Puddle - Open programme for families with children

1 October | Puddle sneak peek | 14.00 (in Swedish) and 15.00 (in Finnish) | Ostrobothnian Museum, Museokatu 3 | for children under 8 and their families | free for under-18s, adults €14/8, Museum Card or Kaikukortti Card

Join the museum’s mascot, the ermine, on a tour of the exhibition Inkeri Julkunen and Other Naïve Artists. Bring your own cuddly toy along on the tour! Also: Acquiescence nature animation. The film is suitable for speakers of all languages.

1 October | Puddle Opening Party | 17.00–20.00 | Main Library, Kirjastonkatu 13 | for families with children | free entry

Orffit children’s music orchestra will perform in the Draama-hall at 18. In addition, all sorts of fun activities both outside and inside the library. Outdoor yard games, and Studio Puddle in multipurpose space Matilda. The programme also features TaiKon’s Ilon pisarat (Drops of Joy) community artwork, the Puddle board game, artwork puzzles, a Moomin treasure hunt, the Lorunen rhyme corner, a message-in-a-bottle for happiness, and a sand voting station. Also coming up: the Puddle polka, Puddle animations, and BARK’s strange creatures. Café Puddle will be open throughout the event.

In cooperation with: Culture and Library Services, TaiKon, Welfare Services, BARK, Sports Services, Vaasa Museums, Eläkkeensaajien polkkarinki (Pensioners’ polka ring), Youth Services, Onkilahti School, Vaasa Christian School and City of Vaasa’s Landscaping unit.

1–31 October | Studio Puddle | during library opening hours | Matilda multipurpose space, Vaasa Main Library, Kirjastonkatu 13 | for the whole family | free entry

Dive into an underwater world through art and hands-on activities in Studio Puddle. The shared living room for families will be open throughout the Puddle weeks. This year, Studio Puddle has been decorated and staged by students from Onkilahti School and Vaasa Christian School, along with the Youth Services’ summer artists.

1 October | Storytime | 10.15–10.45 | Children’s section, Main Library, Kirjastonkatu 13 | for children under 6 years | in Finnish | free entry

At Story time, we read, play and sing together.

2 October | Free entry to Vaasa Museums | 10.00–17.00 | The Ostrobothnian Museum, Museokatu 3; the Kuntsi Museum of Modern Art, Sisäsatama; the Tikanoja Art Museum, Hovioikeudenpuistikko 4 | free entry

Vaasa Museums are celebrating Vaasa’s birthday by offering free entry to visitors.

2 October | Rhyme Bath | 10.15–10.45 | Children’s section, Main Library, Kirjastonkatu 13 | for children under 1 years | in Finnish and Swedish | free entry

Enjoy rhymes, games and songs together with your baby.

2 October | Action at the traffic park | 12.00–18.00 | Onkilahti Traffic Park, Pitkäkatu 2 | ages 4–12 | free entry

The Onkilahti Traffic Park will be open to visitors on Vaasa’s birthday. All visitors will receive a reflector for the dark autumn evenings. Weather permitting.

3 October | Huudi quiz | 13.15–14.00 | Meeting place Huudi, Mannerheimintie 41 | ages 7–10 | free entry

Quiz event by Vaasa City Library – participate individually or in a team. Prizes for the winners.

4 October | Goldfish in the Puddle – art splash | 10.00–13.00 | Main Library Draama-hall, Kirjastonkatu 13 | ages 4–12 | free entry

Crafts and painting with fun techniques, organised by Cultural Services and 4H. Together, participants will create goldfish and an aquarium.

5 October | Shadow theatre workshop Hut | 13.00–17.00 | Cooperative 3E | Gerby UF, Pienkyläntie 28 | ages 5–12 | in Finnish, English and Swedish | free entry

Children get to explore the magical world of shadow theatre. Build a hut and characters together to create stories projected on the wall. Workshops at 13–14, 14.30–15.30 and 16–17. The café will be open throughout the event.

In collaboration with Cooperative 3E and Gerby UF. The event is part of a Nordic children’s culture project funded by the Nordic Culture Point.

1–31 October | Studio Puddle | during library opening hours | Matilda multipurpose space at Vaasa’s Main Library, Kirjastonkatu 13 | for the whole family | free entry

Dive into an underwater world through art and hands-on activities in Studio Puddle. The shared living room for families will be open throughout the Puddle weeks. This year, Studio Puddle has been decorated and staged by students from Onkilahti School and Vaasa Christian School, along with the Youth Services’ summer artists.

6 October | Storytime | 9.30 | Variska Library, Vanhan Vaasan katu 20 | families with children | in Swedish | free entry

Story time with reading, singing, and rhymes.

7 October | Parents’ evening: Mealtime peace | 17.00–19.00 | Draama-hall, Main Library, Kirjastonkatu 13 | for parents and children aged 7 and above | free entry

The parents’ evening offers fresh perspectives on everyday mealtime challenges through drama, humour, and expert advice.

In cooperation with: City of Vaasa Cultural Services & Welfare Services.

7 October | Storytime | 18.00–18.30 | Children’s section, Main Library, Kirjastonkatu 13 | for children under 7 years | in English | free entry

Story time with reading and play.

7 October | It’s Fun to Play concert | 19.00–20.00 | Toivo Kuula Hall, Laivakatu 16 | free entry

Students of the Kuula Institute will perform in a student concert.

8 October | Storytime | 10.15–10.45 | Children’s section, Main Library, Kirjastonkatu 13 | ages 1–6 | in Swedish | free entry

Read, play and sing together.

8 October | Children’s science workshop | 16.30–18.30 | Studio Puddle, Main Library, Kirjastonkatu 13 | ages 5–10 | free entry

What kind of research is done at the University of Vaasa? LUMA Centre Ostrobothnia organises a science workshop where participants can play energy bingo, program robots, and find out whether potatoes can be used to generate electricity.

10 October | Huudi quiz | 13.15–14.00 | Meeting place Huudi, Mannerheimintie 41 | ages 7–10 | free entry

Quiz event by Vaasa City Library – participate individually or in a team. Prizes for the winners.

11 October | Puddle Rhythms – art splash | 10.00–14.00 | Draama-hall , Main Library, Kirjastonkatu 13 | for children under 7 years | free entry

From 10–11 – Ylimääräiset Asemamiehet children’s orchestra performance. Featuring Sateenvaari, Paula Pippuri, and Mr Möngerrys.

From 12–14 – dance workshops by Dance School Kipinä, combining movement, creativity and coordination. Workshops for ages 3–5 at 12.00 and 12.30 and for ages 6–8 at 13.00 and 13.30. Maximum 20 children/workshop.

Creating splashes: Culture and Library Services, Ylimääräiset Asemamiehet orchestra & Dance School Kipinä.

1–31 October | Studio Puddle | during library opening hours | Matilda multipurpose space, Vaasa Main Library, Kirjastonkatu 13 | for the whole family | free entry

Dive into an underwater world through art and hands-on activities in Studio Puddle. The shared living room for families will be open throughout the Puddle weeks. This year, Studio Puddle has been decorated and staged by students from Onkilahti School and Vaasa Christian School, along with the Youth Services’ summer artists.

13 October | Storytime | 18.00–18.30 | Suvilahti Library, Teirinkatu 2 | in Finnish | free entry

At Story time, we read and play together.

14 October | Autumn Fiesta | 16.00–19.00 | Settlement Vestis, Isokyläntie 20 | for children under 12 | free entry

Settlement Vaasa’s autumn break event includes crafts, a hobby horse and adventure course, face painting, a kiosk, and other fun activities. Activities will take place both indoors and outdoors.

15 October | Stories of shipwrecks in the Kvarken | 12.00–16.00 | 15 min | Vaasa Maritime Museum, Pikitehtaankatu 1 | in Finnish (every hour) and Swedish (every half hour) | free for children, others €3/6

Exciting stories about shipwrecks, wreck finds, dives, and maritime disasters in the Kvarken.

16 October | Rhyme Bath | 10.15–10.45 | Children’s section, Main Library, Kirjastonkatu 13 | for children under 1 years | in Finnish and Swedish | free entry

Enjoy rhymes, games and songs together with your baby.

17–18 October | Sleepover and story time for cuddly toys | Ostrobothnian Museum, Museokatu 3 | for children under 12 | free entry | optional registration at museoinfo@vaasa.fi 

Bring cuddly toys to the Ostrobothnian Museum on Friday 17 October from 14.30–16.45 and pick them up again on Saturday 18 October from 10.00–17.00. You can also bring a cuddly toy to the Story time at the library on Friday 17 October at 14 (in Swedish) and 15 (in Finnish).

18 October | Story Day | 10.00–13.00 | Draama-hall, Main Library | in Finnish, Swedish, English, Ukrainian, Vietnamese and Hindi | free entry

On Story Day, the Draama-hall will be filled with little huts, where rhymes and stories are read in six languages. Also featuring a Moomin treasure hunt. You can bring your own cuddly toy, regardless of your age!

In cooperation with: Culture and Library Services, Cooperative 3E & Welfare Services. The event is part of a Nordic children’s culture project funded by the Nordic Culture Point.

18 October | Artists Talk – Jenny Lucander | 13.00 | Tikanoja Art Museum, Hovioikeudenpuistikko 4 | for the whole family | in Swedish | free for under 18s, adults €14/8 with Museum Card or Kaikukortti Card |

Meet guest artist Jenny Lucander, award-winning children’s book illustrator.

1–31 October | Studio Puddle | during library opening hours | Matilda multipurpose space, Vaasa Main Library, Kirjastonkatu 13 | for the whole family | free entry

Dive into an underwater world through art and hands-on activities in Studio Puddle. The shared living room for families will be open throughout the Puddle weeks. This year, Studio Puddle has been decorated and staged by students from Onkilahti School and Vaasa Christian School, together with the Youth Services’ summer artists.

22 October | Storytime | 10.15–10.45 | Children’s section, Main Library, Kirjastonkatu 13 | ages 1–6 | in Swedish | free entry

Read, play and sing together.

22 October | Stories of shipwrecks in the Kvarken | 12.00–16.00 | 15 min | Vaasa Maritime Museum, Pikitehtaankatu 1 | in Finnish (every hour) and Swedish (every half hour) | free for children, others €3/6

Exciting stories about shipwrecks, wreck finds, dives, and maritime disasters in the Kvarken.

22 October | Storytime in Swedish | 18.00–18.30 | Palosaari Library, Pikitehtaankatu 19 | ages 2–6 | in Swedish | free entry

At Story time, we read and play together.

23 October | Children’s event at Funkkis | 15.00–20.00 | Funkkis, Sepänkyläntie 1 | ages 2–12 | free entry

Explore workshops with dance, literature, animation, visual arts, and treasure hunts at the Funkkis Children’s Event. For an up-to-date list of events and organisers, visit here.

In cooperation with: Film Centre Botnia, Regional Dance Centre of Ostrobothnia, Cooperative 3E.

25 October | Family event: Ghost Saturday | 12.00–14.00 | TaiKon, Kasarmi 11, Itäinen Kasarmi 7–9 | ages 5–12, accompanied by an adult | free entry

Family event Ghost Saturday features performances and workshops for every ghost in the family, big or little.

26 October | Fiesta Grande: Teresina, Martta & C | 15.00–17.00 | Vaasa Main Library Park and Draama-hall, Kirjastonkatu 13 | for children over 2 years of age | free entry

Meet Teresina and Martta, the donkeys from Pikku Aasi Puppet Theatre, and give them a gentle pat. Silhouette art and party games.

1–31 October | Studio Puddle | during library opening hours | Matilda multipurpose space, Vaasa Main Library, Kirjastonkatu 13 | for the whole family | free entry

Dive into an underwater world through art and hands-on activities in Studio Puddle. The shared living room for families will be open throughout the Puddle weeks. This year, Studio Puddle has been decorated and staged by students from Onkilahti School and Vaasa Christian School, along with the Youth Services’ summer artists.

28 October | Storytime | 18.00–18.30 | Palosaari Library, Pikitehtaankatu 19 | ages 2–6 | in Finnish | free entry

At Story time, we read and play together.

28 October | Happy Tunes concert | 19.00–20.00 | Toivo Kuula Hall, Laivakatu 16 | free entry

Students of the Kuula Institute will perform in a student concert.

29 October | Storytime | 10.15–10.45 | Children’s section, Main Library, Kirjastonkatu 13 | for children under 6 years | in Finnish | free entry

At Story time, we read, play and sing together.

30 October | Rhyme Bath | 10.15–10.45 | Children’s section, Main Library, Kirjastonkatu 13 | for children under 1 years | in Finnish and Swedish | free entry

Enjoy rhymes, games and songs together with your baby.

30 October | Ghost Night | 17.00–19.30 | Main Library, Kirjastonkatu 13 | free entry

Step into the library’s spooky ghost corridor as its rusty door opens again. Also featuring a ghost disco and the library’s very own resident ghost. You may wear a fancy costume if you like.

31 October | Huudi quiz | 13.15–14.00 | Meeting place Huudi, Mannerheimintie 41 | ages 7–10 | free entry

Quiz event by Vaasa City Library – participate individually or in a team. Prizes for the winners.