What to do during fall break October 14-20, 2024 in Helsinki and the metropolitan area with children?

What to do or where to go in Helsinki with children during fall break week 2024? Helsinki schools have fall break during week 42. During fall break week, many parent groups and activities are on holiday, but other fall break activities and programs are organized for children and young people. 
Pienten Helsinki's activity tips for fall break are compiled with small children and their families as well as elementary school-aged children in mind.

This article contains a commercial collaboration tip.

Events and activities during fall break week

  • Nordic Library on Kaisaniemenkatu is open during fall break week Tuesday to Thursday 12-19.
  • Vantaa: Håkansböle Glow: Light Path at Håkansböle Manor Thursday to Saturday 17.-19.10.2024 18-21. Free admission.
  • The Joy of Being exhibition in the glass section of Annantalo's 2nd floor 7.9.-19.10.2024. The exhibition is open during Annantalo's opening hours. Free admission.
  • Circus Finlandia at Käpylä Sports Park until 27.10.2024. Fee required.
  • Light Carnivals at Linnanmäki 11.-20.10.2024. Admission fee €20 / person or wristband.

Museums with children during fall break

  • Note! Many museums are closed on Mondays, but at least the Tram Museum, City Museum and Amos Rex are open on Mondays too (Amos Rex closed Tuesdays!).

Commercial collaboration with Science Museum Liekki:

  • Fall break programs at Science Museum Liekki in the University's main building!
    In the "Food for All" exhibition, visitors can paint and draw posters about favorite foods or favorite recipes Tuesday to Saturday 15–19.10.2024. The self-directed workshop operates on a non-stop basis during museum hours (Tue–Wed 12–16, Thu 12–20, Fri–Sat 12–16) and does not require advance registration. Suitable for preschool and school-aged children. There is a small admission fee to the museum, children under 18 enter free and a Museum Card works too.

    Pienten Helsinki warmly recommends visiting Science Museum Liekki at the University's main building! We visited Science Museum Liekki during the Night of the Arts and what a pleasant surprise it was! The Science Museum's spaces aren't huge, but they are all the clearer and more modern. The location in the city center gives you a reason to visit even on a passing trip. New and renewed museum venues are always a joy and Science Museum Liekki is no exception!
Science Museum Liekki has activities for children too!
  • At the Helsinki City Museum embroidery pictures are made during fall break week Monday to Friday 14.-18.10.2024 12–15. The workshop is free and open to everyone at their own pace.⁣⁣ Also Children's City is open all week and there is always free admission.⁣⁣
  • Kindergarten Museum in Sörnäinen is open during fall break week Tuesday and Wednesday 12-19. On Tuesday 15.10.2024 at the Kindergarten Museum you can bake pizza guided by museum friends 12-14. Small admission fee.
  • Fire Museum is open during fall break week Wednesday and Sunday 12-16. There is a small admission fee for those over 15 years old at the museum located at the Erottaja rescue station.

Moving around during fall break

  • Children's fall break sports event at Myllypuro Sports Mill Monday and Tuesday 14.-15.10.2024 10-13. Admission fee €2 for children and €3.50 for adults. NOTE! Storage of belongings in a locked space at the Sports Mill requires bringing your own lock!
  • Espoo: Free admission for ages 7–17 to Espoo's municipal swimming pools Monday to Friday 14.10.-18.10.2024.
  • Ice skating? Public skating sessions are organized at several ice halls.

Playgrounds during fall break

  • All of Pienten Helsinki's playground tips can be found via this link.
  • Some of Helsinki's city playgrounds are open during fall break week Monday to Friday offering activities and programs for families with children and schoolchildren. Playgrounds advertise their fall break programs in the city's event calendar and on playgrounds' own Facebook and Instagram pages.

    Playgrounds open during fall break 2024:

    Southern district:
    - Seppä playground, Punavuori
    - Loru playground, Oodi central library
    - Ruoholahti playground

    Central district:
    - Intia playground, Kumpula
    - Linja playground, Kallio
    - Sanna playground, West Pasila

    Western district:
    - Ulvila playground, Munkkivuori
    - Ida playground, North Haaga
    - Viiri playground, Little Huopalahti

    Kaarela
    - Strömberg playground, Pitäjänmäki
    - Trumpetti playground, Kannelmäki

    Northern district:
    - Maunula playground
    - Etupelto playground, East Pakila

    Northeastern district:
    - Maasälpä playground, Pihlajamäki
    - Filpus playground, Lower Malmi
    - Viikkari playground, Viikki/ Latokartano

    Puistola-Suutarila-Jakomäki area
    - Kankarepuisto playground, Jakomäki
    - Kurranummi playground, Tapanila

    Southeastern district:
    - Orava playground, West Herttoniemi
    - Kiiltotähti playground, Laajasalo /Yliskylä
    - Tuorinniemi playground, Herttoniemenranta

    Eastern district:
    - Lohikäärmepuisto playground, Vuosaari
    - Kiikku playground, Kontula
    - Mellunmäki playground

    Myllypuro-Vartiokylä area
    - Myllynsiipi playground, Myllypuro
    - Rusthollari playground, Puotila

Self-directed activities

Daily activity tips can be found in Pienten Helsinki's Where this week article!

  • Art in the middle of the city! Kim Simonsson's Moss Giants can be seen at Lasipalatsi Square and Bio Rex's terrace through October. Impressive, engaging and delightful for children too.
  • Go on an autumn foliage hike! Helsinki's parks and forests are now glowing in beautiful autumn colors!
    Pienten Helsinki recommends a trip to at least Tullisaari and Stanvik Manor Park in Laajasalo, Herttoniemi Manor Park and Sibelius Park (great new playground!) in Töölö. Espoo's Träskanda Manor Park is also wonderful!
  • Sheep Island and Kuusiluoto, Talosaari, Seurasaari, Suomenlinna, Kruunuvuori... There are numerous places suitable for day trips. You can create your own theme for the trip or follow a planned route. For example, you can get to know Suomenlinna in many different ways, such as by navigating with flashlights in caves or spotting ships at Kustaa Bay.
    Note! The boardwalk leading to Kuusiluoto has been renovated and now you can reach the island with dry feet and even with strollers!
  • Pienten Suomi has over 800 reasons to travel with children in Finland!

Animals in the city

  • At the Winter Garden you can admire carp swimming in the greenhouse pool. The Winter Garden is also an excellent picnic spot!

    Winter Garden opening hours 2024:
    - Monday to Thursday 10-16
    - Closed on Fridays
    - Saturday and Sunday 10-16
  • At the Haltiala farm animal yard you can visit at your own pace, play in the outdoor play area and grill your own food on the farm's grill. The farm's animals are outdoors in October weather permitting.
  • At Fallkulla farm electrical panel replacement work is being done during fall break week, so indoor facilities and restrooms are unavailable for customer use Monday to Friday. The farm's animals are outdoors daily 10–14, when they can be seen in the pastures.
    - Fallkulla's Kilikuppila café is open Sunday 13.10.2024 and Sunday 20.10.2024 10.30–14. The café operates with a smaller selection than usual because the power outage affects storage options for some café products.
  • Korkeasaari Zoo is open throughout fall break week. The island also has several grilling spots and nice playgrounds. Admission fee required.

Day trips or travel elsewhere in Finland

This image's alt attribute is empty; File name is pienten-helsinki-logo.png
#pientenhelsinki

Follow Pienten Helsinki!
Pienten Helsinki on Facebook
Pienten Helsinki on Instagram