Guide
Free hobby clubs at Finnish schools — how do they work?
Updated August 2026
Yes — Finland runs a national programme, Harrastamisen Suomen malli ("Finnish model for hobbies"), that offers comprehensive-school pupils FREE hobby clubs around the school day, before lessons or right after. It is written into the Youth Act and about 270 municipalities take part. The clubs are free for the child and usually held at the child's own school; each municipality publishes its own club list.
Who and when
The clubs are for comprehensive-school pupils (grades 1–9) and run in direct connection with the school day — not during lessons. The offering spans sport, art, music, science, coding and much more, built around what children themselves ask for.
How to enrol
Pick your city below, open the municipal club list and see which clubs are coming to which school. Enrolment goes through the city's own system and is often open for only a few days in August (autumn term) and January (spring term).
Good to know
The clubs are free of charge. Most are for the host school's own pupils, so a club is not always open to every child in the city, and the offering is rebuilt every semester. If a school club doesn't work out, KivaHobby lists the clubs and classes in your city across every activity.
Frequently asked questions
Are school clubs free?
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Yes. Clubs under the Harrastamisen Suomen malli programme are completely free for comprehensive-school pupils.
Who can take part?
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Comprehensive-school pupils. Most clubs are for the host school's own pupils and are held in connection with the school day.
When do you enrol?
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Enrolment is usually open for only a few days before each term begins — in August and January. Exact dates are on the municipal page.
Where do I see my city's clubs?
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Pick your city on this page; the link goes straight to the municipality's official club listing.