Pienten Helsinki
Where to go with children in Helsinki? What kid-friendly activities are there in Helsinki this week? Pienten Helsinki's weekly "Where to go this week" series finds tips and suggests child-friendly events and activities in Helsinki and the surrounding area.
This article contains commercial collaboration advertising and activity tips.
The article's cover image is from the newly renovated Svante Olsson playground in Kaisaniemi Park.
News and updates
- Summer in Helsinki - series already has over 60 articles full of ideas for spending the summer!
- All of Pienten Helsinki's playground tips can be found behind this link!
- Swimming? You'll find many different swimming spot tips in Pienten Helsinki's theme article!
- Museum tips with children in Pienten Helsinki's theme article!
- Pienten Suomi - over 800 reasons to explore Finland with children!
- On Lasipalatsi square, in the surroundings of the Amos Rex museum hills, Yinka Ilori's Transparent Happiness artwork opened on Midsummer's Eve, emphasizing play, interaction, and spending time together. You can bring your own basketball or table tennis rackets, as play is allowed in this artwork. Sports equipment is also available for loan from Amos Rex museum during opening hours for a deposit. Free admission.
- Museum tickets to the Natural History Museum or admission tickets to Korkeasaari can also be borrowed from the library! From Viikki Library you can borrow admission tickets to the Natural History Museum. From Kalasatama Library you can borrow admission tickets to Korkeasaari Zoo.
- Playground summer meals menu this week:
- Monday 7.7.2025: Härkis pasta stew (M N K Veg)
- Tuesday 8.7.2025: Archipelago soup with char (M G N S K)
- Wednesday 9.7.2025: Vegetable pea soup (M G K Veg)
- Thursday 10.7.2025: Chicken and vegetable pasta stew (M N S K)
- Friday 11.7.2025: Sausage soup (M G N K)
MONDAY 7.7.2025
Events and
activity tips
- Summer in Helsinki - series already has over 60 articles full of ideas for spending the summer!
- Playground meals menu on Monday: Härkis pasta stew (M N K Veg)
Lunch is served in all open playgrounds. Bring your own food container, utensils, and drinks!
- Playgrounds open in July:
Playgrounds Etupelto, Filpus, Intia, Iso-Antti, Isoneva, Kannelmäki, Kiikku, Kurranummi, Lehdokki, Linja, Linnunrata, Lohikäärmepuisto, Maunula, Mellunmäki, Orava, Piika, Rudolf, Ruoholahti, Rusthollari, Seppä, Tuorinniemi, Ulvila Viikkari, Kankarepuisto, Salpausselkä, and Vähätupa. - Helmet library's children's events can be found on Helmet's events page.
- Helsinki Cup 7.-12.7.2025. Love The Ball Center at Käpylä Sports Park.
- Art Stuff art workshops at Annantalo's courtyard Monday to Friday 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm. Free admission.
- Discover Animals! workshop at the Natural History Museum Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 11am–4pm. Museum admission fee applies.
- Open Air Cinema: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone on the Kauppatori wharf Monday at 6pm. Free admission.
- Helsinki MUSEUMS open on Mondays include the Moomin and Pippi Longstocking exhibition, Helsinki City Museum and Children's City, Tram Museum, Amos Rex, and during summer season also the Natural History Museum and Seurasaari Open-Air Museum. The botanical garden's outdoor gardens at Kaisaniemi now have beautiful flower displays (free admission to outdoor garden!). More museum tips with children can be found in Pienten Helsinki's theme article!
TUESDAY 8.7.2025
Events and
activity tips
- Summer in Helsinki - series already has over 60 articles full of ideas for spending the summer!
- Playground meals menu on Tuesday: Archipelago soup with char (M G N S K)
Lunch is served in all open playgrounds. Bring your own food container, utensils, and drinks!
- Playgrounds open in July:
Playgrounds Etupelto, Filpus, Intia, Iso-Antti, Isoneva, Kannelmäki, Kiikku, Kurranummi, Lehdokki, Linja, Linnunrata, Lohikäärmepuisto, Maunula, Mellunmäki, Orava, Piika, Rudolf, Ruoholahti, Rusthollari, Seppä, Tuorinniemi, Ulvila Viikkari, Kankarepuisto, Salpausselkä, and Vähätupa.
- Helmet library's children's events can be found on Helmet's events page.
- Helsinki Cup 7.-12.7.2025. Love The Ball Center at Käpylä Sports Park.
- Art Stuff art workshops at Annantalo's courtyard Monday to Friday 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm. Free admission.
- Espoo: Aurora Summer Oasis: Art Lab at Aurora Children's Culture Center on Tuesday 10am-1pm. Free admission.
- Discover Animals! workshop at the Natural History Museum Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 11am–4pm. Museum admission fee applies.
- Helsinki Cup opening parade departs from Kansalaistore Square on Tuesday at 7:30pm and travels along Mannerheimintie to the Olympic Stadium square. The opening ceremony concludes around 9pm.
WEDNESDAY 9.7.2025
Events and
activity tips
- Summer in Helsinki - series already has over 60 articles full of ideas for spending the summer!
- Playground meals menu on Wednesday: Vegetable pea soup (M G K Veg)
Lunch is served in all open playgrounds. Bring your own food container, utensils, and drinks! - Playgrounds open in July:
Playgrounds Etupelto, Filpus, Intia, Iso-Antti, Isoneva, Kannelmäki, Kiikku, Kurranummi, Lehdokki, Linja, Linnunrata, Lohikäärmepuisto, Maunula, Mellunmäki, Orava, Piika, Rudolf, Ruoholahti, Rusthollari, Seppä, Tuorinniemi, Ulvila Viikkari, Kankarepuisto, Salpausselkä, and Vähätupa. - Plumber's Orchestra at playground Intia on Wednesday at 10am.
- Helmet library's children's events can be found on Helmet's events page.
- Helsinki Cup 7.-12.7.2025. Love The Ball Center at Käpylä Sports Park.
- Art Stuff art workshops at Annantalo's courtyard Monday to Friday 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm. Free admission.
- Espoo: Aurora Summer Oasis: Art Lab at Aurora Children's Culture Center on Wednesday 10am-1pm. Free admission.
- Discover Animals! workshop at the Natural History Museum Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 11am–4pm. Museum admission fee applies.
- Vesikko Day at the Suomenlinna War Museum celebrates 52 years of submarine Vesikko as a museum on Wednesday 11am-6pm. Vesikko Day is a family event with lots to do for families with children: submarine course, face painting booth, origami workshop, and storytelling sessions. Museum admission fee applies.
- Kerava: Children's music picnic & teddy clinic at Heikkilä homestead museum in Kerava on Wednesday 12:30pm-4:30pm. Pikkupappu's Orchestra performs at 2:30pm. Free admission.
- Espoo: Leevi flying squirrel family trip at Haltia Nature Centre in Espoo on Wednesday 2pm-3pm. Free admission.
- Helsinki Cup: Doritos Festival at Käpylä Sports Park Love The Ball Center on Wednesday 6:30pm-9pm. Featuring JVG and Joe L., among others. Tickets at the gate and tournament office 15 €, free entry with tournament pass.
Pienten Suomi - over 800 reasons to travel in Finland with children!
THURSDAY 10.7.2025
Events and
activity tips
Advertisement / Commercial collaboration with JT-Line
How would a trip to the past sound? JT-Line operates a total of ten archipelago cruises in July-August 2025 from Helsinki's Kauppatori to the Archipelago Museum Pentala.
A trip to Pentala island and the archipelago museum is full of experiences, stunning views, and interesting history.
And sheep that spend the summer on Pentala island!
A half-day trip and adventure starts from Kauppatori on Thursday at 10am and returns at 3pm. You'll have two hours to explore Pentala. The archipelago cruise is also great to experience with children.
Tickets from adults 44.50€, children 7-16 years 19.50€, pensioners/students 39.50€.
Read more about adventures in the Helsinki and Espoo archipelagos and book your place for a summer trip to the past on JT-Line's website.
a journey back in time. Photo: Remu Shemeikka
- Summer in Helsinki - series already has over 60 articles full of ideas for spending the summer!
- Playground meals menu on Thursday: Chicken and vegetable pasta stew (M N S K).
Lunch is served in all open playgrounds. Bring your own food container, utensils, and drinks!
- Playgrounds open in July:
- Playgrounds Etupelto, Filpus, Intia, Iso-Antti, Isoneva, Kannelmäki, Kiikku, Kurranummi, Lehdokki, Linja, Linnunrata, Lohikäärmepuisto, Maunula, Mellunmäki, Orava, Piika, Rudolf, Ruoholahti, Rusthollari, Seppä, Tuorinniemi, Ulvila Viikkari, Kankarepuisto, Salpausselkä, and Vähätupa. - Helmet library's children's events can be found on Helmet's events page.
- Helsinki Cup 7.-12.7.2025. Love The Ball Center at Käpylä Sports Park.
- Art Stuff art workshops at Annantalo's courtyard Monday to Friday 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm. Free admission.
- Espoo: Aurora Summer Oasis: Art Lab at Aurora Children's Culture Center on Thursday 10am-1pm. Free admission.
- Espoo: Aurora Summer Stage: Ville Karttunen at Aurora Children's Culture Center on Thursday at 6pm. Free admission.
FRIDAY 11.7.2025
Events and
activity tips
Advertisement / Commercial collaboration with JT-Line
Korkeasaari summer evenings are held on three Fridays: 27.6., 11.7., and 25.7.2025, and JT-Line's water bus runs extra trips between the island and Kauppatori. The paddle steamer Vispilä functions as a café at Korkeasaari's boat dock during summer evenings 6pm–10pm.
On summer evenings, Korkeasaari is open extended hours 10am–10pm (last admission at 9pm) with lots of special programming for light summer evenings. The summer evening program includes narrated animal feedings, insect tours, and guided evening walks in Cat Valley. Also check out the new Magnificent Insects exhibition. There are no separate event tickets for Korkeasaari summer evenings; the extended opening hours are enjoyed with regular zoo admission prices.
Find the ferry schedule to Korkeasaari and prices on JT-Line's website!
you can reach the animal island by sea at those times too. Photo: Omar El Mrabt.
- Summer in Helsinki - series already has over 60 articles full of ideas for spending the summer!
- Playground meals menu on Friday: Sausage soup (M G N K)
Lunch is served in all open playgrounds. Bring your own food container, utensils, and drinks! - Playgrounds open in July:
- Playgrounds Etupelto, Filpus, Intia, Iso-Antti, Isoneva, Kannelmäki, Kiikku, Kurranummi, Lehdokki, Linja, Linnunrata, Lohikäärmepuisto, Maunula, Mellunmäki, Orava, Piika, Rudolf, Ruoholahti, Rusthollari, Seppä, Tuorinniemi, Ulvila Viikkari, Kankarepuisto, Salpausselkä, and Vähätupa. - Helmet library's children's events can be found on Helmet's events page.
- Helsinki Cup 7.-12.7.2025. Love The Ball Center at Käpylä Sports Park.
- Art Stuff art workshops at Annantalo's courtyard Monday to Friday 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm. Free admission.
- Guard Parade: Navy Band on Friday at 12:20pm. Summer 2025 guard parades begin at Senate Square with light music, formation marches, and rifle drills. The parade then continues to the rhythm of march music around Esplanade Park and past Helsinki's main guard. From the main guard, the parade travels along North Esplanade back to Senate Square, where it concludes.
- MIL-Espa: Navy Band at Espa Stage at 2pm. Free admission.
SATURDAY 12.7.2025
Events and
activity tips
- Summer in Helsinki - series already has over 60 articles full of ideas for spending the summer!
- Helmet library's children's events can be found on Helmet's events page.
- Helsinki Cup 7.-12.7.2025. Love The Ball Center at Käpylä Sports Park.
- Vantaa: Håkansbölen summer exhibitions are open at Håkansbölen manor grounds on Saturdays and Sundays 11am-4pm. Free admission.
- Horse riding and pony rides at Seurasaari on Saturday 11am-4pm. Horse riding/pony rides are paid, Seurasaari has free admission (except museum buildings, which charge museum admission).
- Sukkalukko performs at Espa Stage on Saturday at 1pm. Free admission.
- Skidit Disco at Espa Stage on Saturday at 2pm. Free admission.
SUNDAY 13.7.2025
Events and
activity tips
Advertisement / Commercial collaboration with JT-Line
How would a trip to the past sound? JT-Line operates a total of ten archipelago cruises in July-August 2025 from Helsinki's Kauppatori to the Archipelago Museum Pentala.
A trip to Pentala island and the archipelago museum is full of experiences, stunning views, and interesting history.
And sheep that spend the summer on Pentala island!
A half-day trip and adventure starts from Kauppatori on Thursday at 10am and returns at 3pm. You'll have two hours to explore Pentala. The archipelago cruise is also great to experience with children.
Tickets from adults 44.50€, children 7-16 years 19.50€, pensioners/students 39.50€.
Read more about adventures in the Helsinki and Espoo archipelagos and book your place for a summer trip to the past on JT-Line's website.
a journey back in time. Photo: Remu Shemeikka.
- Summer in Helsinki - series already has over 60 articles full of ideas for spending the summer!
- Espoo: Lude or lock - insect hike at Villa Elfvik on Sunday 10:30am-12:30pm. Free admission.
- Vantaa: Håkansbölen summer exhibitions are open at Håkansbölen manor grounds on Saturdays and Sundays 11am-4pm. Free admission.
- Children's island adventure at Hara island on Sunday 12pm-2pm. Free admission, ferry ride to the island is paid. Bring your own snacks. The Seafarers' connection ferry operates to Hara island from Ullanlinnan pier, next to Café Ursula (Ehrenströmintie 3). Round trip: adults 9 €, children (7-17 years) and pensioners 6 €, under 7 years free.
- Linnanmäki's Roller Coaster turns 74 years old, and to celebrate, rides on the classic attraction are free all day. Plus Kengurumeinninki performs at Linnanmäki at 1pm. The amusement park has free admission.
Pienten Suomi - over 800 reasons to travel in Finland with children!
