What to do or where to go with children? What child-friendly activities can be found in Helsinki this week? Pienten Helsinki's weekly "Where to go this week" series looks for activity ideas and tips for family-friendly events and things to do in Helsinki and the surrounding area.

The cover image for this article is from Media Museum and Archive Merkki (formerly Päivälehti Museum).

Current News

  • Want to ice skate outdoors? Many of Helsinki's, Espoo's and Vantaa's artificial and natural ice rinks are already open for skating! Ice skating at artificial ice rinks is free this year too. Current conditions of the rinks can be found on the Ulkoliikunta.fi service.

MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2024

Events and Activity Tips

  • Family Movement Sessions (Perhehulinat) offer children under school age and their parents a space where they can move together independently and free of charge. Family Movement Sessions on Mondays:

    - Family Movement Sessions at Tapanil Elementary School (Veljestenpiha 2) on Mondays from 5–6:30 pm from January 8–April 22, 2024 (not in week 8).

Play Parks on Monday

  • Play Parks: Play park indoor spaces are open for families on weekdays mostly from 9 am–12 pm, afternoons are reserved for school children. For more detailed information, visit each play park's own website. Play parks announce their programs on Helsinki City's event calendar and on the play parks' own Facebook pages.
  • Play Park Loru on Monday:
    10:30–11:00 Loru's Games - activity session for children over 1 year old
    1:00–1:30 pm Kukkuluuruu - baby activity session for under 1-year-olds
    3:00–3:30 pm Kukkuluuruu - baby activity session for under 1-year-olds
  • Family Centers offer activities:
    - Family Center Naapuri (Kivikonkaari 11, Kivikko) weekly program can be found on the center's Facebook page.
    - Family Center Sahrami (Kangasalantie 11, Vallila) weekly program can be found on the center's Facebook page.

    - MLL's Family Center Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0-12. Read more on the center's website!

Library Events on Monday

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2024

Events and Activity Tips

  • Art for Toddlers Workshop (Open Studio for Toddlers Workshops) at Caisa Cultural Center (Kaikukatu 4 B) on Tuesdays from 1:30–3:30 pm. Workshops are suitable for children aged 1.5–3 years together with an adult. No registration required, free admission. You can attend the workshops for the entire session or just drop by for a bit.
  • Family Movement Sessions (Perhehulinat) offer children under school age and their parents a space where they can move together independently and free of charge. Family Movement Sessions on Tuesdays:

    - Pallomylly Indoor Hall at Myllypuro Sports Park (Pikajuoksijankuja 9) on Tuesdays from 9:30–11:30 am and 4–6 pm from January 9–April 23, 2024 (not in week 8).

    - Käpylä Elementary School (Mäkelänkatu 89) on Tuesdays from 5–6:30 pm from January 9–April 23, 2024 (not in weeks 8, 11, 12, 13, and 14).

    - Sakarinmäki Elementary School (Knutersintie 924) on Tuesdays from 5–6:30 pm from January 9–April 23, 2024 (not in week 8).

    - Merilahti Elementary School in Vuosaari (Jaluspolku 3) on Tuesdays from 5–6:30 pm from January 9–April 23, 2024 (not in week 8).

Play Parks on Tuesday

  • Play Parks: Play park indoor spaces are open for families on weekdays mostly from 9 am–12 pm, afternoons are reserved for school children. For more detailed information, visit each play park's own website. Play parks announce their programs on Helsinki City's event calendar and on the play parks' own Facebook pages.
  • Play Park Loru on Tuesday:
    11:00–11:30 am Pram Fitness, Oodi Courtyard
    3:00–3:30 pm Loru in the Warmth - baby activity session for under 1-year-olds
  • Family Centers offer activities
    - Family Center Naapuri (Kivikonkaari 11, Kivikko) weekly program can be found on the center's Facebook page.
    - Family Center Sahrami (Kangasalantie 11, Vallila) weekly program can be found on the center's Facebook page.
  • MLL's Family Center Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0-12. Read more on the center's website!

Library Events on Tuesday

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2024

Events and Activity Tips

  • Pekka Longtail Performance at Snellman University of Applied Sciences (Puuskakuja 14, Jollas) on Wednesday at 10 am (dress rehearsal) and 12 pm. Performance duration approximately one hour. Age recommendation: over 6 years old. Admission fee is voluntary (payment by cash or MobilePay). For more information and reservations: johanna.vihera@s-k.fi
  • Fire Museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open on Wednesdays from 12–4 pm. Small admission fee.
  • Espoo: Large Miniature Railway at Aino Shopping Center in Espoo is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 3–6 pm and Saturdays from 11 am–4 pm. The exhibition is located on the second floor of Aino, next to Itsudemo Restaurant. Free admission.
  • Family Movement Sessions (Perhehulinat) offer children under school age and their parents a space where they can move together independently and free of charge. Family Movement Sessions on Wednesdays:

    - Kurkimäki Court Building (Karpalokuja 7) on Wednesdays from 9:30–11 am from January 10–April 24, 2024 (not in week 8).

    - Kannelmäki Elementary School (Runonlaulajantie 40) on Wednesdays from 5–6 pm from January 10–April 24, 2024 (not in week 8).

Play Parks on Wednesday

  • Helsinki city play parks and family centers are closed due to a strike on Wednesday and Thursday.
  • MLL's Family Center Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0-12. Read more on the center's website!

Library Events on Wednesday

Pienten Suomi - over 700 reasons to travel in Finland with children!

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024

Events and Activity Tips

  • Alberto's Living Room is open on Thursdays from 9:30 am–3 pm.
  • Art for Toddlers Workshops (Open Studio for Toddlers Workshops) at Caisa Cultural Center (Kaikukatu 4 B) on Thursdays from 10 am–12 pm. Workshops are suitable for children aged 1.5–3 years together with an adult. No registration required, free admission. You can attend the workshops for the entire session or just drop by for a bit.
  • Pekka Longtail Performance at Snellman University of Applied Sciences (Puuskakuja 14, Jollas) on Thursday at 1:30 pm and 6 pm. Performance duration approximately one hour. Age recommendation: over 6 years old. Admission fee is voluntary (payment by cash or MobilePay). For more information and reservations: johanna.vihera@s-k.fi
  • Family Movement Sessions (Perhehulinat) offer children under school age and their parents a space where they can move together independently and free of charge. Family Movement Sessions on Thursdays:

    - Tali Sports Park Football Hall (Purotie 8) on Thursdays from 9:30–11 am from January 11–April 25, 2024 (not in week 8).

    - Kamppi Sports Center (Malminkatu 3) on Thursdays from 5–6:30 pm from January 11–April 25, 2024
    (not in week 8).

    - Malminkartano Elementary School (Puustellintie 6) on Thursdays from 5–6:30 pm from January 11–April 25, 2024 (not in weeks 7 and 8).

    - Porolahti Elementary School (Roihuvuorentie 2) on Thursdays from 5:30–6:30 pm from January 11–April 25, 2024 (not in week 8).

    - Pukinmäenkari Elementary School Mirror Hall (Kenttäkuja 12) on Thursdays from 5–6:30 pm from
    January 11–April 25, 2024 (not in week 8).

Play Parks on Thursday

  • Helsinki city play parks and family centers are closed due to a strike on Wednesday and Thursday.
  • MLL's Family Center Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0-12. Read more on the center's website!

Library Events on Thursday

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Events and Activity Tips

  • Pekka Longtail Performance at Snellman University of Applied Sciences (Puuskakuja 14, Jollas) on Friday at 9 am and 12 pm. Performance duration approximately one hour. Age recommendation: over 6 years old. Admission fee is voluntary (payment by cash or MobilePay). For more information and reservations: johanna.vihera@s-k.fi
  • Espoo: Large Miniature Railway at Aino Shopping Center in Espoo is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 3–6 pm and Saturdays from 11 am–4 pm. The exhibition is located on the second floor of Aino, next to Itsudemo Restaurant. Free admission.
  • Vantaa: SM Skiing Championship at Hakunila Sports Park from Friday to Sunday. Tickets from 10 €, under 16-year-olds free admission.

Play Parks on Friday

  • Play Parks: Play park indoor spaces are open for families on weekdays mostly from 9 am–12 pm, afternoons are reserved for school children. For more detailed information, visit each play park's own website. Play parks announce their programs on Helsinki City's event calendar and on the play parks' own Facebook pages.
  • Play Park Loru on Friday:
    10:30–11:30 am Loru Discovers - search activity for children over 2 years old
    1:00–1:30 pm Loru's Songs - singing session for all ages
    3:00–3:30 pm Loru Enchanted - activity session with changing themes including play, movement, and stories for children over 2 years old
  • Family Centers offer activities
    - Family Center Naapuri (Kivikonkaari 11, Kivikko) weekly program can be found on the center's Facebook page.
    - Family Center Sahrami (Kangasalantie 11, Vallila) weekly program can be found on the center's Facebook page.
  • MLL's Family Center Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0-12. Read more on the center's website!

Library Events on Friday

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024

Events and Activity Tips

  • Vantaa: SM Skiing Championship at Hakunila Sports Park from Friday to Sunday. Tickets from 10 €, under 16-year-olds free admission.
  • SM Skiing side program can be enjoyed at Håkansbole Manor on Saturday from 10 am–4 pm. Free admission.
  • Espoo: Large Miniature Railway at Aino Shopping Center in Espoo is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 3–6 pm and Saturdays from 11 am–4 pm. The exhibition is located on the second floor of Aino, next to Itsudemo Restaurant. Free admission.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024

Events and Activity Tips

  • Family Movement Fun at Tapuli Sports Center's gymnastics hall on Sundays from 9–11 am. Tickets €5/family (payment in cash, card, or MobilePay at the venue).
  • Sports Movement Fun at Sports Mill (Jauhokuja 3) in Myllypuro on Sunday from 9–10:45 am.
    Sports Movement Fun offers children under 9 years old and their families a chance to move in many different ways and have fun. You can arrive according to your own schedule, there's space for strollers in the lobby, and you should bring your own lock for the locker room. Admission: €3.50 for adults, €2 for others, free for children under 9.
  • Vantaa: SM Skiing Championship at Hakunila Sports Park from Friday to Sunday. Tickets from 10 €, under 16-year-olds free admission.
  • SM Skiing side program can be enjoyed at Håkansbole Manor on Saturday from 10 am–2 pm. Free admission.
  • Tuusula: Ice Disco on Lake Tuusulanjärvi (in front of Hotel Gustavelund) on Sunday from 12–3 pm. Free admission.
  • Fire Museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open on Sunday from 12–4 pm. Small admission fee.

Also remember:

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