Activities for the last week of August

What kid-friendly activities can be found in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on weekends? What to do on a rainy day? Little Helsinki's weekly series seeks activity tips and recommends child-friendly places in Helsinki and surrounding areas. The target audience of the website is children under school age.

The end of August and the beginning of September offer a diverse range of events: This week there is culture, neighborhood events, sports, nature walks, storytelling hours and adventures into darkening evenings.

Playground event information has been difficult to collect in recent weeks, so Little Helsinki is investigating how future playground events could be made more easily accessible. Due to this, there is a small gap in these sections of the weekly highlights.

MONDAY 28.8.2017

Event: At the Opera's Toddler Art Session, the delightful little opera "The Barber of Seville" can be seen and heard on Monday at 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The performance promises to entertain both toddlers and parents. Tickets €10. Read more about the little opera here.

Tip: The Pikku Kakkonen celebration exhibition is on display at Annantalo for a few more days until Wednesday 30.8.2017. You can visit the exhibition during Annantalo’s opening hours, i.e. weekdays 8-20. Read more about the exhibition here.

[caption id=“attachment_894” align=“aligncenter” width=“1334”] The Pikku Kakkonen celebration exhibition is in its final days at Annantalo.[/caption]

TUESDAY 29.8.2017

Events:

Storytelling time at Malmi Library at 9:30 a.m.

SAMPO2017 international puppet theater festival begins, read more below in the “Also remember these” section.

At the Opera’s Toddler Art Session, the delightful little opera “The Barber of Seville” can be seen and heard on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The performance promises to entertain both toddlers and parents. Tickets €10. Read more about the little opera here.

Tip: The Atheneum exhibition featuring Alvar Aalto also offers space for creativity and is therefore worth considering even with children. As a good tip, it should be mentioned that the Atheneum’s upper platforms offer a good napping spot for strollers and a moment’s respite for parents in the midst of culture. The upper hall also has a lounge-like space where you can read Aalto publications or simply take a breather. The article image is from the Atheneum’s Alvar Aalto exhibition’s “Hands on, play and explore” corner. You can move around the Atheneum with strollers and children are welcome, but generally you cannot touch the artworks, so this is good to keep in mind ;). The museum has a functioning childcare room and a spacious café.

[caption id=“attachment_1273” align=“aligncenter” width=“1334”] The Atheneum art museum’s upper platform is a good place for naps during a museum visit.[/caption]

WEDNESDAY 30.8.2017

Events:

Storytelling time at Arabianranta Library at 9:30 a.m.

Storytelling time at Kontulan Library at 9:30 a.m.

Storytelling time at Käpylä Library at 10 a.m.

Storytelling time at Tapanila Library at 9:30 a.m.

Story time in Swedish at Bocksbacka Library at 10:15 a.m.

At Kallio Library’s Renovation Party, an important customer group has been remembered: children. The interactive adventure “Mauka and Väykä’s Journey” at 10 a.m. allows children to participate. The performance is best suited for children over 3 years old. Read more about Kallio Library’s Renovation Party here. Free admission.

[caption id=“attachment_842” align=“aligncenter” width=“960”] Kallio Library closes for renovation and celebrates with a Renovation Party on Wednesday.[/caption]

 

The Swedish-speaking Workers’ Institute Arbis Dagmarin Street branch in Etu-Tölö celebrates the completion of renovations and invites everyone to a housewarming party. Programs for children too! Read more about the housewarming party program here. Free admission.

THURSDAY 31.8.2017

Events:

Storytelling time at Jakomäki Library at 10 a.m.

Storytelling time at Suutarila Library at 9:30 a.m.

RööperiFest 2017 takes over the Fredrikintor area in Punavuori on Thursday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. The program includes music, workshops, event stations and treats as well as a relaxed atmosphere. Nearby e.g. Sepp’s playground. Read more about RööperiFest here.

 

Alakivenpuisto opening is celebrated on Alakivetiellä in Myllypuro on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Programs for the whole family: music, ceremonial speeches, horse-drawn carriage rides and other surprises. Read more about the opening here.

FRIDAY 1.9.2017

Events:

Baby storytelling time featuring baby rhymes at Itäkeskus Library at 10:30 a.m. Read more here.

Annantalo’s Naperokino starts again and offers little ones (0-3 years) their own movie theater. Short films can be watched on Fridays throughout the fall at 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Read more about Naperokino here.

Cat’s Night takes over Korkeasaari Zoo from 4 p.m. to midnight and allows adventures into the darkening evening. In addition to the zoo’s own adventures, there is diverse programming. The event is fee-based. More information about Cat’s Night here.

Tip: Friday is Library Day! Have you already visited the delightful Nordic Library and especially its children’s section? Here you can play, read and draw in a world of your own for kids. Borrowing books from the Nordic Library is possible with your own library card, which you can get on your first visit. The selection of books, films and magazines for both children and adults is excellent and of high quality! Books and other materials are available in all Nordic languages. The library is located on Kaisaniemenkatu, right above Helsinki University metro station.

[caption id=“attachment_1274” align=“aligncenter” width=“1333”] The Nordic Library’s children’s section.[/caption]

SATURDAY 2.9.2017

Events:

Storytelling time at Munkkiniemi Library at 11 a.m.

Storytelling time at Vuosaari Library at 10:30 a.m.

Take Dad’s Chance sports event at Myllypuro Sports Mill from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. offers extremely diverse activities and fun for children with an adult. Despite the event name, mothers, grandmothers and godparents are also welcome to exercise together with children. In addition to trying out different sports, Sports Mill has presentation booths from various operators. Remember to pack indoor sports clothes, shoes and your own lock. It’s worth traveling from far away for! Free admission. Read more about the event in PH’s sports article.

[caption id=“attachment_1259” align=“aligncenter” width=“4032”] The Take Dad’s Chance event invites you to Sports Mill.[/caption]

Lauttasaari Day street festival is celebrated on Saturday for the first time in a new location, when Tallberg’s Puistotie fills up with programs for the day from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. The neighborhood event features performances by e.g. Benny Törnroos and the Moomins at 12:45 p.m. Also including pony rides and hobby horse races as well as various activity stations. Two playgrounds for children in the immediate vicinity of the event location. Read more about Lauttasaari Day street festival here.

Puu-Vallila Street Party 2017 takes over the wooden house district’s alleys and courtyards and invites everyone to celebrate a relaxed neighborhood event starting at 1 p.m. The event is not strictly a children’s event, but there is plenty to do and experience for children as well. Read more about the event here.

In Espoo, at the Nature Center Haltia, a Red Thaw Forest Adventure event is organized for families with children from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free, Nature Center Haltia admission fee applies (Tip: Museum card works!). Read more about the forest adventure day here.

At Villa Elfviki in Espoo, Badger Forest Story Time for children over three years old at 11 a.m. Read more here.

Tip: Little Grandpa’s Orchestra performs at Järvenpää House at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets €12. Read more here.

SUNDAY 3.9.2017

Events:

Harvest Festival at Puotila Manor is celebrated on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program includes music, treats and special programs for children. Read more about the Harvest Festival here.

[caption id=“attachment_1255” align=“aligncenter” width=“2000”] In September, many neighborhoods celebrate their namesake festivals.[/caption]

 

Pakila, Paloheinä and Torpparinmäki village event has lots of programs for the whole family from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For example, the Moominfamilies, dog sledding, horse-drawn carriage rides, Sing Toys in the Box music and much more. Read more about the event here.

Guided tour of Hara Island on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 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 accessible. To get to Hara Island, take the ferry from Kaivopuisto’s Ullanpusto pier (Ehrenströmintie 3). Round-trip ferry tickets cost €5 for adults, €2 for children and pensioners. Free admission to Hara Island and tours. Read more about Hara Island here.

Wetland Alive - Family Wetland Walk at Villa Elfviki in Espoo on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. introduces Laajalahti wetlands and their animals. The walk is suitable for the whole family, and it’s worth bringing light snacks and weather-appropriate clothing. Free admission. Read more here.

 

Tip: A trip to Suomenlinna in early autumn is worthwhile, as the atmosphere is like abroad: Tourists roam the island and the atmosphere is often serene, when summer crowds are just a memory. On nice weather days, this is a great place to hike, play, explore or even take a museum tour and stop by the library. A playground can also be found!

[caption id=“attachment_1275” align=“aligncenter” width=“1334”] Suomenlinna also has a city library.[/caption]

Also remember these:

SAMPO 2017 international puppet theater festival takes over Helsinki from Tuesday to Sunday 29.8-3.9.2017. Performances at SAMPO's venues on Erottajankatu as well as throughout the city. Performances for different ages, including for babies. Mostly fee-based. Read more and explore the program here.

Linnanmäki amusement park celebrates Iik!Week from 2.9.-17.9.2017. Read more here.

Pikku Kakkonen celebration exhibition at Annantalo continues until Wednesday 30.8.2017. Open daily during Annantalo’s opening hours. See what the exhibition looks like here.

Little Helsinki's August-October upcoming events list: Activities for little ones under Helsinki's roofs, Fall 2017

Coming soon to Little Helsinki's pages: Little ones at restaurants - tips for child-friendly restaurants and Baby Helsinki, which brings together tips from the baby's first year in one place!

[caption id="attachment_1225" align="aligncenter" width="1334"] The first part of Little Helsinki's Little ones at restaurants article series will introduce the new lovely Cafe Monami at Rastila.[/caption]