Playgroups / Drop-in Centres in Espoo?

[ACEC]

Hi .. I've checked out the stickies for Daycares, Playgroups, etc. in the Index but the information seems to be a bit dated. I was wondering if anyone knew of any playgroups / drop-in centres (i.e. free gatherings / centres for kids and moms to meet up) in the Espoo area? I'll be in Finland during the months of June and July with a 3.5yo and 9mo and would like to make the most of my time there!

Thanks.

[NaomiG]

Hi there. Whereabouts in Espoo will you be? Try the open daycare facilities in most suburbs - terrific places with good clean toys, art rooms etc for kids to play under parental supervision. I take my kids to the one in Tapiola, which is fabulous. Espoo city's website has a page with all the locations listed - http://english.espoo.fi/default.asp?pat ... 6846;36849 . Also the church on the second floor at Iso Omena shopping centre has a drop-in playtime for kids and parents - you can get some info/contact details in english on Iso Omena's website. The Agora playgroup for international parents and kids meets on Tuesdays and might still be operating over the summer, they were at the open daycare playground in Lauttasaari last summer. There's a contact email address on the sticky on this site, or you could go to Agora's own website for other contacts to find out what they're doing this summer - http://www.agoratori.net/contact.html

Hope that gets you started, and if you run out of formal playgroup options, do you know that all the parks here are equipped with toys for kids to use? Summer in Finland is beautiful - especially for parents of young kids!

Naomi

[ACEC]

Thanks for all the info, Naomi.

We just arrived in Finland and are staying in Olari. We will be checking out a local park tomorrow (hopefully it won't rain!) and then some other sites during the week. You've certainly given me lots to research over the next couple of days.

Ana.

[CH]

The "asukaspuisto", um... don't know how to tranlate it but bigger play parks that serve the local community with program for the children etc, have some program for the children and adults. The summer program doesn't seem to be out yet on the Espoo home page, but check the park if they maybe have it posted there already. During summertime they have at least previously had a free lunch for the children, you just need to bring your own plate and eating utensils. The page for the Olari asukaspuisto is here, but in Finnish:
http://www.espoo.fi/default.asp?path=1; ... 0729;10748

There are many different arranged mommy/family meetings over a cup of coffee ("äitikahvila" or "perhekahvila"). For instance the Mannerheim League for Child Wellfare arranges one in Olari, on Wednesdays 9.30-11.30 am, at the club room in Sammalkalliontie 6 E:
http://matinkyla-olari.mll.fi/perhekahvila/

I found a calendar with happenings for children in the Matinkylä-Olari area, but it's old information for fall 2009. But it gives an idea (and links!) for what kind of things you can find in that area (Finnish only, sorry): http://www.espoo.fi/default.asp?path=1; ... 3617;81591

[ACEC]

Just as a follow-up to all the great suggestions:

- Iso Omena no longer has a drop-in area. The friendly people at the City of Espoo office directed me towards the Olarin Asukaspuisto.
- Agora's programs are shut down for the summer holidays (June and July)