Kids & Family Programs
For reservations, call 212.847.9740 or email event_reservation@amscan.org.
No reservations are necessary for Saturday Morning Storytelling.
Fastelavn
Saturday, February 18, 1 pm
$7 ($5 ASF Members), ages 1-7
Don’t wait until October for trick-or-treating! Sometimes called “Nordic Halloween,” Fastelavn originated in Denmark where children dress up and go door-to-door, singing for candy. Join Danish musicians Anne Mette Iversen and Vibe Normann from Scandinavian Sing-Along for Scandinavia House’s celebration of this holiday, which includes dress up, traditional games, goodies, and songs.
Uummannaq Music presents Greenland Children’s Day
Saturday, March 3, 1 pm
$7 ($5 ASF Members), ages 4+
Experience and explore the wonder of Greenland and the High Arctic with a day of Greenlandic music, games and teambuilding activities, stories, films, workshops and art projects, presented by Uummannaq music founders Galya Morrell (Cold Artist) and Joel Spiegelman (Composer of the Cold). Kids and their families will additionally learn about the traditional way of life and hear firsthand accounts of the artists’ expeditions to the Arctic ice fields of Northern Greenland.
Throughout the day kids and their caretakers can create, together with native Greenlandic hunters, their own soundtracks of the north, take a crash course in Kalaallisut (the language spoken across Northwestern Greenland) from linguistic guru Raffy Dikranian, learn about the diverse animal world of Greenland, watch an account of a child’s life on Uummannaq Island, and take an introductory class to kiinnamut saagoq - the art of Greenlandic mask-making.
The two Uummannaq-based artists will also share the most inspiring stories of what it’s like to compose music in an igloo, to travel for days on a dog-sled, and to play violin, harmonica, and dance barefoot for the residents of the northern-most settlements. Revealing the secrets of the north, Morrell and Spiegelman will also teach some basic skills needed not only to survive, but also to create and perform in the High Arctic.
This program is presented in conjunction with a week of special Greenlandic programs. See also Inuk in New Nordic Cinema in Films and The Tale of Uummannaq in Lectures & Literary Programs.
Design Your Own City Block: Active Design Workshop
with the Center for Architecture Foundation
Saturday, March 24, 1-3 pm
Free, ages 5-10
Pre-registration required
Join educators from the Center for Architecture Foundation for a free hands-on workshop in honor of Helsinki’s designation as the World Design Capital in 2012. Families will learn how the design of our neighborhoods, streets, and buildings can be used to encourage an active and healthy lifestyle. Working as a design team, families redesign a city block to create a space where activities such as walking, biking, outdoor play, and using public transportation are encouraged.
Jewelry Workshop for Kids
with Designers Piia Keto & Marjo Kuusinen of Kaksitvå
Saturday, May 12, 1 pm
$10 ($7 ASF Members), ages 5-10
Pre-registration required
Jewelry can be made from silver, gold, and precious stones, or even from recycled materials like paper, fabric, or even old cell phones! In this children’s workshop, Kaksitvå designers Piia Keto and Marjo Kuusinen will show kids how to make their own simple, but innovative and exciting creations. No previous experience in jewelry making required.
About Kaksitvå:
Kaksitvå is an accessory brand, which brings the party with them. Designer duo Marjo Kuusinen and Piia Keto together run the accessory brand Kaksitvå from Helsinki, Finland. Kaksitvå products include an entire lifestyle. The collection consists of clothing, jewelry, bags, and accessories. In addition, the Kaksitvå product family includes household items such as pillows, chairs, and tableware.
The inspiration to their work comes from everything that happens around them – country life mixed to the adventures around the world. The name of the brand consists of the word two both in Finnish and in Swedish. Keto and Kuusinen came up with the name when they met a pair of Finnish-Swedish twins whose dissimilar personalities inspired them as designers.
Kaksitvå’s strength lies in the use of daring prints and innovations that make their designs spectacular and gives them a unique air. In each collection Kaksitvå combines recycled and new materials.
Kaksitvå collections have been presented in the fashion trade shows abroad since 2008. Kaksitvå has had an honor to be elected in Copenhagen, CPH Vision, Paris, Who’s Next? and Berlin, Bread & Butter trade show.
Kids & Family Program Series
Saturday Morning Storytelling
with the Hans Christian Andersen Storytellers
Saturdays @ 11 am, February 11, March 10, April 14, and May 12, 2012
Free, ages 5+
Some of New York’s most famous storytellers bring to life exciting tales of mythical creatures and fantastic adventures from Scandinavia and the far North.
Regina Ress: Love Stories from Scandinavia
February 11
Kristin Pedermonti & Rolf Stang: Stories from Scandinavia
March 10
Ellen Shapiro: Stories from Norway
April 14
Donna Jacobs: Secrets from the Forests of Scandinavia
May 12
H.C. Andersen Storytellers Artistic Director: Diane Wolkstein. Saturday Morning Storytelling at Scandinavia House is made possible by support from DeWitt Stern Group, Inc.
Scandinavian Sing-Along
Saturdays @ 1 pm, February 18 (Fastelavn), March 24, April 14, & May 19, 2012
$7 ($5 ASF Members), ages 1-7
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Scandinavia holds a treasure-trove of children's songs and games. Danish musicians Anne Mette Iversen and Vibe Normann will introduce children to English versions of a selection of these songs, play musical games, and also perform some songs in modern, jazzy arrangements. Come prepared to move, dance, imagine, and sing your heart out! Anne Mette Iversen and Vibe Normann are Danish musicians living in New York. Iversen's background is in jazz, while Normann's is in classical and Danish folk music. They share a special love for the Danish children's songs they grew up with, and have performed together on several occasions in both New York and Washington, D.C. |
The Heimbold Family Children’s Playing and Learning Center
Open to the public on Saturday, 12 – 5 pm; $8 per child (Free to ASF Associate and above Members)
Open to ASF Family Associate and above Members: Tuesday – Friday, 12 – 5 pm
Note: children must be walking on their own to be admitted.
The American-Scandinavian Foundation unveiled a newly expanded and renovated Heimbold Family Children’s Playing and Learning Center in fall 2011. Working with Koko Architecture + Design, the ASF incorporated inspirations from early childhood education centers in Scandinavia into a premier learning and play space in New York. This indoor play space for children integrates the best of Scandinavian design while emphasizing early childhood sensory perception.
Within the two distinct yet complimentary areas – an activity room and a sensory room – design highlights include a reading theater, sensory tunnel, custom Lego corner, landscaped Brio train table, indoor climbing corner, mushroom house, a “please touch” wall, light landscape, and imported Scandinavian educational elements.
This magical interior landscape transports children from Park Avenue all the way to Scandinavia and back again, without the need for an airplane ticket!
Scandinavia House’s Heimbold Family Children’s Playing and Learning Center enables young children and their caregivers to have fun while learning about the history and culture of Scandinavia through books, toys, art workshops, and other programs. From October through May, the Hans Christian Andersen Storytellers delight children and adults alike at Saturday Morning Storytelling, bringing to life a magical world of fairytale kingdoms, ancient Vikings, trolls, and fanciful beasts.
These changes are made possible by the generous support of The Heimbold Foundation/The Honorable Charles A. and Monika Heimbold.