AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE | Experience Nordic Culture at ASI!
Looking for unique summer activities? Explore within Minnesota’s only castle! The American Swedish Institute museum and cultural center hosts incredible summer events designed for students and their growing interests.
The American Swedish Institute museum and cultural center announces a summer schedule of programs for every age and interest in language, cooking, and crafts; fun happenings in the historic Turnblad mansion, including a series of unique events perfect for every age. We have something for everyone!
ASI’s Youth and Family programs offer opportunities for families, children and even the tiniest tots to learn about Scandinavian art, craft, culture and history – and to discover something new about themselves.
From handcraft classes to opportunities for language learning, from summer day camps to birthday parties, there’s always something for you and your children to explore together.
Our highly anticipated summer camps are now open for registration – don’t hesitate to give your children this one-of-a-kind summer camp experience!
Join ASI for a hands-on learning summer with returning camp favorites and exciting new camps:
• Swedish Language Learning on July 24 (ages 6–10)
• Plant Camp: Exploring Place Through Plants on July 25 (ages 9–13)
• Viking Camp on Aug 1 (ages 6–10)
• Teen Craft Camp on Aug 3 (ages 13–18)
• Folk Music Camp on Aug 7–11 (ages 9–13)
• Pippi Camp on Aug 16 (ages 6–10)
A suggested schedule of amazing highlights to register for includes:
• Kids at the Castle – Fri, May 19 & Sat, May 20. 9 to 10 am.
-Muddy May! These action-packed creative playtimes encourage adventurous young minds through circle time, storytelling, crafts, visual play, music, and movement. “Kids at the Castle” themes are inspired by the seasons. Advance registration required; adults required; suggested for ages 2–5. $10 per family.
• Kids at the Castle – Fri, June 16
-Watch my garden grow! These action-packed creative playtimes encourage adventurous young minds through circle time, storytelling, crafts, visual play, music, and movement. “Kids at the Castle” themes are inspired by the seasons. Advance registration required; adults required; suggested for ages 2–5. $10 per family.
•Light and the Life Cycle of Plants with Silverwood Park – Fri, May 5 10-11:30am
-Join ASI for a morning of exploration in the green and growing landscapes of Silverwood Park. With an artist and naturalist, learn about the life cycle of plants and make a seed germination necklace to sprout and grow at home. Gather natural materials while on a hike to use in making cyanotypes, which are images created by exposing light-sensitive paper to sunlight.
• Midsommar Music and Magic, Thursday June 1 & Friday June 2 10-11:30am
Calling all små grodorna (small frogs)! Come hop, dance, and celebrate Midsommar!
Explore Swedish and Swedish-American culture with your little one in these programs designed for children ages 3–5 and their favorite grownups. Adult accompaniment is required, and advance registration is required for all Preschool Programs. Limit one adult per registered preschooler. Free for accompanying adults. “
•Summer Slöjd: drop-off program suitable for students who will enter grades 4-6 this fall. ASI Instructor, Anna Ruhland, will teach each handcraft workshop. Participants will practice new skills, work with handcraft materials, and nurture their love of slöjd.
-Eco Art: Wed, July 12 1-2pm
-Wood Block Carving: Wed, July 19 1-2pm
-Pressed Flower Projects: Wed, July 26 1-2pm
-Wire Baskets: Wed, August 2 1-2pm
Our Youth & Family programs also offer field trips designed for students. Our team is flexible and excited to provide the best experience tailored to your unique educational goals! ASI is currently booking dates through January 2024.
Activities
• Tours are $8 per student. These are guided tours of either the Turnblad Mansion or the current exhibition. Some dates throughout the year are unavailable.
• Miscellaneous Workshops are $10. These can include a tour at no additional cost. Examples would be if an educator wanted to combine a tour and an artifact analysis activity, the fee would still be $10 per student. Students can either examine Swedish Immigration artifacts or “Swedish holidays throughout the year” artifacts. The miscellaneous workshop could also be a handcraft workshop that uses paper.
• Handcraft Workshop is $16. Similar to the workshops above, these can be combined with a tour and the cost will still be $16 per student. Chaperones can’t do the handicraft workshop. Examples are wooden Dala horses, needle felting, etc.
How to book a field trip
• Email Youth & Family Programs Coordinator Lindsey Tscherne lindseyt@asimn.org
Looking for a birthday party venue? Create a fun and memorable themed party for your special birthday child (or grandchild). They’ll love it, their friends will love it, and you’ll love it, too, because ASI will do the set up and clean up and organize all the activities!
Birthday parties can be booked on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons (1 to 3 pm) depending on availability. Birthday party must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance to help staff plan your party. Perfect for kids turning 5 to 12.
Birthday Parties include:
Five options for party theme: Pippi Longstocking, Viking, Moomin inspired, Dala Horse Handcraft, or Princesstårta (Swedish Cake).
2-hour Room Rental. 1.5 Hours Facilitated Activities / 30-minute Social Time (cake and presents)
ASI Party Staff
ASI branded cups for all the party guests to bring home
Birthday Decorations
Museum Admission for all youth birthday party guests
The American Swedish Institute is a vibrant arts and cultural organization that engages locally and connects globally. With a campus including the historic Turnblad Mansion and the Nelson Cultural Center, ASI uses its resources to be a valuable community asset and integral partner in Minneapolis.
ASI is located at 2600 Park Avenue in Minneapolis. Open 10 am to 8 pm on Thursdays, and 10 am to 4 pm on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. General admission is free for ASI members and children five and under. $6 for ages 6 to 18 and students of all ages. $12 for adults. $8 for seniors age 62 and over. Walk-up museum admission is available, or register in advance.
