Pienten Helsinki
Due to the epidemic situation, many events have been cancelled, so please always check the latest information from the organizers' websites. This article will be the last weekly activity tips article for now, and unfortunately it appears that most organized events for the spring will have to be cancelled.
Publication of the "Where to go this week" articles will be stopped from March 16, 2020 onwards for the time being, but I will try to work on tips for activities at home and for example forest trips.
Hang in there everyone!
Let's hope the situation clarifies as soon as possible.
What suitable activities for children can be found in Helsinki? Where to go with kids on weekends? What about ideas for rainy days? Pienten Helsinki's weekly series looks for activity tips and suggests child-friendly events in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The target audience of the website is families with children under school age.
Go on a cultural adventure that lasts the entire spring and read Pienten Helsinki's and Helsinki's cultural centers' joint articles: Culture around the city and Selections from cultural centers' program. #culturaltrip
New in Pienten Helsinki: Going to the theater with children and Children's equipment flea markets in the capital region articles have been updated!
Article cover image: In Espoo, in the Oittaa outdoor area, the City of Espoo has built a sledding slope and children's own ski trail, which were in excellent condition at least this past weekend.
MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2020
Events at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Monday can be found in Helmet event calendar.
Central Library Oodi's events can be found in Oodi's own calendar.
Events at playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar in addition to playgrounds' own communication channels. Monday's events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Albert's Living Room is an open meeting place for families with young children and seniors in Kamppi. Open Mondays 9:30 AM-3 PM.
MLL's Dad Cafe at Iso-Antinki playground on Mondays at 10 AM.
Espoo: Minimenopelit toddler theater performance on Monday at 10 AM. Tickets 12 € (adult + child). Ticket reservations: lelumuseo[a]hevosenkenka.fi or 050-5900137
Puppet theater music class at Sampo's atrium gallery on Monday at 10 AM and 11 AM. Paid (8€/time or 80€/whole season).
Art advice clinic for 3-6 year olds at Annantalo on Monday at 10 AM and 12:30 PM. You can participate in the art clinic weekly or just occasionally, but you need to arrive on time. No advance registration required.
Laundry Days at Annantalo. Laundry dries in Neapolitan style at Annantalo's ground floor from March 9-31, 2020.
Vantaa: For babies and parents: BabyKino at Tikkurila Library on Monday at 12 PM. Free admission.
Museums open on Mondays include Helsinki City Museum and Children's City, Amos Rex (admission fee), Tram Museum, and Päivälehti Museum.
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2020
Events at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Tuesday can be found in Helmet event calendar.
Central Library Oodi's events can be found in Oodi's own calendar.
Events at playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar in addition to playgrounds' own communication channels. Tuesday's events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Family ball games at Pallomylly indoor hall in Myllypuro sports park. In family ball games, all children under 9 move on soft artificial turf with their own adult. Free play, acrobatics, running or even practicing walking. Family ball games on Tuesdays 9:30-11:30 AM and 4-6 PM. Morning ball games have free admission for everyone, afternoon games cost adults Pallomylly's entry fee (3.50 €). Really easy and low-threshold sports for the family's little ones!
Toddler Tuesday at REDI shopping center on Tuesday 10 AM-2 PM.
Kindergarten Museum is open on Tuesdays 12-7 PM. Small admission fee.
Open Studio for Toddlers workshops at Caisa Cultural Center on Tuesday 1:30 PM-3:30 PM. The workshops are suitable for 1.5–3 year olds with their guardian. You can drop by or stay longer. No advance registration required, free admission.
Dancing story time in rainbow colors at Kallio Library's Kupola Hall on Tuesday at 5:30 PM.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2020
Events at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Wednesday can be found in Helmet event calendar.
Moomins Day at North Haaga Library on Wednesday 2-6 PM.
Central Library Oodi's events can be found in Oodi's own calendar.
Tip for babies and parents: BabyKino at Kallio Library. You can go to movies with your baby on Wednesdays at 12 PM and 2:30 PM. BabyKino's own group can be found on Facebook here, where for example the week's movie is published and votes are held for upcoming programs. More information can also be found on BabyKino's Facebook page.
Events at playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar in addition to playgrounds' own communication channels. Wednesday's events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
The magic of circus! Family circus group at Stoa for children and adults on Wednesdays March 11-April 29, 2020 9:15-10 AM. Recommended age 3–5 years old with your own adult. Free admission. Register in advance, limited spots!
Albert's Living Room is an open meeting place for families with young children and seniors in Kamppi. Open Wednesdays 9:30 AM-3 PM.
The Three Little Pigs performance at Sampo puppet theater on Wednesday at 10 AM. Tickets 12 €. The performance is suitable for all ages.
Fallkulla farm animals is open on Wednesdays 10 AM-6 PM. Free admission.
Ateneum art museum's free day on Wednesday 10 AM-8 PM.
The magic of circus! Circus for toddlers at Stoa on Wednesdays March 11-April 29, 2020 10:15-11 AM. Recommended age 0–2 years old who have started crawling or walking with your own adult. Free admission. Register in advance, limited spots!
Fire Museum at Erottaja fire station is open on Wednesdays 12-4 PM. Admission fee 2 €, children under 15 free. More information on the museum's website.
Kindergarten Museum is open on Wednesdays 12-7 PM. Small admission fee.
Wednesday's leisurely gallery workshop at Vuotalo's lobby on Wednesday 4-6 PM.
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2020
Events at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Thursday can be found in Helmet event calendar.
Central Library Oodi's events can be found in Oodi's own calendar.
Events at playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar in addition to playgrounds' own communication channels. Thursday's events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Albert's Living Room is an open meeting place for families with young children and seniors in Kamppi. Open Thursdays 9:30 AM-3 PM.
The Three Little Pigs performance at Sampo puppet theater on Thursday at 10 AM. Tickets 12 €. The performance is suitable for all ages.
Open Studio for Toddlers workshops at Caisa Cultural Center on Thursday 10 AM-12 PM. The workshops are suitable for 1.5–3 year olds with their guardian. You can drop by or stay longer. No advance registration required, free admission.
Art adventure for children and adults at Kannelmäki Youth Center's Värkkäämö workshop on Thursday 10 AM-1 PM. The North Helsinki art school's art course has free admission. The recommended age for children is 3–6 years and you can participate in either just one or multiple occasions.
Fallkulla farm animals is open on Thursdays 10 AM-6 PM. Free admission.
Family ball games at Pallomylly indoor hall in Myllypuro sports park. In family ball games, all children under 9 move on soft artificial turf with their own adult. Free play, acrobatics, running or even practicing walking. Family ball games on Thursdays 4-5 PM. Children have free admission, adults pay Pallomylly's entry fee (3.50 €). Really easy and low-threshold sports for the family's little ones!
Espoo: Finland's largest model railway on the 2nd floor of Ainoa shopping center is open on Thursdays 4-7 PM. Voluntary admission fee. More information on Alpine Railways Enthusiasts' website.
Family activities at Porolahti Elementary School on Thursdays at 5 PM. Free admission. More information on the event's Facebook page.
FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2020
Events at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Friday can be found in Helmet event calendar.
Central Library Oodi's events can be found in Oodi's own calendar.
Events at playgrounds
Playground events can now also be found in the City of Helsinki's event calendar in addition to playgrounds' own communication channels. Friday's events can be browsed here.
Events and activity tips
Albert's Living Room is an open meeting place for families with young children and seniors in Kamppi. Open Fridays 9:30 AM-3 PM.
Napero Cinema at Annantalo on Friday at 10 AM. Age recommendation: 0–3 years with adult's supervision, older children are also welcome. Movies are free.
The Three Little Pigs performance at Sampo puppet theater on Friday at 10 AM. Tickets 12 €. The performance is suitable for all ages.
Children's Fridays at Alppila Church on Fridays 10 AM-12 PM. The whole spring's program can be found on the event's Facebook page.
Fallkulla farm animals is open on Fridays 10 AM-6 PM. Free admission.
Vantaa: Bilingual Moomin Concert with Benny Törnroos at Martinuksentalo Cultural Center on Friday at 5:30 PM. Tickets: 20/15/12€, family ticket 50€.
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2020
Events at libraries
Story times and children's events at Helmet libraries in the capital region for Saturday can be found in Helmet event calendar.
Central Library Oodi's events can be found in Oodi's own calendar.
Events and activity tips
CANCELLED Bravo! International Children's and Youth Performing Arts Festival programming can be seen in cultural centers around the city March 14-22, 2020. Some of the programming requires advance registration, some is paid.
CANCELLED Family activities at Maunula sports hall on Saturday mornings 9-10:30 AM. Admission fee for adults 3.50 €, children under 9 are free. You can arrive at your own pace, there is space for strollers in the lobby and you should bring your own lock for the locker room. Read more from Pienten Helsinki's Helsinki moves tips.
Skateboarding school for babies to grandparents at Kontu skateboarding hall, also known as Luuppi Skate, on Saturday 10 AM-12 PM. Course fee. More information, registration, and course times on Helride's website.
CANCELLED MLL Oulunkylä children's clothes and supplies spring flea market at Oulunkylä Elementary School on Saturday 10 AM-12:30 PM.
CANCELLED Espoo: Finland's largest model railway on the 2nd floor of Ainoa shopping center is open on Saturdays 11 AM-5 PM. Voluntary admission fee. More information on Alpine Railways Enthusiasts' website.
CANCELLED MLL's big flea market at Ruoholahti Elementary School on Saturday 12-3 PM.
CANCELLED Espoo: Dance theater Glims & Gloms: DJ Mölytoosa and Grandma performance at Aurora Children's Cultural Center on Saturday at 1 PM and 3 PM. Tickets 6 €.
CANCELLED Bravo! Festival opening at Central Library Oodi's 3rd floor on Saturday 1-4 PM. Free admission.
Saturday workshop at Kiasma on Saturday 1-4 PM. Museum admission fee, children under 18 free. Workshops are suitable for children over 3, the topic changes weekly.
The Three Little Pigs performance at Sampo puppet theater on Saturday at 2 PM. Tickets 12 €. The performance is suitable for all ages.
Family Saturday at Jääpuisto 2-4 PM.
Helsinki places article is a lifesaver for boring days with children!
SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2020
Events and activity tips
Central Library Oodi's events can be found in Oodi's own calendar.
CANCELLED Bravo! International Children's and Youth Performing Arts Festival programming can be seen in cultural centers around the city March 14-22, 2020. Some of the programming requires advance registration, some is paid.
CANCELLED Family activities at Liikuntamylly in Myllypuro on Sunday mornings 9-10:45 AM. Admission fee for adults 3.50 €, children under 9 are free. You can arrive at your own pace, there is space for strollers in the lobby and you should bring your own lock for the locker room. Read more from Pienten Helsinki's Helsinki moves tips.
CANCELLED MLL Children's Clothing Flea Market at Pihlajanmäki Elementary School on Sunday 10 AM-1 PM.
CANCELLED Espoo: Flea market! MLL Leppävaara Spring Flea Market at Ruusutorppa School on Sunday 10 AM-1 PM.
Fallkulla farm animals is open on Sundays 10 AM-3 PM. Free admission.
CANCELLED Bravo! Family day IIK! at Annantalo on Sunday 11 AM-4 PM.
Fire Museum at Erottaja fire station is open on Sundays 12-4 PM. Admission fee 2 €, children under 15 free. More information on the museum's website.
CANCELLED Bravo! Family day and the magic of theater and circus at Malmitalo on Sunday 1-3 PM.
Evening story time at Central Library Oodi on Sunday at 5 PM.
Also remember
CANCELLED Bravo! International Children's and Youth Performing Arts Festival programming can be seen in cultural centers around the city March 14-22, 2020. Some of the programming requires advance registration, some is paid.
Exhibition: Everyone at home - exhibition about everyday life and family diversity at Annantalo's art gallery February 6, 2020 - May 14, 2020 during Annantalo's opening hours.
Helsinki places article is a lifesaver for boring days with children!
Pienten Helsinki as an app on your phone!
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