Summer! Summer Fun in Helsinki and Surrounding Areas 4.6-10.6.2018

Updated 9.6.2018

What kid-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 suggests child-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The site targets preschool-age children and families with children.

Pienten Helsinki’s “Where to Go This Week” articles appear by Monday at the latest and suggest all the activities happening in the city for families with children. This year’s 23rd “Where to Go This Week” article is the first of a full summer week: playgrounds’ summer season and park dining begin, Annantalo’s A•lava offers interesting programs almost daily, the summer theater season begins in earnest, and beaches get lifeguards as well as playgrounds’ wading pools and Pirkkola Plotti get water (weather permitting). Also, Helsinki City Museum and Children’s City move to summer opening hours and the museum is open until the end of August starting at 9 a.m. on weekday mornings.

Pienten Helsinki’s Summer in Helsinki series has been published and there are already about twenty articles about summer in Helsinki. More are coming and you can also make suggestions :)

Coming in the coming days the first tips about Pienten Helsinki and playground summer adventures—follow Pienten Helsinki’s Facebook page.

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The article’s cover image is from Kalasatama park, which has a new and highly recommended playground. Nearby are Kalasatama metro station, REDI’s construction site with cranes, Isoisänsilta bridge, the Edible Park mentioned in this article, as well as Korkeasaari Zoo and Mustikkamaa beach.

[caption id=“attachment_600” align=“aligncenter” width=“1024”] Kalasatama park playground photographed in summer 2017.[/caption]

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

MONDAY 4.6.2018

Library Events:

Songs of the Moment - family music class for 1-3 year olds at Satulinna in Kallio Library Monday at 10 a.m.

Libraries serve customers during summer months as well, even if there’s no regular organized programming. Read for example what the library offers for the little ones and book tips for summer activities with children.

Playground Events:

Helsinki offers all children and youth under 16 free lunch at playgrounds on weekdays at 12 p.m. during the entire summer holiday. You need to bring your own plate, utensils, and drinks. Monday's playground meal is island-style whitefish stew. Check the full summer menu and allergen information here.

Helsinki’s playgrounds’ summer opening hours can be found here.

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

Other Events:

Helsinki City Museum and Children's City open starting 4.6.2018 in summer season at 9 a.m. Great playground for early birds! Read more on the museum's website. Children's City also features a narrative art exhibition by illustrator Jenni Isotoff Dream Mäykkynen & Helsinki from 29.5.-31.8. At Children's City, during summer as usual there's small self-directed paper crafting workshops for families every day. Starting June 1st, paper city fox chains and other decorations with Helsinki animals are being made. More information on the city museum's website. The museum is also open on Mondays and admission is always free.

Public MLL family café at Itäkatu family center Mondays 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Summer family group at Käpylä Church Monday 9:45 a.m.-11:15 a.m. More information on Oulunkylä Parish’s website.

Armed Forces 100 Celebration Week in Helsinki Wednesday to Monday, 30.5.-4.6.2018. Celebration week events and attractions throughout the city, mostly at Senate Square. Monday features the Armed Forces flag celebration program and equipment demonstrations at Senate Square 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Read more about the program on the Armed Forces website.

Summer Park at Malmitalo and Ala-Malmi Park during the first weeks of summer holiday: summer activities for school-age children, teenagers, and the whole family! Daily changing programs starting at 12 p.m. and yard games and other surprise activities. More information and schedules available on Malmitalo’s website and Summer Park’s Facebook page. Summer Park has free admission and only a few workshops require pre-registration.

TIP for Vantaa for BABIES and parents: Museum Monday for Babies at Vantaa City Museum Monday at 10 a.m. More information on the event’s Facebook page.

TIP: Mustikkamaa Edible Park has gotten its summer residents and is now home to chickens again. Edible Park is a community urban garden and cultural event center where everyone can participate in gardening and enjoy the harvest. An important daily task is watering the garden, which you can do even while passing by. The park is located near Korkeasaari bridge. Read more: Edible Park.

TUESDAY 5.6.2018

Library Events:

Toddler Time at Maunula Library at 9:30 a.m.

FOR BABIES: Baby Rhymes at Maunula Library at 10:30 a.m.

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

Playground Events:

Helsinki's playgrounds' summer opening hours can be found here.

Helsinki offers all children and youth under 16 free lunch at playgrounds on weekdays at 12 p.m. during the entire summer holiday. You need to bring your own plate, utensils, and drinks. Tuesday’s playground meal is vegetable bean stew. Check the full summer menu and allergen information here. Summer Park has free admission and only a few workshops require pre-registration.

Traffic Day at Taivallahti playgrounds Tuesday 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Fire and police vehicles, traffic course, face painting, and HSL’s Välkku mascot on site. More information on the event’s Facebook page.

Wimmaralli performs and entertains all ages at Rudolf playground Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

Traditional games summer tour at playgrounds: Tuesday at Salpauselkä playground 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Other Events:

Mustasaari summer island's regular ferry service begins 5.6.2018 and you can take trips to the island from Taivallahti beach until August. Read more about Mustasaari here.

The Acorn’s Tale puppet theater performance in the yard of Helsinki’s Winter Garden (indoors if rainy) Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The performance is recommended for 3-9 year olds and lasts about 20 minutes. Admission is free. The performance is produced by Sytkyt puppet theater.

Also FOR BABIES: Annantalo’s A•lava Summer Music Class invites everyone from babies to seniors to make music under the direction of music teacher Tuuli Paasola Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Admission to music class is free. Read more on Annantalo’s website.

TIP: Fallkulla Farm Animals is open all summer daily 26.5.-26.8. from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Read more on the farm’s website. Also, for example, Linnanrata playground in Helsinki, Glims Manor Museum in Espoo, and Katrinebergin Manor in Vantaa have farm animals as summer guests.

WEDNESDAY 6.6.2018

Library Events:

Story Picnic at Kurranummi playground Wednesday 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. More information on the library's website.

TIP to Espoo FOR BABIES and parents: BabyKino at Youth Center Vox in Iso Omenna at 10:30 a.m. Read more on the library’s website.

Playground Events:

Helsinki's playgrounds' summer opening hours can be found here.

Helsinki offers all children and youth under 16 free lunch at playgrounds on weekdays at 12 p.m. during the entire summer holiday. You need to bring your own plate, utensils, and drinks. Wednesday’s playground meal is ground meat and vegetable stew. Check the full summer menu and allergen information here.

Traditional games summer tour at playgrounds: Wednesday at Tapuli playground 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Other Events:

Jätkäsaari MLL family group Wednesdays 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m., held at Chapel of Good Hope in Jätkäsaari.

The Acorn’s Tale puppet theater performance in the yard of Helsinki’s Winter Garden (indoors if rainy) Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The performance is recommended for 3-9 year olds and lasts about 20 minutes. Admission is free. The performance is produced by Sytkyt puppet theater.

Suomenlinna Museum Day celebrated in all six museums on the island Wednesday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Museums offer free admission and programming. Have you ever visited a submarine or the Suomenlinna Toy Museum? Read more on Suomenlinna’s website.

Ateneum Art Museum’s Free Day Wednesday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. More information on the art museum’s website.

Kindergarten Museum is open Wednesdays 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

MLL Munkkiniemi Summer Family Café at Munkkiniemi playground Wednesdays 30.5-19.6.2018 at 2 p.m.

TIP: Helsinki’s city center hosts many events daily in summer! Stop by to check out Espa Stage’s program and see what’s happening at Annantalo’s A•lava.

THURSDAY 7.6.2018

Library Events:

Story Time at Maunula Library at 10:00 a.m.

Songs of the Moment - family music class for 1-3 year olds at Satulinna in Kallio Library Thursday at 10 a.m.

Playground Events:

Helsinki's playgrounds' summer opening hours can be found here.

Helsinki offers all children and youth under 16 free lunch at playgrounds on weekdays at 12 p.m. during the entire summer holiday. You need to bring your own plate, utensils, and drinks. Thursday’s playground meal is vegetable cream soup. Check the full summer menu and allergen information here.

Traditional games summer tour at playgrounds: Thursday at Rudolf playground 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Other Events:

Summer Park at Malmitalo and Ala-Malmi Park during the first weeks of summer holiday: summer activities for school-age children, teenagers, and the whole family! Daily changing programs starting at 12 p.m. and yard games and other surprise activities. More information and schedules available on Malmitalo's website and Summer Park's Facebook page. Summer Park has free admission and only a few workshops require pre-registration.

Topelius Now! - a fairy tale opera at Annantalo’s A•lava Thursday at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. The performance is recommended for children over 6. More information on Annantalo’s website.

Summer Theater: Laajasalo Summer Theater presents: Peter Cottontail. Kylämetsä association’s summer theater brings Gösta Knutsson’s Peter Cottontail to the stage in Laajasalo. Performance premiere Thursday at 6 p.m. Tickets 15 €, children under 2 free. Read more on Kylämetsä association’s Facebook page.

Stadi Cup - Nordic’s largest girls’ football tournament is played in Helsinki 7.-10-6.2018. Read more on the event’s website, where you can follow exciting matches.

TIP: Summer courtyards in the middle of stone buildings: Pienten Helsinki searched the city for green summer courtyards!

FRIDAY 8.6.2018

Library Events:

Tip for Vantaa: Singing Together with Children at Tikkurila Library Friday 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Read more on the library's website.

Playground Events:

Helsinki's playgrounds' summer opening hours can be found here.

Helsinki offers all children and youth under 16 free lunch at playgrounds on weekdays at 12 p.m. during the entire summer holiday. You need to bring your own plate, utensils, and drinks. Friday’s playground meal is chicken stew. Check the full summer menu and allergen information here.

Other Events:

Public MLL family café at Itäkatu family center Fridays 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

At the Children’s Traffic City an open family day is held during summer season on Fridays and Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., where people of all ages practice at the traffic city under an adult’s supervision. Other weekdays feature guided traffic education for those born in 2013 and older. Read more on the Children’s Traffic City’s website. Free admission.

Stadi Cup - Nordic’s largest girls’ football tournament is played in Helsinki 7.-10-6.2018. Read more on the event’s website, where you can follow exciting matches.

X DANCE FESTIVAL’s Imaginative Dances for children and families at Annantalo’s courtyard and A-stage Friday 4 p.m.-6 p.m. The program promises small dance performances, open workshops, and fun activities for all senses, plus a DJ and courtyard café. Read more on Annantalo’s website.

The Guard Parade tradition continues again on Fridays. The Guard Parade procession departs at 12:30 p.m. from Helsinki's Senate Square, marching through Market Square to the main guard, and then back via Esplanade to Barracks Square. After the Guard Parade, the MIL-Espa concert at 2 p.m. is held at Espa Stage. Friday, June 8. The music for the Guard Parade is provided by the Armed Forces conscript band. More information on the event's Facebook page.

TIP: Wading pools throughout Helsinki!

SATURDAY 9.6.2018

Library Events:

Puluboin and Poni's Celebration Day at Töölö Library Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. You can read more about the day's program on the library's website.

Other Events:

Stadi Cup - Nordic's largest girls' football tournament is played in Helsinki 7.-10-6.2018. Read more on the event's website, where you can follow exciting matches.

50-year-old Jakomäki Playground’s celebration Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. More information and detailed schedule on the event’s Facebook page.

Children’s Diving School at Kumpula Open-Air Pool 11 a.m.-2 p.m. with the pool’s entrance fee. More information from Helsinki Moves’ Facebook page.

DNA Kids’ Saturday at Espa Stage Saturday 12 p.m.-3 p.m. Programming on and around the stage. At 1 p.m., children’s music is heard when Satu Sopanen and the Tutti Orchestra take over Espa Stage. Event information updates on Espa Stage’s Facebook page.

OstariFestival Evenings and Family Day at Kontulan Market Hall Saturday 12 p.m.-3 p.m. Dance theater Hurjaruuth in collaboration with Theater Museum and Maria Baric Company organizes Family Day with open circus workshops with live music and a fun food theater workshop for all ages. Read more on Hurjaruuth’s Facebook page.

Forest Day for the whole family at Talosaari cottage Saturday 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Read more about the day’s program on the Finnish Nature League’s website. Also read: Pienten Helsinki’s article about a trip to Talosaari tells basic information about the place and getting around with strollers, for example.

[caption id=“attachment_1452” align=“aligncenter” width=“2000”] You can very likely see horses at Talosaari.[/caption]

Topelius Now! - a fairy tale opera at Annantalo’s A•lava Saturday at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m. The performance is recommended for children over 6. More information on Annantalo’s website.

Helsinki Samba Carnaval Procession departs from Senate Square Saturday at 3 p.m. and travels via North Esplanade to Aleksanderinkatu. Carnival programming begins on Senate Square Saturday at 11 a.m. Read more on the event’s website.

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

Summer Theater: Laajasalo Summer Theater presents: Peter Cottontail. Kylämetsä association’s summer theater brings Gösta Knutsson’s Peter Cottontail to the stage in Laajasalo. Performance Saturday at 3 p.m. Tickets 15 €, children under 2 free. Read more on Kylämetsä association’s Facebook page.

Tip to Espoo: Free Day at WeeGee Museum Center and of course the Toy Museum at Horse Shoe Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Pienten Helsinki’s museum tips includes an article about the toy museum!

Tip to Porvoo: Porvoo Days Saturday and Sunday 9.-10.6.2018 throughout Porvoo’s city center. Lots of programming, activities, and things to marvel at for the little ones too. Check the complete event program here.

Tip to nearby villages: Open Villages Event features over 500 villages throughout Finland, and you can find village events around Helsinki suitable for the whole family. Read more on the event’s website.

TIP: Helsinki Places are child-friendly Helsinki treasures, lots of insider knowledge, and a beginning to a directory of Helsinki places.

SUNDAY 10.6.2018

Other Events:

At the Children's Traffic City an open family day is held during summer season on Fridays and Sundays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., where people of all ages practice at the traffic city under an adult's supervision. Other weekdays feature guided traffic education for those born in 2013 and older. Read more on the Children's Traffic City's website. Free admission.

For the whole family: Vintage Event at the beautiful courtyard of the National Museum Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The location alone is worth the trip, and there are food vendors like Pancake Stand. More information on the event’s Facebook page.

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

Summer Theater: Laajasalo Summer Theater presents: Peter Cottontail. Kylämetsä association’s summer theater brings Gösta Knutsson’s Peter Cottontail to the stage in Laajasalo. Performance Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets 15 €, children under 2 free. Read more on Kylämetsä association’s Facebook page.

Stadi Cup - Nordic’s largest girls’ football tournament is played in Helsinki 7.-10-6.2018. Read more on the event’s website, where you can follow exciting matches.

Tip to Espoo: Villa Elfvik Wetland Lives - a nature walk is an interactive family nature hike where everyone travels at children’s pace. Bring small snacks and dress for the weather. Walk on Elfvik’s grounds Sunday 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free admission, no pre-registration needed. More information on Villa Elfvik’s website.

New at Pienten Helsinki: Summer cafés throughout the city!

Remember These Too:

Stadi Cup - Nordic's largest girls' football tournament is played in Helsinki 7.-10-6.2018. Read more on the event's website, where you can follow exciting matches.

Mustasaari summer island’s regular ferry service begins 5.6.2018 and you can take trips to the island from Taivallahti beach until August. Read more about Mustasaari here.

At Espa Stage you’ll see almost daily various concerts and performances during the summer. Read more and check out the summer concert schedule on Helsinki’s Culture Administration website.

Fallkulla Farm Animals is open all summer daily 26.5.-26.8. from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Read more on the farm’s website. Also, Linnanrata playground in Helsinki, Glims Manor Museum in Espoo, and Katrinebergin Manor in Vantaa have farm animals as summer guests!

Helsinki City Museum and Children’s City open starting 4.6.2018 in summer season at 9 a.m. Great playground for early birds! Read more on the museum’s website. Children’s City also features a narrative art exhibition by illustrator Jenni Isotoff Dream Mäykkynen & Helsinki from 29.5.-31.8. At Children’s City, during summer as usual there’s small self-directed paper crafting workshops for families every day. Starting June 1st, paper city fox chains and other decorations with Helsinki animals are being made. More information on the city museum’s website.

Haaga’s Alpine Rhododendron Park’s bloom continues for a while, and the park is great to visit with children too. Take a trip to the wooded rhododendron park to marvel at the beautiful multicolored blooms. Read more about the rhododendron park here.

Linnanmäki amusement park has opened the 2018 summer season. Check the more detailed opening hours for June on the amusement park’s website.

Current museum tips in Pienten Helsinki’s museum news article.