The Puddle programme is now ready: magic, adventures, music, and octopuses await

The Puddle is packed with workshops, children’s art, concerts, dancing and singing, storytelling sessions and museum tours. The Puddle programme is organised for families with children, early childhood education and care groups and primary schools at various locations across Vaasa. Most of the programme is free of charge.

Magical opening event at the Main Library on 1 October from 17–19.30

The Puddle month kicks off on the morning of 1 October with Kari the Magician’s opening tour for pupils at Suvilahti School and children at Teeriniemi Daycare. The tour is presented by Cultural Services. At Vaasa Museums’ pre-event activities, daycare groups and schools can take part in art workshops.

At the opening event for the whole family at the Main Library on 1 October from 17.00 to 19.30, Kari the Magician will perform at 18. The opening programme also includes dancing, the opening of Studio Puddle, the Myrskyn silmässä (In the Eye of the Storm) escape game and plenty of other fun activities.

The opening event will feature TaiKon’s community art project, which everyone can take part in creating throughout the Puddle month. The children’s section of the Main Library will celebrate Winnie-the-Pooh’s 100th anniversary in all sorts of fun and exciting ways The Lorunen rhyming campaign, organised by the Welfare Unit, invites everyone to create and share rhymes. Experience and share joy at various activity stations in the library courtyard, and leave a message in a bottle at the library.

Sea Monster Naming Competition and ‘Valphabet’ – Vaasa’s Own Alphabet

Pupils at Vaasa’s Christian School created an impressive mascot for last year’s Puddle: a five-metre-long sea monster. Now the sea monster needs a name! The naming competition opens on 1 October and closes on 15 October. Book prizes will be drawn among the participants.

The sea monster’s naming day will be celebrated at a family event on Saturday 17 October from 10.30–13 in the Draama Room at the Main Library, with storytelling and sea adventures both indoors and outdoors.

As Vaasa celebrates its 420th anniversary, it’s time to create our city an alphabet of its own. So, on 2 October from 14–16.30, let’s create Vaakkoset, or ‘Valphabet’, together in the Draama Room at the Main Library.

Fun for the whole family at Studio Puddle

Throughout October, families can enjoy self-directed art activities at Studio Puddle (Matilda Room) during the library’s opening hours. Artworks and decorations created by the children at Satamapuisto and Pikku-Kasarmi daycare units and by the summer artists of Youth Services will also be on display in the Matilda Room. At Studio Puddle, visitors can create art and play the Puddle board game developed by pupils at Hietalahti School, or take on the Myrskyn silmässä (In the Eye of the Storm) escape game designed by Class 6A at Länsimetsä School.

Puddle singalong: an evening of children’s songs

The Puddle also invites everyone to join in a singalong of children’s songs. Accordionist Aila Ala-Aho will lead a singalong during the autumn break on 15 October from 18–19.30 in the Draama Room at the Main Library. The evening will also feature a rhythm instrument workshop, so remember to bring a small jar or container with you.

Art Splashes – Family Saturdays at the Main Library

Art Splashes offer memorable cultural experiences for families with children.

• On 3 October from 10.30 to 13, Vips the Shrew will take us on an adventure through the autumn forest to discover its animals and plants. At the Kvarken Nature School’s activity stations, there will be activities both indoors and outdoors.
• 10 October At ‘Puddle Rhythms’ concerts, led by multi-instrumentalist Julius Rantala, participants can learn about unusual instruments and how to play them. The 10.30 concert will be hosted in Finnish and Swedish, and the 12.00 concert in English. In the workshop, participants can explore the art of watercolour painting.

The aim of the Puddle Children’s Culture Month is to give children and families opportunities to create and experience art. A wide network of organisations working with children and families are involved in planning and delivering the programme. Vaasa’s Early Childhood Education and Care and schools are also involved in organising the Puddle, with programme specifically aimed at them. You can leave messages and suggestions for future Puddle events in the ‘Wishing Puddle’ at Studio Puddle.

For the full programme, please visit the City of Vaasa’s Culture Services website: vaasa.fi/puddle.