Pienten Helsinki
Winter super week of events
Updated February 10, 2018What fun activities suitable for children 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 target audience of the website is pre-school children and families with children.
Pienten Helsinki’s “Where to go this week” articles are published in 2018 by Mondays at the latest and suggest all the activities happening in the city for families with children. The sixth “Where to go” week of 2018 is busy: Carnival events, Runeberg Day, the last week of Kiasma’s pop-in workshops, Nordic Winter Day, and for example LEGO® festivals and much more. There are also plenty of events this week for babies and parents.
Sunny winter days invite you to spend time outdoors, and Pienten Helsinki recommends a picnic to Uutela and the area’s new kota (traditional Finnish hut), where volunteer cottage keepers are on duty on Saturdays and Sundays from 12-16. In the kota you can warm up and grill for example sausages. The kota is located next to Skatan farm, about a kilometer from the Kampela café. The path has been plowed, so the trip is also possible with a stroller. The Uutela kota’s Facebook page has current opening hours.
The new Oodi central library being built in central Helsinki will also have great spaces for young library fans. Do you have an idea or wish for what could be at the library for children’s enjoyment? Now is the right time to share your ideas with the library’s background team! You can also comment below this article or send an email to mari@pientenhelsinki.fi, and I’ll be happy to pass your messages to the makers of Oodi. Have you already explored the libraries’ “Everyone Reads” campaign? Learn more about the campaign and e-book borrowing from the Libraries.fi website.
TIP for parents: At the Workers’ Institute’s Opistotreffit on Saturday from 13-15, you can participate in brainstorming and developing new activities, events and courses for the Workers’ Institute. A great opportunity to come up with something new for Helsinki! Read more on the Workers’ Institute’s website. Note! Pre-registration is requested by February 5, 2018.
The article’s cover photo is from Vuosaari, at Uutela kota.
PMonday » | Tuesday » | Wednesday » | Thursday » | Friday » | Saturday » | Sunday »
MONDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2018
Runeberg DayEvents:
Story time at Puistola library at 10.
Toddler time at Maunula library at 9.30. Story yoga at Paloheinä library at 10.15.
FOR BABIES: Baby rhymes at Paloheinä library at 9.30. FOR BABIES: Baby rhymes at Maunula library at 10.30.
Bird spotting at Arabianranta library through February. Read more on the library’s website.
Library tip: Laajasalo School of Arts soloists concert at Laajasalo library at 14.
Library 10’s children’s own art exhibition. You can admire the works of ten-year-old Inka’s Universe exhibition during the library’s opening hours until February 11, 2018. Children’s own art exhibition activities are reportedly a unique concept of its kind in Finland, and any child can hold their own exhibition. More information about the event and Library 10’s exhibition activities.
TIP: MLL’s family café meets on Mondays at Itäkatu family center from 9-12. The family café, which is open to all families with small children, is a place to come and play, spend time and get to know other families in the same life situation. Read more on the family center’s Facebook page.
Art Clinic for 3-6 year-olds at Annantalo on Mondays at 10 and 12.30. This week at the clinic you’ll make your own memory cards and play together under the guidance of Eija Ross. You can participate in Art Clinic weekly or just occasionally, but you should arrive on time. Read more about this wonderful Art Clinic program on Annantalo’s website.
Puppet theater music class at Sampo’s aula gallery every Monday at 10 and 11. Fee-based (8€/session or 70€/whole spring). Read more on the Puppet Theater Sampo website.
FOR BABIES and parents: Baby Cinema at Vuotalo in Vuosaari on Monday at 12. Tickets for films 8 €. Read more about Baby Cinema and this week’s film (Everything’s Fine (S)) on Vuotalo’s website.
National Opera’s Children’s Art Time for 5-6 year-olds on Monday at 14. The theme is makeup. Tickets 10 €. Read more and buy tickets on the National Opera’s website.
TIP to Espoo: Finland’s largest model railway in the basement of Tapiola’s Hekintor shopping center in Espoo from January to April. Exact opening hours on the Alpine Railway Enthusiasts’ website.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2018
Sámi National DayEvents:
Story time at Malmi library at 9.30. Story time at Kannelmäki library at 9.30. Story time in Arabic and Kurdish at Kontula library at 9.30. Story time at Herttoniemi library at 9.45. Story time in the club room at Töölö library at 10.15.
Reading dog at Töölö library at 18.
Family ball sports season continues at Pallomlyl’s indoor hall at Myllypuro sports park. In family ball sports, all children under 9 move with their own adult on soft artificial turf. Free play, stunts, running or even learning to walk. Family ball sports on Tuesdays 9.30-11.30 and 16-18. Morning ball sports are free for all, afternoon sports cost adults Pallomlyl’s per-use fee (3.50 €).
National Opera’s Children’s Art Time for 5-6 year-olds on Tuesday at 14. The theme is makeup. Tickets 10 €. Read more and buy tickets on the National Opera’s website.
TIP to Espoo: LEGO® festival at Iso Omena shopping center February 6-25, 2018. The exhibition also has a play area. Read more about the festival and check the detailed information and opening hours on the shopping center’s website. Ps. You can easily get there by metro from Helsinki ;).
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! Ps. Pienten Helsinki’s work-in-progress Family neighborhoods will hopefully soon list family services by neighborhood. Tip us about your neighborhood’s events or help compile information!
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2018
Events:Story time at Arabianranta library at 9.30. Story time at Oulunkylä library at 10. Story time at Pukinmäki library at 10.15.
Song circle led by Terttu Paija at Tapulinkaupunki library at 10.
FOR BABIES and parents: BabyKino returns to Kallio library and you can go to movies with your baby again at 12 and 14.30. BabyKino’s own Facebook group can be found here, where for example this week’s film is published and upcoming programs are voted on. FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme time at Kannelmäki library at 13.30.
Puppet Theater Sampo’s Leonardo’s Flying Apes at Stoa on Wednesday at 10. Tickets 12 €. Read more on Stoa’s website.
Leisurely Wednesday gallery workshop: Desert landscape at Vuotalo gallery at 16. Read more about the workshop suitable for all ages on Vuotalo’s website.
Castor & Pollux - a dance piece is a children’s performance by the Katve [blind spot] group. Premiere at Malmitalo on Wednesday at 18. Tickets 6 €. Read more on Malmitalo’s website.
At Malmitalo’s Kino Helios you can see the children’s new film Supermarsu. The film starts at 18 and tickets cost 6 €. Read more on Malmitalo’s website.
TIP to Espoo FOR BABIES and parents: BabyKino at Iso Omena’s Youth Center Vox at 10.30. Read more on the library’s website.
TIP to Espoo: LEGO® festival at Iso Omena shopping center February 6-25, 2018. The exhibition also has a play area. Read more about the festival and check the detailed information and opening hours on the shopping center’s website. Ps. You can easily get there by metro from Helsinki ;).
TIP: Kindergarten Museum is open on Wednesdays from 12-18. Children and play are the main focus here. Admission 4€/2€/0€.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 8, 2018
Events:Runeberg Day at the libraries
For parents: Growing through reading at Töölö library on Thursday 10-12 (pre-registration required). An event about reading with babies, rhyming and books. More information on the library's website.Runeberg Day events at least at Oulunkylä, Tapulinkaupunki, Viiki, Itäkeskus, Pitäjänmäki, Puistola, Töölö and Laajasalo libraries.
Story time at Paloheinä library at 9.30. Story time at Tapulinkaupunki library at 9.30. Story time at Laajasalo library at 9.45. Story time at Vallila library at 18.
Story yoga at Maunula library at 9.30. Toddler time at Paloheinä library at 10.30.
Castor & Pollux - a dance piece is a children’s performance by the Katve [blind spot] group. Malmitalo’s morning performances at 9.30 and 11 on Thursday are free, but pre-registration is required. Read more and book tickets on Malmitalo’s website.
Toddler pop-in workshops at the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma start and continue on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10-13 until February 10, 2018. The pop-in workshop is designed for 1-4 year-olds and accompanying adults. You can participate in the workshops for the museum’s admission fee and can join at your own pace. Read more on Kiasma’s website.
Family ball sports spring season continues at Pallomlyl’s indoor hall at Myllypuro sports park. In family ball sports, all children under 9 move with their own adult on soft artificial turf. Free play, stunts, running or even learning to walk. Family ball sports on Thursdays 16-17, adults pay Pallomlyl’s per-use fee (3.50 €), free for children.
TIP to Espoo: LEGO® festival at Iso Omena shopping center February 6-25, 2018. The exhibition also has a play area. Read more about the festival and check the detailed information and opening hours on the shopping center’s website. Ps. You can easily get there by metro from Helsinki ;).
TIP: Fallkulla farm animals is also open to the public during the winter season: Wednesday to Friday 10-18 and Sundays 10-15. Free admission. Read more on the Helsinki Youth Department’s website.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2018
Story time at Pasila library at 9.30. Story time at Roihuvuori library at 9.45. Toddler time at Malmi library at 10.FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme time at South Haaga library at 10. FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme time at Malmi library at 10.
Soft toy pajama party at Pukinmäki library from Friday to Saturday. Read more on the library’s website, on how your soft toy can join.
Castor & Pollux - a dance piece is a children’s performance by the Katve [blind spot] group. Malmitalo’s morning performance at 9.30 on Friday is free, but pre-registration is required. Read more and book tickets on Malmitalo’s website.
Art Clinic at Kurranummi playground in Tapanila at 10. Read more about the playgrounds’ Art Clinics on Pienten Helsinki’s Facebook page. No pre-registration required.
Theater Hevosenkenkä’s Mimmi Cow and Raven performance at Annantalo on Friday at 10. Tickets 11.50 €. Read more on Annantalo’s website.
Napero Cinema at Annantalo on Fridays 10-12. This week’s theme is nature and seasons. Read more about Napero Cinema on Annantalo’s website.
Toddler pop-in workshops at the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma start and continue on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10-13 until February 10, 2018. The pop-in workshop is designed for 1-4 year-olds and accompanying adults. You can participate in the workshops for the museum’s admission fee and can join at your own pace. Read more on Kiasma’s website.
TIP to Vantaa: At Tikkurila library in Vantaa there is a Let’s Sing Together with Children event on Friday at 10. You can also bring your own instrument or borrow one from the library. Read more about this fun singing time on the library’s website.
TIP to Espoo: LEGO® festival at Iso Omena shopping center February 6-25, 2018. The exhibition also has a play area. Read more about the festival and check the detailed information and opening hours on the shopping center’s website. Ps. You can easily get there by metro from Helsinki ;).
TIP: Go to the movies! Supermarsu, Heinähattu, Vilttitossu and the Rubens Brothers and Moomin’s Magic Winter are currently showing in cinemas and are suitable for young children’s first movie experience.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2018
Events:Toddler time at Roihuvuori library at 10.30.
Story time at Munkkiniemi library at 11.
Saturday for children and Barbies at Puistola library on Saturday 11-14. Saturday for children and emojis at Library 10 on Saturday 12-14.
Children’s clothing and accessories swap at Herttoniemi library 12-14.
In Swedish: Ship ahoy! - poems, nursery rhymes and movements for children up to 5 years with an adult at Busholmen library at 13.
Valentine’s Day card activity at Vallila library 13-15. Read more on Vallila library’s Facebook page.
TIP for parents: At the Workers’ Institute’s Opistotreffit on Saturday 13-15, you can participate in brainstorming and developing new activities, events and courses for the Workers’ Institute. A great opportunity to come up with something new for Helsinki! Read more on the Workers’ Institute’s website. Note! Pre-registration is requested.
Opening of the new Hakaniemi Glass Hall on Saturday 8-18. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
Toddler pop-in workshops at the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma start and continue on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10-13 until February 10, 2018. The pop-in workshop is designed for 1-4 year-olds and accompanying adults. You can participate in the workshops for the museum’s admission fee and can join at your own pace. Read more on Kiasma’s website.
Puksu’s Carnival Party in the area of Composer Park on Saturday 10-13. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
Also in Swedish: Nordic Winter Day 2018 - Nordisk vinterdag 2018 at Arbis (Helsinki’s Arbis) in Etu-Töölö on Saturday 10.30-15. Great program in Finnish and Swedish for all ages. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
Euro Day - a charitable event for the whole family around Laajasalo Church on Saturday 11-15. Activities for the whole family in a charitable spirit. Read more on the Roihuvuori Parish website.
At Malmitalo’s Kino Helios you can see the children’s new film Supermarsu. The film starts on Saturday at 14 and tickets cost 6 €. Read more on Malmitalo’s website.
Närpiäiset musical performance at Music Theater Kapsäkki on Saturday at 14. Tickets 13.50 €/22.50 €. More information on Kapsäkki’s website.
TIP to Espoo: LEGO® festival at Iso Omena shopping center February 6-25, 2018. The exhibition also has a play area. Read more about the festival and check the detailed information and opening hours on the shopping center’s website. On weekend February 10-11, 2018, the festival’s event weekend with special programs. Ps. You can easily get there by metro from Helsinki ;).
TIP to Espoo: Dream Saturday’s Winter Yard Day is being celebrated at Children’s Culture Center Pikku-Aurora. Read on Pikku-Aurora’s website what you can do and experience at the Winter Yard.
TIP to Espoo: Tapiola Winter Party with diverse program both indoors and outdoors on Saturday 10-16. The exact program and schedule of the Winter Party on Tapiola Center’s website.
TIP to Espoo: Friend Ice Skating at Tapiola Ice Garden on Saturday 17-20. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
ESPOO: Finland’s largest model railway in the basement of Tapiola’s Hekintor shopping center in Espoo from January to April. Exact opening hours on the Alpine Railway Enthusiasts’ website.
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2018
Carnival Sunday
112 DayEvents:
Sports Hubbub at Myllypuro Sports Mylly on Sunday 9-10.45. Joint sports activity for the whole family with activities for even the smallest. Sports Hubbub continues on Sundays at Myllypuro until March 25, 2018 (not February 18, 2018). Free for children, adults 3.50 €. More information on the Helsinki in Motion page.
Sign language: Skidi's Sign Language Day at LillaLuckkan in Forum shopping center upstairs on Sunday 10-12. More information on the event's Facebook page.
At the National Museum's Attic you can meet the museum's volunteer grandmother or grandfather every other Sunday 12-15, who has time to chat with children, help and advise on crafts, make things and sometimes read stories too. Check out Pienten Helsinki's article about the National Museum and read more about the Attic's Sunday on the National Museum's website.Carnival Party on Sunday 10-14 in the area of North Haaga Playground. Read more about the carnival party program on the North Haaga Lions’ website.
Winter Party at Dragon Playground in Vuosaari on Sunday 10-14. Lots of diverse activities for the whole family. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
Annala Carnival on Sunday 11-14 in the area of Annala Manor. More information about the carnival event program on the event’s Facebook page.
Carnival Party at Pikku Huopalahti Community Center on Sunday 11-14. Read more on the community center’s Facebook page.
Carnival Party at Viiki Church and Latokartano Square on Sunday 11-14. The day’s program can be found on the Helsinki Church Federation’s website.
Carnival Party on Malminkartano Fill at Sunday 11-15. Program for the whole family, more information on the Pikomala Wanderers’ website.
Taivaskallion Carnival Party in Käpylä on Sunday 12-14. More information about the event can be found at least on the 112 Day website and on the Käpylä Lions’ website.
Carnival Party at Lauttasaari Church on Sunday 12-15. Read more on the Helsinki Church Federation’s website.
Whole family carnival event at Löyly at Hernesaari Beach on Sunday 12-16. More information about the day’s program can be found on the event’s Facebook page.
Annantalo’s Sunday Meeting: Multicultural Valentine’s Day. Our Children United Association’s 30th anniversary celebration event with great activities for the whole family 13-16. Read more about the Sunday Meetings on Annantalo’s website.
Närpiäiset musical performance at Music Theater Kapsäkki on Sunday at 14. Tickets 13.50 €/22.50 €. More information on Kapsäkki’s website.
In Swedish: Children’s Sundays at Kino Engel. Children’s film screenings at Kino Engel in Swedish. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.Fee-based.
Little Papu’s Orchestra performs at Olari Church in a United Responsibility event on Sunday at 18. Tickets 10 €, family ticket 30 €. More information about ticket sales on the event’s Facebook page.
TIP to Vantaa: Ylästö Carnival Party on Sunday 10-13 at Ylästö Parish Center. Read more on MLL Aviaopolis’ Facebook page.
TIP to Espoo: Winter Party at Leppävaara sports park on Sunday 10-14. More information about the day’s winter activities on the event’s Facebook page.
TIP to Espoo: LEGO® festival at Iso Omena shopping center February 6-25, 2018. The exhibition also has a play area. Read more about the festival and check the detailed information and opening hours on the shopping center’s website. On weekend February 10-11, 2018, the festival’s event weekend with special programs. Ps. You can easily get there by metro from Helsinki ;).
TIP: Let’s go sledding! In addition to the well-known Kaivopuisto and Paloheinä sledding hills, Helsinki has several unofficial sledding hills: Sledding Park in Kontula, Alakivi Park in Myllypuro, the hills of Kaisaniemi Park and Taivaskallion in Käpylä offer good speeds for sledders. Also read My Helsinki’s article about Helsinki’s best sledding hills.
Don't forget these either:
Disney On Ice ice fairy tale shows at Hartwall Arena February 8-11, 2018. Tickets and more information on Live Nation's website (fee-based).ESPOO: LEGO® festival at Iso Omena shopping center February 6-25, 2018. The exhibition also has a play area. Read more about the festival and check the detailed information and opening hours on the shopping center’s website. Ps. You can easily get there by metro from Helsinki ;).
Hakaniemi Market Hall opens in new temporary spaces at Hakaniemi Square on Monday, January 22, 2018 at 8. A great place to visit with children and wonder at the hustle and bustle and atmosphere of the hall.
Go ice skating at Helsinki’s many ice skating rinks! Read more about the rinks’ locations, admission fees and opening hours on the City of Helsinki’s website. Also Ice Park at Rautatientori is open daily. Current information about ice rink conditions can be found at www.ulkoliikunta.fi.
Boat18Boat Fair at Helsinki Exhibition Center February 9-18, 2018. Fee-based. Read more on the Exhibition Center’s website.
Toddler pop-in workshops at the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma start and continue on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10-13 until February 10, 2018. The workshops are designed for 1-4 year-olds and accompanying adults. You can participate in the workshops for the museum’s admission fee and can join at your own pace. Read more on Kiasma’s website.
Imagination Friends Exhibition. Johanna Witick’s exhibition of imagination friends from all over the world at Herttoniemi Library February 1-28, 2018 during library hours. Read more on Herttoniemi Library’s website.
Library 10 opens the fourth children’s own art exhibition on January 22, 2018. The opening of ten-year-old Inka’s Universe exhibition is celebrated on January 22, 2018 starting at 4:30 pm in the children’s section exhibition space. You can admire Inka’s artwork during library hours until February 11, 2018. Children’s own art exhibition activities are reportedly a unique concept of its kind in Finland, and any child can hold their own exhibition. More information about the event and Library 10’s exhibition activities.
Tuula Pere’s children’s book illustration exhibition at Malmitalo January 15 - February 28, 2018. The exhibition includes story hours and other programs for children. Read more about the exhibition on Malmitalo’s website.
Previously Unseen Animals Exhibition starting January 11, 2018 at the Nordic Library on Kaisaniemenkatu. The exhibition is based on Ulf Stark and Linda Bondestam’s book of the same name, which was awarded the Nordic Council Children’s and Young People’s Literature Prize in 2017. The exhibition will be on display until March 28, 2018 during the Nordic Library’s opening hours. Read more on the library’s website.
ESPOO: Finland’s largest model railway in the basement of Tapiola’s Hekintor shopping center in Espoo from January to April. Exact opening hours on the Alpine Railway Enthusiasts’ website.
