Youth and Family

Preschool Programs

Explore Swedish and Swedish American culture with your little one in these programs specially designed for children ages 3–5 and their accompanying adult. Adult accompaniment is required, and advance registration is requred for all Preschool Programs. Limit one adult per child. Registration includes one adult and one child. $20 ($15 ASI member)

Light and the Life Cycle of Plants with Silverwood Park

Silverwood Park, Minneapolis | Fri, May 5, 10–11:30 am

Join ASI for a morning of exploration in the green and growing landscapes of Silverwood Park. With an artist and a 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

In-Person | Thu, June 1 & Fri, June 2, 10–11:30 am

Calling all små grodorna (small frogs)! Come hop, dance, and celebrate Midsommar

Astrid Lindgren’s That Boy Emil

In-Person | Fri, August 4, 10–11:30 am

Preschoolers will learn all about the beloved characters, Emil and Ida, and their farm. Through storytime, games, crafts, and play preschoolers will feel immersed in this world created by Astrid Lindgren (author of Pippi Longstocking).

Youth Handcraft Workshops

Starting with Slöjd

Starting with Slöjd is a monthly program for early elementary children. Participants explore new tools, materials, and skills that prepare them for a lifelong love of handcraft. These drop-off programs are suitable for students in grades K–3. Advanced registration required. $15 ($10 ASI member)

Starting with Slöjd: AWESOMe. Crafts

In-Person | Sun, May 21, 1–2 pm

Inspired by Jo Andersson, featured artist in ASI’s exhibition Fluidity: Identity in Swedish Glass, join instructor Anne Ruhland to make imaginative works of art using paper, watercolor paints, oil pastels, crayons, and yarn.

Starting with Slöjd: Woven Butterfly Takkrona (mobiles)

In-Person | Sun, June 18, 1–2 pm

Instructor Anna Ruhland will teach students how to create a whimsical mobile by weaving yarn, found objects, and colorful materials from nature.

Starting with Slöjd: Marbeled Paper Books

In-Person | Sun, July 16, 1–2 pm

In this class, instructor Anna Ruhland will teach students how to marble paper and create beautiful designs with colorful ink. Then, using sewing skills acquired in class, students will stitch together the paper to make handmade books or journals.

Starting with Slöjd: Needle Felted Summer Patches

In-Person | Sun, August 20, 1–2 pm

Students will use wool and felt to make summerinspired patches. If there’s time after creating with wool, students can decide if they’d like to learn some hand-sewing skills to sew their patch onto one of their special objects.

Summer Slöjd

Summer Slöjd is a 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 Advanced registration required. $15 ($10 ASI member)

Summer Slöjd: Eco Art

In-Person | Wed, July 12, 1–2 pm

Head outdoors to the ASI lawns to create artwork inspired by the natural world. Students will work with clay, plants, and a photo process to create nature prints. The class may take place outside (weather permitting), so be sure to dress for the weather, wear sun protection, and carry a water bottle.

Summer Slöjd: Wood Block Carving

In-Person | Wed, July 19, 1–2 pm

Inspired by ASI’s exhibition Leave Your Mark: Stories in Wood, students will learn about the technique of woodblock carving and how to use carving tools to make designs in wood to use as stamps.

Summer Slöjd: Pressed Flower Projects

In-Person | Wed, July 26, 1–2 pm

Participants will learn how to press flowers and use them to create two beautiful projects. Students will use pressed flowers to create a collage to hang on a window. They will also use watercolor paints, crayons, and other art materials to create festive cards.

Summer Slöjd: Wire Baskets

In-Person | Wed, August 2, 1–2 pm

Students will practice luffarslöjd —the art of twisting, bending, and forming metal to create beautiful and useful objects. In this class, Anna Ruhland will teach students how to make small wire baskets.

Youth Birthday Parties

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.

For more details on Birthday Parties, visit asimn.org.

Parties unavailable in August.