Pienten Helsinki
Second week of October activity ideas
What kid-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on weekends? What can you do on a rainy day? Pienten Helsinki's weekly series searches for activity ideas and tips for child-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The target audience of the website is preschool-age children.The second week of October offers, among other things, storytelling sessions, movies with babies, music, theater and exhibitions. Also included are the October-appropriate Light Carnivals and a full-family water sports day. Don’t forget the many other fun events in the “Remember also these” tips. Weekly programs at playgrounds and family centers continue, and parks offer activities in the mornings for babies, toddlers and other parents on parental leave. Upcoming autumn break tips can already be read from Pienten Helsinki’s pages and the article will be updated during the week. Note that Pallomylly family ball games are not held exceptionally this week.
Pienten Helsinki also highlights events particularly suitable for babies and parents in its event listings with “FOR BABIES” text when the event is baby-friendly. Also read the first Babies’ Helsinki article.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2017
Events:Storytelling time at Puistola Library at 10 a.m.
FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme time at Paloheinä Library at 9:30 a.m.
Annantalo Art Clinic has the theme Mosaic Play this week. The art clinic is aimed at 3-6-year-olds in home care. Admission is free. There are two Monday clinic groups at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Read more about Annantalo’s art clinic here.
Opera’s Children’s Art Sessions begin and take 5-6-year-olds playing, dancing and crafting into the fascinating world of opera and ballet. In the sessions, children get to know the main stage’s program by doing it themselves. The art form for children’s art sessions varies monthly. The session starts at 2 p.m. and lasts 90 minutes. Tickets €10 (adults also need to purchase a ticket). This week’s theme is dance. Read more about Children’s Art Sessions on the Opera’s website.
Tip for Espoo: At Sello Hall you can hear the Nalle’s Backpack concert with songs from all over Finland. Concerts at 9 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Tickets €5. The performance is recommended for children over 3 years old. Read more from Sello Hall’s website.
Tip: Autumn break in Helsinki? Read tips for autumn break from Pienten Helsinki’s website. This time also includes tips for elementary school-aged children. The list is updated, so fresh tips are worth checking regularly.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2017
Events:Storytelling time at Malmi Library at 9:30 a.m.
Story session at Viiki Library at 9:30 a.m.
Storytelling time at Herttoniemi Library at 9:45 a.m.
Storytelling time at North Haaga Library at 10 a.m.
Storytelling time in the club room at Töölö Library at 10:15 a.m.
Story time in Swedish at Drumsö Library at 9:30 a.m.
FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme time at Tapulikaupunki Library at 10:30 a.m.
FOR BABIES (and parents) at Korjaamo Cinema: Baby Cinema and the Night Feeding film on Tuesday at 10 a.m. Tickets €7.50. Read more from Korjaamo Cinema’s website.
Note! Family ball games are NOT held exceptionally this week.
Opera’s Children’s Art Sessions begin and take 5-6-year-olds playing, dancing and crafting into the fascinating world of opera and ballet. In the sessions, children get to know the main stage’s program by doing it themselves. The art form for children’s art sessions varies monthly. The session starts at 2 p.m. and lasts 90 minutes. Tickets €10 (adults also need to purchase a ticket). This week’s theme is dance. Read more about Children’s Art Sessions on the Opera’s website.
Kääk and Friends on Stage at Annantalo on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Joint jams by Central Helsinki Music Institute, Annantalo and Resonaari Music School, to which the audience is welcome. Admission to the jams is free. Read more from Annantalo’s website.
Tip for Espoo: The Toddler Tuesday event takes over the Sello shopping center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Read more from Toddler Tuesday’s Facebook page.
Museum tip: From Espoo’s WeeGee exhibition center you’ll find an excellent rainy day destination: Toy Museum Horseshoe! Pienten Helsinki visited the museum, article coming soon.
[caption id=“attachment_1711” align=“aligncenter” width=“1334”]
Toy Museum Horseshoe was an excellent rainy day destination with children.[/caption]
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017
Events:Storytelling time at Arabianranta Library at 9:30 a.m.
Storytelling time at Kontula Library at 9:30 a.m.
Storytelling time for ages 3-6 at Rikhardinkatu Library at 9:30 a.m.
Storytelling time at Tapanila Library at 9:30 a.m.
Storytelling time at Käpylä Library at 10 a.m.
Storytelling time at Lauttasaari Library at 10 a.m.
Storytelling time for ages 1-3 at Rikhardinkatu Library at 10:30 a.m.
Storytelling time at Oulunkylä Library at 5 p.m.
Story time in Swedish at Bocksbacka Library at 10:15 a.m.
Toddler rhyme circle at Oulunkylä Library at 10 a.m.
Mauka and Väykä’s Journey performance is shown at North Haaga Library at 10 a.m. A performance suitable for children over 3 years old - an interactive adventure in which children can participate. Free admission. (information from the library’s brochure, not on the website)
FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme circle at Oulunkylä Library at 11 a.m.
FOR BABIES (and parents) at Korjaamo Cinema: Baby Cinema and the Night Feeding film on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Tickets €7.50. Read more from Korjaamo Cinema’s website.
Tip: Going to the theater with children? Little ones’ theater tips are now as a separate article on Pienten Helsinki’s website.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2017
Events:Story session at Suutarila Library at 9:30 a.m.
Storytelling time at Laajasalo Library at 9:45 a.m.
Story session at Jakomäki Library at 10 a.m.
Tale and Music Performance Lost Heart at Kontula Library on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Lost Heart is a play about loss and finding and the feelings associated with them. Read more from the library’s website.
Note! Family ball games are NOT held exceptionally this week.
Minka Heino’s On the Surface. Pop exhibition opens in Annantalo’s café on Thursday, featuring illustrations from an art aphorism book. The exhibition also includes a story cabin where children can stay and relax, watch and pause. The exhibition is on display until November 12, 2017. Read more about the exhibition on Annantalo’s website.
Linnanmäki’s Light Carnivals begin and last until October 22, 2017. Experience the amusement park beautifully lit up as evening falls. Also featuring light art installations, performances, music and discos. Fireworks on opening and closing days at 9:50 p.m. Read more and see the full carnival program on Linnanmäki’s website.
Tip for Vantaa: At Tikkurila Library in Vantaa, there’s a Sing 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 sing-along moment here.
Tip: Nature hikes with children in Helsinki? Read Pienten Helsinki’s hiking tips.
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Coming soon: a hiking tip for Lammassaari and Kuusiluoto.[/caption]
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2017
Storytelling time at Roihuvuori Library at 9:45 a.m.Annantalo’s Naperokino continues and offers little ones (0-3 years) their own movie theater. Short films can be watched on Fridays throughout the autumn at 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. This time the theme is courage and helping. Read more about Naperokino on Annantalo’s website.
Tip: Have you already visited and experienced Annantalo’s new Dream Threads exhibition? The exhibition is on display at Annantalo until mid-December and can be explored free of charge during the building’s opening hours. Read more from Annantalo’s website and check out the pictures here.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2017
Events:Storytelling time at Munkkiniemi Library at 11 a.m.
Children’s Saturday Reflector Workshop at Library 10 from 12 to 2 p.m. Read more from the library’s website.
At the Museum of Technology a full-family museum day is held and the opening of the new Technology Land exhibition at 12-4 p.m. Read more about the event on the museum’s website.
Nordic Library’s Saturday Stories feature a story about silly animals in Finnish and Swedish at 1 p.m. Read more from the Nordic Culture Contact’s website.
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Nordic Library’s children’s section.[/caption]
The beloved fairy tale classic The Happy Prince is seen as a puppet theater interpretation at the National Theater’s Grand Stage foyer on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Performances also later in October-November. Tickets €15. The performance is aimed at ages 2-7. Read more from the National Theater’s website.
Fluffy Bunny theater performance is shown at the City Theater’s Small Stage foyer on Saturday at 11 a.m. The performance is aimed at ages 2-7. Tickets €10. Read more on the City Theater’s website.
Thinkfest Family Day is held at Kumpula Campus’s Physicum on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thinkfest’s Family Day invites the family’s little ones to experience science-making firsthand. The program includes workshops and tasks, and HS’s Children’s News is also featured. Read more about the day’s program on Thinkfest’s website.
Tip for Espoo: At Sello Hall’s Children’s Saturday you’ll hear Tuomo Rannankari from Pikkukakkos and the Sand Cake Orchestra at 1 p.m. (3 p.m. performance sold out). Tickets €10, family ticket €32. Read more from Sello Hall’s website.
Tip for Espoo: Jazz for Kids – A whole family jazz session at Espoo Cultural Center on Saturday at 11 a.m. The event is free admission. Read more on Espoo Culture’s website.
Tip for Espoo: At Children’s Culture Center Pikku-Aurora’s Saturday workshop, this week’s theme is word art and movement from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Read more on Pikku-Aurora’s website. Free admission.
Tip for Tuusula: Lotta Museum’s Children’s Saturdays are held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program includes crafts, tasks in the museum exhibition, and at 12 p.m. puppet theater Pikkukulkuri’s Lynxes Like Brothers performance. Free admission. Read more on Lotta Museum’s website.
Tip: Pienten Helsinki’s website now also has a listing of upcoming children’s goods flea market events. This weekend you can go shopping at a few children’s goods flea markets.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2017
Events:Wonderful full-family sports event Sports Fun takes over Sunday mornings at Liikuntamylly in Myllypuro from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Free-spirited good-fun sports and varied sport try-outs. Children enter free, adults €3.50 (Liikuntamylly entrance fee). Bring your own lock (for the locker room) and indoor sports clothes. You can leave strollers in the Liikuntamylly lobby. More information about the event here. Also read Pienten Helsinki’s article on sports activities. This is absolutely fun doing things together for the whole family and the best activity from the child’s perspective.
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Sports Fun gets the whole family moving.[/caption]
Full-family water sports day at Itäkeskus swimming hall on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. The program features splash jumping, water aerobics, canoeing and diving equipment, as well as a water sports course Wibit Aquatrack. Swimming pool entrance fee (€5.50/€2.50). Read more from the Helsinki is Moving website.
Tear Into It! - Art Clinic Workshop Day at Annantalo on Sunday from 1 to 5:30 p.m. The workshop is aimed at ages 3-9. Workshops for all tastes and at the end of the day an unprecedented paper-tearing contest. Also paper glider flying from Annantalo’s runway and paper outfit show on the stairs. Free admission. Read more on Annantalo’s website.
Tip for Espoo: Fröbel’s Blocks 30-year anniversary concert in Espoo at Leppävaara Sports Hall on Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets €15. Read more from Fröbel’s Blocks’ website.
Remember also these:
Finland 100 Illustration Art Classics exhibition comes to Rikhardinkatu Library and presents original illustrations from Finland's most important children's book illustrators from the early 20th century. The exhibition is open during library hours. Illustration Art Classics at Rikhardinkatu Library until October 29, 2017. Read more on the Great Reading Adventure's website.100 Spaces! is a multisensory and communal artistic-pedagogical event by students of the Dance and Theater Teaching Master’s Programs at Taideyliopisto’s Theater College from October 2-13, 2017 at Theater College. You can visit the space between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. The event is aimed at all ages. Free admission. Read more from Theater College’s website.
Linnanmäki Light Carnivals October 12-22, 2017. Experience the amusement park beautifully lit up as evening falls. Also featuring light art installations, performances, music and discos. Fireworks on opening and closing days at 9:50 p.m. Read more and see the full carnival program on Linnanmäki’s website.
Big Snadi Scale Model Exhibition at Otahalli in Espoo October 14-15, 2017. The program includes, among other things, miniature railways, race tracks, dollhouses, workshops, toy market. Tickets €12/€7/under 7-year-olds free. Read more on Big Snadi’s website.
Circus Finlandia at Kaisaniemi Field until October 29, 2017. Read more and see the specific performance times on the circus’s own website.
