Free hobby activities
Hämeenlinna’s Finnish Model for Leisure Activities, Sports Timetable and school club activities
Get Active Near You (Harrastus ihan lähellä, HIL) activities
HIL activities are organised in Hämeenlinna’s comprehensive schools before or after the school day, either on school premises or nearby. The activities are free of charge for participants, and the timetable is compiled annually based on the wishes of the pupils.
Activities are organised before or after the school day on school premises or in the vicinity. Each session lasts approximately 60 minutes. Activities are not held during school holidays. In Hämeenlinna, students entitled to school transport can utilise existing school transport services if the student participates in the Finnish model for leisure activities.
Registration for HIL groups
HIL activities begin in August–September during weeks 36–37 and end for the autumn term in week 50.
The spring term for HIL activities begins in week 3. During school holidays, HIL activity sessions are also on a break.
Registration for groups begins on Monday 17 August. Registration is possible throughout the school year if places are available.
HIL service provider search
A dynamic small-scale procurement system will be established for the Get Active Near You hobbies 2027–2028 service provider search, where providers can submit an application to participate. Applications can be submitted throughout the period the system is open (the next search is in March 2027).
Welcome to the Hämeenlinna Finnish model for leisure activities:
Employment Services’ matching service (accessing the link requires logging into the service).
Use of mobile devices in HIL activities
Get Active Near You groups follow the Finnish National Agency for Education’s recommendation to leave phones in backpacks or other suitable place during activities related to the Finnish model for leisure activities.
This is based on an amendment to the Basic Education Act that came into force on 1 August 2025. Read more (in Finnish):
Rules for using phones and other mobile devices in school | Finnish National Agency for Education
More Accessible Hobby label
We use the More Accessible Hobby label. This means we are committed to promoting broad equality and accessibility in our operations. We continuously evaluate and develop our activities so that everyone can enjoy the joys and benefits of a hobby.
The More Accessible Hobby label is intended for all hobby organisers to communicate the accessibility of their operations. The More Accessible Hobby label recommendations promote the accessibility of leisure activities.
Promoting accessibility starts with understanding diversity and taking it into account in one’s own operations. Every hobby organiser must take measures to promote accessibility in order to move towards equal participation in leisure activities.
The recommendations aim to promote the implementation of accessibility as broadly and diversely as possible. The More Accessible Hobby recommendations are based on human rights treaties and legislation, as well as multidisciplinary co-development and experiences of effective solutions.
Hobby organisers for the 2026–2027 school year
- 4H Hämeenlinna
- HJS Juniorit – Hämeenlinna Football Club
- Hämeen Lastenliitto
- InCoach
- Liikuntapalvelut Juha Hietala
- Kino Tavast
- ARX Culture Centre
- Tavastia Education Consortium / Lasten Liikunnan Tuki
- School of Gaming
- Steelers ry
- Tanssikoulu Tanssittava
Several other local organisations and clubs are also involved through various events and school visits.
Impact assessment of the Finnish model for leisure activities
Ministry of Education and Culture 2026. Evaluation of the legislation on the Finnish Model for Leisure Activities
The Me Foundation and 21 partner municipalities have collected data on the results, reach, and impact of the Finnish model for leisure activities during the 2024–2025 academic year (in Finnish). Download the report
More research data: Research – Finnish Model for Leisure Activities
Sports Timetable (Liikuntalukkari)
Sports Timetable activities are low-threshold, free-of-charge exercise groups aimed at school-aged children. Participation does not require pre-registration. You simply register on-site with the instructor and show the benefit from your Youth Pass if you have one. When coming to swim, the Youth Pass is required when collecting the wristband. Activities are available across the Hämeenlinna inner city. The activities are organised in cooperation with clubs and other sports operators.
Sport Timetable is intended for pupils in basic education (grades 1–9).
Schools’ own club activities
School clubs are extracurricular activities aimed at applying the knowledge and skills learned in school and supporting the goals of the curriculum. The clubs also offer pupils opportunities to explore different hobbies. Club activities are part of free basic education and contribute to the sense of community and enrich the school’s operating culture.