20 Splendid Sweden Crafts for Kids: Explore Scandinavian Culture

Pack your imaginary bags and grab your passport—we are heading to Northern Europe! Today, we are exploring a country famous for its breathtaking landscapes, innovative design, and incredible history. Welcome to Sweden.

Sweden is a sparsely populated nation with a density of just 26 people per square kilometer, yet its impact on the world is massive. From global brands like IKEA, H&M, and Volvo to pop culture icons like ABBA and PewDiePie, this Nordic nation is a powerhouse of talent. It is also the home of Alfred Nobel (founder of the Nobel Prize) and the environmental activist Greta Thunberg.

But for kids, Sweden is a magical land of red wooden horses, Vikings, delicious cinnamon buns, and the strongest girl in the world—Pippi Longstocking.

To help you celebrate this amazing culture, we have curated 20 splendid Sweden crafts for kids. These projects are designed to teach children about Swedish traditions, from the recycling revolution to the festive Midsummer dance.

Fun Fact: Sweden, The Recycling Superstar

Before we get our hands messy with glue and paint, it is important to know that Sweden is one of the cleanest countries on Earth. The Swedes are masters of the “Three Rs”: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

• Waste to Energy: 52% of their waste is burnt to produce energy to heat homes during the cold winters.
• Importing Trash: They are so good at recycling that they actually run out of garbage! Sweden imports about 2 million tons of waste annually from other countries just to keep their recycling plants running.
• Carbon Footprint: By recycling effectively, Sweden saves the atmosphere from hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon dioxide every year.

Crafting Tip: In the spirit of Sweden, try to use recycled materials (cardboard boxes, old newspapers, and jars) for the crafts below!

1. The Iconic Dala Horse (Dalahäst)

If you see a picture of Sweden, you will likely see a bright red, wooden horse. This is the Dala Horse. Originating from the Dalarna region in the 17th century, woodcutters carved these toys for their children during long winter nights. Today, they are a symbol of Sweden.

Craft Idea: Cardboard Dala Horse Collage

Since carving wood is dangerous for little hands, we will make a cardboard version.

Supplies:

• Thick cardboard (recycled shipping box).
• Red acrylic paint.
• White, blue, and yellow paint pens or markers.
• Scissors.

Instructions:

1. Draw a simple horse silhouette on the cardboard. Dala horses are stout with no tail (it’s usually painted on).
2. Cut out the shape.
3. Paint the entire horse bright red. Let it dry.
4. The “Kurbits” Style: Use your paint pens to draw the traditional harness and saddle. Use teardrop shapes, dots, and swirls in white, blue, and yellow.
5. Display it on a shelf as a piece of “Swedish Folk Art.”

2. Swedish Woven Hearts (Julhjärtan)

Woven hearts are a staple of Scandinavian culture. While they are now associated with Christmas (Jul), they are a beautiful craft for any time of year. Traditionally, these are filled with candies and hung on a tree.

Supplies:

• Red and White construction paper (or felt).
• Scissors.
• Glue stick.

Instructions:

1. Cut two oval shapes—one red, one white. Fold them in half.
2. Cut three straight lines from the folded edge up toward the rounded edge (stop about 1 inch from the top).
3. The Weave: This is tricky! You don’t just weave over and under; you weave through the loops. Thread the first red strip through the first white strip, then go around the second, and through the third.
4. Once woven, it forms a checkerboard heart that opens like a basket.
5. Attach a paper handle and fill it with treats.

3. Midsummer Maypole (Midsommarstång)

Midsummer is one of the biggest parties of the year in Sweden. It celebrates the longest day of the year (Summer Solstice). People dance around a Maypole decorated with greenery and flowers.

Craft Idea: Mini Tabletop Maypole

Supplies:

• Two sticks or dowels (one long, one short).
• Green yarn or floral tape.
• Paper flowers or small fake flowers.
• Glue gun (adult supervision).
• Two wire or cardboard rings.

Instructions:

1. Form a cross by tying the short stick horizontally near the top of the long stick.
2. Attach two hoops (made of wire or cardboard) hanging from the ends of the horizontal stick.
3. Wrap the entire structure in green yarn or floral tape to look like leaves.
4. Glue colorful paper flowers all over the pole and hoops.
5. Place the pole in a small pot of clay to make it stand. Use it as a centerpiece for a summer party!

4. Pippi Longstocking Puppets

Created by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, Pippi is a national treasure. She has red braids that stick straight out, mismatched stockings, and super strength!

Supplies:

• Toilet paper roll or wooden spoon.
• Orange yarn.
• Pipe cleaners.
• Fabric scraps.
• Markers.

Instructions:

1. Paint the tube or spoon a skin tone.
2. The Hair: Cut strips of orange yarn. To make the braids stick out, wrap the yarn around a piece of pipe cleaner (wire) and glue it to the head. Bend the wire so the braids defy gravity!
3. Draw on her face—don’t forget plenty of freckles!
4. Use fabric scraps to make a patchwork dress and paint mismatched socks on the handle.

5. St. Lucia’s Day Crown

On December 13th, Sweden celebrates St. Lucia. The eldest daughter in the family dresses in white with a red sash and wears a crown of candles (don’t worry, we will use paper!).

Supplies:

• Green construction paper.
• White and yellow paper.
• Tape or stapler.

Instructions:

1. Cut a thick band of green paper to fit around the child’s head.
2. Cut “leaves” out of green paper and glue them along the band to create a wreath look.
3. Cut five or seven “candles” out of white paper and “flames” out of yellow paper.
4. Glue the candles upright onto the front of the wreath.
5. Wear the crown and serve your family breakfast in bed (a St. Lucia tradition!).

6. Viking Runestones

Before modern Sweden, there were the Vikings. They left behind Runestones—large rocks carved with their unique alphabet.

Supplies:

• A smooth rock or a piece of grey modeling clay.
• Black paint or a carving tool (toothpick).

Instructions:

1. If using a rock, paint it grey.
2. Look up the “Futhark” alphabet (Viking Runes) online.
3. Paint a message on the rock using the red or black paint in the style of the runes.
4. Draw a serpent or dragon snake circling the edge of the stone, as seen on real historical artifacts.

7. Swedish Flag Mosaic

The Swedish flag is blue with a yellow Nordic Cross. This is a great craft for toddlers to practice fine motor skills.

Supplies:

• Blue and yellow paper.
• White cardstock.
• Glue stick.

Instructions:

1. Draw the cross outline on the white paper.
2. Have the child tear the blue and yellow paper into small squares.
3. Glue the yellow pieces inside the cross and the blue pieces in the four background rectangles.
4. This “mosaic” style mimics the tile art found in Stockholm’s subway stations!

8. Flower Crowns (Midsommarkrans)

During Midsummer, everyone (boys and girls!) wears a ring of flowers in their hair.

Supplies:

• Paper plate.
• Scissors.
• Tissue paper flowers or stickers.

Instructions:

1. Cut out the center of a paper plate, leaving just the rim.
2. Cut the rim so it opens up (to fit the head) or leave it whole if it fits.
3. Decorate the rim heavily with tissue paper flowers, real leaves, or ribbon.
4. The fuller the better!

9. “Kurbits” Painted Wooden Spoons

Kurbits is a decorative style of painting from Sweden involving large fantasy flowers and gourds.

Supplies:

• Wooden kitchen spoons.
• Acrylic paint.

Instructions:

1. Base coat the spoon in a dark color (black or navy blue).
2. Paint large, swirling floral designs in bright reds, greens, and yellows on the back of the spoon.
3. These make beautiful decorations for the kitchen.

10. Salt Dough Cinnamon Buns (Kanelbullar)

Swedes love their Fika (coffee break), and it almost always involves a cinnamon bun.

Supplies:

• Salt dough (flour, salt, water).
• Brown paint.
• White puffy paint (for “pearl sugar”).

Instructions:

1. Roll the salt dough into long snakes.
2. Twist the snake into a knot-like bun shape (Swedish buns are twisted, not rolled like American ones).
3. Bake or let dry.
4. Paint them golden brown.
5. Dab white dots on top to represent the pearl sugar that usually tops these treats. Use them for pretend play!

10 More Quick Swedish Craft Ideas

To round out our list of 20, here are quick-fire ideas to keep the creativity flowing:

11. Gnome (Tomte): Use a pinecone, a wooden bead (nose), and a red felt cone (hat) to make a Swedish Christmas Gnome.
12. Viking Shield: Use a round piece of cardboard and duct tape to make a shield.
13. Viking Helmet: Make a paper headband with two horns (even though real Vikings didn’t actually have horned helmets, it’s fun for pretend play!).
14. Northern Lights Art: Use chalk pastels on black paper to draw the Aurora Borealis, which can be seen in Northern Sweden.
15. Moose Antlers: Make a headband with brown handprints attached to resemble the antlers of a Swedish Moose.
16. Nobel Prize Medal: Use gold foil and cardboard to design your own “prize” for being a good kid!
17. Minecraft Creeper: Since Minecraft was created in Sweden, make a papercraft Creeper face!
18. Paper Straw Stars: Swedes hang large paper stars in windows during winter. Glue paper straws into a star shape.
19. Felt Dala Horse Ornament: Cut two horse shapes from felt, stitch them together, stuff lightly, and embroider details.
20. Swedish Log Candle (Paper): Roll white paper into a “log,” cut slits in the top, and add orange paper flames to mimic the outdoor fire logs used in Sweden.

Conclusion

Sweden is a country that honors its past while looking forward to a green future. By engaging in these 20 Sweden Crafts for Kids, you aren’t just cutting and pasting; you are taking a tour through history, folklore, and modern innovation.