Where to Go This Week: Park Cache Special

What kid-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki? Where to go with young children on the weekend? What to do on a rainy day? The Small Helsinki weekly series searches for activity tips and recommends child-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The site targets preschool-age children and families with young children.

July heatwaves continue, but what can you do with the kids? The “Where to Go This Week” article lists weekly events and suggests self-directed summer activities in Helsinki. During the last week of July, you can dance at Park Carols in Alppipuisto, jam at Tiksi Block Party in Vantaa, and go on a fairy tale picnic to a playground. The final weeks of park caches are also here, so it’s high time to get out and search for them! The Small Helsinki “Where to Go This Week” article appears weekly, no later than Monday, and recommends everything happening in the city for families with preschool-age children.

New in Small Helsinki: My Museum Friend and I - the latest episode takes you to Tamminiemi, the presidential home museum in Meilahti. Swimming spots for hot July - the article lists sure-fire swimming spots. Summer in Helsinki series has hundreds of tips for adventure in the summer capital.

WISH: Praise, criticism, comments and wishes: tell us what you think of Small Helsinki!

Article cover image: Träskändan Manor and Park in Järvenperä, Espoo is a wonderful picnic spot where you can also find a park cache.

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

MONDAY, JULY 23, 2018

At the Libraries:

Library Tip: At least Rikhardinkatu Library and Kallio Library have their own summer courtyards, which are definitely worth visiting!

Book tips for summer vacation days for children can be found on the Helmet library portal.

Libraries are also open during the summer months, even without organized programs. Read, for example, what the library offers for young children and book tips for summer activities with children.

At the Playgrounds:

Helsinki offers all children and youth under 16 free lunch at playgrounds on weekdays at 12 noon throughout the summer vacation. You'll need to bring your own plate, utensils, and drinks. On Monday, the playground lunch is archipelago fish stew. Check the full summer menu and allergy information from this link.

Helsinki playgrounds’ summer opening hours can be found here.

Dance artist Veera Lamberg leads dance workshops at Helsinki playgrounds June through August. The workshops introduce the world of dance through imagination and music. There are two workshops: Dancing Magic Box (TT) for ages 0-6 and their families, and Dance Adventure Treasure Hunt (TA) for school-age children. On Monday you can dance at Piikka playground at 10:30 a.m. (TT) and 1:30 p.m. (TA).

Traditional games summer tour at playgrounds: Monday at Etupelto playground from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Other Events:

Helsinki City Museum and Children's City open at 9 a.m. starting June 4, 2018 during the summer season. A great play spot for early risers! Read more on the museum's website. The Children's City also features an illustrated story art exhibition by illustrator Jenni Isotoff from May 29 to August 31: Dream Mäykkynen & Helsinki.

Other museums open on Mondays include Päivälehti Museum and during the summer season also National Museum and Haltia Nature Centre in Espoo.

Summer Theater: The Taivallahti Summer Theater stage presents Tiina and Sinikka Nopola’s Ricky Rapper and Freezer Elvi play. Performance Monday at 6 p.m. Tickets €16. Read more: on Taivallahti Summer Theater’s website.

TIP: Movies with kids! For example, Maija the Bee and the Honey Games and Super Marsu are suitable for all ages.

Park Cache 2018: “When summer sun warms you and the pool cools you down, with two doors beside you, when you stretch your eyes you’ll get a ‘squirrel-like’ flack.” This is the clue from Herttoniemi playground to the park cache. Have you found Hertsika’s park cache yet? The world conquest of park caches continues for a while longer, with 29 caches to find!

[caption id=“attachment_5294” align=“aligncenter” width=“2048”] Helsinki has 28 different and distinctive park caches.[/caption]

TUESDAY, JULY 24, 2018

At the Libraries:

Book tips for summer vacation days for children can be found on the Helmet library portal.

Libraries are also open during the summer months, even without organized programs. Read, for example, what the library offers for young children and book tips for summer activities with children.

At the Playgrounds:

Helsinki playgrounds' summer opening hours can be found here.

Helsinki offers all children and youth under 16 free lunch at playgrounds on weekdays at 12 noon throughout the summer vacation. You’ll need to bring your own plate, utensils, and drinks. On Tuesday, the playground lunch is leek and potato soup. Check the full summer menu and allergy information from this link. Summer parks have free entry and only a few workshops require advance registration.

Dance artist Veera Lamberg leads dance workshops at Helsinki playgrounds June through August. The workshops introduce the world of dance through imagination and music. There are two workshops: Dancing Magic Box (TT) for ages 0-6 and their families, and Dance Adventure Treasure Hunt (TA) for school-age children. On Tuesday you can dance at Maunula playground at 10 a.m. (TT) and 10:30 a.m. (TA).

FOR BABIES: Kukkuluuruu baby meetups at Taivallahti playground Tuesday at 10:35 a.m.

Traditional games summer tour at playgrounds: Tuesday at Jakomäki playground from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Other Events:

Taskari - a dance version of music class at Annantalo A•stage Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Taskari is aimed at children ages 0-5 and their guardians. Free admission, no advance registration required. More information on Annantalo's website.

Graffiti workshop at Kumpula School Garden Tuesday from 2 to 6 p.m. There’s also a summer café open on Tuesdays, cash only! Read more on the garden’s website.

Summer Theater: Tomppeli at Tervasaari Summer Theater Tuesday at 3 p.m. Tickets €14, under 2 free, family packages also available. Read more about the show on the theater’s website.

Park Cache 2018: “Big steps lead to the upper terrace, hopefully you won’t meet giants there. Walk on sandy paths, don’t close your eyes. When you look up from below, something red will flash there too.” This is the clue from Myllynsiive playground to the park cache. Have you found the park cache in Myllypuro yet? The world conquest of park caches continues for a while longer, with 29 caches to find!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2018

At the Libraries:

Story picnic at Kurranummi playground in collaboration with Tapanila Library Wednesday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. More information on the library's website.

Book tips for summer vacation days for children can be found on the Helmet library portal.

Libraries are also open during the summer months, even without organized programs. Read, for example, what the library offers for young children and book tips for summer activities with children.

At the Playgrounds:

Helsinki playgrounds' summer opening hours can be found here.

Helsinki offers all children and youth under 16 free lunch at playgrounds on weekdays at 12 noon throughout the summer vacation. You’ll need to bring your own plate, utensils, and drinks. On Wednesday, the playground lunch is colorful chicken sausage pasta. Check the full summer menu and allergy information from this link.

Dance artist Veera Lamberg leads dance workshops at Helsinki playgrounds June through August. The workshops introduce the world of dance through imagination and music. There are two workshops: Dancing Magic Box (TT) for ages 0-6 and their families, and Dance Adventure Treasure Hunt (TA) for school-age children. On Wednesday you can dance at Filpus playground in Malminkartano at 10 a.m. (TT) and 11 a.m. (TT) and 1:30 p.m. (TA).

Story picnic at Kurranummi playground in collaboration with Tapanila Library Wednesday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. More information on the library’s website.

Traditional games summer tour at playgrounds: Wednesday at Lammikko playground from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Other Events:

Stadi Community Centers summer finale at partnership house Hanna on Sturenkatu Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. More information on the event's Facebook page.

Children’s seafaring adventure – family sailing trip June 27 - August 4, 2018 Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. Tickets €25 (adults), €12 (children). More information on the event’s Facebook page.

Summer Theater: At Puotila Manor courtyard, the cat Viiru and old man Pesonen take over the theater stage when Viiru Moves play is performed at Puotila Summer Theater Wednesday at 1 p.m. Tickets €12. Read more on Puotila Summer Theater’s website.

Summer Theater: Tomppeli at Tervasaari Summer Theater Wednesday at 3 p.m. Tickets €14, under 2 free, family packages also available. Read more about the show on the theater’s website.

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

Summer Theater: The Taivallahti Summer Theater stage presents Tiina and Sinikka Nopola’s Ricky Rapper and Freezer Elvi play. Performance Wednesday at 6 p.m. Tickets €16. Read more: on Taivallahti Summer Theater’s website.

Tip for Espoo: Manor Museum Glims’ 4H farm pasture visits continue Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Read more on the manor museum’s website. Free admission.

Park Cache 2018: “Does hay tickle the whiskers of a badger? No, it protects something!” This is the clue from Tullinpuomi playground to the park cache. Have you found the park cache in Meilahti yet? The world conquest of park caches continues for a while longer, with 29 caches to find!

[caption id=“attachment_4789” align=“aligncenter” width=“2000”]Park Cache design by Lotta Maija Paananen. Park Cache design by Lotta Maija Paananen.[/caption]

THURSDAY, JULY 26, 2018

At the Libraries:

Library Tip: Take the metro to Espoo and Iso Omenia Library coolness! The metro takes you directly from Helsinki to the large library and excellent children's section, where you can also play. Two elevators from the metro station straight up to the library!

Book tips for summer vacation days for children can be found on the Helmet library portal.

Libraries are also open during the summer months, even without organized programs. Read, for example, what the library offers for young children and book tips for summer activities with children.

At the Playgrounds:

Helsinki playgrounds' summer opening hours can be found here.

Helsinki offers all children and youth under 16 free lunch at playgrounds on weekdays at 12 noon throughout the summer vacation. You’ll need to bring your own plate, utensils, and drinks. On Thursday, the playground lunch is ground beef stew. Check the full summer menu and allergy information from this link.

Dance artist Veera Lamberg leads dance workshops at Helsinki playgrounds June through August. The workshops introduce the world of dance through imagination and music. There are two workshops: Dancing Magic Box (TT) for ages 0-6 and their families, and Dance Adventure Treasure Hunt (TA) for school-age children. On Thursday dance at Haruspuisto playground in Meri-Rastila at 10 a.m. (TT) and 10:30 a.m. (TA).

Traditional games summer tour at playgrounds: Thursday at Intia playground from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Other Events:

Children's seafaring adventure – family sailing trip June 27 - August 4, 2018 Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. Tickets €25 (adults), €12 (children). More information on the event's Facebook page.

Summer Theater: At Puotila Manor courtyard, the cat Viiru and old man Pesonen take over the theater stage when Viiru Moves play is performed at Puotila Summer Theater Thursday at 1 p.m. Tickets €12. Read more on Puotila Summer Theater’s website.

Tip: Kumpula School Garden offers activities open to everyone in July. Come admire the large garden, the wonderful old school garden, or enjoy the summer café offering (café open Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-6 p.m., cash only). Read more on the garden’s website. A Helsinki gem!

Movie night at Annantalo A•stage Thursday at 5 p.m. The film shown is Spirited Away (Note: K-7). No ticket reservations, free admission to movies. More information on Annantalo’s website.

Tip for Espoo: Manor Museum Glims’ 4H farm pasture visits continue Thursdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Read more on the manor museum’s website. Free admission.

Park Cache 2018: “My home is on the museum courtyard. Explore the courtyard and peek in the middle planting box. Around me grow strawberries and squash.” This is the clue from Design Museum and Architecture Museum to the summer courtyard park cache. Have you found this park cache in downtown Helsinki yet? The world conquest of park caches continues for a while longer, with 29 caches to find!

FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2018

Midsummer Day

At the Libraries:

Book tips for summer vacation days for children can be found on the Helmet library portal.

Libraries are also open during the summer months, even without organized programs. Read, for example, what the library offers for young children and book tips for summer activities with children.

At the Playgrounds:

Helsinki playgrounds' summer opening hours can be found here.

Helsinki offers all children and youth under 16 free lunch at playgrounds on weekdays at 12 noon throughout the summer vacation. You’ll need to bring your own plate, utensils, and drinks. On Friday, the playground lunch is sweet potato and chickpea pasta. Check the full summer menu and allergy information from this link.

Midsummer Day events at playgrounds: for example, Maunula playground remembers Midsummer.

Other Events:

At Children's Traffic Town open family days are held during the summer season Fridays and Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., when children of all ages practice in the traffic town under adult guidance. On other weekdays, guided traffic education for children born in 2013 and older. Read more on Children's Traffic Town's website. Free admission.

Summer Day at Castle Courtyard at Suomenlinna at Ehrensvärd Museum and courtyard Friday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Program is included in the museum ticket price (€5/€2). More information on Suomenlinna's website.

Summer Theater: At Puotila Manor courtyard, the cat Viiru and old man Pesonen take over the theater stage when Viiru Moves play is performed at Puotila Summer Theater Friday at 1 p.m. Tickets €12. Read more on Puotila Summer Theater's website.

At Espan stage you'll hear an entertaining MIL-Espa concert at 2 p.m. This week's music features the Air Force Band's Big Band. More information on the event's Facebook page. NOTE! No guard parade this week.

Summer Theater: The Taivallahti Summer Theater stage presents Tiina and Sinikka Nopola's Ricky Rapper and Freezer Elvi play. Performance Friday at 6 p.m. Tickets €16. Read more: on Taivallahti Summer Theater's website.

Tip for Kotka: Children's Sea Days in Kotka July 27-29, 2018. More information and detailed program on the event's own website.

Park Cache 2018: "On summer Thursdays songs ring out there, search and look, do you feel the Park Cache's magic." This is the clue from Kurranummi playground to the park cache. Have you found the park cache in Tapanila yet? The world conquest of park caches continues for a while longer, with 29 caches to find!

[caption id=“attachment_5292” align=“aligncenter” width=“869”]Park Caches at their best! Park Caches at their best![/caption]

SATURDAY, JULY 28, 2018

Other Events:

Park Carols 2018 brings Finnish folk music highlights and a whole family picnic event with programs for children to Alppipuisto. Park Carols Saturday 1-8:30 p.m. at Alppipuisto. Free admission. More information on the event's Facebook page.

Tip for Vantaa: Children’s own Tiksi Block Party 2018 at Tikkutila Library Park in Vantaa Saturday 12-4 p.m. Puppet theater, music, obstacle course, face painting and much more. The exact program for the Children’s Tiksi Block Party can be found on the event’s Facebook page, while the entire Tiksi Block Party program can be found here. Free admission.

Children’s seafaring adventure – family sailing trip June 27 - August 4, 2018 Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. Tickets €25 (adults), €12 (children). More information on the event’s Facebook page.

Summer Theater: At Puotila Manor courtyard, the cat Viiru and old man Pesonen take over the theater stage when Viiru Moves play is performed at Puotila Summer Theater Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m. Tickets €12. Read more on Puotila Summer Theater’s website.

Summer Theater: Tomppeli at Tervasaari Summer Theater Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m. Tickets €14, under 2 free, family packages also available. Read more about the show on the theater’s website.

Summer Theater: The Taivallahti Summer Theater stage presents Tiina and Sinikka Nopola’s Ricky Rapper and Freezer Elvi play. Performance Saturday at 6 p.m. Tickets €16. Read more: on Taivallahti Summer Theater’s website.

Tip for Kotka: Children's Sea Days in Kotka July 27-29, 2018. More information and detailed program on the event's own website.

Park Cache 2018: "Step down from the terrace of the old Träskändan Manor to the formal garden. Walk past the garden smelling the flowers. Crawl across the lawn to the right toward the river and bridge, but don't cross the path, instead stop at the large giants. Peek deep into the back single-legged lap." This is the clue from Children's Culture Center Pikku-Aurora to the park cache. Have you found this first park cache in Espoo yet? The world conquest of park caches continues for a while longer, with 29 caches to find!

[caption id=“attachment_5276” align=“aligncenter” width=“1500”] You can find Espoo’s first park cache in these beautiful landscapes![/caption]

SUNDAY, JULY 29, 2018

Other Events:

At Children's Traffic Town open family days are held during the summer season Fridays and Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., when children of all ages practice in the traffic town under adult guidance. On other weekdays, guided traffic education for children born in 2013 and older. Read more on Children's Traffic Town's website. Free admission.

Tiger Day at Korkeasaari Zoo starting at 11:30 a.m. Read more about the day’s program on the event’s Facebook page. Korkeasaari Zoo admission fee. P.S. Remember to also find Korkeasaari’s park cache!

Children’s Sunday at Finnkino movie theaters and pre-screenings of Pulu Boy and Pony and other programs for children. Read more on Finnkino’s website.

Whole family marine biology excursion on Haraka Island off Kaivopuisto Sunday 12-3 p.m. A shuttle boat to Haraka Island leaves from the Ullanlinnan pier at Kaivopuisto (Ehrenströmintie 3). Round-trip ticket to the ferry costs €5 for adults, €2 for children and seniors (card payment only). Access to Haraka Island and the marine biology excursion is free. More information about the excursion can be found on the event’s Facebook page.

Summer Theater: At Puotila Manor courtyard, the cat Viiru and old man Pesonen take over the theater stage when Viiru Moves play is performed at Puotila Summer Theater Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m. Tickets €12. Read more on Puotila Summer Theater’s website.

Summer Theater: Tomppeli at Tervasaari Summer Theater Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m. Tickets €14, under 2 free, family packages also available. Read more about the show on the theater’s website.

Summer Theater: The Taivallahti Summer Theater stage presents Tiina and Sinikka Nopola’s Ricky Rapper and Freezer Elvi play. Performance Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets €16. Read more: on Taivallahti Summer Theater’s website.

Arne Alligator and Jungle Drum on Lintssi stage Sunday at 3 and 5 p.m. Free admission. More information on Lintssi’s website.

Tip for Espoo: Villa Elfvik Fairy School is a whole family interactive nature hike where you can travel at your own pace. Bring small snacks and dress according to the weather. Hike through 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 for Kotka: Children's Sea Days in Kotka July 27-29, 2018. More information and detailed program on the event's own website.

Park Cache 2018: "From a small sailboat's deck, you can peek through binoculars. When you look toward the tree, you notice a bird house lurking in the foliage. In the bird house there's a place for the cache!" This is the clue from Mäkitorppa playground to the park cache. Have you found the world's cutest park cache in Oulunkylä yet? The world conquest of park caches continues for a while longer, with 29 caches to find!

Remember these too:

Snadi Lonna on Tuesdays. Children over 5 years old get their own two-hour adventure on Lonna Island offering different themes weekly. Read more about the interesting adventure on the event's Facebook page and ask if there's still room for you.

Mustasaari Summer Island’s regular ferry service started June 5, 2018 and you can visit the island from Taivallahti beach through August. Read more about Mustasaari here.

At Children’s Traffic Town open family days are held during the summer season Fridays and Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., when children of all ages practice in the traffic town under adult guidance. On other weekdays, guided traffic education for children born in 2013 and older. Read more on Children’s Traffic Town’s website. Free admission. Traffic Town is closed for Midsummer weekend!

At Espan stage you’ll see almost daily concerts and performances during the summer. Read more and check the summer concert program on Helsinki’s culture department website.

Fallkulla Farm is open all summer daily May 26 - August 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Read more on the farm’s website. Also, Linnunrata Playground in Helsinki, Manor Museum Glims in Espoo, and Katrinebergi Manor in Vantaa have farm animals as summer guests!

Helsinki City Museum and Children’s City open at 9 a.m. starting June 4, 2018 during the summer season. A great play spot for early risers! Read more on the museum’s website. The Children’s City also features an illustrated story art exhibition by illustrator Jenni Isotoff from May 29 to August 31: Dream Mäykkynen & Helsinki. At Children’s City summer offers daily small self-directed paper craft workshops for families. Starting June 1, we’ll create paper fox chains and other decorations with Helsinki animals. More information on the city museum’s website.

Linnanmaki amusement park is open daily and Lintssi stage has programs almost daily. Check the summer opening hours on the amusement park’s website.

Current museum tips from Small Helsinki’s museum updates.

FOLLOW SMALL HELSINKI

Small Helsinki on Facebook

Small Helsinki on Instagram

Small Helsinki on Twitter

New: Small Helsinki app for your phone!

Small Helsinki now also works as a PWA app. You can install Small Helsinki on your Android or iPhone simply by opening the page in Chrome or Safari and selecting the share button to Add to Home Screen. A PWA app differs from a traditional app in that you don't need to install it from the App Store or similar. Practically speaking, the content is exactly the same as in the browser, but theoretically loads faster. Small Helsinki does not require registration to work now, nor will it ever.

WISH: Praise, criticism, comments and wishes: tell us what you think of Small Helsinki!