Pienten Helsinki
Children's events in Helsinki
Updated 24.3.2018What child-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on weekends? What to do on a rainy day? Pienten Helsinki’s weekly series searches for activity tips and recommends child-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The website targets children under school age and families with small children.
Pienten Helsinki’s “Where to go this week” articles are published by Monday at the latest and suggest all kinds of activities happening in the city for families with children. The twelfth “Where to go this week” listing for 2018 takes you into the Easter spirit, family cafes, and numerous library events. Stuffed animals also get to have sleepovers and children’s clothes go to recycling. Easter events are collected in Easter in Helsinki 2018. New on Pienten Helsinki’s pages now is a list of art exhibitions suitable for children!
For BABY events there is also a new, separate group on Facebook, which you can find under “Vauvan Helsinki” or through Pienten Helsinki’s Facebook page.
In early March, Pienten Helsinki reached the milestone of one hundred published articles. To celebrate, the website published the “One hundred and one places in Helsinki” article. It takes you around Helsinki to places that appeal to children, are especially child-friendly, or are just nice spots to visit with little ones. 
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In the article’s cover image you see springtime atmosphere from the south end of Lauttasaari. This place is one of the Helsinki gems featured in Pienten Helsinki’s One hundred and one places in Helsinki article.
Monday » | Tuesday » | Wednesday » | Thursday » | Friday » | Saturday » | Sunday »
MONDAY 19.3.2018
Events:Story time at Puistola library at 10 a.m.
Toddler session at Maunula library at 9:30 a.m. Story yoga at Paloheinen library at 10:15 a.m. Story massage at Itäkatu Family Center’s family cafe. See details below.
Easter crafting for all ages at Suutarila library from 1–3 p.m.
FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme time at Maunula library at 10:30 a.m.
MLL family cafe Mondays in the lobby of the first floor of Itäkatu Family Center from 9:30–11:30 a.m. The family cafe is open to all families with small children and you can come at your own pace to play, spend time together, and meet other families in the same life situation. Read more on the Itäkatu family cafe Facebook page. Tip! You can also suggest a program or performance for the family cafe. On Monday 19.3. at Itäkatu family cafe there’s wonderful story massage for little ones and bigger children. Helsinki Library guides you through story massage and tells about everything the library offers for babies and families with young children.
TIP: An updated list of MLL family cafes operating in Helsinki created through collaboration between Pienten Helsinki and Uusimaa MLL can now be found on the Pienten Helsinki website. There are family cafes almost every day of the week all around Helsinki!
Puppet theater muskari at Sampo Gallery always Mondays at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Paid event (8€/time or 70€/entire spring). Read more on Puppet Theater Sampo’s website.
Art clinic for 3-6 year-olds at Annantalo on Mondays at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. This week at the clinic is the “Line, dot and point” graphics workshop. You can participate in the art clinic weekly or just occasionally, but you should arrive on time. Read more about the great art clinic activities on Annantalo’s website.
TIP to Vantaa: Ti-Ti Nalle’s 30th anniversary concert at culture house Martinuksen in Vantaa on Monday at 6 p.m. Tickets 25 €. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
TIP: The Daily News Museum and Pelle Fearless exhibition is also open on Mondays from 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
TUESDAY 20.3.2018
International Children's Theater DayEvents:
Story time at Kallio library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Malmi library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Kannelmäki library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Herttoniemi library at 9:45 a.m. Story time at Töölö library activity room at 10:15 a.m.
Story yoga at Paloheinen library at 5 p.m.
Reading dog at Töölö library at 6 p.m.
Family ball games continue at the Ballmill indoor hall at Myllypuro sports park. In family ball games, all children under 9 move on soft artificial turf with their own adult. Free play, stunts, running, or even learning to walk. Family ball games Tuesdays from 9:30–11:30 a.m. and 4–6 p.m. Free admission for morning ball games; afternoon games cost adults the Ballmill single admission fee (3.50 €).
Theater Rollo’s “Read, Sing, Write!” performance at Annantalo searches for words and combines letters on Tuesday at 10 a.m. The performance is suitable for ages 5 and up. Tickets 7 €/10 €. Read more on Annantalo’s website.
Art clinic for 3-6 year-olds at Kanneltalo on Tuesday at 10 a.m. This week’s theme is Mosaic Play. The art clinic meets at Kanneltalo three times and you can participate weekly or just occasionally, but you should arrive on time. Read more about the great art clinic activities on Kanneltalo’s website.
Mini-opera Cinderella at the Opera House balcony lounge on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. (a few tickets left). Tickets 10 €. Read more on the Opera website.
TIP: Shopping center Kaari hosts weekly Tuesday tumult with muskari for babies and toddlers plus story time for all little ones. Read more on the Kaari website; sign up in advance for muskari.
TIP to Espoo: MLL’s International family cafe at Sello Library’s Children’s Area on Tuesdays from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Read more on the library’s website.
TIP to Espoo: Espoo culture’s children’s events can be found conveniently through one link, browse the spring’s interesting program offerings in the neighboring city.
WEDNESDAY 21.3.2018
Events:Story time at Jätkäsaari library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Arabianranta library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Lauttasaari library at 10 a.m. Story time at Oulunkylä library at 10 a.m. Story time at Pukinmäki library at 10:15 a.m.
Song session led by Terttu Paija at Tapiola City library at 10 a.m.
Babies’ and toddlers’ rhyme time at Tapanila library at 10 a.m.
Russian-language children’s club at Malmi library Wednesdays from 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Renewed Arabian Home City Paths introduce themselves to children at Arabianranta library at 10 a.m. Easter crafting for all ages at Tapanila library from 1–3 p.m.
FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme time at Kannelmäki library at 1:30 p.m. FOR BABIES and parents: BabyKino at Kallio library. You can go to movies with your baby Wednesdays at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. You can find BabyKino’s own group on Facebook here, where for example the week’s film is published and voting takes place for future programming.
Puppet Theater Sampo’s “Meow – Easter at the puppet theater” extravaganza at Sampo on Wednesday at 9 a.m. Tickets 12 €. Read more on the puppet theater’s website.
Mini-opera Cinderella at the Opera House balcony lounge on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. (a few tickets left). Tickets 10 €. Read more on the Opera website.
FOR BABIES and parents: Finnkino’s Baby Cinema shows “Night Feeding” on Wednesday. Baby cinema screenings take place around Finland at Finnkino theaters. Theater locations, times, ticket reservations, and prices on the Finnkino website.
TIP: Kindergarten Museum is open every Wednesday from 12–6 p.m.
THURSDAY 22.3.2018
Events:Story time at Tapiola City library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Laajasalo library at 9:45 a.m. Story time at Vallila library at 6 p.m.
Cockroach Cinema in Kallio Library’s Story Corner at 10 a.m. Suitable for 1.5-3 year-olds. Read more on the library’s website.
Toddler session at North Haaga library at 10 a.m.
Reading dog at Töölö library at 2 p.m.
FOR BABIES: Baby rhymes at Puistola library at 10 a.m.
Family ball games at the Ballmill indoor hall at Myllypuro sports park. In family ball games, all children under 9 move on soft artificial turf with their own adult. Free play, stunts, running, or even learning to walk. Family ball games Thursdays from 4–5 p.m., costs adults the Ballmill single admission fee (3.50 €), free for children.
FRIDAY 23.3.2018
Story time at Roihuvuori library at 9:45 a.m.Toddler session at Malmi library at 10 a.m.
Story yoga at Arabianranta library at 10 a.m.
FOR BABIES: Babies’ rhyme time at South Haaga library at 10 a.m. FOR BABIES: Babies’ rhyme time at Malmi library at 11 a.m.
Stuffed animals’ pajama party at Kannelmäki library Friday through Saturday. Read more on the library’s website.
Art clinic at Mellunmäki playground at 10 a.m. Topic: mysterious egg. Read more about the art clinic on Stoa’s website. No pre-registration required.
MLL family cafe Fridays in the lobby of the first floor of Itäkatu Family Center from 9:30–11:30 a.m. The family cafe is open to all families with small children and you can come at your own pace to play, spend time together, and meet other families in the same life situation. Read more on the Itäkatu family cafe Facebook page. You can find all of Helsinki’s MLL family cafes around the city here.
Toddler Cinema at Annantalo Fridays from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. This week’s theme is creativity and arts. Read more about Toddler Cinema on Annantalo’s website.
Puppet Theater Sampo’s “Meow – Easter at the puppet theater” extravaganza at Sampo on Friday at 10 a.m. Tickets 12 €. Read more on the puppet theater’s website.
TIP to Vantaa: At Tikkurila library in Vantaa there’s a “Let’s sing together with children” event on Friday at 10 a.m. You can also bring your own instrument or borrow one from the library. Read more about this fun sing-along at the library’s website.
TIP to Sipoo: At Sipoo’s Gumbostrand Konst & Form, American animation designer Phil Mendez’s fairy tale exhibition FUN (Finnish Unknown Nature) opens on 23.3.2018. The fairy tale world of the exhibition is especially welcoming to children. Phil Mendez’s FUN is on display at the art center in Sipoo’s archipelago landscape until 27.5.2018. Free admission. More information on the event’s Facebook page. You can read more about Gumbostrand Konst & Form here.
TIP: Haltia Farm is open year-round and for example cows are outside even in colder months. It’s worth visiting Haltia at least to see the cows, play in the excellent playground, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The farm also has a restaurant, Wanha Pehtoori, which is open year-round. The lamb area opens again around Easter, when you can see newborn lambs up close.
SATURDAY 24.3.2018
Events:Easter witch story time (not scary) at 10:30 a.m. and Easter crafting from 1–3 p.m. and stuffed animals’ return home after their pajama party at Kannelmäki library on Saturday.
Story time at Munkkiniemi library at 11 a.m.
Easter-themed Children’s Saturday at Oulunkylä library from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Research Journey to Space – book launch event at Tapanila library from 2–4 p.m.
Maunula Sports Fun Saturdays from 9–10:30 a.m. through April 7, 2018 at Maunula sports hall. Shared sports fun for the whole family with activities for even the tiniest. Free for children, 3.50 € for adults. More information on the Helsinki on the move website.
Also for babies: Vuotalo’s whole family Easter has programs and activities for all ages on Saturday starting at 11 a.m. The program includes color baths for the littlest ones, willow switch and bunny ear workshops, crafting, and a children’s music concert in Finnish and Swedish (concert is paid). Vuotalo’s Easter on Saturday 24.3.2018:
- Lobby: 12–3 p.m. Easter willow switch workshop Led by Greta Salonen. Free admission.
- Atelier (2nd floor) 12–3 p.m. Bunny ear workshop Led by Tikke Tuura. Free admission.
- 2nd floor: 11 a.m. Color bath for 1-2 year-old toddlers 12:30 p.m. Color bath for 3-11 month-old babies 2 p.m. Color bath for 3-11 month-old babies and siblings. Color bath is led by Filip Hella. The color bath languages are Finnish, Swedish, and English. More information and registration: siw.handrooskelekay@hel.fi. Free admission.
- Vuosali: 1 p.m. Robin Rooster & Jokester Orchestra Rooster and orchestra play swinging children's music to get the whole family dancing! Tickets: 6€ from lippu.fi or Vuotalo's ticket counter before the performance. 3 p.m. Robin Rooster & Hans' happy orchestra play swinging children's music for the whole family! Tickets: 6€ from lippu.fi or Nordhaus' ticket counter before the concert.
Kindergarten Museum’s Saturdays with play city inviting small and big to play from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.! Museum Saturday has free admission. Read more on the Kindergarten Museum’s website.
At the Natural History Museum’s Saturday workshop you investigate fossils. The workshop is included in the museum’s admission fee. Read more on Luomus’s website.
Virvon varvon vipinät at Kimmo playground (Käpylä) on Saturday from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Read more on the Lions Club Central Park website.
Saturday workshops at Kiasma from March-April Saturdays from 1–4 p.m. Workshops suitable for ages 3+ to adults run on a non-stop basis and the workshop theme changes weekly. Kiasma admission fee. Read more on the Kiasma website.
The world’s first rotating ice hockey game at Töölönlahti on Saturday starting at 12 p.m. Read more about what this is really about on the event’s Facebook page and Helsinki News article.
Children’s and youth Angel workshop at Stoa cultural center on Saturday at 1 p.m. Free admission. Read more on Stoa’s website.
Vallila gardens awaken! Whole family gardening events on Saturday from 1–3 p.m. at Vallila library. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
FOR BABIES: In Swedish: Saturday treats – BabySauna performance at LillaLucka (Forum) on Saturday at 1 p.m. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
Escape Theater – theater comedy for children at Music Theater Kapsäkki on Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets 12.50 €/22.50 €. Read more and reserve tickets on Kapsäkki’s website.
Theater Rollo’s “Read, Sing, Write!” performance at Annantalo searches for words and combines letters on Saturday at 2 p.m. The performance is suitable for ages 5 and up. Tickets 7 €/10 €. Read more on Annantalo’s website.
Puppet Theater Sampo’s “Meow – Easter at the puppet theater” extravaganza at Sampo on Saturday at 3 p.m. Tickets 12 €. Read more on the puppet theater’s website.
Joker Poker Box 40 years Magic Show Celebration at Malmitalo on Saturday at 3 p.m. Tickets 12 €. Read more and reserve tickets on Malmitalo’s website.
TIP to Espoo: MLL South Espoo children’s equipment flea market at Matinlahti school in Espoo on Saturday from 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
TIP to Espoo: At Sellosalin’s Children’s Saturdays you’ll see “Into the bearded baby” music theater performance on Saturday at 3 p.m. Tickets 10 €, family ticket 32 €. Suitable for ages 4+. More information on Sellosalin’s website.
TIP to Espoo: Children’s culture center Pikku-Aurora has Easter witches craft on Saturday from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Free admission. Read more on the Pikku-Aurora website.
SUNDAY 25.3.2018
Palm Sunday: Virvon, varvon, fresh and healthy... Summer time begins, clocks move forward one hour ;))Events:
Easter events for Palm Sunday can also be found collected in the Easter in Helsinki 2018 article.
Sports Fun at Myllypuro Sports Mill on Sunday from 9–10:45 a.m. Shared sports fun for the whole family with activities for even the tiniest. Sports Fun continues at Myllypuro on Sundays through 25.3.2018. Free for children, 3.50 € for adults. More information on the Helsinki on the move website. The last Sports Fun of spring at Myllypuro.
Palm markets at Pihlajisto primary school on Sunday from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
Bruno’s Easter markets at Bruno metalworks in Vallila on Sunday from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Between shopping you can admire Ruffle Army’s giant soap bubbles from 11–11:30 a.m. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
Teurastomo’s Delicacy Markets fills the Teurastomo area on Palm Sunday from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. The markets offer a diverse program and market fun during Easter. There are also programs for children, such as pony rides in the yard and farm animals to pet. Read more about the Delicacy Markets on the event’s Facebook page.
Virvon varvon fresh and healthy! Witch march around Annala villa on Palm Sunday from 12–2 p.m. In addition, there are treats from the cafe and Easter decorations for sale (cash only). Admission to the event is free. Read more on Annala’s Facebook page.:
English school Easter bazaar - Easter Bazaar on Sunday from 1–4 p.m. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Mobile workshop at Annantalo on Sunday from 1–3 p.m. The workshop is designed for ages 5+ with their parent. Read more about the workshop on Annantalo's website. Remember also the other Annantalo exhibitions.In Swedish: Children’s Sundays at Kino Engel. Children’s film screenings at Kino Engel in Swedish. Tickets 10.50 €. Read more and see the program on the Kino Engel website.
Hevisaurus performs at Aleksanterin theater on Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets 22 €. More information and tickets on the Aleksanterin theater website.
Mary Poppins ice show at Helsinki Ice Hall on Sunday at 4 p.m. Mary Poppins ice show is the Helsinki Skaters’ 110th anniversary showcase. Tickets 15.50 €, under 3 free. Read more on the event’s Facebook page. The second showing of the ice show is at the Ice Hall on Monday 26.3.2018 at 10 a.m.
TIP to Espoo: Group Hau’s Samppa and Vainu at Sello shopping center’s Sembalot on Sunday at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m.
TIP: Fallkulla farm is open to the public also during winter: Wednesday-Friday from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. The youth-run Kilikuppila cafe also opens again, but remember to bring cash for cafe treats. Free admission. Read more on the Helsinki city youth services website.
TIP: To the movies! Supermarsu, Hats and Coats, Blanket Brothers, and Ruben’s Brothers as well as The Moomins’ Winter Magic are currently playing in cinemas and are suitable for small children’s first movie experience.
Remember also these:
[caption id="attachment_3170" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
At the Daily News Museum's Pelle Fearless exhibition.[/caption]
The Daily News Museum has a new, interactive exhibition suitable for all ages Pelle Fearless - The world’s bravest inventor on display through autumn 2018. The Daily News Museum has free admission. Pienten Helsinki visited the Fearless world, read more and see pictures here.
ESPOO: Finland’s largest miniature railway at Espoo’s Tapiola Heikintori shopping mall ground floor January-April. Exact opening hours on Alpine Railway Enthusiasts’ website.
