Pienten Helsinki
What kid-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki? Where to go with children on weekends? What to do on a rainy day? Pienten Helsinki's weekly series looks for activity tips and recommends child-friendly events in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The website targets families with pre-school-aged children.
The Where to go this week article continues to be published in 2020 as well. The first weekly article of the year is more limited than usual, as some of the regular weekly events are still on holiday or event information hasn't returned from break yet.
You can find Pienten Helsinki's 2019 year in review here.
Answer the survey about Pienten Helsinki's impact and how the site could be even more functional.
Have you already voted in Pienten Helsinki's Child-Friendly Actions 2019 voting?
Article cover image: Lux Helsinki light art event January 4-8, 2020.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2020
Events in libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Tuesday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Events in playgrounds
Playground activities can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar in addition to the playgrounds' own communication channels. You can browse Tuesday's events here.
Events and activity tips
Attention parents of babies! Registration for the Opera and Ballet's Baby Art Sessions opens on Tuesday at 9:00 AM and spots fill up quickly!
LUX Helsinki lights up the city January 4-8, 2020. Read more on the Lux Helsinki website. This year's route runs from Senate Square through Kaisaniemi Park to Tokoinranta, so there are a few playgrounds along the way! Free admission.
Lux Korkeasaari light art event takes over the zoo December 25, 2019 - January 8, 2020. The zoo is open 10 AM - 8 PM. Admission fee applies.
Uutela's star path takes you exploring nature and stargazing by flashlight. More information on the event's Facebook page.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020
Events in libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Wednesday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Tip for babies and parents: BabyKino at Kallio library. You can watch movies with your baby on Wednesdays at 12 PM and 2:30 PM. BabyKino's own Facebook group can be found here, where for example the week's film is published and votes are cast for future programs. More information is also available on BabyKino's Facebook page.
Events in playgrounds
Playground activities can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar in addition to the playgrounds' own communication channels. You can browse Wednesday's events here.
Events and activity tips
Fallkulla farm is open on Wednesdays 10 AM - 6 PM. Free admission.
Fire Museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open Wednesdays 12 PM - 4 PM. Admission 2 €, under 15 free. More information on the museum's website.
Opera House guided tour Wednesday at 2:30 PM. This is suitable for older children. Tickets 6 € / 10 €. More information on the opera's website.
LUX Helsinki lights up the city January 4-8, 2020. Read more on the Lux Helsinki website. This year's route runs from Senate Square through Kaisaniemi Park to Tokoinranta, so there are a few playgrounds along the way! Free admission.
Lux Korkeasaari light art event takes over the zoo December 25, 2019 - January 8, 2020. The zoo is open 10 AM - 8 PM. Admission fee applies.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020
Events in libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Thursday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Events in playgrounds
Playground activities can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar in addition to the playgrounds' own communication channels. You can browse Thursday's events here.
Events and activity tips
Skidipeli game can be played in Annantalo's 2nd floor lobby January 9 - 31, 2020 during building hours (Mon-Fri 8 AM - 8 PM, Sat-Sun 10 AM - 4 PM).
Fallkulla farm is open on Thursdays 10 AM - 6 PM. Free admission.
Children's art session at the Opera House Thursday at 3 PM. Tickets 10 € (also for early viewers). More information on the opera's website.
Family fun at Malminkartano Elementary School Thursday at 6 PM. Free admission. More information on the event's Facebook page.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2020
Events in libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Friday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Events in playgrounds
Playground activities can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar in addition to the playgrounds' own communication channels. You can browse Friday's events here.
Events and activity tips
Skidipeli game can be played in Annantalo's 2nd floor lobby January 9 - 31, 2020 during building hours (Mon-Fri 8 AM - 8 PM, Sat-Sun 10 AM - 4 PM).
Fallkulla farm is open on Fridays 10 AM - 6 PM. Free admission.
Children's art session at the Opera House Friday at 3 PM. Tickets 10 € (also for early viewers). More information on the opera's website.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2020
Events in libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Saturday can be found in the Helmet event calendar.
Events and activity tips
Espoo: Open house at Kelloseppä School in Tapiola on Saturday 10 AM - 2 PM. An interesting opportunity to learn about fine mechanics. More information on the Kelloseppä School website.
Vantaa: Forest Sprites family day at Bisa cabin on Saturday 10 AM - 2 PM. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Skidipeli game can be played in Annantalo's 2nd floor lobby January 9 - 31, 2020 during building hours (Mon-Fri 8 AM - 8 PM, Sat-Sun 10 AM - 4 PM).
Tuusula: Children's Saturday at the Lotta Museum in Tuusula on Saturday 11 AM - 2 PM. Free admission to the event. More information on the Lotta Museum website.
Pienten Helsinki recommends a trip to the beautiful landscapes of Lake Tuusula, the wonderful Lotta Museum (playground on the grounds!), and other attractions in the area.
Take a breath! Families together event at the old Lapinlahti hospital area on Saturday 1 PM - 4 PM. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Helsinki places article is a lifesaver for boring days with kids!
SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2020
Events and activity tips
Fallkulla farm is open on Sundays 10 AM - 3 PM. Free admission.
Skidipeli game can be played in Annantalo's 2nd floor lobby January 9 - 31, 2020 during building hours (Mon-Fri 8 AM - 8 PM, Sat-Sun 10 AM - 4 PM).
Fire Museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open Sundays 12 PM - 4 PM. Admission 2 €, under 15 free. More information on the museum's website.
Also remember
Disney On Ice at Hartwall Arena January 9-12, 2020. Tickets 34 € - 69.50 €.
Ryhmä Hau Live! at Helsinki Ice Hall January 11-12, 2020. Tickets 25 € - 35 €.
Uutela's star path takes you exploring nature and stargazing by flashlight. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Ice skating is available at several artificial ice rinks around the city. There's a small admission fee for artificial ice rinks. Read more about admission fees and opening hours on the City of Helsinki's website.
A new artificial ice rink has been opened at Laajasalo Sports Park, which has no admission fee and no reserved time slots or separate stick-and-puck times. Ice skating is also available at the Ice Park on Rautatientori and at Tapiola Ice Garden.
Current ice conditions can be found on the ulkoliikunta.fi service (change activity to ice skating).
Helsinki places article is a lifesaver for boring days with kids!
Pienten Helsinki as an app on your phone!
Pienten Helsinki now also works as a PWA app. You can install Pienten Helsinki on your Android or iPhone simply by opening the site in Chrome or Safari browser and selecting "Add to home screen" from the share button. A PWA app differs from a traditional app in that you don't need to install it separately from the App Store or similar. In practice, the content is exactly the same as in the browser, but the page loads faster.
Pienten Helsinki doesn't require registration to work now, and never will.
