The American Swedish Historical Museum offers a variety of educational programs for all audiences. From school programs, to Swedish language classes to Swedish genealogy, the Museum has something for learners of all ages. 

Learn about the radical women who wore Marimekko with Alexandra Lange

Programs for Families

Toddler Time

Toddler Time is our specially designed program for children ages 2 to 5 years old, where each session helps young minds grow through interactive stories, engaging hands-on activities and social interaction. Toddler Time is a monthly program, every third Tuesday of the Month. Listed below is a schedule of upcoming programs with descriptions. This program is free for members and $5 per child for nonmembers. Please visit our events page to register.


The world is made up of shapes, and you can find many shapes in Marimekko fabrics! Children will learn their shapes through interactive songs and stories. Families will then explore the Museum and the Marimekko exhibition as they go on a shape search! Floor games, matching, and stamp art will “round” out their day of fun and learning.

   10:30 am
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Sweden’s National Day is on June 6th. This month we will learn what makes Sweden special! We will read the book The Swedish Girl of Motala by Eric Basir and learn about different people who call Sweden home. Children will play games and participate in our National Day parade.

 

   10:30 am
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Get your motor running with this month’s Toddler Time! Kids will explore all modes of transportation and they ways people get around in Sweden. Kids will get to race cars on our velocity ramps, explore a cityscape, float a boat, and make their own transportation art project to take home.

  

Come along to meet Pippi Longstocking, Sweden's famous children's book character created by Astrid Lindgren. Families will learn to be thing-finders like Pippi and visit Villa Villekulla in our play room.

  

Family Events

The Museum hosts many events and programs throughout the year, many of which are fun for the whole family. In addition to these annual programs, we have a constantly evolving calendar of events. Visit our Events page for more information and to purchase tickets.


Swedes celebrate Easter religiously, but for the majority of Swedes religion has little to do with it. It's more about witches, egg hunts, and colored feathers. Let’s not forget about the candy, Easter is the holiday for sweets.

The traditional Easter week in Sweden lasts from Thursday to Monday, and kicks off with a trick or treat-like candy hunt. Children dress up as Easter witches with long skirts, headscarves, painted red cheeks and freckles and go from house to house wishing people happy Easter. They get sweets in return for a drawing or song. Having consumed all these treats, they are then given Easter eggs filled with yet more. Parents also let the children search for the eggs themselves in a treasure hunt — following clues and solving riddles until they find their prizes

At Easter Family Fun Day, children get to dress up, have their faces painted and make crafts that reflect the Swedish celebration of the holiday. To wrap up the day, there will be an Easter egg hunt for children on the grounds of the Museum, weather permitting.

  

Get in the spirit of summer by wearing a wreath of flowers in your hair and take a spin around the midsommarpole at the American Swedish Historical Museum’s annual Midsommarfest in late June. Midsommarfest is a day of fun for the entire family with food, music, dance, raffles, games and activities for kids of all ages. Midsommar is one of Sweden’s most important holidays, a unique Swedish celebration, and a day to rejoice in the coming of summer at a time when daylight is at its longest. At Midsommar time, people all over Sweden retreat to the countryside, eager to savor the festivities with friends and family. In fact, Midsommar is a national holiday comparable to our Fourth of July celebration.

  

Light, warmth and Christmas songs have been hallmarks of the Lucia celebration at ASHM since 1939. Each year, families pour through the magnificent bronze doors of the museum to be greeted by the aroma of freshly baked pastries, meatball dishes and strong Swedish coffee. Stroll through the Christmas Market, or Julmarknad, where Swedish delicacies, crafts, decorations, and imported gifts may be purchased, before the musical entertainment begins. The Swedish Christmas Café will also be selling your favorite sweet and savory holiday foods.          

At 1:00 pm and 3:15 pm, the lights will dim and the doors will close for the duration of a performance of Swedish Christmas songs and dances, which are sure to warm your heart in the cold of winter. Children from toddlers to teens dressed in costume entertain the crowds, culminating with the procession of Lucia, wearing her crown of candles, surrounded by her white gowned attendants and star boys. This long standing event is sure to warm your heart, and become a part of your family’s holiday tradition.