Culture Kid Lyyli enjoyed the art amusement park – mother Julia Sundvik shares the family’s cultural adventures

For Julia Sundvik, the decision to enroll her baby as a Vantaa Culture Kid was obvious.

“I received a brochure from the counseling bureau and enrolled Lyyli immediately. I went to the first few events more for myself than for the baby – I wanted to experience something outside my home and at the same time offer my child something I couldn’t at home,” says Julia Sundvik.

Now with experience of 10–15 events, one stands above the rest: The art amusement park.

“Lyyli was less than six months old at the time and could only lie on her stomach. She was fascinated by the flashing colors, changing lights and being able to touch different kinds of materials. It was absolutely a hit.”

Babytango changed the idea of dance

Julia has always had cultural hobbies – music, handicrafts, workshops – but dance was not in her comfort zone. OSIRIS theater’s Babytango show changed her idea of dance.

“We participated because the event was organized in Myyrmäki and the name was fun. It had never even occurred to me that a baby less than a year old could be interested in a dance show. It opened up a whole new world for me, and I started looking through the program for events that I would otherwise never go to.” 

A little culture fan who even joins the show

A little over a year old, Lyyli has a charmingly open attitude towards events.

“She's never been shy around anyone. I often notice her joining the show when we attend free-form events. We rarely sit still and watch; if someone is jumping on stage, Lyyli wants to follow right after.”
She has a particular interest in instruments.

“Lyyli is in love with guitars. If we don't get see the musician from ten centimeters away, she gets frustrated.”

Community togetherness and memories are created through small encounters

The mother and child have also found new acquaintances through Culture Kids.

“I’ve had some light contact with other parents. It's easy to chat at the playground, and participating in events feels far more relaxed when there are familiar faces around.”

Julia says that she wants the same thing from Culture Kids activities as in the beginning: shared experiences and seeing her child’s reactions. The family’s most memorable experience was the Onni on olla event, which is based on a picture book series.

“Author Sanna Pelliccioni drew each child their own Onni character. We still have the drawing on our refrigerator door to cheer us up.”

Did you know this about Vantaa Culture Kids? 

• There are already 3,000 Vantaa Culture Kids!
• We invite all children born in Vantaa this year as well as in 2025, 2024 and 2023 to join.
• We offer free-of-charge art experiences, from babies to children of school age.
• The activities are intended for everyone, regardless of their mother tongue. There are also wordless, plain language and multilingual events available.   

• During the season, we offer over 150 events in cultural facilities and museums in different parts of Vantaa, e.g. dance theater, concerts, experiential color workshops and music playschools.
   

  This is how you join the activities

  If your child lives in Vantaa and was born in 2023 or after, the child’s guardian can register the child as a Culture Kid.
  1. Enroll your child as a Culture Kid online at: vantaa.fi/kulttuurilapset
  2. We will send information about events to your e-mail. This will continue until your child turns 7 years old.
  3. Book tickets to events in the Vantaa Event Calendar.