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The American Swedish Institute strives to be welcoming and fun for families. They encourage visitors of all ages to explore traditions, immigration, handcraft and art. The museum offers regular family programming and special seasonal events geared towards children. It also has a Family Gallery with rotating family-friendly exhibits. Other family-friendly features include family restrooms, a quiet room for nursing and resting with small children and a welcoming atmosphere for breastfeeding mothers anywhere in the museum,and kid-friendly meals in the Café. 

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1. Strollers are generally welcome. However, the historic Turnblad Mansion has some tight spaces. A small stroller may be best, and the museum reserves the right to restrict stroller use in special exhibition galleries for the protection of the loaned items and because of the higher volume of visitors in those spaces.
   
2. Family restrooms and changing stations are available. They are located on both the first and second floors of the Nelson Cultural Center and the Lower Level of the Turnblad Mansion.
3. Family Friendly Meals Are Offered at the Cafe.  If you would like, you can dine outside while the kids can explore the Outdoor Playcart. However, food and drink are not permitted in  Turnblad Mansion or the Osher Gallery
   
4. Outdoor Playcart. The ASI offers outdoor spaces as well as indoor galleries. The outdoor playcart offers a rotating supply of fun things to play with while exploring outside, such as binoculars, magnifying glasses; scarves, ribbons, hula hoops, tree blocks; and kubb games. Outdoor Playcart Season runs April-September (weather permitting)!
5. There is a Family Gallery and Guides. Turnblad Mansion’s Third Floor Family Gallery has rotating installations and an interactive play area that encourages visitors to play, touch, read and learn! This is a good place to start as the topics change with the gallery exhibits and kids can get a child-centered perspective before venturing into an adult-oriented exhibit.
   
   
6. Write to Tomte. Turnblad Mansion’s Tomte has a mailbox on the third floor. Visitors are encouraged to write him a note or ask him a question.

   

7 Ways to Save on Admission to ASI

There are several ways to save on admission to ASI.  Here are some of our favorites:

1. Kids at the Castle offers admission plus family fun for $8/family.  Look for dates on our calendar one Friday and Saturday each month.
2. MELSA smARTpass. My most recent check of the smARTpass site netted free admission opportunities to Kids in the Castle, Babies in the Castle, Special Exhibits and other ASI events. Check it often for great deals.
3. Free Thursday Nights. Visitors on Thursday evenings between 3pm and 8pm receive free admission to the galleries and Turnblad Mansion.
4. Museums for All.  This is a needs-based program, which provides free admission to qualifying families enrolled in various government programs – including WIC and MA.
5. IKEA Family Pass.  If you are registered for the IKEA Family program (a free discount program through the store), children can receive free admission with purchase of an adult admission.
6. Blue Star Families. Free admission for active duty military families from Armed Forces Day to Labor Day each year.
7. Membership. Members get in free all year.

Family Programming at the American Swedish Institute

Families looking for things to do together can check out American Swedish Institute’s Youth and Family Programming, which is extensive, varied, fun and welcoming to kids of all skill levels and backgrounds and their grownups. The ASI’s eclectic range of creative activities and offerings for families includes the Youth Slöjd (Craft) workshops, extended school year class sessions, and På Gang, a Sunday afternoon Swedish class/social club for teens.

The museum offers Kids at the Castle and Babies at the Castle events, when families can explore and play at a steep discount. Families are invited to spend the rest of the day at ASI! Their Kids at the Castle sticker is their admission for the day. Explore the changing exhibits and Turnblad Mansion, Have fun in the family gallery, eat at FIKA, run around outside and play

Birthday Parties at American Swedish Institute

Useful Links:

• Register for Programs
• Find Current Hours Here
• Learn more about and book a Birthday Party