Pienten Helsinki
What kid-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on weekends? What to do on a rainy day? Little 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 pre-school children and families with children.
Where to go this week -article continues to be published with a slightly modified concept. The article lists the highlights of the week's events and the week's most interesting activity tips. It also includes highlights from Little Helsinki articles and news. The future of the page is open, but we'll continue with this concept for spring.
New in Little Helsinki: Summer events in Helsinki for children - the first version of the listing has been published!
New in Little Helsinki: Sponsor Little Helsinki!
Little Helsinki's most popular, weekly published Where to go this week -article series is looking for sponsors! More information behind the link.
Family city routes
Little Helsinki is publishing a new type of city tourism concept in the coming months as dietitian student Heidi Säynätkari creates city routes for families in several Helsinki neighborhoods as her final project. The city routes will be published on Helsinki Day, June 12, 2019!
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Friday »| Saturday »| Sunday »
MONDAY, MAY 27, 2019
Events at the libraries
Story hours and children's events at the Helmet libraries in the metropolitan area on Monday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Events at the playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki event calendar. Monday events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Fallkullan farm with domestic animals is closed in week 22.
Albert's living room is an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi. Open Monday at 10:30 am-3 pm. Read more from the Helsinki Mission website.
MLL Dad Cafe at playground Iso-Antti in Itäkeskus, Mondays 10 am-12 pm. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Sibelius High School band marathon on Espa stage Monday 2-7:30 pm. More information on Espa stage's website.
Museums open on Mondays include the National Museum (during summer season), Helsinki City Museum and Children's City, Amos Rex, and Newspaper Museum.
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019
Events at the libraries
Story hours and children's events at the Helmet libraries in the metropolitan area on Tuesday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Events at the playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki event calendar. Tuesday events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Fallkullan farm with domestic animals is closed in week 22.
A.lava summer music season begins Tuesday at 10:30 am. Admission to music class is free. A.lava is located behind Annantalo and musical songs are sung outdoors under a shelter, so dress according to the weather. More information on Annantalo's website.
Kaartin soittokunta military band's children's music concert at Puuskankulma playground (Jollas) Tuesday at 10:30 am. Read more on the event's Facebook page.
Kruna Espalla - Kruununhaan upper secondary school music classes perform on Espa stage Tuesday 12-2 pm. Read more on Espa stage's website.
Hertsika pop-up meadow sowing work party on Herttoniemi Manor grounds (Stadin Puutarhuri, Abraham Wetterin tie 3) Tuesday 12-6 pm. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Daycare Pakari spring bazaar (Kalevankatu 48 courtyard) Tuesday 3:30-6 pm. More detailed information on the event's Facebook page.
Ruoholahti Children's House summer celebration Tuesday 5-7 pm. Featured performers include Mimi and Kuku. Free admission. Read more on the event's Facebook page.
City dances at Annantalo A.lava Tuesday 5:30 pm. Read more on Annantalo's website.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019
Events at the libraries
Story hours and children's events at the Helmet libraries in the metropolitan area on Wednesday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Tip for babies and parents: BabyKino at Kallio Library. Movies with your baby available Wednesdays at 12 noon and 2:30 pm. BabyKino's own Facebook group can be found here, where for example the week's film is posted and voting takes place for upcoming programs. More information is also available on BabyKino's Facebook page.
Events at the playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki event calendar. Wednesday events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Annantalo courtyard is establishing the funniest community garden in Helsinki in 2019 and Wednesdays feature gardening work parties open to all 9 am-12 pm.
Fallkullan farm with domestic animals is closed in week 22.
Helsinki Fire Department's fire museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open Wednesdays 12-4 pm. Admission 2 €, under 15-year-olds free. Read more on the City of Helsinki website.
Daycare museum - playtime Wednesdays 12-6 pm. Museum admission 4 €, under 16-year-olds free, museum card also valid.
Stadin Suvivirsi on Senate Square Wednesday 5 pm. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Free admission to Cable Factory museums Wednesday 5-8 pm. Read more on the event's Facebook page.
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2019
Ascension Day
Events at the libraries
Story hours and children's events are on break for Ascension Day.
Events at the playgrounds
Playgrounds closed for Ascension Day.
Events and activity tips
Tip to Porvoo: Bosgård farm offers free farm tours and bird watching on Ascension Day 11 am-12:30 pm. Bosgård is home to cows and sheep. More information on the farm's Facebook page.
Vårkarneval - Spring Carnival in Munkkiniemi at Kadentie 2 on Ascension Day 11 am-2 pm. The event is organized by Munksnäs Flickscouter and Scoutkåren Munksnäs Spejarna. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Firefighter parade in central Helsinki Thursday 11:30 am-1 pm. The parade follows the route Bulevardi - Eteläesplanadi - Fabianinkatu - Pohjoisesplanadi - Lönnrotinkatu and the best places to watch the parade are in Esplanade Park and the Old Church Square. Read more on the event's Facebook page or Helsinki Fire Department Association's website.
PPV's courtyard games event at Pajamäki artificial turf field Thursday 12-3 pm. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Flea market! Puu-Vallila courtyard flea market on Ascension Day 12-6 pm. The flea market area is in the wooden house districts on both sides of Mäkelänkatu between Hämeentie, Sturenkai and Teollisuuskatu. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Museums open on Ascension Day include several:
Newspaper Museum and Pekka Töpöhäntä exhibition is open 11 am-5 pm (free admission)
Seurasaari Open-Air Museum is open 9 am-3 pm (admission fee only for museum buildings)
National Museum is open 11 am-6 pm
Tamminiemi home museum is open 11 am-5 pm
Kaisaniemi botanical garden 10 am-5 pm
Natural History Museum 9 am-4 pm
Kumpula botanical garden 11 am-6 pm
City Museum and Children's City 11 am-7 pm (free admission)
Please note that these places charge a museum admission fee, unless otherwise stated.
Other tips for celebrating Ascension Day:
Central Library Oodi is also open on Ascension Day 8 am-10 pm.
Haltiala farm is open as usual.
Linnanmäki amusement park operates Thursday 1-9:30 pm.
Fallkullan farm with domestic animals is closed in week 22.
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2019
Events at the libraries
Story hours and children's events at the Helmet libraries in the metropolitan area on Friday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Events at the playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki event calendar. Friday events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Fallkullan farm with domestic animals is closed in week 22.
Albert's living room is an open meeting place for families with children and seniors in Kamppi. Now also open Fridays 9:30 am-3 pm. Read more from the Helsinki Mission website.
Spring Frolics at playground Maasälvä Friday 10 am-1 pm. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Guard change parade departs at 12:30 pm from Senate Square and marches via Market Square to the main guard, then back along Esplanade to Casern Square. After the guard change parade, an entertaining MIL-Espa concert is held on Espa stage at 2 pm. This week the stage features the Lapland Military Band. More information on the Finnish Defense Forces website.
SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 2019
Events at the libraries
Helmet libraries' summer hours begin.
Story hours and children's events at the Helmet libraries in the metropolitan area on Saturday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Events and activity tips
School closing day.
Congratulations to all little and big kids graduating and
transitioning from preschool to school!
Fallkullan farm with domestic animals is closed in week 22.
Hop aboard the museum tram from the Market Square corner, by the Havis Amanda statue 10 am-5 pm. Tickets 6 €, children under 2 travel free on laps. Read more on the museum tram website.
Espoo: Oittaa family day features disc golf for the whole family Saturday 11 am-2 pm. Admission is free. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Exhibition:Take a peek at what it looks like in Newspaper Museum's Pekka Töpöhäntä new exhibition! Museum open Saturday 11 am-5 pm.
SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 2019
Events and activity tips
Fallkullan farm with domestic animals is closed in week 22.
Tip to Espoo: Fairy School is a whole family active nature walk where you travel at the children's pace. The walk also works with strollers. Bring small snacks and dress according to the weather. Walk in Elfvik surroundings Sunday 10:30 am-12:30 pm. Free admission, no advance registration. More information on the Villa Elfvik website.
Flea market! Aleksis Kivi Street Sunday flea market starting at 11 am!
Children's island adventure on Haraka island off Kaivopuisto Sunday 12-2 pm. The island adventure is aimed at 4-10-year-olds. A connecting ferry goes to Haraka from the Ullanlinnan pier at Kaivopuisto (Ehrenströmintie 3) and a round-trip ticket costs 5 € for adults, 2 € for children and seniors (card payment only). Access to Haraka island and the island adventure is free. More information about the adventure can be found on the event's Facebook page.
Helsinki Fire Department's fire museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open Sundays 12-4 pm. Admission 2 €, under 15-year-olds free. Read more on the City of Helsinki website.
Vantaa: Louhela Jam 2019 at Vantaa's Jokiuomanpuisto Sunday starting at 12 noon. Programs also for children. More detailed information on the event's Facebook page.
Song of summer event at Stansviki restaurant (Laajasalo/Kruunuvuorenranta) Sunday 5 pm. Laajasalo's Huvilateatteri performs samples from the upcoming play Pekka Töpöhäntä in America. More information on Roihuvuori Parish website.
Also remember
Children's summer theater season has begun, with the musical Taneli and Tunari Seeking Magic Powers premiering at Tervasaari on May 25, 2019. Tickets and more information on Hit Helsinki's website.
Summer animal residents moved to Linnunrata playground in week 21!
Seurasaari Open-Air Museum has opened its 2019 summer season!
Espa stage's entire summer program can be found on the stage's own website.
Annantalo news:
A community garden is being established in Annantalo courtyard in 2019 - Helsinki's funniest community garden. Courtyard activities begin Wednesday, May 8, 2019. Gardening work parties continue every Wednesday throughout the summer and early fall until September 20, 2019. The community garden is truly Helsinki's own garden, and anyone can enjoy caring for it and its harvest. Annantalo courtyard and the A•lava stage located there host primarily activities for children, young people, and families from May through mid-September.
Olympic Stadium and Kumpula outdoor pool have opened their 2019 summer season.
Linnanmäki has once again opened its gates for the 2019 season. The amusement park area is free to enter and there are free amusement rides for the little daredevils.
In Espoo: Toy Museum Horseshoe features a new Game Play Board Games special exhibition. Museum admission fee applies.
Exhibition:Take a peek at what it looks like in Newspaper Museum's Pekka Töpöhäntä new exhibition!
Helsinki places article is the rescue for boring days with kids!
Little Helsinki as an app on your phone!
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