Where to go with children in summery Helsinki? What child-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki this week? Pienten Helsinki's weekly Where to go this week series searches for activity tips and suggests child-friendly events and things to do in Helsinki and the surrounding area.
The cover image of this article is from Kumpula School Garden where the Harvest Festival is celebrated on Wednesday.
Commercial cooperation
This week's Where to go tips are brought to you by Helsinki Opera Summer!
How does a musical experience with children sound? Now it's possible as Helsinki Opera Summer's program features a super fun classic from years past!
Max & Moritz tells the story of two rascals who never stop getting into mischief. Children drive adults crazy as they try to figure out ways to make these unruly kids follow the rules. Max and Moritz just want to live in the moment and have fun, but constantly clash with adults' wishes. Catchy melodies and fast-paced twists guarantee a musical theater experience for the whole family.
The classic musical composed by Jukka Linkola and written by Pertsa Reponen in the 80s, Max & Moritz will be performed at Aleksanteri Theater on Saturday and Sunday 24.-25.8.2024 at 1 PM. Tickets 21 € / 24 € / 29 €.
The musical lasts 1 hour with no intermission. The performance is recommended for children over five years old.
Helsinki Opera Summer festivals at Aleksanteri Theater until 1.9.2024. The program also includes other child-friendly performances. Read more and book your tickets for a unique musical experience now!

Current highlights
- New in Pienten Helsinki: Introducing Helsinki's newest playgrounds!
- Museum tips for children from Pienten Helsinki's themed article!
- In Pienten Helsinki's Summer in Helsinki series you'll find dozens of tips for a summer in Helsinki! It's meant to be Helsinki's summer ABC - everything you can do with children in Helsinki during summer - a series that currently has over 50 articles!
- Pienten Suomi - over 800 reasons to adventure with children in Finland!
- Art in the middle of the city! Kim Simonsson's Peat Giants can be found at Lasispalais Square and the Bio Rex terrace until October. Impressive, thought-provoking and delightful for children too.
- Skidimarket is open on the 2nd floor of Hakaniemi Market Hall for the time being.
- You can borrow museum tickets to the Natural History Museum or admission tickets to Korkeasaari from the library! From Viiki Library you can borrow an admission ticket to the Natural History Museum. From Kalasatama Library you can borrow an admission ticket to Korkeasaari Zoo.
MONDAY 19.8.2024
Events and activity tips
- New in Pienten Helsinki: Introducing Helsinki's newest playgrounds!
- Albert's Living Room is open again on Monday 9:30–2 PM (International Monday).
Events at playgrounds on Monday
- Playgrounds are open again normally (except those under renovation) and guided morning sessions start this week!
- Playgrounds announce their programs in Helsinki's city event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
- At Loru Playground on Monday:
- 10:30–11:15 Loru games - games or movement for over 1-year-olds, Oodi 3rd floor event room
- 1–1:30 PM Kukkuluuruu baby session for under 1-year-olds, Oodi 3rd floor event room
- 3–3:30 PM Kukkuluuruu baby session for under 1-year-olds, Oodi 3rd floor event room - Family centers activities:
- Family Center Naapuri (Kivikonkaari 11, Kivikko) weekly program can be found on the center's Facebook page.
- Family Center Sahrami (Kangasalantie 11, Vallila) weekly program can be found on the center's Facebook page. - MLL's Family Center Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children 0-12 years old. Read more on the family center's pages!
- You can find all of Pienten Helsinki's playground tips through this link.
Events at libraries on Monday
- Helmet library events for children can be found on Helmet's event page.
TUESDAY 20.8.2024
Events and activity tips
- New in Pienten Helsinki: Introducing Helsinki's newest playgrounds!
- Paralympic Day at Narinkkatori Tuesday 9 AM-5 PM. Free admission.
- Summer Music at Annantalo's A. stage at 9:30 and 10:40 AM. Free admission.
- Opening of Maunula Playground's new yard Tuesday 9:45 AM-11:30 AM.
- Kindergarten Museum is open on Tuesdays 12 PM-7 PM. Small entrance fee.
- Albert's Living Room evening session Tuesday 4:30 PM-6:30 PM.
Events at playgrounds on Tuesday
- Playgrounds are open again normally (except those under renovation) and guided morning sessions start this week!
- Playgrounds announce their programs in Helsinki's city event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
- At Loru Playground on Tuesday:
- 10–10:30 AM Gentle movement with baby, Oodi 3rd floor event room
- 1 PM-2 PM Crafts for all ages pop-up style, Oodi 3rd floor or yard area (weather permitting)
- Family centers activities:
- Family Center Naapuri (Kivikonkaari 11, Kivikko) weekly program can be found on the center's Facebook page.
- Family Center Sahrami (Kangasalantie 11, Vallila) weekly program can be found on the center's Facebook page.
- MLL's Family Center Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children 0-12 years old. Read more on the family center's pages!
- You can find all of Pienten Helsinki's playground tips through this link.
Events at libraries on Tuesday
- Tatu and Patu's Story Hour at Pasila Library at 6 PM.
- Helmet library events for children can be found on Helmet's event page.
WEDNESDAY 21.8.2024
Events and activity tips
- Albert's Living Room is open on Wednesday 9:30 AM–3 PM.
- Fire Museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open on Wednesday 12 PM-4 PM. Small entrance fee.
- Kindergarten Museum is open on Wednesday 12 PM-7 PM. Small entrance fee.
- Harvest Festival at Kumpula School Garden Wednesday 4 PM-8 PM.
- Vantaa: Tuija Rantalainen and Watchdog Veikko at Myyr York Park (Myyrmäki) Wednesday 5 PM. Free admission.
- Kulosaari Day around Kluuvi Park Wednesday 5:30 PM-8 PM. Free admission.
- Street Fishing Helsinki - street fishing competition at Kaisaniemi Shore 5:30 PM-8:30 PM. Children under 18 participate free of charge.
Events at playgrounds on Wednesday
- Playgrounds are open again normally (except those under renovation) and guided morning sessions start this week!
- Playgrounds announce their programs in Helsinki's city event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
- At Loru Playground on Wednesday:
- 10–10:30 AM Loru songs for all ages, Oodi 3rd floor Story Carpet
- 1 PM-1:30 PM In Loru's warmth, Oodi 3rd floor event room
- Family centers activities:
- Family Center Naapuri (Kivikonkaari 11, Kivikko) weekly program can be found on the center's Facebook page.
- Family Center Sahrami (Kangasalantie 11, Vallila) weekly program can be found on the center's Facebook page.
- MLL's Family Center Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children 0-12 years old. Read more on the family center's pages!
- You can find all of Pienten Helsinki's playground tips through this link.
Events at libraries on Wednesday
- Helmet library events for children can be found on Helmet's event page.
Pienten Suomi has been updated!
Pienten Suomi - over 800 reasons to travel in Finland with children!
THURSDAY 22.8.2024
Events and activity tips
- New in Pienten Helsinki: Introducing Helsinki's newest playgrounds!
- Albert's Living Room is open on Thursday 9:30 AM–3 PM.
- Opening of Rusthollar Playground 10 AM-11:30 AM.
- Helsinki University Observatory at Tähtitorninmäki is open Thursday 12 PM–8 PM. Museum entrance fee.
- Craft Workshop at Central Library Oodi Thursday 2 PM.
- Choir Tour - big joint concert at Senate Square Thursday 7 PM. Over 110 choirs are participating! Free admission.
Events at playgrounds on Thursday
- Playgrounds are open again normally (except those under renovation) and guided morning sessions start this week!
- Playgrounds announce their programs in Helsinki's city event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
- At Loru Playground on Thursday:
10 AM-10:30 AM Pram gymnastics, Oodi yard
12 PM-1 PM Crafts for all ages pop-up style, Oodi 3rd floor or yard area (weather permitting) - Family centers activities:
- Family Center Naapuri (Kivikonkaari 11, Kivikko) weekly program can be found on the center's Facebook page.
- Family Center Sahrami (Kangasalantie 11, Vallila) weekly program can be found on the center's Facebook page. - MLL's Family Center Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children 0-12 years old. Read more on the family center's pages!
- You can find all of Pienten Helsinki's playground tips through this link.
Events at libraries on Thursday
- Helmet library events for children can be found on Helmet's event page.
FRIDAY 23.8.2024
Events and activity tips
- New in Pienten Helsinki: Introducing Helsinki's newest playgrounds!
- Albert's Living Room is open on Friday 9:30 AM–3 PM.
- Helsinki University Observatory at Tähtitorninmäki is open Friday 12 PM–4 PM. Museum entrance fee.
- Espoo: Espoo Ciné Film Festival 23.8.-1.9.2024.
- Kirkkonummi: Kirkkonummi Days 23.-25.8.2024.
Events at playgrounds on Friday
- Playgrounds are open again normally (except those under renovation) and guided morning sessions start this week!
- Playgrounds announce their programs in Helsinki's city event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
- At Loru Playground on Friday:
10 AM-11 AM Loru games - games or movement for over 1-year-olds, Oodi 3rd floor event room
1 PM-1:30 PM Loru songs for all ages, Oodi 3rd floor Story Carpet
2:30 PM-3:30 PM Loru finds - search activity for over 2-year-olds, hidden in Hau! Group Oodi 3rd floor children's area
- Family centers activities:
- Family Center Naapuri (Kivikonkaari 11, Kivikko) weekly program can be found on the center's Facebook page.
- Family Center Sahrami (Kangasalantie 11, Vallila) weekly program can be found on the center's Facebook page.
- MLL's Family Center Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children 0-12 years old. Read more on the family center's pages!
- You can find all of Pienten Helsinki's playground tips through this link.
Events at libraries on Friday
- Helmet library events for children can be found on Helmet's event page.
SATURDAY 24.8.2024
Events and activity tips
- New in Pienten Helsinki: Introducing Helsinki's newest playgrounds!
- You can find all of Pienten Helsinki's playground tips through this link.
- Helmet library events for children can be found on Helmet's event page.
- Vantaa: Family Traffic Park Day at Tuomela School (Ainontie 44, Vantaa) Saturday 10 AM-5 PM. Free admission.
- Espoo: Forest Fairy - natural materials craft workshop at Children's Cultural Center Aurora Saturday 10 AM-2 PM. Free admission.
- Tuusula: Children's Museum Festival at Tuusulanjärvi Museums 10 AM-5 PM. Free admission to all museums for children and accompanying adults on this event day.
- Kirkkonummi: Kirkkonummi Days 23.-25.8.2024.
- Espoo: Singing Hedgehog and Hannu's Animal Children at Children's Cultural Center Aurora Saturday 11 AM and 1 PM. Free admission.
- Espoo: Espoo Ciné Film Festival 23.8.-1.9.2024.
- Annantalo's Art Saturday: Controlled Fruit Game at Annantalo Saturday 11 AM-2 PM. Free admission.
- Vantaa: Håkansbölen Summer Exhibitions are open at Håkansbölen Manor area on Saturday and Sunday 11 AM–4 PM. Free admission.
- Koskela Village Festival Saturday starting at 12:30 PM. Free admission.
Commercial cooperation: - Helsinki Opera Summer: Max & Moritz Musical at Aleksanteri Theater Saturday 1 PM. Tickets 21 € / 24 € / 29 €.
- Espoo: Sock Mouse Concert at Espoo Cultural Center Amfi (indoors if raining) Saturday 1 PM. Free admission.
- Ukraine Independence Day Event at Senate Square 1 PM-1:30 PM.
- Kolibrí Festival 2024 Opening at Stoa's large theater hall Saturday 4 PM. Free admission.
- Mysterious Skidi Game at Media Museum and Archive Merkkiin 8.5.–27.10.2024. Free admission.
Playing the Mysterious Skidi Game together: game instructor present Saturday 2 PM-4 PM.
SUNDAY 25.8.2024
Events and activity tips
- New in Pienten Helsinki: Introducing Helsinki's newest playgrounds!
- You can find all of Pienten Helsinki's playground tips through this link.
- Flea market! Kruunuvuoren Shore Summer Flea Market at Oil Tank 468 Sunday 10 AM-3 PM.
- Espoo: Wetland Lives - family wetland walk in Villa Elfvking's surroundings Sunday 10:30 AM-12:30 PM. Free admission.
- Vantaa: Håkansbölen Summer Exhibitions are open at Håkansbölen Manor area on Saturday and Sunday 11 AM–4 PM. Free admission.
- Children's Island Adventure to Hara Island Sunday 12 PM-2 PM. Island adventure is free, but the ferry ride to the island is paid.
- Fire Museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open on Sunday 12 PM-4 PM. Small entrance fee.
Commercial cooperation: - Helsinki Opera Summer: Max & Moritz Musical at Aleksanteri Theater Sunday 1 PM. Tickets 21 € / 24 € / 29 €.
- Mysterious Skidi Game at Media Museum and Archive Merkkiin 8.5.–27.10.2024. Free admission.
- Espoo: Espoo Ciné Film Festival 23.8.-1.9.2024.
Outdoor Screening: My Neighbor Totoro at Haukilahti Shore Saturday 9:30 PM. Free admission. - Kirkkonummi: Kirkkonummi Days 23.-25.8.2024.
- What should we do today? Check out tips for boring days from Pienten Helsinki!
- Mysterious Helsinki article reveals small and big secrets about Helsinki!
Remember also:
Pienten Suomi - over 800 reasons to travel in Finland with children!
