Contact our Museum Educator at (215) 389-1776 ext. 108 or email education@americanswedish.org
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.
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.
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.
Children who visit the museum love to see our larger than life wooden Dala horse sculpture! This month at Toddler Time, kids will learn why the Dala horse is an iconic symbol of Sweden. Listen to a story, go on a Dala horse hunt through the galleries, and even paint your own Dala horse!
10:30-11:30 amview event >
Summer is the perfect time to explore boats, and Swedes have been expert ship builders for thousands of years. This month kids will learn about different types of boats and what keeps them afloat. Play Sink or Float and build your own boat! Be sure to come prepared to get a little wet!
10:30-11:30 am
view event >
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.
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.
Join us for a Free Family Day at the American Swedish Historical Museum! In collaboration with FDR Park and the Dandelion Project, we will have family friendly activities and crafts inside and outside of the Museum to help us take care of the Earth! Programs include paper making and solar printing workshops, a pollinator identification activity, wildflower planting, recycled material building, and more.
12:00 – 4:00 pmview event > Earth Day Free Family Day Flyer.pdf981.45 KB
Join us for a free Craft Fair and Family Day at the American Swedish Historical Museum!
Inspired by the textiles of the new Swedish Folk Weavings exhibition, vendors will demonstrate and sell their handcrafts of all kinds. Bring your family and try out different textile crafts like cross-stitch and weaving through fun activities in our galleries.
12:00 – 4:00 pmview event >