Midsummer Week in Helsinki

What child-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on weekends? What can you do on a rainy day? Small Helsinki's weekly series searches for activity tips and suggests child-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The target audience of the website is pre-school age children and families with children.

Small Helsinki’s “Where to Go This Week” articles are published by Mondays at the latest and suggest what’s happening in the city for families with children. In the Midsummer week’s “Where to Go” article, you can see the city quieting down during the height of summer, as very few events are organized this week. However, there’s plenty of programming at play parks, there are already twenty Park Hideouts to find around the city, Helsinki’s summer is at its best, and midsummer brings its own charm and activities to the city. Tips for celebrating midsummer in Helsinki can be found here.

New: Park Hideouts around the city! But what exactly is a Park Hideout? Find out here. You can continue this exciting summer adventure under Helsinki’s sky until early August. Will someone manage to find all the Park Hideouts in the city?

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The article’s cover image is from the fields of Katrinebergin Manor in Vantaa, which is home to farm animals during the summer.

Tuesday »| Wednesday »| Thursday »| Friday »| Saturday »| Sunday »

MONDAY 18.6.2018

At the libraries:

Little Songs - Family Music for Ages 1-3 at Kallio Library's Satulinnaari Monday at 10 a.m.

Meet Puluboin and Poni at Maunula Library Monday 1-4 p.m. You can read more about the day’s program on the library’s website.

Meet the City Guide for Southern Districts at Rikhardinkatu Library and suggest, for example, better play parks for downtown. City Guide Jarkko Laaksonen at Riku’s summer patio Monday 5-7 p.m. More information on the library’s website.

Libraries are also open during summer months, even if there isn’t organized programming. For example, read what the library offers for the little ones and book tips for summer activities with children.

At the play parks:

Helsinki offers all children and young people under 16 free lunch at play parks on weekdays at 12 p.m. throughout the summer holiday. You need to bring your own plate, utensils and drink. On Monday the play park meal is Italian stew. See the full summer menu and allergy information behind the link.

Helsinki play parks’ summer opening hours can be found here.

Chickens Visiting at play park Maunula Monday and Tuesday. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

Children’s Song Orchestra Äkäpussi at play park Tullinpuomi Monday at 10:30 a.m.

Traditional Games Summer Tour at play parks: Monday at play park Tullinpuomi 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Other events:

Helsinki City Museum and Children's City open for the summer season starting 4.6.2018 at 9 a.m. Great play place for early risers! Read more on the museum's website. Children's City also features a narrative art exhibition by illustrator Jenni Isotoff 29.5.–31.8. Dream Mäykkynen & Helsinki. At Children's City there is daily small self-guided paper crafts for families during summer. Starting 1.6. in June, paper city fox chains and other decorations with Helsinki animals are made. More information on the city museum's website. The museum is also open on Mondays and admission is always free.

The Future Tram is Here! exhibition at Kaapelitehtaan Merikaapelihalli until 20.6.2018. The exhibition is open Monday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

EspaFolk on Keskuskatu (in front of Artek) Monday 5-8 p.m. Good-spirited folk music and traditional dance performances in the middle of Helsinki. Free admission. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

TIP: Helsinki Places are child-friendly gems of Helsinki, lots of hidden knowledge and the beginning of a directory of Helsinki places.

TUESDAY 19.6.2018

At the libraries:

Library Tip for Espoo: International Family Café at Sello Library Tuesdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Libraries are also open during summer months, even if there isn’t organized programming. For example, read what the library offers for the little ones and book tips for summer activities with children.

At the play parks:

Helsinki play parks' summer opening hours can be found here.

Helsinki offers all children and young people under 16 free lunch at play parks on weekdays at 12 p.m. throughout the summer holiday. You need to bring your own plate, utensils and drink. On Tuesday the play park meal is chicken stew. See the full summer menu and allergy information behind the link. Summer park has free admission and only a few workshops require advance registration.

Chickens Visiting at play park Maunula Monday and Tuesday. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

Children’s Song Orchestra Äkäpussi Tuesday at play park North Haaga at 9:30 a.m. and at play park Laurinniitty at 11:30 a.m.

HDW Children’s Design Week Preview Event at play park Iso-Antti Tuesday 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m. More information on the event’s Facebook page.

Traditional Games Summer Tour at play parks: Tuesday at play park Sanna 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Other events:

The Future Tram is Here! exhibition at Kaapelitehtaan Merikaapelihalli until 20.6.2018. The exhibition is open Tuesday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Read more on the event's Facebook page.

Midsummer Island Decoration Work Party at Antin Square on Seurasaari 19-21.6.2018 12-4 p.m. Free admission, a great way to prepare for midsummer celebrations. More information on the Seurasaari Foundation’s website.

[caption id=“attachment_4639” align=“alignright” width=“225”]Park Hideouts are being searched for around Helsinki in summer 2018. Park Hideouts are being searched for around Helsinki in summer 2018.[/caption]

TIP: Small Helsinki’s Summer in Helsinki series already has over twenty articles about summer in Helsinki. Have you already read what kind of summer activities you can do on vacation days in Helsinki?

WEDNESDAY 20.6.2018

At the libraries:

Libraries are also open during summer months, even if there isn't organized programming. For example, read what the library offers for the little ones and book tips for summer activities with children.

At the play parks:

Helsinki play parks' summer opening hours can be found here.

Helsinki offers all children and young people under 16 free lunch at play parks on weekdays at 12 p.m. throughout the summer holiday. You need to bring your own plate, utensils and drink. On Wednesday the play park meal is dill-cheese fish soup. See the full summer menu and allergy information behind the link.

Children’s Song Orchestra Äkäpussi Wednesday at play park Isonneva at 9:30 a.m. and at play park Viiri at 11:30 a.m.

HDW Children’s Design Week Preview Event at play park Nurkkala Wednesday 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. More information on the event’s Facebook page.

Traditional Games Summer Tour at play parks: Wednesday at play park Santahaminaa 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Other events:

The Future Tram is Here! exhibition at Kaapelitehtaan Merikaapelihalli until 20.6.2018. The exhibition is open Wednesday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Read more on the event's Facebook page.

Midsummer Island Decoration Work Party at Antin Square on Seurasaari 19-21.6.2018 12-4 p.m. Free admission, a great way to prepare for midsummer celebrations. More information on the Seurasaari Foundation’s website.

Kindergarten Museum is open in June on Wednesdays 12-6 p.m. The museum is closed in July.

MLL Munkkiniemi’s summer family café at play park Munki Wednesdays 30.5-19.6.2018 at 2 p.m.

A•lava open stage Wednesdays 5-7 p.m. The event is open to the public and performers. You can go on stage to perform or watch others perform. More information on Annantalo’s website.

Summer Theatre: Laajasalo Summer Theatre presents: Pekka Pinecone. Kylämetsä Association’s summer theatre brings Gösta Knutsson’s Pekka Pinecone to the stage in Laajasalo. Performance Wednesday at 6 p.m. Tickets 15 €, under 2 free. Read more on Kylämetsä Association’s Facebook page.

New at Small Helsinki: Park Hideouts around the city! But what exactly is a Park Hideout? Find out here and clues and instructions here. You can continue this exciting summer adventure under Helsinki’s sky until early August. Will someone manage to find all the Park Hideouts in the city?

THURSDAY 21.6.2018

At the libraries:

Libraries are also open during summer months, even if there isn't organized programming. For example, read what the library offers for the little ones and book tips for summer activities with children.

At the play parks:

Helsinki play parks' summer opening hours can be found here.

Helsinki offers all children and young people under 16 free lunch at play parks on weekdays at 12 p.m. throughout the summer holiday. You need to bring your own plate, utensils and drink. On Thursday the play park meal is vegetable lentil soup. See the full summer menu and allergy information behind the link.

Children’s Song Orchestra Äkäpussi Thursday at play park Ulvila at 9:30 a.m. and at play park Munki at 11:30 a.m.

Midsummer celebrations are organized at most play parks, the list shows only events found with a quick glance:

Midsummer Celebrations at play park Iso-Antti, with horse rides (small cash payment), sauna whisk making and other activities.

Midsummer Celebrations at play park Linja Thursday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Midsummer Celebrations at play park Hilleri Thursday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Midsummer Celebrations at play park Lahnalahti starting at 10 a.m.

Midsummer Sparklers at play park Viiri 10:30-11:30 a.m.

HDW Children’s Design Week Preview Event at play park Lahnalahti Thursday 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m. More information on the event’s Facebook page.

Traditional Games Summer Tour at play parks: Thursday at play park Dragon Park 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Other events:

Midsummer Island Decoration Work Party at Antin Square on Seurasaari 19-21.6.2018 12-4 p.m. Free admission, a great way to prepare for midsummer celebrations. More information on the Seurasaari Foundation's website.

Summer Theatre: Laajasalo Summer Theatre presents: Pekka Pinecone. Kylämetsä Association’s summer theatre brings Gösta Knutsson’s Pekka Pinecone to the stage in Laajasalo. Performance Thursday at 6 p.m. Tickets 15 €, under 2 free. Read more on Kylämetsä Association’s Facebook page.

Summer Theatre: Theatre Tuikku’s Three Little Pigs summer theatre performance at Tapanila village farm yard Thursday at 6 p.m. Tickets 12 €/ 10 €. Read more on Theatre Tuikku’s website.

TIP: Summer Activities in Helsinki is a search for summer activities in the city for children under school age!

FRIDAY 22.6.2018

Midsummer Eve

At the libraries: Midsummer Eve, libraries closed.

At the play parks: Midsummer Eve, play parks closed.

Other events:

Midsummer Eve Activity Tips for Helsinki can be found in Small Helsinki's Midsummer in Helsinki article.

Happy midsummer!

Also remember: Park Hideout adventure continues around the city!

SATURDAY 23.6.2018

Midsummer Day

At the libraries: Midsummer Day, libraries closed.

Other events:

Midsummer Day Activity Tips for Helsinki can be found in Small Helsinki's Midsummer in Helsinki article.

Happy midsummer!

Also remember: Park Hideout adventure continues around the city!

SUNDAY 24.6.2018

Other events:

Midsummer Holiday Activity Tips for Helsinki can be found in Small Helsinki's Midsummer in Helsinki article.

Also remember: Park Hideout adventure continues around the city!

Tip for Espoo: Villa Elfvik’s Bug or No Bug? - Nature Walk is a hands-on nature walk for the whole family where you travel at the children’s pace. Bring snacks and dress according to the weather. Walk in Elfvik’s landscapes Sunday 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free admission, no advance registration required. More information on Villa Elfvik’s website.

TIP: Summer in Helsinki series tips for families can be found here.

Also remember these:

Mustasaari Summer Island regular ferry service started 5.6.2018 and you can reach the island for an outing from Taivallahti shore until August. Read more about Mustasaari here. Mustasaari is open on Midsummer Eve, closed 23-24.6.2018.

Children’s Traffic City holds open family days during the summer season on Fridays and Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., when children of all ages practice at the traffic city under their own adult’s guidance. On other weekdays, guided traffic education for those born in 2013 and older. Read more on Children’s Traffic City’s website. Free admission. Traffic City is closed during the midsummer weekend!

Espa Stage features almost daily concerts and performances during summer. Read more and see the summer concert program on Helsinki’s Culture Department’s website.

Fallkulla Farm is open all summer daily 26.5.-26.8. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Read more on the farm’s website. Linnunrata Play Park in Helsinki, Glims Manor House Museum in Espoo, and Katrinebergin Manor in Vantaa have also received farm animals as summer visitors!

Helsinki City Museum and Children’s City open for the summer season starting 4.6.2018 at 9 a.m. Great play place for early risers! Read more on the museum’s website. Children’s City also features a narrative art exhibition by illustrator Jenni Isotoff 29.5.–31.8. Dream Mäykkynen & Helsinki. At Children’s City there is daily small self-guided paper crafts for families during summer. Starting 1.6. in June, paper city fox chains and other decorations with Helsinki animals are made. More information on the city museum’s website.

Linnanmäki Amusement Park is open daily and Lintsila Stage features programming almost daily. Check the more detailed June opening hours on the amusement park’s website.

Timely museum tips in Small Helsinki’s Museum News article.

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