Tips for autumn break week 2019 can be found here!

Helsinki schools have their autumn break during week 42. The number of days off varies: for example, Finnish-language city schools generally have the entire week off, while Swedish-language schools have only a few days. During autumn break week, many family centers and hobby activities take a break, but many organizations also arrange special autumn break activities and programs for children and young people.

Little Helsinki’s tips for autumn break have been compiled with young children and their families as well as primary school-aged children in mind.

Also read Little Helsinki’s autumn break tips for the surrounding region and Where this week article for week 42.

A WISH: #littlehelsinki can be found on Instagram and other among other places, and behind the hashtag you’ll find other families’ experiences and tips for activities with children. Feel free to use the #littlehelsinki hashtag ;)

The article’s cover image is from Kruunuvuorenranta pond.

Animals and Farms

Fallkulla Farm is open during autumn break the entire week from Monday to Sunday from 10am-3pm.

Haltiala Farm can be visited year-round, but during cold months the animals living indoors can be viewed according to the opening hours found via the link. Little Helsinki is trying to clarify autumn break schedules. The restaurant at the farm, Wanha Pehtoori, is at least open.

Korkeasaari Zoo is open the entire autumn break week from Monday to Sunday from 10am-4pm. During the week at Korkeasaari, visitors can adventure with Kurre the squirrel daily. The island also has many grilling spots, a warm hut for eating packed lunches, a lunch spot next to Bear Castle, and wonderful playgrounds. Helsinki city playgrounds instructors will be present during Korkeasaari’s autumn break week. Korkeasaari’s autumn break program can be found here. Admission fee applies.

To the Library

City libraries throughout Helsinki offer autumn break activities for children: story times, workshops, and themed evenings. Tip: libraries also have board games and, for example, musical instruments for rainy days. Check out Helsinki's library autumn break tips here.

Also remember: The Nordic Library on Kaisaniemenkatu.

Playgrounds and Play Areas

Playgrounds are open during autumn break Monday to Friday from 9am-4pm and offer activities and programs for families with children and school students. Read more from the playgrounds' activity pages. Day camps are organized for school students (advance registration required), with other autumn break programs for families Monday to Friday. Playgrounds will inform about their autumn break programs on their own websites. Compiling playground event information remains challenging and very time-consuming, so it's worth checking the autumn break program for your nearby playground on its own website.

Helsinki has hundreds of play areas that are always open. All play areas can be found via the map service here.

[caption id=“attachment_600” align=“aligncenter” width=“1024”] Play areas around the city offer activities for the little ones and a good reason to explore new places. Image from Kalasatama play area.[/caption]

Children's Culture

At Annantalo

Annantalo hosts the Children's and Young People's Jump dance film week October 15-19, 2018. Create your own dance film, watch film screenings, and explore the Dance Film House exhibition. This free autumn break event offers workshops and film screenings for different ages. The week's program can be found on Annantalo's website.

During autumn break week at Naperokino, the theme is imagination. Naperokino at Annantalo on Fridays at 10am. The age recommendation is 0–3 years with an adult, though older children are also welcome. Admission to films is free. More information on Annantalo’s website.

Skidilä, a new child-friendly café at Annantalo, invites you to visit and spend perhaps a delicious pastry break!

To the Circus

Sirkus Finlandia at Kaisaniemi field September 28 - October 28, 2018. Ticket prices and performance schedule can be found on the circus's own website.

Story Day

Story Day is celebrated throughout the country on Thursday, October 18, 2018. Theme day events can be found on Story Day's website.

Children's Traffic City

Children's Traffic City is open for families during autumn break week Monday to Friday from 9am-3pm. At traffic city, with an adult's supervision, you can learn traffic rules and drive around in the traffic park with a pedal car or bike. Check out more information on Traffic City's Facebook page.

Visit a Museum

Helsinki City Museum and Children's City, Natural History Museum, Amos Rex, HAM Helsinki, Newspaper Museum, Theatre Museum, National Museum, Fire Museum, Tram Museum, Museum of Technology... There are many options for museum visits with children. Little Helsinki's Museum Buddy and Me series takes you on museum adventures with children. Note that many museums are closed on Mondays, but at least the Newspaper Museum, City Museum, and Amos Rex are open on Mondays too (Amos Rex is closed on Tuesdays!).

[caption id=“attachment_5609” align=“aligncenter” width=“933”] Amos Rex offers experiences for the little ones too.[/caption]

Museums Have Events During Autumn Break Week

Fire Museum is open during autumn break week on Sundays and Wednesdays from 12pm-4pm. The museum at the Erottaja fire station charges an admission fee of 2 €, children under 15 enter free. Read more on the Fire Museum's website.

Touch It! Autumn Break Activities at the Natural History Museum during weeks 42 and 43 Tuesday to Saturday 10:30am–3pm. Read more on the Natural History Museum’s website. Museum admission fee applies. More information on the museum’s website.

Adventure with Sketch the Cat at the Ateneum Art Museum. Read more on Ateneum’s website. Museum admission fee applies.

Time Travel and Together Without Age Limits Museum Day at the Kindergarten Museum on Wednesday 12pm-6pm. Free admission. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

Hotel and Restaurant Museum Autumn Break Week Dough Magic exhibition tours and dish adventure. More information on the event’s Facebook page. Museum admission fee applies.

Stories and Atmosphere on Story Day at the Theatre Museum 11am-6pm. In honor of Story Day, the museum admission fee is 1 €. More information on the Theatre Museum’s website.

Crafts at Helsinki City Museum during autumn break week with vehicles of the past and future October 15-21 12pm–3pm. Read more on the museum’s website.

Toy Museum Horseshoe in Espoo also offers autumn break activities. More detailed information can be found on the museum’s website. Museum admission fee applies.

Linnanmäki and Sealife

Linnanmäki celebrates Lights Carnival in October October 11-21, 2018. Look forward to an amusement park bathed in spectacular atmospheric lighting, performers, and the atmosphere of darkening evenings. The Lights Carnival culminates in fireworks on Sunday, October 21, 2018. Read more about the Lights Carnival on Linnanmäki's website. Admission to the amusement park area and rides for young children is free, riding the larger rides is paid.

[caption id=“attachment_1780” align=“aligncenter” width=“1024”] Linnanmäki celebrates Lights Carnival also during autumn break week.[/caption]

At Sealife, Light Rays theme weeks are celebrated during the Lights Carnival. The event culminates in Fish Night October 19-21, 2018. Read more on Sealife’s website. Admission fee applies.

Get Moving

Helsinki also organizes sports events during autumn break.

Sports Fun on Sundays at Sports Mill from 9am-10:45am.

At Itäkeskus swimming hall families can enjoy an EasySport water activity day on Sunday, October 14, 2018 from 1pm–5pm. Read more on the event’s Facebook page. Admission fee applies. Also remember other Helsinki swimming halls and, for example, Vantaa’s Flamingo Spa.

EasySport Week Monday to Friday from 11am-2pm at Töölö Sports Hall offers children diverse sports stations and activity trials at Sports Hall admission fee. More information on the event’s Facebook page.

Family Ball Games at Ball Mill on Tuesday 9:30am-11:30am and 4pm-6pm and Thursday 4pm-5pm. Morning ball games are free, afternoon sessions have a one-time fee for adults (3.50 €).

Young people’s own FunAction day is held at Sports Mill on Wednesday, October 18 from 3pm–8pm.

Vuosaari swimming hall’s autumn break week program can be found here.

Read more about Helsinki city’s sports and culture events during autumn break here.

Little Helsinki’s Helsinki Moves tips article has lots of tips for getting active in Helsinki with children.

[caption id=“attachment_1258” align=“aligncenter” width=“1024”] At sports fun.[/caption]

Ice Skating and Skiing

Free public skating times schedule can be found on Helsinki Moves website.

Kivikon ski hall has opened its doors and serves young and older skiers. Read more about Kivikon ski hall and its opening hours on the Helsinki city website. Admission fee applies.

Little Helsinki’s Helsinki Moves tips article has lots of tips for getting active in Helsinki with children.

Explore Helsinki

Go on an autumn foliage hike! Helsinki's parks and forests are now glowing with beautiful fall colors! Little Helsinki recommends excursions to at least Tullisaari in Laajasalo, Herttoniemi Manor Park, and Sibelius Park in Töölö. Espoo's Träskanda Manor Park is also a wonderful experience (you can also find Park Hide here!)!

Lammassaari and Kuusiluoto, Talosaari, Suomenlinna, Kruunuvuori,… There are many places suitable for excursions. You can create your own theme for the trip or follow a planned route. For example, you can explore Suomenlinna in many different ways. Also remember excursion destinations in nearby towns and municipalities: Sipoo, Porvoo, and Loviisa to the east, and to the west Espoo, Kirkkonummi, and Inkoo. There are even two national parks near Helsinki: Nuuksio and Sipoonkorpi are wonderful family excursion destinations.

You can find Little Helsinki’s excursion tips to interesting places here.

[caption id=“attachment_5562” align=“aligncenter” width=“1024”] On Kuusiluoto’s boardwalks.[/caption]

Activities on Your Own Schedule

Little Helsinki's Helsinki Places article has over a hundred tips for activities around the city.

Spotting article takes you to machines and gadgets around Helsinki.

Rainy Day Joys article is a collection of ideas for rainy days.

[caption id=“attachment_735” align=“aligncenter” width=“1024”] In Little Helsinki’s Spotting article, we marvel at machines and gadgets around Helsinki.[/caption]