The adventures of Sweden’s favorite storybook hero, Pippi Longstocking, come alive at the Museum. Enjoy tales from this beloved children’s series while traveling through the Museum galleries as a “thing-finder”, creating a Dala horse craft, and tasting Pippi’s favorite cookies – pepparkakor.
Participate in a Swedish holiday tradition – the Lucia festival. Lucia, the saint of light, has long been honored on December 13th, the longest night of the year. Children will learn the legend of Lucia, explore Swedish Christmas traditions, and experience the magic of a traditional Lucia procession. Don’t forget your camera!
Celebrate holidays the Swedish way! Even though we may celebrate some of the same holidays in the United States, Swedes have many unique traditions. From Midsommarfest, to Easter, to the Lucia festival before Christmas, children will participate in and discover how Swedish holidays differ from our own.
Did you know that the Swedes were the first Europeans to settle the Delaware Valley? This program focuses on the founding and legacy of the New Sweden Colony, established in 1638 along the Delaware River. Using Museum collections and hands-on artifacts, children will explore how and why the settlement began, learn more about Swedish relations with local Native Americans, and experience elements of colonial daily life, like making real butter!
Every Swede knows there isn’t a true holiday season without glögg. New this year, ASHM is combining the warm atmosphere of the Museum with the warm glow that comes from drinking this special spiced mulled wine. On December 27th from 3-5pm ASHM invites you register for a guided tour and glögg tasting. Staff will provide special insight into some of their favorite collections and following the tour attendees can join a light reception and sample a very special glögg provided by our program sponsor Sjoeblom Winery.
Be sure to join us this month and see the museum decked out in its holiday splendor! Toddlers and families will get into the spirt by learning about fun Swedish holiday traditions such as St. Lucia Day, Pepparkakor, and Jultomte. We will read Lucia Morning in Sweden by Ewa Rydåker and dance to seasonal music! If you’re not already a member, now is the perfect time to join. Museum members attending December’s Toddler Time will receive a double discount in the gift shop the morning of the program!
Come and experience the wonderful world of fiber arts! This month at Toddler Time preschoolers will explore our new textile exhibits and learn about the meaningful gift given to the Museum in 1938 by the women of Sweden. We will read Wild Rose’s Weaving by Ginger Churchill and practice fine motor skills with our weaving activity centers.
From folk songs to ABBA and Avicci, Swedish musical artists know how to get us moving! Join us this month as we explore music from Sweden and read Moose Music by Sue Porter. Toddlers and parents alike can dance along while listening to the Midsommar favorite Vi Aro Musikanter, 70’s hit Dancing Queen, and club favorite Wake Me Up by Avicci! We will also explore the operatic music of Jenny Lind in the museum gallery and then Toddlers can make their own music during center time.
The hand speaks and craft communicates from the heart. Fiber sculptor Ted Hallman examines the relationship between traditional and modern craft through three contemporary installations on ASHM’s first floor, and gives a gallery talk about the installations.
Exhibit opening is free with museum admission. Refreshments will be served.