Free-of-charge activities for children and families during winter break

Schools in Oulu are on winter break during the week 10 (March 4-8). The city of Oulu organizes free-of-charge activities for children and their families during the winter break and on the preceding weekend.

Five youth centres are open

Kaijonharju, Myllyoja, Oulunsalo, Puolivälinkangas and Ritaharju youth centres are open:

• Kaijonharju: Tue–Wed at 12.00–16.30 for 1st–6th graders, and at 16.45–20.00 for 7th graders–17 year-olds
• Myllyoja: Tue–Fri at 14.00–22.00 for 7th graders–17 year-olds
• Oulunsalo: Tue–Wed at 14.00–22.00 for 7th graders–17 year-olds
• Puolivälinkangas: for 1st–6th graders Mon–Thu at 14.00–17.00 and Fri at 14.00–18.00 and for 7th graders–24-year-olds Mon at 18.00–20.00, Tue–Thu at 17.00–20.00 and Fri at 18.00–23.00
• Ritaharju: Tue–Wed at 11.00–16.00 for 1st–5th graders, at 11.00–18.00 for 6th graders and at 16.00–19.00 for 7th graders–17 year-olds

Swimming, football, ice skating

You can swim in Oulu's swimming pools free of charge on Sunday, March 3, during the regular Sunday opening hours. Free entry is provided by Oulun Energia and the Sports Services.

Families can enjoy free winter break Kuperkeikka clubs in Ouluhalli on Monday, March 4 and on Tuesday, March 5, at 10.00–14.00. Parents are responsible for their children at the clubs.

Heinäpää Football Arena offers free public sessions from Monday to Friday at 12.00–15.00.

A cheerful free skating event for the whole family is organized at Ylikiiminki School field on Tuesday, March 5, at 18.00–20.00. The program includes skating competitions, chicken dancing, rock'n'roll and other fun things, and hot chocolate is served at the event.

Water disco and mermaid swimming for the price of the entrance fee

Diving platforms are open in Oulu Swimming Pool in Raksila during the winter break week daily at 12.30–13.30. On Tuesday, March 5, music is playing and beach balls are bouncing during a water disco party in the fitness pool at 17.00-20.00. The disco is aimed at around 9-13 year-olds. You can participate in the disco for the price of the entrance fee.

8–15-year-old mermaids and mermen can try mermaid swimming in Vesi-Jatuli on Thursday, March 7, and Friday, March 8. Sign up in advance in the online system. You can join with the entrance fee.

Vesi-Jatuli has a family session with children's music playing in the background in the multipurpose pool at 9.00-10.00 on Sunday, March 10. You can join with the entrance fee.

Free-of-charge pop-up art workshops and children's concert

Pop-up art workshops for children are organized at the Oulu Art Museum during the winter break: Sat March 2 and Sat March 9 at 13.00–15.00, Tue–Fri March 5–8 at 13.00–15.00 and 17.00–18.30.

The workshops delve into the themes of Jaakko Niemelä's Praakk exhibition currently on display at the Oulu Art Museum. Read more about the pop-up-art workshops. Admission to the art museum is free for those under 18 year old.

Children's music group Maailman vahvin pupu (Eepu Sankilampi, singing, Jami Alaverronen, piano) from Oulu performs in Pekuri Library on Saturday, March 2, at 14.30–15.10. Sign up in advance at the library. The free-of-charge concert is jointly organized by the library and Valve. Read more about the concert on Valve's webpage.  

An animal reading buddy is present at Myllyoja Library on Monday, March 4, at 17.00-18.00. You can book a time slot at Myllyoja Library. See the contact information for Myllyoja Library.

Libraries are mostly open during the winter break. You can check the opening hours on the libraries' own pages.