Pienten Helsinki
Where to go with children in Helsinki? What child-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki this week? Pienten Helsinki's weekly "Where to go this week" series finds tips and suggests family-friendly events and activities in Helsinki and the surrounding area.
The article's cover image is from the Winter Garden, which is one of Helsinki's best picnic spots both outdoors and indoors in the greenhouses! You can see fish in the indoor spaces (check opening hours!)
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Current highlights
- Ice skating in August? The wish article about ice rink public skating times in the metro area has been updated!
- Skidimarket Ateljee September 5–October 25, 2025 in Annantalon's South Gallery. Open according to Annantalo's opening hours. Free admission.
- MLL's Family House Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0–12. Read more from the family house's Facebook page!
- MLL's family café schedule can be found on the MLL Uusimaa website.
- Kumpula open-air swimming pool has closed for this year, but the Swimming Stadium is open for almost another month and Leppävaara open-air swimming pool in Espoo until mid-September.
- Pienten Suomi - over 1000 reasons to explore Finland with children!
- All of Pienten Helsinki's playground tips can be found here!
- Museum tips for visiting with children can be read in Pienten Helsinki's themed article!
- On the Plaza of Lasipalatsi, in the surroundings of the Amos Rex museum hills, the Transparent Happiness artwork by Yinka Ilori opened on Midsummer Eve, emphasizing play, interaction, and togetherness. You can bring your own basketball or table tennis paddles, as play is allowed in this artwork. Play equipment is also available for loan from Amos Rex museum during opening hours for a deposit. Free admission.
- Museum tickets to the Natural History Museum or admission tickets to Korkeasaari can also be borrowed from the library! From Viikki library you can borrow an admission ticket to the Natural History Museum. From Kalasatama library you can borrow an admission ticket to Korkeasaari zoo.
- Want more visibility for your event in Pienten Helsinki? Read more about the media card!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2025
International Literacy Day
Events and
activity tips
- At Loru playground in the Central Library Oodi, Monday program:
- 10:30–11:15 Loru's games, joy of play for children over 1 year old
- 1:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m. Kukkuluuruu baby session
- 3:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Kukkuluuruu baby session - Children's programs at Helmet libraries can be found on Helmet's events page.
- Albertin living room is open on Mondays 9:30 a.m.–2 p.m. (International Monday).
- International Literacy Day event at Museum Merkkii on Monday 1 p.m.–3 p.m. Free admission.
- Family get-togethers provide children under school age and their parents with a space to move together freely and free of charge. The activity is open to everyone, and no pre-registration is required for the sessions.
On Mondays family get-togethers are held at:
- PNV sports center (Ohrahuhdantie 4) 12:30 p.m.–2 p.m. September 1–December 8, 2025 (not Oct 13)
- Malmi elementary school (Talvelantie 1) 4:30 p.m.–6 p.m. September 1–December 8, 2025 (not Oct 13 and Dec 8)
- Tapanil primary school (Veljestenpiha 2) 6 p.m.–6:30 p.m. September 1–December 8, 2025 (not Oct 13) - HELSINKI MUSEUMS open on Mondays include Merkkii and the Pippi Longstocking exhibition, Helsinki City Museum and Children's City, Tram Museum, and Amos Rex. More museum tips for visiting with children can be found in Pienten Helsinki's themed article!
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
Events and
activity tips
- At Loru playground in the Central Library Oodi, Tuesday program:
- 10:30–11 a.m. Loru moves, gentle movement with baby for older parents (0–9 months)
- 1 p.m.–1:30 p.m. In Loru's warmth - baby session
- 3 p.m.–3:30 p.m. In Ramsans warmth, music, rhymes and verses for babies - Children's programs at Helmet libraries can be found on Helmet's events page.
- Metropolia's HyMy Village Family Group Metku continues at Myllypuro Metropolia UAS premises (next to the metro station) on Tuesday 9–11 a.m. Each session also includes varying programs for families led by early childhood education, social services, health and culture students.
- Albertin living room's Health Clinic Stop at Kamppi Family Center on Tuesdays 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Family get-togethers provide children under school age and their parents with a space to move together freely and free of charge. The activity is open to everyone, and no pre-registration is required for the sessions.
On Tuesdays family get-togethers are held at:
- Kannelmäki elementary school (Kuninkaantammenkierto 22) 5 p.m.–6:30 p.m. September 2–November 25, 2025 (not Oct 14 and Dec 4)
- Käpylä elementary school (gymnasium) (Mäkelänkatu 89) 5 p.m.–6:30 p.m. September 2–December 9, 2025 (not Sept 9–Oct 7) Note: In Käpylä, family get-togethers are also held on Oct 14.
- Malminkartano primary school (Puustellintie 6) 5 p.m.–6:30 p.m. September 2–December 9, 2025 (not Oct 14)
- Sakarinmäki elementary school (Knutersintie 924) 5 p.m.–6:30 p.m. September 2–December 8, 2025 (not Oct 14)
- Skidimarket Ateljee September 5–October 25, 2025 in Annantalon's South Gallery. Open according to Annantalo's opening hours. Free admission.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2025
Events and
activity tips
- At Loru playground in the Central Library Oodi, Wednesday program:
- 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. In Loru's enchantment, play and sensory experiences for all ages
- 1 p.m.–2:30 p.m. In Loru's enchantment, play and sensory experiences for all ages - Children's programs at Helmet libraries can be found on Helmet's events page.
- Albertin living room is open on Wednesdays 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Family get-togethers provide children under school age and their parents with a space to move together freely and free of charge. The activity is open to everyone, and no pre-registration is required for the sessions.
On Wednesdays family get-togethers are held at:
- Kurkimäki block house (Karpalokuja 7) 9:30–11 a.m. September 3–November 26, 2025
- Merilahti elementary school (Jaluspolku 3) 5 p.m.–7 p.m. September 3–December 10, 2025 (not Oct 15)
Want more visibility for your event in Pienten Helsinki? Read more about the media card!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025
Events and
activity tips
- At Loru playground in the Central Library Oodi, Thursday program:
- 10:30–11 a.m. Loru moves, stroller exercise at Oodi courtyard on the Citizens' Square side
- 1 p.m.–1:30 p.m. Loru's songs, bilingual song session for all ages (Finnish-Swedish) - Children's programs at Helmet libraries can be found on Helmet's events page.
- Albertin living room is open on Thursday 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Family get-togethers provide children under school age and their parents with a space to move together freely and free of charge. The activity is open to everyone, and no pre-registration is required for the sessions.
On Thursdays family get-togethers are held at:
- Tali sports center soccer hall (Purotie 8) 9:30–11 a.m. September 4–December 11, 2025 (not Oct 16)
- Malminkartano primary school (Puustellintie 6) 4:30–6 p.m. and 6–7 p.m. (school-age children) September 4–December 11, 2025 (not Oct 16, Oct 30, Dec 4)
- Kamppi sports center (Malminkatu 3) 5–6:30 p.m. September 4–December 11, 2025 (not Oct 16)
- Porolahti elementary school (Roihuvuorentie 2) 5–6:30 p.m. September 4–December 11, 2025 (not Oct 18)
- Pukinmäenkaari elementary school (Kenttäkuja 12) 5–6:30 p.m. September 4–December 11, 2025 (not Oct 17)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2025
Events and
activity tips
- At Loru playground in the Central Library Oodi, Friday program:
- 10:30–11 a.m. On Loru's Waves, a narrative play session for children over 2 years old
- 1 p.m.–1:30 p.m. Loru's songs, music session for all ages - Children's programs at Helmet libraries can be found on Helmet's events page.
- Albertin living room is open on Friday 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
- For babies! Embrace performance for babies at Kontula Youth Activity Center Luuppi on Friday 10 a.m. Free admission, but please register in advance using this form: https://forms.gle/6GNGqWUg66XQH6TL7. The event accommodates the first 15 registrations in order of registration.
- Skidimarket Ateljee September 5–October 25, 2025 in Annantalon's South Gallery. Open according to Annantalo's opening hours. Free admission.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2025
Events and
activity tips
- Ice skating in August? The wish article about ice rink public skating times in the metro area has been updated!
- Children's programs at Helmet libraries can be found on Helmet's events page.
- Harvest markets at Perhon School of Business (Vanha Helsingintie 13, Malmi) on Saturday 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Free admission.
- Open doors at Helsinki City Hall on Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. The City Hall lobby also has activities for children. Free admission.
- Flea market! Flea market event and other activities at Fallkulla farm on Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Free admission.
- Espoo: Invisible backpack workshop at Children's Culture Center Aurora on Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Free admission.
- Invisible backpack puppet theater performances at Children's Culture Center Aurora on Saturday 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets from €10. - Espoo: Cheerio Carnival at Play Museum in Espoo on Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Museum admission fee applies.
- Flea market! Pasila library children's book flea market on Saturday 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Last week! Vantaa: Håkansbölen summer exhibitions are open in the landscapes of Håkansböle manor on Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Free admission.
- Espoo: Colibrí Festival family day at Sello library on Saturday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Free admission.
- Opening of Kontula outdoor fitness area on Saturday 12 p.m.–2 p.m. There is also programming for children. Free admission.
- Tit-Tit-Bird performance at Dance House on Saturday 2 p.m. Tickets from €16. The performance is suitable for children over 4 years old.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2025
Events and
activity tips
- Espoo: Wetland lives - family wetland hike in the Villa Elfvik landscapes on Sunday 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Free admission.
- Herttoniemi Harvest Festival in the fields next to Herttoniemi manor on Sunday 12 p.m.–5 p.m. Free admission.
- Mismatched socks parade workshop in the spirit of Pippi Longstocking at Museum Merkkii on Sunday 2 p.m.–4 p.m. Free admission.
- Kangaroo Shenanigans Duo at Tiivistämö in Kalasatama on Sunday 3 p.m. Tickets from €11.20. The concert is organized by MLL Kalasatama.
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