleepover at Paloheinä and Lauttasaari libraries. You can bring your own stuffed animal to the library for a sleepover and pick it up Saturday morning. Stuffed animals enjoy adventures, stories, treats, and giggles under a nightlight.
[caption id=“attachment_197” align=“aligncenter” width=“512”]
Paloheinä and Lauttasaari libraries invite stuffed animals to sleep over![/caption]
Helsinki Book Fair continues at the Convention Center on Friday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Lots of programming for children too. Adult admission €16, children under 7 free. Read more about programming and hours from the Book Fair’s website.
Children’s Book Fair is held for the first time from Friday to Sunday at the Finlandia Hall. Fair is open Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Read more about programming and hours from the Children’s Book Fair’s website.
Tip: Theater with children? Tips for children’s theater now as a separate article on Pienet Helsinki’s website.
SATURDAY 28.10.2017
Events:Story time at Munkkiniemi library at 11 a.m. Story massage at Vuosaari library’s children’s department at 10:30 a.m.
[caption id=“attachment_1878” align=“aligncenter” width=“1334”]
You can get story massage at Vuosaari library.[/caption]
Kids’ Craft Saturday at Pitäjänmäki library from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Programming includes puppet theater performances, for example. Read more from the library’s website.
Sports activities begin at Maunula sports hall on Saturday from 9-10:30 a.m. Read more from Helsinki Moving website and Pieten Helsinki’s children’s sports article.
Helsinki Book Fair continues at the Convention Center on Saturday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Lots of programming for children too. Adult admission €16, children under 7 free. Read more about programming and hours from the Book Fair’s website.
Children’s Book Fair is held for the first time from Friday to Sunday at the Finlandia Hall. Fair is open Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Read more about programming and hours from the Children’s Book Fair’s website.
Halloween: Book Workshop’s Saturday Kids prepare for Halloween and craft scary, funny, or hilarious masks from 12-4 p.m. Read more about the event and see the venue on the map. Free admission.
Music Education Days Public Day at Music Center offers programming for the whole family from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: performances, workshops, and music classes plus much more. Read more about the program from the event’s website. Free admission. Public day is part of MUs!!kK!A! week programming.
Beloved fairy tale classic The Happy Prince is performed as a puppet theater interpretation at the National Theater’s Main Stage lounge on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. More performances also later in October-November. Tickets €15. Performance is aimed at ages 2-7. Read more from the National Theater’s website.
Mimmit 10 Years Anniversary Concert at Vuotalo on Saturday at 3 p.m. The concert features favorites from over the years plus new friendship-themed songs. Tickets €6. Read more from Vuotalo’s website.
Tip for Espoo: Sello Hall’s Kids’ Saturdays feature Loiskis Orchestra and Eeva-Leena Pokela’s Finland Celebrates Its Birthday concert at 3 p.m. Concert is recommended for ages 4 and up. Tickets €10, family ticket €32. Read more from Sello Hall’s website.
Tip for Espoo: Children’s Culture Center Pikku-Aurora’s Saturday Workshops this week create art toys from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Read more from Pikku-Aurora’s website. Free admission.
Halloween: Tip for Espoo: Theater Museum Hevosenkengä’s Pumpkin Festival from 2000s on Saturday from 12-4 p.m. Halloween-themed programming for children at Theater Museum and Espoo City Museum KAMU. Read more about the event from Hevosenkengä’s website.
Tip for Vantaa: Martinlaakso library holds Story Saturdays for the whole family from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Programming includes, for example, Puppet Theater Sytkytin’s Moomins in Winter performance. Read more from the library’s website.
SUNDAY 29.10.2017
Events:Wonderful family sports activity Sports Fun takes over Sunday mornings at Liikuntamylly in Myllypuro from 9-10:45 a.m. Free good-spirited sports and diverse sports sampling. Free admission for children, €3.50 for adults (Liikuntamylly’s entry fee). Bring your own lock (for locker) and indoor sports clothes. Strollers can be left in Liikuntamylly’s lobby. More information about the event from Helsinki city’s website. Also read Pienten Helsinki’s article about sports activities. This is absolutely fun family time together and the child’s favorite activity.
[caption id=“attachment_1012” align=“aligncenter” width=“960”]
Sports Fun gets the whole family moving.[/caption]
Helsinki Book Fair continues at the Convention Center on Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Lots of programming for children too. Adult admission €16, children under 7 free. Read more about programming and hours from the Book Fair’s website.
Children’s Book Fair is held for the first time from Friday to Sunday at the Finlandia Hall. Fair is open Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Read more about programming and hours from the Children’s Book Fair’s website.
MLL Tapiola organizes Fall Festival and children’s secondhand sale on Sunday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Suutarila Elementary School. Programming for the whole family. Read more from the event’s Facebook page.
Halloween: Spooks and Fun for All Ages Halloween Party at Playground Myllynsiipi in Myllypuro from 4-7 p.m. Organized by MLL Myllypuro. Food provided on a donation basis; read more from the event’s Facebook page.
[caption id=“attachment_656” align=“aligncenter” width=“1333”]
Spooks and Fun for All Ages Halloween party at Playground Myllynsiipi.[/caption]
Sampo’s Sundays! performances feature Sibelius’s Fairy Tale at 3 p.m. Venue: Puppet Theater Sampo. Tickets €11. Performance is suitable for ages 4 and up as well as adults. Read more from the puppet theater’s website.
Children’s Music Orchestra Ammuu! celebrates its 10th anniversary with an anniversary concert on Sunday. Concert begins at 4 p.m. Tickets €10-15. Read more from Savoy Theater’s website. X
Also remember these:
MUs!!kK!A! Music Teacher Education's 60 Years 23.10.–28.10.2017. Lots of open programming at Music Center throughout the week. Read more from the University of the Arts website.Circus Finlandia at Kaisaniemi Field until 29.10.2017. Read more and see exact performance times on the circus’s own website. Paid admission.
Finland 100 Illustration Art Classics exhibition comes to Rikhardinkatu library and showcases illustration originals from leading figures in Finnish children’s book illustration from the 1900s. Exhibition is open during the library’s regular hours. Illustration Art Classics at Rikhardinkatu library until 29.10.2017. Read more from the Great Reading Adventure’s website. Free admission.
Annantalo café has Minka Heino on Surface. Pop exhibition featuring illustrations from picture books. The exhibition also has a story cabin where children can rest, relax, watch, and pause. Exhibition runs until 12.11.2017. Read more about the exhibition from Annantalo’s website. Free admission.
Annantalo has Dream Fabrics exhibition on display until mid-December and can be visited during the building’s regular hours for free. Read more from Annantalo’s website and check out pictures here. Free admission.
[caption id=“attachment_1876” align=“aligncenter” width=“1334”]
Dream Fabrics exhibition at Annantalo.[/caption]
Korkeasaari Zoo is open year-round. Read more about opening hours and check out, for example, animal feeding times on Korkeasaari’s website. Paid admission.
Fallkulla Farm is open Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free admission.
