How can I teach my kids about Scandinavian culture at home?

Written By Wendy

Discover creative and meaningful ways to teach your kids about Scandinavian culture at home—from books and crafts to language, food, and everyday traditions. Includes ideas, activities, and resources for families.

Explore Scandinavian Food Together Food is a universal language—and it’s a delicious way to teach kids about culture. You don’t need to master Nordic cuisine to get started. Choose a few simple recipes and turn them into family rituals.

In today’s fast-moving, digital world, passing down heritage might feel like a challenge—but it doesn’t have to be.

Whether you're a proud descendant of Swedish, Norwegian, or Danish ancestors, or simply drawn to Nordic culture’s values of simplicity, nature, and togetherness, you may be wondering:

“How can I teach my kids about Scandinavian culture at home?”

The good news? It can be fun, creative, and deeply meaningful—and you don’t need to be fluent in the language or live in Scandinavia to make it happen.

Here’s a guide to building connection, curiosity, and cultural appreciation in your home, one beautiful Nordic tradition at a time.

Why Teaching Scandinavian Culture Matters

Scandinavian values go far beyond folklore. They teach us about:

  • Family and community

  • Respect for nature

  • The power of simplicity and quality

  • The joy of seasonal rituals

  • Cozy, present-moment living (aka hygge)

When kids engage with these ideas, they develop a strong sense of identity, belonging, and empathy. You’re not just sharing facts—you’re passing on legacy and lifestyle.

1. Start with Story: Read Scandinavian-Inspired Children’s Books

Books are one of the easiest and most powerful ways to immerse kids in culture. Look for stories that reflect Nordic traditions, values, symbols, and landscapes.

📚 At Scandinavian Hearts, we’ve created a series of Scandinavian-inspired children’s books to do exactly that:

Featured Books:

These books not only introduce cultural elements but also build emotional resonance and pride.

Pro Tip: Start a monthly "Nordic Story Night" with cozy blankets, warm drinks, and a themed book.

2. Make Cultural Crafts That Spark Conversation

Kids learn by doing—and Scandinavian crafts are full of history, symbolism, and hands-on fun.

Try These At-Home Favorites:

  • Woven Paper Hearts (Julehjerter): A Danish and Norwegian tradition. Create heart-shaped baskets to fill with candy, notes, or hang as ornaments.

  • Decorate a Dala Horse: Print or draw a horse outline and let your child color with red, blue, white, and floral patterns.

  • Build a Nisse House: These mythical “house gnomes” are a big part of Nordic folklore. Use recycled materials to build a tiny home or create your own felt nisse figures.

🖌️ Crafts help kids connect emotionally to their heritage and offer natural opportunities to share stories and history.

3. Explore Scandinavian Food Together

Food is a universal language—and it’s a delicious way to teach kids about culture.

You don’t need to master Nordic cuisine to get started. Choose a few simple recipes and turn them into family rituals.

Kid-Friendly Scandinavian Dishes:

  • Swedish Pancakes (Pannkakor): Thin, crepe-style pancakes served with lingonberry jam and powdered sugar.

  • Pepparkakor: Crisp ginger cookies shaped like stars or hearts.

  • Lussekatter (Saffron Buns): Served on St. Lucia Day in Sweden.

  • Open-Faced Sandwiches (Smørrebrød): Let kids build their own with cheese, veggies, or jam.

  • Norwegian Waffles: Heart-shaped and perfect with fresh berries.

🌿 Include a brief story or fun fact with each dish, like where it originated or when it's traditionally eaten.

💡 Bonus Idea: Start a monthly “Scandi Sunday Supper” tradition with music, stories, and a recipe from one Nordic country.

4. Celebrate Scandinavian Holidays at Home

Scandinavian holidays are full of magic and meaning. Bringing even one or two of these celebrations into your year can create lasting memories and strengthen family bonds.

Favorite Holidays to Celebrate:

🎄 Jul (Christmas)

  • Make woven hearts

  • Decorate with nisse gnomes

  • Light Advent candles

🕯️ St. Lucia Day (Dec 13)

  • Wear white robes or paper crowns

  • Bake saffron buns

  • Sing candlelit songs

☀️ Midsummer (Late June)

  • Make flower crowns

  • Dance around a “maypole”

  • Serve strawberries, lemonade, and fresh food outdoors

5. Introduce the Scandinavian Languages (Playfully!)

You don’t need to speak fluent Swedish, Norwegian, or Danish to share language appreciation.

Start with simple, joyful exposure:

Fun Language Activities:

  • Learn and sing simple songs or lullabies

  • Label everyday items around the house (ex: “door” = “dør” in Norwegian)

  • Practice counting to 10 or saying family members

  • Watch YouTube videos or listen to audiobooks in the language

  • Create flashcards with cultural symbols (flag, horse, heart, crown)

  • Read (or listen to) the Swedish version of our children’s book Anna and the Dala Horse

🎶 Play traditional music while crafting or baking—it sets the mood and subtly introduces pronunciation.

6. Decorate With Meaningful Scandinavian Symbols

Your home environment is a powerful cultural educator. Consider adding small touches that reflect Scandinavian roots—kids notice more than we realize!

Ideas for Meaningful Decor:

  • Dala Horse Pillows & Art: Adds color and history to a child's room or play area.

  • Woven Heart Garlands: String together hearts for a cozy window display.

  • Nature-Inspired Decor: Pinecones, birch, simple linens, and wooden toys reflect Nordic simplicity.

  • Family Photo Wall: Add black-and-white photos of ancestors with a map of your family’s roots.

🧡 Explore our Scandinavian home decor collection designed to celebrate family and heritage through everyday items.

7. Talk About Values: What Does Being Scandinavian Mean?

One of the most important things you can do is share what Scandinavian culture means to you personally.

Talk to your kids about:

  • Why simplicity matters

  • Why family and community are valued

  • How nature plays a role in daily life

  • What holidays meant to your parents or grandparents

Make it real. Make it personal. And let your kids reflect on what they love most.

You might say:

“When I see a woven heart, I think about how your great-grandmother used to make them every Christmas. It reminds me that love is something we share and pass on.”

FAQs – What People Are Asking About Teaching Scandinavian Culture at Home

How do I raise my child with Scandinavian values?

Start with small, intentional traditions: eat meals together, spend time in nature, simplify your schedule, and celebrate seasonal holidays. Scandinavian culture is as much about how you live as what you do.

What are some fun Scandinavian traditions for kids?

Try these:

  • Making paper hearts

  • Baking saffron buns

  • Wearing flower crowns at Midsummer

  • Learning to say “hello” and “thank you” in Swedish/Norwegian/Danish

How can I pass down heritage when I don’t speak the language?

Books, crafts, holidays, and food are universal tools. Share your memories, stories, and values. You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to be present.

Can I teach my kids about Scandinavian culture if I’m not Scandinavian?

Absolutely. Many families are drawn to the warmth, simplicity, and connection Scandinavian traditions bring. Sharing culture is a beautiful way to learn and grow together.

Scandinavian Hearts Resources for Parents

At Scandinavian Hearts, we design products that make sharing Nordic traditions with your kids easy, joyful, and deeply meaningful.

Explore our:

Whether you’re starting fresh or reconnecting with your roots, we’re here to help you bring Scandinavian culture home—one memory at a time.

Final Thoughts: Culture Begins in the Everyday

You don’t need a perfect setup or a trip to Norway to teach your kids about where they come from. Every bedtime story, every paper heart, and every simple meal you share builds a foundation of belonging.

Culture isn’t a curriculum—it’s connection.

So light a candle. Bake some cookies. Tell a story. Make a heart.
And most importantly, make it yours.

From our family to yours,


Wendy Jensen
Founder, Scandinavian Hearts

Wendy https://scandinavianhearts.com/
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