Summer Activities in Helsinki 2018

Summer Activities in Helsinki 2018

Summer Activities is Pienten Helsinki's compilation of summery Helsinki with children: things to do on summer vacation days, during boring moments, or just for everyday activities. Or to help tourists arriving in Helsinki! The tips suit those traveling with little ones, and special summer suggestions have been highlighted from the perspective of children under school age.

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It's worth checking the more detailed information and opening hours of the summer destinations mentioned in the article before heading out on a trip!

PLAYGROUNDS

Summer in Playgrounds

Playgrounds organize guided and independent summer activities, play, wading, eating together, singing, and spending time with friends. Additionally, the parks have themed weeks, events, and for example a Traditional Games tour. Helsinki's playgrounds and playground summer opening hours can be found on the playground activity pages and event information on the playgrounds' own websites.

Playground Meals

Helsinki offers all children and young people under 16 years old a free lunch at playgrounds on weekdays at 12 o'clock throughout the summer vacation. You'll need to bring your own deep plate, utensils, and a drink. Check the full summer menu and allergy information from this link.

Park Treasures

Park Treasure is a kind of children's geocache, a treasure hidden in the playground area. Park Treasure differs from geocaching in that you don't need a phone or coordinates to find it, just sharp observation skills: you can find the hiding place only with verbal clues. In summer 2018, there are Park Treasures around Helsinki, mostly at playgrounds but also at a few other surprise locations. More information about Park Treasures can be found on the Pienten Helsinki Park Treasure page. Park Treasure clues will be published on Helsinki Day, June 12, 2018 at 8 a.m.

[caption id=“attachment_522” align=“aligncenter” width=“768”] Linnunrata Playground in summer 2017.[/caption]

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HELSINKI SUMMER CLASSICS

Linnanmäki

Linnanmäki amusement park is a classic that should be experienced at least once in the summer. The amusement park area has free entry, little ones have fun on some rides for free, at Lintsu's playground you can climb, and there's plenty to marvel at for the whole family. Read more from Lintsu's own website.

Korkeasaari

Korkeasaari Zoo invites you to watch animals from around the world in outdoor and indoor enclosures, to adventure on the island and its picnic areas, at home, and in play areas. In summer, you can also get to Korkeasaari by ferry from Market Square and from Hakaniemi beach, year-round via the Mustikkamaasta bridge. A place where hours pass easily! Read more: Korkeasaari Zoo

Suomenlinna

Suomenlinna is a sunny summer day trip destination, worth traveling across the sea with children. From the island you can explore just one part or tour the whole place, visit only the playground or a picnic, or even visit a submarine. Sometimes the ferry ride alone is an experience. The island surprises with its versatility and guarantees interesting things to see. Also remember Suomenlinna's adventure tours in summer 2018.

[caption id=“attachment_1290” align=“aligncenter” width=“848”] There are many opportunities for adventure on Suomenlinna.[/caption]

Kaivopuisto

Kaivopuisto in southern Helsinki is a classic where you can marvel at the Observatory, watch boats, gaze at the sea, spot birds, wonder at bungee jumps in July, eat ice cream, enjoy a picnic, and play at playgrounds.

Pihlajasaari

A magnificent outdoor island owned by the City of Helsinki, with ferry access from the Ruoholahti canal (small ferry fee). Nice rocks, a lovely swimming beach, and diverse nature, a true summer outing destination. The island also has a restaurant. You can also camp at Pihlajasaari. Read more: Pihlajasaari

Hakaniemi Market and Market Hall

Hakaniemi Market Hall and the market are suitable as trip destinations and destinations: plenty to marvel at, aromas, and atmosphere. The new Hakaniemi Market Hall temporary premises are additionally accessible and bright, so you can easily travel with strollers. Read more: Hakaniemi Market Hall

Old Market Hall and Market Square

The aromas and atmosphere of the Old Market Hall make it a wonderful trip destination even with children. The Old Market Hall and Market Square, and watching the boat traffic around the square. Read more: Old Market Hall Tip: The City Hall lobby has a spacious childcare room.

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SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Spotting Vehicles

Pienten Helsinki's classic article takes you on a spotting trip through Helsinki. You can see trains, tractors, ships, police boats, icebreakers, planes, fighter jets, cranes, and much more in Helsinki and the surrounding area surprisingly easily. Take your little vehicle fan on a dream spotting trip and go exploring!

[caption id=“attachment_947” align=“aligncenter” width=“1024”] In Helsinki, you can also ride in an old open-air tram.[/caption]

Find Helsinki's Fountains

Dozens of fountains bubble in Helsinki during the summer months. At least the Pienten Helsinki background team is a fan of Havis Amanda and other water elements found near Esplanade Park, and suggests that a fountain tour around the city is a wonderful way to spend a summer day with children in Helsinki. You can find many good fountains to spot in HAM Helsinki's sculpture database with the search term "fountain," and browsing sculptures will find even more. #spottingfountains

[caption id=“attachment_3512” align=“aligncenter” width=“1024”] A fountain splashes at Säätyhuone Playground.[/caption]

Spot Helsinki's Sculptures

Go on a sculpture trip in Helsinki and look for, for example, animal-themed sculptures around the city. Helsinki has sculptures of at least a moose, many bear statues, eagles, dogs, fish, lynx, porcupines, deer, and horses. Pienten Helsinki challenges you to see the city with fresh eyes and #spottsculpture! Spotting sculptures can be a nice art experience for the whole family. A list of sculptures found around the city with pictures can be found on HAM Helsinki's website.

Market Quarter Central Park

The Market Quarter summer courtyard is found in the City Hall courtyard (Sofiankatu 1-3/Katariinankatu 2). The sheltered courtyard has a sandbox and sand toys (update 4.6.2018, sandbox is still coming), a hammock, benches, flower plantings, and a nice atmosphere. You can enjoy a picnic, play, rest, and just be sheltered from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding city. The courtyard area has several restaurants and for example the City Hall restaurant terrace, where you can enjoy lunch while children play or nap. Read more: Market Quarters

Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden

Right next to the Central Station, in the middle of Kaisaniemi Park, you'll find an incredibly wonderful place that's definitely worth visiting with children too. Seeing giant water lilies in the indoor garden (paid admission) is an experience, the outdoor garden (free entry) has many interesting plants, nice picnic spots, a charming cafe, and a wonderful environment to marvel at or even nap. Read more from Pienten Helsinki's article about Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden.

[caption id=“attachment_4193” align=“aligncenter” width=“768”] Giant water lilies grow at Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden.[/caption]

Helsinki's Winter Garden

The Winter Garden's courtyard rose garden, greenhouse carp pond and abundance of plants, puppet theater Sytkytin performances, and overall a wonderful place near Linnanmäki are reasons to visit the Winter Garden. The garden has free entry. Read more: Helsinki's Winter Garden

Farm Animals in the City

Kuusiluoto and Mustasaari are home to sheep from early June deep into autumn for landscape maintenance work, Edible Garden at Mustikkamaasta has hens bustling about, as does the Stadin Gardener's garden at Herttoniemi Manor Park, at Linnunrata Playground in North Helsinki summer farm animals are cared for with volunteer help and the neighborhood community, and at Uutela Skatan Farm's Green Gate activity brings hens, rabbits, horses, sheep, and a donkey to the farmyard during summer months (hens are already there, others are still awaited as of 4.6.2018).

[caption id=“attachment_1604” align=“aligncenter” width=“1024”] Three sheep live on Kuusiluoto doing landscape maintenance work. The sheep roam freely on the island, so remember to close the gate leading to the island.[/caption]

Fallkulla Farm Animals Farm

Fallkulla Farm is a farm animals farm owned by the City of Helsinki, where you can admire animals up close and sometimes even pet them. Fallkulla is home to cows, horses, hens, miniature pigs, rabbits, goats, ducks... The farm on Malmi is free to enter and open daily 10am-3pm during the summer season. Read more: Fallkulla Farm Animals Farm

Haltiala Farm Animals Farm

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SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Adventure Park Korkee

Adventure Park Korkee in Mustikkamaasta and Paloheinä is a place for thrill-seekers: multi-level courses for small children (min. 90 cm tall) to adult courses in the treetops. Read more: Adventure Park Korkee. Paid admission.

Children's Traffic City

At Children's Traffic City, you ride bikes and scooters while learning traffic rules. The Traffic City has open family days during the summer season on Fridays and Sundays 10am-4pm, when children of all ages practice in the traffic city under adult supervision. On other weekdays, there is guided traffic education for those born in 2013 and older. Read more from Children's Traffic City's website. Free entry.

Summer Theaters

Several performances suitable for children and families can be seen in Helsinki and the metropolitan area during the 2018 summer season. Pienten Helsinki's summer theater article has tips for child-directed performances. Paid admission.

Suomenlinna Adventure Tour

Suomenlinna adventure tours are also organized this summer. Read more from Suomenlinna's website. Paid admission.

Annantalo A•Stage

At the children's cultural center Annantalo's backyard A•Stage, various performances are seen and heard almost daily. The summer program can be found on Annantalo's website.

[caption id=“attachment_582” align=“aligncenter” width=“973”] Annantalo’s A-Stage is located in the courtyard behind the building.[/caption]

Music Center Summer Concerts

Music Center's free summer concerts with various music styles almost daily during the summer. Summer concert information can be found on Music Center's website. Access to the large concert hall is also sometimes free during the summer.

Malmitalo's Summer Parkki

Summer Parkki at Malmitalo and Ala-Malmi Park during the first weeks of summer vacation: summer activities for elementary school children, young people, and even the whole family! Daily changing program starting at 12 o'clock and including outdoor games and other surprise programs. More information and schedules can be found on Malmitalo's website and Summer Parkki's Facebook page. Summer Parkki is free to enter and advance registration is required only for a few workshops.

Riku's Summer Courtyard

A summer paradise opens in the courtyard of Rikhardinkatu Library on Helsinki Day, June 12, 2018. In previous years, events have been held here, dancing, reading, playing, crafting, and enjoying summer. More information about this year's program is coming soon. Read more: Riku's Summer Courtyard

Espa Stage

Espa Stage is Helsinki's heart in summer: almost daily various performances and concerts are seen and heard on stage. Because of its central location, it's easy to stop by, marvel at fountains, and visit the market square. Read more about Espa Stage's program from here.

Helsinki Libraries

Libraries serve during the summer months, even if there isn't organized programming. Read for example what the library offers for the little ones as well as book recommendations for summer activities with children. The Nordic Library in Kaisaniemi is on vacation from Midsummer to early August, so summer reading and even movies should be picked up well in advance!

[caption id=“attachment_950” align=“aligncenter” width=“960”] The Nordic Library’s children’s section.[/caption]

Summer Events

Pienten Helsinki's list of summer events can be found here.

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SWIMMING

Pirkkola Sports Park Plotti Nearby Sports Facility

A naturally-based shallow children's swimming spot in the middle of Pirkkola Sports Park, where the swimming area water is chlorinated. Sand, a playground, water slide, a small kiosk, and a sheltered swimming place for little ones. During summer 2018, Plotti, kiosk, and changing facilities open on Monday, June 4, 2018. Read more: Pirkkola Plotti

Helsinki's Child-Friendly Swimming Beaches

You can find Pienten Helsinki's tips for child-friendly swimming beaches here.

[caption id=“attachment_4355” align=“aligncenter” width=“1024”] At Kallahdenniemi Beach.[/caption]

Wading Pools

You can find more detailed information about all of Helsinki's 51 wading pools from Pienten Helsinki's Wading article.

Allas Sea Pool

A sight-seeing destination in front of the Market Square. Heated pools and natural water pool as well as events for children and families. See and experience Helsinki from a new perspective. Admission fee required. Read more: Allas Sea Pool

Kumpula Open-Air Pool and Swimming Stadium Open-Air Pool

SUMMER IN MUSEUMS

Daily News Museum

The Daily News Museum's spring 2018 new exhibition takes you to Pelle Fearless's wonderful world. Pelle Fearless – the world's fearless inventor is an exhibition built on children's terms that guides you into the wonderful world of inventions and Pelle Fearless. The exhibition is on display at the Daily News Museum from March 8 to September 16, 2018, and admission to the museum is always free. Pienten Helsinki's article about Pelle Fearless exhibition can be found here.

[caption id=“attachment_3129” align=“aligncenter” width=“1024”] The Daily News Museum’s Pelle Fearless exhibition is also open in summer.[/caption]

Helsinki City Museum and Children's City

The Helsinki City Museum and Children's City respond to visitors' wishes and during summer months (June 4 - August 31, 2018) the museum opens Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. Children's City is a wonderful play space for early risers! Helsinki City Museum and its Children's City is always a sure choice for a museum visit with the little ones.

Kindergarten Museum

The Kindergarten Museum in Sörnäinen at Ebenesser House is open on Wednesday afternoons in June from 12-6pm, and the museum is closed for maintenance in July. In this museum you play shops, home, hospital, games, and sing. Small admission fee. More information from Kindergarten Museum's website.

HAM Helsinki

HAM Helsinki is currently presenting, for example, Graffiti Art and Tove Jansson's work, including the Moomins. For children, HAM offers a loaner backpack during museum visits, which contains activities for 3-9 year old museum visitors. During the Graffiti exhibition, the backpack includes a drawing book and crayons, a small wooden train, and an image of a train car where you can design your own graffiti. Ask the museum cashier for more information about the loaner backpack. Museum admission fee, under 18s free. More information about Kids' HAM, the Graffiti exhibition, and HAM Helsinki in general.

Natural History Museum

At the Natural History Museum, young museum visitors are well accommodated. There are many small tasks, things to try and explore, you can crawl through a snow tunnel to peek into nests under the snow, and listen to fish talk on the phone. Have you seen dinosaur bones? Or bears up close? A fun place for the whole family! Museum admission fee, children under 7 free. Read more: Pienten Helsinki's museum series article about the Natural History Museum

[caption id=“attachment_675” align=“aligncenter” width=“768”] At the Natural History Museum.[/caption]

National Museum

In addition to the National Museum's permanent exhibitions and children's Vinti, the museum's summer features the Barbie – The Icon exhibition, more information about the exhibition can be found on the National Museum's website. Pienten Helsinki's article about the National Museum with children can be found here.

Fire Museum

You still have a few weeks to visit the Helsinki Fire Department's Fire Museum, open Wednesdays and Sundays 12-4pm. The museum closes for summer vacation on Midsummer's Eve (June 26, 2018) and reopens in August on August 21, 2018. Small admission fee. More information about Finnish fire museums can be found here.

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Also remember:

Pienten Helsinki's Helsinki Sites article has more destinations worth experiencing in Helsinki.