Pienten Helsinki
The February-March transition and where to go this week?
Updated March 3, 2018What child-friendly activities can be found in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on weekends? What to do on a rainy day? The Small Helsinki weekly series searches for activity tips and suggests family-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The target audience of the website is pre-school age children and families with children.
The Small Helsinki “Where to Go This Week” articles appear in 2018 at the latest on Mondays and suggest what is happening in the city for families with children. The ninth “Where to Go This Week” article of 2018 highlights at least the Maunula sports fun activities, several winter events for families, and art clinics around the city. Spring flea market season is also starting, and several children’s equipment flea markets are being held on weekends.
If winter break or ski break is just beginning, Small Helsinki’s Winter Break in Helsinki article has ideas for this week too.
The article’s cover image is from Jätkäsaari’s Rokki Porkkan, Helsinki’s newest bridge, where you can spot scenery as well as cars, trams, trucks and all kinds of construction machinery. Small Helsinki’s Let’s Spot! article has more to see in Jätkäsaari.
Monday » | Tuesday » | Wednesday » | Thursday » | Friday » | Saturday » | Sunday »
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2018
Events:Story time at Puistola Library at 10 a.m.
Library tip to Espoo: Kalevala journey at Iso Omena Library at 10 a.m. Read more at the library’s website.
Story yoga at Paloheinen Library at 10:15 a.m.
MLL family café meets on Mondays in the Itäkatu Family Center’s first floor lobby spaces from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The family café is open to all families with small children, where you can come at your own pace to play, spend time and get to know other families in a similar life situation. Read more at the family center’s Facebook page.
Art clinic for ages 3-6 in Annantalo on Monday at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. This week at the clinic we’re on the surface of the planet. You can participate in the art clinic weekly or just occasionally, but you should arrive on time. Read more about the wonderful Art Clinic activities at Annantalo’s website.
TIP: Family cafés, baby mornings and family groups: all of these are great places to find companionship for both children and parents. For example, playgrounds, organizations like MLL, churches and community centers organize these activities throughout Helsinki and everyone is welcome. So step in boldly!
TIP: Care rooms on the map! In Small Helsinki’s Baby Helsinki series there is a new article listing functioning children’s care rooms throughout the capital area.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2018
Events:Story time at Itäkeskus Library led by Jussi Ollila at 9:30 a.m. 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 club room at 10:15 a.m. Story time in Vuotalo Library’s lobby led by Jussi Ollila at 10:30 a.m.
Library tip to Espoo: Kalevala journey at Tapiola Library at 10 a.m. Read more at the library’s website.
Reading dog Doris at Puistola Library at 6 p.m.
Family ball play continues at Pallomylly indoor hall at Myllypuro Sports Park. In family ball play, all children under 9 years old move on soft artificial turf with their own adult. Free play, acrobatics, running or learning to walk. Family ball play on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Morning ball play is free for everyone, afternoon play costs adults Pallomylly’s per-use fee (€3.50).
Art clinic for ages 3-6 at Kanneltalo on Tuesday at 10 a.m. This week’s theme is dinosaur stories. The art clinic meets three times at Kanneltalo and you can participate weekly or just occasionally, but you should arrive on time. Read more about the wonderful Art Clinic activities at Kanneltalo’s website.
Puppet Theater Sampo’s Leonardo’s Flying Monkeys at Malmitalo on Tuesday at 10:15 a.m. Tickets €12. Read more at Malmitalo’s website.
At the Natural History Museum you can also play animal bingo during week nine animal bingo from Tuesday to Saturday (Feb. 27-Mar. 3.) from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Museum entrance fee, children under 7 free, museum card venue.
TIP: Shopping mall Kaari hosts a weekly Tuesday Rumpus with music classes for babies and toddlers as well as story times for all little ones. Read more at Kaari’s website, advance registration required for music classes.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2018
Kalevala DayEvents:
Story time at Arabianranta Library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Lauttasaari Library at 10 a.m. Story time at Maunula Library at 10 a.m. Story time at Oulunkylä Library at 5 p.m.
Ava and the Stubborn Trumpet, theatrical story performance at Roihuvuori Library at 10 a.m. Read more at the library’s website.
Zäpämmät presents new folk music on Kalevala Day at Pasila Library at 3 p.m. Read more at the library’s website. Zäpämmät presents new folk music on Kalevala Day at Rikhardinkatu Library at 6 p.m. Read more at the library’s website.
Reading dog Doris at Tapulikaupunki Library’s children’s department on Wednesday at 5:30 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 on Wednesdays at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. BabyKino’s own group on Facebook can be found here, where the week’s film is published and voting for future programming happens, for example.
Mimmi the Cow and Crow theatrical performance at Stoa on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Tickets €11.50. More information and ticket reservations at Stoa’s website.
The Ship is Loaded - puppet theater concert at Puppet Theater Sampo on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Tickets €12. More information and ticket reservations at Sampo’s website.
At the Natural History Museum you can also play animal bingo during week nine animal bingo from Tuesday to Saturday (Feb. 27-Mar. 3.) from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Museum entrance fee, children under 7 free, museum card venue.
Matchbox Company: Prince Rei. An enchanting fairy tale adventure for ages 5+ at Kanneltalo. The performance’s premiere is on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Tickets €6. Read more about the performance at Kanneltalo’s website.
TIP: Kindergarten Museum is open every Wednesday from 12-6 p.m.
TIP for Espoo: Rauha Rapper Following the Music Master - theater concert at Children’s Cultural Center Pikkuaura in Espoo on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Tickets €4 (advance reservation). The performance is suitable for children under 8. Read more at Espoo’s cultural office website.
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2018
Events:Story time at Pasila Library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Suutarila Library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Tapulikaupunki Library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Laajasalo Library at 9:45 a.m. Story time at Jakomäki Library at 10 a.m.
FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme time at North Haaga Library at 10 a.m.
FOR BABIES and parents: BabyKino Maunula watches Mamma Mia! on Thursday starting at 10 a.m. The venue is Maunula House youth center.
Art clinic at Jakomäki Playpark at 10 a.m. This time the theme is bib first. Read more about playpark Art Clinics at Small Helsinki’s Facebook page. No advance registration.
The Ship is Loaded - puppet theater concert at Puppet Theater Sampo on Thursday at 10 a.m. Tickets €12. More information and ticket reservations at Sampo’s website.
At the Natural History Museum you can also play animal bingo during week nine animal bingo from Tuesday to Saturday (Feb. 27-Mar. 3.) from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Museum entrance fee, children under 7 free, museum card venue.
FOR PARENTS: One Hundred Languages of Play and Stories at Stoa’s lobby on Thursday from 12:30-4 p.m. The event is aimed at education professionals and parents of children and includes cultural, library and sports services as well as early childhood education and pre-primary education. Read more at Stoa’s website.
Family ball play at Pallomylly indoor hall at Myllypuro Sports Park. In family ball play, all children under 9 years old move on soft artificial turf with their own adult. Free play, acrobatics, running or learning to walk. Family ball play on Thursdays from 4-5 p.m., free for children, adults pay Pallomylly’s per-use fee (€3.50).
TIP for Espoo: Rauha Rapper Following the Music Master - theater concert at Children’s Cultural Center Pikkuaura in Espoo on Thursday at 10:15 a.m. Tickets €4 (advance reservation). The performance is suitable for children under 8. Read more at Espoo’s cultural office website.
TIP for Espoo FOR BABIES and parents: Stroller meet-ups at KAMU at 12 p.m. Read more at Espoo’s cultural office website.
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018
Story time at Roihuvuori Library at 9:45 a.m.Toddler time at Viikki Library at 10 a.m.
Art clinic at Mellunmäki Playpark at 10 a.m. The theme is captured dreams and dream catchers. Read more about Art Clinics at Stoa’s website. No advance registration.
MLL family café now meets on Fridays as well at Itäkatu Family Center’s first floor lobby spaces from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The family café is open to all families with small children, where you can come at your own pace to play, spend time and get to know other families in a similar life situation. Read more at Small Helsinki’s Facebook page.
Toddler cinema at Annantalo on Fridays from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. This week’s theme is courage and helping. Read more about toddler cinema at Annantalo’s website.
At the Natural History Museum you can also play animal bingo during week nine animal bingo from Tuesday to Saturday (Feb. 27-Mar. 3.) from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Museum entrance fee, children under 7 free, museum card venue. The Natural History Museum has free admission on Friday from 1-4 p.m.
Say It Loud! - event week at Malmitalo: Puppet Theater PikkuKulkuri’s Piki – Lightning Hero - the premiere is at Malmitalo on Friday at 6 p.m. Tickets €6. Read more and book tickets at Malmitalo’s website.
TIP: Floor Festival at Kamppi shopping mall from March 2-4, 2018. On Friday, children are entertained by, for example, Mimi and Kuku on the 3rd floor at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. See the entire weekend festival program at the shopping mall’s website.
TIP: Adventure in an unfamiliar neighborhood! The article’s cover image is from Jätkäsaari’s Rokki Porkkan, Helsinki’s newest bridge, where you can spot scenery as well as cars, trams, trucks and all kinds of construction machinery. Small Helsinki’s Let’s Spot! article has more to see in Jätkäsaari.
TIP to Vantaa: At Tikkurila Library in Vantaa, Singing Together with Children - event on Friday at 10 a.m. You can bring your own instrument or borrow one from the library. Read more about the fun group singing session at the library’s website.
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018
International Day of the WildEvents:
Story time at Vuosaari Library at 10:30 a.m. Story time at Munkkiniemi Library at 11 a.m.
Moomin Saturday at Kontula Library on Saturday from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Read more at the library’s website. Children’s Saturday at Pasila Library from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tots Moving! - music and movement session at Arabianranta Library at 11 a.m. More information at the library’s website.
Maunula Sports Fun starts and continues weekly until April 7, 2018 every Saturday from 9-10:30 a.m. at Maunula Sports Hall. Shared sports activity for the whole family with activities for the very youngest. Free for children, adults €3.50. More information at Helsinki Active website.
Skiffer Ice Fishing in front of Kaivopuisto at Liuskeluoto on Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Read more at the event’s Facebook page.
At the Natural History Museum you can also play animal bingo during week nine animal bingo from Tuesday to Saturday (Feb. 27-Mar. 3.) from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Museum entrance fee, children under 7 free, museum card venue.
In Swedish: Children’s Party – Fun and Culture for All Children. Swedish-language children’s event at Annantalo on Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Jump in boldly, there’s lots of fun for the whole family. Read more at the event’s Facebook page.
Wool sock marionette workshop at Puppet Theater Sampo on Saturday at 12 p.m. The workshop is suitable for ages 4+. Tickets €15. Read more at Sampo’s website.
Sign language: HELSign at Stoa on Saturday from 12-4 p.m. The event day presents sign language culture and literature to deaf and hearing people with program for children too. Read more at Stoa’s website.
Say It Loud! - event week at Malmitalo: Letters Mixed Up! - workshop for families at Malmitalo’s lobby on Saturday from 1-3 p.m. Free admission.
Children’s Art Carnival for families at Kalliola Settlement House on Saturday from 1-4 p.m. The full day’s program can be found at the event’s Facebook page.
In Swedish: Rimjam - play time with nursery rhymes, rhythms and movements at Gamla Library at 1 p.m.
Matchbox Company: Prince Rei. An enchanting fairy tale adventure for ages 5+ at Kanneltalo on Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets €6. Read more about the performance at Kanneltalo’s website.
On the Run - theater comedy for children at Music Theater Kapsäkki on Saturday at 1 p.m. (premiere). Tickets €12.50/€22.50. Read more and book tickets at Kapsäkki’s website.
Story concert by the Närpiäinen brothers familiar from Pikku Kakkonen at G Livelab’s stage on Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets €12/€18. More information at the organizer’s website.
Ice Park Family Saturday with skating demonstrations and skating school for children starting at 1 p.m. Read more at Ice Park’s website.
DanceAbility dance class at Annantalo from 2-3 p.m. The class is suitable for all 3-12-year-olds with their own adult, regardless of disability or lack thereof. Read more about DanceAbility classes at Annantalo’s website. Free admission.
Say It Loud! - event week at Malmitalo: Puppet Theater PikkuKulkuri’s Piki – Lightning Hero - performance at Malmitalo on Saturday at 3 p.m. Tickets €6. Read more and book tickets at Malmitalo’s website.
The Ship is Loaded - puppet theater concert at Puppet Theater Sampo on Saturday at 3 p.m. Tickets €12. More information and ticket reservations at Sampo’s website.
TIP for Nurmijärvi: Angry Birds Go Snow - tour visits Nurmijärvi and moves children and families around the Kirjava Institute courtyard on Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free, but bring cash for café treats. Read more about the tour at Suomen Latu’s website.
TIP for Espoo: Megamuskari at Children’s Cultural Center Pikkuaura on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Tickets €4. Free instrument workshop after the music class. Read more at Espoo’s cultural office website.
TIP for Vantaa: Children’s Medicine Day at Heureka Science Center in Vantaa on Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tickets €15, children under 6 free. Read more at Heureka’s website.
SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 2018
Events:Sports Fun at Myllypuro Sports Mill on Sunday from 9-10:45 a.m. Shared sports activity for the whole family with activities for the very youngest. Sports Fun continues at Myllypuro on Sundays until March 25, 2018 (not February 18, 2018). Free for children, adults €3.50. More information at Helsinki Active website.
MLL Viikki Children’s Clothing and Equipment Flea Market at Viikki Playpark on Sunday from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Read more at the event’s Facebook page.
MLL Haaga Spring Magic - Park Event at Laurinniitty Playpark area on Sunday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The event also features a flea market. Read more at Haaga MLL’s Facebook page.
Big Spring Event for the whole family at Laajasalo beach on Sunday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Read more about Laajasalo Lions’ event at Facebook.
Sold Out Spring Flea Market takes over Korjaamo hall on Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Read more at the event’s Facebook page.
Family Fun Fair in Kontula around Keinuntie elementary school on Sunday from 12-3 p.m. Lots to see and do for the whole family: horse rides, sled dogs, fire truck on site as well as the Defense Forces’ Pasi and much more. Read more about the Family Fun Fair here.
Suomenlinna’s traditional winter fun fair is a family event with all kinds of activities in the Parade Ground area on Saturday from 12:30-4 p.m. Bring your own sleds and skates and cash for waffle café, for example. More information at the event’s Facebook page. Ferry to the island from Market Square with an HSL ticket.
Maunula Lions’ Ice Festival for the whole family at Maunula elementary school grounds on Sunday from 1-3 p.m.
In Swedish: Children’s Sundays at Kino Engel. Children’s film screenings at Kino Engel in Swedish. Read more at the event’s Facebook page. (fee applies)
TIP: Fallkulla Farm is open to the public also in winter: Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The youth-run café Kilikuppila opens again, but remember to bring cash for café treats. Free admission. Read more at Helsinki city youth services website.
TIP for Vantaa: Koivukylä Lions Club Winter Event at Rautkalli field on Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. More information about the day’s events at Koivukylä Lions’ website.
TIP for Espoo: Forest Tale Hour at Villa Elfvik on Sunday at 11 a.m. Read more at Villa Elfvik’s website.
Remember these too:
GoExpo and Helsinki Horse Fair at Messukeskus from March 2-4, 2018. Read more at Messukeskus' website. Fee applies.ESPOO: Finland’s largest miniature railway in Espoo’s Tapiola at Heikintor shopping area basement from January to April. Exact opening times at Alpine Railway Hobbyists’ website.
Library 10’s children’s own art exhibition, when artist group Taivaanranta Painters takes over the children’s department exhibition space. The exhibition has been created from works by three Helsinki family daycare groups. You can enjoy colorful art during library hours until March 4, 2018. Children’s own art exhibition activities are reportedly a unique concept of its kind in Finland and anyone can have an exhibition. More information about the event and Library 10’s exhibition activities.
Previously Unseen Animals exhibition starting January 11, 2018 at the Nordic Library on Kaisaniemenkatu. The exhibition is based on the book of the same name by Ulf Stark and Linda Bondestam, which won the Nordic Council Children’s and Young People’s Literature Prize in 2017. The exhibition is on display until March 28, 2018 during the Nordic Library’s opening hours. Read more at the library’s website.
